I was surprised by the previous arrangement, the colorful leaves still fresh, didn’t curled or dried! Usually maple leaves can’t last more than three days. There’s an apple tree on the road side, still have a few scattered apples hanging on the bare branches. I am thinking while walking, how I would arrange them together to create another beautiful autumn scene!
The fall air is crisp! My husband and I like to walk around, I see trees gradually changing their colors, the mountains are painted in hues of gold, orange, and crimson. I love the beauty of autumn, but the season makes me feel melancholy, especially this fall! My husband’s neurologist doctor said dementia is not going to be better or cured, only get worse from time to time. His cognitive functions noticeably decline these days, but I know he still loves me! (10/5/2016)
This Cattleya orchid (Roman Holiday), surprisingly bloomed in September without my noticing, after a long period of time! One of the orchid was from division, its flowers were a little smaller. Their flowers are long lasting, I have been enjoying them for a few weeks already!
Lesson # 3, Colors in Contrast: Without knowing what kinds of flowers and colors we will get from Sensei for this lesson? I have a little hesitation to choose a container for this subject.
Materials: Blue Hydrangea, yellow Gerbera daisy, purple carnation and Aspidistra / Neutral color ceramic vase (9/14/2026)
Lesson # 2, to be viewed from all angles : I teared off all the leaves from burning bush branches to make a structure. Putting it on top of the tall vase as a base. I brought my own azalea branches and provided carnations (I wish to have more brighter colors). To be viewed all around, I carefully arranged them into the mouth of the vase. (9/14/2026)
September,14, 2026 three class Lessons: 1. Basic Upright Style Morinana ( Book 1, #2) 2. To be Viewed from All Angles Use Nageire Vase (Book 3, #19) 3. Colors in Contrast (Book 3, #9)
1). Basic Uptight Style Moribana : Cedar branches for Shih 15 degrees and Soe 45 degrees. Moms provided for Hikae 75 degree. (9/14/2026)
I transplanted more than ten young zinnias plants from my daughter’s backyard garden earlier this summer. They are all from seeding, too crowded and don’t thin out, so the flowers are smaller than usual, but they are still very pretty and cute!
When I’m feeling better, I feel like arranging ikebana, but sometimes all I have to grab is my houseplants. This is the case with my zinnias.
It’s September, all the schools have been starting after Labor Day holiday weekend (9/7/2026). My two older grandchildren have left for college already. My youngest grandson gets his nursery orientation and my Ikebana class lessons start this month 9/14/2026. It seems like everyone is getting back to their normal activity schedules.
Materials: Sunflower, Carnation, dahlia, dogwood branches and twigs / ceramic Tsubo vase
I hardly use these two unique shaped, black small containers. To make the most of the same materials that I had before and more marigolds (blooming more in my garden now). Their bright colors pop up the whole arrangement!
The title emphasizes why I would like to use the container. After I finished my designed arrangement, I added the line to echo the glass container. Do you think it better with it or not?
August has just passed, I can already feel a hint of autumn in the air! Occasionally I get the autumn blues, it makes me sad these days when I get frustrated with my husband’s confused brain. I feel for his dementia situation, I really don’t know I should sympathize with him or myself?
I have always been fascinated by smoke trees and I’ve always been interested in making an arrangement with it. Also their branches are very pretty too! The anthuriums from workshop last time still look fresh, why not just use them.
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| This is a big tall glass vase |
Because of the Hydrangea my daughter-in law gave to me. I made a spontaneous flower arrangement using my garden flowers and even my house plant, there were balloon flower, rose of Sharon, grass, palm. I like to use baskets for Summer time arrangement.
I had the old orange colored branches, and I bought blue spray paint to contrast. Combined together I chose a gray container and this provided anthurium.
After the workshop, I rearranged the branches at home. I think the remade one feels more like what I wanted. (8/18/2026)
DPW (Dutchess, Putman, Westchester county) and Wasetsu study groups held a summer workshop on making an arrangement using Trifoliate orange branches, taught by our sensei Judy Hata, on August 15 at the home of Roxane (our class leader). We brought our own green (or hosta if you have) and dried/dead branches, Trifoliate orange branches and flowers provided. Also bring a dish for potluck lunch to share after the workshop.
We had about 18 people attend, in the outdoor of Roxane’s beautiful front yard under shady trees. It was a gorgeous Saturday morning, breezy and not humid! I only posted some of them. See below:
