Creative Designs from Oasis

Oasis brand floral foam is a mainstay in the world of floral design. It comes in bricks, caged containers, or even in small round containers with adhesive backs that can be fixed to gifts, wall decor or anywhere you want.  Floral foam needs to be soaked for a minimum of fifteen minutes to absorb water all the way through, or a little longer for the very large bricks.

I went to the Oasis Design page on their website  and found a wide range of designs made with Oasis floral foam. Hope you have time to check out the website.  Inspiration abounds!!

http://sona.oasisfloral.com/designs/designs/designs

The following are designs I found there. The web page encourages using the pics on our blog, 
so I'm taking them up on it.  Enjoy!

The Gold Trail a Transparancy Design

Design by Jackie Nunes

Autumn Foliage ...... And so it begins.

Photos by Bill Fox

The first day of fall is past, the nights and days are getting cooler, the squirrels and other  creatures are building their winter nests.  This time of year is a favorite with me.  I soak in the last warm days and begin my nesting as well. The time honored harvesting and gathering instinct comes out full force in me.  It drives me to preserve those last garden tomatoes and peppers by freezing homemade gumbo and stews. My bringing in autumn branches, dried grass stalks, and the last of the roses and hydrangeas signals that its time to think of decorating the mantel for fall and the front steps with pumpkins and mums.

Below are the beautiful pictures from the camera of Bill Fox.  He is recording the progression of fall color in our  year of 2013.  Thank you Bill.  I am looking forward to sharing your chronicle of Autumn color.

Creative Design with Lilies

September Horticulture

Luminary and Tubular Design

Design by Jackie Nunes

Richmond Fan District Holiday House Tour

Hello Friends, 

 We are looking forward to the annual  holiday tradition of the Fan District 
Holiday House Tour. Each year several of the residents of the Fan District open 
their beautifully decorated homes to the public. All of the homes are delightful 
and so unique. Some are decorated professionally and some by the owners. Last 
year several interior designers had their homes on the tour. The designs and 
decor were beautiful.

 Shannan Hillier, the Fan District Holiday House Volunteer Coordinator, is 
looking for more  volunteers for Docents. The house tour is Saturday and 
Sunday afternoons on December 7th & 8th. The shifts are 2 1/2 hours.  If you are 
interested, please contact Shannan at shannan9999@gmail.com  Volunteers pay a 
reduced ticket price. There is a trolley and most homes are in walking distance.

 Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

Melissa

Robin's Home Garden

Robin's garden. She said that this is a pic of her lantana on crack. Ha!! Also, photos of her mandavilla entertwined with sweet potato vine.  Her historical home is surrounded by boxwoods interspersed with cannas.  Lovely.

Richmond Designers Guild Flower Show ... Small stretch design

Petite Award

Abstract Designs

Designs by Jackie Nunes

Underwater Design

Design by Jackie Nunes

Chester Garden Club Fall BBQ

The Chester Club had a wonderful evening of fun at their annual Fall BBQ at the home of Joe and Carol White.   Additional photos in the Club page to the right.

Designs by Jackie Nunes

For several years I have enjoyed receiving the Floral Design Newsletter by email.  It is written by Jackie Nunes and showcases wonderful original designs. Jackie is a Master Flower Show Judge Emeritus, and the President of the Sacramento California Designers Guild. She has had her designs in the Vision of Beauty Calendars that we all know and love.  You may sign up for her newsletter by sending a note to her at Ikenobo@aol.com. Her website is Www.floraldesignnewsletter.com

Below is a sample of her tubular designs:
(Used with permission)

Abstract Design by Jackie Nunes

Good Lord, this is Greek to Me .... An abstract design

An interview with Phillipa Smith.

As I was looking forward to next month's designs, I began to read the handbook definition for an abstract. They lost me at the phrase ... "Components are chosen in order to contribute toward a non-realistic, non-naturalistic and non-representational design." My normally soft "oh, my" turned into a resounding "Good Grief, what does that mean?" So, I shot off an email to our judges and received a great phone call from Phillipa. I have posted her chat in the Abstract page to the right. Hope it helps.

"Asian Touch" an oriental design by Barbara Micou, Melissa Ray, Winnie Fornash and Elaine Minga

A Stretch and a Luminary Design by Elaine Minga

"Bridge Too Far". A stretch design

Design by Susan Henry

Design by Susanne Hillier

Design by Ann Stuart

Chester Garden Club - September

The Club started out the year with a bang. We welcomed three new members and had 27 artistic designs and 71 pieces of horticulture submitted this month. Way to go ladies!

"Summer's Promise Fulfilled"
A stabile design

Design by Susanne Hillier

Design by DorisCrowell

Virginia Naturalist, Bill Fox photography

Bill Fox has a flair with the camera as you can  see. As a certified Virginia Naturalist, he was a wonderful speaker for our Garden Club and shared his photography and love of Virginia's  natural beauty with us.   More info and photos are on his page in the column to the right. 

Richmond Council Design program