Wednesday, January 17, 2018

A Gilded Lady Shadow Box

I know I've been creating a load of these little shadowbox type projects, but they're helping me gain momentum for something larger.


I've always said that creativity breeds itself. It's true! You need the momentum of making and creating to make and create. Ideas, and seeds of thoughts and dreams, grow best when you're getting your hands dirty.


I started out thinking this wee box would contain a bit of funky colour, filled with choatic joy, but this happened instead.


Sometimes you aim for frantic joy and get serenity instead.


Perhaps it's my subconscious saying "Calm down, Nichola!" 


So maybe I'll calm down. Just a little. I'll settle for quiet beautiful joy instead of the frantic sing-out-loud sort.

This piece measures approximately 1.5" x 3" x 1.5" Chipboard base, gold dresden, scrapbook papers, and old jewelry bits. Available for purchase HERE

Have a sweet day, and take care of yourself.



Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Dragon Soot, Gnome Whiskers and other little magics

I've been plugging away and just trying to plow through some projects, 'get shit done' as they say. My giant stash of glass bottles and vials was staring at me last night so I set to work, filling them with magic.


I'll be reorganizing my scatterbrained etsy shop shortly. It is the epitome of disorganization at the moment. I'll be including a section of inexpensive but rather lovely magical items like these wee pendants.

Dragon Soot, Gnome Whiskers and other little magics

I mean, who wouldn't want some bargain priced concentrated, wild harvested Dragon Soot?!

Dragon Soot, Gnome Whiskers and other little magics

And we've all run out of organic Gnome Whiskers at one time or another.

Dragon Soot, Gnome Whiskers and other little magics

Perhaps you need a pinch of Luck

Dragon Soot, Gnome Whiskers and other little magics

A bit of help with your Wishes

Dragon Soot, Gnome Whiskers and other little magics


Whatever the case, I hope you find whatever magic you need and I hope it dazzles you.

Have a gorgeous day xoxo

Monday, January 15, 2018

Last of the glass fairy garden baubles

I've got a few new things on the go and loads of things I want to get going but today, an older project.

Glass Fairy Garden Bauble - Nichola Battilana

There are just a few of these wee glass fairy garden baubles left and I've listed them at a tidy little price in the etsy shop.

Glass Fairy Garden Bauble - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Hand blown glass baubles filled with moss, paper flowers and handmade miniature toadstools and cottages.

Glass Fairy Garden Bauble - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

I know they aren't as magnificent as that amazing nest, but I'm happy to concede to Mother Nature and her little workers.

Glass Fairy Garden Bauble - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Birds, without fingers or glue guns make the most glorious homes. I couldn't make a nest with ten fingers and all the glue in the world!

Glass Fairy Garden Bauble - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Hope your weekend was lovely. I'm off to the studio so that I have something shiny and new to show off soon. 

Take care of you. xoxo


Thursday, January 11, 2018

Pocket Paper Fairy Folk Art

I'm sipping my coffee and tippy typing this morning post. I have new fake nails and they make everything more difficult (except scratching). Although they make things difficult, and they always fall off at the very worst moments, I like them. They make my hands look lady-like and they slow me down and force me to take notice and care in what I'm doing. When they fall off it's back to being reckless.

TODAY: more little shadow box folk art shrines. These ones filled with flying paper fairies.


I'm rather partial to those colourful dots that frame this box. They look like they'd taste lovely (though I'll show restraint and won't have a nibble).

You can find her HERE

Then again, glittery wings are rather nice too...

Available HERE

Those two girls are housed in boxes that measure just 1.5" x 3" x 1.5". They are rather tiny.


This paper fairy is slightly different, but she's sneaking into this post nonetheless.

Now, I'm going to give old Paddy a scratch on the bum with my long fake nails and have a slow enjoyable day.

Enjoy your day too. 

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Wee Pocket Folk Art Shrines

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I know I've posted already, but I feel like this is my first REAL post of 2018, posted without any sort of obligation.

Are you excited about this year? I'm so excited. Last year (the year that shall not be named) was an absolute bastard right to the very bitter end. But 2018 and I are going to be BFF's. Already I've learned how to play Happy Birthday on the ukulele, and how to tie a bow tie, and I finished this sweet batch of tiny wee shrines...

Pocket Folk Art Shrines - Nichola Battilana

Here's a better look at some of them.

Pocket Folk Art Shrines - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Pocket Folk Art Shrines - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Pocket Folk Art Shrines - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Pocket Folk Art Shrines - Nichola Battilana
Listed HERE

Each of the wee things has a chipboard base which has been lined in vintage papers inside and decorative scrapbooking papers on the exterior. Inside, the bottom is lined with natural moss. The wee house is made of clay and was fired in a pit in the back garden at Pixie Hill. The toadstools are spun cotton and the flowers are paper. Each one measures around just 2" or so.

Pocket Folk Art Shrines - Nichola Battilana

I'll blog the tiny paper fairy shrines tomorrow, but you can sneak a look at them if you're a peeker like me.

I'm off to drink coffee and enjoy my day. I hope you have an amazing day too. 

P.S. I've missed you xoxo



Thursday, January 04, 2018

Fairy Godmother's Wardrobe Cupboard Thingy Part Deux!

I told you it was on the way!


FINALLY part two of my Fairy Godmother's Wardrobe project.


I've made a video tutorial to help those who purchase my Fairy Godmothers Cupboard Collage Sheet. The sheet includes posters, dust jackets, labels, love letters, magazines, postcards, notes, envelopes, and templates. It's basically chocked full of miniature goodness. 



It includes all of the papery accessories from the Fairy Godmother's Wardrobe project.


I'm having a few issues with etsy at the mo *shakes fist!* but the collage sheet is available as a download from AlphaStamps.com so you can get started making wee magical things right away. And the video tute should make things easy peasy!

Now there's no excuse. GO! MAKE ALL THE LITTLE THINGS!









Wednesday, January 03, 2018

Two Chippy Shadow Boxes

If the entire of 2018 goes past as quickly as the last three days, it'll pass in a blink. What a blur!!! First, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! It's going to be a great year. I can just feel it. Can you feel it? It'll be grand.

Now, on to today's project, which is actually two projects using the same chipboard 4x6 Shadowbox as the base.


The first box is a garden fairy theme... because that's what my supplies demand I create. I've used the Shadowbox Lid - Double Pane Window for this piece. You can just peek beyond the pane to see the winged fairy and butterflies inside.

I really prefer these two piece lidded boxes btw. They are soooo much easier to work with than a hinged top boxes.

Chippy Shadowbox - Nichola Battilana for Alphastamps.com

I've added a bed of Sheet Moss and loads of Tiny Paper Roses to the interior.
Chippy Shadowbox - Nichola Battilana for Alphastamps.com

I think this would actually make for a nice alternative for a birthday card. You could tuck a little message inside, a salutation for magical birthday wishes.

Chippy Shadowbox - Nichola Battilana for Alphastamps.com

Although different thematically, the exterior of both boxes is bordered with Gold Dresden. Let's face it... that stuff is just magic. I'm not one for resolutions but I think I need more lushness and opulence in my life and I'm sure upping my gold dresden usage would make my world prettier.
Chippy Shadowbox - Nichola Battilana for Alphastamps.com

Speaking of lushness and more. I've replaced this angels wings with something a little more substantial from the Angel Wings Collage Sheet. I'll admit it, sometimes size does matter. 

Chippy Shadowbox - Nichola Battilana for Alphastamps.com

A bit of cotton batting tucked into the bottom of the box, a glittery night sky, and you have a dreamy romantic shadowbox.

Chippy Shadowbox - Nichola Battilana for Alphastamps.com

Want to make your own dreamy shadowboxes? I bet you'll come up with something spectacularly magical! Here are the supplies that I used for my boxes ... and an itemized list too:

4x6 Shadowbox
Shadowbox Lid - Double Pane Window
Shadowbox Lid - Taj Mahal
Sheet Moss*
Floral Lace on Taupe Scrapbook Paper
Mixed Size Ivory Flat-Back Pearls
Angel Wings Collage Sheet
Romantique Parisian Scrapbook Paper
Fancy Gold Dresden Rosettes
Gold Star Garland
Brass Starburst Charm
Fancy Scalloped Gold Dresden Borders
Gold Dresden Halos
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Antique Gold
Angel Wings Collage Sheet
Bouguereau #4 (Angels) Collage Sheet
Double Dot Vintage Dark Denim Blue Scrapbook Paper
Fairy Wings Collage Sheet
Tiny Paper Roses
Bathing Beauties #1 (Tallulahs) Collage Sheet