Theme .. Chelsea Flower Show 2008 .. 'Forces of Nature'

Thanks for the encouragement Adele, sure I will come up with something eventually?

Thanks Adele :)

I'm sure you'll come up with something Candee, maybe we just need more warmth to get thinking. It's been so cold here and it's MAY!

Steven

Sorry you are still in the chill zone Steven, won't be much longer I hope. Has warmed up a bit here, but raining again. I actually transplanted a few things in the rain today as I took the day off and didn't want to miss getting a few garden things accomplished.

Hi Adele and Steven and Candee!
It's less than 2 weeks until Chelsea. Apart from the floral design marquee, Is there anything else you would like me to try to take photos of?

Yep, take pics of everything. LOL You won;'t have to look at the displays cuz you wil be to buzy taking pics. Can't wait til ya go and get back.

Steve.. what a neat idea and concept. I been goign crazy trying to think of what forces of nature would represent. Stil thinking and hopefulyl somethign wil come soon.

Hi Star, ok I'll try my best to take pics of everything!!

It's supposed to be warm here....but it isn't *sigh* last summer was rather cool so hopefully this summer is a little warmer.

Star, An idea for a force of nature, you could try light(the sun).....maybe use alot of different yellow flowers or you could try wind and motion, maybe make an arrangement that looks like it was blown in the wind...............just a few ideas :)

Steven

I had that blowing in the wind idea as an upcoming theme for the arrangements forum. That is a good idea as well for the forces of nature, thanks for the reminder Steve. Terri, you and whomever you are going with should take turns with taking photos, then you would at least get to see half of the show ^_^.
Steve I sure hope you get some warmth soon. You should visit the cafe and get some hot tea or a nice cocktail and put your feet up and relax while you are waiting.

Well, good news! It's sunny out today!!! I was in the backyard watering some pots and next to the brick house it's hot! So hooooray for that!

Thanks Steve. That at least gives me some ideas to work with. Who knows by the time I get done, mine will probably look like a natural disadter and I will have racked my brain for nothing LOL.

Yep, there always a pot of tea around in the cafe and ya cna just help yourself. There cofee too, but usually not to much sugar since I use it all in my coffee ; )

I told you it would get warmer Steve, yippee for you.
Star ^_^ you are too funny, natural disaster LOL.

Well the cool temps and all that rain gave me an idea in the wee hours of the morn. What do you think of my Forces of Nature - "Snow and Ice"?
Bridal wreath of snow falling from overhead onto the tree peony drift on the ground settled over a thin layer of ice and snow and some of the ice is that nasty "blue ice"!

Gentle reminder for everyone,
"Beware, DO NOT EAT the Yellow Snow" ^_^

LOL Candee, you dag! Yellow snow, eeeewwww!
Your arrangement is beautiful and the description is quite fitting! well, I guess that settles it. Time to start arrangeing everyone! Keep your chit chat for the Cafe and post some pics!
you have been told

Sue LOL so glad you enjoyed my idea and when I woke up with the idea and thought of the yellow snow LOL, Steve said will your friend know what you mean and I said, YES everyone knows not to eat the yellow snow ^_^

Alright, I went outside early, started cutting floral material, got sidetracked, deadheaded all the flowers and did some weeding. Got back on track, made a cardboard box and glued sticks to it. Popped in some floral foam (in a plastic bag) filled it with water and poked in the stuff! Finished by lunchtime!
I call it "Aussie bushfire"

I had all this nice material that a friend gave me and it was ideal for the backdrop. This is a close up of the box (I only did the front)

I sacraficed a couple of Bromeliad flowers (which were nearly finished anyway) to use as flames

Also croton leaves, Aloe flowers, african fountain grass and A small leaved acalypha for filler

My peice-de-resistance (how DO you spell that) is a very fresh and new bird-of-paradise flower. I had fun, now go and make yours!
Oh yeah, the box was leaking water by the time I finished photographing the arrangement! LOL

This message was edited May 11, 2008 12:06 PM

Well first of all:
Pièce de résistance

Fabulous, and you sacrificed some of the broms, I am really impressed. The flame is wonderful! What a great "force of nature yu have created". That "Aussie Fire is on FIRE" Bring it on now folks the show is closer than yu think!
Candee
Now the competition is on, come and take the prize from Sue!!!

This message was edited May 10, 2008 10:30 PM

OHH LAA!! INSPIRATIONAL........... Thankyou both for this treat on a sunday morning!

Candee, What a beautiful arrangement! Snow and ice, you did a wonderful job. Love all the details with the tiny blue flowers and the pearl pins, great idea with the wreath overhead and the Peony is perfect plant material for snow! I am impressed, well done!

Sue, HOT HOT HOT! The colours are fantastic! The box of twigs looks very good, it must have taken a long time gluing them all on, but so worth the effort.
It really is a gorgeous mix of colours and textures. The crotons and broms really make it look like Aussie bush fire.The background cloth sets everything off lovely. You should be delighted with this arrangement, I think it's your best ever!

Well, I'd better get a move on! Thanks for the ideas.

Nice of you to say so Terri. I wish I'd had some yellows to lighten it up and I could have done more of a wind swept fire but theres still time. i may do another one if the urge strikes me. I've been cleaning windows all weekend! I'm not yet finished and plan to finish this weekend. Then its time to oil the veranda (2 years overdue) DH is not into home maintenance and we haave been here 6 years now. I started painting the veranda rails about 6 months ago, but came to a grinding halt when i had to move the golden cane palms. I still have one to move, so haven't yet re-started! I wish i had a house-handy-hubby!

Candee, Wow, your arrangement is exquisite,gorgeous and wonderful!
Sue, your arrangement is fantastic, wild,and hot,hot,hot!
Fire and ice, how poetic can you get? Hey, did you girls do that on purpose?:)

No, It was a 'Natural occurance' LOL

Hahahahahaha

Now I was going to tell Adele we had been "plotting" this for weeks!
Thanks for all your rave reviews - Just goes to show, great minds think alike!!! ^_^

I'm jealous of you all. : ) They are all so fanatastic. I stil working on ideas. When I think of one then look to see what I have, I don't have anythign to work with, but maybe somethign will come. been busy putting in hundreds of veggie plants , but stil hanging with ya.

Hey Star. Its alright, we'll wait! No rush, take your time and most of all, HAVE FUN!

Star, I am sure when you get it together it will be fantastic. I found that when I stopped really thinking about it, the ideas just started to flow forth.
I guess the show is coming up very soon???

Hi All...


Are the pix from the flower show going to be posted on this thread? I don't want to miss them.


Hap

Well, if not We'll make a link to get you there. Feel free to try an arrangement yourself happy!
Roses made of Autumn leaves (my Mummy showed me how)
Sue

Sue, You and Terri have the most creative, colorful imaginations that I have ever observed. That is so unique and lovely! You never cease to present the WOW factor!

Thanks....

Hap

Hi Hap, are you planning to make an arrangement for the "theme show - forces of nature"

Sure, I think I have one in my puter....somewhere....I will check.

Thanks candee! You are too kind. My Mum got an email with instructions on how to make the roses, and she sent me pics, so I had to fiddle around alot till I worked out how! Luckily I had been up to the mountains on the weekend and gathered Liquadamber leaves. They were all off one tree! Amazing the range of colours!
Hey Happy, show us your stuff!

what the heck is liquadamber!!!!!! Never heard of such a monster, does it just come out at night?

Forces of impatience are making me post, where are you Terri and where is that first photo post of the show???????/ Are you keeping us in suspense because you have been chosen to set up the show next year yourself? Would not surprise us with your creative talents, you are probably dmailing Karma and Sue to assist ^_^

Hi all, I'm back!
Got home late after the show last night and I was at work today..... no time to play!

Had a great time seeing so many wonderful plants and flowers!
The floral design marquee was quite dark and the photo's don't really show the colours very well. Sorry!

Forces of Nature........ there were 8 floral Arrangements in this section.

Volcanic Island