Flora School Education Center

Corn Husk Dolls

Liz — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:05:10 +0000

Visit Teresa Henke’s Picasa gallery, to see some wonderful photos of her corn husk doll class at Flora School Days. The close-ups of the children and their creations are especially delightful.

Learn to Make Corn Husk Dolls

Liz — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:44:14 +0000

Teresa Henke will be teaching the art of making corn husk dolls at our annual Flora School Days celebration, June 18. Check out her delightful photo album of children making and showing off their dolls.

Draft Horses Bring High Tech

Liz — Sat, 28 May 2011 13:29:35 +0000

Check out this wonderful story from rural Vermont: draft horses help lay line for high speed internet. Perhaps that’s what we need in the North End of Wallowa County too.

Toilets and Windows Fixed, a New Sign and More

Vanessa — Sat, 28 May 2011 03:54:01 +0000

We had a great work party last weekend. Nathan and Dave (new volunteer) worked on the ceiling in the foyer downstairs. Hope to have it finished and painted by School Days. No guarantees, though. Gary and Lowell (new volunteers) worked on the windows. Got in two big broken ones. Have one big one and one small one left to do. Sarah and I started painting around the windows in the sewing room, while Juan, Sarah and Betty (new volunteer) cleaned out stuff from there. We also set the outhouses back to rights. I cleaned out the one and still have to do the other. AND the toilets work in both downstairs bathrooms, and the hot water too. The boys’ sink doesn’t work though because the base was rusted and broke off. We’ll have to get another one when we go to town.

Bob and Dan put up the sign on the highway on Sunday. We’d love to see some old fashioned plants planted out there. Any volunteers for that? Contact Vanessa at info@floraschool.org.

Take the Brown Bag Challenge

Nickie — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:28:27 +0000

Those who took the Brown Bag Challenge gave us many flavors last year: a swirling table topper, bird on pillow, child’s apron and several lap quilts. Participants generously donated to the Flora School Education Center in order to raise money to promote folk arts (quilting in particular) and the restoration of the Flora School.

This year, we are calling quilters, sewers, crafters, weavers of every level and interest to take the challenge again. The cost for supplies (all donated to benefit FSEC) is $15.

Ann Thew, a volunteer and quilter from Crane, Oregon, once again donated most of the fabric. “Oh the batiks,” she said. “I have to have one for the main fabric!” But then what to pick as the second fabric to challenge everyone? She finally decided on a stripe, which the rest of the committee didn’t see until the day they packaged the bags. The other fat quarter yard comes from another source and each fat quarter is totally different
from any other, making each brown bag unique.

Remember, quilters are not the only ones who can take up the challenge. Weavers could tear up the fabric and weave it once again. Sewers, not wanting to do patchwork, could sew up a dress, a pillow or an apron. Paper makers could shred it into their handmade paper card or collage.

How to Enter

To enter the challenge in the People’s Choice voting, your completed project must be delivered to the school by June 17. All information comes with your instructions for entry. The entry winning the People’s Choice award receives a $25 gift certificate to the quilt shop of their choice.

Challenge projects may be donated to the school to further the restoration, but it is not a requirement for entering.

You can pick up Brown Bag Challenges at the following locations (more locations may be added):

Cattle Country Quilts, Joseph, Oregon
Stash, Walla Walla, WA
Walla Walla Sew, Vac & Spa, Walla Walla, WA

You can also order the bags by mail ($20 to cover priority mailing and BBC cost) to:

Flora School Education Center
82744 College Lane
Enterprise, OR 97828-5111

The challenges may also become available at other regional stores in NE Oregon, SE Washington and Lewiston ID area. We’ll keep you posted. If you have questions or want more information, contact Sarah Thompson at info@floraschool.org or call 509-876-4325 or leave a message at 541- 828-7010

Donations Needed for Flora School Days

Nickie — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:05:44 +0000

Our annual community event, Flora School Days (June 18, 10-4) feeds over a hundred people every year. We couldn’t do it without generous donation. If you can donate or point us in the direction of those who might be able to cover the following areas, we’d appreciate it.

We’d especially love to feature local producers of meat, grains, and homemade pies.

Soda – For children & adults
Dutch oven meal items–
Bottled water, coffee, teas
Chicken, hamburger, onions, brown sugar
Pies – sugarless and otherwise
Tomato sauce, eggs, milk, cornmeal
Paper plates- small and large
Flour, dried beans, cabbage or lettuce –
Plastic silverware
Local food stuff would be great!

To offer a donation or share ideas on where to look, contact Sarah at volunteers@floraschool.org

Volunteer for Flora School Days

Nickie — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:59:40 +0000

Our annual community celebration, Flora School Days (June 18, 10-4), is made successful every year through the work of our wonderful volunteers. Come join the fun in 2011. Round up some friends and family. We could use a hand in the following areas:

Helpers to Demonstrators
Pie Social Helpers (3 people needed)
Country Store Help (2-3 people needed)
Information Table (3-4 people needed)
Cook’s Helpers (2-3 people needed)
Cleaning Crew (day before: 5 people)

For more information, please contact Sarah at volunteers@floraschool.rorg

Handcrafted Items Needed for Country Store

Nickie — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:52:23 +0000

At Flora School Days (June 18, 10-4), we will once again host a Country Store where demonstrators and others offer (or donate to FSEC) items for sale. Home-crafted items, along with antiques, are welcome in the Country Store even if you’re not a volunteer or a demonstrator.

All items offered for sale in the Country Store must include a label listing your initials/business name and the price. Each contributor should also provide an inventory list of all items offered for sale that day. FSEC will receive 25% of the sales price tagged on the item.

SEND ITEMS TO: Flora School Education Center, 80974 College Lane, Enterprise OR 97828-5111.

Please email info@floraschool.org or call 541.828.7700 or -7010 to make sure we know your items are in transit. There will also be drop-off points in the Lewiston/Clarkston area, Enterprise area and Walla Walla too. Let us know if a drop off works better for you. All items must be received no later than the morning of the day BEFORE School Days (June 17) so that the Country Store display can show off your items along with everyone else’s.

Demonstrators Needed for Flora School Days

Nickie — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:37:15 +0000

Do you have an old-time skill you could demonstrate? Come join the fun at Flora School Days on June 18 from 10 am – 4pm. We need demonstrators in the following areas:

Leather Working
Hand Sewing and Machine Sewing
Cross Stitch
Embroidery
Knitting
Pottery
Painting
Horse Farrier – Hot Shoeing
Bead Work
Wheel Wright
Broom Maker
Silversmith
Basket Making
Photographer
Knitting
Felting
Wood Working
Spinners and Weavers
Soap Making
Candle Making
Sheep Shearing
Musicians
Cheese Making
Hands-on activities for children
Plowing – Draft Horses
Rope making (have the machine)

If you’re interested or have any questions, contact Sarah at volunteers@floraschool.org

Kathy Brown Wins 2010 Brown Bag Challenge

Liz — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:30:41 +0000

Kathy Brown, from the Portland Oregon area, won the the First Annual Brown Bag Challenge with her lap quilt. For her prize, she chose a gift certificate from Cattle County Quilts in Joseph. Kathy generously donated her winning quilt to FSEC. It will be raffled off at Flora School Days 2011 (Saturday, June 18, 10-4)

Congratulations and Thanks, Kathy!

For information on the 2011 Brown Bag Challenge, check back next spring.