Kira's Flowers

Kira's Flowers A small-scale yet highly diverse cut flower farm and florist in East Peoria, IL.

My best friend introduced me to when I was 16. She had gone to Art and Science in the Woods every summer and I had hea...
02/09/2025

My best friend introduced me to when I was 16. She had gone to Art and Science in the Woods every summer and I had heard so many stories of the fun and adventure she had there. I never attended as a camper but one summer I joined as a teacher's assistant for a Brazilian drumming class. I was intrigued and delighted by the magical world that was created on Bob & Joan Ericksen's farm. I saw the the city and country kids come together for a week of wild artistic wonder and discovery.

When I moved back to central IL, it didnt take long for sally to convince me to become a board member. After being here ten years and getting to know Peoria in a new way, I've come to see just how many of us have connections to Bob and Joan Ericksen. They are an inspiration to all of us, not only as community leaders but as a couple whose love, admiration, and respect for one another is so evident.

We will all miss Bob. I'll remember him carefully drawing a planter pot on a note during the middle of a board meeting, passing it to me not-so-discreetly from across the table, just to remind me he had some pots in the car for me. I'll remember him coming to the farmers market every week with Joan- making certain I noticed the way my flowers made the faces, old and young, brighten as they interacted with the natural world. I'll remember Joan loading him up with duffel bags upon duffel bags of produce then both profusely thanking my mother and I (and all the farmers) for everything we do. I think we'll all remember Bob taking pictures. Always taking pictures. He couldn't separate himself from the artist within, always noticing the light and color, and excited to share his fascinating world with you. The last photo is one he took this past April at the sun foundation eclipse event. I remember him coming up to me, snapping this photo and exclaiming, "wow LOOK at those colors!".

Hello world! I'm emerging from hibernation to teach a few classes at ICC Peoria campus. If you are antsy for spring like...
02/09/2025

Hello world! I'm emerging from hibernation to teach a few classes at ICC Peoria campus. If you are antsy for spring like me, then this is a great way to be around flowers this time of year. These classes are open to anyone, and you can sign up at https://icc.edu/programs/adult-community-education or call 309-690-6900. The classes I have coming up are:

•Beginner Floral Design | 2 sessions- Saturdays 2/22 and 3/1 from 10-12 | $119

In the first session of this class, I introduce you to Sustainable Floral Design through a presentation followed by a small activity. I give you some background on me, my business, and how I was introduced to the flower world. We'll discuss the differences between sustainable vs. traditional flower design, and you'll learn all the tools you need, how to process flowers, and what elements make up an aesthetic design. At the end of the first session, there is an activity that tests your knowledge of the four parts of a design, and you'll go home with a mini arrangement.

In the second session, we make art!! We dive right into arranging and spend the whole session getting comfortable playing with flowers. Everyone goes home with a beautiful and unique arrangement!

•Intermediate Floral Design | 2 sessions- Saturdays 3/15 and 3/22 from 10-12 | $119

This class is for those who have taken Beginner Floral Design or have some experience working with flowers. We expand on the Beginner class, and in the first session you'll learn how to create small wearable arrangements like boutonnieres/corsages. Then, in the second session, we work together to create a BIG arrangement, either a wedding arbor or two floral pillars.

•Flower Crown Class | 1 session- Saturday 4/5 from 10-12 | $85

This class is so fun and a great way to celebrate spring! Everyone will create their own unique flower crown. This is a great skill to learn for birthdays, baby showers, weddings, or for any special event!

Meet one of my favorite flowers. These are Eremurus aka foxtail lily and will be featured in my new and improved Summer ...
01/07/2025

Meet one of my favorite flowers. These are Eremurus aka foxtail lily and will be featured in my new and improved Summer CSA this year (spots still open!). Last November, we planted 200 of these roots, split between the farm here in East Peoria and my uncle's farm in rural Congerville/Goodfield. These are perennial, grow 4 to 5 feet tall, and are very striking in the landscape. I have a few in my yard, so you may have picked up a bunch at the , but I hope to be able to offer a lot more grower bunches of these this season.

I decided to make one last trip up to before the year is over...and I think you should to! They are having a lil holida...
12/21/2024

I decided to make one last trip up to before the year is over...and I think you should to! They are having a lil holiday market tomorrow from 10 to 3. Go get a coffee (or beer!), lunch, and some last minute gifts. Pontiac has a vibrant downtown square with other shops and museums.

At now:
•Potted Amaryllis | $15
•Wax-Covered Amaryllis | $15 I had fun decorating these with mixed evergreens, baby pinecones and dried hot peppers. :) Bonus with these is that they don't need water. Just watch grow, bloom, then discard. Should bloom in just about 3 weeks depending on how warm your home is. Big, beautiful blooms in red or white.
•Mini Wreaths | $15
•Dry Flower Bracelets | $10 (would be cute for prom or homecoming!)
•Mixed Evergreen Wreaths | $40

I also made a delivery of potted and wax-covered amaryllis to Heritage Farmers Market in Pekin yesterday! Go and get 'em. 🎄

Need a last minute gift?Don't forget about my Flower CSAs! Choose between 3 weeks of dahlia bouquets in September or 9 w...
12/21/2024

Need a last minute gift?

Don't forget about my Flower CSAs! Choose between 3 weeks of dahlia bouquets in September or 9 weeks of mixed bouquets from June to the end of August.

Sign up online at www.kirasflowers.com and click on Purchase a CSA tab. Then shoot me a message and I'll figure out how to get you a gift certificate.

Dahlia CSA | $115
Summer CSA | $350

CSA pickup options in East Peoria (on farm), West Peoria, Peoria, Riverfront Market, Eureka, and Bloomington.

Tomorrow is my Holiday Pop Up at . I'll be there 8 to 12.I'm bringing mixed evergreen wreaths, potted amaryllis, wintry ...
12/14/2024

Tomorrow is my Holiday Pop Up at . I'll be there 8 to 12.

I'm bringing mixed evergreen wreaths, potted amaryllis, wintry bundles (evergreen + holly + sweet annie), dry flower bouquets, and more!

Prices range from $12 to $45. I'll be able to accept cash, card, or check. I'll also have gift certificates for my Flower CSAs on hand. Hope to see you there!

🌲

It's wreath season!! I'm working hard to put a few specialty holiday wreaths together that will be for sale at specific ...
12/06/2024

It's wreath season!! I'm working hard to put a few specialty holiday wreaths together that will be for sale at specific locations in the next couple of weeks. These 5 will be available tomorrow night at Tremont's Hometown Christmas event. You can find these at the Heritage Farmers Market booth from 4 to 7 in downtown Tremont. I'll post the next round of wreaths next week, and those will be for sale at on Sunday the 15th. I'm planning another pop up shop...with wreaths, potted amaryllis, possibly an evergreen/holly bouquet bar (stay tuned!).

These wreaths available in downtown Tremont tomorrow night from 4 to 7 (I'll be able to take cash, card, or check):

•Goldy but Goody- made with all everlastings! Sweet annie, gold celosia, and pampas grass with a velvet gold ribbon accent. | $55

•Feeling Blue- juniper and lavender combo with green velvet ribbon. So cute. | $40

•It's a Classy Christmas- traditional fresh evergreen wreath with hints of pampas grass, sweet annie, and dried tansy. Fragrant and beautiful. Comes with wooden bead hanger. | $50

•Hot n Spicy Christmas- sweet annie with dried hot peppers. This wreath is 100% dried and delicate but will last multiple years with proper care. $45

•The Everything Wreath- all the things! Mixed evergreens with pinecones, dried florals/eucalyptus, and even lights! $50

At the Thanksgiving tomorrow:FLORALS:•Mini Wreaths | $20 Comes in a gift box!•Everlasting Bouquets | $40•Pampas Grass |...
11/23/2024

At the Thanksgiving tomorrow:

FLORALS:
•Mini Wreaths | $20 Comes in a gift box!
•Everlasting Bouquets | $40
•Pampas Grass | $20 real pampas from CA
•Garlic Braids | $25-$50 (this is almost all the garlic this year...I didn't have a good yield, but next year we will be back with more!)

JAMS | $8/jar or 12 for $84

•Everything Jam
(contains strawberries, raspberries, pineberries, blueberries, black currants, red currants, jostaberries, and ground cherries!)
•Strawberry Rhubarb jam
•Strawberry Blues Jam
•Blue Goose Jam
•Raspberry Pineberry Jam
•Raspberry Red Currant Jam
•Asian Pear Black Currant Jam
•Tart Cherry Jam
•Strawberry Peach Jam
•Blueberry with Lemon and Thyme
•Blueberry with Lemon Basil

*Quantity specials on Aronia Berry Jam, Aronia Berry Jelly, Apple Butter, and Hot Pepper Aronia Berry Jam
1 for $8
3 for $20,
12 for $72

DRY HERBS | $9 each
Basil
Oregano
Dill
Sage
Thyme
Parsley
Tarragon
Rosemary
Lovage
Green Shiso

HOT PEPPER POWDERS | $9 each
•Cayenne
•Red jalapeño
•Ancho--only 2 left!

HERBAL TEAS | $8/jar or 3 for $20

Aronia Berry Tea
Catnip Tea
Chamomile Tea
Blue Shiso Tea
Lavender Dreams Tea
Lemon Medley Tea
Sunny Lemon Tea
Peter Rabbit’s Tea
Mint Tea
Stinging Nettle Tea
Mediterranean Mountain Tea
Tulsi Tea
Tulsi Thyme Tea
Te de Manzanilla
Country Anise Tea

I won't be there tomorrow, but my mother will be running the show! Go see her and stock up on all your favorites. This is your last opportunity to get her goods until Christmas! ❄️

8:30-12:30 at the RiverPlex

Last hours to get your pre-orders in for my mother's jams, teas, and dry cooking herbs! Deadline is today (Fri) at 8 p.m...
11/22/2024

Last hours to get your pre-orders in for my mother's jams, teas, and dry cooking herbs! Deadline is today (Fri) at 8 p.m. Pickup is at the Thanksgiving tomorrow at the Riverplex. Hours are 8:30-12:30.

We are asking for pre-orders of these products because I won't be there to help my mother tomorrow, and this will streamline the checkout process. Please help her out by ordering ahead. Plus, you can ensure you'll get all your favorites! We'll be bringing extra for sale, but some items have limited amounts and are sure to sell out.

Place your order at: www.teresasunnylanefarm.com/seasonal-shop

Yes I'm sending florals!! That list coming a little later today. Stay tuned... 🌼

It's been a minute, but I'm back at with a few everlasting bouquets and pampas grass!Everlasting Bouquets | $30/eachPam...
11/20/2024

It's been a minute, but I'm back at with a few everlasting bouquets and pampas grass!

Everlasting Bouquets | $30/each
Pampas Grass | $20/bunch

*Both are dried and do not need water

Pick one up for whoever hosts your Thanksgiving as an appreciation gift. I may bring more next week but not guaranteed.

Wendy Puffball install today. A little hometown pride in this one. Thanks to the Mayo brothers for opening up , an amazi...
11/19/2024

Wendy Puffball install today. A little hometown pride in this one. Thanks to the Mayo brothers for opening up , an amazing restaurant in little Eureka...the place I grew up and where my mother still lives. This neat space used to be the old coffee shop in town where I spent many afternoons in high school. Who knew 15ish years later I'd be completing a floral art installation inside?? Now it's a Napoletana pizzeria and I suggest you go for dinner if you haven't yet.

Go see the puffball but stay for the tasty pizzas, warm ambiance, and friendly service. 🍕

Wendy Puffball
Nov 2024
Eureka, IL

In December, I'm collaborating with for an afternoon of creative wreathmaking. I'll bring evergreens, holly, pinecones, ...
11/11/2024

In December, I'm collaborating with
for an afternoon of creative wreathmaking. I'll bring evergreens, holly, pinecones, branches, dried flowers, bells, ribbon, and more! You just bring yourself and maybe a friend. Everyone will go home with a large holiday wreath of their own.

•When: Sat Dec 14th 1-3:30 p.m.
•Where: MUSE Morton (cool art studios/gallery in Morton)
71 E Queenwood Rd.
•Cost: $75

Sign up online at www.kirasflowers.com/holidaywreath.

*Space is limited, but if it fills up fast, I may add one more class before Christmas!! 🌲

Fall activities.
11/09/2024

Fall activities.

Wedding #14 from mid-October. I've started booking dates for 2025. Message me for my wedding options/pricing and to boo...
11/05/2024

Wedding #14 from mid-October.

I've started booking dates for 2025. Message me for my wedding options/pricing and to book a consultation. I work mostly off color palette than specific variety of flower, using what is available that's local and in season first.

I still need to post wedding #14...and somehow I didn't get pictures of #15 and #16. But here's #17. Last one of the...
10/26/2024

I still need to post wedding #14...and somehow I didn't get pictures of #15 and #16. But here's #17. Last one of the season! All Illinois-grown except the Safari Sunset. Thank you to for the marigolds, roselle, and mums. And thank you to for the dahlias, celosia, millet, chocolate cosmos and so, so many more beautiful blooms throughout the season. We sure have created an amazing network of flower farmers here in Central IL.

I'm booking consultations for 2025 weddings now. Please fill out the wedding inquiry form on my website and I'll respond as soon as I can. www.kirasflowers.com

At Heritage Farmers Market today for their Customer Appreciation Day! See you from 11 to 3. Bill will be grilling out an...
10/26/2024

At Heritage Farmers Market today for their Customer Appreciation Day! See you from 11 to 3. Bill will be grilling out and there will be so many amazing sales in store plus music by and games and raffles.

Here's our list for our stand:

FLORALS:

Sunflowers | $15/bunch Big bunches and these are the very last ones.

Dry Flower Bouquets | $30

Pampas Grass | $15/bunch (real pampas from CA)

FRUIT:

Sundance apples | $5/qt

Asian pears | $5/qt

Henry's pear | $5/qt

American Persimmons $5/box Tastes like butterscotch!

JAMS & TEAS:

Jams and apple butter $8/jar

Quantity specials on Aronia Jam, Apple butter and Hot Pepper Aronia Berry Jam 3 for $20,
12 for $72

DRY COOKING HERBS | $9/jar

Basil
Oregano
Sicilian oregano
Dill
Sage
Thyme
Parsley
Tarragon
Rosemary
Stevia
Winter savory
Lovage
Green Shiso

Dry Hot Pepper Powders | $9 each
Cayenne
Green jalapeño
Red jalapeño
Ancho

See you there! 🌻

It might have frosted, but the season is far from over. Dry flower season just started, and some fall fruits don't ripen...
10/25/2024

It might have frosted, but the season is far from over. Dry flower season just started, and some fall fruits don't ripen until it gets colder out. You can find the late season bounty this Saturday at Heritage Farmers Market for their Customer Appreciation Day!

Saturday 10/26
11-3
Heritage Farmers Market
20235 IL Rte 9
Pekin

I'll post the full list tomorrow but a few sunnies survived the frost, so I'll have both fresh and dry flowers. There will be sundance apples, pears, asian pears, and even American persimmons! And my mother
has been busy making all this season's organic fruits into specialty jams. We'll have:

•strawberry peach
•strawberry rhubarb
•raspberry red currant
•raspberry pineberry
•Asian pear black currant
•blueberry with lemon and thyme
•blueberry with lemon basil
•apple butter
•aronia berry
•hot pepper aronia berry

Think ahead for Christmas gifts!

My class started working on a plant ball art installation yesterday morning at Eureka College. We used wild grapevines c...
10/22/2024

My class started working on a plant ball art installation yesterday morning at Eureka College. We used wild grapevines combined with stems from the landscaping around Sanders Hall.

Next week we'll finish it and put it on display somewhere on campus!

Address

3404 Springfield Road
East Peoria
61611

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Videos

Looking back at a few weddings from this year. I'm booking 2025 weddings now! Message me to secure your date. 🌸

Wendy Puffball Nov 2024 Eureka, IL Made with wild grapevines harvested by my mother. Dried flowers that we grew and dried this season. Pampas grass from @ronalds.pampas.grass out of CA. Chicken wire and zip ties. With assistance in design and setup from @bonesofbayleaf.

Plant Ball #1 art installation at Eureka College by my Horticulture for Health & Wellbeing classes. We'll let the weather elements do what they will to this 100% biodegradable sculpture. Let it serve as a reminder of the temporary state of everything. If the wind blows it down, we'll nestle it into the landscape and let it go back to nature. Find it outside Sanders Hall. Plant Ball #1 Oct 2024 Wild grapevines, natural materials (stems, branches, flowers), jute twine Eureka, IL

Come see me at @intuitioncoffeeco this morning! Here til noon or when all the flowers have disappeared. All bunches are $15. This could be the end of fresh flowers...frost is right around the corner. 🌻

Here's to more flower art in 2024! If you want to get creative and play with flowers, my Spring term classes at ICC start in February. I'm offering multiple sections of each so hopefully one fits your schedule. Beginning Floral Design $65 •Saturdays, Feb 17 & 24 10 am-12 pm or •Thursdays June 20 & 27 6-8 pm Intermediate Floral Design $65 •Saturdays, March 9 & 16 10 am-12 pm or •Thursdays, July 11 & 18 6-8 pm Flower Crown Class $65 •Saturday April 6 10 am- 2 pm All classes take place at Hickory Hall ICC Peoria campus. Sign up at www.icc.edu/adult-community-education **video clip by McLean County Arts Center from my first art show

Back in Feb when Nina from @alumamedia came out to the farm she said she wanted to create two videos. One for the barn fundraiser and one that was more timeless featuring me and my dry flowers. I love this late winter moment she captured on the farm. Nina blew me away with the opening shot...the way the barn door creaks open and Poppy following me inside as if she were a spirit guarding me (and of course she is). I'm so grateful Nina captured this time in my life. I hope when I'm an old lady I can share this video with the younger folks around me and inspire them to find and follow their passions. I wasn't sure when I was going to share this video...but now seems appropriate. The barn roof has been replaced, we made it through the terrible drought last month and now I have some exciting creative projects on the horizon. I've been thinking a lot about how nature affects me mentally and the way I take all of my emotions and spin them into bouquets. There is a certain freedom that comes with working with nature and being unable to control anything. You learn the art of letting go. I surrender to nature every day. Last month's drought was tough and the season is far from over so I'm just waiting for the next challenge now. But we are currently sitting pretty at 2.5 inches of rain in the last week. I knew mother nature would water my field eventually. If you're still waiting, know your turn will come soon. Droughts do end. Smoky skies clear. And nothing is forever.

BARN UPDATE!! We have good news regarding the barn restoration! Through your donations, we were able to secure the money to pay the deposit for the new roof. We'll be working with Tremont Roofing on this exciting project. Truly thank you to each and every person who has given any amount. In honor of this important milestone I'd like to share this video made by @alumamedia, a woman-owned video production company based in Peoria. Back in February, Nina and Jess came out to the farm to take some footage of me, Dave and Graham Bishop, and the old Sears Roebuck that we hope to restore. They did an amazing job capturing what this barn means to me and the future I envision for this beautiful farm. Credit also goes to Jeff Noble with @mouvefilm for capturing one of the many farm dinners from last year. Forever grateful for all the talent in this community. 🌼 Securing the deposit means we are set to begin the construction in May!! However, this does not mean we no longer need donations. We need them now more than ever. So far we are at about 23% of the goal. The wild spring we've had this year has shown us just how vulnerable this barn has become and we felt the best use of the donation money would be to begin construction now. This is to avoid needing more repairs/donations later on if we wait any longer. We are starting with the roof so that once water can no longer get in we may begin on the rest of the restoration process. I've been stunned but not the least surprised by the generosity of this community. Not only the local community here in central IL but also the more distant community near and far who care about preserving rural history. I received a heartwarming letter from a woman in Missouri this week with a $45 cash donation. She even included some cosmos seeds for me. This whole fundraising experience has been a new one but such a special and rewarding one. I can't wait to celebrate in the barn with you all. 🌸 https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-our-hi

I'll always remember this year as the one I became a spokesperson for a barn. Thank you to FarmWeekNow for putting together this video. Thank you to Dave for wanting to preserve his family farm and helping young farmers (me) with land/farm access. We are now at $10,806 (including checks- yes you can write checks if you don't want to go through gofundme) of our $50,000 goal. Here's a reminder that if you donate $50 or more, you'll get an invite to a barn party of the best kind once construction is finished. We'll have barn tours, food, music, and maybe even a square dance caller if we're lucky! https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-our-historic-sears-roebuck-barn **higher quality video on my instagram

Just something a little different! A wedding arbor that provides mini-wreath keepsakes for family and friends and a larger wreath to grace the front door of the bride and groom's home. Thanks to @elleleclaire for coming up with this neat idea during our consultation and happy wedding to you and Austin!

A little preview of what Meredith and I have been working on the last two days between the hours of 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Today is the last day to buy tickets for The Masquerade at the Manor event at @duncanmanor happening Friday and Saturday night!

When Kira is away, the sunnies come out to play. That's just how it works. The first task upon returning is always harvest the sunflowers.

Made it down to the market this morning to help with set up! This week: Grower Bunches $10 Shorty Bouquets $25 (includes jar) Large Mixed Bouquets $35 (includes jar) Fancy Sunny Bouquets $25 Was hoping to have more sunnies this week but they are blooming a bit slow...maybe next week!

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