Inspired

I spent a beautiful Thanksgiving in Estes Park with my sister and her precious family. Every time I visit her - I come home inspired to create. Her house is absolutely to die for! It honestly needs to be featured in cottage living. She designed every last inch of it and didn't leave one rock unturned.

But this time, I came home doubly inspired because she so graciously taught me to sew and she sparked in me the fun in finding things for so little that I can use for great purpose.

And so, my renovation has begun. I am reworking my flower work room in order to use it for sewing, arranging, gift wrapping and dreaming. I am excited to post pics! As soon as it is completed (very soon) and I can get a camera that works (very soon) I will post pictures of my new inspiration room.

Thank you, Heather, for being such a great teacher and such a font of inspiration. I love you.

Thankfulness comes from strange places

Today I realized that I am absolutely thankful for EVERY struggle I have ever encountered. I am thankful for my past because it has brought me to this place - right here right now. These past 15 years of my life have been such a struggle to find my place - to figure out who I am and where I want to go. I am becoming more profoundly aware that it is in these struggles and these valleys that I am given the privilege to become more like my sweet Savior, Jesus Christ.

And it is because of these struggles that I have had to lean into my family and depend on them to keep me moving when it seemed I couldn't take another step. What an honor it is to be able to depend on your family and to have them respond in such gentleness and kindness.

And where would I be if it were not for my precious children, Cooper and Katherine? For they have given me purpose and chipped away at my hard exterior allowing me to feel love deeper than I knew was humanly possible.

And my loyal and honorable husband, Tom, who has shown me what commitment looks like. He has proven to me that we can press forward to find a new day.

And THANK YOU giver of all good for allowing me the privilege to work with my hands in an art form that is nothing less than exquisite. How utterly blessed I am that I am allowed to add to the beauty.

I hope that everyone finds reason to be thankful this November 27th.

Hot September Wedding

This lovely little bouquet is the result of a wildly creative and fun bride named Ruth. She loved (almost as much as me) Ariella Chezar's floral work. We worked together to come up with this hot garden styled bouquet only enhanced by the silk dupioni ribbons hanging down. This was one of my VERY FAVORITE weddings because The Zeros were playing and as I was setting up the tables - the Zeros were warming up their insturments. Ruth had invited my husband and I to the wedding, but we couldn't make it because we were flying out to Italy the next morning. I did seriously consider moving the flight just to stay for the awesome reception. Thank you, Ruth, for being so much fun.

August Wedding

I thought I would try to post some pictures from weddings that I have done. This is from a wedding in August of 2006. The bride, Amy, was such a pleasure to work with and purple was the color she was most excited about. Purple hydrangea was the flower that she wanted most of all. Her budget wasn't huge, but we made it work. You can't see it in the photo but a purple ribbon was tied to the back of every chair and it really dressed up the room.

A Touch of Dutch

Who doesn't want to walk through this door?

Well, anyone with a hankering can hopefully do so quite soon.

Belli Fiori has found and purchased a white dutch door similar to the one above.

We can't wait to put it in the shop....

Storefront

Dream with me for a minute.

A white door facing a sidewalk catches your attention. You are drawn to the window boxes that hang on the big picture window. A hostage to your curiosity - you walk inside and step on painted wood floors. Big silk drapes pool on the ground. A wall is covered with chalkboard paint and the names and prices of flowers are listed randomly. A large worktable sits under a beautiful chandelier and beckons you to create your own bouquet. You notice as they assist you that the friendly owners are wearing handmade one of a kind aprons.

Don't dismay - you too can own an apron. And an assortment of bags if you wish. All kinds of bags made in different materials fashioned in an array of shapes.

And of course, you can treat yourself to a beverage, on us of course. Who knows - we might even find the time to bake cookies or pumpkin bread.

Won't you be our neighbor?

Autumn anyone?

I love this time of year! Dahlias, antiqued hydrangeas, berries, autumn clematis, kale, gourds, texture! It is a symphony for one's senses. I get crazily inspired this time of year. My head is spinning with ideas, projects, changes. My husband isn't exactly thrilled with my "energy". He keeps saying, "let's just finish this one project, Laura". One project? What? I can't! I MUST paint the door and the shutters, rip up the carpet and redo the stairs, whitewash the brick on the front of our house, build a fire pit, overlay my front porch and walkway with brick pavers, plant color everywhere and repaint every surface available!

Oh! I have to go now...I must get started! But first I'll have a taste of the freshly cooked pumpkin bread that my daughter and I made this morning... Sh! don't tell anyone. I want it all for myself.