SAFD Flower Press

SAFD Flower Press
www.safdhouston.org
An educational, non-profit organization for floral designers
April - May 2011
Lana’s Lines
Hope
everyone
had a wonderful Easter and
Mother’s Day. We had a wonderful Tabletop Gala on April 14, 2011 –
hope you all were there to see the tablescapes. It was a great success for SAFD and I
congratulate all the designers and committee members – great job!!
May will be our last general meeting before
we break for the summer. Please plan to join us as
we have a spectacular designer lined up to give us a
memorable night. We will also have installation of
officers for the next year, announce scholarship
winners, and fill you in on upcoming important details for events during the summer. We are planning on sending out a summer newsletter to keep
you all informed of what’s going on.
A big thanks to Olga Lea for heading up the
NAM volunteer luncheon. Thanks to Dianne Abrahams and Karen Williams for heading up
the New Danville “Tea on the Lawn”
Luncheon. Both of these events were another success for SAFD – and it was wonderful to help these organizations.
I just want to take a second to send
out a BIG thanks to my Board members for
a wonderful year. We are already planning a huge project during the Texas State
Convention in mid-July, and have started planning
programs for next year. SAFD members have a special place in my heart. Even though I spend many
hours on SAFD projects and Board meetings, it gives
me great pleasure to be a SAFD member and keep
passing on to the community what SAFD is about –
we learn how, share the knowledge, and then give it
away
Lana
The inside story...
Mar Community Affairs
2
ApriCommunity Affairs
2
NAMS Workshop
3
Mar Meeting Presentation
Tabletop Extravaganza
4-5
6-11
Brookwood Trip
12
New Danville Workshop
13
TX State Florists Convention
14
Buying Power & Tax Notes
15
Calendar
16
The next SAFD meeting is
May 17, 2011 @ 6:30
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9 Page 1
SAFD May Meeting Features
Loela Barry is originally from South Africa.
She is an artist by birth...
A landscape architect by profession...
And a floral artist, potter and fashion designer by
love...
She studied in the US, South Africa and Europe.
Loela Barry has developed a very unique style
which has wowed guests every time. The ‘JoLoè Art’
style of floral art consists of elements from various
global techniques: The organic conservation approach of South Africa, the artistry of contemporary
European style and the simplicity of Ikebana elements. This allows creation of stylish floral art that is
very distinctly different and well suited for banquets,
weddings, commercial, residential and other special
occasions.
She runs JoLoè Art & Academy and her art
work has been featured in Austria, Belgium, France,
Dubai, New York, Las Vegas, Santa Fe and other
places.
Her latest accomplishment is illustrating the
newly released book: ‘Heirloom Bulbs for Today’.
These ‘Ladies’ as she calls the bulb drawings, not only
danced into the book, but also made their way onto
limited edition prints, note cards and a seasonal silk
fashion series released in Forth Worth in March.
The book also features floral designs known as
‘living art sculptures’ emphasizing the use of the complete plant: bulb, foliage and flower. These techniques were demonstrated at some historical places
like Bayou Bend and stores like Anthropology and
have become part of the JoLoè Floral Art palette.
Loela will share her techniques and style of
floral art with us at our May meeting.
March Community Affairs Workshop
Monday, March 28th, SAFD members met to
create 40 wreaths for the enjoyment of residents of
The Terrace Nursing Home. Lois Maier and Marilyn
Hunter led a workshop where they guided SAFD
members through the design process. We want to
thank the members who participated:
Lois Maier
Kathi Black
Maureen McClellan
Rosalie San Andres
Yanick Stam
Terri Checkles
Marilyn Hunter
Pat Westra
Dee Schutzenhofer
Debi Davis
Dee Muyskens
Sharon Barton
April Community Affairs Workshop
Our final workshop for the year was April 25, 2011. The participants made vases of lilies and cherry blossoms.
The arrangements were taken to Paradise Springs on Cypresswood Drive. This workshop was attended by:
Lois Maier
Marilyn Hunter
Rosalie San Andres
Dee Schutzenhofer
Lynn Snyder
Please make plans to join us next year as we continue to create designs for the enjoyment of nursing homes
and assisted living centers.
Lois Maier, Community Affairs
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9 Page 2
April NAMS Volunteer Luncheon
Under the guidance of Olga Lea, SAFD mem- Cindy Keller
bers created 32 Fiesta themed arrangements for Jan Beall
Northwest Assistance Ministries’ annual volunteer
luncheon which was held on Thursday, April 7th.
Olga contributed wooden candle blocks that were accented by an assortment of candles in vibrant lime
green, purple, yellow, orange, and red. Also carrying
out the theme were mini Mexican dishes, serapes,
mini sombreros, and multi-color raffia tied around
the wooden blocks.
Orange Gerbera daisies, yellow spider mums,
hot pink asters, green athos poms, and fucia boronia
spiked flowers were arranged in glass cubes and crystal bowls. Colored oasis foam added additional color
while glass rocks in some containers created a touch
of sparkle. Whisks of colored raffia were wrapped
around the glass bowls.
Thanks to all of the people below who helped create these
very colorful and festive arrangements:
Olga Lea, Chair
Phyllis Smith
Marilyn Hunter
Bobbie Adams
Sharon Barton
Yanick Stam
Aida Quesada
Kathy Black
Julie Vickers
SAFD Membership — Debi Davis, Membership Chair
If you would like to join SAFD for the 2011-2012 Mail the membership form to:
year, please fill out the Membership Form available at our
SAFD, P. O. Box 683166, Houston, TX 77268-3166
monthly meetings, or mail in the form available on our
Debi
safdhouston.org site.
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9 Page 3
March Meeting - Kevin Perry
For centuries the orchid has been known as a symbol of love, luxury and beauty. They’ve been thought of as
mysterious, exotic and
expensive. “Orchids
are often thought to
be reserved for only a
few…but not anymore,” says Kevin
Perry, head of the floral department at the
Kroger located on
Spring Cypress Road
and Champion Forest
Drive. Beginning his
floral career over 3
decades ago, he is
holder of Texas’ Master Certified Nursery
License and is a certified FTD florist with
his passion overflowing to orchids. In his
own self-constructed greenhouses he nurtures and protects his collection of over 300 beautiful varieties that provide him with year round color.
“Orchids are easier than you think,” Kevin said.
He went on to say, “They appreciate, no they LOVE, being
neglected. With over 25,000 orchid varieties, the size of
flowers varies from pinhead to salad plate sized and they
come in a large variety of colors and shapes and scents.
Cool nights trigger the blooms and it’s not unusual for
them to last 2 to 3, or even up to 6 months. ”
Good drainage and
avoidance of extreme temperature, filtered light, and
good air circulation are key
elements for maintaining a
healthy plant. In the bottom
of a clay pot, deactivated
charcoal helps to neutralize
salts, and aids in the release
of nutrients. Furthermore,
the clay pot absorbs excess
water and helps pull water
away from the roots, keeping
them from rotting. Many varieties prefer to be planted on
SAFD Flower Press
large Redwood Western Bark which is has acidic qualities,
is aromatic and is known to be insect resistant. It turns
out that Redwood Bark and the orchid are perfect for each
other.
A key tip from Mr. Perry is
to remember this: “Weekly and
Weakly. Water orchids weekly
with weakly diluted orchid plant
food, 20/20/20. Read the label for
their recommendation as to the dilution ratio and half it and you’ll
do just fine,” Kevin stated. He first
waters with lukewarm water, then
waits one hour, and re-waters with
half diluted orchid food. “Be careful to NOT overwater the tender
beauties. I’ve found they can be left without water for
weeks and still are easily revived. And don’t forget to mist
them with water.” He noted that the white roots of a dry
orchid will turn green after absorbing its life blood.
An orchid with molded leaves is indication that it
is a heat loving variety, such as the Lady Slipper which is a
terrestrial or ground growing
type orchid. The big yellow
Cymbidium known as “Cym”
is also a ground growing variety and actually loves being
planted in loose, crumbled
dried leaves and tiny broken
branches. Again, keeping
the plant medium loose and
airy
promotes
healthy
growth.
Another variety
that is heat tolerant is the
Dendrobium, which has large
white flowers and can grow
6-8” a week in the heat. The Oncidium is a multi-floral,
heat loving and cold tolerant variety. Other varieties
Kevin recommends for the Houston area are Paphiopedia
and Phalaenopsis Cattleya (naturally found in tree canopies
in Southeast Asia and it’s known for its exotic fringed
face.)
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 4
March Meeting Cont.
Beautifully
inspired and distinctive arrangements were raffled
off at the end of the evening. With a dramatic
shape and a contrast of
color, one’s visual interest
was peaked. Rising above
all was a tower of raffia
bound, naked-stemmed
red roses which was then
surrounded by white spider mums and graceful
cascading multi-flowered white Pha-
laenopsis.
A versatile vase within a vase
surely caught everyone’s eye. Kevin
placed yellow roses with an array of
lemons and limes in the outer vase and
then inserted a bouquet into the inner
magnificent, towering Bird of
Paradise blooms in different
directions for visual interest.
He anchored them with several
pincushion
(aka
Scabiosa) blooms. Atop the
huge slotted Monstera Deliciosa leaves were Halloween
orange Cattleya orchids and
a very tiny white orchid.
A moss filled basket
became
the
nesting place
for a large yellow Cymbidium orchid plant
which was surrounded by Dendrobium white
multi flowered orchid and was supported by
curly willow branches.
vase which was filled with Cymbidium
orchids, yellow roses, and Bells of Ireland for an eclectic modern twist.
The low arrangement of reds,
orange and yellow was a FTD design. It
contained a deep red cluster of Safari Sunset, was dotted
Once
with bright yellow lilies and apple green hypericum ber- again we at SAFD became beneficiaries of a floral expert’s
ries and a stem of tan- knowledge. When the evening came to a close Kevin
talizing
HalloweenPerry had calmed our
fears and had given many
orange Cattleya orof us new confidence for
chids.
being the keeper of this
In the next centermysterious flower.
piece Kevin placed
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9 Page 5
2011 Tabletop Extravaganza - A Breathtaking Night - Lana King, Chairman
Well, we did it again – April 14, 2011 – a
memorable event for SAFD and Tabletop Extravaganza. How do I start to thank everyone for making
it such a wonderful event. The tables were simply
breathtaking this year – another one of a kind evening. I hope you all felt the same if you were there
that night. If you couldn’t attend, sorry -- you really
missed out on a night of elegance and festivities.
Thanks to all our designers who designed tables
extraordinaire -- you are the best!
Another success this year was the raffle and
silent auction as so many generous people donated
items. Thanks to all SAFD donors and community donors. The Silent Auction Committee adorned the tables with a beautiful assortment of items to choose
from – beautiful perfume and wine baskets, gift certificates, jewelry, fashion accessories, silk floral arrangements and wreaths, colorful rose arrangements
from roses donated by Southern Floral and Taylor
Wholesale.
Thank you to everyone who worked on this
event. It took a tremendous amount of time and effort by many people to present this annual gala.
Northgate Country Club and its staff once again
made the event effortless. Many thanks to Olga Lea
for her assistance for handling arrangements with
Northgate and its staff. From the bottom of my
heart, a special thanks goes out to Jan Beall, my CoChairman and Silent Auction Chairman; Kathy Johnson, Silent Auction Co-Chairman; everyone who
worked on Silent Auction Committee; Betty Lind who
spent many hours on ticket sales and seating charts;
Pam Bates who assisted with invitations and who
created our program; and Martha Els for the photography; committee members, Cissy Antona, Terri
Checkles, Dee Schutzenhofer, Peggy Jo Coker, Dianne
Abrahams, Bobbie Adams, Sharon Barton, Kathy
Black, Jean Cadenhead, Sharon Cofran, Robine Denel,
Pam Dube, Marilyn Hunter, Aida Quesada, Diane
Smith, Lynn Snyder, Brenna Taylor, Sarah Vaughan,
Linda Veranes, Julie Vickers, and Pat Westra. I am
forever grateful to you all.
Tabletop 2011 in summary: another beautiful
event where family and friends came together to
share dinner, good cheer and fun after a lot of hard
SAFD Flower Press
work. I’m pretty confident in saying that everyone
who attended has beautiful memories of the night
and probably looking forward to next year’s event already.
Lana
Enjoy the following photographs of
this year’s tabletop designs. The order
of the photographs follows this year’s
program.
Royal Wedding
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 6
2011 Tabletop Extravaganza - A Breathtaking Night - Lana King, Chairman
Blooms & Butterflies
Tea Party at TSFA
Havana Nights
SAFD Flower Press
Ballerina Brunch
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 7
2011 Tabletop Extravaganza - A Breathtaking Night - Lana King, Chairman
Cherry Blossom Festival
A Garden Wedding
A Night on the Town
Something to Crow About
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 8
2011 Tabletop Extravaganza - A Breathtaking Night - Lana King, Chairman
Post Wedding Brunch
A Tribute to Fred & Ginger
Parrots in Paradise
SAFD Flower Press
And They’re Off
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 9
2011 Tabletop Extravaganza - A Breathtaking Night - Lana King, Chairman
Our 40th Anniversary
The Magic of Black Swan
Tis the Season to be Jolly
SAFD Flower Press
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 10
2011 Tabletop Extravaganza - A Breathtaking Night - Lana King, Chairman
SAFD Flower Press
Under the Sea
Cool Tropical Times
Love is in the Air
An Elegant Evening
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 11
Brookwood Trip - March 22, 2011
Our March 22 bus trip to Brookwood turned
out to be a beautiful spring day! Twenty-five ladies
traveled to Brookwood Community located in Brookshire, Texas, just the other side of Katy.
Brookwood is a beautiful community for
adults with special needs. The residents are taught
skills and actually spend their days being productive,
helping them to finally feel as though they “belong“
and also feel useful with each task they perform.
The day started with a tour of the grounds,
which is exceptionally aesthetic, spiritual and peaceful. There is a lovely chapel which was donated by a and nursery. Some of the residents are trained to be
servers in the café,
and they do a fabulous job! The food is
outstanding, the gift
shop is beautiful and
well stocked, and of
course, shopping in
the nursery was the
highlight of the day.
Revenue earned from
these three areas
helps to keep Brookcouple of people who provided the funds. There is an
indoor swimming pool designed especially for those
physically challenged as well as not so physically challenged.
We visited the workshops where they do all
sorts of artistic tasks, such as ceramics. They are
taught to learn the skills that they are most capable
of being successful with. There are many greenhouses (over 25) that some of them learn to plant
and grow the flowers & green plants.
Our favorite places were the gift shop, café,
wood funded. There
are also many donations and volunteers
that keep everything
running
smoothly.
Our bus was packed
with our purchases
from the nursery, as
the prices were great
and the plants were
very healthy. What a
wonderful day
had by all! I
personally cannot wait to go
back some day!
Phyllis Smith
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9 Page 12
New Danville Workshop and Tea on the Lawn - April 29, 2011
The day was Friday, April 29, 2011. The bells at the perfect centerpieces for this event. A kaleidoscope of
Westminster Abbey rang loudly, announcing the marriage spring color filled each of the flower arrangements. There
of Prince William and Catherine Middleton to all. Half were 14 table centerpieces and four tall, stately arrangeway
around
the
ments which were the corner posts for the lawn area.
world, as the sun
The arrangements consisted of roses, snapdragons, carshone brightly and a
nations, stock, novi, wax and buttons with the tall argentle wind danced
rangements also containing all of the above plus gladioover the fields in a litlas and larkspur.
tle community called
I personally wish to thank each volunteer who
New Danville, the
gave of their time and talents to create the arrangebells also chimed.
ments: Bobbie Adams, Cissy Antona, Sharon Barton, Jan
The Wrangler’s (New
Beall, Sharon Cofran, Debi Davis, Olga Lea, Betty Lind,
Danville
residents)
Phyllis Smith, Lynn Snyder, Linda Veranes, Karen Williams
played
the
tune
and Dianne Abrahams. Special thanks to Karen Williams
“Somewhere,
Over
the Rainbow.”
for the immense
The “Tea on
amount of help
the Lawn” was New
she gave me on
Danville’s 4th annual
this project and
spring fundraiser and
to Lana for her
on this Royal Wedding Karen Williams stands by one of her designs
a
ssistance.
Day it was attended
of
you
by several hundred ladies. As I scanned the attendees, I Each
saw an array of colorful, flowing sundresses and beautiful helped make this
hats of all sizes. As we sipped Sangria from dainty tea “Tea on the Lawn”
cups and were served delicious finger sandwiches, fruit a memorable day.
and an English Butter Biscuit, all fixed by the catering department of New Danville. Because SAFD received complementary tickets to this event, four members attended:
Dianne Abrahams
Karen Williams, Jan Beall, Olga Lea and Dianne Abrahams.
New Danville is a self-sustaining, master-planned,
integrated community where adults with mild intellectual
and developmental disabilities can live and grow emotionally and spiritually with non-disabled peers.
As a Community Affairs outreach, SAFD provided
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9 Page 13
Texas State Florists Association 2011 Convention
July 15-17, 2011 -- The Woodlands, Texas
Get ready – set – GO to the Texas State Florists Convention in mid-July. You will not want to
miss this huge event. This year the convention will
be at the Marriott Waterway in The Woodlands,
Texas. Here’s the big news – SAFD has been asked
(and has accepted) to head up the design and distribution of some 300 to 350 floral arrangements to
neighboring community organizations of our choice
(such as hospice, hospitals, or Meals on Wheels recipients). These floral arrangements will be created
from leftover flowers used by the convention designers during programs or donated flowers from wholesalers used during the convention. There will be a
staging area for the designs to take place and
throughout the weekend, volunteers who attend the
convention will be asked to stop by and design a few
arrangements. Texas State will provide the containers for us to use. Then, at the end of the convention,
these arrangements will all be distributed to people
who may not be the recipient of flowers on a regular
basis. We will be reaching out to people who will
have their day brightened up just a little and be able
to enjoy some fresh flowers – compliments of Texas
State Florists Association and all its volunteers, including SAFD.
Okay, so mark your calendar to attend the
convention. It’s not a far drive this year and you can
carpool and have a great time. We are still working
out the details, but I can tell you that anyone who is a
SAFD member and is volunteering to work on this
project will be allowed in the convention free – in
other words, you can attend the trade show and see
all the design programs throughout the weekend.
This is a great compliment to SAFD members to be
able to put its name out there to the entire State of
Texas and all its florists who attend the convention.
We will be keeping you informed of all upcoming details and information as it takes shape.
However, I do have a LARGE REQUEST of you – please
come out and help us make this event another success. We cannot do it without our entire membership stepping up to the plate and helping out. The
payback is very rewarding – in many ways.
Lana
For more information about the convention, visit the
Texas State Florists Association website at:
http://www.tsfa.org/default.aspx?p=ConventionFloristInformation
Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor Donation Program
Did you know that with every purchase made at
Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card you could be contributing to SAFD? SAFD is enrolled in the Neighbor to
Neighbor Donation Program. To enroll in this program
take the form attached to the back of the newsletter to
your local Kroger store the next time you go shopping.
The cashier will scan your Kroger Plus Card, then scan the
bar code on our Customer Letter form to tie your card to
SAFD. That’s all there is to it. You will become a supporter of our mission to provide floral education to you,
and floral gifts to residents of area nursing or assisted living homes. Use the form attached or download from:
http://www.krogerneighbortoneighbor.com/pdf/10000082601.pdf
Newsletter Submissions: In order for news items to appear in the March monthly newsletter, please send complete and accurate
submissions by Sunday, February 27th, to Pam Bates at: ibpamelac@att.net.
SAFD Flower Press
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 14
Your SAFD Buying Power
Craftex Wholesale
7215 Ashcroft
Houston 77081
713.771.6691
Silks, books, and ribbons
Garden Expo
1221 West 20th St.
Houston 77008
713.861.5100
Nursery—-live plants
Greenleaf Wholesale
2112 Leeland
Houston 77003
713.223.0299
Fresh and permanent
flowers. Tues. 20% off
floral supplies
Pikes Peak of Texas, Inc.
4340 Directors Row
Houston 77092
713.686.4500
Fresh and permanent flowers
Wednesday – 20% off supplies
Something Special
12703-A Cutten Rd
Houston 77066
832.249.8607
Permanent plants and flowers
Southern Floral Co.
1313 W.20 St.
Houston 77008
713.880.1300
Fresh flowers and supplies
Tuesday – 10%; closed
Saturday
Taylor Wholesale
1601 21st St.
Houston 77008
713.869.7481
Fresh flowers and supplies
Members Must
Pay
Sales Tax
Bringing Sunshine...
SAFD would like to express
sympathy and bring a little
cheer to any SAFD member
who may be ill. If you know
someone to whom we can
send a card, please contact:
Aida Quesada, email:
aida5555@hotmail.com
Weatherford Farms
13223 Murphy Rd.
Stafford 77477
281.498.7261
Green and blooming plants
Silk Arboretum
Silk Arboretum has moved to Antique Center of Texas, 1001 West Loop North, Houston, 77024. 713-864-8733.
China Silks
Visit this store to find a huge supply of gorgeous artificial flowers, plants and vases. Located at 5858 S Gessner,
they are on the corner of Gessner and Harwin. 713-777-6888. Plan to stay an hour to take in all this store has to offer,
and then move on down Harwin to discover other great deals.
SAFD Tax Notes — Diana Hanley, Treasurer
Did You Know…

SAFD is a 501(c) tax exempt charitable organization.



You can deduct your miles involving SAFD business.

You can deduct items used for your tabletop display as
long as it is not used for your personal gain.

You can deduct items donated for our Community Affairs care arrangements.
You can deduct your membership dues.
You can deduct your donations for raffles for
tabletop (cash or items donated).
SAFD Flower Press
Just be sure to keep good records and copies of receipts for your CPA and your files. I will qualify this
with “be sure to check with your CPA” if you have any
questions. These could be subject to interpretation
by your CPA and will depend on your filing status as
to whether they qualify to be deducted. But who
knows, it may be worthwhile to keep track of these
expenses.
Diana Hanley
Treasurer
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 15
Upcoming Events
On the Horizon—July
May 2011
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
 Jun 9 11 - Texas Certified Florist Course
 Jul 15 - 17 - Texas State Florists Convention
 Jul 20 - Football Mum Show, Southern Floral
You have not lived until you
have done something for someone who
22
23
24
29
30
31
25
26
27
28
can never repay you..
John Bunyan
Date
Event
Time/Location
May 1
SAFD Board Meeting
6:30 p.m. - Northgate Country Club
Mar 17
SAFD General Meeting
Spring, TX 77379
281.376.6831
6:30 p.m. - Cypress Creek Christian Community Center - The Forum
6823 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281.376.7121
Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor Donation Program
Did you know that with every purchase made at
Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card you could be contributing to SAFD? SAFD is enrolled in the Neighbor to
Neighbor Donation Program. To enroll in this program
take the form attached to the back of the newsletter to
your local Kroger store the next time you go shopping.
The cashier will scan your Kroger Plus Card, then scan the
bar code on our Customer Letter form to tie your card to
SAFD. That’s all there is to it. You will become a supporter
of our mission to provide floral education to you, and floral
gifts to residents of area nursing or assisted living homes.
Use the form attached or download from:
http://www.krogerneighbortoneighbor.com/pdf/10000082601.pdf
SAFD MISSION STATEMENT
SAFD is a non-profit organization authorized
under the IRS Code Section 501(C)(3).
SAFD promotes the study and enjoyment
of floral design through volunteerism,
educational programs and community
involvement. Monthly programs consist
of a featured speaker, top floral designer,
or hands-on classes in fresh/silk arrangements. Raffles are held for the arrangements and the proceeds are used for the
charities
supported by
SAFD.
SAFD Flower Press
OUR MOTTO
We learn how, share the
knowledge, and then give it away.
2010-2011: Issue 9
Page 16