It’s been five years since the last time I instructed a workshop hosted by the Aromas Hills Artisans at the Aromas Grange June 24th. Always a great venue for this sort of thing. 
All the attendees created a succulent wreath and a succulent/flower table arrangement. Everyone did a great job. Very creative!
Back at the Santa Cruz fair after taking a year off for Covid-19.
In addition to potted plants, our entries included a number of arrangements… including this miniature dry flower arrangement – class = ‘Tractor Parade’, which won Best of Division. 
Other award winners were ‘Judges Special’ for our carnivorous plant collection.
And more….
Fair exhibits are one of my favorite things. Took a break from potted plants this year, and had 11 entries… floral arrangements, the usual scarecrow, wreaths, a fairy garden and more. 
Was honored to receive second place for the two arrangements below. The ‘Saints’ class is a vase inherited from my maternal grandmother. The ‘Seasons’ class is a vase hand painted by my paternal grandmother. I could feel them looking down on me…
First time entering in the Home Arts division, with these two decorated gourds.
Living baskets start with a plastic container planted with grass seed. When it grows tall enough, I surround it with moss in a basket. It makes the perfect place for your colored eggs! This year’s addition was Pincushion blooms (Leucospermum), Pussy Willows, and some dollar store items.
Starting off the fall season with lots and lots of succulent pumpkins!! These living arrangements last for weeks because the cuttings are glued onto to the top. When Thanksgiving is over, simply leave out in the rain to dissolve the glue, so the cuttings can be planted… to enjoy for years to come. 
Santa Cruz County Fair –
Monterey County Fair –
Almost missed the entry deadline for this event, and only entered three things.
Salvaged boots that are practically brand new are too pretty to plant with dirt. The perfect solution is a plastic bag of gravel in the bottom and a plastic cup with floral foam to hold the plants. The foam holds everything in place better anyway. After the flowers have faded, the succulent cuttings will root and continue to grow if watered occasionally.
This faux snakeskin boot needed a little more tropical look, so I added some carnivorous pitchers. 
Arrangements complete for two parties this week! The succulent flower combinations worked well and will last for weeks. When the flowers eventually fade, the succulents will continue to grow in the floral foam…or can be potted up or planted in the ground.
These pumpkins topped with succulents were the most popular item at my holiday sale.
Put these together for a small beach wedding a couple of weeks ago. Sunflowers aren’t in season in California yet, so they had to be shipped from Baja, Mexico. They turned out very summer-like with succulents and all! The mini-sunflower-like mums worked perfectly for corsages and boutonnieres. The attendants (2 daughters and 4 sons) were wearing navy blue, so blue ribbons were added to match. Congratulations to the happy couple!
Combining fresh flowers with succulent cuttings looks great in baskets. These were perfect for Easter. After the flowers fade, the succulents will last for months, growing into the floral foam. Or they can be potted up or planted in the yard. 
Promised to post this picture for a customer at the Smart Gardening Fair yesterday. These mini corsages or boutonnieres made from succulents and statice will last for weeks. The succulents will last forever if potted up or planted in your yard.