I can't believe it took me this many years to incorporate iris into my work. They smell like gummy peach candy and the color variances are so inspiring.
Thanks to Tess Comrie for these photos.
The other day I was talking with a friend about motherhood and the way it's impacted my life. She asked what my favorite part about it has been and my answer I've found is getting to witness my baby become who she is. As a parent I get to see her inherit qualities, the person she was always meant to be shine through even at such a young age. I get to see her discover the beauty of life in all of it's simplicities. If I had to pick one quality about Maci that I've loved the most, it would be her observance of life and everything in it. She's aware of things, and wants to see things. In fact the comment we received the most when people would see her the first time was how alert she was and still is. She truly feels things, and experiences her surroundings and I think thats a beautiful human quality.
It's quite remarkable to see myself and my husband in her. Not only in her physical appearance but in who she is becoming, and every day that passes I learn something new about her, as she learns new things about herself.
You know those personality quizzes? The intense ones that take over an hour to finish? I took one a few years back, and i'll never forget it. I was working a corporate job at the time and they wanted us to discover our strengths so we could utilize them for our benefit. The quiz was extensive and long, and the questions seemed to be almost inconclusive to what I would envision a personality test to be. The results came back and I was completely underwhelmed with my number one strength, empathy.
My coworkers around me had much more suitable strengths it seemed to me, Analytical, Focus, Achiever. These were STRENGTHS. Here I was with Empathy. Sounded weak to me, not like a strength at all.
But upon further research I found it couldn't be more true of myself. Empathetic people have a healing presence, create trust, know what to do or say, and customize their approach. Sometimes I feel as though I can feel the emotions of another person as if they are mine alone. On the flip side, because empathetic people feel things so deeply we can be temperamental, and "soft". Weaknesses are true of any strength, but it is the opposites that make this whole life experience so beautiful.
There have been times I've let the weak side of empathy take over, but I'd like to think that as the years progress I'm learning that empathy is why I am here. It's what took me to appreciate the delicacy and the quietness that flowers bring to my life. I think often times that translates through my work. I want my flowers to evoke a sense of calm tranquility, I want them to be thoughtful.
Coming back to motherhood and what that role means, I've been thinking a lot about what an enormous responsibility it is. I've scaled back my business responsibilities so that time can be spent with her. So that I'm not only physically present but mentally present too.
In some ways, I've found this industry to be going through bit of an epidemic. It's not just our industry, but the world as a whole actually. Everyone is racing for a finish line they will never be able to reach. It makes me fearful for my daughter, the social pressures that come from screens is nothing I could have ever predicted. The way images can completely take the mind to a place of sadness and dissatisfaction is unbearable at times and not a single person utilizing these platforms has been void of these moments. I am not immune to these feelings, myself.
I believe Maci's personality is gentle like mine, but she's strong too. Incredibly determined, but also content. I hope as I mother I can teach her to utilize her strengths, and not succumb to her weaknesses. To always remember that it's the relationships that matter most, not the tangible succcesses and triumphs. To find joy in her life and seek those things, to create beauty in however that manifests itself to her. That you don't have to be ANYTHING to be someone amazing. That in a world that constantly tells us we are not enough, that it is possible to drown out the noise and remember that you are in fact, enough.
Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my life who are mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, friends, you are my world.
Xo.
Beautiful photos by Alex Steele.
Last year in April I had the opportunity to create a few arrangements for the newly released title "In Full Flower" by Ingalls Photo and published by Rizzoli Books. So many of my flower heroes are on these pages and to be among them is humbling and a tremendous honor.
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Concept: Daniel Tran Geraldine Magazine
Photography: KT Merry
Planning/Design: Bluebird Aspen
Paper: Script Merchant
Cake: Chef Megan Joy
About a month after I had Maci, Flower Magazine reached out about making some arrangements for their new Flower Show series. So many of my favorite designers have graced these pages so I felt so honored to create five different colorful arrangements for them. To read the interview, pick up and issue or visit this link.
Photography Ciara Richardson
A little late to make it to my blog, but I'm excited to be returning to Washington Schoolhouse Hotel next year for the next installment of my workshop series. This year it's called Color Theory. We have such a great team of women this year making it happen and I couldn't be happier to share them with all of the attendees that have signed up to be there.
For more information on ticket sales, visit tinge.bigcartel.com. Only 3 spots remain!
Flowers + Workshop Host:
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We had a little flower gathering in my backyard back in August. I was very pregnant, but really just wanting to be around flowers in a non stressful environment, surrounded by women who love flowers just as much. Maybe my favorite night of the summer. Thanks to Ciara Richardson for the beautiful photos!
F0r a long time i've been teaching in different capacities and settings. I've co-taught at many workshops, taught various one-on-one classes and loved every minute of those teaching environments but have for a long time felt strongly about teaching in my home state of Utah. It's been such an inspiration for my work, and I felt so passionate about sharing it with other florists. Utah has these gorgeous landscapes, so diverse and full of color and texture, it's impossible to not be awe struck by it's beauty on a regular basis.
Still Life was a wonderful experience for me. Truly I felt so grateful to have the opportunity to teach so many amazing women, who were so receptive, warm, and kind to each other. It was a beautiful thing to witness the community come together and support each other and to continue to support each other now that the workshop is over.
We spent each day surrounded by the beauty of The Washington Schoolhouse Hotel, an inspiring setting to say the least. Inclement weather kept us inside and I was perfectly okay with that. We immersed ourselves in florals building centerpieces and bouquets, working together to build a beautiful installation on the mantle, and witnessing a gorgeous demonstration from my local friend Nicole of Soil and Stem.
We spent the first evening over a gorgeous four course meal crafted by the chef at the hotel. We asked each person to stand and share what inspires their lives and their work, and the feeling in that room can not be explained. It was warm, uplifting, and beautiful to see the passion behind the eyes of so many creative women. I will never forget that evening, and how connected we all felt despite having different inspiration, we all share the same love of flowers.
I'm incredibly grateful to each person that attended the workshop and helped make it happen. I planned this workshop with Emmily of Gatherist and her attention to detail and planning really made it run so smooth and beautifully.
I'm looking forward to hosting Still Life again next year, and would love to see you there! If you are interested in attending, visit my contact page and send me an email! Would love to chat! Official workshop announcement coming soon!
This workshop was featured on Once Wed. You can read and view the post here!
Workshop Hosts: Tinge Floral, Gatherist | Photography: Jill Thomas assisted by Ciara Richardson | Venue: The Washington Schoolhouse | Paper Goods/Branding: Kaela Rawson | Rentals: Alpine Event Rentals, Decoration Inc. | Dinnerware and white ceramic vases: The Ark | Ribbon sponsors: Frou Frou Chic and Silk and Willow | Cake: Pippa Cakery | Floral Sponsor: Mayesh Wholesale | Dress: Leanne Marshall | Guest Teacher: Soil and Stem
