New beginnings

I am currently in a moment of growth and great transition.

I just started a new job last week. I haven't had a "real" job in over

eight years. I really didn't want to work for "the man" again, but 

he does pay better than most scrapbook shops and co-op type places.

And I really needed the benefits, too.

I know I'm not the only one going through changes.

I have had a friend on my mind a lot lately. She is kind of the living

representation of the "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" ideal.

I wanted to make her something to commemorate her two years of sobriety.

That's a really big deal. Really big.  

I decided to make a wall hanging using a canvas panel.

She has a thing for chickens, so I thought this was a good 

time to break out with some of my Unity stamps.

I've used  the Chicken Wire stamp and the New Day Rooster set.

I painted the canvas panel using black acrylic paint,

and once it was dry I stamped the chicken wire in VersaMark

and silver embossing powder.    

I used a burlap sheet, a clock die cut from a Tim Holtz die,

and some distress inked paper for my focal points. 

I also added some actual chicken feathers, some designer papers,

doilies, die cuts, sequins, seam binding, and wire mesh to give a

rustic country feel to this piece. 

After mounting the rooster to the die cut frame, I used Crackle Accents for a 

vintage look. The CA kind of reactivated the Distress Inks and changed the look

a little bit, but not too bad. I edged the oval with Platinum Stickles along

with a few other pieces. I like the look of mercury glass, and this

shade of Stickles gives me that effect.   

Overall, I'm really pleased with how this turned out.

Sometimes, mixed media has a way of taking on a life of

it's own. I think this one wandered away just enough to make it

interesting.

Thanks for stopping by today.

I'd like to enter this wall hanging in the following challenges:

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes September

Creative Artiste Mixed Media - Anything Goes Mixed Media 

Unity Stamps Show and Tell - Fall themed