Wednesday, November 29, 2017

A Plethora of Presents

I absolutely love Christmas and gift giving. If I could, I'd buy something lovely for every single person I know. Alas, my bank account is firmly against this.


BUT I had a nice little idea! I saw the Set of Pre-Cut Drawers intended for the Advent Calendar Shadowbox and thought that they'd make a sweet little base for tiny tokens of holiday cheer. Super simple to assemble and sold as a set of 25 they just lend themselves for en masse making.


AND!!! AND!!! A strip cut from a 6" sheet will wrap around the boxes just so, with just a sliver needed to be trimmed. So, you only need a 6" scrapbook pad to cover these cute wee things. These boxes have all been covered with papers from Authentique's Vintage Christmas. The items I've used are all inexpensive but festive.



Covering the boxes with different papers and embellishments, like Miniature Bookplates or decorative brads, make the tiny gifts feel personalized and not mass produced. Filling the boxes with a variety of dodads and treats makes each little box feel like a unique present.


The items I've chosen to fill the boxes are all inexpensive but festive. I think they're rather sweet.


Some ARE filled with sweets! Then a bit of celophane and a simple tie. If you want to be extra fancy, you might place a single gourmet truffle inside. 

Pieces from the Snowflake Shape Set or Winter Shape Set also make sweet little embellishments.


Or perhaps you'd like to top your box with Christmas fairies or angels.



Or send a little holiday message.


While these little tokens have a decidedly Yuletide feel, these could easily be adapted to any theme as party or wedding favours. 


While these are super simple to create, I do have a video tutorial for you. You can pop over HERE to see just how easy they are!

The list of bits I've used:

Snowflake Shape Set
Winter Shape Set
Victorian Corners 2
Banner Border Strips


Authentique's Vintage Christmas
Wrapped Gift Box Ornaments
Tiny Wrapped Gift Box Ornament
Retro Bottle Brush Tree
Fancy Scalloped Gold Dresden Borders
Little Sweeties Collage Sheet
Angel Wings Collage Sheet
Brads
Fake snow
Moss
Candy
Tissue Paper
Cellophane
Ribbon


Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Pink Starry Angel Shrine

 Another angel shrine, pink and glittery and starry.

I've been asked about angels for a while but I was always preferred to stay in the fairy realm. And while I'm not really a big 'angel' person, I am rather fond of classical angelic beings.


This piece is created in a chip board box base, lined with vintage papers and glitter. Fluffy clouds and Tinsel halo, paper wings and Pink Thin Looped Dresden Border finish it off.

This original piece is available HERE

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Paper Fairy Shrine

Another shrine and how cute is she?!?!

Paper Fairy Shrine - Nichola Battilana

Paper flowers, cotton spun toadstools, vintage buttons... swoon!

Paper Fairy Shrine - Nichola Battilana

This piece measures 4.5" x 5.5" x 2" and has a mix of new and vintage supplies.

The base of the piece is a  Deep Open Front Shadowbox. The vintage gal is from thegraphicsfairy.com, the word band is a Tim Holtz product, the wings are from THIS collage sheet and printed on a transparency sheet.

Paper Fairy Shrine - Nichola Battilana

And if you'd like to purchase this original piece, she is available HERE

Monday, November 20, 2017

Little Angel Shrine

I had a request a short while ago to create an angel wing collage sheet. So, collage sheet complete I figured I'd best make something angelic.

Little Angel Shrine - Nichola Battilana

I'm sort of smitten with the wee gal. It's just packed with sweetness. Gold dresden. Tiny colourful stars. Fluffy clouds. It ticks all the boxes.

Little Angel Shrine - Nichola Battilana

Looking to make your own wee angel (Christmas angels are the best angels of all btw) the collage sheet is available as a downloadable PDF file HERE.



The other bits?
Gold Dresden Shell Border Strips
2.5mm Multicolor Star Sequins
Vintage paper
Self adhesive crystal embellishments
Faux Metal Number Plates 1 to 25
Glitter

Little Angel Shrine - Nichola Battilana

And if you'd like this wee angelic shrine, it's available HERE.


Saturday, November 18, 2017

Chipboard Christmas Ornaments

I've got a butt load... A BUTT LOAD!!! of chipboard ornaments to share with you today. So get cosy, and lets look at the wintery goodness.


Instead of using the elements in the new ornament frame sets as a single layered piece, I've used each piece as individual ornaments. I think I might give these sets as holiday gifts. Each set has a different style so it'll be fun to match the personality with the design of these decorative bits.


The first set is woody vintage with muted colours and jute twine.


I've edged them with Twinklets Diamond Dust... because I like to live on the edge and "Danger" is my middle name. Seriously though, this product is crushed glass and you really do need to take care when handling it. But holy heck is it pretty!


I've layered the vintage images with paper cut using Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Elements “Royal Circle” die, but Alpha Stamps has Chipboard Fleur Doily sets that you could use instead. I like to add a bit of space between the layers by simply using adhesive foam squares.

And instead of filling that framed area with an image, I've created a wreath with a Mini Pine & Berry Garland and Mixed Matte Red, White & Burgundy Berry Sprigs that I've made look frosty with some of the ultra dangerous Diamond Dust.


The next set is sort of a classic Christmas feel. I really like the non-traditional pastel pink and blue and greens of the papers.


Again I've used my trusty die and then just layered the bits with some simple foam squares. Because the ornaments are double sided, this also makes them lovely and chunky.


These particular ornaments remind me of a christmas candy shop.


 I think the chubby bearded guy would approve.


The final set is really sweet and retro.



Again using sort of non-traditional colours... but look at how cheery they are!


I think they're just adorable and would make a darling colourful addition to a swag of greenery or mantle boughs.


 ... although they'd look mighty sweet atop a brightly wrapped present or hanging from a wine bottle too!


Are you ready to make your own chippy ornaments now? Inspired to get your Christmas on? Here's the list of goods:

Juniper Pick - Silver
Mini Pine & Berry Garland*
Mixed Matte Red, White & Burgundy Berry Sprigs
Ornament Frame Set - Bauble
Ornament Frame Set - Round
Ornament Frame Set - Star
Ornament Frame Set Kit - November 2017
Retro Christmas Collage Sheet
Snug in their Beds Collage Sheet
Tiny White Snowflake Buttons
Twinklets Diamond Dust - 3oz Jar
Winter Kids Collage Sheet
2017 Christmas Ornaments Ribbon Set
Lacquered Holly & Berry Picks*
Miniature Pinecone Picks*
Celebrating Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad
Wired Pine Needle Stems*
Flat Back Clear Iridescent Snowflakes

Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Elements “Royal Circle” die
- alternative, Alpha Stamps Chipboard Fleur Doily

Friday, November 17, 2017

A tiny dancer

I'm not sure what happened to this Altoid tin. It seems, at some point, it had become a pallet, encrusted with a lovely shade of aqua paint. I'm not one to argue with fairies and what sort of objects they want to take up residence in soooo....

Tiny Dancer Altered Altoid - Nichola Battilana

A tiny winged dancer has moved in and seems quite happy in her crown topped tin. And really, there's no reason not to be happy with those tiny Multicolor Star Sequins in the background.

Tiny Dancer Altered Altoid - Nichola Battilana
The tin is edged with Gold Half-Round Dresden Border, filled with moss, a sprinkling of Flowersoft and natural lavender buds.

Tiny Dancer Altered Altoid - Nichola Battilana

Need a wee dancer who delights in mess and glitter? She is available HERE.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Witchy Poos Nos. 9, 10 and 11

Nearing the last of the wee witchy coven. Three more ladies today.

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana


Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana


Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana


Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

All of the witchy poos are is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Their base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. The hair is created with wool roving. They are embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs.

Monday, November 13, 2017

New Full Moon Shrine

I've really been churning out the projects over the past couple of weeks. It's nice to get back to work and it's nicer still to work with glittery things and happy moons.

Happy Moon Shrine - Nichola Battilana

Usually my moony faces are made with paperclay, but this fellow is made with polymer clay.

Happy Moon Shrine - Nichola Battilana

The base is a House Shrine Box, the exterior covered with sewing pattern tissue.
Happy Moon Shrine - Nichola Battilana

Inside there are pit fired clay houses and handmade toadstools atop a mossy lawn.

Happy Moon Shrine - Nichola Battilana

Moss, moons and mushrooms make for a happy messy maker.

Happy Moon Shrine - Nichola Battilana

This piece is available in the etsy shop HERE

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Witchy Poos Nos. 6, 7 and 8

More coven bitties today!

Witch Dolls - Nichola Battilana

I'm entertaining so this will be a word lite and image heavy post today!

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana


Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana


Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

No. 7 - Mabel (who is one of my very favourites and I am seriously thinking of keeping for myself)

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana


Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Witch Doll - Nichola Battilana

Like all of the witchy poos,these are is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Their base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. The hair is created with wool roving. They are embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs.
All available dolls are available HERE