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!
Do flowers make you feel?
Pollination station happening on my breadseed poppies.
Nothing like a clean tunnel. Even if it doesn't have real doors yet.
The calm before the tulip storm and feeling like a flower farmer again.
