The Best Welcome Home Party Ever

I can’t believe it has already been almost a month since I was back in Oregon celebrating Christmas with my family! My entire time in Oregon was amazing and full of wonderful memories, one of those great memories being the painting party I had with my favorite ladies during my first week back home.

Knowing that I would be rushing around trying to see everyone when I returned home my mom and I began talking about ideas for how I could meet my friends all at once. My mom suggested having a painting party, which I laughed at because I am no artist, and then thought what a great idea!

Getting all your friends together to listen to someone convince you that your totally an artist as you follow along to their steps, all while drinking wine, well it is a guaranteed good time!

Painting PartyDuring our three hour class three important things happened. I laughed so hard I thought I might pee my pants, I seriously regretted my decision to attempt a painting, and I learned 5 very important things.

1. The possibilities are endless with a blank canvas

Painting PartyAt the start of the class we were all seated at individual stations with everything set up and ready to go. I am pretty sure at this point we were all feeling pretty confident that we were going to nail our paintings and walk home with a masterpiece.

Painting PartyOur instructor, poor guy didn’t know what he signed up for.

Painting PartyPainting PartyAs we sat listening to the instructor tell us the first few steps the sound of giggles and comments like “oh crap, I am screwed” filled the room. I am pretty sure our instructor knew he was in for a long day, but hey at least we were a fun bunch there to have a good time!

2. My friend is pregnant

Painting PartyMy friend surprised us all by telling us she was pregnant! She chose an apron that had a somewhat creepy image of what was suppose to be a baby inside the womb and once she put it on she jumped in the middle of the room with her hands in the air to tell us all. I am so happy I caught this moment on camera and couldn’t be more excited for her. I am looking forward to meeting their little one this summer!

3. Drinking wine brings out the artist in everyone

Painting PartyOne of the best things about the painting class was that we were able to bring in our own snacks and drinks. Throughout the session we were given little breaks, aka mimosa refill time. Not sure if all those mimosas helped my painting skills or not but it sure was a blast!

Painting PartyPainting Party Painting Party Painting PartySome of us had a bit too much fun, but hey its my party, I do what I want.

4. My sisters are the artists in the family

Painting PartyPainting Party This may have to do a bit with the fact that they actually paid attention while I, well you can see what I was busy doing in point 3. I seriously considering swapping one of my sisters painting with mine, but then I came back to reality and realized no one would ever believe I painted it so I let my sisters keep their masterpieces.

5. A painting class with my friends and family was the best welcome home party ever!

Painting PartyThis really was a highlight of my trip. Many of these wonderful ladies I have know basically my entire life and it was so great to have them all around me again. I felt so special and loved that they all came out to see me, one of the best welcome home parties ever.

And in case you were wondering what happened to my beautiful masterpiece, well you better believe I bubble wrapped that stunning piece of art and brought it back to Iceland!

Painting PartyH is so proud of his little artist. Although he did comment as we were hanging it up that this was just temporary, I think what he meant was that it was just temporary in the bedroom, soon it will be in the living room for all to see and admire:)

Question of the Day?
Have you ever gone to a painting class/party? To my fellow expats, do you have welcome home parties when you visit home?

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  • http://www.californienne.com/ Marianne

    haha this is so great. I loved how you described it all, and the final “it’s temporary” comment. Yes, he loves his little artist :) I’ve never been to a painting class, but this looks like a blast!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha, the painting has become somewhat of a joke in our house now, I always smile when I look at it. The painting class was an absolute blast, I am ready for another one!

  • http://www.clemandmarcella.wordpress.com/ Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld

    Such a great, great idea! It’s so fun to do something different and this sounds like the perfect welcome home :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I agree, it was something I have never tried before so getting to do something different was a blast!

  • http://lauraandpeterdownunder.blogspot.com/ Laura Christian

    I’ve always wanted to do a painting party, but haven’t done it yet! Looks so fun! We also had a large dinner with all of our friends when we went home in January because it would have been impossible to schedule individual meetups with everyone. Seems like the best way to do it!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I have been wanting to go to a painting party for a while as well, it was just as fun as I had hoped it would be! It really is so much easier to have one big party with everyone, it can be so stressful trying to rush around seeing everyone!

  • http://whisperingsweetly.com/ Shane Prather

    Such a beautiful creation, I want it for above my bed :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      You will have to fight H for it :)

  • http://jamiewrit.es/ Jamie

    This looks like it went a LOT better than the one I did on my trip back to the U.S. in the summer. My mom and I signed up to do one at the restaurant my sister was working at, but it was only the second day I was back, and pretty late at night. By the end, I was nearly falling over, asking to leave because all I wanted to do was fall into a bed. I blame the monstrosity I produced on the jet lag…

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha, I could only imagine trying to follow those classes with jet lag!

  • http://beertimewithwagner.com/ Jordan Beck Wagner

    This is so awesome! I’ve heard of these wine and paint classes but haven’t actually taken one. How fun!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      They are a blast, I highly recommend taking one, I want to do another!

  • KaleenasKaleidoscope

    I love those painting classes! Last year when I visited home my friends had a surprise party for me at a painting place, too, it was so fun! I also love those sexy aprons. And wine/mimosas DEFINITELY help the artistic process! ;)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      It is such a fun thing to do with your friends!

  • http://www.adifferentpieceofsky.com Sara

    What a great way for you to see everyone back at home! I love the idea of getting everyone together and doing something fun like this.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      It was such a great way to see everyone at once and not feel stressed rushing around to meet them all!

  • http://www.helonheels.com Helen @ Hel On Heels

    Painting classes are so fun! I have done a few with friends for their birthdays. Your painting turned out beautifully! Mine always end up a little askew after a few glasses of wine…

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha I feel like mine looked much better while I was doing it, but on the important parts, like the massive tree, I got a bit crazy with my lines ha. These classes are so fun though!

  • Beth

    What a brilliant idea! I have a sneaking suspicion that painting a masterpiece isn’t quite the point…and it sounds like you all had a wonderful time. YAY! I haven’t done a painting class, but for a bridal shower I was part of a group that made glass coasters at a similar place. It was fun to make art that we then gifted the couple, probably more coasters than they’ll ever need, in themes of their relationship.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha, not quite, my painting skills are not quite on masterpiece level yet, one day :) That sounds like such a fun idea for a bridal shower! It is fun when you can do an activity together and have something you made as a good keepsake afterwards.

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    Looks like an absolutely amazing time! x

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      It was an absolute blast! I tried recruiting our instructor to move to Iceland so we could open up one here!

  • http://www.therachaelway.com/ Rachael

    This looks amazing!! I did something like this over the summer once and it was a blast!!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Aren’t they so much fun! I would love to do one again when I go home this summer.

  • http://alexfahey.blogspot.com/ Alex Fahey

    What a great idea for a party. When I was home back in 2012- my friend was actually an instructor at one of these places. We could never find time to meet during the busy holiday season, so I took the girls in my family to her class. Two birds with one stone- girl time with my family and met up with one of my best friends. I am not an artist by any means, but it was so much fun!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I don’t think I would ever be able to have enough patience’s to be an instructor, at least if the groups are ever like our needed one ha. The class was such a blast though, who ever thought of them was a genius.

  • http://www.gorjaeous.com/ Jae

    Haha! This looks fun! My youngest brother is the artist in the family, and Mom had two of his paintings displayed in our living room. Did I mention those were artworks of a 7-year old (then)? :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha, that sounds like my sister, she is totally the artist of the family!

  • http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com/ Kristen @ SYIAP

    haha we have so many paintings from classes like this, and i don’t want them out in the open because they are awful. definitely not as awesome as yours. but it’s all good fun, so i don’t mind :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha mine should be hidden as well but I love looking at it and remembering the fun we had at the class. Those painting classes are a blast!

  • http://www.adventurings.com Cynthia

    Such a fun idea to get everyone together to do something together. Your momma is a brilliant lady. And I love H’s comment about hanging it in the bedroom, bwahaha. I think it turned out rather well!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      She really is brilliant, it was the perfect way to see everyone at once:) And thank you, I am using your support in my defense for it staying on the wall :)

  • http://tidethatleft.blogspot.co.uk/ Amy @ the tide that left

    Ive never done anything like that with my friends. This time when we got back we arrange dinner with a load of friends and our new babies (all born last year) so we had a somewhat chaotic lunch, taking over nearly an entire restaurant.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Aw that sounds like such a fun time! Crazy how life changes and at one minute you and your friends are out at a bar and the next your all sitting around with your babies. It sounds like your party was full of adorable baby fun:)

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chicadeedee

    haha, sooo good. Sadly most of my friends are scattered throughout the world so I’ve only got a few to catch up with. We do have family get togethers though since my family is huge and I miss all the holidays. I think your painting turned out pretty good!