Filtering by Category: just for fun

Lilies...And More!

Added on August 5, 2013 by the ikebana shop.

On the recommendation of ikebana student, Patti V., we visited Harbour Breezes on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. It's a place that sells lilies and irises.

The lilies were in full bloom! We did not intend to buy any plants this time but the owners were very kind and told us to feel free to roam around and take pictures. So we did!

They practically filled one side of a hill with lilies and other flowers!

The colours were, of course, incredible....

....and there was a good view of Jeddore Harbour too!

Also, close your eyes and simply enjoy the myriad of scents!

Don't forget the Japanese irises!

Reminded us of Ogata Korin's Kakitsubata folding screens. They're depicted in the 5000-yen note too!

Other blooms could be seen too!

Poppy.

Lotus.

We had a delightful time! ...and now we know where to buy beautiful flowers the next time we get into our gardening mood! :-)

If you want to find out where we had our meals and snacks, click here!

Making Our Own Sakura

Added on February 6, 2013 by the ikebana shop.

The temperatures in Halifax are still mostly below zero but we thought we'd hurry spring up a bit by making our own cherry blossom branch!

It's not a real cherry tree branch. Probably maple.

We made the flowers using Japanese watermark tissue. It's very light, just like sakura petals. Looks delicate but actually the tissue is quite strong.

Each petal was hand-cut. The flowers were formed by rolling and twisting the petals together.

Then, the blooms were glued onto the branch!

It's hanging on our shop window. Please come and see. Hope you like it!

We have a selection of Japanese watermark tissues available at the shop. Perhaps for your next project? :-)

Mopping The Floor

Added on January 27, 2013 by the ikebana shop.

If you see us mopping the floor...
Don't even hesitate. Just set your foot inside our door.
We prefer your company and a dirty floor,
To a clean but empty store.

:-)

Gift Of Grass

Added on November 21, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

A friend, knowing how we love all sorts of branches, dropped these off for us. They are great for tall arrangements! Thank you, Heather!

Does anybody know what they are called?

The Bashful Mimosa

Added on August 27, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Thought we'd share this unusual plant we had found during our holiday in Cuba. It is a tropical weed that closes its leaves when touched! Its scientific name is Mimosa Pudica...the Latin "pudica" meaning "shy or bashful".

Other common names are "touch-me-not" and "makahiya" (meaning "to be on the shy side" in the Filipino language). They are fun to play with but they do have thorns so touch only the leaves!

Shop Log: Taste Testing

Added on March 23, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Shop's Log. Halifax NS. March 23rd, Friday, 15:47.
Weather: Sunny, 10°C.

One of the perks of being a shopkeeper is being able to test new products. Today, I had to test some....[drumroll please]...chocolate truffles! All eleven flavours! Get ready to salivate: cappuccino, maple, peanut, mint, double dark, hazelnut, raspberry, milk, caramel almond, and orange.

Man.. after all that, I was feeling blissfully bloated. (^_^)

A hot cup of houjicha (pan roasted Japanese green tea) helped take that sweet edge off the palate. Test result: Pass with flying colours! Now, we're putting together some nice packaging ideas. Give us a few more weeks...might need some more taste testing! He! He!

Our New Shop Window Display

Added on September 10, 2011 by the ikebana shop.

Have you seen our new shop window display? They're made of origami. Maybe we're trying to keep the sun a little longer with us! (^-^)

Origami Spinning Top

Added on May 18, 2011 by the ikebana shop.

We made an origami spinning top and we thought you might like to see what it looks like and what it does. It is made from 3 sheets of square origami paper. No cutting, no pasting.

We are thinking of including this in our next origami workshop. No date has been decided yet so please wait for our announcement.

Enjoy!

This origami top is made from 3 sheets of square paper. No cutting, no pasting!

Tsurushi-bina

Added on February 19, 2011 by the ikebana shop.

In celebration of Girls’ Day (Mar 3rd), we display these hanging stuffed ornaments called tsurushi-bina. Mothers hand-make them as a prayer for the health and well-being of their daughters.

Tsurushi-bina