Hello all,

The theme for the advanced students at our last class was 'Jika Dome', which means Direct Fixing. It is particularly suited to arrangements made in delicate containers that might break by the use of horizontal fixtures. It requires the bending of stems so that when they rest on the lip of the container, they don't twist out of position.

The arrangement, above, is mine. I chose this particular camelia because the stems bend without snapping. I added nandina domestica berries and a pendulous clivia, which is flowering either too early or too late.

Lucy's arrangement, below, is made with French broom, chrysanthemums and Dutch iris in a newly acquired basket.

Jenny used some branches I was not able to identify. (If anyone knows what they are, I'd be grateful if you'd send me a note to tell me). She added oriental lily buds and, somewhat unusually coloured, chrysanthemums.

Nicole used pussy willow branches (Salix caprea), nandina domestica nana and Dutch iris.

Vicky reused magnolia branches, which were thick and, therefore, difficult to bend, so she tried a technique called 'ori dome', where several partial cuts are made along the stem where it is to be bent. The oriental lilies finished the arrangement.

Cymbi also used camellias and added white statice and calendulas.

Having finished her class arrangement, Vicky made a freestyle one using an interesting piece of magnolia and nandina domestica berries. She trimmed the branch, emphasizing the right angle of the branch.

Wendy's curriculum theme was 'Arrangements for Celebrations'. The occasion she chose was a Birthday. She used fox tail ferns, which she curved, camelias and crocosmia in a footed suiban.

Bye for now,

Emily