I chose flowers with autumn colours--orange spray mums and alstroemeria plus some pink mums to add a splash of light colour!
The dried branches were ones I picked some time last winter!
SInce there was no need to put the branches in water, I used the space outside of the container. By placing the branches next to the thick body of the metal container, I showed a light vs heavy contrast.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
Photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
Due to the warm weather, this bunch of irises went into full bloom earlier than expected!
For branches, I used what was readily available...
...the ever abundant roadside weeds! :-)
I took most of the leaves out and formed curves out of the branches.
A view from the top. The curls contrasted well with the very straight irises.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
Once again the weeds around the shop caught my eye!
I was attracted to the large leaves and the unusual patterns along their edges.
WIthout cutting or folding, I arranged the leaves to show the beauty of the edge patterns.
I added one sunflower to accent and provide contrast to the greenness.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
This day, I had monstera leaves and oriental lilies.
The monstera leaves proved to be too big so I ended up with cutting a leaf to fit in the container's opening.
I used one lily bud and then some grass to show lines, a contrast to the large surface of the monstera.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
One of the greatest joys for an ikebanista is to be able to wander around a large garden and gather branches to one's heart's content. A few days ago, I had that opportunity because I conducted a workshop sponsored by the Halifax Public Gardens. (See previous post.)
There were leftover branches after the workshop. I used them. This is my thank-you-to-the-Gardens arrangement!
Dogwood and magnolia...
Lilac and other branches whose names I didn't know!
The arrangement is currently displayed at the shop.
I hope you like it. -- Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
The Halifax Public Gardens organized an ikebana workshop at The Lord Nelson last June 10th.
First, Miyako created these two moribana arrangements on-the-spot to give the participants an idea of what they'd be making.
Next, it was their turn...and the fun really started! :-)
One great thing about having the Public Gardens as a sponsor was that we had an abundant supply of branches! Early morning that day, Miyako had visited the gardens and had "helped" with the pruning. :-)
Image courtesy of Helen MacLean.
Image courtesy of Helen MacLean.
All the participants were intent on learning more about ikebana. They asked many questions and really thought carefully about the placing of the blooms and branches.
Everybody enjoyed!
See the results. Wow! They did not disappoint. Hard to believe everyone was experiencing ikebana only for the first time that night.
By the way, Miyako arrived at the function room early and had a bit of time in her hands so she made a few free-style arrangements to welcome everybody!
Thank you very much to all who joined the workshop. We hope you had an interesting evening. May your interest in ikebana grow further! Thank you Halifax Public Gardens for organizing this event.
All photos by the ikebana shop except where specified. All rights reserved.
Around this time of the year, young branches start to shoot out of the thick trunks of big maple trees.
I took a few branches and decided to use nothing else. This is called isshu-ike (一種生け), creating an arrangement with only one type of material.
It does not possess the colourful gaiety that flowers could bring but branches are great for showing lines and space!
Here is a shot in black-and-white. Please enjoy the space between the branches!
...and here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
For this day's challenge, I had chosen a box-like container and had hoped to show some sort of contrast between the corners of the vase and the curves of branches. However, on the branches I had available, there were a few stems that would not allow themselves to be curled into submission. They kept bouncing back! So I decided to use those stubborn parts to put more focus on the perpendicular lines instead.
I set about cutting away the smaller stems. I used pink and white alstroemeria to create mass.
Last but not least, I added a branch that connects the flower container to the ground.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
Salal leaves are already beautiful in themselves so normally, I never think of trying to alter their shape; but my challenge today is to make something "sculptural" with salal!
Salal is not a leaf/branch that bends to one's will easily. If I try to make them curl or force them to take a certain angle, they always bounce back. So, after folding, I slice across the crease. Then, I insert another leaf into the slit to create a three-dimensional shape.
The activity feels more like paper craft than flower arranging!
I add one carnation stem for extra colour.
Here it is... my salal sculpture arrangement!
I hope you like it. --Miyako
All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
Last night we were host to a very genki (means "lively") group of friends who came for a private ikebana workshop.
Despite some weather setbacks (the workshop, originally planned for last week, had been postponed due to a snowstorm....yes, you read that correctly...snow in April!), we finally got around to doing it!
We hope you enjoyed the workshop!
Thank you everyone for coming. Our special thanks to Shannon P. who organized the whole thing. We really appreciate it!
Learn more about ikebana workshops here.
All photos by the ikebana shop. Images of the ladies are posted with permission. All rights reserved.
