Holiday Greens Party

Greens anyone?

by the Artist

The Carpenter gave up his shop this past weekend for my sister-in-law's 10th Annual Holiday Greens Party. This is the second year it's been held in the shop. For eight years she held it in her home. That doesn't sound too bad. And it isn't if you don't mind evergreens of all sorts everywhere, ribbons, novelties, lots of debris and sap all over. I don't know how she managed. What a mess. But she loved doing it.

Now I'm helping. We take over the shop for one weekend. It's a ton of work but worth it in the end to see how much fun everyone has making their own arrangements. You get to be a florist, stretch your creative wings, have some laughs with friends, and head home with a custom arrangement you made... just in time for the holidays.

One of our current homeowners and her daughter came this year. I have helped her with design decisions and it was so nice that she came. She had a great time too.

Last week I walked into the shop when we were getting ready and I saw what the Carpenter had contributed to the party. He painted some festive art on two of our exterior work stations (old steel entry doors) that were propped up to hide shelves. What a guy. He never ceases to surprise me! He always supports whatever I take on.. even if it disrupts his work space. And that is how loyal he is to his customers. He's there for them. 

And he'd probably be happy to paint a Christmas scene on your door if you ask!

Click on photos to see larger!

Boughs and bows.

by the Artist

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Our cabinet shop was taken over this past weekend. The Carpenter graciously gave up the shop for our sister-in-law's "Holiday Greens Party". From Friday night to Sunday night groups of women came to create sweet holiday greens arrangements. Fresh spruce and white pine and all sorts of specialty greens were supplied, as well as festive picks of berries, swirly sticks and yards of glittery ribbon. The women brought their favorite containers and baskets.

Arrangements were made from tiny vases to large outside urns. It was fun to see how much joy the women got out of having an opportunity to be creative in the mysterious area of floral design.

Leading up to this event we spent hours cleaning the shop. Sweeping and wiping and vacuuming tons of saw dust. Shelves that had not been cleaned in 17 years were cleaned. We polished and shined and strung up Christmas lights. (even the deer antlers hung high on the wall got in the spirit) Afterwards, when I walked into the shop it was the first time it smelled clean. ever. I want to keep it that way. An unrealistic goal?

With our new employee newly onboard... I decided with the freshly cleaned shop it would be a great time to establish some shop rules. Now that I share the space for my painted furniture venture... "A Painted Apple"... I need it to be as clean as possible. So some clean rules will come in handy. yep.

The Carpenter ended up not only contributing his space but helping with the party. He cut tons of spruce and white pine, lugged water jugs (no water in the shop) and helped women carry their arrangements. He was a super help. The first night I noticed he had sat down and was enjoying watching all the action. He was amazed at the event and how much work was done to create it and how much the women were enjoying it. He ended up helping the whole weekend!

So it looks like the cabinet shop will now be wearing multiple hats- cabinet shop, floral workshop and painted furniture workshop. Not bad use of a relatively small space!

If you would like to be a part of this event for next year... just contact me through this website and we will put you on the email list to receive the invitation.

Now on to the shop rules...