Parallel Floral Design Workshop – April 2024
Photos by Joyce Lubach & Debra Resch (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Julie Eller & Cindy McGrath
Spring is in the air! On Wednesday, April 24th, over 30 members of The Garden Club of LBI participated in a workshop on Parallel Floral Design at the Lutheran Church in Brant Beach.
Building on the purpose of a garden club, which is to provide education, President of the Club, Lois Perry, worked with committee members who plan the club’s flower shows and house tours, and decided that more demonstrations and hands-on workshops were needed.
Talented club member, Debbie Ayres, led the presentation, demonstrating with large and mini carnations in bright assorted spring colors and leather leaf ferns. The club is preparing for a small flower show at the Beach Haven Public Library next month on May 23rd as well as a Standard Flower Show scheduled for May 2025.
Besides encouraging the many new members to learn the components of floral design concepts, the workshops also honed the skills of more experienced members.
In a parallel floral design, linear plant material is a must. Flowers on long stems with a single output on top, such as carnations, gerbera daisies, and roses are used in many parallel designs to help create a striking and uniform effect. The idea is to keep the same plant material grouped together for a bigger impact and keep the lines stronger.
It is thought that parallel floral designs make great table centerpieces because you see through them easily and they look great from all sides.
As members finished their designs, all that was needed was their smiles to see the thrill and satisfaction of their creations.
This program and the two previous workshops were chaired by Cindy McGrath and Julie Eller.
Learning Elements of Cascade Floral Design – February 2024
Photos by Joyce Lubach, Diane Macrides & Debra Resch (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Diane Macrides
“The National Floral Design Day on February 28th recognizes the art and history of floral design. For thousands of years, floral design has been an important cultural art form.” * That’s why The Garden Club of LBI celebrated this special day to honor the intricate art and historical significance of floral design.
Thirty-five club members met for the second of three workshops to learn the techniques of creating a cascade design. Three skilled Club members, Debbie Ayres, Julie Eller and Cindy McGrath, shared insights and showcased various techniques associated with this design style. The arrangements were comprised of mini and large carnations and a blend of various types of eucalyptus and ferns for the greenery.
The knowledge and skills acquired from the workshop will prove beneficial for future flower shows, house tours and various other garden club engagements!
*Shared from nationaldaycalendar.com
Underwater Floral Design Workshop – October 2023
Photos by Theresa Petersen (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Gillian Rozicer, Publicity Chair
On Wednesday, October 4, Garden Club members learned the basics of underwater flower arranging. Chairs Julie Eller and CindyMcGrath brought in a wide assortment of flowers and members brought in their own clear glass containers for the project. Debbie Ayers and Bette Della Torre gave a how-to demonstration to start the class, emphasizing how to place a metal frog, wash rocks and choose the right flowers. Finally, water was not to be “splashed in” but poured gently.
Flowers included pink, yellow, red and white roses, baby’s breath, and pink and orange carnations and eucalyptus.
One purpose of the class was to let club members practice flower arranging and learn from the experts before the more formal events throughout the year.
Virtual Floral Design Workshop Video
This video demonstrates a classic vase arrangement in less then 6 minutes! Use flowers and greens from your garden or pick up a bunch from your local market (or a combination of both). We hope this will inspire our Garden Club members to create a fun arrangement at home during these socially-distant times. Please send a picture of your creation via email to marywlevy@gmail.com and your arrangement may be highlighted in an upcoming newsletter or on the website.
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