Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Lucky Charm Cottage

Ok, how pretty is this peaked roof?

Lucky Charm Cottage - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

The second in a series of themed fairy stumpy huts. This one is filled with lucky charms. Made from a mishmash of materials. Recycled bits, natural elements and faux toadstools and mushrooms.

Lucky Charm Cottage - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Overall the nook measures just 8.5" x 5".

Inside it has everything from wee four leafed clovers, an acorn, buttons, a found penny, lucky star and horseshoe charm.
Lucky Charm Cottage - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Need a bit of luck in your life? The Lucky Charm Cottage is listed HERE

What do YOU consider lucky?

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

A Fairy Book Nook

A few stumpy fairy nooks appeared in the studio this week. I had other plans for them, but they went in a direction I was not expecting shouting "FILL ME UP WITH LOVELY THINGS!" And I know better than to fight against shouting work.

Fairy Book Nook - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Made from a mishmash of materials. Recycled bits, natural elements and faux toadstools and mushrooms. 

Fairy Book Nook - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

All of those wee books inside are handmade. (If you want to make your own handmade books I have a tutorial available HERE) Overall the nook measures just 8.5" x 5".

Fairy Book Nook - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Do your fairies like books? What's their favourite tale?

The Fairy Book Nook is listed HERE

Be sure to visit again to see the other nooks that appeared in my studio this week.


Monday, December 03, 2018

Wee winter birds

I love little winter birds. The chickadees and the sweet little dark-eyed juncos. The squirrels are certain that the feeders are filled for them, but it's those wee feathered bellies I'm trying to fill.


Once in a long while those wee dudes are very cooperative and pose oh so nicely for me (especially when bribed with seed!)


Inspired by those visits, I've painted a series of tiny canvases measuring between 2.5" and 2.75" square. You can find them all HERE. But here they are one by one...

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Jolly Little Christmas Floats with tutorial

My kid decided he was too old for trick-or-treating this year, but not too old for a Christmas parade. Before moving here I was never really into parades. Standing around in questionable weather? Nah, thanks. Discovering night parades swayed my grinchy mind. The lights! The magic! *swoon*

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

And while these wee things aren't all lit up (although you could absolutely add lights!) I'm smitten with the bright sparkly cheeriness of these wee floats.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

To make these little floats I simply added Wheels 1 inch Fancy and Wheels 1.5 inch Straight to Chunky ATC Blanks.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Glittered Chipboard Shingles - Pointed added around the edges complete the base.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Then it's just a matter of filling up those floats! I've used bottlebrush trees, miniature packages and decorations and a vintage looking Santa. All of those bits were bought in the holiday aisle at the discount shop.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Cute. Easy. Inexpensive. Yes please!

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

I have a little video to show you exactly how to put these pretty things together right HERE.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

I need to make a slew of these to create an entire holiday parade for my mantle!

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Want to make your own too? Here are the supplies I used:

Ribbon
Glitter
Holiday paper
Buttons
Bottlebrush trees
Tiny gift and ornament baubles
Plastic vintage looking Santas
White glue
Hot glue
Acrylic paint
Thin dowling or bamboo sticks