BC Aboriginal Business Awards

Halfyard Designs has been nominated for a BC Aboriginal Business Award!

For those who don't know, I am a proud Tsimshain business owner from Terrace, in northern BC. I know it sounds cliche, but to be even recognized is a great honor. We'll keep you posted!

Jackie and Russell Tie the Knot!

Last week Halfyard Designs had the pleasure of working with a very sweet English couple. Jackie came to me last season when working on a wedding set up at Brock House. We immediately clicked. This was followed by a consultation in which we came up with the perfect vision for her wedding and her mainly European guests. The count I heard in the end was 50 to 40 Canadians! Impressive!

Initially, I met with Jackie and her Mum. We decided on a natural West Coast theme, to show her many out of town guests the real beauty of BC. The natural setting of the Brock House grounds were complimented by ferns, willow and touches of white flowers.

Jackie and Russell, I had a fantastic time working with your vision. Best of luck to both of you!

ALOHA!

It's that time of year! Time to relax before the onslaught of weddings! OK, onslaught is probably a little dramatic, but at the end of a long day of designing and prep work, that's what it feels like!

So, my husband and I decided that we need a vacation before the wedding season starts. It clears my mind and totally relaxes me. But when you decide to go to Hawaii, in my profession, it's hard not to think of work. Our first time to Kauai in March of 2008 we said no work talk. Then we discovered the Allerton Gardens in Poipu, on the south side of Kauai. What an amazing garden! If you know me, you know I'm no gardener. But these were flowers and foliage that I have always dreamed of seeing in person, in their natural habitat, growing in tropical soil! Heliconia, palms and orchids! As a result, I couldn't not talk about work! We're going again in 3 weeks for 2 glorious weeks. So, in anticipation of this trip, I thought I would share with you what we experienced at the Allerton Garden last March. We were told there is even more in bloom in May, so we are very excited! Enjoy the pictures. If you ever have the chance to go to Kauai, I highly recommend this garden!

Heliconia is one of the flowers I was most excited to see!

This amazing tree is a Monkey Pod tree! One of the coolest trees you'll ever see!

And of course there are orchids!

Gorgeous! I love texture!!!

A view from the bottom of the hill. The bougainvillea was just starting to bloom. Next month they will be flourishing!

Another gorgeous orchid! I believe this is a catelaya.

A view of the canopy of Allerton Gardens. In the foreground is Bougainvillea. To the right is the African tulip trees, which are considered weeds. They're everywhere! If that's a weed, I'll take 10!  

Some more stunning orchids!

And of course, a hibiscus! This one was about the size of my hand!

I just LOVE the texture and colour of the bark!

New in 2010!!

So, this year Halfyard Designs is taking on a new venture. More to come soon!!!

Brotherly Love

So, after my sisters Terrace wedding, we came home to do the wedding show, which was a huge success! I knew my brother was getting married but once the wedding show was finished, I realized that his Red Deer wedding was only 6 weeks away!

So, after talking to my future sister in law, I was told the colours they wanted and that's it! The rest was up to me! That's the great thing about family. They totally trusted my judgement. So, we did a mix of yellow dendrobium orchids, cream hydrangea, green berries, green mums and yellow roses, to go with the brown and deep teal.

It was a fantastic day of giving them what they wanted and going beyond their expectations. It was great to be with family and close friends to celebrate yet another addition to our family. Congrats Randy and Jenn!

Brock House Wedding Show!!!

In October, Halfyard Designs had the opportunity to be a part of the Brock House Wedding Show! As always, it was amazing! Such a unique bunch of vendors that I am ecstatic to be a part of!

Some of my favourite vendors included 'I Do' Wedding Photography (my dear friend Barbara Casey), Sweet Thea cakes, and of course Gail and Kim of the Brock House Restaurant! The event was very successful thanks to the hard work of all the ladies at Dreamgroup Productions!

Here's to another successful year, in 2010!