Juul Flora LLC: Design Competition 2012

Juul Flora LLC: Design Competition 2012

Design Competition 2012

As facing the topic "Grand Exhibit Opening - Gallery of Flora" for Koehler & Dramm 2012 design competition, I was so excited. I picked up some design books and searched for ideas! Here are the photos.


Listening to the designer on the stage showing different ideas, at the same time, I was nervous about the competition result. Finally, at the end of show, they announced the finalists. YEAH!!! Here I am! The 2nd phase will be on March 3 (Saturday) at the Home & Garden Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Come and cheer for Juul Flora!

Juul Flora LLC: Changing business name

Juul Flora LLC: Changing business name

Changing business name

Little Fish Designs has officially changing name to Juul Flora. We will still serve you as the wedding, event & prom expertise in floral design. Stay tuned, we will have a new website to come in 2012!

First thing that is going to change is our blog URL: it will be http://juulflora.blogspot.com. Thank you for all your support.

Second thing that will change is our facebook "Like" page. There are going to have more photos either on my website, blog or facebook. Like my page now!!!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact in at juulflora@gmail.com or carol@ichooselittlefish.com (through end of 2011).

San Francisco AIFD symposium

Wow! It was so much fun and an amazing learning experience at the "Imagine: Dream, Create, Share" AIFD National Symposium. Wonderful works from all over the places. I cannot wait to dream, create and share; passing the spirit of the symposium along to my business, friends and family! Absolutely love it!

Business photos

It was so nice to take a little bit time for my business photoshooting. Jennifer Whalen who owns Jennifer Whalen Photography did a wonderful job. It was fun and helped me smile and laugh especially in front of the camera. Check out her blog as well at http://blog.jenniferwhalen.com.

Finalist in Koehler & Dramm designer of the year 2011

I am glad to annouce that I am one of the finalists in Koehler & Dramm designer of the year 2011. The topic was "An a-flair with flowers". The piece that I created was the "jewel belt".It took me a little bit time to figure out the machanics...but I enjoyed it once I completed! This was the first time that I felt not rushing through. It's all because that my husband had a day off and watched the kids!! I cannot say thank you.

(more photos to come!)

The next competition will be on stage... LIVE. It will be on March 5 at Minneapolis Home & Garden show at 7 pm. Be there or be square!

Working on my certification

In the past 3 weeks, I have finished 4 classes that will gear to my floral design certification. I am so excited that I completed all of them and passed with over 90 percentile! I relearned a lot about design principles & elements, business side of floral business, history & design techniques!

Queen of Cakes MN

It was great to have an opportunity to work with Terri Leckas, owner and cake designer at Queen of Cakes. It was like coming to a home, sitting down with Terri, listening to her story and how she treats her clients. Everything to me is a treat! The enviornment is comfortable, and inviting. You will feel so relaxed and welcomed when you walk into the store. There are so many tasty samples. They will love to offer for you to try.

Terri gave me a chance to design their demo cakes with flowers. Hopefully you will enjoy them while you are trying out their wonderful cakes!

Photos: Delight Photography

AIFD 2010 Symposium

It was great to attend the AIFD 2010 Symposium in Boston. So many amazing designs. My favorite was Gregor Lesch, the amazing German designer, talking about design contrast. It helped me bring my thoughts & spirit for designs to a different level, also gave me a vision to create, an extra room to explore. I loved it!

There are a lot of other amazing designers. I am in awe with their creativities & dignity. Some day... some day, I wish I will stand on the stage and present people a part of revolution!

Minneapolis Home & Garden Show Competition

I guess I am little bit behind on my blog...

I participated Koehler & Dramm professional floral designer competition on Jan. 31. The topic was "Vintage Valentine". I had so much fun creating this piece. My idea was creating a hat with a ring hidden in it. I absolutely loved my hat. It led me to another level of competition.



I was very fortune to be one of the six finalists to go on to Koehler & Dramm's Floral Designer of the Year Competition 2010 at Minneapolis Convention Center on Feb. 26. It was my first time to compete with other 5 talented floral designers ON STAGE. It was a quite adventure.

We received a surprised package on the stage. There were only 30 minutes to design this piece, including 5 minutes to read the instructions.

Here are some photos of the finalists' design work.

Carol

First place: Karen

Second place: Kim

Third place: Diane

Carra

Kate

Downtown Double-Tree Hotel visit

It was wonderful to meet Donae Cotton, the Executive Meeting Manager & also donae cotton photographer at Downtown Double-Tree Hotel. It was a wonderful meeting. Listening to Donae's passion about photography and her Reliy, it was such a joy.

If you want a night to get away, the Downtown Double-Tree Hotel has all suites, very nice location and enviornment.

If you want photos taken, contact Donae as well!

donae cotton photography | creative photojournalism | 651.436.3331
http://www.donaecottonphotography.com

Cake Decorations

I have been working with Queen of Cakes on their demo cakes in their design studio. It has been a great experience to work with them. If you have a chance, stop by their shop (7104 Amundson Ave. Edina, MN 55439). Enjoy their wonderful cakes and Little Fish Designs' flowers. Contact Carol for the floral designs; contact Terri for the cake designs!

State Capital Christmas Tree Decoration

I had so much fun at decorating the perfect tree at the State Capital on Dec. 3 this year. There were so many ornaments and decor that we could use. It's fun to do that with the same professionals. My teacher, Ardith, was there too. So good to see her! If anyone would like to hire me to decorate their houses, I will be glad to do so!!! Here are some photos from that day.

Before starting decorating the tree.


Boxes & boxes of stuff that we can use!

Putting ornaments on the tree.

The crew.

Fireplace decoration.

Finished!

The tree and me...

Feature in grace ormonde Wedding Style 2010

Little Fish Designs will be featured in grace ormonde Wedding Style 2010 Platinum List: Spring/Summer.

You will be able to find Little Fish Designs under Floral & Event Design in January 2010. http://www.weddingstylemagazine.com/

I am so excited to present this to more brides-to-be for what I can offer.

Check out the digital edition of the magazine. View client videos, runway slideshows and more:
http://www.eweddingstylemagazine.com/

Stay in tune with us!

Flower Therapy

Learn the Color Secrets to creating moods in your floral designs.

Nurturing - A true sense of caring. Soft and tender, fragile. Pastel. A feeling of safety, snug and loved.
Greens: Viburnum, Carnation, Smilax or Variegated Ivy
Yellow: Tulip, Rose, Freesia
Lavender: Heather, Waxflower, Aster
Light Purple: Snapdragon, Stock, Freesia
Light Peach: Rose, Stock, Carnation

Romantic - Intimacy, nostalgia, comfort. Loving sentiments and admiration.
Lavender: Lilac, Lisianthus, Sweet pea
Mauve: Bouvardia, Peony, Asiatic Lily
Cream: Rose, Stock, Gerbera Daisy
Green: Eucalyptus, Hydrangea, Melaleuca Foliage
Deep Pink: Mini Calla, Heather, Alstroemeria

Sensuous - Sophisticated, passionate, seductive.
Terra Cotta: Carnation, Alstroemeria, Alstroemeria, Hypericum Berries
Deep Purple: Anemone, Phlox, Liatris
Peach: Asiatic Lily, Rose/Spray Rose, Ranunculus
Green: Hydrangea, Gladiolas, Bells-of-Ireland
Deep Pink: Tulip, Lily, Gerbera Daisy

Tranquil - Serenity and relaxation. Peaceful, calm captured in the sky and sea palettes.
Light Green: Seeded Eucalyptus, Spiral Eucalyptus, Dusty Miller Foliage
Blue: Hydrangea, Delphinium, Eryngium Thistle
Light Purple: Lisianthus, Larkspur, Freesia
Light Pink: Tulip, Carnation, Rose
Light Brown: Silver Brunia, Pussy Willow, Caspia

Whimsical - Fun-loving, free-spirited, playful. Upbeat.
Green: Bupleurum, Kermit Pompon, Viburnum
Magenta: Tulip, Rose/Spray Rose, Stock
Orange: Gerbera Daisy, Ranunculus, Alstroemeria
Blue: Iris, Delphinium, Larkspur
White: Campanula, Queen Annes Lace, Lily

Source: www.aboutflowers.com

Wedding Gala - The Extending Love (II)

In three more weeks, we are going to have an upscale Wedding Gala in the Women's Club of Minneapolis. We are still looking for more wedding professionals to participate. Definitely, with wonderful vendors, we need people to join the night as well.

To purchase tickets, please go to Blacktie Minnesota.
For wedding professionals, please join and be part of our exhibition. (Please fill out the vendor application form.)
Anyone else would like to donate silent auction items (need to fill out the silent acution form), please contact me as well.

Wedding Gala - The Extending Love

This is a great opportunities for EVERYONE!

The event is not only about the wedding but also about how to extend your love to the community - Wedding Gala with a twist! It is open to brides-to-be and their families. Definitely, it is also open for the public. All the income after expense will be donated to Cornerstone. This is a great opportunity for brides-to-be to experience the wonderful and up-scale food, facility, and social event at The Women's Club of Minneapolis. For wedding professionals, it is a you-don't-want-to-miss opportunity to increase your publicity. Definitely, taking care the people are in need is our goal for this event as well. Come and join us!

Date: July 17, 2009 (Friday)
Time: 530 pm - 1130 pm
Location: The Women's Club of Minneapolis (410 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN)
Admission: $75 (Reserve your spot at Blacktie Minnesota, starts at June 15, 2009)

Feel free to contact me at 612.462.3513 or email: carol@ichooselittlefish.com for more information.

2009 Mother's Day Trend

Happy Mother's Day!
For 2009, the trend is going for flower plant. It's value-added. With live plants, adding dazzling materials or designs... it will present the modern moms and change the traditional look on designs! Enjoy it!

Decorate the Governor's mansion 2008!

Well, it's a little bit late to post but better I would still like to mention this privilege.

It was a great opportunity and definitely honor to be one of the chosen talented floral designer to decorate the Governor's mansion.

The team is selected by Ardith Beveridge (the most creative and kindest teacher/AIFD), met at Koehler and Dramm for a short meeting early Saturday morning and then "marched" to the Mansion. I was so excited and nervous at the same time by walking through the doors.

We were greeted by wonderful staff and boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations. After a brief explaination, we started our exciting projects! I picked the sun room. There were 5 ceiling-to-floor windows and also all around the room. Tables, fireplace, lights, doorways, whatever you can think of... we decorated it ALL!

Before decoration:


Carra, one of the designers, was working together with me. We talked through our design ideas then started climbing up and down on the ladder. With many beaded garlands, branches, window treatments, ornanments... our hands didn't have time to stop. As the sun shined to my eyes, it also brought the decoration shiner and brighter. It was georgeous.

After decorated:


I had such a great time and met so many wonderful designers. The time just flew by. We wrapped up around 2 pm. It was so much fun. We got a little bit time left to go around and enjoyed other designers' beautiful work. Thank you Ardith for giving us such a wonderful and fun experience! Don’t hesitate to ask me to help again in the future!