W+W Weekend Edition | Big year. Big Change.

Never in a million years did I think I’d find love as I made my way south to Pennsylvania this time last year. But, no matter the kind of love — even BFF love — that’s how it happens, right? When you’re not looking.

A year ago Kimberly and I each travelled to a workshop hosted by the ineffable Barb Uil of Jinky Art. The nerves the night before the multi-day intimate course were out of this world. I knew going in the experience would be a changing one, but I never expected it, seeing as that’s where I met Kim, to be a life changing one.

Anyone familiar with the talent of Jinky can safely suspect her impeccably organized workshop is out of this world but, trust me, even the welcoming hug from Barb is worth the trip alone. The warmth, the comfort, the learning and the relationships with everyone involved I came away with I treasure to this day – women so talented and whip-smart… ‘Blessed’ is an understatement.

But the stakes of the trip were only to get higher! If Barb ever fancies herself a matchmaker, add us to her list of successes.

Kimberly and I laugh how it’s funny to have to travel out of country in order to meet neighbours. In the year since, we’ve upped the ante from merely living close by to discovering that we’re like-minded peers, to built-in support systems, to best friends and most recently, of course, to business partners. For those reasons, the magic of Jinky means even more. Meant to be, really.

Speaking of love and meant to be, this glass-like lake and gloomy sky was just one of those things. On a recent trip up north for some day-in-the-life cottage sessions, we headed to the water to let the kids run off some steam post-road trip. We didn’t have our cameras at first (stretching was the only thing on our mind!) but, as the sunset hit, even in spite of the looming rain, I sprinted back to the car to grab my bag. As our kiddliwinks played under the pink and grey sky with absolutely nothing but the water and each other to amuse them, Kim commented how the setting was something Barb would love. “The sky. It’s so Jinky.”

Barb? We can’t thank you enough

Isla took a bit of a tumble in the wet sand. We did a funny little dance trying to determine the damage. She didn’t cry one tear; if nothing else, she laughed and repeated “mess” as only a near-two year old could. We knew she was okay so I made that split second call to snap off three fast FAST frames before handing the camera out of the water to Kim and washing her off. Art over life? Life as art? Whatever it is, she wasn’t like this for long and she was a-okay, we swear. What can we say!? Safety and smiles first and foremost

While the weekend was more full of beach and sun and fun than it was face plants in the muck, it was also full of hunting as we loaded up Kim’s van with goodies for the upcoming fall season. Are you expecting a new little one soon? Because these are just a few of the new items finding a spot on the shelves in our new studio’s supply closet!

Good times for the W+W fam. We hope you’re sharing some good times with yours this weekend as well

Yours,

Tamara