​At the beginning of 2017, I had high hopes for a great year. More than hopes, I had PLANS (capital P, captial L, capital A-N-S.)  But my most earnest dreams for 2017 were merely a shadow of the vibrant, soul-renewing, heart-busting year it became.

I added new presses to the studio this year to keep pace with bouquets coming in from all over the country. Wedding flowers came in from California, Alabama, Pennsylvania and every corner of Massachusetts. It makes me giddy to think about the bouquets that were packed with care and traveled hundreds of miles to arrive at my studio.

​Even with more presses, they were constantly full as I pressed thousands of flower petals and reconstructed hundreds of flowers to make over 40 botanical collages this year! I made small collages and large collages that celebrated beginnings and memorialized passings. I worked on designs that challenged me as an artist, stretched my skills and grew my confidence.

Each of the collages I created this year represents another heartfelt connection with the people who entrusted their flowers to me. New clients became new friends and I have been forever changed by their love for each other, their courage in the face of challenge and their hopeful new beginnings.

​I created over 20 lockets full of tiny pressed flowers that were gifted to friends, partners and mothers.

The 2017 Flora-Ly Calendar of Flowers sold out!

I introduced hand painted, custom wedding invitations to my products & services.

I was a guest on a wedding pro podcast and invited to participate in a wedding inspiration photo shoot for a blogger in California.

I designed the wedding flowers for my beloved son and his equally beloved new wife. Of course I pressed them and created a botanical collage for their home. (Talk about a labor of love!) I also created custom painted wedding invitations for them!

​One sweet client wrote in the memo line of her check, “Best botanical collage ever!” If you visit my studio, you may or may not find a photo of that note hanging on my bulletin board. ;) 

I’m grateful for every moment of joy, each challenge, all the words of encouragement and even tho glimmers of doubt that filled the past 12 months. I’m grateful to you, my friends, my business besties, my clients, my family.

I continue to be humbled and honored by the trust and faith that is placed in me to save these flowers that hold so much meaning and memory for you. I never take it lightly.

I relish the new and open space of time before me. Clients and friends I’ve yet to meet, weddings yet to happen, flowers yet to be saved, new collages to design, discover and send to their new homes, to remind, inspire and delight.

I wish you a sweet and peaceful new year. I hope our paths will cross in 2018 and if they do, let's have fun and create something lovely together!

Cheers! 

Each year when I create the Flora-Ly Calendar of Flowers I choose a quote that suits the mood of the time in the studio. 

I had reconstructed about 20 flowers when it became clear that the 11"x14" collage KC & Mary had ordered wasn't going to be big enough to hold this botanical abundance. I sent them an email to explain. I asked them to consider a bigger piece. "Think about where you're going to hang this in your home. Do you want one large piece, or maybe a series of smaller ones?" They said they'd talk about it and get back to me. 

I expected KC & Mary to deliberate awhile to consider the possibilities. I was suprised when I heard back from them the very next day. They wanted a 20"x20".

As much as it thrilled me to hear how excited KC & Mary were about their collage, I was a little bit terrified. No lie.  20” x 20” is a large piece of artwork when your medium is pressed flower petals.

​I needed to get busy building more flowers.

​After I've reconstructed the flowers, it's time to design the collage.

But, before I begin to the design process, I set an intention.

I take a few moments and sit with the flowers. I think about the people I am creating for and what they want. 

As I was designing KC & Mary's collage, I started to giggle. There ARE joy in the flowers and it's CONTAGIOUS!

​I'm following the lead of the flowers and we're having a grand ol' time here at Flora-Ly Studios.

Here's a little glimpse of the piece in process...

Stay tuned to see the final collage. Gah! I'm so excited to share it with KC & Mary!

​And with YOU!

P.S. Follow the whole process from fresh wedding flowers to finished botantical collage. Did you see Part 1? Are you ready to head straight to Part 3?

My world Monday, illustrated.  ​

Here’s what a Monday looks like in my world… 

No matter what day it is, it always begins with coffee.  My favorite is Deans Beans because it’s ethically sourced, locally roasted and totally delicious!

Coffee may GET me going, but music KEEPS me going! Today it’s Hamilton, David Bowie and Talking Heads.

Right now, I’m diving into some circular designs. I love circles. Nature loves circles too: the sun; the moon; the center of a flower; a sand dollar; an acorn cap; the circle of life.

I’ll spend hours in my studio today, elbow deep in gorgeous pressed flowers.  These pretty petals are sweet company but they aren’t very chatty. When I long for conversation, I turn on a podcast. One of my favorites is She Creates Business with Kinsey Roberts. Her interviews are so interesting and full of useful tidbits that I often find myself taking notes while I listen.

Which reminds me! 

Have you heard my interview on Kinsey’s podcast? It was such a treat for me to chat with her! Give a listen here… (Don't have itunes? no worries, She Creates Business can be found on most podcast apps.) Maybe it will keep you company on your Monday. (Or any other day ;)