The 2nd rotation of Ikebana arrangements were displayed from 3/7 to 3/9/2023. These photos were taken when I was there waiting to change hands to set up my arrangement for the 3rd rotation.
 |
| Ikenobo school |
 |
| Ikenobo school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
 |
| Ohara school |
 |
| Ohara school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
My husband and I went to the city’s convention center, the flower show site, by train to host the Ikebana section. I had a two hour volunteer duty. It was on opening day, it was so crowded! I think because of the spring-like weather, and everyone has been shut down by the pandemic for too long, everyone wants to get out of the haze of Covid-19.
The four schools of the I.I. Philadelphia chapter (Ikenobo, Ohara, Sogetsu and Ichiyo) displayed their arrangements from 3/4 to 3/6/2023 for the first rotation. See below:
 |
| Designed by Sogetsu school members |
 |
| Designed by Ohara school members |
 |
| Designed by Ichiyo school members |
 |
| Educational display ( bamboo ) |
 |
| Ikenobo school |
 |
| Sogetsu school |
March 4, 2023, is the opening day for Philadelphia flower show. This year the show moved back to its original site, after a two years' absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme is: “The Garden Electric!” - “That spark of joy that comes while giving or receiving flowers - this is the moment captured by this year’s PHS Philadelphia Flower Show.”
These pictures were taken during my two hours hosting duty (3/4/2023). (Just a few of many beautiful displays.)
 |
| See the fish swimming in the dried river? |
 |
| Upside down orchid plants |
Between now and March 9, I am practicing my arrangement for the show, at the same time I also like to arrange something else: “wild mushroom fungi and evergreen”. I found three colorful mushroom fungi in my front garden, and they are as hard as rocks. I used them as "flowers," and the other materials were pine and an interesting vine. (3/2/2023)
 |
| Interesting vines |
It’s almost the end of February! This winter has been a mild winter so far. Even the Scotch broom burst into flowering in the neighborhood garden! When I first spotted them, I thought they were forsythia.
 |
| Scotch broom with leftover lily, aster and aucuba |
 |
| Aucuba from my garden / ceramic container |
February Class Lesson #3: This was just my rough ideal structure and arrangement, it’s far from perfect. It’s messy 亂七八糟 …but I will do it better from time to time.
February class lesson #2: this lesson is focused on “Colors”. Yellow is my main color for my arrangement. I forced forsythia branches to flower and with two kinds of different sizes and shades of yellow roses. To pop out the bright yellow tone and horizontal style arrangement, I choose the black, nice designed ceramic container.
 |
| Sensei’s demo arrangement (2/21/2023) |
February Class Lesson #1: “make arrangement using flowers only but two or more kinds”. As you can see here I use four kinds. There are: Rose, aster, lily and pepper white daffodil / blue ceramic container.
 |
| Class Lesson 2/21/2024 |
 |
| Practiced at home before class lesson |
 |
| Sensei’s arrangement |
 |
| Classmate’s arrangement |
Even though I don’t have any mood to do any Ikebana, but my brain is constantly seeking the ideal design for the upcoming Philadelphia flower show. Besides, one of the February class lessons (lesson #3) is practicing arrangement for the show, if you would like to participate. Hata Sensei will give comments and you will improve it.
The 1st and 2nd pictures below are the containers that I plan to use for the flower show arrangement. Two containers put together as a whole. The other pictures were my arrangement, practicing for class lesson #2 “Colors in the Same Tonal Range”.
 |
| I practiced for class lesson 2/21/2023 |
 |
| Forsythia and roses / ceramic container |
I have not been practicing or doing Ikebana for quite some time. But now our MWGC virtual little show is coming up, and I would like to enter my Ikebana style arrangement. The theme is “On A Roll”, a creative design expressing a circular pattern. I am not sure that my arrangement is suitable for their criteria. But I have tried, I think it’s a little messy though! (2/15/2023)
I have no fresh flowers left but I managed to get some materials that I need for this arrangement. There are forsythia, nandina, boxwood from my garden, house plant goosefoot and dried flowers and bamboo strip / glass container.
 |
| Can be viewed all around, round shaped glass container |
