
Creative Floral Arrangers of the Americas, Inc., is a member-supported,non-profit organization, founded in 1998. The organization and its
members are dedicated to the continuation of the study and expansion of
the creative art of flower arranging. CFAA stresses unity through
sharing, with the aim of a having a lively exchange of ideas, tips and
techniques. Members come together for a fun-filled time of sharing with
those of like-minded interests. CFAA, a floral design study group with a
membership over 500, is a spin-off of AGFA (American Guild of Flower
Arrangers), a design organization formed by the late Bob Thomas. Bob,
internationally renowned authority on floral design, founded AGFA in
1974. CFAA has evolved to continue Bob’s legacy of excellence and to
impart his reverence for nature’s gifts as a dramatic, creative and
challenging art medium. CFAA continues to celebrate and advance the
study of American creative floral artistry.
Executive Committee
2020– 2022
President – Kathleen Hawryluk
1st VP – Claudia Chopp
Secretary – Christy Linke
Treasurer – Cookie Roland
Advisor – Penny Decker
Parliamentarian - Barbara Jacobson
Seminar Chair - Penny Decker
Programs and Workshops - Claudia Chopp
Website & Social Media:
Valerie Seinfeld


Becky Lindhorst
Membership and Publicity
Chairman
Membership and Publicity
Chairman
As Membership Chairman, I collect and process dues as well as maintain the CFAA database of member information. Duties as Publicity Chairman include creating CFAA Seminar advertisements for publications and use on the website.
I moved to Florida from Ohio as a newlywed and never looked back. Started collecting plants when I was in college and joined a garden club as soon as I retired. It was then that I was bitten by the floral design bug. It has been infectious in the best way possible.
When did you first attend CFAA Seminar? Why do you continue to attend?
Ann Tate introduced me to CFAA. We shared a love for floral design – she as an accomplished and extremely talented designer, and me as a novice. She often referred to me as her protégé and I called her Obi Wan. While checking in at the CFAA registration desk, I was required to sign up for the following year’s Kaleidoscope. The beginning of my first seminar was spent with Ann in the hospital as she fell and broke her hip during the Kaleidoscope cocktail party. The next day, when I returned without my roommate, EVERYONE was so nice to me. I knew very few people there and left with many new friends. Prior to attending, I could have never imagined addressing the entire ballroom. But I stood in front of them all and gave a progress report on my friend. That first seminar was overwhelming for me in so many ways, but I remember going home with the feeling that I had struck gold!
Ann and I roomed together until she was in her late 90’s. I became a sustaining member so that we could sit together. Early Saturday mornings, we would go down in the lobby and discuss each of the designs. She methodically quizzed me on their elements and principles. When she could no longer attend, I would share the pictures I had taken with her and we would critique each and every Design Dimensions magazine, usually on the day it arrived.
These memories make me realize how much CFAA means to me. I have since attended with my mother-in-law and sister. I have taken many workshops throughout the years and actually made products for Ways and Means to sell at seminars. CFAA Seminar is definitely my favorite floral design activity!
What stands out most about CFAA Seminars?
I’m amazed at the value we receive! The presenters and workshops never disappoint. I always enjoy learning new techniques and love seeing what the vendors bring. There is so much to do and the people are extremely generous about sharing.
Tell us something about you that most of us don’t know.
I grow and donate my hair to “Beautiful Lengths,” a program that gives free wigs to cancer patients.
"It’s all about the Texture”
Design: Multi-Rhythm Creative
Design: Multi-Rhythm Creative
Plant Material:
A touch of fresh amaranthus complemented the smooth white phalaenopsis orchid sprays. Bamboo and Cyperus stems provide a vertical line and a contrasting smooth texture to complete my design. Techniques: I used off-set hula hoops suspended on a wreath holder and covered them with Geami Wrap which provides an interesting see-through rough texture for the round form.