Sunday, May 17, 2015

Before chores

Most Sundays are about chores around the Pixie house.

After I put the laundry on the line but before the floors and cleaning I went about the garden and took a few snaps. Everything is coming alive and the springtime greenery is starting to be dotted with colour :)

Inside a tulip in the Pixie Hill garden - Nichola Battilana

No wonder the dogs allergies are acting up. Check out all that pollen inside our tulips!

Bleeding Hearts in the Pixie Hill garden - Nichola Battilana

The white and pink 'bleeding hearts' are doing their dangly thing.

Lily of the Valley at Pixie Hill - Nichola Battilana

I'm sure the faeries had something to do with the Lily of the Valley popping up all at once.

Apple Blossoms in the Pixie Hill garden - Nichola Battilana

And those beautiful apple blossoms... *dreamy sigh* 

Apple Blossoms in the Pixie Hill garden - Nichola Battilana

Hope your Sunday chores get done... but that you take time to notice the nice things going on quietly around you too.

One Little Thing - The Night Sky

This week we'll be exploring one of my very favourite themes: The Night Sky!

The moon, stars, planets, darkness, bats, the milky way, dreams, sleep, lightening bugs... there are so many beautiful things that happen when the sun goes down.

Create one little thing based on your interpretation of The Night Sky.

Remember, as long as you try, you will succeed in this challenge! The intent is to spend at least a few moments every week being creative.

Have fun!


Thursday, May 14, 2015

Home Sweet Home Cards for Graphic 45

We grow most of our own vegetables, collect eggs from our hens, make preserves and hang laundry on the line in the summer. 

Home Sweet Home Cards - Nichola Battilana

The Home Sweet Home represents all of the things we love about our rural lifestyle. It’s bright and cheery, fun and clean. 

Home Sweet Home Cards - Nichola Battilana

It’s a great collection that’s a breeze to work with. I created four cards with this collection, using one sheet of Core’dinations card stock as my base. I have no doubt that this will be a well used collection in this house :)
Home Sweet Home Cards - Nichola Battilana
Supply List
Home Sweet Home Apple Pie
Home Sweet Home Handmade
Home Sweet Home Farmers Market
Home Sweet Home Home Sweet Home
Home Sweet Home Garden Fresh
Home Sweet Home Granny’s Quilt
Home Sweet Home Country Life
Core’dinations Creme Brulee
Jute Twine


Hope over to the G45 blog for a good gander at more cards and goodies created with Graphic 45

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Monday, May 11, 2015

Done! Miniature Second Year Hogwarts Textbooks

If you can look past the inky, painted, grubby glue covered fingers, you'll see the miniature version of the required textbooks for year two Hogwart's students.

Miniature Year 2 Hogwarts Textbooks - Nichola Battilana
My thumb looks disproportionately HUGE in this photo!

I think I've satisfied my miniature book urges for a while.

Miniature Year 2 Hogwarts Textbooks - Nichola Battilana

I also made some 'autograph' cards to be sent out with the books.
Gilderoy would have wanted it that way ;)

Gilderoy Lockhart Miniature Year 2 Hogwarts Textbooks - Nichola Battilana

There are 12 sets currently available HERE
This is a limited edition so I will NOT be making more. 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

One Little Thing - Comfort Zone Challenge!

This week I'd like to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.

Create one little thing, using whatever topic you like, but use a medium that challenges you. If you would normally paint... write a poem. If you're a paper crafter, try drawing a picture.

Remember, you aren't being judged, there is no wrong way to complete the challenge. Success is measured by the fact that you tried... not the end result.

Saturday, May 09, 2015

"Of Summer & Bees" Deja Vu

No, you are not going crazy. Yes, I posted this project not long ago.
Of Summer & Bees Triptych with Tutorial - Nichola Battilana

Alpha Stamps is now carrying just about everything you need to recreate this project I designed for Ginas Designs Lasercuts. Also newly available, this collage sheet of vintage blushing beauties. They're really wonderful and (I think) a little bit otherworldly.

Blushing Beauties Collage Sheet - Nichola Battilana
And here's the tutorial again, to help you along :)