TRELLIS The Newsletter of The Civic Garden Centre in Toronto
November/December, 1999
Volume 26, Number 6
Always in Bloom Wildflowers, herbs and grasses live on in the pressed-flower art and handsome wreaths made by two long-standing CGC groups. The crafters love their work, even after all these years By Lorna Luke t’s a normal WednesIday in Studio 2 at the
for the Trellis shop and November’s Mistletoe
CGC. Deft hands are
B Magic.
turning tiny dried petals of
vetch into miniature blue- 8 birds of happiness. A fra- &8
grant pot pourri is mixed [ from blossoms specially grown for their fragrance.
Elaborate flower arrange-
Of course, there’s a social element to their September to May sessions. Not surprisingly, the women have become lifelong friends who enjoy one another’s company. “It’s a
ments are carefully glued good place to come as you to cards and bookmarks. get older,” says Vera And artistic and unusual * Crabbe, who’s been a memChristmas ornaments are Doris Saffrey, here working on a pressed-flow- ber 20 years. “You want to er bookmark, never dismisses a weed. “They emerging from beans, pine be with people and create make excellent dried flowers,” she says. cones and other bits of nasomething.” All the volunture dried for the purpose. teers are long-time members, some of them for Watching the small group of volunteers from longer than Vera, and although the two groups the pressed flower and Mistletoe Magic craft are separate, they work well together, enjoying groups work on their creations is like stepping the camaraderie and warmth that means it’s fun, back in time. They use age-old techniques, some not work. Wednesday is an important day for that have endured for centuries, to make treasures all them — no one would dream of scheduling a doctor’s appointment for that day of the week. DIRECTORY Margrit Hertling is one of the most dedicated of the group—she’s missed only one meeting in 15 years, when she underwent surgery. Even with a broken arm she managed to attend. Although each volunteer works on her own Course Registration: project and most are self-taught, the women rely CGC Library: (416) 397-1343 on each other for ideas and expertise. By encour(416) 397-1358 aging and stimulating each other, they have all (416) 397-1355 been able to grow and develop their own unique style. Dorothy Fowler says she felt like a fish : (416) 397-1345 out of water at first, but learned by doing and Monday to‘F‘flday 1 Oam.to1p.m. ‘ listening to her friends . With the help of others, Saturday, Sunday & Hofidays 12to 3 p.m. Lillian Robus discovered how to make delicate birds’ beaks out of lupin petals. Doris Saffrey, (416) 397-1357 whose philosophy is to never overlook a weed, says they make wonderful pressed flowers. (416) 307-4145 When the pressed flower group began more
(416) 397-1340
(416) 397-1354
Please see Always in Bloom, page 4 .\\
MISTLETOE
MAGIC November 4 - 7, 1999
TORONTO'’S FINEST CRAFT SHOW AND SALE! Unique Handcrafted Gifts Holiday Decorations Specialty Foods Distinctive Artwork & more. Enjoy Mormng Coffee, Lunch or Afternoon Teain the Café!
SHOW HOURS: Thur. & Fri. 10 am. - 7 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission $5.00 !
The Civic Garden Centre at Edwards Gardens ~
~
Southwest corner of Lawrence Ave. E. & Leslie St.
Ample FREE Parking! TTC from Eglinton Station Lawrence East 54 or 54A For Information:
Phone: (416) 397-1340 Fax: (416) 397-1354
Email: cgcl@idirect.com All proceeds support the programs & services of The Civic Garden Centre :
Highway 401
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Lawrence Ave. E.
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