Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Holiday Spirit

Many artists and crafters live on a different schedule. I've been working on Christmas projects off and on since July... JULY! I have posted one or two holiday projects but now that Remembrance day has passed I feel no guilt whatsoever in posting at will!


Freshly finished with the glue still drying are these little holiday cottages in small galvanized metal buckets.


Cannot get enough of those bottle brush trees. They are so adorable.


I've used both handmade cottages and toadstools...


And store bought ones. The little cottages above are from a wooden railway set. Don't worry, I didn't swipe it from the kid ;)

P.S. I'll be cleaning up my etsy shop and adding new listings over the next day or so. Cheerio lovelies!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Couture Card for Fabulous Aunties

I’ve called this project “Couture Card for Fabulous Aunties” but really, it would be suitable for any fabulous person, and especially fitting if given for no reason at all.
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 This particular card was given for a very good reason to my very own ‘fabulous auntie’ (actually, I have 7 of them!). 
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We affectionately call this particular auntie “Martha” because she thinks of everything. She sends cards for absolutely every occasion. ‘Sorry you lost your wallet’, ‘Congratulations on your first successful pie!’, ‘Happy International Talk Like A Pirate Day’. 
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This year she celebrated her 60th birthday and marked the occasion by throwing herself a birthday party… that’s how she rolls. 
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I’ve created this card just for her with the ever-beautiful ‘Couture’ collection, added some lush Petaloo blooms and blinged it up with a smidge of rhinestone chain. Oh la la!"
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Supply List

Monday, November 10, 2014

Paper Poppies

Have you seen the stunning display of poppies at the Tower of London? It's brilliant. The display features 888,246 ceramic poppies, each one representing a British military fatality during the war. Absolutely astounding.


Tomorrow is Remembrance Day in Canada. I wanted to reflect on the occasion in my own small way, and so I created these two ATC sized tags. The small poppies were created using pieces from Sizzix 658866. The large poppy was made by modifying pieces from  Sizzix poinsettia dies 658865.  


I've used public domain images from the World War II Database which is a great resource and often includes specific details about the image provided. The photograph used above depicts Canadian troops overlooking the main highway in Iceland, 10 Feb 1941.


The solider depicted here is from the Edmonton Regiment.


I'm planning on abandoning these at the local Legion next time I visit.


Lest we forget.

Saturday, November 08, 2014

An altered canvas

Altered canvas by Nichola Battilana for Tresors de Luxe

I created this piece on an inexpensive 8" x 10" stretched canvas. Using paper fromAuthentique's "Faith" collection I covered the canvas and began layering lace from Tresors de Luxe.

Altered canvas by Nichola Battilana for Tresors de Luxe detail

A few bits of die cut paper and chipboard were added for interest and balance and then a wash of white acrylic paint was applied.

Altered canvas by Nichola Battilana for Tresors de Luxe detail

 Once the base was dry coordinating flowers from Petaloo's Darjeeling collection were added.

Altered canvas by Nichola Battilana for Tresors de Luxe

Finally, vintage buttons and a copy of a vintage photo in my collection finish off the piece.

Supply list: 
Ivory Lace Trim GL194
Set of Ivory Beaded Lace Appliques AP055
Lace Trim Venice Lace LA102
Other Guipure and Venice Laces from Tresors de Luxe
Vintage image
Vintage buttons
White acrylic paint
Paper from Authentique's "Faith" collection
Paper flowers from Petaloo's Darjeeling collection
Chipboard flourishes from Gina's Design

Friday, November 07, 2014

Crowns for no reason at all

I've been making for design teams, making for swaps, making for the holidays and not doing very much making for me. I've really got to cut that out, because making for me, for the sake that something popped in my head and I like playing with paper and paint, well, that's a big part of the joy of creating.

So I snapped myself out of it and took just a snippet of time to make some paper crowns. Crowns ALWAYS make me feel better. Here are my 'for no reason at all' paper crowns.


To create the crowns I used Double Dot Vintage papers in various colours. I really like this paper. It has a lovely, sort of sort cotton feel.

I used the A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die to cut out the shape for the crown. For an adult sized crown, I joined three crown segements together. The negative space left by the die was used for the middle pattern/portion of the crown.
 

Glitter and flower were added as a final touch. The above crown has a White Chiffon Flower from Tresors de Luxe. Below I've used flowers from Petaloo's Botanica collection. I especially like these Botanica Blooms.


Supply list:
 

Saturday, November 01, 2014

Raining Cats and Dogs Gift Set with Graphic 45

Graphic 45 is kicking off a series of Gift Bag and Card Tutorials over the next week. You should defo check follow along on their blog or with the #G45GiftHowTos on social media. 

Here's my contribution to the fun, a little gift set created with Raining Cats & Dogs.
 
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 Although the bag is cute as a button, it turned out nothing like what I had planned. Sometimes when things aren’t going as planned it’s best to just see where your project takes you :)
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The card is small and simple but the flower adds enough dimension to make a standard flat envelope a pain. So I thought ‘why not make a special chunky envelope to go with my chunky card?’ and the problem is solved! Graphic45_NBattilana_RainingCatsandDogs_gift_set_1of5

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Want to make your own? Here's how

The bag...
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And here's the card and envelope...
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Graphic45_NBattilana_CatsandDogs_TEMPLATE_chunky_envelope

Supply List

A Lace Scarf for Tresors de Luxe

Truthfully, I didn't realize I loved lace until I joined the Tresors de Luxe design team. 
Now I want to wrap myself in it!
And I will! I've made myself a scarf of that gorgeous stuff!
I started with a length of satin, and then applied all sorts of lace of various lengths and widths in layers. I've used a Raspberry Rose Shabby Chic Flower to join the ends. The flower already has a clasp so you could easily replace with another colour for coordination.


I've used LOADS of different Tresors de Luxe lace here so I won't list every one and just suggest that you check out their selection of Guipure and Venice Laces

Lace Fabric Trim, White GL-008 Lace Trim in Ivory LA-017
White Venice Lace LA-078
Ivory Lace Trim LA-003