Free Style - Large Arrangement

The size of  this arrangement should be fitted in 2' x 2' x 2'and1/2' platform. These pictures below are my arrangement of the day before class, done in class and after the class rearrangement.
The material: Bamboo, Spider mum, Alstroemeria, Pine and silver spread Allium seed pod.
Container: Rosenthal ceramic vase (10"x 8"x 5")

Left side bamboo stick is not high enough.
Too many flowers?

Less flowers now, but bottom bamboo should
be in different length.

 Rearranged at home, bamboo frame is finally
 right. How about the flowers?

,

To carry all Ikebana materials ( bucket of plant materials, kenzan, container, tool and etc) and driving to teacher's class room and arrange there. After class, take them all apart and driving home to rearrange it, is not always an easy task, very often the final composition is not exactly the same any more.

Focusing on the Water Arrangement

My Cymbidium orchid has been blooming for months. It's going to fade soon. So, I cut a stem of  flower combined with a bamboo branch, I carefully arranged in the crystal clear container. That's one of  today's class assignment. Very elegant, my Sensei commented. (2/25/2014)

February Orchid Bloom 2.

Our BCOS member John Kulhman is a speaker for tonight's meeting. He shares his last years's Ecuadorian Adventure experience. Where he saw many orchids in their natural setting. This is a very informative and a good presentation.
Below are my another part of blooming orchids for this month. I brought two different kind of Cymbidiums and one Cattleya to the show table tonight. (2/20/2014)

The society found the name for this Cymbidium.
Cym. Showgirl  "The Bride" 

 

Blc. Hawaiian Lightening "colorful"

Paph. Pinocchio
It had been flowering for 9
month without stopping.

Another plant of  Cym. Show
 girl. Only one stem this year.
You can enlarge to see clearly

Dendrobium

Cym. Ivy Fan

February Orchids Bloom 1.

 This is the time of the year when orchids are at the blooming peak. The Deep Cut Orchid Society of New Jersey supposed to hold the orchid show on the weekend of 2/6-2/9/2014. My BCOS was going to join the exhibition event, so the society asked members if they like to offer their blooming orchids to be displayed. Here are four of my orchids supposedly to be delivered for the show but it was canceled due to snow storm again.

Valentine Arrangement

The calla lily for Ikebana class use, last only a couple of days. It's a pity, the tip of flower turn brown so easily. The weather is continuously freezing cold and the snow still piled up every where. There is no sign of Spring! but Valentine is around the corner. Hopefully the bright color bring some good mood for a change. (2/11/2014)

Material: Rose, Calla, Carnation, fan and Pine
Container: Ceramic vase

Sansei suggested to group the carnations to form a mass
and turn the container to give depth.

Winter Never End

Snow storm number 7, dumped 7" snow yesterday. We had 10" snow last week. The snow just piled up one after another. Yet there is another snow, ice and sleet storm coming tomorrow (it might cause power outages), the Pennsylvania ground hog predicted six more weeks of winter, the winter seems never end. Even though the white winter wonderland  is beautiful but we have enough of it. Enough is enough!! (2/4/2014)
Today 2/5/2014, The Ice storm from last night was even worse then the previous snow storm. Our beautiful willow tree uprooted that broke my heart. Many road trees fell and knocked down the power line causing power outages. We didn't have heat and water for an entire day. School closed and all the activities cancelled. It was a very gloomy winter day. 

Free Style - Using Both Fresh and Unconventional Materials

I have always found the mesh orange bag to be pretty enough as an unconventional material used  for Ikebana arrangement. The empty wine bottle is 14" tall. A pot of a Cyclamen house plant. These are the three things I found in my house that I used for my arrangement and to relieve my cabin fever.