Sunday, November 05, 2017

Witchy Poo No. One - Winnie

If you follow my instagram account you may recall, many moons ago, that I posed a bunch of little faces that I had sculpted. It's been a loooong time, but I've finally finished all the old biddies. I'll be posting all 13 of them over the next week or so.

Here's the first oldie, who I am fairly certain is named Winnifred (although she prefers Winnie).

Witchy Poo No. 1 - Nichola Battilana

I imagine she's a hedge witch of sorts. She has a bundle of twigs in her belt, keys at her waist and a stick broom.

Witchy Poo No. 1 - Nichola Battilana

She is just shy of 9" tall. All of these oldies are are made with paperclay faces, cotton muslin base, and embellished with scrap fabrics.

Witchy Poo No. 1 - Nichola Battilana

Winnie is available in the etsy shop HERE.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Perpetual Happiness Calendar

Sometimes, I need a reminder to breathe more than I need to recall that it's Sunday the 29th of October.

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

So I've taken the Gypsy Soul Perpetual Calendar Bracket Style and turned it into a Perpetual Happiness Calendar.

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Instead of days and dates, I've replaced them with reminders to kick ass, to sparkle, and included images of some of my favourite things like Christmas robins, Van Gogh and pretty ladies in pink.

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Both sides of the cards are decorated to give lots of variation. When the mood strikes, I'll select new cards, reminders to inhale/exhale, to think nice thoughts and encouragement to keep at it!

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

I've added gold and pink dresden trims and colourful fun bits of sparkle.

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

With little angel feet to hold up my happiness.

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

If you really do need to remember what day it is, laser cuts of the months, days and numbers come with the Perpetual Calendar Bracket Style

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

Or you can set them aside and decorate the inserts with your own joyful reminders.

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

I've created a short video with tips on putting together this piece. You can skedaddle over HERE to see it. 

Perpetual happiness calendar - Nichola Battilana for gslcuts.com

The list of requirements!

Perpetual Calendar Bracket Style

Scrapbook paper
Dresden Trims
Cherub Metal Box Feet Set
Oak leaf charms
Gem/Jewel bits and bobs
Washi tape
Stickers
Glitter
Glue



Saturday, October 21, 2017

Haunted House Shadow Box

 A little haunted house shadow box today, for alphastamps.com

Haunted House Shadow Box - Nichola Battilana

Inside a collection of spooky ooky bits

Haunted House Shadow Box - Nichola Battilana

I've kept the little spaces pretty simple and haven't cluttered them up too much since they'll be covered by the house exterior most of the time.

Haunted House Shadow Box - Nichola Battilana

The papers I used for the background are the Tim Holtz 8x8 Kraft Paper Stash. I like them a whole bunch! The simple black and orange patterns are nice and functional and easy to coordinate.

Haunted House Shadow Box - Nichola Battilana

If you know me at all, you know I'm a bit lazy when it comes to hinges. I've opted to not have hinges in this piece at all and simply use a length of ribbon that is tied around the back and hold the front of the front facade in place.

Haunted House Shadow Box - Nichola Battilana

Mine is filled with just a mish-mash of halloween images, but it would be a load of fun to create a themed house. A vampire abode. A monster mansion. Or maybe even include pics of your own family members in their Halloween regalia.

Haunted House Shadow Box - Nichola Battilana

Want to make your own haunted shadow box? Here's the goodies I used for this piece:

Mini Haunted House Kit
Small Haunted House Add-On Kit 
Red Brick Wall Scrapbook Paper
Small Haunted House Window Trims
Small Haunted House Shadowbox 
Halloween Labels Collage Sheet
Tim Holtz 8x8 Kraft Paper Stash - Halloween
Little Darlings Collage Sheet 
Baroque Dresden Borders - Black 

Brass Setting
Cameos
Plastic bats, and spiders
Ribbon
Acrylic Paint

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

A vision of loveliness

The tiniest of projects today.

vision of loveliness - Nichola Battilana

A wee little shadow box. 
With a pretty little wizard. 
vision of loveliness - Nichola Battilana

And the sweetest snippet from an old book.

vision of loveliness - Nichola Battilana

If she belongs with you, you can find her listed HERE

Friday, October 13, 2017

Friday the 13th, creepy protective amulets

 In the wee hours of this morning, Friday the 13th, these creepy little fellows came to life.

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

They may appear ooky and totally spooky.

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

And I suppose they are in a way.

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

But the only thing they're meant to frighten away is negativity directed toward their owners.

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

Sort of like your own personal boogy man.

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

Protecting you while kicking evil in the eye!

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

They're made with rusty old nails, twigs, jute, paperclay and wool roving.

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

And are really quite tiny!

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

If you'd like your own, they are available HERE

Friday the 13th Creepy Protective Amulets - Nichola Battilana

How is your creepy Halloween creating coming along?

Sunday, October 08, 2017

Cheery mixed media ATC's

A break from the creepy and ooky today.

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

A trio of mixed media ATC's

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Playing with paper and paint and ink and old stuff.

Mixed Media ATC - Nichola Battilana

Whatever was scattered on my desk.

Friday, October 06, 2017

A Dilapidated Greenhouse

More creepy today! A miniature dilapidated greenhouse.

Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

It's crawling with creepy things and covered in fine spider webs.

Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

And there's something icky hatching inside, it's tentacles reaching and squirming...

Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

Let's call it Junior.

Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

There's all sorts of bits, crawly things, and bottles, vials, and bowls of terrible things.
Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

A skull, lantern, gargoyle, and toadstools too (which are undoubtedly poisonous).

Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

All atop a mossy cobble stone base. 

Miniature Dilapidated Greenhouse - Nichola Battilana

The finished piece is listed HERE

Or try your hand at making your own, Here's THE BIT LIST:
Wooden base
Miniature Greenhousee with Stand
Heavy acrylic medium
Cobblestone Texture Sheet
Faux moss
Large White Turquoise Skull Beads*
Tiny Wooden Flower Pots
Various glass bottles
Thrifted gargoyle
Speckled Eggs**
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Black
Creative Paperclay*
Plastic spiders and ants
Faux spider webbing
Moss
Polymer Clay (for tentacles)
Handmade toadstools
Chipboard Shingles - Half Scale Sampler
Silicone Mold - Architectural Flourishes
Acrylic paint