I’m the creator of Carrying Flowers, and I’m so glad you’re here! Let me tell you a little more about myself. I live in Orono, Maine and work as a graduate research assistant at the University of Maine, researching wildlife ecotoxicology. I love ecology and nature, spending much of my free time adventuring in the outdoors, soaking up as much sunshine as I can. Some of my favorite hobbies include distance running, hiking, backpacking, fishing, canoeing, and of course, admiring the diversity of gorgeous wildflowers our beautiful world has to offer!

How I started preserving florals:

As an avid nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, I always struggled in the winter time to stay hopeful. In the Northeast, winters can be long, cold, and dark, and I found it hard to remember how great life could be. I wanted to hold onto the sunshine and happiness of the warmer months, so I started pressing flowers in books, like a squirrel hoarding acorns to survive the winter. That way, I had some true physical evidence of beautiful abundant life, and could more easily remind myself that it will return soon. Through Carrying Flowers, I hope to remind others that the dark times are temporary and vibrant sunshine will always come back. 

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” is a quote by Audrey Hepburn.

My version is: “To press a flower is to believe in tomorrow.”