Turning my blog into a business has been a crazy, amazing journey. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of time, but I’m going to be honest…it’s been a lot of fun too. 🙂 I’ve mentioned before I got the courage to “just start” after attending my first Blogjam and I would never be where I am today without the support of East Coast Mom Media. A wonderful group of amazing people…not all mom’s by the way…doing some fantastic work around the Maritimes. I’ve made so many connections through this journey and always look forward to an event or workshop I get to attend through the ECM network. Getting to see old, and new friends, AND I’m usually learning something new, and having a good laugh or two along the way. What could be better! 🙂 Adding fresh flowers to mix only makes it better; April Showers Bring Pretty Flowers, or something like that.

Earlier this month I traveled into Halifax to attend a workshop being hosted by Holly at Dean’s Flowers. How can you not feel happy in a flower shop?

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I met Lori from Farm Fresh Style at that first Blogjam event I attended…and we just sort of stumbled together as newbies…and have been connected ever since. I feel like I’ve known Lori forever…it hasn’t really been that long…but aren’t those are the best kind of new friends to make? 🙂 Anyway, I excitedly asked if I could sit with her…but realized quickly I may have made a mistake, as also at our table was the incredibly talented, Heather from Laptops to Lullabies…make her kids clothing in the morning…and a bunk-bed set at night…kind of talented!!!

Oh my…I was at the DIY table…and I am NOT crafty….at all! Those two followed Holly’s instructions to a tea in no time whipping up a beautiful centerpiece…while I was sweating just trying to figure out how to place the tape to hold our flowers in place. (this was actually a great tip to learn) Grace was with me that day and is much more into DIY’s than I am, so she was providing some much-needed moral and practical support. 😉

Thanks to Lori for this shot…;)

Holly did a great job that day of patiently showing a room full of bloggers how to compose an arrangement and finish with a beautiful, spring-like centerpiece. It was sweet of her to put up with us…I mean HOST us…in her lovely shop. Dean’s Flowers is located on Stanley Street in Halifax and can help you with any holiday or special occasion needs.

If I think I’m not really crafty…I really need help when it comes to photography. Oh my. I love taking photo’s and have been practicing taking my camera off of “easy auto mode” once in a while, but I have so much to learn. So, it was great to have Matt Corkum of Fade to White Photography there to share some of his knowledge with us.

Probably one of the things I enjoyed the most was Matt talking about what we can use or buy to assist with improving our photos. Natural light is the best, but sometimes during our long fall/winter/spring seasons, we need help with that. Matt also shared some hilarious stories of what goes on in preparing a sometimes iconic photo. A lovely wedding pic of a bride, could have all sorts of craziness outside of the shot, but no one is the wiser and a timeless moment is captured. 🙂

Matt then let us all try out photographing our arrangements, providing us each with some tips and assistance. There was a wide variety of camera’s and iPhone’s and he was just so great working with whatever we had.

Matt has a very easy-going, approachable style that I can only imagine how great he would be to have at your side for a wedding, or family photos, etc. When you have time just take a peek at his portfolio…some really amazing photos in there.

Special thanks to Colleen, Laura and Erin from ECM Media for organizing such a a great afternoon spent connecting, laughing and learning.