My Newest Mini-Album

Today I created my first ever video using still pictures of my newest mini-album "Nature".

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

(of the album, not the video... :) )



~Sharka

Paper Birch {betula papyrifera}

My husband loves Birch Trees. There are many species of Birch Trees, but the one we see here, throughout BC is the Paper Birch, also known as Canoe Birch, Silver Birch or White Birch. 'Papyrifera' means "paper bearing" and refers to the bark.

The Paper Birch grows throughout BC and it typically grows at higher elevations, in floodplains, near avalanche tracks, and in swamps and bogs. It is not usually found on the Gulf Islands or near the ocean.

It's the bark that really gets my attention. It is paper thin, and is white to reddish-brown or copper coloured. It feels smooth, and is characterized by brown horizontal lines. The inner bark is exposed when the bark peels off and the peeled bark gradually turns black.

I painted my first Birch Tree painting above in 2008 - my second painting ever - for my husband. I just completed Birch Tree, number 2 below, a few weeks ago. The paintings are both very different, but the subject matter is obviously the same. My husband asked me if he can trade in the original and take the new one! ~ Sharka

"The birch begins to crack its outer sheath
Of baby green and show the white beneath...." Robert Frost

Hallowe'en in Wonderland

BC Scrapbooking Crop for Kids just took place this weekend and it was my 4th year as one of the class sponsoring teachers.  It was spooktacular to have my Hallowe'en in Wonderland Album class sold out again by Friday night! The pictures included here are from my album.

BC Crop for Kids is an annual charity scrapbooking event benefitting BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Since 2008 it has become BC's most popular educational & inspirational paper crafting weekend. It offers a weekend-long crop with amazing classes designed and taught by talented designers. All of these classes are generously sponsored by local scrapbook retailers and scrapbook manufacturers. Proceeds from the sale of crop seats, class seats and any other products offered benefit BC Children's Hospital Foundation - a great cause to support!

"'I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!'" ~ Alice 

~Sharka~

Studio Open House - A Touch of Paris!