This morning I wanted to do a little update on a few things since it’s been about a week or so since we have posted and I’ve got some time.
Last Friday (11/16) I attended a Flower Centerpiece-making class at the Flower Boutique on Route 6 in Mahopac, NY. My co-worker Lynne had invited me a day or two earlier because her cousin couldn’t go and there was a spot opened. Lynne does one of these classes every year and when she talks about it, I always find myself pining away and wanting to join in, but not being able to afford the cost. This year, even though money was really tight from participating in 3 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week restaurant reviews, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity! The cost for this particular class was $54 including all materials and it was Friday from 630 until about 830pm. I was glad that I had a friend with me because there were about 6-7 other ladies there who already knew one another and were happily chatting away and catching up the whole time. Arriving at the florist around 6:15pm (you know me, gotta get good parking and a good seat, LOL). I felt a little shy and out of sorts while waiting for Lynne. I’m not good at being social and talking to strangers anymore. It’s funny how you sometimes go backwards in life instead of forwards on things! Anyway, when Lynne showed up, I felt much more relaxed and as we waited for one more person to arrive, we all settled into our seats and rolled up our sleeves. When the last woman came in, Karen (the owner) started to hand out some green leafy branches of what she was referring to as ‘leather’. Karen’s assistant (of the same name, so we’ll refer to her as Katie) was standing nearby to help anyone who needed it. By this time there was a green planter with a dark green sponge-type object inside it in front of each of us. Karen & Katie then handed out 2 boxes of candle sticks, some yellow, some orange and asked us all to choose 2. Both Lynne and I chose orange. Karen walked us through step by step, how to add the leather from bottom to top of the green planter to be sure to cover it up well. Now I consider myself to be a creative soul. I’ve done more arts, crafts, painting, drawing, and building than the average person. So I was really surprised when I saw how long and how much skill was required to do some of the simpler steps! It was a lot more complicated then I expected, but to be honest, once you get the hang of it, you can breeze right through. I believe the owner said that all of my fellow classmates had attended a class prior, including Lynne, and everyone seemed to really catch on quickly. After adding the leather in a diamond shape all around the green floral foam, it was time to add some larger accents. I think the first thing we added was a type of floral cabbage actually. Sounds strange right? Well, it’s surprisingly really beautiful! There was both white and purple. Both Lynne and I received white ones and we stuck it into the foam. We added some lilies, mums, carnations, pods, cattails, etc. I was helping Lynne a little bit here and there, and Katie and Karen helped the both of us when necessary, including clearing away the excess flowers, leaves and stems that were everywhere on the table and floor. What a mess! By this time I was feeling really itchy. My face, neck and hands were making me twitch. I think I may have been allergic to something I was using for my centerpiece. But it was all worth it in the end! When you take Karen’s classes, and you follow her direction and let her help you when you need it..you can really amaze yourself! My buddy Lynne, self proclaimed “the most non creative person in the world” and I did an amazing job. We topped our gorgeous creations off with a little scarecrow for playfulness and a fall-colored bow finished the whole thing off.
I hope to return for one of Karen’s classes in the new year when I have more money saved up for this type of thing. I don’t regret going at all and the best part is, I have a wonderful centerpiece for my table for when my family comes today for Thanksgiving
I’m really excited for them to see it!Here is the finished product:
That photo was taken with it sitting on top of my microwave (to keep it from my troublesome cats) so you can get an idea of how large it is.
If you want to get more information about attending one of Karen’s classes, feel free to contact them:
Phone (845) 628-1946
Email: owerboutique11@aol.com
Website: www.flowerboutiquemahopac.com/
And please Like them on facebook! (you can get info there as well):
I hope that everyone out there in the world who is seeing this is counting their blessings today and realizing that what they have is so much more than someone else who may have lost it all. Please, if you have the means, reach out and help someone. It doesn’t have to cost you anything but time and the kindness in your heart.
God bless you all.
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