Takako Oshima led a workshop on Celebration Flowers

December 1, 2024 Ikebana Wellington

Takako demonstrating flowers for New Year

Our last workshop for the year was held in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall on Sunday, December 1st. The workshop was taken by Takako Oshima on Celebration Flowers. There are several textbook arrangements for celebrations as often we arrange ikebana when guests are coming. A Christmas or New Year arrangement is appropriate for this time of year, or maybe a wedding celebration or Christening this summer.

Takako provided special notes about Ikebana for New Year:

In Japan, New Year's arrangement is the most popular arrangements for celebrations. New Year’s arrangements typically include auspicious items such as pine, sacred berries like senryou (Christmas berry), and nanten (nandina), along with kiku (chrysanthemums), which are believed to have medicinal properties promoting longevity. As you select the materials and vase for your arrangement, I hope you will consider what occasion or celebration the flowers will represent, reflecting on the meaning and significance behind the choice.　

Book 5 tells us “Make an arrangement to express the wholehearted feeling of celebration”. And “Never forget that arrangements for celebrations are made primarily for showing your congratulatory feelings to the recipients”

Book 5, lesson 11 Arrangements for Celebrations
Book 4, lesson 19 Specific Scenes, Occasions or Spaces
Book 1, lesson 20 and Book 2, lesson 20 Special Materials and Arrangements for Festive Occasions.

Takako demonstrating flowers for New Year - pine, lilies and fern leaves

Takako used pine, lilies, montbretia and vine in a pottery vase

Takako used pine, lilies and fern leaves in a tall vase

In a low open vase Takako arranged pine, lilies, Billy Buttons and a Japanese paper ornament for New Year

Masako arranged a strong silver-backed pine with cones, flax flowers and daisies in an interesting container

Julie arranged agapanthus flowers, statice, rimu and fern leaves in a tall, open bamboo container

Lyn arranged hydrangea flowers and leaves with gold stars for effect in a rectangular container

In a low container, Adriana arranged variegated coprosma branches with ivy and camellia

In a beautiful wide glass container, Helen arranged anthurium flowers, and tall lilies with leaves

In a long, low container, Sharon arranged flowering cherry branches with bronze lilies and grey karo buds

In a tall, Japanese pottery container, Yoko arranged a pine branch with chrysanthemums and nandina

In a low pottery container, Kathy arranged a pine branch, Queen Anne lace, salvia and a single magnolia flower

In a tall, wide pottery vase, Nicole arranged a pine branch, a flowering pohutukawa branch and hydrangea flowers

Glenys arranged a collection of purple and white flowers with peacock feathers to celebrate the spirituality of Christmas

In a tall metallic vase, Elizabeth arranged pine branches, gerberas, pohutukawa buds and berries enhanced with mizuhiki to celebrate Christmas

Hand-sewn and embroidered hanging for Christmas in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church

Our creative Sogetsu group at our last workshop for 2024

Helen led a workshop demonstrating, One arrangement using Two or more Containers

November 10, 2024 Ikebana Wellington

Helen arranged a sunflower in a tall vase and delphiniums in a contrasting low container

Our November workshop was held on Sunday 10th November in the Hall at Khandallah Presbyterian Church. Helen lead an interesting workshop demonstrating, One arrangement using Two or more Containers. She guided members with the following suggestions:

There are several textbook arrangements using 2 or more containers: Book 2, lessons 17, 18 and 19 and Book 3, lesson 4.

We usually look for containers that match in shape or size for this, but challenge yourself to use containers of different shapes and sizes, or perhaps use one of the containers as a sculptural element rather than a vase for flowers. The material in each container can be used to co-ordinate or contrast the containers.

Helen with her completed arrangements

Helen arranged a sunflower and flax in a tall vase and delphiniums in a lower contrasting container

Helen arranged greenery in one vase and a peonie and leaves in a contrasting container

Julie used contrasting containers with astelia flax and statice flowers

Masako arranged valerian flowers, succulents and Japanese maple branches in two black vases

Another view of Masako's arrangement

Glenys arranged arum lilies with stems of rosemary and hydrangea in contrasting vases

Kathy arranged clivia seedheads and fruit with broad clivia leaves in two black vases

Takako arranged flowering cherry branches and fruit with flax leaves and chrysanthemum flowers in two contrasting containers

Yoko arranged small colourful flowers and foliage in two blue vases and a single rose in a separate container

Elizabeth arranged alstromeria flowers, trailing nasturtium flowers and leaves and canna lily leaves in two contrasting containers

Another view of Elizabeth's arrangement

Sandi lead a workshop on how to arrange flax in interesting ways

October 13, 2024 Ikebana Wellington

Sandi arranged variegated flax with flowers in a cube-shaped container

On Sunday, October 13 at Khandallah Presbyterian Church hall, Sandi lead a workshop on how to work with flax in interesting ways. Sandi provided these notes to help members:
’Create an arrangement incorporating flax leaves. The leaves should add interest in their own right and can be used in a number of ways to emphasise their beauty. We will explore various techniques.
You can team flax with other flowers but if using flax flower heads don’t let them dominate the arrangement. Extra flax leaves will be provided for you to use.’

Sandi arranged flax leaves and a single flax flower with flowers in a triangular container

Sandi arranged a single variegated flax leaf with a single tulip in a low vase

Helen used flax leaves and manuka flowers in a circular basket arrangement

Masako created a beautiful arrangement with a stunning protea enhanced by circular flax leaves

Bron used flax leaves in a simple but very attractive Variation no. 3 slanting moribana

Elizabeth used flax in 2 different ways by utilizing a dried net made with flax and fresh leaves

Sharon wove variegated flax leaves into the shape of a sail used on a Maori canoe

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