Welcome to the Quite Contrary Events blog! I’m Mary, and all I can say is, dreams really do come true. I have been preparing for this day for months, and dreaming of this day for years. It is my absolute joy to share with you all that I’ve been up to for the past several months.

In November of 2021, I was asked to create a beautiful fall wreath to hang on the front door of my friend’s home. The next week, I started telling all my girlfriends that I was going to start making wreaths for Christmas. It just came out of my mouth. The next thing I knew, I was at the craft store, stocking up on any supplies I could find, posting photos on social media. I sold about thirty wreaths by the time Christmas rolled around.

Before I knew it, I was crafting wreaths for every season and every holiday, posting photos and prices online. The feedback was very positive and my repeat customers were pleased. In April of 2022, I started thinking, “Is this all there is for me? Wreaths?” Don’t get me wrong. I love a seasonal wreath. But there was a tugging in my heart, a voice even? I love parties. A wreath is the first thing you see when you arrive at a party, but like, I want to decorate for the party too.

I read the most amazing book during the pandemic about finding the thing in your life that you just have to do. The author, Jennifer Fulwiler, calls it “Your Blue Flame.” I read the book, I got out highlighters and tabs and took notes, even. This August, when I was preparing for the daunting and overwhelming task that is “Back to School — With Seven Children” I pulled an old friend off the shelf: my Tul notebook. When I read the notes I took while reading Your Blue Flame, I was floored. I’m gonna get a little bit vulnerable with you, but check out these notes.

“What makes you feel fully alive?”

arranging flowers, decorating for a party, organizing a desk, cabinet, drawer

“What is something that your friends hate to do that you love to do?”

decorate for ALL the holidays, organize and clean out spaces and rooms in the home, house plants, decorating a room

“What did you do for fun when you were a kid?”

painted rocks and made flower arrangement to sell to neighbors (traditional lemonade NOT SUFFICIENT), making doll house furniture, cleaning out my dad’s desk, re-arranging furniture with my mom

Last and most definitely, not least, from my notes:

It feels like you were meant to do it, it gives you energy, it benefits other people.

So, here we are. I’m going for it. I’m so excited to decorate for you. Let’s party!