Flying High Like Bird

I bought this tropical palm tree “house plant” not long ago, I love its fan shaped large leaves! Since I have it, I always would like to use it for Ikebana arrangement. So I combined it with hydrangeas, mitsumata and round shaped ceramic container. Surprisingly, it looked like a flying bird at the end!

Hydrangea Moribana

Hydrangeas in the Suiban (Moribana), I used white and blue hydrangeas and two different placemats for base. 

Viburnum and New Container

I got this ceramic container from I.I. May meeting’s program “Container Auction”. I was very pleased!

For my arrangement this time, I have the materials first and then select a container, sometimes it is the other way around, I choose container first and then look for the materials. 

Viburnum, hosta and Mitsumata 

Do you like white background?

Side view 

TAC/EC Summer Conference - Exhibition

The Taiwanese American Summer Conference started with registration on July 3rd afternoon and we were setting up our Ikebana arrangements display at the same time. Whoever signed up for Ikebana display had to be completely ready for the next day’s opening ceremony. (7/3/2024)

Stage decoration for opening ceremony 

The title  “Blossom, (爭艶)” by me

TAC/EC Conference - Ikebana Workshop Using Bamboo Sheets

The 53th Taiwanese American Conference East Coast (TAC/EC) was held again at West Chester University, PA., from 7/3- 7/7/2024. Ikebana exhibition and workshop have been one of many programs for many years. I would like to post the workshop pictures first. 23 people showed up (out of 27 people)! All the materials provided. Besides Sensei Lin’s instructions, we had three certified teachers stood by to help if needed. (7/4/2024)

My arrangement for example, used only one sheet 

Freestyle Using Mitsumata

June was a busy month! My last arrangement in June for my own pleasure was freestyle using two main materials; Mitsumata and painted allium which were just sitting in the Ikebana room, the rest of the other materials were easy to find from my garden. They were hydrangeas (two kinds) and Stokes Aster. (6/27/2024) 

Arrangement with Bamboo Mat

I have been playing and trying to make an arrangement with bamboo mat (or sheet), for the purpose of future workshop. See below: I used two kinds of containers, ceramic vase and suiban. 

Hydrangea, Solomon seal and dried palm (6/24)

Using leftover mums, feverfew and Mitsumata

Friends Remembering Friends

June/18/2024 was the last class of the season. It was a lovely ending to our year of ikebana with so many memories of friends who are no longer with us. Our arrangements were expressions of what ikebana means to each of us, and sharing the memories of our friends in Ikebana. We all had a wonderful and meaningful time!  

My arrangement was an expression of my memory to a friend who was always dear to me in the class room. I would like to use her wood structure which I owned through raffles during her memorial service two years ago. I missed her!

The wood structure was made by Midori Sensei 

The back view 

My first attempted design 

Feverfew and Blue Crystal Bowl

Actually, feverfew is an herb; you can make tea from it, fresh or dried. It has been called “medieval aspirin” or aspirin of the 18th century.” Feverfew is used mostly to treat headaches. Do you believe it or not?!

The Purple Japanese Iris

The yellow and white Japanese irises are gone, only few purple Japanese irises remaining. But tiny white “feverfew” flowers are just starting to bloom, which are spreading a lot more this year. I think they are an invasive plant! (6/1/2024)