Sunday, March 15, 2015

One Little Thing - Luck

With St. Patrick's Day approaching I thought we'd explore "Luck" this week.

Feel free to create something, anything, with a "Luck" theme as you interpret it.

Remember, there is no wrong solution to this challenge! The most important thing is that you take a few moments to consider the theme, and to get creative... even if it's only doddling for a few minutes!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Very little (but quite happy) moon shrines


I finished this series of tiny moon shrines yesterday. I created the moony faces a while ago but have been lacking the gumption to complete their starry skies. I'm blaming the wintry weather that seems to be dragging it's heels and preventing springs return for my laziness.

Happy little moon shrines - Nichola Battilana

Here they are now, happy as clams in their new tiny homes. They are small, the square ones measuring just 3", but tiny places are important so we won't  hold that against them.

Happy little moon shrine - Nichola Battilana

The moons are created with polymer clay, the houses and toadstools are paperclay.

Happy little moon shrine - Nichola Battilana

I've used two different types of glitter too. Above is lovey long strands, which remind me of Van Gogh's starry night. Below, a more traditional variety of fine glitter that are like pinpoints of light in the sky.

Happy little moon shrine - Nichola Battilana

I'm not pleased with the photos. My camera doesn't seem to know what I want. It refuses to see what I see. It's frustrating. The little shrines are far nicer in person. The moons don't care, they are just happy to have their skies to hang in.

Happy little moon shrine - Nichola Battilana

All of the wee things above are available in my etsy shop HERE.

Sunday, March 08, 2015

One Little Thing - Green

This week's challenge is to explore the colour green.

Easy peasy! I know you'll do great :)

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Spring cleaning

I started organizing one little plastic container and lost my mind.

Perhaps it's a longing for open windows and sunshine and frolicking and singing on our grassy hill a la Julie Andrews, but there was a sudden and immediate urge for spring cleaning.

Before too long I regretted it. The sheer volume of things in my stash! Not helping matters in the least was that I ventured into the closet of doom. I had exactly 3 gazillion things in there.

And then I reached this point...


This was where I sat and wanted to turn back time and wished I had not started organizing that one little plastic container.

I went and had a cup of tea and slice of cake. Tea and cake always helps.

If you ever feel badly about the state of your creative space, think upon the picture above and remember that I somehow survived.

Anyway after 2 days the joint is clean and organized.



And I won't be able to find a flipping thing for a week and a half :)

P.S. I'm using this as my "happy place" project because a) it is my happy place and b) 2 days worth of anything has to count for something.

Monday, March 02, 2015

Take your wife to work day

My husband needed to pop into work yesterday so I tagged along for the ride. I took my camera with me, hoping to get some shots of the vineyards at Casa-Dea Estates Winery but it was too blasted cold and I am a wimp. Instead, I snapped some pics inside the barrel cellar and production area.

It's actually a lot like a mad scientists lab in there. There are loads of stainless steel contraptions and tanks, there are beakers and tubes. I supplied the evil laugh.

Here are some of the pics I took. The equipment isn't really rusty and grime covered. Everything needs to be shiny and clean for winemaking, so the pics are photoshopped to the ends of the earth to add a dash of ominousness.

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

And one last pic of the mad scientist himself :)

Casa-Dea Estates Winery - Nichola Battilana

Sunday, March 01, 2015

One Little Thing - Happy Place

Whether it's a place in time, an imaginary place, a physical location or a quiet spot in your mind, this week's challenge is all about your 'Happy Place'.

Take a few minutes this week to think about your personal 'Happy Place' and create something based on your reflections.

Remember, there is no wrong way to complete this challenge. Any form of creativity is game! Write, make, glue, paint, doodle, sing... it's all good!

Have fun!

Friday, February 27, 2015

Lucky Horse Shoe Wall Hanging for Petaloo

I am totally and absolutely superstitious. 100%. Every entrance of our home has a horseshoe hanging above it. Let's blame my Irish roots.

  Lucky Horse Shoe for Petaloo with Authentique - Nichola Battilana
Needless to see I was wholeheartedly on board to play with Authentique's "Lucky" collection. Having an extra horse shoe (or two... or more...) hiding in my stash I knew it was my lucky day (terrible joke... could not be helped!).


Lucky Horse Shoe for Petaloo with Authentique - Nichola Battilana

I painted and distressed a lazer cut flat frame and applied Authentique's "Lucky Four" for the background. Next, the old rusty horse shoe. Then a healthy application of Petaloo flowers and burlap trims. Finally a sentiment from Lucky's "components".


Lucky Horse Shoe for Petaloo with Authentique - Nichola Battilana

Besides being a great project to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (when EVERYONE is Irish and hopefully just a smidge lucky), I think this would make a great house warming gift, bestowing the luck of the Irish upon the recipient :)



Lazer cup wood frame/base
Horseshoe