Good Vibe Friday with the Bloom Brigade

Hello, my dear Peeps. 

I have been so preoccupied drawing, editing, and getting organized this week, I got a bit behind on collecting my Good Vibes to share for the week. Instead I want to share what else has been on mind, or shall I say, who else has been on my mind. Wednesday was the 3-year anniversary of my sweet and amazing mama passing away. I posted about this on Instagram and on my personal Facebook account, but wanted to share it here, as well. She is, after all, a major force behind why I felt that I could launch Power Poppy in the first place, with a mission of sharing beautiful, whimsical images, but also offering nourishment for our souls with uplifting messages to our creative crafting community. 

Mom’s cancer returned the year after I started Power Poppy, and she died the following year. I have often reflected on the irony of starting this business. I thought Power Poppy would allow me to inspire others — but what ended up happening was that I have been surrounded by, enveloped in, and inspired by the love and support and prayers of others. Did God want me to start this business because he knew that I would need this great community of people to help me through, to give me inspiration to move forward in gratitude and grace, and to prevent me from rolling up into a ball of grief? I think maybe so.

Marcella, baby Lulu, and my mom, Susan, in 2003

Though to me it still seems like yesterday, it has been three years since my mom eased on down the road, into eternity, one with the universe. Now she’s sprinkling her love and wisdom and laughter and passion and quirky brilliance over us all. Try to catch some of it if you can. She lived life on her own terms, unapologetically, joyfully.

I hope she is in a state of pure bliss, surrounded by a Motown horn section dancing like an Ike-ette in her Laboutins. Or maybe she’s sipping a Pimm’s Cup, pouring over celestial daffodil catalogs featuring otherworldly cultivars. She surely is sporting a knowing grin at the current wallpaper decorating craze, as we hardly had a room without wallpaper in my lifetime and she could have been the international spokesperson for Brunschwig et Fils. Gosh, I miss her.

Nobody was like Susan Heard Smith.

Gonna keep trying to tune in to her sprinklings. I know her spirit is near me and I desperately need her decorating advice, and a really big hug.

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So, my friends, let’s keep moving and grooving, in the spirit of my best friend, confidante, supportive superstar, and mother-in-chief, and celebrate the gifts of a new day. Let’s color, let’s make cards, let’s send cards, and let’s lift up one another.  

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I’m thrilled, awed, and humbled to get to share the work of these incredibly talented and wonderful women, our Bloom Brigade. These cards are going to knock your socks off, and get you in the mood to make!

Allison Cope
Christine Okken
Katie Sims
Cindy Lawrence
Tosha Leyendekker
Stacy Morgan

Happiest weekend to everyone — and please come back by on Sunday, February 10th, I am releasing a new digital design that is simple and easy to color — I know, I know, that is hard to believe. But miracles do happen!

All my love,