ArtiCrafti - a showcase of arts and crafts

Freestyle Moribana 色彩鲜花(自由形)

2008-04-28T09:43:00.001+08:00

My last assignment for this term: Freestyle Moribana 色彩鲜花（自由形）using pine branches and chrysanthemums (yellow and purple).

Centerpiece

2008-04-18T13:53:00.003+08:00

This week's arrangement is a basket arrangement (centerpiece) using a variety of flowers. The focus is on color groupings (white & red).

Nageire 個性瓶花（斜型）

2008-04-11T15:40:00.000+08:00

L-shaped arrangement

2008-04-05T13:40:00.002+08:00

This week, i did another L-shaped arrangement on a taller vase. Flowers used are pink roses and lily for focal point.

Kakubana 格花--五行格(ごぎょうかく)

2008-03-30T11:37:00.003+08:00

This week's lesson is advanced Kakubana using Cypress branches to depict the five elements in nature (五行格). A daunting task for me as i grappled with my limited Japanese - trying to understand the Japanese description of the various branches and their meaning in this arrangement.

Cascading bouquet

2008-03-16T20:02:00.001+08:00

This week's lesson: cascading style bouquet of eustoma and ivy.

色彩いけばな　Moribana

2008-03-13T15:59:00.002+08:00

Last week's lesson: 動勢(movements)

Another arrangement:

Presentation Bouquet

2008-03-04T13:55:00.002+08:00

Last week's assignment was a rose presentation bouquet (360 degree). Hmmm, my hands are getting more adept now, at least i can now hold the stalks tightly into shape.

O-shakei 横斜型

2008-02-14T23:48:00.003+08:00

i did two arrangements for today's lesson. The style is O-shakei (横斜型) in suiban (moribana) and tall vase (nageire). The flowers used are in season: peach blossoms, white freesia and red carnations.

Moribana 盛花

Nageire 瓶花

Kakubana (Gladiolus) グラジオラスの格花

2008-01-26T19:56:00.000+08:00

^ My work in class

This week's lesson is the Gladiolus Kakubana, a typical Mishoryu style. The leaves are removed and grouped together in 3 or 5 leaves, then carefully arranged according to the direction of how the ends are pointing towards, then placed them onto the kenzan before placing the flower stalks behind each group of leaves so that the leaves wrap around the flower stalks. Lots of practice needed to perfect the skill. Below is what i did at home after class.

Horizontal freestyle

2008-01-18T10:49:00.000+08:00

There's a shortage of flowers this week, so Ms Tomoko bought a variety of foliage for this week's arrangement which is accentuated with 5 stalks of orchids.

Basic A-style

2008-01-18T10:43:00.000+08:00

Last week's lesson: 体用型A-style (one of the basic styles)

Materials used: Purple Gladiolus; yellow freesia and white chrysanthemum

Welcome 2008 with a floral basket

2007-12-30T11:39:00.000+08:00

Shikisai Moribana

2007-12-21T11:06:00.000+08:00

Materials: Allium, Iris & green

Christmas Centrepiece

2007-12-14T10:12:00.000+08:00

As Christmas is approaching, this week's arrangment is for the season. Materials used: red and white roses and seasonal foliage.

Shikisai Kakubana

2007-12-07T14:14:00.000+08:00

Materials used: Matthiola (Tai); Eustoma (Yo); Freesia (tome)

Presentation Bouquet

2007-11-30T15:59:00.001+08:00

This week's lesson is a Western style 180-degree presentation bouquet.

Shinka 新花

2007-11-23T10:11:00.000+08:00

This week's theme is shinka (新花) - a modern style in the Misho School of Ikebana. Materials used are: White Misumata branches, calla lilies (yellow) and another flower (name unknown) with long thin stems and velvetty golden flowers. The 3-color combination is distinctively attractive.

Nageire

2007-11-16T14:09:00.000+08:00

Last lesson: My first attempt at Nageire (upright style).

This is more difficult to arrange, as the flowers have to be supported with branches fixed across the opening of a tall vase.

This week's lesson: hand bouquet using wiring method.

Materials used:
16 roses
3 small leaves
6 medium-sized leaves
9 large leaves

Flower gift basket for men

2007-10-26T10:57:00.000+08:00

In previous lessons, i learnt the art of arranging flower baskets for ladies and kids. Yesterday, i learnt how to arrange a flower gift basket for men.

This flower gift basket is suitable for man as big flowers (cabbage) were used, accentuated with white roses and yellow carnations. Throw in a bottle of wine (a mineral water bottle was used in place in the picture below), it makes a perfect gift.

Kakubana

2007-10-19T12:05:00.000+08:00

This week's lesson is a Kakubana arrangement using ginger flowers and dracaena leaves. The degree of difficulty is moderate to difficult as the leaves tend to bend outwards. The final shape should be narrower and the taller leaves (tai) should be straight and pointing upward. However, this is the best i could manage.

Planes and Dots

2007-10-19T11:59:00.000+08:00

Last week, i was struggling with this arrangement of planes and dots formation. The materials used were large monstera (plane) and sunflowers (dots). It looks simple but the large leaves were difficult to handle. i have to make sure that the stems of the sunflowers were not seen as the flowers have to appear as dots on the leaves (plane).

Horizontal (free style)

2007-10-05T09:46:00.000+08:00

This week's assignment: horizontal arrangement (free style)

Shikisai Moribana 2

2007-09-28T11:27:00.000+08:00

This is my arrangement for this week's lesson. The creation is based on the formation of lines, dots and circles. The circles were depicted by the use of an interesting plant, Asclepias Fruticosa which produces balloon-like seed pods in lime green and with small spikes all over the surface. Long leaves were used for the formation of lines and red berries used for dots.

Autumn Garden

2007-09-21T14:12:00.000+08:00

As we're approaching mid-autumn next week, a basket-full of autumn joy is this week's theme for my assignment. For this arrangement, my teacher selected these autumn flowers which include berries, pampas, purple eustoma, yellow orchids and golden chrysanthemum with a peach gerbera as focal point.

Colors of autumn

Shikisai Moribana　色彩盛り花

2007-09-14T09:48:00.000+08:00

This week's assignment: Shikisai Moribana　色彩盛花（段組）

Arranged horizontally from back to front (layering).
Materials used: dried branches, Strelitzia (birds of paradise) and Dracaena fragans (green leaves)

Cascading style

2007-09-07T16:34:00.000+08:00

This week is back to modern style, a cascading arrangement using orchids, eucalyptus and small white daisies. i was shown a sample picture and asked to arrange it myself.
This is the result...

Kakubana 格花

2007-09-02T10:48:00.001+08:00

Kakubana (格花)is the traditional method of Ikebana, which takes the shape of an asymmetrical triangle based on the principle of harmony between man and nature. The 3 elements are heaven, earth and man. In Mishoryu school of Ikebana, these elements are called Tai, Yo and Tome (fuku).

A kakubana arrangement consists seven branches arranged to form the shape of a triangle with Tai (2 stems) being the tallest rising and facing to the right or left. Yo (3 stems) on the same side with Tai and Tome (2 stems) on the opposite side.

This is my first assignment in Kakubana arrangement.

Kakubana

2007-09-02T10:48:00.000+08:00

Kakubana (格花) was originated by Mishosai Ippo (1761-1824), the founder of the Misho School. It is the classical style of Ikebana, typical of the school.

Gift Basket

2007-08-24T09:34:00.000+08:00

After 2 weeks break, i returned to class yesterday. My assignment was to arrange a gift basket with toy and flowers. I picked a snoppy soft toy for the arrangement. Roses, eustoma, carnations, wax flowers and eucalyptus were used.

side view

front view

Triangular arrangement

2007-08-03T09:35:00.000+08:00

My assignment this week is freestyle triangular arrangement. The flowers provided were eustoma, lily, wax flowers and eucalyptus leaves. I used the lily as focal point and wax flowers for fillers.

Ikebana - Shakei Style 斜型

2007-07-26T23:13:00.000+08:00

After 2 weeks break (my teacher was on holiday), my lesson resumed earlier this evening. This is my shakei style (斜型)arrangement using a combination of Murraya Leaf, Delphinium and white carnations.

Front View ^

View at an angle ^

Spray arrangement (modern)

2007-07-06T10:21:00.000+08:00

This week's lesson is a modern style, spray-shaped horizontal arrangement using yellow roses, accentuated with hyperium and eucalyptus for greens.

Front View

Back View - decorated with 8 stems (arranged like a fish tail) and top off with a bow

Ikebana (6): elements of structure

2007-06-29T10:43:00.000+08:00

The basic elements in the formation of an Ikebana arrangement are:
1) Lines (stems)
2) Dots (single flowers)
3) Planes (leaves)
4) Masses (cluster of flowers)

An arrangement can be formed by any one or more of these elements (combination).

In this week's lesson, i learnt how to create forms in lines and dots.

Ikebana (5): flowers in a basket

2007-06-22T13:14:00.000+08:00

This week's arrangement is free-style flowers in a basket. i arranged this display with tulips, accentuated with eustoma (lisianthus) - bought by my teacher. The freshness of the flowers lifted my spirit. i am still struggling with the making of a bow out of ribbon - my fingers are not nimble for this work :0).

My teacher's comments: kawaii! 可愛い

Ikebana (4): so-sho kei style

2007-06-15T20:58:00.000+08:00

Today's arrangements:

Standing style

sosho-kei 相称型 (balanced)

We used the beautiful leafy green plant 南天 (Japanese Perulatus)for Tai and Chrysanthemum for Yo and carnations for fuku (standing), then reversed for the sosho-kei (slanting)style.

Ikebana: Lesson 3 (Int)

2007-06-08T09:56:00.000+08:00

This week's lesson is a triangular arrangement (modern style) using roses and eucalyptus for the greens.

Ikebana: Intermediate (2) O-shakei

2007-06-01T10:40:00.000+08:00

Yesterday's lesson was more difficult, as i need to create the O-shakei style (slanting) with 3 different types of flowers and Japanese pampas.

My attempt

My teacher's arrangement

Open House

2007-05-28T09:26:00.000+08:00

My school at Studio Renegade, which also conducts dance classes had an open house yesterday and i was invited to help my teacher do a few displays. These are the 3 arrangements i made for display at the reception area.

Left: Postura (depicts the graceful dance posture of Spanish dancers)
Centre: Flora Symphony (a symphony of flowers)
Right: Tropicana (Orchids being the flower of the tropics) - with a little help from my teacher, as i am still not very familiar with the L-shape arrangement.

Ikebana: Intermediate (1) Bouquet

2007-05-25T09:37:00.000+08:00

I started my first lesson in Intermediate stage yesterday. I learnt how to arrange a bouquet of roses (modern). The difficult part was in making a floral bow with ribbon for the stem holder. In the end, my teacher did it for me. Actually, i still prefer to do the traditional Japanese arrangement. Though roses are popular, i don't particularly like the flower.

Ikebana: Lesson 6

2007-05-17T22:51:00.000+08:00

Today's lesson is a traditional radial style called Hosha 放射型. This special radial style presents a strong impression. The first picture is my teacher's demo. Her arrangement is centralized (the tai consisting of 9 stems were arranged like a hill shape). There're 9 stems (horsetail) which made up the Tai, Gerbera were used for Yo and white carnations were used for Fuku.

I chose to arrange my display with a right-inclination (the stems were arranged from tallest to shortest in the direction from left to right.

Gamboge

2007-05-16T13:05:00.000+08:00

What is Gamboge? It's a rather transparent dark mustard yellow, according to this encyclopedia. See the color by clicking on the link below.

Gamboge - encyclopedia article about Gamboge.

View List of the colors & codes

Ikebana in the washroom!

2007-05-12T16:47:00.000+08:00

While on holiday in Hokkaido last week, i saw this beautiful display just at the entrance of a washroom in the shop of a Bear Ranch and another one (below) inside the washroom!

Ikebana: Lesson 5

2007-05-12T16:43:00.000+08:00

After a week's break, i resumed my lessons two days ago. My assignment was a L-shaped modern display. My teacher bought roses, greens and phoenix for my arrangement. I followed her instructions to complete this piece.

Ikebana

2007-04-27T11:25:00.000+08:00

I did this arrangement with the flowers which i brought back from class yesterday. It's placed on the altar. The white lilies have started to bloom. I've to make do with this vase since i don't have a shallower one at home.

Ikebana: Lesson 4 (conical style)

2007-04-27T09:08:00.000+08:00

The Shihoshoumen (四方正面型) is a traditional arrangement for formal occasion. The arrangement pays attention to color ranking in this order:
1. white 白 (tallest stem)
2. purple 紫 (second tallest)
3. yellow 黄 (third in height)
4. red 红 (lower)
5. scarlet 赤 (lowest)

My teacher bought white lilies, iris and red anthurium for this radial style arrangement which creates a strong impression.

My teacher's arrangement

Ikebana: Lesson 3 (modern arrangement)

2007-04-19T21:26:00.000+08:00

Today's lesson is a horizontal arrangement of roses, eucalyptus leaves and accentuated with tiny creamy little flowers (name unknown). This is a basic style (symmetrical). My teacher was very pleased with my arrangement.

Ikebana: Lesson 2 (Standing Style)

2007-04-12T21:21:00.000+08:00

i went for my 2nd lesson in Ikebana this afternoon. My assignment was to do a standing arrangement (left) based on instructions given by my teacher before she did a demo.

My teacher corrected my work by rearranging the display, which was too stiff. Hers was very graceful (below).

Later i was told to redo another display and came up with this other one, which she said was nice.

My first lesson in Ikebana

2007-03-22T20:47:00.000+08:00

My teacher is a Japanese lady, Ms Tomoko Ueda. She also conducts chado (Japanese tea ceremony) lessons. She teaches the Mishoryu （未生流）style of Ikebana

The teacher's assistant gave a brief illustration of the basic rules in Ikebana before she demonstrated a simple presentation with the flowers which she bought for me.

Then i started to work on my presentation using hers as a model.

Her comments on my work was that there's too much space between the 'tai' (left, branch representing heaven) and the 'fuku' (right, stem representing earth). It looks flat too.

First attempt
Rearranged

New hobby: Ikebana?

2007-03-22T12:41:00.000+08:00

i will be attending my first lesson in Ikebana this evening.

Looking forward to it...

Fashion Design

2007-03-22T11:11:00.000+08:00

i took up fashion design in 1994 at Bunka Fashion School, a privately run dressmaking school which also conducts fashion design classes.

My portfolio was lying in the closet until i dug it out last week and decided to digitize my works to prevent them from degenerating.

i could not scan them as they were drawn on A3 size paper while my scanner can only take up to A4 size. So i decided to take photo shots of my work with my nokia handphone.

View album of my collections :

Fashion Design

Watching wayangs

2007-03-22T10:44:00.000+08:00

i used to tag along with my sister to watch 'wayangs' (Chinese street operas) in my childhood days when we were living in the kampong. Though i didn't understand what's going on stage, my eyes were dazzled by the colourful and glittering costumes of the opera performers, particularly the Cantonese operas as they have the most beautiful costumes. During those days in the sixties, calendars of famous actresses doning period costumes were very popular. We loved to sprinkle shimmering dust onto the costumes & head-dresses of these images to give them the real life effect.

As i grew older, my interest in fashion grew but was unable to fulfill my childhood dream - learning fashion design to become a designer - there was limited avenues and opportunities for students during those days. Though i faired well in my art subject, my simple goal as a child from a poor family was to study hard and pass my 'O' level exams in order to secure a stable job.

i was able to fulfill my dream partially, learnt the art of fashion design but not becoming a designer when i quit my first career to take a break away from mainstream work in the early nineties.

ArtiCrafti - a showcase of arts and crafts

Freestyle Moribana 色彩鲜花(自由形)

Centerpiece

Nageire 個性瓶花（斜型）

L-shaped arrangement

Kakubana 格花--五行格(ごぎょうかく)

Cascading bouquet

色彩いけばな Moribana

Presentation Bouquet

O-shakei 横斜型

Kakubana (Gladiolus) グラジオラスの格花

Horizontal freestyle

Basic A-style

Welcome 2008 with a floral basket

Shikisai Moribana

Christmas Centrepiece

Shikisai Kakubana

Presentation Bouquet

Shinka 新花

Nageire

Flower gift basket for men

Kakubana

Planes and Dots

Horizontal (free style)

Shikisai Moribana 2

Autumn Garden

Shikisai Moribana 色彩盛り花

Cascading style

Kakubana 格花

Kakubana

Gift Basket

Triangular arrangement

Ikebana - Shakei Style 斜型

Spray arrangement (modern)

Ikebana (6): elements of structure

Ikebana (5): flowers in a basket

Ikebana (4): so-sho kei style

Ikebana: Lesson 3 (Int)

Ikebana: Intermediate (2) O-shakei

Open House

Ikebana: Intermediate (1) Bouquet

Ikebana: Lesson 6

Gamboge

Ikebana in the washroom!

Ikebana: Lesson 5

Ikebana

Ikebana: Lesson 4 (conical style)

Ikebana: Lesson 3 (modern arrangement)

Ikebana: Lesson 2 (Standing Style)

My first lesson in Ikebana

New hobby: Ikebana?

Fashion Design

Watching wayangs

色彩いけばな　Moribana

Shikisai Moribana　色彩盛り花