Marmelade Gypsy friends know how much my friends and I love going to Southern Exposure for their workshops, especially during the holidays.
While they do have distanced workshops on site, it wasn't the time for us to go -- but gratefully, they came up with several virtual workshops. They delivered our project bags (along with pieces of Jennifer's wonderful chocolate cake!) to our doors and sent us a link to the project video.
All three of us got one one of the same projects, a candle holder. So Kate, Jan and I decided to zoom our creative time! First we watched the video with Micah, our teacher and the terrific designer who leads most of our Southern Exposure workshops. Micah explained that the concept behind adding the botanicals to the candle holder was based on the tussie mussie of Victorian periods, where women carried small, fragrant bouquets of blooms and herbs, in part to ease the body odor that might emerge in days with fewer bathing and laundry opportunities. As the tussie mussie would brush against fabric, it would release fragrance.
There are the supplies that came in our kit -- a very nice rustic candle holder with three tealights to add in; two faux evergreen branches; several lengths of glittery gold leaves; six sprays of red florals; three pre-cut wires and three floral picks; a long length of raffia.
Using the wire and floral picks, we made three sprays, connecting two of the red blooms together into one larger one. Then we tightly held the greens in one hand (cris-crossed) and added the gold pieces. Then we TIGHTLY wrapped the stems with the raffia to hold it together. Once done, we tucked in the red floral picks and lit the tealights. Voila!
We were proud to share our finished pieces!
Of course, then you have to decide where to put it. For me it was an easy decision.
I decided to place mine in the entrance hall, next to my Greeting Angel. I had been a little worried about the gold glitter leaf picks, wondering if they might be too much with the rustic look of the candle holder, but it works well in the hall, with the golden angel and lower light.
We were all very satisfied with these pieces. The concept could easily be duplicated for other projects in the spring or summer (using a different holder, of course!)
It's always wonderful to do a creative project. But the best part of this one was doing it with friends. Kate said "it feels normal!" (and then we realized something has changed when Zoom feels normal!)
Wishing you creative times with people you love -- even if it's virtual! (And we didn't even have to mask up!)
51 comments:
What a creative solution! And what a first-class bundle of materials + chocolate cake (!!) from Southern Exposure. I love love love this - thanks for the vicarious inspiration. xo
What a great idea! I am glad you were able to do it.
Your front hall looks beautifully inviting. I love the look of your project, and I’m happy for you that you could virtually go to the happy place!
be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
It is so nice to be creative during the pandemic, and this sort of thing cheers everyone up. Beautiful creations.
Wonderful creation. I like that you got cake along with the kit! Have a great week, hugs, Valerie
How pretty, I love them! You placed yours in the perfect spot. Isn't it crazy how get togethers on zoom feel normal these days? I don't know what we would do without it, it's the closest to normal that we can get right now! I'm glad you were able to enjoy a creative project together :)
Beautiful.
Well done!
What a fun project to do with your friends!
Ha! Deciding where to put it would be my biggest challenge. Everyone involved in your project showed great creativity and resourcefulness in making their arrangements, and making do under the circumstances!
Micah looks very handsome!
Micah is the name of an Hebrew biblical prophet, and there is also the book of Micah.
So glad you found a way to spend some time with friends in creative pursuits! And with such very pretty results! Sure is nice to see your home getting in the holiday spirit...
How lovely to experience creative times with friends, Jeanie. Your arrangement looks so welcoming in your home. It really says something when Zoom get togethers seem normal! Take care of yourself during this surge.
I'm so glad they found a way for you ladies to enjoy your Southern Exposure holiday tradition! Businesses are getting creative to keep themselves a float during this pandemic.
How fun! Love the results of your project.
Your project turned out terrific, jeanie, and your placement next to the angel and near the lighted tree was a good one. I have done one virtual craft session through the local library and watched another one on pie crust making. They were fun and it was nice to connect with other people and like you said, no mask required!
Now that is really cute and so nice they could hold the class that way.
How cool is that. It is a beautiful piece Jeanie and even better was being able to take a class. I love how they delivered a slice of chocolate cake with your supplies too! hugs-Erika
What a lovely project, Jeanie, and you have the perfect display spot for it. That is really a fun concept that you can have those workshops like that. It's perfect during the pandemic! xo Diana
How wonderful! We need to do these creative things. It’s great that you and your friends can do it virtually this year!
Loved your virtual time at Southern Exposure. And that last statement got to me: "(and then we realized something has changed when Zoom feels normal!)." Will life ever be totally normal ever again? I love your creation and your wreath, too. That's a lovely tree in the hall, too.
I'm glad you were able to participate in the workshop Jeanie. Your project turned out so nicely.
It's lovely, Jeanie, and while it's not an ideal way for everyone to gather, it's commendable how some businesses are adapting new ways to cope during these difficult times. Lovely to have cake too! There must always be cake!
Deb in Wales
Hello Jeanie,
Your candle holder looks beautiful, what a pretty project. I am glad you and your friends could do your creative project together on zoom.
The cake sounds delicious too! Your entrance hall looks beautiful, I love all the decorations. Take care, have a happy day!
Well, I have always been fond of Miriam's southern exposure and I don't have to go anywhere to see it! However, I am glad that you got to participate, Jeanie, to the extent that COVID has permitted. Perhaps the end is in sight. My sleeve is already rolled up and waiting for the vaccine. I would imagine that yours is too. Maybe by the end of 2021 we will all be able to simply step outside the door and go where we want and hug our friends. How sweet that will be.
Delightful . . .
Look how our minds, plans have been COVID changed...
And creativity reigns . . .
Loved the virtual and the results . . .
Nothing stops you:) Best Joie De Vivre around:)
How lovely that you were able to get together virtually and enjoy making a beautiful project together.
Knowing how you love your Southern Exposure workshops I was happy to see this plan of action. How fun to find your materials and cake left next to your front door. I enjoy Zoom with friends so I know this was really fun to participate in. Your festive project looks lovely in the entry. Hope we'll be getting back to doing the things we love soon......
What a good idea and what fun!!!!
Beautiful.
I did get creative and it was a win for both, my neighbor and me (post to come).
Fantastic workshop! Lovely arrangement.
The log deer are adorable!
Hi, Jeanie. I enjoyed seeing your project and know you enjoyed the process and being with your friends, even though it was different. It was such a great effort Southern Exposure made. When businesses go the extra step one doesn't forget it and I know you won't.
Enjoy these December days and stay well!
Jeanie, I am so happy for you that you and your friends were able to do a SE project together. I always have loved your SE posts. I know the cake was also delightful. I hope you are improving each and every day!
How beautiful! I'm glad you were able to do this. I know how much you enjoy it. Hopefully, by fall or maybe even summer, you will be able to do it in person!
How fun to create this wonderful project virtually anda great job I might add! Janice
Jeannie your arrangement is so pretty! I love it and you know how I always loved your visits and good times at Southern Exposure and all the pretty pictures you always made there! Plus I always liked seeing the delicious looking meals they served, and all around the grounds. So I was glad to see this post and I'm so glad you got to do it ZOOM way! Better than not at all. How are you feeling, please keep me posted, ok? Hugs
How fun! But yes, something's wrong when Zoom feels normal! I hope we can feel our old normal again. I do t like the new normal.
So pretty! I love the way artists are being so resourceful. Your sweet angel is so pretty... I love your soft and calming home.
How innovative to have a virtual workshop. Lovely candleholder for Christmas. It's perfect for your entrance. Happy Holidays!
This sounds like a lot of fun. While it is a shame that you can't go in person, having a virtual event is still very nice. The decoration looks very cute too.
Jeanie, such a great idea. Yours looks fabulous in the entry. I love angels, so pretty and creative. Happy Holidays
How wonderful that Southern Exposure found a way to still hold their workshops.
Your new Christmas piece looks lovely in your entrance hall.
I love how people are coming up with creative ways to reach out and offer safe opportunities like these. Fun!
Wonderful to see and read this post.
What a super idea, and I am just so pleased that it worked so well and you were able to do it.
Fantastic :)
All the best Jan
It's so much fun to do Christmas crafts with friends but I admit it's probably even more fun via Zoom.
I think it’s gorgeous Jeannie! Well done! I love crafting too. Maybe once I get settled I can take up some crafting! Xoxo
That is a beautiful project! I am glad you guys were able to do this and support your happy place! I imagine they are struggling a bit in this environment! It is funny how zoom becomes ‘normal’ for us. We have been doing zooms to introduce Will to family and friends. Or through our storm door! That’s life in a pandemic!!
What a wonderful virtual gathering. I had to smile and it feeling normal. My tea group met for tea yesterday and we agreed we liked gathering them way and might still do it from time to time when we can actually gather in person. Life goes on with changes somehow.
Love, love your bouquet too!!!
I love how creative people have become to offer amazing services and experiences online. This is a great example of that. And I love how it turned out. I do however have to say that I am IN LOVE with your Greetings Angel. It's stunning.
I love that they made this happen for you. Sounds like a fun project, and I'm glad you could do it via Zoom with friends. Not quite as good as being at Southern Exposure, but I bet it was wonderful to get even that much.
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