It’s coming round to that time of year wherein I look at the calendar and panic. I’ve not even started to think about Christmas presents for friends and family, let alone creating an advent calendar. And this year is particularly difficult as I’m trying to do it all whilst sleep deprived and often with a Munchkin who won’t let me put her down. So this year, I’m remaking some of the advents I created last year and thought you might want to do so too.
So here’s a slightly revised Little Mr Robot advent blog post:
A friend of mine dropped into conversation that she thought that I sketch I’d done years ago would look rather cute as an advent calendar. So I spent a little time this week playing with it to see if I could get it to work. Et voilà!! Here is the result!
Update: For a brief time in 2012, this was a free download; with an option to donate to keep the site running. From 2013 it was available via a paid Gumroad download and is now available for purchase on my store.
But on to the fun stuff!
For this project you’ll need:
- 12 sheets of 220 gsm cream card
- A printer (I used an inkjet as it seems to take the card a lot better)
- Double sided tape or quick drying glue
- A ruler
- An x-acto knife or scalpel
- Some ribbon or bakers twine if you intend to hang them up
- Little presents
Each of these little guys ends up 6cm tall and 4.5cm wide. The head is 4.5 cm wide x 2.8 cm tall x 2.8 cm deep (the perfect size for a little present or chocolate!)
To start, print the PDF file below onto 12 sheets of A4 220 gsm card in your choice of colour (I used a lovely cream colour, though he looked quite nice on stark white too!).
Then cut out each body and head using an x-acto knife and ruler. Score along the dotted lines. I don’t have a photo of this part as I used my cutter/ plotter for this project.
Fold along the two dotted and scored lines on the body of the robot. This makes his base.
Next, fold along all the dotted and scored lines on the head piece.
Carefully place the ‘neck’ tab into the two slots on the base of the head as shown.
At this point, he looks a bit like this!
Place double-sided tape or glue onto the 4 box side support tabs as shown.
I found this E-Z Runner in the photo section of my local Manor and it’s my new favourite thing! It cut’s down the time of applying double-sided tape substantially and is lovely and accurate. If you can get your hands on one I thoroughly recommend it.
At this point, you fill his cute little head with sweet ideas!
Fold down the two large side pieces and fold up the two little support brackets.
Then fold in the small back panel and bring the top of his head over into place. Sliding the locking tab into the cut on the back panel. The two little support brackets slide into place where his antenna is.
And he’s finished! Straighten up his antenna and create his 23 little friends and you’re ready to thread them all onto a ribbon or to hook them onto a tree or wreath.
Or just to leave them as a cute robot army.
These files are available for purchase in my store. They now include both PDF and SVG files so you can use them on your home cutters (Cricut/ Silhouette etc)
Thank you for supporting next to nicx! I really hope you have as much fun putting together this advent calendar as I have had creating it.
The templates and all associated photographs and materials are copyright to © next to nicx and to Nicola Pravato. These templates are authorised for personal use only.
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Woven paper baubles
Hot Air Balloon Decoration Tutorial
I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I just have to say – WOW!!! I really love the things you make, bake and take (photos of)!! 🙂 These little robots are soo cute! Thanks for all the fun stuff and inspiration.
Hi Kyel,
Thanks for your lovely comment! I adore receiving feedback from followers! I’m so glad you like my projects. I’ve had a really lovely time putting them together. I’ve a whole heap more coming up in the lead up to Christmas.
Nicx
I love this! Downloaded and donated. Now I just need to go get some paper. Thanks! 😀
Thank you! Your contribution to my caffeine and paper fund is very much appreciated. I hope you’re happy with the results!
Nicx
this is beyond cute!!! Love it~~ <3
Oh my! I love this! My son is called Otto, and we call him Robotto all the time. This is perfect for him (he’s 2,5). Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing 🙂
Oh that’s perfect! I hope he loves it!
Nicx
Erm… how am I gonna put this… THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!! Sweetest thing ever, thanks for being so generous!
Thank you so much!
i downloaded and donated and i love the robot advent calendar and i’m so thankful to you for offering it to everyone 🙂 it’s so cute and our family is having fun placing them around the house and finding the robots and it helps that they are numbered lol 🙂
Thank you so much for your donation! It’s much appreciated. I’m so glad you and your family are having fun with them! 🙂
xN
Please Help! I’m trying to find the template and everywhere I go it says it’s free yet here I have two different prices stipulated. This is perfect for my son first Christmas! His nursery is Robot themed, please I know it’s an old post.
Hi Liz,
I am sorry for the confusion. I’ve updated the post to accurately reflect pricing etc.
In 2012 (when this post was written), it was free to download with an option to donate to keep the site running. As of 2013 it was a paid download, initially on Gumroad, and now on my personal store (http://nexttonicx.bigcartel.com/)
I’m participating in small business saturday (for today only)- so if you wish to go ahead with the purchase, use the code SHOPSMALL2015 on checkout and you’ll get 25% off your entire order.
Happy holidays!
Nicx
Thank you so much!!! I find them perfect I’m finishing them off right now! Better making them late than never lol Happy Holidays! God Bless!
Ps: Thanks for the reply!
This is to let you know that you can afford another Starbucks coffee now. I have downloaded the fan gift bag-template first – I love it! – and then I’ve come across your robot calendar – I LOVE IT! – and had to have it as well. I do know how much time and effort it takes to create designs like that and this is why I have decided to donate $10 for it. Plus I am going to keep coming back to see your future strokes of genius … Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for your generous purchase! I really appreciate it (as does my (currently decaf) coffee addiction).
I’m so very glad you like the templates.
xN
Ooooh! You just changed my life!! How beautiful is that! 😀
Oh wow thats soooo sweet!
Where can I buy it or isn’t it available?
Love Tina
Hi Tina,
I’m so glad you like it! It’s available for purchase via digital download at http://nexttonicx.bigcartel.com/
Nicx