I’m happy to report that I graduated from The Bloom Academy and came home with the floral arrangement to prove it.
You may recall the weekend before last I had the opportunity to attend the floral workshop which took place at River Market Event Space in downtown Kansas City. Up until that point, I didn’t realize I had such an affinity for flowers or creating with my hands. Now it’s safe to say, I’m hooked.
The workshop itself far surpassed my expectations and I walked away ready to take on my next DIY floral arrangement after a Trader Joe’s run – no more haphazardly throwing the flowers into a vase! 
The afternoon kicked off with bubbly, a decadent spread of my favorite food group….cheese (and yes, cheese is one of my food groups) and the best of company – I’m looking at you, Meg. I think it’s clear to see that Moxie Catering outdid themselves in this department. Mixing, mingling and noshing…yes, yes and yes.
Then it happened, Emily divulged her secrets to creating the perfect piece. She moved with such ease, but also provided us the reassurance that we could, too!
Keep reading for the tips I picked up on how to make the most of your DIY floral arrangements at home!
1. Always strip any foliage that will be sitting in the water – this keeps the flowers fresh for as long as possible (admittedly, I didn’t know this and rarely plucked the leaves from the bottom of the stems)
2. Make sure the sheers you are using to cut your stems are clean and sharp. If they aren’t, you risk crushing the stems which will prevent the flowers from staying alive as long as possible (so maybe my dingy kitchen scissors weren’t the best thing to be using – noted!)
3. Start with your greens first and build a nest of sorts that will support the larger statement flowers
4. Build a network of stems by crossing them (weaving a web) in the vase. In a pinch, you can use scotch tape and crisscross it over the top of your vase. I imagine this trick would also work wonders for those of you lacking in patience department.
5. Fluff the flowers after you’re done arranging to add volume. As you are creating your masterpiece, they tend to get smashed down and lose some of their shape – give them life!
6. Tulips keep growing (who knew?!) so if you’re using them in your arrangement, they may need to be trimmed every few days so they don’t look like they’re trying to steal the show.
As for the rest of her tricks, you’ll have to experience them firsthand. I can attest you’ll walk away feeling proud of that creative bone you didn’t know you had.
I can’t say enough good things about The Bloom Academy (or think of a better way to spend an afternoon). There are a few upcoming events in Kansas City, which you can find here. Emily has also started offering Bloom Bash which would be perfect for a birthday celebration, bridal party or a fun weekend get together with your best gals.
FRIENDS, WHAT DO YOU SAY?!
Photos by Cornerstone Photography
LOOK AT HOW CAUUUTTEEEEEE YOU ARE! Also, your first try at this is perfection and you have a future in this!
The Adored Life
Dream job, HERE I COME!
You are making me want to make a flower arrangement! HA I’ve never said that, I usually leave that business up to my Mother who is a pro! Beautiful chica
I hadn’t said it before either, I always took the easy way out! haha
What a super fun event aaaand, I’m in love with that flower arrangement! Also, Trader Joe’s is the BEST place to buy flowers! I’ve never been big into flowers until this Spring and now I constantly want fresh flowers in my house 🙂
Kacie
RegallySoled.com
Thank you! They’re so cheap – can’t be beat 🙂
What a fun event! Admittedly, I am terrible at arranging flowers but love having them in my house. I need to see if there is a place like The Bloom Academy in Chicago!
xo, ellie
http://withlovefromellie.wordpress.com
Yes! I normally just throw them in a vase and call it good, but learning a few tricks has me wanting to put a new arrangement together each week haha
What a fun way to spend the afternoon!
xx,
Susie
http://www.SequinsandStrawberries.com
This looks so fun! I’d love to take a flower arranging workshop of some sort. It just looks so fun!!
It was so rewarding 🙂
Looks like a great time, and your arrangement turned out awesome!!!
Thank you so much Kari! I wish you could have come!
Looks like so much fun and your arrangement is terrific! Cheese is also one of my food groups 🙂
Thanks girl! And this is precisely why we are friends!
I love all of these. I wish I could have more fresh flowers around me. I love them, but horrible at the upkeep.
These didn’t take much once it was all done. I just added water to the vase one time 🙂
That looks like so much fun! Those arrangements are so cute!
xo Emily
http://www.fashioncolumntwins.com
This is sooo cool. Congrats!! Would love to join a event like that!
x Fiona THEDASHINGRIDER.com
This sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!! I want to learn too. I love flowers, but I don’t know how to make them look all pretty… I just stuff them in a vase.
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
I’m already plotting my next arrangement 😉
I’m so jealous! That looks like so much fun! I love it!