Christmas Cards

I had fun making some Christmas cards in the weekend.

The scanned image is losing the golden shine. The gold leaves are against some dark leaves to form poinsettia. I have used rice flower for its center. It is mounted on cream colored velour paper and then on a dark green card embellished with gold/copper metallic ribbon.

The words “Let It Snow” are cut with petals. I have used Queen Anne's Lace for the snow on a piece of silk paper. It is mounted on silver foil and then on a white card that I have stamped Seasons Greetings with blue and blue/purple ink embossed. I have also embellished the card with silver ribbon.

Santa is made with petals. It is a simple design but time consuming. However, it was fun making it. The pressed flower design is mounted on a golden paper and then mounted on a red card. The bottom of the card is stamped "Merry Chrismas" in gold and embossed.

I have used a square puncher to create the window penal. One can open the card to review the full Christmas tree. It took some try on another piece of paper to get used to with the Fiskars anywhere punch. After understanding how to allight the punch, it was such fun creating window panel cards.

The Chrismas tree is created on slightly smaller card and then mounted inside of the window card.

A contemporary design on golden paper. The red flower is actually 3 ixora flowers stacked up. I just love this effect! A friend gave me the baby holly leaves. They press out black! How lovely they look in this card? The background is a gold metallic paper.

I just love the curve lines!

Taking Silk Painting Class

I had lots of fun yesterday taking a silk painting class at a local art store. I have tried botanical printing on silk before and have used silk a lot in my pressed flower art but have not tried my hands into silk painting.

Teacher Erica is a professional in unique silk garments, silk accessories, and scarf designs.

What I really like taking this class is that everything was prepared for us. We get to try different products and different techniques. It is always fun learning something new.

Erica showed us about the wooden frame and how to pin the silk fabric onto frame. It is not as complicated as I thought. We used a canvas frame and just thumb nails.

We did not have to worry about stretching at first. Just make sure the pins are down straight and secure. After getting a couple of pins down on two corners, then we started to pay attention to stretching. Secure all 4 corners first. Then 4 middles. Then 1/2 way between all the corners and middles.

There should be a gap between silk fabric and the frame.

We used small Chinese brush for this class.

Then we made a tic-tac toe with resist and made sure all the lines are solid.

Erica asked us to take the resist painted fabric under the sun to dry faster while she talked about what we will do.

We have learned salt method, rain drop method, gradient wash, embellishment. I find it is similar to watercolor but with some differences. Once you make a darker mark on the silk, you can’t really fix it by adding more water. The edges of the color patch will show. All you can do is to add more texture to the design. The left one is mine. The dyes dry quickly under the sun. Then when we get home, we need to iron the piece for color fasting. Then we wash the resist out.

Other students in the same class were also waiting for their paints to dry.

I love this effect. It is too bad that display would not show the shimmring of gold well.

What do I do with the silk painted? I have cut one corner out this morning and spent 10 minutes getting this picture below.

Of course I can do the same color schemes with paper but there is this richness and body that silk has above all the papers. One has to see it in person to appreciate silk.

My First Impression of England–PFG Spring Conference Part 1

Although I have gone through London airport several times, this was my first time visiting England.

After going through passport checking, we retrieved our luggage and walked out toward exit. I was able to find an ATM near exit.

Signs at the airport were very clear. After a short walk, I have arrived at the Central Bus Station. Bus fare to Oxford was 22 pounds.

The highway looks very similar to what we have in the US but everyone drives on the other side instead. There where wild flowers along the roads. The trees were blooming too.

The countryside is so beautiful with rolling yellow and green fields.

Oxford is just like I have imagined.

There were white flowering trees everywhere. I had to get closer to see what is it and if pressable. Oh, it is hawthorn and pressed beautifully.

The countryside is so beautiful with rolling yellow and green fields.

I am so impressed with the name tags. Each one is handmade with real pressed flowers. What a fantastic job this was! I will save it for a long time.

As soon as I walked into the Holiday Inn, I saw PFG members sitting in the hallway doing check-in. Denise spotted me right away. It was so good to see her again! I also saw other old friends that I have met in WWPFG conferences. And then I get to meet my roommate. She showed me our room. After freshen up, I have looked at my roommate’s flowers. Wow! I got a sheet of flowers from her.

Pray For Friends in Japan

It has been 11 days since the devastating earthquake hit Japan. My friends from IPFAS headquarter office are safe. However, there are many members living in the affected areas. Praying for everyone in Japan…

2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show Part 6

Class 145 "La Boheme'

1st place- Carol Lipson, USA

2nd place- Andrea Means, USA

2nd place- Linda Conrad, USA

3rd place- Dorothy Yacek-Matulis, USA

HM- Ludmilla Garro, USA

HM- Micki Wach, USA

2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show Part 5–My Friends

We will take a small break from all the exciting pressed flower pictures to talk about all the happy moments for me in Philly. The best was meeting all the friends.

I have served as an advisor to judges this year. I don’t have to do the hard work of scoring entries but I took all the apprentice judges under my wing. Plus I have the responsibility of answering all the questions from judges.

I got in Philly Friday night. We had a quick look before the show after dinner. Pressed Plant area were all setup at that time but there are still many people busy working on other displays.

The doors were opened in the morning on Saturday since many people were still doing setup. I had to wear my thick tight that I have found in Hong Kong to double up since my California pants are not made for withstand cold weather. I also have thermo underwear. I am just not used to wearing so many layers. Fortunately it is not so bad that we have to wear the thick jacket.

Every year we meet on Sunday to have Chinese food. Chinatown is just next to the convention center. This small restaurant is our favorite.

I have just received a thank you card from one of the judges I worked with in the show. I am so moved. Actually, I was just doing what I supposed to. Rita (Chair person) has asked me right after judging whether they can count on me being an advisor next year. I like to but still cannot promise. It is too far away. I have to check if I can get away from work.

2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show Part 4

Class 144 " The Louvre"- Class Commendation awarded

1st place- Eugenia Ivanova, Russia

2nd place-Linda Conrad, USA

3rd place-Marie Ann Robinson, USA

HM- Theresa Phillips, USA

HM- Jacqueline Harrington, USA

I like to mention two things here:

1. Pressed flower art is different from painting because flowers/leaves not only have colors but also own form and texture. In the exhibitor guild page 21, it clearly stated “All pressed material must be flat. Use well-pressed flowers, leaves, fruits, or vegetables without tears or blemishes.” Judges are being asked to grade pressed materials. It is like diving or ice skating competition, degree of difficulties plus well pressed earn higher grade in this area. If all of the materials are crumbled to tiny pieces, you have just rubbed yourself a chance to earn high grade in pressed flower area.

2. This class clearly stated “THE LOUVRE—Create your very own masterpiece, inspired by a French artist; the artist must be named on the entry form”. It is asking you to create your own picture, not a replication of a master.

Final results show how judges score and view entries.