Southern Floral Trade Fair and Design Program - April 15

Calling all SAFD members and florists - make plans to attend the Mother's Day Designs and Corsage Creations workshop and/or program presented by Fitz Design and TSFA, hosted by Southern Floral in Houston.  Also take advantage of shopping discounts and light refreshments at the Mother's Day Trade Fair on Tuesday, April 15th.  An email has been sent to SAFD members with further information regarding this event.  Southern Floral is located at 1313 West 20th Street, Houston, Texas 77008.

 

 

SAFD 2014 Tabletop Gala - April 24th

On April 24th SAFD will hold its annual Tabletop Gala fundraiser at Shirley Acres, from 5 pm - 10 pm.  This event features 22 tables of glorious and imaginative tabletop designs by members and local florists, along with numerous raffle and auction items.  The tabletop themes are all different, with detailed attention paid to the theme, incorporating dinnerware, floral design, accents and aesthetics.  This is SAFD's only fundraiser of the year and the proceeds of this gala supports its work throughout the year.  SAFD provides floral arrangements for the benefit of other organizations' fundraising galas.  The organizations SAFD supports are those that touch people's lives, such as TOMAGWA, Northwest Assistance Ministries, MADD, Judy Dierker Tea Room (missions), Seeds of Faith, ADVA, and  FACE, to name a few.  SAFD also holds member workshops where floral designs are created for the enjoyment of assisted living or nursing home residents.  This past year SAFD held a Valentine's workshop for children living in foster homes.  SAFD is also the largest scholarship provider for the Texas State Florists' Association.  See the ticket information below for more information.  You will want to put this event on your calendar for each year!

 

March 2014 Presenter - Nora Cisneros

SAFD welcomed Nora Cisneros as our March designer.  Before the meeting presentation Nora led a hands-on workshop during which SAFD members created a beautiful tropical design.  The members learned a number of floral tricks including the use of wired jute ribbon through which was woven Ginger stems and Safari Sunset to create an armature; how to articulate Scotchbroom into a curved arc by wrapping it with bullion wire; how to weave lily grass with curing ribbon, and the use of colored pins and wire as both accent and function. Workshops like this are one of the benefits of membership in our organization.

 

Tropical design - close-up of woven lily grass

 



The evening of the workshop Nora created several stunning designs, all with tropical flair, during our regular meeting.  What better way to get the members into the tropical spirit other than to design a "tropical drink" - a margarita glass filled with green Oasis shredded foam, accented by two Dalmatian phalaenopsis orchids attached to a gold coiled wire secured into the foam.  Nora demonstrated how to create the looped wire accent (bottom left below), which was wrapped into this profusion of gorgeous artificial flowers.  She is one lucky Allied member; all of the vessels used during this demonstration were won at various meetings.  The ornamental cabbage in the top right design looks right at home nestled amongst the Birds of Paradise, Heliconia, Anthurium, Scotchbroom, curly willow, Ti leaves, lily grass and carnations.

 

Can you believe how the log below is incorporated into this amazing design?  The lost was rescued from its destination in the trash bin and used as a neutral background for the Leucospermum (Pincushion Protea), oriental lilies, Dendrobium orchids, button mums, Scotchbroom and curly willow. 



 

Our thanks go out to Nora for a fascinating program and wonderful workshop.