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Are you looking at your bundle of beautiful flowers and thinking…now what?! We’ve prepared 17 tips to support you through the process.

Grab some scissors and let’s get creative! Don’t forget to take a photo of your creation to share with us. Tag us on Facebook @GreenHouse17 and mention us @greenhouse17ky on Twitter and Instagram.

1. Believe in your amazing flower arranging skills. Say these words aloud: “I am the flower whisperer.”

2. What vessel will you use? We adore recycled cans and jars. Fancy glassware works, too. This decision will contribute to the height and shape of your final arrangement. No pressure. Just give it some thought…

3. Ok, now determine the height of your arrangement. Shorter works well for table centerpieces. Tall is great for side tables. Medium works in almost any situation.

4. What shape do you imagine? Squarish? Round? Cylindrical? Boxy? Any of these will work, but you have to choose a basic shape now to move forward.

5. OK, one more decision. Think about color. Will your arrangement feature one, two, or many colors. Think about the color wheel. Colors across from each other on the wheel seem more vibrant together (like purple and yellow.) Colors near each other on the wheel always are good together, too (like orange and yellow.)

6. Are you still believing in your amazing flower arranging skills? You got this! Now pour some water (not too cold, not too warm) in your vessel. Add just enough water that your stems will dip into it.

7. Begin placing the flowers in your vessel. One by one, trim the stems at an angle to fit the general height and shape you’ve chosen for the arrangement. You can always trim off a little more later, so don’t go too short. Snip off a few of the lower leaves from your flower stems while you’re at it.

8. Whoa there. Why are your rushing? Slow down. Take a deep breath. Believe it or not, flower arranging can be a very relaxing experience. It’s all going to come together beautifully.

9. Keep your final vision in mind. Try to place each flower about where you want them to be in the final arrangement. And be open to new possibilities. Your flowers might seem a little unruly right now but…

10. Leave some room for bloom. Sometimes less is more, and you still need to add the textural greenery to bring it all together.

11. Now add some texture. Are your flowers bold and pointy? Then consider adding greenery that’s soft and feathery. Are your flowers delicate and wispy? Maybe a strong leafy stem will add contrast.

12. Don’t second guess yourself. Be creative. Be confident. This is your vision. You are making it happen!

13. Look at your beautiful creation. Step back and examine your arrangement from all sides. Is it still the shape you planned on? If not, do you like this shape better than the one you planned?

14. Make adjustments. If a flower is too tall, trim the stem a bit. Does the general shape of the arrangement need to be more defined? That’s OK. Tweak a little here and there.

15. Admire your arrangement again. Does it make you smile? If you’re not smiling just yet, repeat the previous step. Then add a bit more water to the vessel.

16. Find the most perfect spot in your home for your arrangement. Avoid spaces near air vents, microwaves, and ripening vegetables which can harm your flowers. Once you find the spot, take lots of photos of creation and post them on social media. Tag us so we can ooh and ahh with you!

17. We completely believe in the power of talking to your flowers. Say this to them at least once a day: “You are an amazing and beautiful gift from nature.” We bet they’ll last a little bit longer, if you do.

#HopeBlooms #FlowerPower #SupportSurvivors #endDV

Today  – June 29, 2017 –  two new laws improving protections for victims of domestic and dating violence law go into effect.

1.)  Under the new law sponsored by Rep. Melinda Gibbons Prunty, it is illegal to evict any victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse or stalking who has a civil or criminal protective order. The new law also requires landlords to allow survivors who have long-term protective orders to replace locks on rental housing and break leases, while also making it illegal to deny someone rental housing because of their status as a victim.

2.) Under the new law sponsored by Sen. Ralph Alvarado and supported by more than two dozen organizations, Kentucky professionals in health care, school, faith, law enforcement, social services, and other sectors are required to provide resources and referrals for suspected victims. This new law replaces the previous “Mandatory Reporting” law that many advocates believe was ineffective and often endangered lives. Sherry Currens, Executive Director of Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, says the new law “will increase survivors’ awareness of services while preserving their ability to control their own lives.”

Both laws protect former spouses; individuals who are living together, have formerly lived together, or have a child in common; and victims of dating violence. The Lexington Herald-Leader published this editorial about the new laws, and our sister organization in Louisville, The Center for Women and Families, features an article by Sherry Currens about the replacement of the mandatory reporting law at this link.

We all know the holidays can be hectic and that sometimes you just need a break. That’s why we’re offering a yoga and hot chocolate event on December 17.

Come and relax with us in a class led by Delia Rose Gibbs and GreenHouse17 staff members, then savor the delicious hot chocolate catered by Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream alongside gourmet marshmallows made by Pamela Graham McDaniel!

The class will be held at Barefoot Works Yoga and is FREE with a donation to the 2016 Good Giving Challenge. For more information and to reserve your spot, join our event page on Facebook.

Have you been looking for a way to brush up on your painting skills? If so, come out to our Painting with GreenHouse17 event hosted by the talented instructors at Ethos! In this class, you will create a beautiful painting inspired by GreenHouse17’s farm. The paintings will go home with you to serve not only as a snazzy new decor piece in your home, but also as a reminder of the importance of giving individuals a safe, violence-free space to grow and flourish.

The class is $30 per person and everyone is invited! We hope you’ll join us on December 10^th at Ethos for this wonderful opportunity! For more information, join our event page on Facebook!

Join us at The Burl (map it) on Sunday, December 4 for a night of holiday music and fundraising for all ages. Rhyan Sinclair and Tara Bassett co-host this evening featuring some of the best musicians in the Bluegrass performing your holiday favorites to benefit the Foster Care Council of Lexington, KY and our organization:

• All the Little Pieces
• Paper Moon
• The Sway
• Whitney Acke
• Mandy Ray
• Jeana Pillion
• Ray Adams
• Kris Bentley
• David McLean
• Perry Ritter

Pre-sale tickets are $15 each and available from this link.. Tickets at the door will be $20. Children 12 and under attend free. For more information, join the event page on Facebook.

Calling all Classic Rock lovers! This month we have a very exciting opportunity from Classic Rock 92 One and Willis Music in Lexington!

These two business have joined forces to hold an online auction to raise funds for GreenHouse17 and two other wonderful local nonprofits: Lexington Rescue Mission and Military Missions Inc. Each charities will have 2-3 guitars that you can bid on from now until December 22 at 6 a.m. EST. Two guitars are up for bid to benefit our organization.

The first guitar to benefit our organization is a sleek black Foreigner brand electric guitar signed by all of the members of the band! It also comes with an autographed photo. (In case you forgot how much you love Foreigner, check out this adorable video of lead singer Kelly Hansen being interviewed on Kids Interview Bands.)

The second guitar to benefit our organization is a beautiful Ibenez acoustic signed by all 20 acts from this year’s Lexi Fest Festival! Some of the signatures include The McLain Family Band, Rhyan Elizabeth Sinclair, Alan Robinson, Driftwood Gypsy, and many others!

For more information and to place your bid, visit this link. Complete auction rules available at the link.   The winning bidder will make their donation through Paypal directly to the organization. Bidder will be responsible for shipping costs. For those about to rock, we wish you Happy Holidays.

A message from Darlene Thomas, GreenHouse17 Executive Director:

“Our vision is a community, nation, and world in which intimate partner abuse no longer exists. The safety and healing of survivors are complicated by systemic oppression. We stand against sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of persecution. And we will nurture lives harmed by intimate partner abuse. Today, tomorrow, and until the violence ends.”

Related links:

• Our Statement of Inclusion
• National Network to End Domestic Violence, Post-Election Statement
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Statement, Call to President-elect Trump

Lisa made this video. This is her story of healing and survival in her own voice. We share it with her permission. This post is part of our 17 Voices campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is being abused, please call our 24-hour crisis hotline: 800-544-2022.

By Anonymous

I have been fleeing a domestic violence situation for 13 months now.  

I left everything I and my kids owned, including our vehicle.  He threatened to kill us and himself to solve his problems.  I was terrified because he had already assaulted me numerous times and has even served time in prison for these assaults. 

You see at that point I didn’t really care about myself.

We had nowhere to go. Once we left we stayed with a couple of friends then finally the domestic violence shelter. He continued to call and harass me and threaten me. After several other unfortunate encounters with him, I was advised to leave again.

After quite a journey, I am at GreenHouse17 now with one of my children.

I did not like the abuse ever. I was in a constant state of fear and anxiety never knowing what would happen. I did not know where to go or how to get help. 

I was so fortunate to find GreenHouse17. They have helped me and my son get the therapy we both desperately need, as well as food, shelter, and basic needs…

This post is part of our 17 Voices campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is being abused, please call our 24-hour crisis hotline: 800-544-2022.