Thursday, June 23, 2016

A Beatrix Potter Tribute: aka Stumpy and the Bunnies

It's new issue day at DollsHouse and Miniature Scene magazine which means I can finally share this project I've been sitting on for months. (Note: not actually sitting on... oh, you know what I mean!) It's my miniature tribute to the fabulous Ms. Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

You may remember the beginnings of 'Stumpy' from THIS blog post. I used THIS tutorial from Sharon Ojala at Homemade Obsessions, and modified it slightly.


Dear old 'Stumps' is complete and has become the home of the Rabbit family.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

The piece is based on several illustrations by Ms.Potter. 

Lovely illustrations by Beatrix Potter

I tried to capture the watercolour, illustrative style of her images in this piece and I'm pretty happy with the results. Plus, it was was great fun incorporating the little details from her work 

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

A ball of blue wool on the floor.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

A wash bowl to clean up those many bunny messes.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

I've added some of my own elements too. One of Potter's illustrations sits on the wall as a 'Rabbit family portrait'.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

I've used both handmade and purchased items to dress the piece. All of the vegetables are handmade, as are the table and chair. The adorable carrot tea pot is from Alpha Stamps as is the sack, copper pans, and bowl.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

As for those bunnies...

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

They're made from Creative Paperclay with strands of fur for whiskers. I gotta say, Paperclay works beautifully if you want to achieve that watercolour look. It's a very different from polymer clay, but it's one of my favourite materials to work with.

Beatrix Potter Tribute - Stump house and bunnies - Nichola Battilana

Beatrix Potter really was a marvel, and a true talent, whose work went far beyond charming stories of cheeky rabbits. If you're interested in Ms. Potter, I highly recommend looking up her botanical illustrations. Her mushroom and toadstool studies are an absolute delight.

Want to read more about this piece? Check out the feature in the July issue of DollsHouse and Miniature Scene.

I have just made stories to please myself,
because I never grew up.
Beatrix Potter