We did it!  Alicia Jayne Florals had an amazing year in 2013. I am truly grateful for the wonderful clients I served this year and the supportive industry professionals that I collaborated with on styled shoots and freelance opportunities. I continue to learn and improve my skills with every design endeavor whether it is a promotional event, a styled shoot, a hands on workshop or a wedding. They all come with certain challenges and opportunities for growth.

2013 was a year of firsts for me in several ways. This was the first official year of Alicia Jayne Florals.  I was at the helm of every event creating and executing designs to bring my clients’ vision to life.  I participated in two bridal shows showcasing various floral designs and met some wonderful brides, grooms and families.  I traveled to Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore to deliver beautiful flowers for weddings. I provided flowers to four styled shoots and got published on a National Wedding blog. I attended workshops in Virginia and Pennsylvania with talented designers and toured their beautiful gardens.  I designed bouquets and centerpieces using vegetables, which was a first for me, and it turned out beautifully! I hosted two workshops on my own in Southern Maryland and Richmond.  And to top it all off I decorated one of the most famous residences in this country for Christmas!  Whew……What a year!

I began this post with “WE” and I feel that the “WE” is definitely deserved as this year would not have been possible or successful without the help of so many people who support this business.  From the family and friends who helped with delivery and set-up to everyone who attended my design workshops this fall, to the photographers who capture my work and generously share their images, to the Chapel Designers who are constantly cheering me on and sharing their knowledge, to my mentors and friends who teach me and continue to inspire me to pursue this path. Thank you Holly, Cynthia and Laura. Last and certainly not least, thank you to my husband for his continued support and patience with me as I find my way.  Some day you will have your garage back!

Here’s to a Happy, Healthy and Successful 2014!

-AJ

My second workshop of the season was a great success!  We had a wonderful group of ladies and the event was hosted at a beautiful farmette in Ashland, Virginia.  Our hostess Anne Leigh opened her home and property to this holiday fun and our other hostess Paige joined her in providing some yummy refreshments.

Everyone seemed to have a great evening and the weather could not have been more perfect.  60 degrees in December is rare!  It was a far cry from the below freezing conditions of the Pretty Pumpkins event in November! We had a great variety of fresh greens to make Christmas wreaths. Everything from noble fir to pine to red cedar to douglas fir to blue spruce.  We even had a few magnolia leaves to add to the mix.  Some people garnished their wreaths with pinecones and crab apples while others went for a colorful bow.  I was very impressed with the few who tried to make their own bows. Bow making is tricky until you get the hang of it.  Kudos ladies!

Here are a few images from the evening of wreath making. I am no photographer which is very apparent from these images!  I think I should just stick to floral design and leave the photography to the pros!

Our patio work space was perfect! (not a plug for ACE Hardware)

Kelly is working those greens and wire like a pro!

Paige, Lori, Liz and Julie are having fun at their table!

Someone decided to add a little holly to their wreath!

Stacy and Brandy evaluating just the right mix of greens!

These ladies came all the way from my home town of Roanoke, Virginia to make wreaths!  I grew up with Kelly (far left) in Roanoke and Kim and Robyn work with her in the Roanoke County School system.  I was so touched that they came all that way for the event.  Thank you ladies!!!!

Stacey and Brandy showing off their beautiful wreaths.  Love how Brandy wrapped her ribbon around the wreath!

Anne Leigh really got creative and artsy with this wreath. She pulled some additional jute ribbon from her personal stash and then added the deer skull and antlers. I was really loving this wreath with the addition of the deer!’`

Lori, Julie, Liz and Paige showing off their wreaths. They were a very color coordinated bunch!

Several people even shared photos of their wreaths on display at their homes.

We had plenty of greens left over after the event and I encouraged everyone to take some home and use them as decor around their house.  Here are a few images that people sent me of their holiday decor with the addition of fresh greens. This is so easy to do and adds such a nice touch to your holiday decor. The bottom branches of Christmas trees are a perfect way to add greens.  Your local Christmas tree farms may also have a pile of tree branches laying around that they will gladly give you if you ask! I use them to decorate my window boxes and outdoor planters every year!

I will finish up this post with a few images from around Anne Leigh’s beautiful home. This southern lady has GREAT taste and real eye for design.  I could tell we would get in some serious trouble together with fun decorating and crafty projects if we lived closer!

Thank you again to everyone who attended the Christmas Greens event and a special thanks to Anne Leigh and Paige for offering to host such a fun night with good friends.

Merry Christmas!

-AJ

We were delighted to see our fall style shoot featured on Southern Maryland Weddings blog yesterday!  This team of vendors seems to make magic when we work together and it could not have turned out to be a more perfect day for this shoot.  Birds of a Feather Photography was behind the lense capturing all the little details.  They have a way of making every element look stunning!

The bride looked gorgeous thanks to the talented work of Dina Thron of Hair It Is Salon and Spa as well as Natural Looks by Victoria who provided make-up. The beautiful lace bridal gown was provided by Today’s Bride in California, Maryland.  These ladies know how to make a bride look amazing on her wedding day from head to toe!