Tag Archives: vancouver ikebana

Cold and snowy February, but we still had flowers!

We had an unusually cold and snow February, but I only had to cancel classes for one week.

I did another special project for OpenRoad Mercedes Benz in Surrey. This time they only wanted white flowers in black, white or silver containers, with the emphasis on height and formality. Another challenge….The caterer was impressed with my work and asked if I would consider providing some of her clients with my style of floral arrangements. Certainly! Just waiting to hear back about a couple of weddings and a reception at a winery later this year.

I also held a workshop at a seniors’ facility in West Vancouver. We made Valentine’s arrangements using pussy willows, and red and white flowers. The ladies enjoyed it so much, they asked me to return in April. Easter ikebana, coming up!

Happy New Year!

The Vancouver Ikebana Association (which I am president of) held its AGM on January 12th. We celebrated New Year’s with a lovely luncheon consisting of traditional Japanese New Year’s foods, and Ikebana made with traditional elements, such as pine, bamboo and plum. Many of the dishes were made by the members, and some were bought. Most of the dishes had an in depth traditional meaning to its ingredients, such as the use of lotus root, which has holes throughout its length, which symbolizes looking into the future, and burdock root, which is a very long root which symbolizes long life.

Lessons resumed after our Christmas break, and three new ladies joined our Beginners’ group. Our Intermediate ladies are happily creating more intricate ikebana, as well as the Advanced group. I am kept challenged to keep up with new ideas for everyone to try out.

Christmas Workshop and Goodies!

A lady from the Burnaby Public Library asked me if I was interested in doing an ikebana demonstration at one of their branches again. I suggested having an Christmas Ikebana Workshop instead. We had to limit the number of participants due to the size of the room, so fifteen people registered to have a “free” class. They were delighted with their creations which included red dogwood branches, three red carnations, variegated holly, and some pine, and a pine cone. My name was even mentioned as the Sensei who taught the class, on the front page of the local newspaper along with a photo of two of the participants and their creations.

For our final class of the year, I gave each of my continuing and advanced students a small container to make their arrangements in, and keep. The former class used red dogwood, baby’s breath, pine and Gloriosa Lilys. The advanced used dendrobian orchids, the baby’s breath and skimmia with the branches. We ended the classes with tea and goodies. Everyone brought something, and there was more than enough! ‘Tis the season!