A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven

I don't know what other floral designers are doing in January, but I seem to have a rhythm at this time of year....brides getting in touch to book their weddings, quiet evenings spent hunkered down with a book or some knitting (thank you brilliant BLIZZARD).

But inevitably, I start to long for FRESHNESS in the idea category, and the commanding desire to clean "house" overtakes me! Not the actual one of course, though I am sure someone really does like doing that! but rather the house of my mind. 

First, the old year must be put to rest, and the bookkeeping wrapped up. Though it can be a bit of a puzzle, it still gives me a great sense of accomplishment when it is all tidied up. Now 2015 can be put firmly behind me and I can take a deep dive into the world of flowers, and FAST!! 

Creating designs for weddings and events has begun, exploring new options for color and form, planning of workshops for the Spring season has started (stay tuned and be in touch if you are interested in attending or hosting one), and just a little bit of business development. 

It's all quite challenging, stretching, AND enjoyable!

Here's a for instance:

Next week, I'll be attending (and supplying the flowers for) an event in DC with a Wedding website called Borrowed & Blue--photos to come. borrowedandblue

I'm a little apprehensive to create for a jury of my peers, but hope to meet and learn from new friends. Every event is a chance to say yes, that's it! as well as a clear, NO!!! don't EVER do that again!

But, as can't be avoided in this life, some of our work as floral designers is done for the grief stricken, and sadly, I will be preparing flowers for a memorial service for a 22 year old young man who has, as they used to say in the olden days, "fallen asleep" after a long bout with cancer. Dona Nobis Pacem, et Lux perpetua luceat eis!

His mother shared that he was a sensitive young man, and together she and her son planned and planted a home perennial garden. I hope to arrange flowers that will remind her of that time. 

It is a solemn honor to participate in this passage, sharing beauty, to aide in remembering and consoling. Though pain filled, death reminds us to live life with a full and loving heart while we may!

Here's hoping your 2016 has begun with a sense of clear and hopeful passages ahead. Well wishes to all who will wed this year, as well as those who will weep. 

 

The wise King Solomon said it best: 

I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

The Photos Never Lie

The beautiful Sarah with her attendants--ASICO photos

One of my favorite moments as a designer happens every time I get that email from a bride saying "the photos are in!!" Months of planning, time spent creating, and that final delivery are all bound up with the hope that this small part of their day will be a compliment and a joyful addition to the beauty of the place and people about to make their vows.


Every designer knows that the photos won't lie!


So, it's often with relief as well as pleasure that I take the first look through the many many photos to see how it all turned out. 

Usually my first pass through is just a selfish search for photos that show the flowers off to their best advantage...like runway models in their designer fashions. 

But that second look gives me a chance to enjoy the couple themselves. Their hope and happiness is contageous!

All the angst about flowers fading, falling, breaking disappears as I see for myself that happy couple, and yes, that giant bouquet still intact!

Sarah and her husband Chris were SO much fun to work with, and the photos from their wedding just SING! They prove on their own what a privilege it is to get to do this kind of work. So I think I'll just let them speak for themselves, and wish Sarah and Chris a very long and happy life together!

Memories

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the wonderful couple who got this whole blogging thing started, my beautiful daughter, Emily and her fabulous husband, Eric. 

Without their wedding to plan for, I would never have realized how much FUN it is to create a tableau for life's significant moments. With a modest budget by today's standards and the help of family and friends, we were able to create the setting for an afternoon and evening I don't think we'll ever forget.

Looking back now, I realize that every day we have an opportunity to set the backdrop for our lives, to add a small bit of beauty here and there, as one hardened Admiral instructed his SEAL trainees, to simply "get up and MAKE the bed!" 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jflUvxQLkgs

Last night I enjoyed visiting with other artists at a group we call Creative Habits...writers, designers, film makers, musicians, dancers...so many talented people, but near the end a new friend, who runs her own business, mentioned her love of fabrics and her feeling that even smelly cloth diapers deserve to be taken care of in a practical AND visually appealing way. To this I say a hearty, AMEN!(check out loganandlenora.com if you are the fortunate mama of a wee lad or lass). 

It's amazing how these small acts of care, of faithfulness affect everyone's mood. Perhaps it's just a matter of setting things in order, or of placing something new in a pleasing surprising place, but it's a good day to take a stand for beauty, no matter what the "event" might be. 

Collaboration and Cooperation

One of the things that I've enjoyed most about joining the ranks of floral designers is the wonderful spirit of collaboration amongst other artists connected to that field. After all the flowers are delivered, we hope they'll grace the day with their beauty and be a source of joy to the family as they celebrate the start of the next generation. But unless we're part of the family circle, we don't stick around to see the setting we've helped to create when the family and friends all gather.

 

But thanks to the wonderful photographers, like those at M&E Photo Studio featured in this post, we get to see how the flowers almost magically adorn the day, adding a special sweetness and grace, never equal to the bride of course! but brimming over with loveliness, just the same.

Though the flowers have a temporary beauty, the photographs will last long into the future, capturing the delight of the couple for those who come next. Can't you imagine a grandchild telling this couple how stunning they were! Without the pictures the memories will soon fade, and the image of our best selves stepping into the future will grow dim.

The honor of being a small part of these moments looms large. Thank you Carl and Lauren for letting Morning Bird Designs fill your wedding day with les belles fleurs!

Thoughts of Beauty as Soul Food

When I was a teenager growing up across the river from the Nation's Capital, I loved nothing better than to ride my bike down to the local nature center, where I could park (no lock or helmet needed) and saunter along by the little stream as it tumbled downhill to the river. There was always a hunt for the best smooth, broad bolder, the perch from which I'd stretch out and simply sit and THINK. With all the choices before us in this fast paced world, it takes determined effort to do that sort of thing nowadays.

 BUT, this morning I was thinking that actually, all this social media choice allows me to see glimpses of similar "trails", though they may be trails of interest on instagram or pinterest, rather than a physical path by a brook. I can still take time to sit and THINK about beautiful things.

Everywhere you turn there is a new designer, coming up with lovely inspiring designs, along with gifted photographers who magnify the beauty for us (this post has photos by the delightful Abigail Hamilton Photography). Though they live across the Pond or in Brooklyn, or in San Francisco, while I sit in my Virginia kitchen awaiting the next floral delivery, I can browse their created work and get inspired!

In fact, today, this little "rabbit trail" got me ruminating on WHY these designs are so popular, why brides are looking for that touch of the artistic, thoughtful, "something more", why they long for the big garden roses, or peonies, those dear, big show offs?

Perhaps it just might be a longing for a more romantic, gentle era...a time when the flowers at weddings came from your parent's garden and not the florists, a time when family and friends were there to welcome you into the wonderful possibilities and hopefulness of a new marriage with a simple ceremony in the living room and some punch and cake?

Looking at my grandmother's wedding photos I see those small town New England ladies carrying loosely arranged bunches of flowers, and the little flower girl wearing a crown of flowers on her head. It was simple and elegant all at the same time. Full and flowing but not even close to overdone.

Images of flowers are everywhere, in every culture and they hint at what people were longing for AND creating during their moment of time. Whether opulent or simplistic, linear or loose, they offer just a bit of beauty to grace a humble table, or even a utilitarian tea towel. Taking this little mental trail, to think about the history of floral design, got the creative juices charged and flowing. I'm feeling inspired for today's work. Best get busy!

I hope you'll take a rabbit trail today to explore something beautiful. Hungry souls must have their food!

Freedom to Focus

photo courtesy Abigail Hamilton Photography

Maybe it's the fact that we multi-task so often, but spending time working with flowers seems to require my full attention, not just requesting but demanding that I stop, look and focus on all that they have to show me. Most of the time I work on my own, and I relish the time when, just like while painting, my mind is present, right exactly in the here and now, able to concentrate and really SEE.

Our little garage was transformed (thanks to the fab husband) into a floral paradise, and friends came over to see if they would get as big a charge out of playing with flowers as I kept telling them I do! Thus the first official Morning Bird Designs floral workshop got under way, with wine, laughter and a lot of simply stunning spring flowers, not to mention some rather stunning ladies.

photo courtesy Abigail Hamilton Photography

Glorious peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus were star players, though a few of the later bit the dust when attempts at wiring went a little astray. We had queen anne's lace, wax flower, along with viburnum and lilac from the farmer's market. A last second find of lovely little clover balls from the vacant lot down the street became the perfect touch of whimsy and deeper color we all wanted.

photo courtesy Abigail Hamilton Photography

I love introducing people to creating with flowers. Look at Heather concentrating so fully on getting those flowers exactly where she wants them. That gal is FOCUSED! But no wonder. There's so much to learn! Most of the participants thought Oasis was just that British 90's rockband, so working with that green soaking blob was a little scary at first. But they all got going in the end, and used that oasis quite well, thank you very much.

My favorite part of the whole evening was the final reveal, as each person got a chance to share their creation. It was a floral runway of amazingness. Each arrangement was SO

photo by Abigail Hamilton Photography
Design by Vicki, Meridyth's mama 

unique, even though we all used the same raw materials. My group of budding (whoopsy, pun alert) floral artists applied well the principles of line, color harmony, and texture. There was an added personal touch in each arrangement as we all sought to strike a balance somewhere between unity and chaos (see this great description on colormatters.com under color harmony). 

Thanks to everyone who came. Keep on bringing beauty into your homes, and Abby, thanks for all your fabulous photographs!

Abigail Hamilton Photography

Rebekah and Abby show off their creations!