Hello everyone,

Lets start with iris -

My ensata iris (also known as Hanashobu or iris kaempferi) which
I grow in pots placed in a bucket of water since I don't have a
pond.I arranged it in the traditional way but the leaves are from 
Spuria iris, as i don't have enough of the ensata to sacrifice for 
one arrangement.

The glorious, vivid blue of these Siberian
iris makes up for the fact that they are
short lived. I used with them curculigo
leaves, a plant of which was given to me
by my colleague, Pat Hetrel

Here I used the ensata iris with begonia flowers and wisteria vine

I find myself apologizing, again, for my long absence but it's been an even busier time than normally, even for me. It's also been a particularly difficult year in terms of my health and I will be very happy to see the back of 2016.

Anyway, on to ikebana. I ran a three-hour demonstration and workshop at the Park Orchards Community Centre recently, which was attended by some keenly interested ladies. It was a great deal of work for me because, apart from preparing 8 arrangements, I also had to acquire containers, kenzans, branches and flowers for the attendees. Judging from the feedback, it was all worth it.

I'm including only one photo (below) from that workshop, as I was on my own and was unable to also act as photographer. Usually, I reset the arrangements at home and photograph them, however, as I mentioned before, I've been too busy.

A rather modern Christmas arrangement using umbrella grass stems
Nandina domestica flowers deep in the glass container that used to
belong to a beloved aunt.

As always, for our last lesson we made celebratory arrangements. Due to absences, we had fewer students taking part. However some made up for it by making more than one.

Vicky Kalokathis

Lucy Papas

Nicole McDonald 

Also, Nicole McDonald

Shaneen Garbut. I was very impressed by these
Hydrangea quercifolia

Aurelia Dong. These are young Banksia, which, in the photo, look
like they are dried but are, in fact, quite fresh

Aurelia Dong, again.

Aurelia, again

I made this modern wall arrangement using Gymea
leaves and hippeastrums that I grew.

I wish a very happy festive season to all of you, whichever way you are celebrating it and may 2017 bring you everything your hearts desire.

Bye for now,
Emily