Gather 'round the campfire

I don't know if you know this, but adoptions are expensive, y'all! And mine came around so quickly I didn't have much time for fundraising. Usually the adoptive couple has a couple years to save up and do bake sales, online clothing/jewelry/candle parties, etc. Not me! From initial inquiry to baby in arms will be 10 months. 

I felt overwhelmed and didn't know where to start with fundraisers. Someone suggested a painting party, but that takes time to set up. In the spirit of making memories more than funding an adoption, I finally set one up.  The artist host even let me pick the subject of our paintings to be!

I chose a campfire in front of tall trees, right after sunset. The nursery will be camping themed, so I plan on hanging my painting on the wall in there.

​I didn't manage to take pictures of the process, but Kate took a few:

About half way through the process. I was sure my logs would just stay looking like tootsie rolls, but it turned out!

Can't miss an opportunity for a sister selfie!

Kate's finished work of art.

Here's the group of artists with their finished work.

Addendum: I did get the painting hunt in the nursery, with room to paint in the baby's name after he's born. Ryan and I are keeping that to ourselves until the birth.