Flower Arranging in Kingwood Hall

Today was my first attempt for Flower Arranging in Kingwood Hall.  We had an instructional lesson and everyone picked an area to arrange.  I picked the woman's restroom so I wouldn't feel too much pressure.  Another new flower arranger Darla and I worked together with some overseeing by my good friend Elin D.  We used peony and tried to match the dark wood of the table along with the redishness of the picture fames.  It was daunting and I'm not sure I am cut out for this, but I will stick with it for now and give it my best effort.  I would say not bad for the first time.

Here are two lilac arrangments I found to be stunning.

Charles Applegate Dried Flower Arranging

How Does Charles Applegate Do It?  Well, my buddies Lynn H and Kathy M put together a bulletin board showing how it's done.  Notice the color palette is made up of flowers. I had the pleasure of spending a few hours watching Charles design the splendid dried flower arrangement in the Kingwood Hall Foyer.  Here is a step by step:

Christmas Wrap-Up

The tree is down.  A progressive three day task.  Starting Tuesday (as I helped the Buckeye Garden Club take down decorations in the Reading Room) Bonnie H had herself perched on top of the ladder removing icicles.  She spent Wednesday morning up there as well as she was step one in an assembly line, in which ornaments came down to me (at the bottom of the ladder) and were handed off to Carol S, who sorted into boxes, which were taken into the workshop where Kay Hostetler and Judy counted and wrapped.  Bill Collins said by Carol S sorting the decorations as we took them off the tree it made the process much smoother this year.  Then came the lights.  Glenna Sheaffer sure knows how to put on 7,000 lights making the tree beautiful and a challenge to undo.  Lights were wrapped around every branch and wound through the tree.  We made it through the bottom half of the tree that day.  Little unknown fact is that there were actually 6,900 lights on the tree, but is sure seemed all of 7,000 as we took them off. 

On the third day, Bonnie worked on rewrapping lights, connecting the ends and boxing them up as Judy and Kay continued to work with ornaments.  I helped Lee and Shawn McClain with the remaining top half of the tree.  We were discussing how many lights were used for the season.  Shawn was calculating linear footage to come up with a number that I cannot remember.  He took into account the trees in every room, outside decorations and the crab apples.  Discussion was to put more lights on the crab apples next year. 

Kay left me a message on Thursday at 5:00 that Bill and herself just packed up the last box and with everyones diligent work from the last few days, we wouldn't need to come in on Friday.  So for our part, by January 6th, Kingwood Center Christmas 2010 was officially over.  

Kingwood Center is Closed for the Season

For 2010, we were able to take part in Kingwood Christmas Festivities, which was more that last year as Kingwood Hall was dark for the Christmas Season.  But again this year the gates will be closed for January and February  I fear this will be a new tradition.  I volunteered to help pack up the decorations, which keeps me around there for one more week. Will be working with the Buckeye Garden Club on Tuesday straightening up the Reading Room. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it will just be whatever needs to get done.  I signed up the extra day on Friday just to work with Kathy M.  We have so much fun.

Onward to 2011 and let us see what that brings. 

Christmas Traditions - 2010 Year End

Volunteered in the House for New Years Eve.  When I arrived, Charles Applegate was on the piano, which was a nice surprise since it wasn't scheduled.  He finished his set with the song Auld Lang Syne.  I remember Christmas at Kingwood a couple years ago. (as the Kingwood Hall was closed for the season last year)  It was great, but this year was amazing because I was able to participate and wasn't just a spectator.  The garden clubs outdid themselves this year with a Traditional Christmas and I cannot wait to hear the theme for next year.  Picture left is of Mr. Charles Kelley King.

Christmas Traditions - Home for the Holidays in Drawing Room

Decorated by Late Bloomers Garden Club.  During the open house, we had the pleasure of hearing Charles Applegate play.  Though I couldn't get a picture then, he played twice more and so, I was able to get a snapshot.  The piano isn't an original, but what a nice addition for times like this.  The decoration of this room must have been a collaborative effort because of the businesses thanked for lending many of the posed family members from places about town.

So this is how I think this must play out, here is a little girl looking out at the deer looking in.  It must have been a reindeer checking things out because when I went back Rudolph was looking in the window.

As I hostessed in the house, I saw how much the little ones really loved this room.  It depicted a traditional family Christmas, which showcased some of their favorite things about the season.  They squealed when they would see the deer looking in and one little boy came up to me so very excited that he saw Santa's legs in the fireplace.  He wanted to make sure that I knew Santa was there.  And I guess Santa was checking to see and deemed me nice this year since my membership card came to me laminated.

Christmas Traditions - An Old Fashioned Christmas Diner in Dining Room

Designed by the Art of Gardening of Ashland.

The garden club used images of Father Christmas to transport visitors back in time.  Of course, they also had the perfect room to accomplish the feat.   The Dining Room, now used as a board room remains similar to how it was in the 30's and 40's.  The wall paper is hand printed and was imported from France especially for this room.  Chandeliers and sconces are Waterford crystal and the chairs are 19th century.  Of course Mr. King's china, crystal and flatware are settings for the table.

Christmas Traditions - Williamsburg Style in Hallway

Designed by Pleasant Vally Garden Club.  Designs used American Holly, Winterberry Holly, Fruit and Boxwood.  Additionally, the red lights were round and looked like glowing berries. Included also are hedge apples. (green bumpy fruit shown on left side of stand and pictured below).  So many people asked me if those were edible that I did a little research.  Also called Osage Oranges they are neither apples or oranges but a family of the mulberry. 

Not eaten due to their irritating latex-like sap and bitter taste.   A folk remedy is to use them to repel spiders.

Christmas Traditions - Natures Bounty in Reading Room

Designed by Buckeye Garden Club.  As in my previous blog about decorating the reading room, it is as awesome as the garden club that created it. I did help some as I did a few small dried flower clusters, which were used in the tree.  Marylin C stored many of the dried items until decorating.  Popcorn strands, dried oranges and so many things to bring out the home spun design.  I think the gold balls in the milkweed pods are so very clever.  They add just the right amount of glam.

The fluffy seeded insides of the milkweed pods were put in clear glass vases and covered in saran wrap.  The effect is wonderful and was used throughout the room. 

I have to showcase the birch bark and wreath that Elin D created.  This time however I get to share a picture of my good friend Kathy M as seen in the mirrored reflection.  We toured the house together as soon as it was open.

Christmas Traditions - The Christmas Tree in Flower Room

Decorated by Country Meadow Garden Club. 

This green and white themed room is a visitor favorite. For the colors, magnolia leaves on the wreath, tree topper of peacock feathers and when looking into the mirror, the tree image bounces to create the illusion of a tree row.  In past years, the tree has been placed farther back in the window and so didn't give this illusion. A new discovery this year.  I tried a few times but couldn't get a good picture of the effect.  I think the tree illusion is great, but my favorite part of the room is still the peacock tree topper. 

Christmas Traditions - Invitational Design in Assembly Room (Table Settings)

It is awesome that Kingwood invites creative people to show off beautiful table settings.  Not that it's much homage, but puts me in mind of when I used to get out the red and white checked table cloth for spaghetti night.  Maybe someday I can work my way up to this type of seasonal elegance.  Seeing these designs gives me inspiration to give it some thought and strive for a little more.

Designed by Carol T                 Designed by Silver S



Christmas Traditions - Winter Sports in Librarian's Office

Decorated by the Friends and Flowers garden club. 

The librarian's office used to be Mr. King's office.

Visitors talk about getting skates out of the basement for next years decorating.  The creative evergreen tucked in ice skates design will be copied in many homes.  

I really liked the copper colors used in the theme. There were many examples, but I absolutely love these shinny acorns with glittery tops.

Christmas Traditions - Invitational Designs in Assembly Room (Buckeye Garden Club)

Both these eye catching invitational designs came from members of the Buckeye Garden Club.  I am getting to know both these ladies as I joined the club end of this year.  Seeing these arrangements, would it be a surprise to say one of the club activities each year is flower arranging.  A little intimidating with my limited experience.  The infamous "they" say learn from the best and I think the woman in this club have a lot of talent and creativity as shown in these designs. 

Elin D's design on the left is in shiny gold.  I saw her place three times this year with flower arranging in the Harvest Fall Festival.  She also created the wreath hanging over the fire place in the reading room this season.

Helen M's design on the right is shimmery silver and looks like the snowflakes would come to life with a gentle wind. 

Christmas Traditions - 50's Christmas in Herb Library

Designed by Flower Garden Club of Ashland, the Herb Library used to be a powder room for visiting ladies.  This room has all the bling.  A silver Christmas tree, that many a visitor remembers either having or some one else having, along with a hostess dressed to party.  I am curious who was the dress coordinator.

The punch bowl looks inviting and I  just like the picture on the right showing the tree in mirror.  I may have to find out more about who decorated this room.

Update on dress and manikin.  As I hostessed in house last night (12/30), I visited with a person from the Ashland Heritage Society.  Turns out the manikin and dress are on loan from there.  How clever it was for the Flower Garden Club of Ashland to look to the Heritage Society.