"Spring into Summer" Arrangements

Ikebana International, Washington, D.C., Chapter No.1 presents a program: Luncheon and Demonstration by Diana Cull, Riji, Sogetsu. "Spring into Summer" was the theme of arrangement. It was held on June 20, 2018, at Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria, Virginia.
We had six I.I. members from Buck County, we went together to D.C. by mini van to attend this program. It took us 5 hours to get there (3 hours in nominal time) and 5 hours home. The traffic was so congested and slow. Then we found out what happened next day. The Washington Post reported "A daytime bridge crash clogged D.C. area traffic into the night". I was dead tired and thinking we were a bunch of Ikebana nuts.

Here were her demonstration arrangements: 

Celebration Luncheon To Honor Hata Sensei's Award

For June's class, instead of a regular class, we stretched our learning as we explored the new lessons in Textbook 5. We all watched the book 5 video from Japan Sogetsu Headquarters. This is required for additional teaching certificates. (I got my certificate last year to attend master's workshop, he's from Japan but was held in NYC). It took two hours to watch in the morning session. We had learned some new skills and reviewed all that we had already learned.
After the morning session, we all gathered (more than 20 students) at the nice restaurant for lunch to honor Mrs. Hata's award from the Japanese government: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays ( please check 4/9/2018 post ) and to celebrate our friendship through ikebana. This was so wonderful to end our session before Summer break. Our Main Line Study Group will resume class in September.

 Main Line Study Group chair person and Hata Sensei

 

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Peony- 2018

All different kinds of Peony. They are my youngest daughter's favorite flower. I love them but they are unfortunately short lived. 

Iris- 2018

My Japanese Irises and other types of irises this year.

My Garden - Spring 2018

I've been especially looking forward to this spring's blooms. Most of the flowers were transplanted from our old home, only a few were purchased new. I really wasn't sure how they would do. But the results were pretty good even though there were fewer flowers! And some were quite good because the soil here is a bit sandier (we are near the Delaware River bank) and good for certain plants. You'll see my peonies and irises in the next two posts. Next year there may be even more flowers!

Mountain Laurel

Honey suckle

Weigela

Many kinds of Hoata

New addition Hosta

Clematis

Three Arrangements: Basic and Free Style

We had three lessons in Hata Sensei's class on 5/21/2018.
1) Slanting Style Moribana: My materials are all pink color. Weigela branches and mum in a ceramic suipan. We are still practicing the basic style.( In book 2-12)

2) Intertwining Plant Materials: Book 3-16.
 Siberian dogwood branch and kiwi vine were intertwined, added Hydrangea and hosta. The twist designed ceramic tall vase matches my arrangement.

My arrangement

By classmate

By classmate

3) Suiban Without Kenzan: Book 5-8

Three Pieris Japonica branches and one weigela

Azalea and Gerbera Daisy by Hata Sensei

The Best Mother's Day Gift

Guess what was my best Mother's Day gift this year? It was when my youngest daughter handed me a card. The last sentence said "Peter and I can't wait to tell you that I am pregnant." I threw the card in the air, crying out and jumping up and down. Joyfully surprised! After all those years, she has been too busy and devoted to her brand new high school in New York City. It has been into the fifth year now, and the Queens High School for Language Study (QHSLS) has established a good reputation and recognized as excellent public high school. We are so proud of her! She is always busy with her school as principal, no time to think about starting a family until the school is functioning well. This summer will be the second graduation! Now, we all in the family are full of joy and blessing.
The new addition of our family member will be our fifth grandchild!

Below were the flowers she brought home for me for the mother's day. l used a portion of them for this arrangement. (5/13/2018 Mother's Day)

April and May Orchids Bloom

These three pictures I showed here, just in time for me to bring to the Buxmont Study Group class for my power point presentation (5/9/2018). Same title as last time "Growing Orchids at Home - My Experience". Only at the end, I showed some Ikebana arrangements using orchids from my previous post.

Cattleyas (5/12 faded)

Cattleyas alliance " April blossom ". long lasting bloomer

Oncidium (faded 5/11/2018)

Double Petal Tulip and Miniature Daffodil

Because we have a fenced back yard in our home now, I don't have to worry about deer eating up my Tulips, I was told that Tulip is candy to a deer. That's why I have never planted any tulips in my old house garden. Daffodils are OK, deer never like to touch them.
I planted tulip bulbs last Fall, they are double petals, big and showy like a peony. I think the common tulips are more graceful and cute. Miniature daffodils are also double petals, I transferred them from my old house. They are slim and pretty, both are good for cut flowers.    

  

Decorating at Shofoso Japanese House and Garden

The crazy weather for the last couple of weeks has been stabilizing and feeling warmer. The Shofoso Japanese House and Garden opens to the public beginning in the month of April. The Ikebana International (I.I.) Philadelphia chapter has been in charge and responsible for the Ikebana decoration for the house's particular location for years. For the third weekend of April, three of us from Buxmont study group were assigned to decorate Ikebana arrangements for the location of the main tatami room, entrance, tea room and kitchen. (4/20/2014)

Main tatami room, by me

kitchen area by Monica, should be viewed all around

Tea room, by Betty and me

Entrance by Betty