2014 Taiwanese American Conference / East Coast - Ikebana Exhibition

... continued (2)
There were more than 600 people coming from all over the East Coast of the US to the beautiful East Stroudsburg University, PA (near Mount Pocono). Not only to celebrate Independence Day, but also for the Taiwanese American Conference East Coast (TAC/EC). This was a good chance for families to unite, catch up with old friends and meet new people. There were all kinds of programs and workshops of your choice to participate, and updated information from our homeland Taiwan and news around the world. This year's theme was "America's Security and Taiwan's Freedom." And the complicated relations between Taiwan and China were discussed. Especially, Taiwan's upcoming election this November, which is very important for Taiwan's future.
In addition, our Ikebana group, under Ms. Lin's leadership, played a very important role, to decorate the stage's flower arrangement, to arrange flowers for exhibition, and to demonstrate and give the Ikebana workshop. To keep all the materials as fresh as possible for 5 days was not an easy task.
We used a lot of sunflowers; not only are they beautiful summer flowers, they also echo Taiwan students' "Sunflower Movement", insisting on Democratic Values and Self Determination for Taiwan.

Here is the entrance of the cafeteria. I designed the whole look with poster and wood. (7/3 sunflower wilted, 7/5 changed to another look.) By Lynn Lee.

Right side of  Stage, designed with Sensei's custom made wooden fans,
behind the fans is my house plant (to keep fresh all the time).  By Lynn Lee

Left side of stage, designed with bamboo. By Lititia Chen

By Sensei  Ms. Lin 

"You in Ikebana" By Ms. Lin

 Use two beautiful tree barks, design By Jun Wu

By Mary Swierczynski

Side view. by Ms. Lin

By Vivian Fu

Demo. piece: Fruits and Vegetable. By Chih Huang

By Alice Chen

Poster Preview for TAC/EC 2014

This year's annual Taiwanese American Conference East Coast (TAC/EC), will be held from 7/3 to 7/6/ at the East Stroudsburg University, PA. The big day for our Ikebana exhibition is approaching. Our Ikebana class has been busy preparing for months because our Ikebana Exhibition and Demonstration is an important program of the convention. Please see the poster I designed for our group. The arrangement below is one of my planned designs to be used for display for that day, but is subject to change depending on whatever materials are available. This will be my first demo as a certified (4th grade) teacher. I am looking forward to the event. (1) ..to be continued.

Fruit - Red Currant Arrangement

My husband harvested the red currant yesterday from our garden before the birds ate them all (I left some for the birds too) and I plan to make jam later. Besides that, I cut a branch for myself to do an Ikebana  arrangement, so did my husband.(2nd picture)

Iris and Basket 'Arrangement

I found this old bamboo fishing basket at the famous Golden Nugget Antique flea market in Lambertville, New Jersey, near New Hope. The basket is an important container for Ikebana use. Particularly for warm weather and informal arrangements.
I've always wanted to have a basket like that, and am so happy to own one. Now, only the purple red Japanese Irises remain blooming in my garden. This is my last Iris arrangement for the early Summer.

Material: Iris, Evening Primrose, Zebra grass
and Spider wort (widow's tears) 

Free Style - Basket arrangement

Hand made basket using chicken wire and Honey Sucker vine. I made it long long time ago. Now, I used it as a container for its airy lightness.
Material: Iris, Astilbe and Butterfly maple in a dish kenzan.

My Garden (3) - 2014 Summer

Red Currant, ready to make jam

Astilbe

Astilbe

Spider wort (widow's tears)

???

Day lily Stella

Evening primrose

Cat nip

BCOS 2013-2014 Show Table Awards

Buck County Orchid Society Show Table Awards night and pot luck dinner was held on 6/18/2014. I made Sushi roll along with many other member's delicious dishes. We have summer break for July and August, will resume our monthly meeting in September.

E. Mariae. I don't have this one, I really like it.
Every member got one dinner favor to take home

Onc. Sharry Baby. "Sweet fragrance"
Smell like milk chocolate

Onc. Wils. Pacific Panache

My Garden (2) - 2014 Summer

The Summer is approaching, we have more rainy days than usual this month. The trees, the lawn and the plants look so green and lush.

Honey Sucker

Dried Allium, good for Ikebana use

Iris and clematis

Japanese Iris 

Clematis

Knock Out Rose 

Spirea Japanica

Red Currant

Peony Arrangement

The flowers of tree peonies were long gone, the other common peonies, some are still blooming, but they are fading now.
I composed two arrangements. They are the same style but using different materials and containers. It brings a different look and beauty.

Eucalyptus and  peony in the big flat ceramic vase

Peony with  purple flower ( Salvia?)  in a
ceramic container.

My Garden (1)- 2014 Spring

There is a saying "April showers bring May flowers", but it did not happen this year. We had a very long, harsh winter and short spring season. Mother natural messed up her schedule. My garden flowers, some delayed their blooming and some finished their bloom in a flash. I snapped some photos in time for their beauty. Here are some of Peony, Iris, Coral Bell and Clematis.