Flowers, A love story
It’s been incredibly warm here in Boise this weekend. We’re talking in the 60s, which is highly unusual for February.
I feel like seeing the sun has helped reignite all my creative juices. Anytime I go for a walk lately and I see bulb sprouting or colorful crocus, I can’t help but stop and stare. I must have a dozen photos on my phone from the last week of crocus (evidence below). I just can’t resist the allure of warmer weather…spring is coming!
One of my many photos from my recent walks
It’s this kind of weather that has prompted me to reflect back on my love for flowers and where it all began. If I go waaayyyy back, I think it was 2011.
My husband and I were living in Portland at the time and decided to take the train to Seattle to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. It was there at the Pike Place Market that I remember seeing the most vibrant flowers.
Dozens and dozens of flowers wrapped in paper lined the aisles of the market. Flowers in every color you can imagine, all different sizes and textures - it was invigorating. I remember being so drawn to them, I had to convince myself it was not reasonable to buy flowers to put in the hotel room for our 48 hour stay.
Seattle’s Pike Place Market -
circa 2011
While my initial infatuation might have been planted in 2011, my love for floral design didn’t begin to grow until the oddest of times - the dead of winter. It was December of 2018, about 10 months after my second kiddo was born. Reflecting back on it, I think I had reached my limit of not creating and flowers were an engaging way that allowed me to create (you know, in between my very glamorous life of potty training on kid, breast feeding another, sometimes simultaneously). I had almost zero energy to create anything that I didn’t absolutely have to - all my energy I put into surviving and trying to make each day as good as I possibly could (note - some days that meant microwave dinner and multiple naps) Ironically, by not creating, I think I grew even more exhausted. Someone once told me “the days are long but the years are short”, which is one of the most true things I’ve ever heard about parenting. In 2018, those were some loooooonnnnnnggggg days.
That time in my life when I had 2 kids under 2…they’re adorable yes and I love them of course, and also it was exhausting
Cue December of 2018.
My first creation was a mini arrangement with pine and a few fill-in flowers. I gave one to a friend, who put it on her window sill above her kitchen sink. It ended up being in the background of the photos to sell her house. This tiny little happening helped breathe life back into what had been a very exhausting period of time in my life (whoever says having 2 kids under 2 is fun, I just cannot relate).
Dec. 2018 - My mini arrangement made a special appearance in the real estate photos for my friend’s home sale
That same month my neighbor had invited me to her baby shower (there were A LOT of babies around me at this time in my life). I wasn’t able to attend her shower due to a scheduling conflict and I wanted to still participate somehow, so I gifted her with multiple flower arrangements to help decorate the shower.
Arrangements for my neighbor’s baby shower
In 2019, I really dove into floral design. I planted my first flower garden, created bouquets for 2 styled shoots for a local photographer, and then held my own styled shoot with multiple florals involved. I designed a few bouquets for local businesses and grand openings, as well as centerpieces for the annual Rotary Club fundraising event.
My first ever bridal bouquet - photography by Megan Ryska
My first bridal bouquet - photography by Megan Ryska
Floral arrangements I did for different community events and give aways
2019 also the year my younger sister got married. She graciously allowed me to design her wedding flowers.
Working on my sister’s wedding flowers - circa 2019
Bouquets I did for my little sister’s wedding (loved the raw edge navy blue ribbon)
This was also the year I officially launched Gathered Here Designs. A glorious year! Creating, designing, collaborating - I was so in love with it all.
The original logo I designed from GHD circa 2019
Then 2020 came...and I’m sure you might remember what an absolute blast that year turned out to be {said in the most cynical sarcastic tone imaginable). Weddings were canceled, my business went nowhere (see previous statement about the canceled weddings), my spouse’s new job rescinded their offer because of the pandemic, and everything came to a halt. So I put the business on pause and went to find a job that would allow me to have a positive impact in the lives of others.
In 2021, I started working full time again and the time and space for creating seemed to get farther and farther away.
In 2023, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had to get back to weddings. At this point it had been 3 years since I touched Gathered Here Designs and even though so much time had passed, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I found myself designing weddings for people and characters that weren’t even happening. My favorite combo from this time period? Elle Woods marries Avril Lavigne - mood board below (you’re welcome).
My Elle Woods + Avril wedding mood board
So I started to create again - I HAD to create again.
In 2023, I reinstated my business license, designed a new website, and jumped back into the world of design that I love so much. I began to feel like myself again. The design started spilling over into all areas of my life. Designing feature walls, making art, redoing my bedroom. This is when I’m happiest, when I’m creating - it’s my life source.
My living room feature wall - just finished this weekend!
With the “relaunch” of Gathered Here Designs, I really wanted to focus on making design accessible to others. Design brings me so much joy and I want others to not be intimidated to give it a try.
I hear a lot of people say things like “Oh I could never do that…” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start…” when it comes to wedding or floral design. My hope is to channel all my design knowledge into a step by step guide to help couples know exactly what design decisions need to be made and how to make them. Through a multi-module online course, couples will be able to learn about key decisions such as choosing colors, and flowers, and how to pull it all together into one cohesive design.
If you’re wanting to design your own wedding and need some extra guidance, this course will be PERFECT for you and your partner. Get on the waitlist here!
Until the course is live, I’m still here to support with any wedding design help you may need. Check out this page for FREE resources.
Not finding what you’re looking for? Feel welcome to email me directly at gatheredheredesigns@gmail.com.
I am THRILLED to be back in the design space and it is an absolute joy to get to share all my design musings (yes, even the silly ones like my Elle Woods/Avril wedding moment) with all of you.
I dare you to create something this week. If you’re not there yet, maybe just go enjoy a spring-is-almost-here walk and perhaps even spot a crocus or two!
~Amanda Jean
