Monday, October 08, 2018

The Elfin Oak

Just arrived home last night from my three week adventure in England and Ireland. It was an absolute whirlwind and I will never take my bed or quiet life for granted for as long as I live!

I've got so much to share with you, so many bits of inspiration that I can't possibly do it all at once. Instead, I'll share things here and there over the coming weeks.

Today I'd like to tell you about the Elfin Oak, a magical old oak stump in Kensington Gardens.


It's easily missed and doesn't look like much from afar: an old tree in a cage behind a fence.


But, if you look closely, there's a whole lot happening on that stump.


It is covered with animals...


... and faces...


... and activity...


There are elves, fairies, witches and imps carved all over the old oak.


Mystics peek out from the bark.


An old fox sits at the base.


The entire surface is covered with figures hiding, sneaking, playing.


There's even a bit of kissing!


Originally carved in 1911, the tree underwent restoration in the 1960s, and then again in 1996.


It's such a fun thing to look at and explore.


So many wee folk with stories to tell. The makers wife wrote about the stump and had this to say:
"for centuries now it has been the home of fairies, gnomes, elves, imps, and pixies. In the nooks and crannies they lurk, or peer out of holes and crevices, their natural windows and doorways. It is their hiding-place by day, their revelry place by night, and when the great moon tops the bare branchless tree the Elfin Clans come out to play and frolic in the moonlight."

If you're ever in Hyde Park/Kensington Garden, you'll find this treasure next to the Diana Memorial Playground. Be sure to locate it on a map and get oriented before you go because we had a heck of a time finding it. Kensington Garden staff had absolutely no idea what I was talking about, but it was well worth the search.


Glad to be back to home to my bed and the quiet, and I'm looking forward to running with all of the inspiration I've bottled up.

Hope you've been well and not tooooo well behaved.

Saturday, September 08, 2018

Matchbox Fairy Collage Sheet & Tutorial

The countdown is on! I'm leaving Wednesday to begin my big fat trip. I'm so excited (and a little terrified) of going on my UK adventure. Things may be quiet for a few weeks on the blog while I'm away, but I'll be posting up a storm on instagram, twitter and facebook (if you prefer the sweary version you can friend request me).

The etsy shop will only sell digital items while I'm away, but I do have a new pretty thing in there.

Matchbox Fairy Collage Sheet and Tutorial - pixiehill.com

I've created a sweet little downloadable collage sheet/tutorial package for creating matchbox fairies.

Matchbox Fairy Collage Sheet and Tutorial - pixiehill.com

The collage sheet is jam packed!

There are six different tiny vintage ballerinas that are repeated and reversed to give you some extra options. There are a SLEW of butterflies and wings to choose from. I've also tossed in some sentiments and words and crests. AND there's also a template for making the matchbox and everything is perfectly sized to fit together. Plus there's a 2 page instructional pdf (not that you need it, you clever thing!)

Matchbox Fairy Collage Sheet and Tutorial - pixiehill.com


And... for no other reason other than it's pretty dang nifty....

Six leaf clover - pixiehill.com

Looky at this gorgeous 6 leaf clover I found in the garden today! I'm pressing it in a vintage book on being a gracious hostess.

Wednesday, September 05, 2018

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins'

I am in love with Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe. It's just so.... lush, gorgeous, beautiful, pretty. I can't say enough good things about it. Every sheet is a dream. Today I'm showing off some wearable art I created using this collection and the House Jewelry Pieces from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana


I've used various Floral Shoppe papers for the backgound keeping some pretty elements (like those pretty birds) nicely framed as a focal point on some of the pieces.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

I randomly stamped the base corners and frames with a floral design from Gilded Lily and applied gold embossing powder before gluing the frame and base together.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

A few sweet words snipped from vintage books. 

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

Paper butterflies are added too.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

Tiny eyehole screw is added to the bottom edge.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

Pretty charms and beads are added.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

What is it about those Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys that is oh so appealing? Must have something to do with the possibility of opening new doors, or hidden treasure boxes.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

I really like the range in size. From statement piece, to delightfully wee!


Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

I was in a bit of a pickle when it came to finding pin backs for these pieces. The small house shapes are quite tiny so I wanted to use butterfly clutches rather than long pin backs but I couldn't find them anywhere! But I did find magnetic 'buttons'.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

These won't hold in place on a thick sweater or coat, but these little magnets are quite strong (they were trying to stick together when I was shooting the group photos for this post!) and will absolutely pull together through thinner materials. Not exactly what I was looking for, but hey, now they can be used as magnets by those who don't wear pretty pins, buttons or brooches.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins' - Nichola Battilana

Want to make your own? Here are the supplies you'll need

Gold embossing powder
Acrylic paint
Beads, charms and jumprings
Small eyehole screws
Discarded books
Magnetic buttons




Thursday, August 30, 2018

Paper Fairy Matchboxes

Cross my heart, I am not exclusively making matchboxes... but I do have more to show off today.

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Each is wrapped in paper from Graphic 45 and had a sweet little sentiment on the cover. Inside vintage paper, moss, paper flowers and teeny tiny paper fairy.

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Each and every one is different.

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana



I have a bunch of these listed in the shop. They're $20 each and include shipping within North America (add $3 for international shipping). Just a heads up for my American friends, the US Customs and Border Protection is delaying mail entering the US. *sigh* So expect delays. I adore you and appreciate your patience.

Now settle in for a long look at these cuties.
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana


Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola BattilanaPaper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana


Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana


Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola BattilanaPaper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana
Paper fairy matchbox - Nichola Battilana

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

A simple fascinator

"Do you have your hat yet?"

"I'm not wearing a hat."


"YOU HAVE TO WEAR A HAT! Your grandmother was told she must wear a hat. You've got to wear something."


Apparently I have to wear a hat of some sort to my cousins wedding. I love hats (serious affinity to crowns!) but a) I get a bad case of hat head when I wear anything on my head and b) I have to pack it in a suitcase.

The solution? A simple fascinator!

A fasinator is "a type of formal headwear worn as an alternative to the hat; it is usually a large decorative design attached to a band or clip."


Most instructions I found for creating a fascinator said to use a 8" round, but I wanted something quite small. Instead, I opted for the Layered Frame Bella Oval as my base. I painted it black then sandwiched a piece of scrapbook paper that matches the colour of my dress in between the layers.

I applied a pair of Fantasy Wings to a Punchelements 1 inch Scalloped round and topped that with a paper rose. This element holds a length of tulle in place.


I backed the frame with a piece of felt and glued the entire thing to a headband. To secure things even further, an additional piece of felt is added over the band to keep it sturdy.


And that's really it! So simple. Done in not time at all with just a few materials. Best of all you can colour coordinate perfectly with your pretty frock.


I did attempt a tutorial but I had issues with the video and the footage was unsalvageable. August continues it's reign of disaster. *sigh* This project is pretty easy though and to make your own, here is the list of all the materials I used:

Layered Frame Bella Oval
Fantasy Wings 
Punch Elements 1 inch Scalloped
Headband
Felt
Tulle/Mesh/Net
Paint
Scrapbook paper
Hot glue
White glue
Paper flower 

And if you aren't attending an event that requires headwear, make yourself a fascinator and drink high tea at home with pinkies out and fancy something upon your head.