Barb's blooms

06/26/2026

Another reminder that Barb’s Blooms will not be tomorrow (June 27). But we will return on the Fourth of July with some red, white and blue bouquets for your holiday festivities.

06/25/2026

Day 4 of Bound Together ✨

What a week it has been already. We can’t believe tomorrow is the last day of the Bound Together Program. We are having so much fun that the time has flown by.

Today was our second day at IBé Arts Institute, and as soon as we arrived, everyone jumped right back into assembling their books, combining images to create collages, adding text, and preparing their pages for final binding.

It was so rewarding to see students begin to realize the stories they have spent the week developing. They finished rough layouts and page mock-ups, incorporated their silhouettes inspired by Janelle Washington, and brought together photographs, text, collage, and letterpress elements into the pages of their books.

Mentors Janelle and Barb were there to offer guidance and creative advice as students worked, while Mayla and Rebecca worked with IBé to set the text for the letterpress. Meanwhile, Alex, who has been documenting the entire week, began conducting interviews with program leaders.

We were treated to a delicious lunch at Saucy’s BBQ, then closed out the day with a demonstration on how the letterpress works. Each student got a hands-on opportunity to run the press and print their very own book cover.

It has been such a joy to work together in this beautiful and inspiring space and to watch these stories come together. We will be sad to see the week come to a close tomorrow, but we are looking forward to celebrating the students’ accomplishments and the collective experience we have shared.

Stay tuned for the final updates from Bound Together!

📸 Janelle Washington & Shannon Castleman

06/24/2026

We WILL NOT be at this weekend’s market (6/27) but will be back on the Fourth of July with some bright new blooms for your celebration. loosestrife

06/23/2026

What do you think of this one? I just LOVE it when the stems of summer provide you with a wide variety of colors to choose from. It allows you to be more intentional with your bouquet colors.

06/23/2026

06/23/2026

Day 1 of Bound Together! ✨

Today our Bound Together campers began the exciting process of turning ideas into stories.

The day started with artist Janelle Washington sharing her creative process, including how she researches and develops work for books and how that process changes depending on the story she wants to tell. Inspired by her presentation, students paired up with their mentors to take a deep dive into the stories they hope to create this week.

After lunch, the group headed out into the community to photograph locations connected to their stories, gathering images and inspiration that will help shape their final projects.

We're already impressed by the creativity, curiosity, and thoughtfulness these young artists are bringing to the workshop and can't wait to see how their stories develop over the course of the week.

Stay tuned for more updates from Bound Together!

'sBlooms

BOUND TOGETHER IS SPONSORED BY I BLOOM FELLOWSHIP CREATED VIA A GENEROUS GIFT FROM IBÈ ARTS INSTITUTE (IBÈ BULINDA CRAWLEY) & BARB’S BLOOMS (BARBARA PAYTON)

06/21/2026

Happy Summer Solstice! While it has felt like summer arrived weeks ago, it actually begins today. Cheers to many more summer bouquets to come!

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to the best Dad ever! We miss you every day!! Your jokes….your wisdom….your creativity….YOU!

06/20/2026

All packed up and ready to roll! This morning we will be serving up yellow and red Viva La Vida lilies, Firelight hydrangeas and the debut of our Gladiolis (only one bouquet of glads available so get there early)! today from 9-noon.

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth!! I started my celebration early last night by dining Their multi talented (and super nice) Executive Chef Leah Branch created a Greenbook inspired five course meal truly worthy of a celebration!

Each course paid homage to a different historical location from Richmond’s history which were included in the Green Book. If you are not familiar with the Green Books, they were a series of travel guides called “The Negro Motorist Green Book”. Published from 1936 until 1967, these guides helped black travelers safely navigate their journeys during Jim Crow.

Salutes and details about several RVA Green Book locales were included on the evening’s souvenir menu.

Every course was so good. Sorry these food pics are not perfect. A bite or a spill on the side of each plate tells you the real story. I was picking up my spoon or my fork first before picking up my camera! Could not wait to dig in! Black Eye Pea Curry with sweet potato.

Smokey watermelon salad with Peach granita

Scallops (bite missing) with corn chowder

Pork Chop (again…bite missing)

Red velvet cake with merengue and yummy frosting