Making Christmas by Hand

This year, I found myself craving scissors, paper, and the quiet hum of making something from scratch. So I set myself a challenge: to create 30 unique Christmas cards, using only what I had at home - no printing, no shortcuts. The result? A miniature “peepshow” scene inspired by Victorian paper craft, Dutch windows, and the soft glow of holiday lights.

To start, I gave myself a few simple rules:

1. The cards had to be finished by early December.

2. I could only use materials I already had at home.

3. No printing allowed! - everything had to be hands-on

   
   

   From there, the design unfolded, layer by layer…
   

   Inspiration and Concept

   
   

   The idea was sparked by a visit to the Teylers Museum, where I marveled at a Victorian paper peepshow. I loved the layered effect that drew the eye into a tiny world. Translating this into a card format, I envisioned a design that could be cut from a single sheet of paper—minimizing the need for glue and keeping the process efficient.
   

   Given the minimum postcard dimensions (9 x 14 cm) and the size of A4 paper, I opted for a three-layer design, with 1 cm folds creating depth between the layers.

From Concept to Creation

In the Netherlands, many homes have no curtains, which offers a fascinating glimpse into living rooms, especially during the festive season. These "windows into Christmas" inspired my composition: a simple scene with a glowing Christmas tree at its heart.

Before committing to the final design, I started with a quick mock-up. I folded a piece of paper and roughly cut out my envisioned layers. This prototype helped me decide on the perfect placement for the Christmas tree - center stage!

Next, I refined my design in Illustrator and prepared it for my trusty cutting machine, the Silhouette Cameo.

Bringing the Cards to Life

For the next few days, my studio buzzed with the hum of the cutter, while I stayed cozy by the heater. I hand-painted Christmas trees, carefully folded the layers, and added glue where needed - finally feeling that burst of creative productivity.

In the end, I made 30 unique cards, each hand-numbered. To complete the set, I paired them with hand-stamped envelopes, a custom postal stamp, and a blank card for personal messages.

A Little Piece of Christmas

I hope you enjoyed this peek behind the scenes! Crafting these cards was a joy, and I’m thrilled to share them with you.

If you’d like to bring this "peepshow" artwork into your home or send it to someone special, you can find them in my shop.