What an amazing Bank Holiday weedend. Hot sun and no rain. That's not right!
This weekend was our local village Produce and Handicraft show. It's a pretty impressive show for a small village. Lovingly nurtured giant leeks and onions are in evidence not to mention fantastic gladioli and plenty of cakes and jam. We've been here for 3 shows and this is my first time of entering so I'm cheating a bit and showing your my entries. They are in a vase and it is Monday so I think that counts.
This class was 'Vase of cottage garden flowers and foliage':
Everything is in here which I could find which was vaguely cottagy though I stuck the pink side of the spectrum. I even found some honeysuckle flowering.
I'm not going to give you a run down of my prizes. Suffice to say that I did well and most of my entries won something but bear in mind that there were often only 2 or 3 entries in the class!
The next is Top vase. This was to be between 5 and 10 stems of 2 or more kinds of plant but NO extra foliage.
I found that hard as I almost always add foliage. Truth is this was put together in a couple of minutes as I had run out of time and what I'd planned wasn't going to work. I found this vase hidden away and thought it went well with the colours of the flowers. I think it was very cheap and bought years ago but is a good shape and colour
These are Labyrinth and Rip City Dahilas and amaranthus. Foliage on the stems is allowed.
It was up against some giant gladiolus but I think it held it's own. I wouldn't put huge upright yellow glads with pink roses round the bottom but that's all I'm saying. 😊
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| Dahlia - Labyrinth
I didn't enter any of the proper floral art, I don't think it would have done my stress levels any good. Some of it was amazing and probably hours of work and, of course, bought flowers. I did try a button hole, though, just dipping my toe in the water. I'm quite pleased with it as I've only ever made two and the first one was the day before as a practice. It'a a bit droopy by the time you see it here.
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Japanese painted fern, hibiscus flower, Ammi flower, Thyme 'Silver Posie' and Achillia 'The Pearl'.
That was my fun for the weekend. Now I'm off the enjoy the sunny day.
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for lots of fantastic ideas and fun In a Vase on Monday.
ps I'll be spending my prize money on seeds!
Well done for your successes at the village show. Good for entering too as it is sad if no one bothers. I love the Dahlia Labyrinth; and your image of it is excellent too, I'll have to look out for that one. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lot of work goes into the organisation that it's really good to support and, of course, it will die out if no-one enters. It's all good fun.
DeleteLovely and how exciting. Well done! I entered a small flower show this year for the first time and it was fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd how did you do? What did you enter?
DeleteCongratulations on your prize-winning arrangements! All three are as delightful as the sunny weekend you describe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it has been a delightful weekend.
DeleteWhat an exciting and fun weekend and well done on your winning entries! Like the look of Labyrinth too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, my practice here stood me in good stead! Labyrinth was from Sarah Raven and is brighter than I expected but very lovely.
DeleteThese are wonderful and congrats on the prize money....I can't think of a better way to spend it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful arrangements. Those dahlias are gorgeous. Congrats. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHi Alison, Such beautiful arrangements! Cottage gardens are my favorite. I never would have thought to use Love-Lies-Bleeding in an arrangement. It's lovely and Labyrinth Dahlia is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Mine too, so I thought I was safe in that class.
DeleteYou did a GREAT job, Alison! I adore the 'Labyrinth' Dahlia, which was at the top of my list when I signed into an on-line tuber sale early this year but sold out before I even reached check-out. I'd have struggled with the "no extra foliage" rule too but I think you mastered the challenge.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you. Hopefully you'll get Labyrinth this year. The rules were very precise for this class which put me off a bit, but I'm glad I had a go. It also had to be viewed from all sides.
DeleteTerrific entries - I expect you ranked well!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Well, the entries were few in number but I was pleased.
DeleteBeautiful creations and I laughed out loud at your gladiola comment.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I tickled you. Everyone's taste is different and they were stunning blooms.
DeleteOh well done Alison! Such shows are great fun to participate in whether you win a prize or not. And there was cake too :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun, yes and lots of cake and a raffle of course!
DeleteHow exciting Alison...I love village shows. With your range of flowers its not surprising you brought home the cash!!!! The button hole is exquisite. Thanks for the bouquet, I was enjoying the sunshine so much yesterday, I've only posted a today, and you deserve all the credit.
ReplyDeleteIt was an impressive show for a little village. The weekend was certainly fabulous, much less so today.
DeleteCongratulations Alison! Wish we had such shows here too. Sounds fun. Love the dahlia. :)
ReplyDelete