rebranding and a survey

I'm working extra hard to create a brand new blog and new direction for yours truly! 

If you wouldn't mind, I would LOVE if you took the time to answer these questions.  THANK YOU! :)


Take the Survey HERE

a little more word vomit.

I have just been thinking a lot lately.  You probably read my post about my mini midlife crisis.  (I was blown away by all the support and love.  I loved reading each comment and actually wrote them all in my journal.  I'm weird like that.  But seriously, thank you so much!  It means the world to know that you guys have faith in me and my pursuit of whatever might happen next.)

Here's the deal.  I still feel a little bit stuck.  I feel a little bit lost.  I know it takes time, but I don't like the stuck & lost phase.  I hate it, actually.  Chase will tell you.

I know who I am and I know what I like to do, but it's the figuring out how-that-translates-into-a-career thing that is the trickiest part.  I've taken a few quizzes online (Chase makes fun of me, but I think they're fun), and it's really interesting to me that most of them tell me I should be a teacher, nurse, politician.... the biggest underlying theme seems to be that I want to help people.  I already knew that without taking any silly quiz..  My biggest motivator is I want to feel like I am making a meaningful difference and I want to help people.

I feel like I have tried a whole bunch of things that at the time felt like such a good fit, and they've all been teaching me and preparing me for something bigger and more purposeful, but I just don't know what the next thing is.  Is there something I'm missing? (Mom, don't say have babies!  That will happen when it's supposed to!)  And maybe I just need to slow down and do nothing for awhile... Which is fine, but anyone that knows me knows that I can't just sit and do nothing... ;) 

Who else has been here?  How did you get un-stuck?
How did you figure out what you wanted to do with your life?
What are some things you tried to help you figure out what you wanted to do? 

It is kind of an exciting time.  I get to do whatever I want and be whatever I want to be!  But what?

Seriously, though!  I would love to hear from you.  Please take the time to share some thoughts and insights,  I would truly love it.  Either comment below or email me: marierin@gmail.com

Free Thanksgiving Printable

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  I love this time of year.  I love this specific holiday not only for all the yummy food, but as a time to think and reflect about what I am thankful for! 

I love Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk, Grateful in Any Circumstances.  If you haven't read it recently (or ever!), I would encourage you to do so.  Religious or not, it is a fantastic reminder that we can find something to be grateful for in any season of life. 

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.  We can be grateful!"

With that in mind, I created this little printable you can download and enjoy in your home this week (or all year!) ;) 

Click HERE to download! 

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

What are you thankful for?

Word Vomit

(sorry about the title. It's the only thing I could think of that accurately describes what kind of post this is...)


Where, where, where do I begin?

I have wanted to write this post for a few months.  Just to get my thoughts out into the universe.  Sometimes it helps me more than it will help anyone else reading it. 

You know, I have changed my mind about what I want to be when I grow up a zillion times.

A zillion.

When I was a Senior in high school, all I knew was that I wanted to be creative. 
Then I got into college and thought maybe I would try and be a Disney animator.
Then I decided that wasn't super realistic for me and thought I would give Fashion School a shot (because that's sooo much more realistic...)
Then I went back to the Disney plan. 
Next I decided Wedding Planner had my name written all over it. Nope.
That's when I got into floral and I thought I could maybe make that happen...
Then I decided maybe freelance work and graphic design was my thing.

And now I'm changing my mind.. Again.

Lately I have not been feeling very fulfilled in my career life.
I have discovered that the Wedding industry is just not for me. 

The last few months I felt like I was trying to force a square into a circle, and while that may have worked for Apollo 13, it is not working for me. 
People would tell me things like "It looks like your flower business is just booming!"... Well, let's be real.  It's not.  When people would say that I almost felt guilty and superficial like I was showing people that I was successful when I am far from it, and all I want is to be genuine. 

Also, I just can't compete with all the talent happening right now. There are SO many local florists who are way more talented and busy than I am.  Most of them are amazing people, too, and deserve all the success in the world.

So..

I decided to not do flowers in 2015 and once I made the decision I felt relieved.  (Which is so good.)

I started a new personal/private account on Instagram.  I haven't decided if I will keep my old [floral] one and just transition to whatever I transition to, or if I will just delete it entirely... 

Does anyone else have this weird feeling to impress strangers on Instagram or is that just me?  It's so ridiculous!  In real life I don't even care, but on Instagram somehow I do.. Explain that to me... ???


All I know is I want to be genuinely me, make art, and make pretty things.  And I want to teach people art and how to make pretty things.


Over the summer I had a few girls come over and help me with flowers here and there.  They were a HUGE help to me---not only with flowers, but with helping me know that I LOVE to teach.

After the first day, Chase asked me how it went and I told him it was the best day ever! 
I felt so good knowing that I was helping other people learn new skills! 


I don't have the opportunity to finish school right now, but who knows...for now I want to maybe start teaching art lessons and then start a blog where parents and kids can come and learn some cool techniques and projects and then go spend some quality time together creating and doing art together.... but that could change! ;)



I don't know.... I just feel like I'm rambling now. 

Tell me I'm not the only one who is going through a midlife crisis?  Seriously.

wedding announcements

Never in a thousand years did I think I would design a wedding announcement suite. 

Kenzi contacted me after seeing a few things I had posted on Instagram and commissioned me to design these for her upcoming wedding.  

I was super flattered, and couldn't wait to get started on her rusic-feel announcements using watercolor and calligraphy for their names.

Here is the finished product:

I had them printed giclee on fine art natural cardstock through Rowley Press.  If you are ever in the market to have your fine art prints printed, use them!  They primarily do letterpress, and did such a fabulous job with these giclee announcements.  They were prompt to respond to my questions and were SO helpful.  I can't say enough good things about them. 

I learned a lot in the process, and I will do more in the future.. stay tuned! ;) 

...

Calligraphy Made Easy | Basic Supplies

 

 

If you haven't jumped on the calligraphy train yet, I suggest you do so!  Pronto!  It's so fun, easy, and very relaxing! ..At least I think so....  ;)

 

Initially I got started at a calligraphy workshop with Melissa Esplin (link below), but then I've been watching videos on YouTube, reading the Modern Calligraphy book (link below), and I've just played around with different holders, nibs, inks, and paper.  Really, it's just trial and error until you find something you love.  The nibs and holders that I love may not be your favorite.  So get a bunch and just play!  It's so fun! (I can't say that enough!)

Here is a little infographic to show you what the very basic supplies are.  I've included links below!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I will continue to blog about this fun hobby, so stay tuned!

 

 

You can find calligraphy supplies at pretty much any craft or art supply store, I've included some links below so you know what you're looking for :)

 

My go-to places for calligraphy supplies are Hobby Lobby and Provo Art & Frame.

 

Hobby Lobby has a great starter package with a nib holder and a few nibs to try.

 

 

Ink:

(look for acrylic-based or calligraphy inks. 

If your ink is too watery it will bleed!)

Hobby Lobby

 

 

Nib Holders:

Hobby Lobby

Paper Ink Arts

 

 

Nibs:

Paper Ink Arts

 

 

Get Started!

Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe (My FAVORITE resource)

Skillshare

I Still Love Calligraphy

 

 

Hopefully this helps!  Have fun!

 

 

I will answer specific Nib questions in an upcoming post!  Sorry I didn't get to those questions quite yet in this one. :)

Floral Design by Erin

Doing flowers is one of my many side jobs/hobbies.  I love flowers.  

How can you not?  They are so beautiful.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?

I mean...