Fun With Fussy Cutting By Nichola Battilana
Hello G45ers,
It's Friday and the first day of summer! Lets celebrate this fabulous day with some breathtaking ideas that are sure to inspire you! Do you love fussy cutting? Isn't it wonderful to sit down with some gorgeous Graphic 45 paper and delicately cut out pretty designs and characters for your craft projects? Fussy cutting can be so relaxing and rewarding! We've got three gorgeous crafts to share with you today that highlight the beauty of fussy cutting! We will be introducing the amazing work of Nichola Battilana, one of our brand new 2013 Design Team members! You are going to love her work! Plus we have a new winner to announce for this week's blog contest! Chosen at random from this week's Facebook comments, the winner is...
-Elizabeth Etheridge: "Great blog, great blog prize. Can't wait until Friday."
Congratulations, Elizabeth! Please email us with your shipping information at info@g45papers.com to claim your prize! This is the wonderful Bohemian Bazaar prize that Elizabeth won today! We have a new blog contest every week here on the Graphic 45 blog so stay tuned for more opportunities to win!
Before we get to today's crafts we wanted to wish a very Happy Birthday to Dustin Sims, the Graphic 45 Office Manager! Dustin keeps the Graphic 45 office running smoothly and efficiently. Some of you may have even met Dustin at CHA Winter in Anaheim! Dustin is such a valued member of our team and we hope his birthday is the best ever! Happy Birthday, Dustin!
We are so happy to introduce another stupendously talented papercrafter to the new Graphic 45 2013 Design Team, the amazing Nichola Battilana. She lives in beautiful Canada and her crafts are larger than life! She brings superb technique, boundless artistic vision and a great sense of humor to all of her creations. Her dazzling blog called Pixie Hill is an endless source of inspiration! Nichola definitely incorporates a lot of natural elements into her crafts. Flowers, butterflies and greenery are paramount elements in many of her crafts. This is what helps give her work such a fresh and joyful look! Fussy cutting is also a major part of Nichola's unique style. It adds wonderful depth and personality to everything she makes! We are so excited to welcome her to our brand new Design Team! Please join us in welcoming the amazing Nichola!
About Nichola:
I am a professional graphic designer and formally trained artist who is absolutely passionate about making stuff. Whether it’s upcycling, painting, mixed media, sculpture, assemblage, I jump in and create with positive, joyful abandon. My work is heavily influenced by make-believe, magic, folklore, faeries, nonsense and nature. My creative goal is to capture the little bits of magic I see in the world and convince other people to see them too. Setting imaginations alight and inspiring other makers are some of my most important achievements.
Nichola's Blog:
First up in today's joyful journey through Nichola's crafts is this incredible greenhouse featuring Bird Song and French Country. Fussy cutting definitely plays a major role in this clever work of art! Fairies, butterflies, mushrooms and flowers create a harmonious scene in this fabulous creation. This is the perfect creation for summertime! The vibrant colors and lavish setting make this greenhouse a craft classic!
Supplies:
• On The Boardwalk - Bathing Beauties
• Kraft Reflections - Bits and Pieces
• Botanicabella - Botanicabella
• Botanicabella - Garden Suite
• Olde Curiosity Shoppe - Butterfly Specifics3 CD Jewel Cases
Sheet Moss
Super Glue
Tacky Glue
Gold Dresden Trim
Buttons
Dimentional Mushroom Stickers
Here we have another enchanting fussy cut creation by Nichola. This amazing paper tree sits on top of three stacked altered boxes. Bird Song and Olde Curiosity Shoppe take center stage in this delightful work of art. Just look at all of those gorgeous fussy cut butterflies! You can definitely see Nichola's affinity for nature in this amazing piece! It looks like that tree is growing right out of those brilliant altered boxes! This craft is a true celebration of life and creativity!
Supplies:
Olde Curiostity Shop - Butterfly Specifics
Brown paper bags
Layer Cake Paper Mache Box Set
1/2” Dowling
Assorted Dresden Trims
Twine
Vintage Measuring Tape
Sheet and Reindeer Moss
Handmade toadstools
Handmade paper
Assorted Paper Flowers
Vintage image of ladies in white and blackNext we have this enchanting French Country memory bundle book by Nichola. This is such a fun and whimsical creation that definitely has the classic Graphic 45 vintage-inspired look. Here is what Nichola had to say about this magnificent work of art!
"Inspired by the French Country Collection, I've created a bundle of memories. This
particular collection stirs my imagination and turn my mind to clean
crisp bed linens, table cloths and colourful curtains in a little French
cottage. So, I thought to myself; "Imagine visiting a cottage in
Provance and finding a bundle of memories tucked into an old dresser
drawer! The
bundle is tied together with a bit of matching blue ribbon, it is not
bound. I wanted this piece to appear to gathered over time rather than
formed. It is meant to be untied and explored. Spread out on a table the
viewer can examine the contents of old photographs, French stamps,
vintage postcards and even a love note. Each
of the 'pages' is an ATC representing a different memory or experience.
A beautiful night time adventure. An evening with friends. Special
people met along the way... When finished, the viewer can collect all the bits, bundle it back up, and tuck it away for someone else to discover." -Nichola
Supplies:
• On The Boardwalk - Bathing Beauties
• Kraft Reflections - Bits and Pieces
• Botanicabella - Botanicabella
• Botanicabella - Garden Suite
• Olde Curiosity Shoppe - Butterfly Specifics
Ribbon
Vintage Photos/Postcards
Buttons
Dresden Trims
Faux Flowers
Vintage paper scraps
Jute Twine
Feather
Fleur De Lis sticker
Nail head stickers
We want to thank you all so much for stopping by our blog today! We hope you had a lot of fun exploring the amazing work of Nichola! We are thrilled to have her on our new team! We hope her beautiful creations helped inspire you to do some fun weekend papercrafting! Big thanks to Nichola for all of her stunning work today. We hope all of you G45ers will all stop by and see us very soon for more marvelous ideas and fun from all of your friends at Graphic 45! We wish you all a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Your Pals in Paper,
Team Graphic 45
Happy Birthday Dustin!! Wonderful projects!!
Posted by: Mary | June 21, 2013 at 05:08 AM
WOW!!! I am speachless, love the paper tree and butterflies. AMAZING!!!
Posted by: Holly Mira | June 21, 2013 at 05:10 AM
I guess you could say "I'm late for the party", but I did make it here. These designs are truly amazing (and I don't use that word often). I've heard the name a lot but didn't go looking for the product...until now. I was actually looking in my area for a retired pattern for a mb member and fell in love when I found it. I bought several packs for myself and just stare at it. LOL I see I will get a lot of inspiration here. I will start small...with the tags.
Posted by: Dreama Bordeaux | June 21, 2013 at 05:13 AM
Happy Birthday Dustin!! LOVING these projects! They are gorgeous!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | June 21, 2013 at 05:25 AM
Happy Birthday to Dustin! Great projects today!
Posted by: Mary Jane W | June 21, 2013 at 05:52 AM
Beautiful!!
Posted by: Dorothy | June 21, 2013 at 06:32 AM
I LOVE Nichola's style -- it is soo unique and soo very artsy! The Design Team has been pretty blessed and spoiled to see Nichola's projects before anyone else. ;) The G45 community is in for a real treat!!
Posted by: Maria Cole | June 21, 2013 at 06:41 AM
fabulous designs
Posted by: Yvonne Boucher | June 21, 2013 at 06:48 AM
Very cool projects.
Posted by: Jean Bullock | June 21, 2013 at 07:18 AM
Additional projects for inspiration and a chance to win a prize today. It can't get much better..
Posted by: Carolyn | June 21, 2013 at 07:28 AM
Wonderful projects! .. Happy Birthday Dustin .. and congratulations Elizabeth!
Posted by: Jeanann Cavalier | June 21, 2013 at 07:51 AM
Wow!!! LOVE Nicola's aesthetic! Her projects are gorgeous - very "thinking outside the box."
Posted by: Sharon Kanaya | June 21, 2013 at 08:05 AM
TGIF and Happy Birthday Dustin!! Nichola's projects are very inspiring. With wonderful G45 products and an awesome artist, the sky's the limit!!!
Posted by: Wendy Wakefield | June 21, 2013 at 08:09 AM
AMAZING projects!
Posted by: Jocelyn Cazier | June 21, 2013 at 08:44 AM
Nichola is truly a creative genius. What a joy and inspiration just looking at her creations.
Posted by: H. Flashman | June 21, 2013 at 09:11 AM
Nichola you are the best!
Posted by: Nataliya | June 21, 2013 at 10:13 AM
The paper tree is amazing! What incredible pieces of art these all are! TFS!
Posted by: barbara macaskill | June 21, 2013 at 10:34 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DUSTIN! Have a great day!
I think Nichola has such a whimsical style. I adore her work.
Posted by: Gloria Stengel | June 21, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Love the little bit of magic in your work!
Posted by: Anne Schilling | June 21, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Amazing! There are layers upon layers of fussy cut images! It must have taken Nichola so many hours!
Posted by: M-C Graves | June 21, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Oh my, your projects are all truly amazing! I just love the way you do your fussy cutting!
Posted by: Romy | June 21, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Happy 1st day of summer! Happy Birthday Dustin. Nichola's work is wonderful and inspiring. The tree is amazing. What a wonderful team you have assembled G45!
Posted by: Sharon Young | June 21, 2013 at 01:36 PM
Another designer to steal my hart-these creations are all outstanding.It's going to be a really good year!
Posted by: Beth w | June 21, 2013 at 02:09 PM
Lovely projects. Makes me want to get out my scissors.
Posted by: Nancy | June 21, 2013 at 03:20 PM
Just love your work Miss Nichola! You have more than a wee bit of magic up your sleeve! What a wonderful introduction. Cheers!
Posted by: Rhea | June 21, 2013 at 06:17 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Barb Wagar | June 21, 2013 at 06:54 PM
How fabulous! I have never seen projects like these. Thank you for sharing your Art!
Posted by: Mary Peterson | June 21, 2013 at 07:34 PM
I have been a fan of PixieHill for sometime. So excited for Nichola. Graphics45 is lucky to have her on their team.
Posted by: MaryJo Huff | June 21, 2013 at 10:10 PM
Oh My Goodness, I am so glad I came to look even though very late....
These creations are really like nothing I have seen; can't get over the fussy cutting, clean lines, use of papers & imagination (look at that tree??). It must make such a difference being professional graphic designer & artist!!
Congrats to this weeks winner & happy birthday to Dustin :))
Posted by: Caroline | June 21, 2013 at 11:48 PM
Happy Birthday, Dustin (you have the same name as my youngest Son, a great name). Welcome Nichola, your projects are amazing !!
Posted by: Patricia Howarth | June 22, 2013 at 12:13 AM
Wow Thank you Graphic 45 for the great prize today. I'm so excited. Nichola's projects will be just the inspiration I need to make several exciting things from the Bohemia Memories package. I'll dream about that butterfly tree for a long time.
Posted by: Elizabeth Etheridge | June 22, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Thanks so much for the nice words and warm welcome :) I'm sooooo excited to be part of the Graphic 45 team.
Posted by: Nichola | June 23, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Absolutely fantastic creations Nichola. Graphic 45 has the most detailed, colorful & beautiful papers. What a team!
Posted by: Kathleen Scott | June 23, 2013 at 05:43 PM
Wonderful eclectic designs! Thank You
Posted by: Carol Yohe Golla | June 24, 2013 at 04:55 AM
Fantswtic projects!! I love all of the little details and such imagination!! Happy Birthday Dustin!
Posted by: Patricia Molnar | June 24, 2013 at 09:32 AM
Where are you finding these amazingly talented people? Gorgeous work!
Posted by: Enikö DeLisle | June 24, 2013 at 10:28 PM