“In Love with Fall” Arrangement

October 6, 2024, Ikebana exhibit finally approached at Talamore Country Club, Ambler, PA. I was invited by BuxMount Study Group to participate in the Shanghai Association Greater Philadelphia annual gala. There were only six pieces of Ikebana style arrangements, the center pieces and other arrangements were western style. What a different scene! (200+ people attended)

“In Love with Fall”  (秋色宜人) was my title for this arrangement. After all it is autumn season, gorgeous scenery right now! I used a lot of Chrysanthemums, golden maple, azalea, nandina and bittersweet for final touch. Mitsumata on two ceramic containers, carefully arranged all together, displayed on a six foot table. 

People said: Wow! So beautiful! 

On a beautiful wooden base 

Practicing at home 

 

Practicing using the materials I prepared 

Fall Bloom Cattleya Orchid

This summer season was really cruel for my orchids! It had been scorching hot, dry and no rain for long periods of time. I lost quite a bit of my orchids! I think this Cattleya orchid is a tough one, I checked my record, it bloomed in year of 2020, 2022 and now 2024, its name is Hawaiian Passion “Carmela”. I am so grateful!  If you interested, Please check my blog, I posted on 10/15/2022 for this subject. 

The budding plant is division of the same one 

9/22/2024

This is division, still going strong (9/22/2024)

Going to fade soon (9/24/2024)

Home Grown Vegetable - Luffa or Silk squash

It’s the harvest time! But it’s pity! We only harvested five Luffa aegyptiaca (Loofah) or silk squash (絲瓜). We were still happy though, because we didn’t work properly and diligently for our vegetable garden. There’s Chinese saying “ 一分耕耘 一分收穫”, in English it’s like “No pain No gain “. 

After the arrangement, I cooked it with garlic and thin noodle; a big bowl of delicious soup, I shared with my husband for lunch!

Fall Arrangements Using Fruiting Plant

My Japanese quince bushes are bearing some fruits this year. I use them with bittersweet and semi dried hydrangea for the fall arrangement theme. This also fits the Sogetsu text book 4-7 subject “Fruiting Plant Materials.” (9/24/2024)

The New Season of Class Lessons

The busy and hot summer had passed like flash! We resumed our class lessons on September 17, 2024. We were so excited and happy that our beloved sensei returned to us for this first class lessons unexpectedly! Hata sensei looked so well and continuing to improve her health.

Lesson 1 and lesson 2 were in the morning, both were basic upright styles moribana, just changed positions. Lesson 3 in the afternoon was free style, choose a favorite container and share why you like it. 

My lesson 1 arrangement. Lilac branches and mum

By classmate 

Sensei’s demo for lesson 2

My free style. One of my favorite container, I like
its shape, color and well made.

Clematis Vine and Firethorn - Sweet Autumn

I have these two materials, clematis vine (sweet autumn) and firethorn (Pyracantha). Therefore, I pick the black ceramic container which I like very much and fits nicely together. I named this arrangement “Sweet Autumn “. After all it is autumn! 

9/13/2024

I Want to Use This Container

I had this lilac branches and pokeweed plant (inkberry, from wild), with some leftover flowers and I really wanted to use this new found ceramic container. So, I made a couple of different look arrangements using all those materials, before I went to upstate New York to celebrate my youngest grandson’s birthday who just turned one year old! with all the family members together, we had a precious and wonderful time! (9/10/2024).  Please see below:

The 13th Annual Shofuso Exhibition (2)

The Japanese tea room arrangement, I arranged with old Japanese basket. It’s simple and beautiful! The bittersweet and sunflower show when summer and autumn are in transition. It’s brightening up the room! 

9/5 - 9/8/2024

The 13th Annual Shofuso Exhibition (1 of 2)

The 13th Annual exhibition at Shofuso Japanese house and garden ( in Fairmount Park, PA ) would take place from Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 8.  Members of the Philadelphia Ikebana International Chapter (including three major Ikebana schools: Ikenobo, Sogetsu, and Ohara) would create arrangements which would be displayed in a traditional Japanese venue.  

Ka- Bu- Wa- Ke Free Style (Moribana)

The summer is almost over! September will be a busy month. The school starts, class begins and most of all, the annual exhibition at Shofuso Japanese house and garden is around the corner. Before the busy schedule start, I would like to make an arrangement with my leisure time.

It’s a Ka-bu-wa-ke free style arrangement; the division of the two Kabu is arranged by the same color tones of flowers. That’s all I can find from my garden now!

Leopard lily, liriope, ornamental onion, Japanese anemone,  
rose of Sheron and golden maple / triangular ceramic suipan