For our August meeting we welcomed Peggy Townsend who introduced us to “Underwater Floral Design.”

Peggy is an NGC Accredited Flower Show Judge, a member of the FGCCT Board of Directors, and Chairman of the CT Flower Show School.  She demonstrates flower arranging techniques and conducts workshops and programs for garden clubs in Connecticut.  She judges flower shows throughout Connecticut and New York State.  She is an active member of the Town & Country Garden Club, The Garden Club of Newtown and Creative Arrangers of Connecticut.

Peggy guided us through all the steps for creating simple, quick and easy designs to the larger more dramatic award-winning designs seen in flower shows.

Underwater floral designs are dramatic because the containers and water magnify the design and deepen the colors of the plants and flowers.

Our Horticulture Table was a collection of Herbs and bright Summer Blooms.

Linda Hooper shared with us a fun Summer Botanical Craft.

Linda showed us how to easily make wax seals using a glue gun, glue sticks, a blank seal stamp and flowers, petals and other natural materials.

Using wax seals dates as far back as the Old Testament.  They were made and used to ensure security and secrecy of important documents.

They were used to confirm the identity of the sender with their coat of arms or initals.  Seals were used before gummed envelopes became available.

Today they are used for envelopes intended for special purposes such as Wedding Invitations and Christmas Cards.

Typically, you would melt wax sticks or candles with a match into a little puddle and hand seal it with a stamp.

The same effect can be made using a glue gun and glue sticks.  Make a puddle on your envelope or parchment paper.  Place dried or fresh flowers on the glue puddle and gently press with a blank stamp.