24th April, 2023

 

Hello all,

Following on from last week's post regarding the reuse of materials, I had used the monstera deliciosa leaf in the above arrangement twice before. It has outlasted the other materials and is still looking fresh. As a reminder, here are the other two arrangements.

1st arrangement

2nd arrangement

My persimmon tree is wearing its autumn garb and is looking so gorgeous that I'm prepared to forgive it for failing to produce even a single fruit this season.

Persimmon branch and dahlias

Persimmon branch, Japanese anemones and tiny, yellow dahlias

For class last week I had some cuttings of a large yucca (I think it's yucca filamentosa) given to me by cousin Steve. My intention was to give them to the advanced students to workshop them. However, only Vicky made it to class, all the others were away.

My arrangement

Vicky's arrangement

Lei's lesson was 'Me in Ikebana'. She used pittosporum branch and pale pink cane begonia. She explained that the begonia flowers, hidden inside the arrangement, represent her own shyness and desire to be out of the spotlight.

Wendy's lesson was 'With Branches Only'. She used Sasanqua camellia branches and a cotoneaster branch with berries.

Dianne's lesson was 'Colours in a Similar Tonal Range'. She used leucadendrons, dahlias and Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii). This material is gorgeous but extremely thorny. Gloves are a must when handling it.

Mary has started Book 5, lesson one of which is 'Seasonal Materials'.In this theme we must choose materials that are available only in the current season. Flowers that are available all year round at the florists' are not suitable. Equally, flowers such as roses which can flower for three seasons are not to be used. Mary used a branch from my persimmon tree, dahlias and amaranthus.

Bye for now,

Emily