Sunday, December 09, 2018

The Hufflepuff Tree (with extra Potter blabbing!)

Mr Pixie gave me a little broom ornament with my Hufflepuff house colours. It immediately sparked a need to create a Hufflepuff themed Christmas tree. So I did!!!!

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

I created a set of decorations and embellished a Deep Square Matchbook Box to store them in.

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

I've used various Olde Curiosity Shoppe—Deluxe Collector's Edition papers for all the bits of this project. To inject a bit of Hufflepuff pride to the exterior, I've simply painted some yellow stripes with washes of acrylic paint.

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

Check out that wee wizard hat charm *swoon!* How perfect!?!

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

Inside is chocked full of decorations! 

Note: The window of my box is covered with a square of plastic cut from a used food container. I glued to the outside of the box and created a paper frame. I did this on the outside so that it didn't catch when sliding the inner box in/out.

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys with Old Curiosity Shoppe butterfly wings added are sweet and simple. (I know, I know... the winged keys were bird wings in the books but I'm sure this is an acceptable compromise since they perfectly reflect my house colours.)

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

There's a good old fashioned paper chain. I applied a few sploshes of yellow just as I did to the exterior box.

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

Paper rosettes and, of course....

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

GOLDEN SNITCHES! These are made with flying pig wings from Olde Curiosity Shoppe which have been applied to little glittery baubles.

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

To fill out the tree I've added some gold stars, bows, and glittery garland and how stinkin' cute is the result?!

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana

All the bits? Here's the list!
Deep Square Matchbook Box—Kraft
Olde Curiosity Shoppe—Deluxe Collector's Edition
Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flower Dies
Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys
Organza ribbon
Yellow acrylic paint
Glitter baubles

I'm so pleased with this set and I've got loads of ideas floating around for additional ornaments! Perhaps I'll have to make a set for each Hogwarts House.

Hufflepuff Christmas Tree - Nichola Battilana


WARNING: Extra blabbity stuff below!!!!

Speaking of being a Potterhead... I've got a couple related pics from my London trip. 

I only had a couple of days in London and an insane itinerary. The very first thing I wanted to do was visit Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station. Seeing this as soon as I arrived was a good sign!


Now, King's Cross looks nothing like the film version of King's Cross. Nevertheless, there is a faux Platform 9 3/4 set up near the Potter shop in the station for photo ops.  

Platform 9 3/4

I didn't get a snap pretending to smash through the wall as it was absolute madness there. Seriously, the lineup was CRAZY, as was the shop. I did of course buy a few little Potter bits in the shop and managed the pic above with no one in the way. Huzzah!

Leadenhall Market

I also made my way to Leadenhall Market, which was the inspiration for Diagon Alley. It was very pretty, but much smaller than I expected. I drank a very nice pint of cider, had terrible fish and chips and bought a book there. The book store being the closest thing to a magic shop there.

Saint Pancras London

The very last spot I made of point of gawking at in London was Saint Pancras, which plays the role of King's Cross in the Potter films.


London was absolutely amazing and inspiring and I still have so much to share. I also feel like I'm not nearly done with that city and want to visit again one day.

What would you do with a day in London?

Friday, December 07, 2018

The Magic Hut

This is the last of my little fairy stump cottages. A wee herb hut filled with magical items for a cunning little person. (I use the term cunning here as in 'one who knows', not as one who is sly).

Fairy Magic Hut

I'm sort of in love with the signage on this one.

Fairy Magic Hut

And this little places does indeed have it all! Crystal balls, incense, tarot cards, a besom, true love herbs, books and scrolls and more!

Fairy Magic Hut

I sort of like that this place has items that are both light and grim. I mean that's what fairies are all about. Fairies aren't all light and love, they're mischievous and magic too.

Fairy Magic Hut

The Magic Hut is listed HERE.

Have you ever encountered fairy mischief or magic? I've been quite lucky to be on the good side of the fair folk... although they do love to hide things on me. 

Cheeky wee things.


Thursday, December 06, 2018

Fairy Cake Cottage

My fairies are not big fans of candy. Put out some chocolate or gummy bears and they will absolutely ignore the offering (much to the delight of Mr Pixie and the kid). Jam and honey and homemade cakes on the other hand...

 Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana

My fairies absolutely prefer the crumbs of home baked cakes and pastries. They have good taste.

Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana


The Fairy Cake Cottage is overflowing with the sort of treats my fairies love. Jammy cakes and cookies. These ones aren't edible, but I'm sure the fairies won't mind as long as I leave them some real crumbs later.

Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana

The Fairy Cake Cottage is made from a mishmash of materials. Recycled bits, natural elements and faux toadstools and flowers and handmade wee treats. Overall the nook measures just 8.5" x 5".

Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana

The Fairy Cake Cottage is listed HERE.

What sort of treats do your fairies enjoy? 







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