Do you have a green thumb or are you all thumbs?
Wouldn’t it be great to save money on expensive floral arrangements for your home or to give as gifts? Or just feel more confident in your arranging skills?
Well, this is your lucky day, because I’m taking you along to a floral arranging class my friend, Stephanie, hosted in her home, as a fundraiser for her children’s school.
Stephanie has always loved flowers, but has just recently begun holding classes and providing her services professionally, as Blooms for the Home. You saw her handiwork at my house last year.
She comes by her talent in flowers naturally….her mother was a floral designer and even did floral arrangements for the White House in the late 1980s.
TIP: One thing Stephanie shared with the group….consider using containers that are not clear. This way, all you have to focus on is what the arrangement looks like above the container’s edge. Cutting your work in half.
Not knowing everyone’s home decor, she focused on all white flowers. Stephanie suggests using no more than 3 types of flowers in a single arrangement.
Within a silver container (see, not clear!), Stephanie pre-cut the oasis. After soaking in water, it cuts just like a watermelon! Simply cut it to fit your container.
Begin with a “filler” on the outside….the plant above is known as Nigra Pitt (aka variegated ficus).
Above, she demonstrates how even a rose from the grocery store can be made to look better. Pick off the brown petals and then swirling your finger inside the rose….open it up. Kind of like flipping your hair over and then throwing it back. Gives it a little oomph!
Stephanie gets most of her flowers at the flower market, but felt that the flowers at Trader Joe’s were quite good because of their high turnover. She also suggests ordering through Costco ahead of time if you know you need a large number of flowers.
Tip: Flowers are not as fragile as you think. Move them around until you have a balance that is pleasing to your eye.
The event included a lovely lunch, where everyone exchanged ideas and thoughts and enjoyed not eating the remnants of a pbj off the plate of their preschooler.
I loved your feature on Stephanie! She did the most beautiful arrangements for my home for Rosh Hashana last year and it was complete with apples for the New Year. Create and unique and so beautiful. Plus, her flowers lasted a really long time!
Those bouquets are beautiful and Stephanie definitely has a magic touch… We always say flowers finish a room and hers certainly do!
I want a friend like Stephanie! Such talent. And the classes are a GREAT idea. She definitely needs a shop. Or at the least a blog. Thanks for taking us to the class with you!
Fresh flowers really are such a luxury that one should never skimp on…especially one with a green thumb!
Pretty arrangements!!!!
pve
That Stephanie of yours has talent!!
Love her arrangements. I'm such a plain Jane as I always use bunches of one flower… usually peonies, tulips, roses and hydrangeas. I need to mix it up a bit as Stephanie has to beautifully shown. Looking forward to seeing her lovely home 🙂
xo
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Stephanie has such a talent and is a fabulous teacher to boot. LOVE the touch of having cupcakes with pansies to finish of a wonderful lunch.
The tip to use "non-clear" containers is GENIUS. I have always been challenged in the floral arranging department so hopefully her pointers will help.
CAN"T wait to see her home.
Beautiful!! Love that little striped guy in the back of the one picture of the white roses arrangements. LOVE your kitchen!!!!!
She is so talented! Love the opaque vase tip…will have to take one of her classes for more of these fab tips! (wink wink)
xx
What a fun class… I will be back next week for her next post. Cool.
KD – how lovely! Love it when she uses fresh fruit in her arrangements!
Buzz – magic touch, indeed!
Marija – Stephanie is one of the reasons I blog – a great friend is right!
PVE – couldn't agree more!
La Dolfina – I do the same thing, but this gave me confidence to try something new
Alexis – I think the "non clear" container was like a light bulb moment
Seleta – her kitchen is beyond
Zhush – I think she needs to take her classes on the road!
Pebble – so happy you stopped by!
That is helpful! Thank you!
I want to be friends with all of you gals!!! So much fun while learning and giving back…sign me up!
You have such creative friends and do such fun things!
Lovely flowers and good tips. Making flower arrangements is one of my favorite hobbies so I really liked this post. 🙂
Xoxo k
Oh my goodness, I just learned so much! They turned out absolutely lovely! I can't wait to give this a try here at home. After all, nothing beats fresh blooms.
XX Katie
OMG! I love these flowers! So beautiful 🙂