Philadelphia Flower Show- Count Your Lucky Stars

 This is another of the miniature niche categories. It was called "Count Your Lucky Stars," and was a "novice" class open only to competitors who have never won a blue ribbon on a minature arrangement at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Honorable mention went to this entry. What you possibly can't see is that the paper has a list of things the writer is grateful for. The ink drop is an apple seed, which is the only plant material in the arrangement. Judges said it was a nice idea, but they thought the apple seed was out of proportion. I don't get that... it seems the right size for an ink drop, but I would have expected more plant use.

Third place went to this one which I don't understand at all. I don't even think it's attractive, and I don't get what it has to do with being lucky. Maybe I'm just dense. Judges said "it was a unique and playful interpretation of the class title, but the forms compete for dominance and rhythm."

Second place would have had a better chance if the contestant had been more careful with the construction. The background paper isn't attached smoothly and the wire hanger is just ugly. The judges called it "restrained yet whimsical," but said exactly what I just did about the mechanics. What you may not be able to see is that there are tiny stars glued to the flowers.

The clear first-place winner is this one. Judges called it "delicate and delightful," but they thought the magnolia leaf was too large. There are punched out stars in the leaf as well as all the stars mounted on wires. The "starry thing" at the top is a painted part of a passion flower.

The day was cold and windy- it did not inspire me to get much done. However, I did work on pet projects and went shopping for groceries and items for some household repair jobs. Stay tuned. Ho hum. I'm really ready for some warmer days.

See PFS- Shining Through