How to preserve flower memories

With my pressed floral work of art "Effervesce"

It's been quite some time since I've posted on my design blog to share what I've been working on creatively, so here I am with a 2023 update!

I'll try my best to keep this brief since most of us now prefer short and sweet social media style captions over long form blog content. I get it, believe me, and I'm already impressed that you've even taken the time to visit me here, so thank you for that!

The photo of me above was taken in the fall of 2021, when I won an award for my pressed flower art titled "Effervesce" that I entered in the Lynnfield Art Guild fall art show. Receiving recognition was pretty exciting since this was my first real attempt at creating a mixed media piece using pressed flowers! The work features pressed hydrangeas, Queen Anne's Lace, and other blooms picked from my New England farmhouse style garden that I then applied to my original acrylic painting of a minimalist-style champagne coupe. A touch of gold glitter added just the right amount of sparkle and joy!

Currently, this pressed flower piece is on display at the Reading, MA Draw01867 Art Walk through October 1, 2023.

My first flower press!

"Three Sisters" pressed cornflowers by Yvonne Blacker

"Beauty within" pressed rose by Yvonne Blacker

and Japanese painted fern on tiny art canvas

Where did I learn to press flowers?

I have studied online via several Zoom classes with Modern Pressed Flower artist Tricia Paoluccio whose botanical artistry inspired several pieces in the fall 2021 Oscar de la Renta ready-to-wear collection. One of those gowns was worn by fashion powerhouse Anna Wintour at the MET gala in 2021 and a long-sleeved mini dress was worn by Taylor Swift at the 63rd Annual Grammy's. Pretty cool, huh?!

I was able to purchase one of Tricia's hand-crafted flower presses and I still use it today to preserve my own backyard blooms.

Read more about Tricia's flower pressing process here.   

And since I work with fresh florals quite often as a virtual lifestyle host with Alice's Table via the 1-800-flowers brand (I have been an Alice's Table online educator since the summer of 2020), I have spent a lot of time saving the beautiful blooms that I often have on hand, using a number of different preservation methods.

Dried roses in honeycomb shaped glass jars.

Preserved favorite flowers from a bride's bouquet.

Arrangement composed by Yvonne Blacker

Learn how to create forever flowers with me!

I will be sharing some of my floral preserving techniques in my upcoming virtual "get creative" course that I am offering via my New England farmhouse inspired e-commerce shop Duck Petals. The class is called "Playing with Flowers" and you are invited to join me!

Topics will include how to preserve special occasion blooms, how to work with dried flowers to create permanent botanical art, and tips on creating pressed flower compositions with confidence.

I've made quite a few pressed wedding flower bouquet pieces over the past few years, so I will also be sharing my personal experience with that special memory preserving process.

Want to play with flowers following my lead? Enroll here! Course begins on November 11, 2023.

Blogger discount code to shop DuckPetals.com!

And for reading this far, I'm sharing a special discount code if you'd like to shop DuckPetals.com. Just type DESIGNBLOG2023 in the promo box at checkout and you will save 15% off your online purchase! Code is valid on any DuckPetals.com purchase – including enrollment in my new course – now through September 30, 2023 at 11:59pm EST only, so go ahead and fill your cart with New England farmhouse inspired goodies for less while you can!

And if you like to play with fresh flowers, please sign up for my FREE newsletter "Backyard Blooms" where I send out DIY floral recipes seasonally and share exclusive shop discounts.

Follow this link to get your name on the list!

How to Create an Online Course

When past marketing clients come to me with a fresh new idea for their business, I quickly become as excited as they are! ✨

After working together last year on a complete logo rebrand and website launch, post-partum doula Heather Magill of Infant Concierge was ready to add a virtual component to her infant and parent wellness offerings, so that she could continue to support as many new parents as possible during this challenging period of social distancing.

To help Heather launch her online community group for “VIP Mamas,” I assisted her in ...

👉 setting up her branded virtual platform on Podia to act as a storefront for her product offers

👉 creating a series of branded graphics to share on social media to support the launch of her new virtual membership

👉 polishing up the downloadable PDF of her multi-page free membership guide that she started in Canva and I finished to follow her established branding

Now Heather has social media content available to use for her future social media posts as well as in her Infant Concierge newsletters.

Check out her now open for business Infant Concierge storefront here.

Do you have an idea for a virtual product or online membership, but need creative support to make it happen?


Email me at yvonne@minimarketing2go.com to discuss how you can get your idea launched and ready to share with your desired audience without the stress of having to know how to do it all on your own!


Curious to learn more about the power behind the Podia platform?


This week, from September 24-26, Podia will be hosting Create 2020, a 3-day free virtual event featuring inspiring content creators who can answer all your questions! 

What’s on the virtual schedule ...


> Hands-on workshops led by 10 veteran entrepreneurs (check out the roster here)

> Honest conversations about what it really takes to be a successful creator, plus how to make it happen

> A Create-a-thon where you put insights into action and build a digital product in a day

I have been hosting online courses on Podia for some time now, and am really happy with how I have been able to serve more clients – remotely – with this easy to set up virtual option!

Find my content creation online trainings here.

With online learning being the new normal, now is the time to take advantage of a captive audience!

Are you ready to start teaching what you know? Let’s chat!

 

Blooms Make the Room

I’m super excited for this upcoming VIRTUAL flower arranging workshop event that I am co-hosting with my fabulous artist designer friend Annie Damphousse of Housse Studio!

Anyone is welcome to join us – virtually – on Sept. 10th at 1pm!!!

Along with getting bunches of farm fresh flowers from Alice's Table delivered right to your door to create a beautiful sunflower filled floral arrangement AT HOME – I will be teaching this part via a private Zoom link – attendees will also get a SNEAK PEEK inside Annie’s studio where she creates original works of art from paintings to textile designs to custom commissioned home goods (her new designer-inspired pillow collections are gorgeous!)

Join us and YOU can brighten someone’s day ...

Last October, Annie donated her styled bar cart (in photo above) to the annual dining by design Heading Home to Dinner fundraiser held at the Boston Design Center.

This year, she has come up with a creative way to give back to this community that is experiencing a greater need than ever.

A note from Annie ... 

“I am creating a special painting – inspired by the gorgeous colors in the floral arrangement – which will be raffled off after the event. All attendees will be entered into the raffle, PLUS have an opportunity to purchase additional entries into the raffle during the event.

All raffle proceeds and a portion of each ticket price will be donated to Heading Home – a Boston based charity that provides housing and support services to families and individuals in need.”

Grab your tickets by Friday, August 28th to reserve your spot and to receive your fresh flower delivery (from 1-800-flowers) in time for our virtual workshop on Thursday, September 10th! 

Get your Blooms Make the Room event ticket HERE. 

Creative Content 10-Day Challenge!

Are you sometimes at a loss for how to fill your feed with original content? 👉 Download this FREE guide that will prompt you to generate creative content like a pro! ✨

Get your FREE copy via my mini-marketing2go Social Media Training offerings now being shared at Podia.com.

More to come!

One Room Challenge Fall 2018: Week One

Please follow my #oneroomchallenge posts on Instagram!

Below is a sneak peek of what’s planned for our new farmhouse sunroom (full story on Instagram).

I’ll be back to provide more design details, but I intend to share most stories via Instagram. Be sure to follow me there!

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

More about the design challenge:

One Room Challenge

Media sponsor updates:

Better Homes & Gardens

It's finally spring in New England!

And here are my top picks for spring skincare from Rodan + Fields ...

1. EXFOLIATE rough winter skin (face and body) with our delicious sugar-salt scrub Micro-Dermabrasion Paste. Your skin will feel softer and smoother right away. Use up to three times a week or as needed.

2. Spring wardrobe changes are in the forecast! Get a safe, sun-kissed glow with our Foaming Sunless Tan. Follow up with our luxurious-feeling Daily Body Moisturizer to lock in that rich, golden glow.

3. Planning to spend a lot of time outside? Protect your skin from sun exposure with Daily Body Sunscreen SPF30. And if you've been using any of our retinol products, a cute hat will offer additional protection.

4. Treat your complexion to Mineral Peptide Powder. With SPF20, it's the perfect finishing touch. Available in three shades (combine light, medium and dark for flawless contouring!)

5. Gift yourself 25% OFF our top selling skin renewal products in our SPRING RENEWAL GIFT SET. It includes Intensive Renewing Serum with Retinal, our newly formulated Lip Renewing Serum now with moisturizing Macadamia seed oil and a touch of cooling mint, plus everyone's favorite time-reversing product Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream. Spring Gift Set available while supplies last!

Place your order online here. Check out as a Preferred Customer and SAVE 10% OFF retail price plus get FREE shipping on all orders over $80. Become a Rodan + Fields Independent Consultant like me and save even more while sharing the #1 skincare brand in North America with others! Ask me how to get started! Learn more about the opportunity to share R+F here: yblacker.myrandf.biz

6 Gifts with Special Meaning Sparkle

Black Swan jewels from Swarovski

Black Swan on Rose Gold 

Black Swan on Silver

When you represent a company that’s been given the prestigious title of a “Black Swan” business because of its ability to disrupt an entire industry (think Apple, Google and Amazon), then you can feel pretty confident that you’re on a meaningful career path.

Rodan + Fields skincare – which is now a billion dollar brand and the number one selling skincare in the United States – has been called a Black Swan for years. I love being able to represent this amazing company, which is based solely on a social selling business model, by simply sharing these transformative products with others. 

While R+F treats us to lots of fabulous incentive gifts, there are times when Independent Consultants want to recognize their teams for specific goals that have been achieved. 

My Gift Giving Favorites  

While searching online for gift items that would have special meaning for my own R+F tribe, I came across the Swarovski line of Black Swan jewelry shown above. How perfect!

The Swarovski brand is known for its luxurious gift items that feature crystal cut creations. Along with their Black Swan icon based jewelry, I found a number of other potential gifts that would add a sparkle to any R+F consultants eye ... 

Lucky Evil Eye Bracelet

When one of your R+F team members top selling product is Rodan + Fields Lash Boost, this would be a spectacular reward.

Kris Card Bag Charm

When you’re on the go, you need to have a place to carry your R+F business cards. How cute is this bedazzled pink bear leather card carrier complete with lush lashes? I think it would be perfect as a new consultant or level advancement gift.

Swarovski Diva Sunglasses

When your team has earned an incentive trip to a sunny destination, a pair of sparkly black Diva shades would be a fabulous way to say “Your business is shining bright, girl!”

Jason Wu Jewelry for Spring via Swarovski

When you’re looking for a special gift that’s truly remarkable, the champagne toned Swarovski collection by fashion-designer Jason Wu (who I’ve actually met in person at one of his New York Fashion Week runway shows) has some stunning pieces. Everything he designs is pure gold in my opinion : )  

Rainbow Colored Pavé Butterflies on

Rose Gold Strand from Swarovski

Lilia Pierced Earrings

The team I joined when I started my R+F journey over 2 years ago (Team Moxie) has a butterfly as its mascot. These rose gold strand earrings with multi-colored butterflies (in the same colors as our product lines, Soothe, Reverse, Unblemish, and Redefine) totally says “R+F team” to me. How pretty would they be worn at a gala event during the next Rodan + Fields convention scheduled in New Orleans this coming September? Officially on my wish list! 

Which of these sparkling beauties would you choose for yourself or as a reward gift?

Share your favorites with me via twitter @yblacker

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for visiting!

For links to the Rodan + Fields products mentioned,

visit my personal website yblacker.myrandf.com 

Check out as a Preferred Customer to get

10% OFF plus FREE shipping.

Join my team at yblacker.myrandf.biz