Herndon House Mixed Media Painting— A Christmas Gift

Wrapping up my holiday orders! Ok, I lied, I'm just getting started. I have a few more houses to go:) But just finished this Downtown gem. Ho-Ho-Ho!

"Herndon House"

11"x14" Mixed Media Canvas

Mixed Media Painting — Monticello

"Monticello"

12" x 12" Mixed Media Acrylic Canvas

Just finished this commission of Thomas Jefferson's home. I understand it will be a gift for a teacher. The names at the bottom of the painting are all the names of the students in the teacher's class. They all went on a field trip to D.C. together this Fall. A creative way to remember a trip!

The Real Monticello

Thomas Jefferson, our third president (1801-1809) is on the two-dollar bill. My grandfather used to give all of the grandkids $2 bills and told us to always keep one in your wallet. We treasured them like gold. A few years ago, I gave one to my son and now he carries it in his wallet too:)

 Here are a few iPhone shots of my process. I started with book pages (above). 

Then I added dimension with wood and chipboard on the trim of the building. 

The shrubs were made with paper-pulp and a few buttons. I used molding paste for the columns and some of the trim as well.

I've been to Monticello a few times over the years. Painting this old house makes me want to go see it again:)

A Gnome Wreath - Teacher Appreciation Week

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 2013— It's serious business people! We have a "Teacher Appreciation Week" Committee appointed by our school's PTA. And every year, this committee recruits parents to volunteer to decorate classroom doors for all the teachers. This year is no different for me. I've been decorating doors for ohhhhh... six years now. And even though my time is very limited now that I'm a working mom, I still love the challenge of coming up with new and creative ways to show how much we appreciate our teachers. This year's theme was, "Thanks for Helping Our Kids Grow". I wanted to do something different than the old banner on the door thing. And this year, I wanted to get the students involved as well. So, I came up with a Gnome wreath. 

WHERE'D YOU GET THAT IDEA? The first question people inevitably ask me is, "Did you get that idea from Pinterest?" Yeah (duh!), doesn't everybody these days? Pinterest is chalk full of great ideas and inspiration. The key is to make it your own! Thanks to Sharon from Crafts n' Coffee for sharing her adorable moss rock wreath— my inspiration for this year's Teacher Appreciation Door Decoration!

HOW'D YOU DO THAT? The moss rocks were amazing that Sharon used for her wreath, but I didn't have time to order them online, so I bought Sheet Moss from the Craft Store instead, cut it into strips and wrapped it around a styrofoam wreath (with a glue gun). The needle felted mushrooms were fun and super easy to make. Here's the link to Sharon's "How To". Then I added some small creek rocks and a rope ladder where all the Gnomes would hang. The paper banner was the final touch. I secured that into the wreath with wooden skewers on each side strategically covered by red striped paper straws.

GETTING THE KIDS INVOLVED— I wanted the students to make something for their teacher, so I searched Pinterest again— this time for Gnomes. I had to keep it simple because I would be working with second graders. And viola! I found the perfect gnome...errrr.... elf:) Nix the scarf and add a fuzzy beard and we've got ourselves a cute little bunch of Garden Gnomes! The kids loved making them and couldn't wait to show their teacher. 

Thanks to all you teachers out there! We truly appreciate all you do for our kids:)

There's Gnome-body better than our teachers!

Happily sharing this post with: Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Creating My Way to Success, and Mad in Crafts.

This is the Day!

My Great Grandmother, Mamaw Reba, read this verse to me when I was little and told me to say it every day. That's Mamaw Reba with my sisters and I, Easter 1976. See how she's leaning towards me? She loved me best, I know it.

Whenever I see that verse, it makes me smile and think of her. Today though, I truly felt like saying it for the first time in a long while. I feel really good about my life right now and know I can handle whatever lies ahead for me and my boys. And I'm so thankful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and friends. Every day is a blessing. Note to self, remember that!

A Mixed Media Downtown Bungalow

I finished this bungalow just before leaving for North Carolina for the holidays. It was for a friend, so I didn't want to post it and ruin the surprise. 

"Downtown Bungalow"

12x12 Mixed Media Canvas

Reference

Yeah, that's a Gator flag on the house. And no, I did not include it in the painting! If you look closely at the painting for a few minutes, you start to see the Seminole Marching Band coming through the painting...  Just kiddn'. 

This time I used a lot more wood and chip board to add dimension. Also used paper pulp, molding paste, Chinese papers, fabric and my signature button.

I've always painted on a small scale, but this is the year I'm going BIG! Like 3'x5' and bigger! Wish me luck!