Emphasizing Container (2)

The first photo is my arrangement. I rearranged it at home to take a better picture, because the classroom was too crowded and messy, with poor lighting and no background. 

Sofu’’s Principal #45: focus on emphasizing container 

Marcia’s emphasizing container 

Margaret’s colors in Contrast and emphasizing container 

Lessons for November - Colors in Contrast (1)

We have resumed Ikebana class in person once every month since October with Hata Sensei. Three lessons each time. Lessons for November 15th: (1) Colors in Contrast, (2) Emphasizing Container, (3) Basic Style, Variation #2 Slanting Style Nageire 

(1) Colors in Contrast: purple Mum, alstroemeria and dried painted trifoliate orange, their colors are in contrast. The choice of container is also in my consideration.

Hata Sensei’s demo example for colors in Contrast 

Basic Style Variation #2 Slanting Style Nageire (3)

Our Sensei said the basic Nageire variation #2 Slanting style is the most difficult to arrange correctly and artistically. We have repeatedly been doing this several times. Please see the pictures below, how should I fix it? The main Shin branch is 45 degrees (left), the shorter branch Soe is 75 degrees (right), and the flower Hikae is at 15 degrees (in the back of shin).  Shin and Soe are widely apart, and should be placed in front. This is not as easy as you think and far beyond simple! 

Autumn Splendor

Surrounding in my neighborhood, some trees are just bursting like splattered paint, reaching their peak of fabulous colors, so gorgeous and are truly in Autumn splendor! 11/12/2021

Citrus Stunner - November Virtual Little Show

MWGC's (Martha Washington Garden Club) November little show is titled “Citrus Stunner."  I have never done this before, especially in Ikebana style. This can be accomplished by fitting a small glass vase inside a larger clear glass and placing citrus slices between the two, then arranging it. Reason #1: for visual interest, #2 to make your own flower food, the citric acid helps to open up those stems to allow water in and to keep those blossoms happy and looking good.

Golden Japanese maple with red stems

Golden Japanese maple, mum and grossy abilia

Dried Lotus Leaves Arrangement

A friend of mine has a lotus pond in her garden. I suggested to her if you air dry some leaves, they would be very pretty and nice materials to use for Ikebana too. Now, thanks to her, I have a few of her dried lotus leaves. For me they are precious, and I am so grateful and happy! 

Dried lotus leaves, mum and nandina / ceramic container 

Orchids bloom for October to Early November

Here are my orchid blooms from October to early November. These are just some from my orchids collection. With November’s tumbling temperatures, I am glad that all my orchids have moved inside to my Sunroom for three weeks already. 

11/3/2021

Epi.cilive “Xenia” 11/1/2021

11/1/2021

“Lady of the night “10/23/2021

Blc. “Peal” 10/12/2021

10/14/2021

11/1/2021

10/23/2021

Reused Materials - Fan and Azalea

Washi paper folded as a fan and a trimmed azalea branch, which I like very much! Using the same container, I rearranged them for a different look.

Autumn Iris and Garden Mum Arrangement

It’s strange that my irises are blooming this time of year, in the middle of the October. I remembered that they didn’t bloom last May, when they usually would bloom. Garden mums and Irises are blooming at the same time this fall!  I did want to arrange them together, though.

MWGC Little Show: Scale Change - An All Foliage Arrangement

For October 10/21/2021 MWGC little show: An all foliage arrangement, a bouquet or design with emphasis on different sizes and structures of leaves. I created an Ikebana style design to enter this virtual little show.

Materials: Azalea, Solomon seal, gold dust aucuba, boxwood and Japanese maple / ceramic container