My Mixed Media Family Home Gift Art

I created this mixed media art piece for my Aunt Wanda for Christmas.  This is her home with my Uncle Al in Mississippi.  My kids and I go almost ever summer to visit, except last summer finances didn't really allow us to make it out there.  We often find ourselves looking at the pictures from her home and reflecting on the times that we shared with each other and family.  The home sits on almost 20 acres and its so inviting from this view.  This photo was taken by my husband Michael with his camera phone.

I created this on a canvas first I painted with browns, burgundy, maroon, a little green then I used Golden Glass Beads, and molding paste to build up the layers of color to lay under the beads.  I cut out lots of flowers, paisleys, leaves from several scrapbook paper companies.  I glued down all the flowers after decoupaging a photo printed out of my printer of the home.  I then decoupaged the whole piece twice.  I used my Big Shot to cut out the letters out of my neighbors Sizzix dies using chipboard.  Then I embossed the letters in gold.  I used the Michael's celebrations ribbon and the left flower is part of the recollections line from Michael's Arts and Crafts store.  I was not so pleased and ended up adding more maroon/ burgundy because it looked a little orange.  After it dried I added more of the Golden Glass Beads and I was pleased with the outcome.  I called her tonight because my Momma flew my Memaw (Grandmother) home to Mississippi to my Aunt Wanda's and she took the piece with her.  I asked her if she like like it and she told me "I LOVED IT" and asked me "Where did you learn how to do that?"  I told her that I have been looking at all kinds of mixed media art and wanted to create something not gaudy but nice that she could hang in her home that was inviting just as it feels to us when we go to visit.  I was proud that she really like it.  I also made one for my neighbors. My neighbor Debbie said she really like hers also.  She told me "you are creative" and I loved to hear those words of encouragement so much.  Sometimes I don't think that I am creative, but I know I feel creative!  :)