Monday, January 29, 2018

Forever and Always Romantic Shadowbox

For all my love of horror films, foul language, and filthy sense of humour, at my very centre is a squishy old timey romantic core.

Romantic shadowbox by Nichola Battilana with tutorial

I had it in my mind that to create a kissing booth. Something fun and flirty. Instead this terribly lovey dovey vintagesque smoochy kissy thing appeared.

Romantic shadowbox by Nichola Battilana with tutorial

I've used a Square Shrine Shadowbox as the base, and added other elements to fancy it up.

Romantic shadowbox by Nichola Battilana with tutorial

I've taken the largest piece from the Flourish Medallion Set, chopped into quarters and set in each corner. Damask Singles decorate the inside background and the frontpiece.

Although you can't see them here, the hanging ribbon is attached to the piece by looping through two Clock Hands.

Romantic shadowbox by Nichola Battilana with tutorial

A heart shaped cutout is layered with fussy cut flowers and and a sentiment from Graphic 45's Sweet Sentiments collection.

Romantic shadowbox by Nichola Battilana with tutorial

The glorious vintage I used is free and available from thegraphicsfairy.com BUT If you have a smoochy someone, perhaps you could use something a little more personal.

Want to see how I put it all together? I have a video walk through available HERE

Romantic shadowbox by Nichola Battilana with tutorial

And here's a list of all the bits you'll need to make your own vintage smoochy lovely shadow box.

Square Shrine Shadowbox
Damask Singles
Flourish Medallion Set
Little Heart Frames
Clock Hands Shape Set


Old paper
Vintage image from thegraphicsfairy.comGraphic 45's Sweet Sentiments
Paper Flowers
Ribbon
Half back self adhesive pearls
Paper Butterflies
Paper flowers
Acrylic paint
Glue

Sunday, January 28, 2018

More ATC's

A few more ATC's today. And even fewer words!

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

You're looking magnificent today btw.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Mixed media collagy ATC's

For their small size and relative simplicity, ATC's take a long bloody time to make. On my work table anyway. I won't get wordy today and just present them as they are... because sometimes you don't need words, sometimes they just muddle and complicate the uncomplicated.

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Hope your weekend is smashing!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Toadstool Thimble Gardens

Do you remember these wee things?


I used to make loads of them, and then moved on to other delightful little things.


But I had a custom order for a whole slew of them this past summer and made a few extras.


So if you're looking for a tiny treat, a few handmade tiny toadstools sitting in a thimble, I've got a dozen listed in my etsy shop. I've priced them nicely for a few days, but the bills must be paid so the price will jump back up at the end of the week. Grab them while you can!


I hope you're having a lovely week.

We have a pipe full of poop that we're dealing with at the moment.

I blame goblins.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

A Pretty Pink Lady

Another pretty lady today. Honestly, the world cannot have enough pretty ladies.

Pretty Pink Lady Shadowbox

I don't mean outside pretty

Pretty Pink Lady Shadowbox

But the type of pretty where a woman sparkles from the inside.

Pretty Pink Lady Shadowbox

The type of lady who thinks beautiful thoughts and still has full belly laughs that make her eyes twinkle despite every hardship. Those sort of terribly, awfully, pretty ladies are best of all in my books.

Pretty Pink Lady Shadowbox

This lady with her daydream eyes and fake sparkly things is pretty too. She is available HERE

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!