Philly Flower Show (Part 3)

The landscape exhibition at the PFS was so impressive.

This is just one of them. It is hard to imagine how much work it was to do this type of large scale landscape complete with ponds in the convention center. Just forcing all the trees and flowers to bloom this time of the year in Philadelphia alone is a daunting task.

Philly Flower Show (Part 2)

It took awhile to upload all of the pressed flower competition pictures. The entries are amazing. Click the link to view my album.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=51diydl5.a84nil1p&x=0&y=dbhs8c
I tried to associate pictures with name, class, and award but I could be wrong in some cases. If anyone sees any mistakes, please contact me. It is hard to remember every picture's details. I was busy just enjoying to view all the beautiful entries.

Philly Flower Show (Part 1)

I went to the Philadelphia Flower Show and served as a judge. This is the first time I have physically been in the show. I had great time. Judging was very difficult since all of the entries are so good. We worked from 8am to 2:30pm to finish submitting all the categories and best of the blues. This one has received the best of the blues. It is such a master piece. We can't stop looking at all the details.

Many of the guild members have participated. I am very happy to see that. Many have won ribbons.



There was a student judge with us. I found out that they have to serve as a student judge (their points would not be counted) to learn before they could serve as a regular judge. She told me that her mentor told her to go to Kate Chu's website to learn about pressed flowers before coming to the show. Wow! I am so honored. Many other judges knew about me too. I worked very well with the other two judges in our team. They said that they have actually learned a few things from me. I am glad.

Meeting Friends from Japan

Sandy, Stella, Ruby and I were invited by our Japanese friends to have a dinner together. What a great pleasure and honor!

Sandy is our translator. She has helped us to communicate and getting the details of class that Mr. Nobuo Sugino will teach down. I can't wait for the conference! I will write up what we have talked and let Mr. Sugino to see first before I post on the guild's website.

It is so much fun to exchange with all the flower lovers. Some Japanese pressed flower artist's business cards use real pressed flowers. It is too bad that I have been so busy with my work that I have only made some bookmarks for them last night. Many brought gifts to us. It is so interesting to see botanical materials used so many different ways. They also gave us some books. Oh Mine! All I had were some flowers pressed in 2008 in return. Oh well, this is all I can manage with the little time I have right now.

Although we have some language difficulties but we have no problem when communicating about flowers. It is so exciting meeting so many sharing the same passion from another country. Well, hope I will be able to go to Japan and spend some time seeing more.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year is coming on Thursday. Since it is in the middle of the week, we are celebrating it on weekends. I have a few flowers/plants at home for the holiday.

Chinese paper white is a traditional New Years flower. It has a light scent. Flower is white with yellow cup. Chinese describe it being golden bowl with silver plate. This Chinese chrysanthemum is a new color this year. Flower is red but with golden yellow on the bottom. I hope it will press out well. The orchid was a Christmas gift from a co-worker. Can you see it is still going very strong? I bought the lucky bamboo last year. It has grown a lot in a year.

Pressing Poinsettia

I saw this new poinsettia with lighter spots in a local supermarket right after Thanksgiving. I just love the colors! It has done its Chirstmas decoration duties. Now it is well after the New Year, it is time to press.

It presses well with a Microfleur. I have been distributing this press.

Normally, one uses the cotton sheets that come with the press but I like to use a kitchen towel with brand name of VIVA.

Cut the color leaves out and lay them over the towel. Cover with another sheet of towel and pad. Lock the press and put into microwave over. I use high for 1 minute. It presses out beautifully. Dried color leaves are slightly darker than fresh ones.

Some small pressed flower items

Work has kept us super busy. I feel that I need to work on some flower items to relax. I brought some small projects thinking to work at lunch time but there has been importing meetings at that time too. This pair of earrings was done a few months ago. I have worn it several times. I meant to make more earrings but have not made more with pressed flowers. My latest earrings were all beads and crystals.

Today I started something but the first try did not work too well. Anyway, I have made a few pendants. I think it is more difficult to make these pendants than working on a picture but it has been fun.

The flower pot was actually made as a children’s class sample. I cannot believe how well it has stand over the years. I can't believe it has been 5 years already.

I called the wholesale flower shop asking for boronia. I don't want to miss it again this year. The guy said its blooming time will be late this year. Hopefully it will not be blooming on the testing week.

Framed a couple more pictures tonight. I really have to pack all the finished ones to storage. House is mess with everything out.