Floral Design for The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc.

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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

Photos from the 2009 National Garden Club's "Vision of Beauty" Calendar Members of Creative Arrangers of Connecticut had the following nine 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.)

"Nature's Gem" A hand-carved lobster mushroom, peppercorns and adzuki beans create this necklace of faux jade and gold beads. Designer: Kymrie Zaslow, West Hartford, CT Creative Arrangers of CT West Hartford Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Baubles, Bangles and Seeds" A necklace fashioned from acorns, Dogwood seeds, Malvaceae, Taqua, and grapevine Designer: Jacqueline Haddock, Shelton, OldeRipton Garden Club of Shelton, CT Photographer: James Haddock

"Scattered in the Breeze" A Collage of bright color combining crepe paper, Palmetto Palm, fasciated willow and foam forms. Designer: Maria Nahom, New Milford, CT Danbury Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Haberdashery Hoopla" A Small Creative Design using "Pink Mink" Protea and silk neckties. Designer: Gretchen Collins, Roxbury, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Pomperaug Vally Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins

"Tequila Sunrise" A Creative Design of skeletonized leaves, dried orange slices, orchids, and shells, on a board suggests cocktails on the beach. Designer: Sherry Sanelli, Woodbury, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Pomperaug Valley Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Summer's Labors" A tomato cage provides the structure for the garden tools, Savoy cabbage, sunflowers, peppers and tomatoes Designer: Gretchen Collins, Woodbury, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Pomperaug Valley Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins

"New Horizons" A Creative Design using Strelitzia and philodendron leaves Designer: Shirley Green, Madison, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Garden Club of Madison Photographer: Cheryl Collins	"Come Fly with Me" A whimsical Creative Design using Strelitzia as witches flying off their brooms Designer: Charlotte Bisson, Cheshire, CT Cheshire Garden Club Creative Arrangers of CT Photographer: Cheryl Collins
	Congratulations to all these creative designers!
"Barcelona Sunrise" A Creative Design using Hydrangeas, Palmetto and dried reed in a Spanish pottery vase. Designer: Maria Nahom, New Milford, CT Creative Arrangers of CT Danburyl Garden Club Photographer: Cheryl Collins