Floral Design

From the February 2008 NEWS

When attending the State Flower Show, “Once Upon A Time,” be sure to watch for two brand new Top Design Awards that will be offered for the first time at this show, which takes place February 21 – 24, 2008 at the CT Convention Center. 

Terry Stoleson has been inspiring, guiding and encouraging designers in Connecticut and beyond, with her stunning creativity and boundless innovations, while sharing her love of design. In recognition of her extraordinary talent, the Creative Arrangers of Connecticut (CAC) has established a new Flower Show Award in her honor, the Terry Stoleson Creative Design Award, which will be awarded annually at the State Flower and Garden Show. A purple and orange rosette will be awarded to the Creative Design that best represents the creativity, imagination and originality essential in creative design. The winning design must be a creative design, done by one individual, so Club Competition and Companion Classes are not eligible. Since Terry is known for and loves large, three-dimensional creative designs, Petites, Collages, Table Classes and Vignettes are not eligible for this award.

The Award of Design Excellence will also be awarded for the first time in Connecticut at the State Show, “Once Upon A Time.” This award is a new National Garden Clubs (NGC), Top Exhibitor Award which was introduced in the new 2007 Handbook for Flower Shows. You can read more about it on page 45 of the new Handbook. A rosette of gold ribbons will be awarded to the highest scoring exhibit in the entire Design Division, entered by a single exhibitor. 
While the Terry Stoleson Creative Design Award is a CT state award, offered only at the CT State Flower Show, the Award of Design Excellence can be offered in a Garden Club’s Flower Show in the Design Division, if the show meets the requirements for Top Exhibitor Awards listed on page 45. This award is similar to the Award of Horticultural Excellence offered in the Horticulture Division.

Connecticut has another state award that was awarded for the first time in 2002, which is chosen annually at the State FS and receives a traveling silver tray at the Awards Meeting.  The Nell McGinness Memorial Award was established by the Guilford Garden Club in recognition of Nell McGuiness’ love of floral design and is presented for the most outstanding floral design at the CT Flower and Garden Show.  By the way, Terry Stoleson was the first designer to ever receive this award for a stunning design interpreting “Hong Kong Harbor.

As you can see, these awards have many similar perimeters and it is possible that one design may receive multiple awards.  The Award of Design Excellence and The Nell McGinness Memorial Award have nearly identical requirements with the difference being that the Nell McGinness doesn’t stipulate a single exhibitor and therefore, the Club Competition Classes are eligible for this award.

ENJOY THE SHOW!!! 

Sherry Sanelli

From the December 2007 NEWS

I hope we are never too old for nursery rhymes or fairy tales and “Once Upon A Time” is coming to Hartford in February.   At our State Flower and Garden Show you will have a chance to indulge in memories of reading or being read to, as a child. 

The ever popular Petite Design area has two sections this year allowing opportunities for 24 entries.   These classes are always the first to fill so be sure to call the consultant a.s.a.p.  All the classes ask for a ‘Small’ Design.’  Refer to p.203 in your new handbook and read about Miniature Designs.  The small designs follow these guidelines except your maximum dimension is 8”.   Your design may be smaller than 8” but does need to be in proportion to your allotted staging, be it the lighted box with 10” background or the doll house.  All the Petite classes offer ‘Designer’s Choice of plant material.   This says that the exhibitor has complete freedom in the choice of plant material, fresh, dried or a combination.

How is it possible to enter one design and receive two ribbons?   Is He a Prince? Or is He a Frog?  Classes 12 and 13 are for a Duo Design, one design with two different sides created by one person.   Each side is eligible for a ribbon and judged separately.  A careful reading of the description on p.200 in the handbook is needed to create this challenging design.

The stretch design is “a Creative Design in two units, one smaller than the other, having a prominent component connecting the two units.”   The connecting component can be plant material or manmade.  The two units need to be compatible with some similar materials or your design will lack rhythm.  How perfect for Class 20,  Pinocchio.

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” is a reflective design that must contain material/s that give back images of light.   This creative design may use shiny metal, plastic, paper or mirror.   The handbook describes this as a creative design so a traditional design with shiny materials incorporated does not conform to this class.

It is always important to read the schedule with care.   Class 10 is “The Snow Queen.”   Although this asks for a design with transparent qualities, it does not ask for a Transparency Design.   The Transparency Design is required to be a Creative Design but in this class Traditional would pass.   You do want to include some transparent materials that could be translucent, diaphanous or grid like.

We sometimes stumble over interpretation when choosing a design.   In the above classes your ‘stretch’ component does not need to resemble Pinocchio’s nose: your reflective material does not have to be a mirror and the Snow Queen does not need a tiara.   The qualities requested in these designs are sufficient to have interpreted the title.  If you do not have a copy of the new handbook, borrow one and read the descriptions of the designs.  The new handbook gives clear and precise guidelines for all design types.

Sherry Sanelli has written an exciting and engaging schedule.   I am sure one or more of the classes will pique your interest and you will want to join the excitement of entering our State Flower Show.   Do not hesitate to call someone on the committee to enter and to have any of your questions answered.

Gretchen Collins

Photos from the 2008 National Garden Club's "Vision of Beauty" Calendar Members of Creative Arrangers of Connecticut had the following eight designs published in National Garden Club's "Vision of Beauty" Calendar for this year. If you haven't yet purchased one, contact the Federation's Book Chairman, Susan Harrison. (Click on photo to view larger image.)
"Island Sunset" Dahlias and sea fan enhance this Creative Line-Mass Design using a natural wood form Designer: Charlotte Bisson, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Cheshire Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Blue Moon Breakfast" An Exhibition Table Type II Design of Geometric shapes and Gerbera daisies, palmetto leaves, plastic add-ons and Carol Zeigler wooden stand. Designer: Dee Mozzochi, Westbrook, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Arbor Garden Club of Clinton Photographer: Cheryl Collins
"Roller Coaster" An Illuminary Transparency using Gerbera daisies, Gel Mania forms, plastic vases and flexible light cord. Designer: Dee Mozzochi, Westbrook, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Arbor Garden Club of Clinton Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Hula Hoop" A Creative Design using a hoop, slinkies and contrived flowers made from a palm boot, Monstera and Hosta leaves Designer: Maria Nahom, New Milford, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Danbury Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins
"Color Spectrum" Geometric Shapes and Allium Designer: Maria Nahom, New Milford, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Danbury Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Luck of the Irish" A Small Design of dried Tillandsia and straws Designer: Sherry Sanelli, Woodbury, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Pomperaug Valley Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins
"Balloony Tunes" Hosta leaves, Gladioli and balloons create a colorful design. Designer: Sherry Sanelli, Woodbury, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Pomperaug Valley Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Chill Out (Homage to Chilhuyl)" A Creative Design inspired by Chilhuly glass, using faciated evening primrose and painted plastic tube. Designer: Evelyn Shapiro, Trumbull, CT Longhill Garden Club Creative Arrangers of CT Photographer: Cheryl Collins
"Pink Moonglow" A Creative Design using Analogous colors featuring blue Hydrangea. Designer: Terry Stoleson, Trumbull,CT Creative Arrangers of CT Long Hill Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins