Saturday, February 23, 2013

My Creative Daughter....



My daughter, Paige, always amazes me.  She has been creative for as long as I can remember.  When my 3 children were much younger, I would take them outside with all sorts of creative entertainment, so that I could work in the garden and they could sit on the blanket nearby and...  finger paint or paint rocks, play with homemade play-dough, or sometimes just play with polly pockets.  It was all good until a bee flew by and the girls would scream and cry until I took them back into the safety of the indoors.  Zach would always try his best to entertain his younger sisters and when all else failed, he would offer to go inside to make lunch for everyone.  Working in the garden wasn't an option due to the flowers we grew, the farmer's market that we had a booth at and the brides who requested Michigan grown flowers.  Often while outside, Paige would pick petals and leaves and create the most amazing designs on whatever flat surface she could find.  The driveway, a flat stone or even the wheel well of our trailer.  As the years have gone by, I've seen Paige, who is now 13, excel in her artwork in ways that still always amaze and impress me.  She also loves to use any "extra flowers" that might be leftover from weddings or events.  Yesterday, I returned home from a meeting to find a variety of Paige Elizabeth Designs displayed in our kitchen....



Inspired by pinterest, Paige found jars, glass beads, raffia and sheet music to create these adorable vases then filled them with some extra flowers from our most recent Forrester Farm event.  Just looking at them makes me happy!  Thank you Paige!

Monday, January 28, 2013

When my baby brother got married.....

the whole family celebrated, laughed, danced and had fun.  Who knew years ago when I changed his diaper, that I'd also be the one to design his wedding flowers.  Sorry if that embarrasses you Casey, that's what big sisters do!

The family has grown and these photos are from a bit ago, but I just obtained the CD, and am excited to share some of them.

Jenny Friar to Casey Carmody - shown in no particular order

Photo credits to:   Shutterbug by Jen
Floral credits to:  Forrester Farm

After wedding photos in Rockford, MI





A vintage touch, prior to the wedding..





Loved how both moms were laughing.  Also, had to show the lanterns and arch.
Ceremony at New Life Christian Fellowship, Grand Rapids, MI. 





It wouldn't be a Carmody wedding without a few Buicks...




Post ceremony photos in Rockford, MI







We not only gained a sister in law, but a wonderful niece!


Love seeing flowers mixed in with my dad's '33 Buick! 



Reception was held at Wabasis Lake.  Greenville, MI


Jenny, my sister in law, wanted to use her Grandma's dishes for the centerpieces.  Her mom made the custom table cloths that were used at the reception. 




Casey is a pilot.  "Marry me, fly for free" was his motto!


Our dad was really missed, yet remembered, on this special day.


Are they having fun yet?  Love seeing Casey and my mom on the dance floor.


The after party floral shot


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

How time flies....

It was an amazingly busy, beautiful, fun, productive, crazy, surprising 2012, and not much of that has been shared.  2013 goal - share more.

Working backwards....  November, 2012 Corporate Event, Grand Rapids, MI

Flowers by Forrester Farm
Event by Grand Connection