I was delighted to read Cathy's post this week celebrating the 11th Anniversary of In a Vase on Monday and she has certainly earned my congratulations on this day. I'm not quite sure when I first joined in, it was perhaps June 2015.
I haven't been on top form regarding standards of vases for these weekly gathering recently, and neither have I been a constant contributor. At the 11th hour I have decided in recognition of both Cathy and all the other people who have joined in over the years to mark this occasion. It is not with a fancy vase or a boastful range of blooms, but with just what happens to be on the mantle shelf today. Even when I don't post I will have plant material such as this adding something to rooms, which I feel don't match up to what might be expected.
Form and shape were very much in my mind when I arranged these few stems of Pittosporum Tom Thumb, picked from the garden simply to reshape the shrub. The new growth is green and the older leaf purple. As both Mr S and I react to pollen, we often have just some leaves in a vase. The feeling is very much in the vein of a house plant I suppose, and here the vase is joined by some beautifully coloured leaves of a Cercis tree which I picked up in a friend's garden. The Vase itself is a Caithness one which I found when browsing one holiday.
Over the last few weeks I began to realise that the world is getting too full of various viewpoints and opinions, seems to be unnecessarily fast and too complex, everyone seems to want to hear and give and share and discuss and influence, inform, cajole and judge. I feel more calm and am embracing simplicity, and maybe this vase reflects this.
Your vases are always unique and nicely considered. I find this one very calming.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to say so, yes calming........
DeleteNoelle, there are no expectations whatsoever on IAVOM, the idea was only ever designed to bring pleasure to the creator. If sharing it on IAVOM brought pleasure to others too, then that was a bonus - so please keep sharing your leaves or twigs or anything else that loosely falls into the category of 'material from your garden'! 😊 I love the foliage of Tom Thumb and need to give mine a good re-shaping in due course, particularlu since I fell into it! 🤣 I was reluctant to do it now though, and thought I would leave it till spring - what do you think?
ReplyDeleteRather you falling into Tom Thumb than I falling into a large cactus which I did when I was young! I suppose it depends on how cold it is with you. I don't take the shears to it, but cut to thin. I would consult more knowledgeable sources.
DeleteSimple is the best, IMO. Our brains need to get off the merry-go-round of life at least once daily! Surrounding ourselves with soothing music and beauty is key for me. Eliza
ReplyDeleteThanks Eliza
DeleteThanks for sharing your simple but thoughtfully composed arrangement, Noelle. As I reviewed my own past contributions to Cathy's meme, I was struck by how much I appreciated the simpler - and often smaller - arrangements I created by comparison to the vases I so frequently cram together. This morning I also found myself thinking that I need to simplify my garden too. The world as a whole can't be controlled but simplifying our response to it seems a very wise strategy.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wise sentiment, thank you Kris.
DeleteHi Noelle, I also grow Tom Thumb, it's a very pretty variety and I never thought of picking it for the vase but your display makes me reconsider. It looks very nice on its own. Like you I don't contribute to IAVOAM on a regular basis but it's always such fun when I do, takes my mind of the unpleasant things happening in our crazy world. Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting next week, take care
ReplyDeleteThe Pittosporums also have a pleasant smell. When in flower there is also an additional floral note which we can both tolerate.
DeleteI most eye- catching and thoughtful vase Noelle - I love the warming adornment of cercis leaves. I imagine that this vase will last for a good time. Yes it's increasingly very hard and depressing to make sense of the world but there's still much beauty and joy to be found out there. Hope to 'see' you on Sunday 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, I too am looking forward to saying hello to you. xx
DeleteTo be honest, I often prefer this type of simplistic, elegant display. I guess there's a place for simplicity and extravagance and everything in between. My mood often shifts, but I really like what you've shared here. Very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you joined in 'at the eleventh hour' and shared your arrangement… using autumn leaves is such a lovely idea, and the simplicity of just foliage is definietly calming. Your arrangements always seem so well thought out Noelle, even if they are simply picked after doing some pruning.
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