Get to Know the Creative Imagination of Nichola Battilana
We love the imagination of Nichola Battilana! She truly is an incredible artist filled with innovative ideas and gorgeous designs. Today, you'll get to know more about her. Plus, she shares a Botanical Tea treat and tutorial filled with techniques and details that reflect her love for altered art!
An Interview with Nichola Battilana
1. Why do you craft?
It keeps me sane! If I go a few days without creating something I get really grumpy. Really. Just ask my husband. For me, it’s also a way to communicate and connect with others and a source of income.
2. What do you feel is your crafting forte?
Altered art or mixed media and sculptural paper items. I love cards and ATC’s and collage. I have a lot of respect for layout artists because that is definitely my Achillies heel.
3. What inspires and motivates you to be creative?
Everything! People, old stuff, beautiful things, nature… you name it. I see something out in the world and an idea pops into my head and I run to find my paper, scissors and glue.
4. What do you do with your projects once they're complete?
I am VERY fortunate to have a space in my house which acts as a sort of showroom. A few times a year I open up for people to visit. In the summer I get quite a few people poking around, trying to find the pixies and faeries that live here. Some of my work get’s put on etsy, some goes to shops, some of it I hoard :)
5. What is the funniest craft disaster you've ever had?
I glue my fingers together on a regular basis. I have accidentally ironed my leg. I have sewn projects to my pants. I frequently apply things upside-down. The funniest thing that ever happened was when I was building something in my yard, looked at my arm and saw a terrible rash!
I was certain I was going to die! I felt faint! Then I realized it was from the spray paint I’d used 10 minutes earlier.
Oh dear! Glad it was just a crafty false alarm! Tricky spray paint. Ha, thanks for sharing with us, Nichola!
Now, Nichola shares a beautiful Botanical Tea Mixed Media Box and tutorial. Enjoy this awesome project!
"I’ll say my forte is mixed media or altered art... but really it’s just playing with paper. I’m also fascinated by miniatures and love to create little worlds. Sooo, I thought that I’d create a little tea house with Botanical Tea inside a Mixed Media 5x5 Box and show you how to make your own too. This project is easily adaptable and you could create a whole little town if you like. Perhaps a pet shop with Raining Cats and Dogs, or a train station with Come Away With Me. You could also adapt this project into a dollhouse for little crafters by keeping the embellishments and fiddly bits to a minimum." ~Nichola
Supply List
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Birds of a Feather
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Robin's Egg
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Hello Friend
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Herbal Infusion
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Love Notes
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Banners
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Tags & Pockets
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Chipboard 1
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Chipboard 2
Graphic 45 Mixed Media 5x5 Box-Ivory
Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Keys
Wooden stir sticks
Wooden tongue depressor
Ribbon
Acrylic paint
Glue
Gold dresden trims
Gold Zig Zag Dresden Borders
Gold Ric Rac Dresden Borders Set
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Gold
Miniature Table & Chairs Set*
Tea themed charms and miniatures
Attic Pieces Charm Set
Miniature Tea Kettle Charm*
Miniature Silverware Set
White and Gold Service for Four Tea Set
Small Wooden Box Feet
Tiny faux flowers
Petaloo Petites Teastained Pink
Petaloo Botanica Petites
Now, let's announce our winner from our contest this week! Our randomly chosen winner of the $60 Time to Flourish prize pack is...
-Tina McMurray
Congratulations, Tina! Please email joanna@g45papers.com to claim your prize. Thanks for taking part in our challenge, G45ers!
Thanks for joining us today and congrats again to our winner! Join us this weekend for more fun National Craft Month interviews. See you tomorrow!
Happy Papercrafting,
Graphic 45
Want to try this project out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here
Lovely!!
Posted by: Dorothy McCarthy | March 20, 2015 at 05:06 AM
I love your Tea House Nichola! So sweet! TFS!
Posted by: barbara macaskill | March 20, 2015 at 07:16 AM
Nichola, your tea house is amazing! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations to Tina!
Posted by: Vanessa L | March 20, 2015 at 08:07 AM
So pretty...I love seeing your miniature world! Fantastic! xx
Posted by: Karen Foy | March 20, 2015 at 09:51 AM
While miniatures are not my area of interest, I do appreciate the work of this artist. Love the banners!
Posted by: Martie Rollin | March 20, 2015 at 10:03 AM
Like Martie R says, not my thing but kudos to those who make miniatures. Cute.
Congrats to winner.
Posted by: Caroline | March 20, 2015 at 10:53 AM
I love the tea party♥ And please stay safe!!!
Posted by: Jackie QH | March 20, 2015 at 11:13 AM
I LOVE miniatures! Mind brain is already spinning as I think of other vignettes to try with this tutorial. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Kris Martinez | March 20, 2015 at 11:52 AM
Very cool!
Posted by: Anne Schilling | March 20, 2015 at 12:36 PM
Nichola's tea house is adorable! Love it!
Posted by: MaggieM | March 20, 2015 at 12:54 PM
The little tea house is darling! I'm sure some wee' fairies love taking an afternoon break in this special little place.
Posted by: Karen Itzenhuiser | March 20, 2015 at 09:39 PM
Such a cute tea house!!! I love it!
Posted by: Viki B | March 21, 2015 at 06:16 PM
In addition to paper crafting, I also do miniatures and prefer room boxes & vignettes to doll houses. This is so perfect! I have some miniatures pieces that are what I consider stand-alone collectable pieces as they are from well known designers and crafters in miniatures. Some people create room boxes that are filled with these kind of pieces and the room box may be worth many thousands of dollars. I cannot afford to do that but I can surely use my G45 papers and boxes to do something as charming as this to showcase my very special pieces! Thank you SO much for this idea!!
Posted by: Charlotte Zweigoron | March 22, 2015 at 05:45 PM
Lovely tea setting.
Congratulations Tina.
Posted by: Carol Mc | March 22, 2015 at 08:26 PM