The Whimsical Art of Nichola Battilana

It's going to be another wonderful week of Design Team introductions! Are you excited to meet more of this fabulous team? Today, we spotlight the wonderful and whimsical art of Nichola Battilana. With a flair for humor, beauty, and fun - her projects are always a standout! We are so excited she will be on our team for a second year. She always makes gorgeous projects. As a believer of fairies and "maker of messes" (as she calls herself), her spirit and creativity invites you to get creative, use your stash, and try something you've never tried before. And who doesn't love that about an artist? Nichola's inventive spirit shines through every single one of her projects and we are huge fans of her work. We are so excited to welcome her for another year on our design team!

Before we see the wonderful work of Nichola, it's time for a blog contest! Do you want to win this Come Away with Me prize pack? If so, please comment here or on our Facebook page to be entered to win. We will announce our randomly chosen winner on Friday!

Let's get to our spotlight on Nichola Battilana!

"I am a British born, Canadian raised, maker of messes living in small town Ontario. I live in an old crooked house on two beautiful acres (along with my husband, kiddo, dog, chickens, ducks and small menagerie of other critters) where I also work from a home based studio dubbed “Pixie Hill”.

I have a background in fine arts and earned my pennies as a graphic designer for years and years (and years). Today, my focus making ‘stuff’. Collage and mixed media, painting, papercraft, miniatures and upcycling… I dabble in everything! It sounds a little scatterbrained but it’s all pulled together with a running theme of whimsy and absolute passion.

Crafting for me is more than a hobby. I create on a daily basis and get a wee bit ‘grumpy’ if I don’t. Also, being more than a little socially awkward, crafting really and truly helps me to connect with others. When I create, I feel like I am doing what I was meant for."

Nichola Battilana's Blog

These ATCs are bursting with blooming inspiration. We love the layering, the fun elements, the ribbon, and more! She shows off the joy of mixing and matching G45 collections. Love Nichola's description as well.

"I admit this is project is a little bit whacky… but it’s whacky in a good way (like a kooky auntie). It’s cheerful and fun and although it’s been raining for 2 days, this project made my grey afternoon a little brighter. ATC’s are one of my favourite types of project. They are fast, fun, and a great way to use snippets, tiny bits and scraps. I’ve used the Artist Trading Tags-Ivory as my base and went nuts on my Graphic 45 stash using snips from Place in Time, Secret Garden, A Ladies' Diary, and Botanical Tea. It’s ok to mix and match! Go ahead… give it a try :)"

Supply list:

Artist Trading Tags-Ivory
Place in Time > foundation paper
Secret Garden > May Flowers, Posy Patch
A Ladies' Diary > Garden Stroll, Lasting Impression, La Gazette
Botanical Tea > Botanical Tea, Flora, Fauna, Spring Duet, Herbal Infusion, Sweet Chamomile
Various fibers, yarns and ribbons
White Foam Stamen
White Pearl Stamen
Petaloo Flowers and Trims

This was the wonderful Punch and Judy theatre Nichola created for her final Design Team audition. It perfectly represents Nichola's fun and brilliant style! Enjoy the video tutorial she included!

Punch and Judy 'By the Sea' Theatre Video

Supply List

Graphic 45 By The Sea
By the Sea
Set Sail
Splash
Pier 45
By the Sea Stickers
By the Sea Chipboard
By the Sea Tags & Pockets
Ornate Metal Key Holes
Corrugated cardboard
Thin wood doweling
Coffee stir sticks
Drinking straw
Jute twine
Tiny Real Seashells in Tin
Tim Holtz Clock Keys
Metal Hands
Metallic Mini Brads
Wood Mini Spool
Hot glue & adhesives

You may not know this about Nichola, but she has a artist studio that people from all over can come visit called the Pixie Hill Studio. She created this amazing Typography postal station for her visitors!

"When children visit my studio, they sometimes discover that the fairies who live here have left them notes, postcards or miniature mail. For a while now I’ve been thinking that perhaps my little helpers need their own little post office to work from. With construction supplies from Graphic 45 and Gina’s Design, I am proud to say that Postal Station No. 45 is now processing fairy and elfin mail.

I’ve used Ginas Designs Mini Album Display Case as the base. By upturning the drawer and attaching with a hinge to the top, I’ve created a spot for super secret messages. The piece is embellished using Typography, which is perfect for giving the look of old time billboards and classic advertising and design.

Turn the box around and you can peek inside the mail operations. The bottom floor is a mess with letters and parcels. The second floor might be a bit tight but it’s the perfect size for fairy storage.

I really love this project and I think that it could easily be adapted to personalize for gift-giving to your favourite people. Instead of a post office, design a garden shop with Secret Garden, or a boutique with A Ladies’ Diary. Mix and match collections to create a fire hall, auto garage, castle or toy shop! Just imagine the possibilities!"

Supply List

Graphic 45 Typography
• Typography
• Inspire
• Celebrate
• Create
• Inscribe
• Dream
• Journey
• Typography Tags & Pockets
• Typography Stickers
• Typography Chipboard
12 Days of Christmas > Pear Tree (totally snuck in!)
Graphic 45 Staples
• Antique Metal Door Pull
• Ornate Metal Keys
• Ornate Metal Key Holes
• Ornate Metal Label Holder
ColorCore Cardstock - Heritage Kraft
Ginas Designs
• Mini Album Display Case
• Steampunk Shape Set
Faux Metal Hands
Small Square Brass Hinges
Small wooden table
Metallic Mini Brads
Red Thread
Miniature Books and Scrolls
Pen Nibs
Scor-Tape
Tacky Glue

Another great project from Nichola using Typography. She uses so many great found objects on this project and the vintag photo is just fantastic. A Steampunk masterpiece!

"Even though this piece is made up of found objects, old things, new bits, and supplies from here there and everywhere, the elements compliment each other and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I started off with a sturdy Innkeeper Signboard from Walnut Hollow, painting it black then sanding the edges to give a little bit of age. Typography’s “Journey” provides enough visual punch that there wasn’t a need to go overboard with loads of different papers and patterns. A thin slice of “Create” around the edge gives just a hint of accent colour. The copper gears in this piece are made of chipboard, painted with a metallic paint, then brushed with a hint of black. A whole lot of fiddling and fussing went into this piece, but it sure was fun and I think all that playing was worth it."

Supply List

Typography > Journey
Typography > Create
Graphic 45 Staples > Antique Metal Door Pull
> Ornate Metal Keys
> Ornate Metal Key Holes
> Ornate Metal Label Holder
> Washi Tape Set
> Metal Tag
Walnut Hollow Innkeeper Signboard 14”
Petaloo Colour Me Crazy Chipboard Gears
Gina’s Designs Cardstock Doily Set Steampunk
Gina’s Designs Steampunk Shape Set
Fairy Vial
Metallic Mini Brads
Metal Hands
Vintage cabinet card image
Tiny watch parts
Vintage watch spring
Burnt out mini lamp bulbs
Buttons

Dont' you just love the work of Nichola? What are some of your favorite projects by this talented designer? Welcome Nichola in the comments below! We are so happy she's on our team for another year. It's going to another wonderful week of Design Team introductions on the blog!

Your Pals in Paper,

Graphic 45

Want to try these projects out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here

Comments

Such amazing projects. I love any G45.

Posted by: Beneta | June 18, 2014 at 12:43 AM

Holy smokes, this lady rocks my socks off!!! It's almost too much!!! Almost. ;) I love Come Away With Me collection too! thanks for all the inspiration

Posted by: Linsey R | June 18, 2014 at 10:20 AM

Stunning and inspiring projects!!!!

Posted by: Sonia | June 18, 2014 at 03:12 PM

What beautiful work ... Pick me, pick me!!!!!

Posted by: Charlotte | June 19, 2014 at 04:36 AM

I love this collection!!! very awesome projects!!

Posted by: Heather Thompson | June 19, 2014 at 04:51 AM

The projects are all wonderful! What a treat it would be to win Come Away With Me!

Posted by: Kathy Lutter | June 19, 2014 at 07:32 AM

Loved all the projects. Would love to win some "Come Fly With Me", so I could fly out of here...lol

Posted by: Deborah Cook | June 19, 2014 at 07:46 AM