Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Day 6 - A Wee Pinecone Tree

Mr. Pixie often says, "I'm the idea guy."

This usually means that he has a fantastical but outrageous idea that is an impossibility to bring to fruition. Once in a while his ideas are totally do-able. "You should make a little pinecone Christmas tree." Done!


A pinecone...


Some glitter...


And a tiny tin bucket.

Ta da!

Monday, December 05, 2016

Day 5 - Tomte Christmas Gnomes

I made a batch of these fellows last year and I loved them so much I wanted to make them once again. This year they are quite a bit smaller (but just as cute).


Tomte are Scandinavian creatures associated with yuletide. They are delightfully gnomish and since I collect gnomes I love them dearly.


They are cute as buttons and making them is a lot of fun. Their personalities just seem to pop out as soon as those white whiskers are put into place.


Tomte, elves and sugar plum fairies... is it any wonder I adore Christmastime?!


Sunday, December 04, 2016

Day 4 - Little Snow Dudes with Tutorial

I'm not sure why I keep calling these guys 'Snow dudes' rather than 'Snowmen' but they keep insisting that IS what they are called, so I shall comply.


I made a slightly larger and more complicated version of these guys last year. This year, I've simplified the heck out of them while maintaining maximum cute.


And if you'd like to make your own HERE is the video tutorial...


And here's what you'll need:

styrofoam balls
jute twine
white/clear glitter
good quality white glue
hot glue
small metal brads
black seed beads
straight pins or flat head jewelry posts
toothpics
black and orange paint
small eye hooks

Saturday, December 03, 2016

Day 3 - Tiny snowy house

Just something small and sweet today.

I think this will be a perfect thing to abandon with a note of holiday cheer.

The dome has been in my stash for quite a long while. THIS little tree was coloured green and dusted with some faux snow. The house is one which was pit fired in my back garden. And the gold is a snip from one of these dresden trims.


On top, a little bow with ribbon from THIS set, with a tiny snip of green and some colour from this Fancy Red Holly Berries Mix.

Ta dahhh! How's YOUR holiday cheer chugging along?


Friday, December 02, 2016

Day 2 - Cozy Fairy Beds

When I was a little girl, my Christmas stocking was always placed at the bottom of my bed. I'd wake up super duper early on Christmas morning and find a sock full of treats waiting for me. I'm sure this pleased my mother, as it gave her some extra sleep while I pillaged the stocking goodies.

Cozy fairy beds - Nichola Battilana

I am CERTAIN that fairies celebrate Christmas too. (In fact, fairies love celebrating so much, I'm sure that they partake in every possible holiday!) I wanted to give my fairies the same Christmas experience so, I've made my house fairies some little beds to get tucked into on Christmas eve. I've used a Gypsy Soul Mission Style Bed and a Standard Bed. I've added Leafy Corners to the Standard Bed as decorative accents. 

Cozy fairy beds - Nichola Battilana

The linens have been made from an old cotton pillowcase and the bedding is chopped from discarded sweaters. They are quite the cozy little things!

Cozy fairy beds - Nichola Battilana

I've also used the Christmas Shape Set to add a stocking to the end of the bed. I've dusted one with glitter and added a fuzzy trim... but if you want to get extra fancy, use the cutout as a template and cut 2 shapes out of felt. Glue the edge together and you'll have made a cute little stocking you can put the tiniest of treats inside!

Cozy fairy beds - Nichola Battilana

Now my fairies will be tucked safely into drawers and cupboards, no-so-patiently waiting for Santa's arrival. If you want to create your own wee beds, HERE is a video showing just how I put these cuties together.

Happy holidays to you and your fairy folk

Supplies
Acrylic paint
Glue
Styrofoam
Cotton fabric
Old sweater
Felt & fuzz (if making stocking)


Thursday, December 01, 2016

Day 1 - Zombie Ornaments

I had this ridiculous idea that I'd try to post a project a day, a sort of bloggy advent calendar for the month of December. I've got a good stockpile of projects here, so hopefully I can coax 24 blog posts for the month. Who knows if it'll happen but we'll give it a try, eh? ;) 

Some of the projects will be gifts. Some will be abandoned for strangers to spread some holiday cheer. And very few will be for sale if you want to gimme your pennies.

Let's get to business.... Zombie Ornaments!!!!!!

Zombie Ornaments - Nichola Battilana

I did some miniature zombies not tooooo long ago, and so when someone mentioned their 'creepmas tree' these things had to happen.

Zombie Ornaments - Nichola Battilana

I mean, just because it's winter doesn't mean that there are no zombies right?

Zombie Ornaments - Nichola Battilana

I bet that there are even Christmas Day zombies!

Zombie Ornaments - Nichola Battilana

I made a VERY small batch of these. There are only 8 for sale and I won't be making more.

Zombie Ornaments - Nichola Battilana

If you require some Christmas Zombie magic HERE is the listing.



P.S. Love you loads and bunches! Hope you're having the BEST day.

Friday, November 25, 2016

A Floo Network Fireplace

I interpret "Do you want to play with a fireplace?" as "OMG, MAKE A FLOO NETWORK THING!"

That's exactly what happened.

Floo Network Fireplace - Nichola Battilana

I've made a number of pieces inspired by the Weasley's (my favourite magical family) lately, so I wanted to do something a bit different with this piece. It occurred to me that it might be fun to create a something as if I lived in that magical world! And so, here is what I imagine my floo network fireplace might look like...

Floo Network Fireplace - Nichola Battilana

I'd have framed pictures of my magical relatives above the mantle. Stacks of books with magical titles, a Round Tin of tiny buttons, Cookies and a big bunch of Rose Buds too.

Of course I would read the Daily Profit regularly, and there's a stack on the floor. (Hint: A google search will provide you with several printables.)

Floo Network Fireplace - Nichola Battilana

You can't have a Floo Network fireplace without Floo Powder. There's some of that sparkly green stuff ready to go in a Tiny Glass Jar. And, because I'd be a mess even in the magical world, some powder has spilled and swept into the corner.

Floo Network Fireplace - Nichola Battilana

There's a lot going on this piece, but it's not ENTIRELY jumbled. It really does remind me of home with it's just-the-right-amount-of-clutter but not hoarder-level mess.

Floo Network Fireplace - Nichola Battilana

Even though it's not in complete disarray, there are loads of details to be found. Little stories within the scene, like this mouse keeping watch over the biscuits. That tea cup on the mantle and haphazardly placed pair of sparking red shoes clearly show what a busy witch I would be. (BTW I would wear those shoes every single day.)


I am quite smitten with this piece and think I'll keep it in view to remind me to strive for magical living in this world, and as evidence that a little mess is just fine and dandy.

Want to make your own? HERE is everything listed in one place and below is a list of the supplies I used:

White Undecorated Fireplace
Dark Blue Porcelain Tiles
White Porcelain Tiles
Blue Ceramic Urn
Corner Room Box
Coal Scuttle Set
Set of Miniature Books
Tiny Glass Candy Jar
Tiny Grey Mouse
Mini Silicone Mold - Cookie or Biscuit with Filling*
Mini Rose Buds - Red*
Mixing Bowl Set
Chamberstick Candle with Glasses
Doll Buttons - 6mm Mix
Domed Apothecary Bottles*
Miniature Round Cookie Tins
Simple Cups & Saucers Set - Set of 12
3-3/4 Inch Wooden Posts
Pumpkin Pods
Blue Damask Wallpaper Scrapbook Paper (outside of piece)
Wonderfully Wicked Haunted Scrapbook Paper
Little Library Collage Sheet
Something Witchy Collage Sheet
A Witchy Encore Collage Sheet
Glitter
Handmade shrunken head
Tiny sparkly shoes!
Paint
Glue
A crap-ton of love