Thursday, December 06, 2018

Fairy Cake Cottage

My fairies are not big fans of candy. Put out some chocolate or gummy bears and they will absolutely ignore the offering (much to the delight of Mr Pixie and the kid). Jam and honey and homemade cakes on the other hand...

 Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana

My fairies absolutely prefer the crumbs of home baked cakes and pastries. They have good taste.

Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana


The Fairy Cake Cottage is overflowing with the sort of treats my fairies love. Jammy cakes and cookies. These ones aren't edible, but I'm sure the fairies won't mind as long as I leave them some real crumbs later.

Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana

The Fairy Cake Cottage is made from a mishmash of materials. Recycled bits, natural elements and faux toadstools and flowers and handmade wee treats. Overall the nook measures just 8.5" x 5".

Fairy Cake Cottage - Nichola Battilana

The Fairy Cake Cottage is listed HERE.

What sort of treats do your fairies enjoy? 







Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Lucky Charm Cottage

Ok, how pretty is this peaked roof?

Lucky Charm Cottage - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

The second in a series of themed fairy stumpy huts. This one is filled with lucky charms. Made from a mishmash of materials. Recycled bits, natural elements and faux toadstools and mushrooms.

Lucky Charm Cottage - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Overall the nook measures just 8.5" x 5".

Inside it has everything from wee four leafed clovers, an acorn, buttons, a found penny, lucky star and horseshoe charm.
Lucky Charm Cottage - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Need a bit of luck in your life? The Lucky Charm Cottage is listed HERE

What do YOU consider lucky?

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

A Fairy Book Nook

A few stumpy fairy nooks appeared in the studio this week. I had other plans for them, but they went in a direction I was not expecting shouting "FILL ME UP WITH LOVELY THINGS!" And I know better than to fight against shouting work.

Fairy Book Nook - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Made from a mishmash of materials. Recycled bits, natural elements and faux toadstools and mushrooms. 

Fairy Book Nook - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

All of those wee books inside are handmade. (If you want to make your own handmade books I have a tutorial available HERE) Overall the nook measures just 8.5" x 5".

Fairy Book Nook - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com

Do your fairies like books? What's their favourite tale?

The Fairy Book Nook is listed HERE

Be sure to visit again to see the other nooks that appeared in my studio this week.


Monday, December 03, 2018

Wee winter birds

I love little winter birds. The chickadees and the sweet little dark-eyed juncos. The squirrels are certain that the feeders are filled for them, but it's those wee feathered bellies I'm trying to fill.


Once in a long while those wee dudes are very cooperative and pose oh so nicely for me (especially when bribed with seed!)


Inspired by those visits, I've painted a series of tiny canvases measuring between 2.5" and 2.75" square. You can find them all HERE. But here they are one by one...

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Wee winter bird, acrylic on canvas - Nichola Battilana

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Jolly Little Christmas Floats with tutorial

My kid decided he was too old for trick-or-treating this year, but not too old for a Christmas parade. Before moving here I was never really into parades. Standing around in questionable weather? Nah, thanks. Discovering night parades swayed my grinchy mind. The lights! The magic! *swoon*

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

And while these wee things aren't all lit up (although you could absolutely add lights!) I'm smitten with the bright sparkly cheeriness of these wee floats.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

To make these little floats I simply added Wheels 1 inch Fancy and Wheels 1.5 inch Straight to Chunky ATC Blanks.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Glittered Chipboard Shingles - Pointed added around the edges complete the base.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Then it's just a matter of filling up those floats! I've used bottlebrush trees, miniature packages and decorations and a vintage looking Santa. All of those bits were bought in the holiday aisle at the discount shop.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Cute. Easy. Inexpensive. Yes please!

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

I have a little video to show you exactly how to put these pretty things together right HERE.

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

I need to make a slew of these to create an entire holiday parade for my mantle!

Little Christmas Floats - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Want to make your own too? Here are the supplies I used:

Ribbon
Glitter
Holiday paper
Buttons
Bottlebrush trees
Tiny gift and ornament baubles
Plastic vintage looking Santas
White glue
Hot glue
Acrylic paint
Thin dowling or bamboo sticks

Monday, November 19, 2018

Big Fat Christmas Greeting Matchbox

I think my forced break from crafting while I was on my trip kind of reinforced the notion that crafting helps to keep me sane. It quietens the world around me. Although I do feel like I'm playing catch up with laundry and dishes and cleaning... I've been thoroughly enjoying making things, and savouring the 'stillness' creating brings.


But enough deep thoughts! Can we talk about the Christmas Vintage 12×12 Paper Pad? It's from Stamperia and it is full of old Christmas charm. Here I've used some sweet chickadees and cut out a rustic winter scene. I've fussy cut loads of holly and berries too (fyi there's some great Christmas puddings and cakes in the collection too.)


In addition to the background sky, I've added some clear glitter to the edges of the buildings and on the tops of the hills. It think it catches the light just right.


The top corner has a nice grouping of chickadees and holly and baubles. 

On a side note, the chickadees are out in full force here! They peck at the feeders and make a huge mess on the ground below. It's all good though the snowbirds prefer to forage and clean up after them. The whole while we have blue jays who swoop in and squawk like maniacs. Seriously, you'd link such handsome fellows would have a beautiful strong whistle. Nope!


But back to beautiful things!

This scene is set in a nice fat  Big Chunky Matchbox with Window and topped with a wired bow.

Want to make your own? Here's the list of making!

Big Chunky Matchbox with Window
Christmas Vintage 12×12 Paper Pad
Christmas In The Village Tiny Houses (background)
Wired ribbon
Clear Glitter

*I am an absolute stinker and have no idea which holly paper was used on the exterior of the box but I CAN say that it can be found in the Christmas Paper section at AlphaStamps

Friday, November 16, 2018

Flutter Cards with 60 Second Tutorial for Graphic 45

The holidays are coming up so fast, and for many people that means Christmas, winter celebrations, and Thanksgiving, but I couldn't help but make a big batch of beautiful general purpose cards with "Flutter"

Flutter Cards with 60 Second #g45videotutorial - Nichola Battilana


Flutter Cards with 60 Second #g45videotutorial - Nichola Battilana

Because even with all those holidays peering around the corner, there always seems to be a thank-you that needs to be sent, or someone who could use a pick-me-up 'thinking of you' card. I am absolutely certain that these will not go to waste!

Flutter Cards with 60 Second #g45videotutorial - Nichola Battilana

These cards are simple. There's a bit of fussy cutting, but that's about as difficult as it gets . No fancy cutting or folding with these beauties. They are so easy that you'll whip up a big batch in no time at all.

Flutter Cards with 60 Second #g45videotutorial - Nichola Battilana

I've made a 60 second video to show you just how quickly they'll come together.

Easy as pie!! So grab a mug of something warm (or a glass of something tasty) and create a big beautiful stash of cards for those unexpected important moments that happen year round… even when the holidays are looming.
Flutter Cards with 60 Second #g45videotutorial - Nichola Battilana

Here are all the supplies you’ll need to create your own collection of “Flutter” cards:

G45 Supplies
Flutter 12 x 12 Collection Pack
Flutter Ephemera Card (back in stock!) Clearsnap Decades Dye Pad Venetian Lace


Other Supplies:
Adhesive foam squares
Floral Stamp
Gold embossing powder
Corner punch (optional)
White paper
Glue Stick