Poplar Market...

I always get this crazy creative rush that ignites around market time!  I only do a couple a year but there is something so inspiring and infectious about setting up in a room full of unique artisans and being surrounded by beautiful things, beautiful people, and this pouring out of creativity that overflows into each marvelous display!

You can get a little taste of what I'm talking about from Lianna's beautiful pictures through the view of her lens here.

It was a joy for me to have my beautiful daughter's help and company through the day and here are a few of her pictures of our little spot in the creative circle.

Thank you to everyone that made the Poplar Market a great success and also to all the dear people that stopped by my booth.  I loved seeing all of you and being part of such a great day!

To Be Honest Tuesday....

I'm a woman.
I'm a wife, a mother, a friend...a florist...and I've got an anxious mind.

It's a strange thing...these minds of ours.  Mine...just seems drawn to worry.  I feel like a little hamster running on my wheel of anxiousness somedays.  It gets tiring.  I get tired.  All I know is that when I finally realize that I'm there...in that place...like a shadow dark and smothering over me and I'm exhausted from all the work...of worrying...I know then, that it's time for me to get off that wheel.

I know what to do and how to do it.  It's just that when I get into that shadowy place...it's like deep down inside me, I wrestle with, if I really want to or not.

I've learned that I can't stop worrying about the things that make me anxious,  just by telling myself not to.  I have to do a little work to gain my freedom.  Kick something bad out and bring something good in
to take it's place.

About 5 years ago I started making something for myself and some of the girls in my Bible study group.  Something to carry around with me in my purse, sit on the window sill while I was washing dishes, or lay next to me on my bedside table if I needed a quick reminder.  Within that first year, I gave away over a hundred verse cards to encourage sisters that were struggling in the same areas that I was.  And for a couple of years, I made verse cards to sell to anyone who wanted them.  But as it does, life got busier for me it seemed and I stopped making them.  That was about 2 years ago.

And then it happened, I got asked....for more.  And I realized, that I needed them just as much.  I'd given away all that I had.  I was in that place again myself...tired, frustrated, worried...anxious with the future, anxious with the now.

So Here they Are.
They're not my words.  They're God's words.  Comforting.  Restoring.  Reminding.  Refreshing.

Words full of Hope and Life and Light to drown the shadow.  Words like water....living water to  quench deep thirst in a dry and anxious heart.  I've been prompted to make more for other thirsty people like me that want to live in practical faith, fighting the anxiousness and don't know where to start.

I'll be meditating and praying through these words myself.  If you'd like a set of laminated 'Sweet Freedom' verse cards on 'The Anxious Mind', let me know.  You can email me at
sweetnothingsfloraldesign@gmail.com  or contact me through Facebook Here

Blessings on you all,

Julie

Megan and Scott

Every wedding feels like my favorite.  This one came with some great details and creativity from Megan that really pulled her vision together like I couldn't even imagine until I saw her absolutely gorgeous pictures!  This girl has a gentle and creative spirit and knew how to pull it all together.

Megan's Bouquet was made with White and Pink Cymbidium Orchids, Cream Dahlia's, Sweet Dolomiti Roses, White Stock, and Seeded Eucalyptus.  She brought me blue silk hydrangeas that were the same shade as the bridesmaid's dresses, to sneak in some of that exact color into her fresh flower Bride's Bouquet.  Brilliant.  

Megan wanted her Bridesmaids to carry soft pink roses to match the ones from her bouquet.    When I show you pictures from her lovely photographer Laura, of Laura-Anne Photography you will see how gorgeous they looked when Megan's vision came together.  Needless to say, I'm crazy about these Sweet Dolomiti Roses cradled in another one of my favorites...Seeded Eucalyptus.

She also brought me jars for her centerpieces that she had decorated with simple black lace ribbon and river rocks to set in the bottom....which is not only great for a fabulous look but it weights the jar adding more stability to the arrangement if the flowers are a little top heavy.

Megan's centerpieces were made with beautiful Pee Gee Hydrangeas, Sweet Dolomiti Roses, soft pink  Chrysanthemum Disbuds and Seeded Eucalyptus.

It was a joy for me to meet this young couple and their family and play a small part in their new beginning together.

I would have to say my favorite memories were helping tie a few sashes for the chair covers next to her amazing family and friends that were helping decorate for the reception when I delivered the centerpieces the day before and getting to see Megan the morning of....peaceful, calm, and gorgeous having a bite to eat at the family table before it all began.  I loved getting to meet her adorable and incredible photographer Laura and emailed her yesterday to say that I cried through the pictures!  I know....it's a shock...but....

You really must see for yourself and read her story of Megan and Scott HERE!

Brides To Be…and their Mothers

When I met Krystie and her mother Myrna for our first wedding consultation, there were a few things that stood out.  They were both vibrant, both genuine, same bright eyes and beautiful smiles…I loved both of them instantly!

Krystie pretty much knew what she wanted but in a very relaxed style.  I loved her ideas and her sentimental heart.  One of my favorite details of Krystie's flowers was when she brought me a necklace and pendant that belonged to her grandmother and asked if they could be incorporated somehow into her bouquet.  

Well, I love that sort of thing and believe it’s those small personal details that make each wedding unique, special and fun to be a part of! 

To go with the wedding cupcakes, Myrna made a small Red Velvet Cake (which I must admit is my favorite...since I also had a Red Velvet Wedding Cake) and asked me to make a small floral cake topper.

 Groom's Boutonniere

 Matching Corsage and Boutonniere for Parents of the Bride and Groom

 Another look at Krystie's Bouquet

Bridesmaid's Bouquets

So...I got to see and hug the beautiful girl in her beautiful dress on her special day.  I got to hug the beautiful Mom that seemed almost as excited as the bride herself.  And I got to see an uncle with camera in hand tear up next to me when she walked into the kitchen so lovely.   Seriously, does it get any better?!  I love my job.  

I Always Cry.....

So...I can't seem to deliver a wedding without shedding a tear or two.  I don't know what it is, I hand out the flowers and then I lose all sense of professional boundaries and want to hug and kiss the bride.  It's fine if I know her but when I'm simply the florist...that sort of behavior can cause...well...awkwardness.  I generally feel the same about pregnant mamas and sweet little old ladies but I have learned a little, in my older years to try and refrain myself if need be!  So, no need to worry if I'm doing your upcoming wedding and hugging the florist makes you feel just a little...uncomfortable:)

In fact, I did refrain today when I delivered flowers to a most beautiful bride.  Not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't want to cry all over her beautiful dress!  I love the anticipation in the air before the ceremony and I love seeing the glowing face of a bride adorned and ready to speak sacred vows to the love of her life.  I love pinning on boutonnieres and seeing the family gathered and dear friends circling close.

 I love the small part that I play in that day.  I love the flowers.  I marvel at their colors and details, when shades and textures are blended like tapestry.  I love how they look placed into the wedding like props for Broadway.   I took a few pictures today before carting them down to the little white church.  They're lovely....but they are nothing compared to the bride.  They were only a compliment to her and her ladies.  Hopefully,  when the professional photos are done you'll get to see for yourself.

Congratulations Bernie and Sarah....today was a beautiful day for a wedding.

A Good Mama

I gotta say...that I LOVE my Mama.  She's not perfect.  But she's a good Mama and a sweet Mama, and a true blessing in my life!

One of the things that inspires me the most about my Mama is that she made choices in her teenage years to live a life different than how she was raised.  Although, I know my grandparents loved her, they were both alcoholics and life growing up for her and her brothers and sisters was harder than I can even imagine.  She didn't know what it was like to have the kind of mother that she became for us.  She chose love instead of resentment, and forgiveness instead of bitterness...and taught us to love too by her own example.  She's generous and gentle and kind to strangers.  She's patient, not controlling or demanding but she's also one of the strongest women I know.  She knows that there are some things that need to be said but not all things are meant to be said.  She loves.... big and wide and open.
She did not choose the same path that was set before her but made choices that changed the generations to come.  How can I not live everyday grateful for that?

My son picked this sign out for me at Creekside Abbotsford  a few years ago and gave it to me for Mother's Day.  I love it.

Us Mamas can get hard on ourselves sometimes so it is a good reminder to me that I can't be a perfect mother, and I can't raise perfect kids but I can give them my heart and do the best I can to be a good mama.

So thank you Mama once again and all you other mamas out there....blessings on you for all that you do for those around you and keep on being a good one.

Diamonds are Great...but really, Shoes are a Girl's Best Friend

In our culture, shoes are important.  You can tell alot about a person by the shoes they wear.  I love cute shoes!  And....if you're a girl, then I'm sure you've done this too, but I have been willing on many occasions to endure several hours of pain just to wear uncomfortable cuteness to complete (in my opinion) my cute outfit!

My favorite pair of shoes right now are the most adorable (and comfortable-- bonus:) ballet flats ever!  They look sooooo good with jeans (and I'm very much a jeans kinda girl) and they even look good with my pajamas, like the ones I'm wearing here...

And...I can't help it...when I put them on...I just feel a little bit sassy:)

But I must confess,  I wasn't wearing my red sassy shoes when I made these pretty little things:

For all you Divas out there...

I have to admit....

I was wearing my crocs.

I Heart the Art...

I had a ton of fun making this for my beautiful friend Debbie at  4Cats Art Studio in Abbotsford.  She dropped by the shop to let me know that the kids were learning about Gustav Klimt who in my opinion is probably most famous for his painting "The Kiss".  Of course, I would have to say that, because I have a copy of that one hanging in my living room.

However...the kids are actually painting their renditions of another famous painting that Gustav painted called "The Tree of Life".

Which makes me want to drop by the studio and check out the canvas of some of our young and aspiring local artists.  Young art ALWAYS makes me smile...and inspires my creative joy!

So here's to my good friend Debbie at 4Cats Art Studio in Abbotsford, all the kids at the studio, and Gustav Klimt of course...

Sweet Wedding Memories and a little Family history...

Family weddings have a special place in my heart.  They can also be the hardest because they are emotionally involved.  If you are in the middle of planning a wedding you totally know what I mean! And us girls...well...it's significant and we're emotional.  But it's totally worth it!  And you know that too, so hang in there, the best is yet to come!

So here's a little glimpse into one of our family weddings from several years ago.
My sister-in-law, who was the Bride, and who is very creative, and very organized and knew exactly what she wanted, designed pretty much everything herself from the invitations to the centerpieces to the favors.  But I got to do the flowers with the help of my sister, who is also an amazing floral designer down in Washington (and you can see her gorgeous work here ).

Since the rest of the family did not live near the wedding venue, we got to stay in a hotel and do wedding flowers on site at the Brides house of course, and it kind of felt like one big party!
So, after the rehearsal and a fabulous dinner, here we are, my sister and I.

Designing on the patio on a cool summer night.  I'm sure there was a glass of wine sitting on the table out there somewhere.  So.... I don't get to do that very often but it's right up there with "cooking" in bare feet, with a glass of wine and an apron, which I LOVE to do!

My beautiful sister-in-law and her good (and handsome) man.

I loved the Mokara orchids in her hair.

And of course, I love this baby girl, who made a beautiful flower girl, if I say so myself:)

And this one, who I'm stealing a kiss from, who has just now turned 16, and still brings joy to my heart.

Flowers for the Girls...

and Flowers for the Guys.

And one of my favorite things...a gift from the Bride to her Bridesmaids on the day of the wedding.

A fabric lined beach bag full of surprises and necessities for a full day ahead...hand cream, lip gloss, tissues, breath mints, a bottle of water, a different flower clip on the handle of each one so we could tell them apart (brilliant), comfy flip flops to match our dresses at the reception...and snacks of course!  There may have even been more stuff in there...I just can't remember...but to this day:) I still use the beach bag!  Thanks Auntie, I still think of you, every time it goes with me on a pic-nic or to the beach!

I loved these centerpieces.  My sister-in-law was able to make these weeks in advance and have them at the country club the day before to be put out the day of the wedding.  All we had to do was drop off some orchids to be placed inside.

She had also prepared some matching vases with rocks in the bottom filled with water for the bouquets to rest in, at the head table during the reception.

And there you have it.  My sweet memories of a family wedding.