Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Mystic Swami Board Revisited

YEARS ago I made this 'Mystic Swami Spirit Board'.

Mystic Swami Spirit Board - Nichola Battilana

Recently someone inquired about it, and since I'm on a Halloweeny kick, and since the idea peaked my fancy, I decided to revisit the project.

Mystic Swami Spirit Board - Nichola Battilana

Look what few years of farting around with art and craft supplies can do! What a difference! I'm tempted to paint one of these every year to mark the improvement in my skills.

Mystic Swami Spirit Board - Nichola Battilana

He's looking a little pasty in this pic... let's just ignore that okay.

Mystic Swami Spirit Board - Nichola Battilana

Just like the original it's painted upon one half of a used wine barrel lid. Made with 1" thick oak staves, and measuring 22" wide, it's a hefty thing. 

Mystic Swami Spirit Board - Nichola Battilana

And I KNOW that some people have strong opinions about Ouiji and spirit boards so let me just say this: this is used wood with letters painted upon it. Glue guns on the other hand, now those things are pure evil.


Saturday, August 20, 2016

A pretty great day.

Today was a pretty great day. 


Soccer finals and my kids team came in 4th or 5th. No idea really. 
He scored four goals and did his best. We're proud of that ding-a-ling.


My hubs tried not to laugh at my jokes. But I'm hysterical so he was helpless!


My friend came for a visit and was receptive to my ridiculous gift.


There was laughter before dinner even started.


And though we tackled some heavy topics,
we manged to smile even more into the night.

Hope you're smiling too.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Wee Chippy Lanterns

AlphaStamps.com has some new chipboard Industrial Lanterns. They're really kinda cute, like small railroad lanterns, but of course I've filled mine with dragons and fairies ;)


Each side of the lanterns has an 'X' across it, but it's easily chopped off if you want to show off a miniature dragon or fairy silhouette. 


I've added some dresden trims to mine to fancy them up, along with some floral elements like Mini Fern Garland and Black Mini Paper Blooms. Paint and embellish those suckers to suit your tastes.


The 'glass' in these is the Clear Window Inserts with some tissue glued to the back and chopped to size. You can cover all four sides of a lantern with one sheet cut into quarters. I've also added a thin coat of white paint to the exterior here. It helps to hide the cutout when the lights are off, but you can still make them out when lit.

If those dragons are causing trouble (as dragons are wont to do) you can just bend those wings and tails to fit. Actually, those bent wings add a bit of dimension to the shadows.


And if you're itching to hang those lanterns, there are convienient holes in the removable lids. My reccomendation? Pop in a light, line up those holes and use a little bamboo skewar to hold them in place while you hang them via a Fluted Ring Pull glued to the top. 


OR you might just thread twine or ribbon through the holes to hold those pieces together with enough extra length that can be used for hanging too.


Whatever your fancy, here are the supplies I used to create these pieces to get you started: Everything in one place



Saturday, August 06, 2016

A Little Burrow

July's kit for Alpha Stamps was the Vintage Beach Cabanas. And although I'm not a beachy sort, I did manage to make those Cabanas work for me. I made a little burrow.


This isn't exactly the Weasley abode (it's far too tidy and not nearly wonky enough) but it is inspired by the home of my favourite magical family.

Now, I don't have a full tute, but I will give you a few pointers if you'd like to make something similar. 

I simply took the Cabana Row House Set and stacked the wee buildings together, chopping out any bits that were in the way, to make everything fit neatly.


The roofing tiles, although applied in rows, are totally wonky. I think it's kind of charming though... neatness isn't everything after all. You'll also notice here a little Thin Fleur Dresden Borders around the edge and peaks of the roof which I think add a nice touch. And there are people peeking through the windows from the Seaside Victorian Children Collage Sheet


If you look on the bottom left here you'll see some Wooden Spreaders. They don't actually hold anything in place (yay hot glue!) but they make sense visually. You can absolutely cheat when it comes to miniature construction. Build the impossible! BUT adding little details like fake supports and whatnot adds a smidge of 'reality' to your nonsense.


That bent chimney is a bendy straw painted black. If you happen to be out and about and see a box of those things on the cheap, buy them. They are super handy for making chimneys and pipes in miniature work. The rooftop chimneys include Black Umbrella Bead Cap which I think adds a nice little detail. 


Don't forget the back and sides of your piece. They are easy places to overlook but, if possible, worth fleshing out. It's always a pleasant surprise to see that an artist or maker has take the care to consider every viewpoint.





This little project was a lot of fun, so much so that I'm thinking I might make a second proper Weasley Burrow to be it's neighbour!.

Here are all the bits used in this project in one place.

Or the individual parts:
Cabana Row House Set
1-1/2 Inch Wooden Spreaders
1-7/8 Inch Wooden Spreaders
Seaside Victorian Children Collage Sheet
French Riviera 8x8 Paper Pad
Seaside Doors & Windows Set
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Black
Tim Holtz Long Mini Brads
Black Umbrella Bead Cap
Tiny Black Hinge Set
Flower Soft - Vintage Christmas
Box Feet
Bendy Straw
Acrylic paint
Glue
Wood Stir Sticks (door)

Friday, August 05, 2016

Indoor Fairy Garden Tutorial

It's the first Friday of the month so that means a project for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and a brand new TUTORIAL! This month I'm showing off how to make this little indoor fairy garden.


This sweet little cobble stoned garden uses Gypsy Soul's Cottage Base and measures just 9" square. It's a nice size to work on because you can put a lot of detail in that little space, but it's not an overwhelming size to fill or display.


One of the very nice things about this project is that you can absolutely personalize it to make it your own. I've chosen Gypsy Soul's 1:24 scale arbor and Tiny Birdhouse as accessories, but don't let that limit your choices! There are loads of possibilities and you should absolutely make your wee garden to suit your own tastes.


In my example I've used the Cobblestone texture sheet to create the garden path. Again, don't feel limited by my choice. There are loads of interesting texture sheets to choose from, as well as a brick wall sheet that would be ideal.


So, start collecting little garden bits and bobs, teeny flowers and twigs, and let's make an indoor fairy garden!



Cottage Base1:24 scale arbor
Tiny Birdhouse

Cobblestone
Acrylic gel medium
Acrylic paint
Tea and coffee grinds
Sheet moss
Twigs and sticks
Little faux flowers, leaves
Misc. accessories

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Old photos, my granny and the internet

Something very cool happened yesterday. My first cousin two times removed (or is it 2nd cousin 1 time removed?), whom I have never met and don't know in the least, sent some old photos of my gran as a wee girl.


Above she is sitting on the mayor's left knee (your right) during King George V's Jubilee celebrations.


And here she is at the head of the table, assisted by the mayors wife.

Now, I clearly remember visiting someones house and seeing a video game for the first time. Imagine being awestruck by Pong. So I'm sort of an oldie and still amazed by the connective power of the internet. The ability it gives us to travel miles and years. To share information and memories.

I realize that sometimes it seems the interwebs is full of stinkers... but it can be pretty nice place too :)

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Pocket Preacher

I've been watching Preacher and have really enjoyed it so far. Tonight is the season finale and I wanted to try out my new super teeny tiny brushes so I made a matchbox diorama with Tulip, Jesse and Cassidy.

Pocket Preacher Matchbox Diorama w/ Tulip, Jesse, Cassidy - Nichola Battilana

My hands are like a 10 year olds so here's a nickle for better size reference.

Pocket Preacher Matchbox Diorama w/ Tulip, Jesse, Cassidy - Nichola Battilana

And for those asking about the wee people, I'm going to put together a few blank sets and pop them up in my etsy shop tomorrow. which can be found HERE.