Back to my (art) Roots

Before I started scrapping, I was making cards...and before I started making cards, I was painting...not in a professional capacity, mind you, just something I have always loved, right from when I was a kid.
Sure, I've kept on painting even after Andrew was born ( though maybe not as often as I'd have liked), but the last few months I've really not picked up a brush at all ( except for a foam brush, for a scrapping project or two). Not because my passion for scrapping has replaced my love for painting...rather it has been a case of logistics.
I scrap and make cards in my office ( read bedroom) after the children go to bed, and I'm within easy reach whenever Andrew wakes for a feed. My art studio ( aka little corner, together with a few giant swim floats, a pushchair, and a stack of spare chairs) is downstairs, and just too crowded now ( when did all this stuff take over my art space, anyway???)
This month, I've been determined to make painting a priority again, and reclaimed my art space (well kind of...I banned the swim floats from my space and it's really made a difference!
I've started on not one, but two paintings! Ambitious? Well, I've never been known to do things by halves!

Scrapping Gal

Yesterday was an exciting day for scrappers at Smidapaper...we had a special guest teacher, Kah-mei Smith from Fontwerks, who taught 2 very inspiring and creative classes! The participants made 1 lovely minibook in each class, and there were a couple of hardy scrappers who attended both classes, so they were scrapping all day long!

I had signed Sarah up for the easier of the 2 classes as a birthday gift to her as she is such a keen scrapper, but I must say I had my doubts as to whether she would be able to cope in what was essentially an adult's scrapping class. I have attended such classes before, and I know the pace can be fast and furious...a challenge to even the most seasoned scrapper!

I must say I was very proud of Sarah ...
She had the photo list earlier in the week, picked out the photos she needed, made sure I got them printed in the correct sizes;
She went through the tool list as well, helping me pack all the tools she would need, and labelled them.

Yesterday morning she was up bright and early, raring to go!
At the class she set out all her tools neatly and waited patiently for class to start ( normally she's a little jumping bean in the mornings, but I think she was restraining herself).




Sarah coped really well...she kept up with the pace, did almost everything herself ( just needed a little help with the more difficult techniques) and ended up with a beautiful minibook dedicated to her little brother, Andrew ( 'the best and cutest little brother on the world').
I am proud of you Sarah, you are definitely a great scrapping gal!