Rules are the number one cause of ruined fun which is why I generally do not like rules. But sometimes to do things well, you need to know them. These competitive flower arrangers know the rules.
A couple of weekends ago you may remember I fell into a glittering rabbit hole of flowers at the Hamilton Dahlia Society show. That same show coincides with a floral arranging competition every year.
They weren't the free form, unbalanced creations I mash into vases. They were architectural floral feats.
Each arrangement had to envoke a jewelled theme-Emerald, Sapphire, Pearl, Diamonds, Ruby. The judges stalked the displays, clipboards in hand, murmuring about balance and line.
I may have missed a few arrangements in the competition. Trying to part the crowds to get a good photo was tough.
Flower admirers are gentle, lovely people-until you step between them and a particularly good dahlia.
Table of Contents
Sapphire
Tranquil Waters
A Water Viewing Design
With this category, the water had to be visible.
Many of the dahlias were donated by society members, which is generous considering most of us guard our dahlias like they're actual crown jewels.
One of these masterpieces was created by an Art of Doing Stuff reader named Sandi. The photo with her arrangement is labelled.
Pearl
Two are better than One
A Stretch Design
As a layperson I believe this means the design should look stretched, the winner being crowned as the Armstrong.
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The arrangements were judged based on how well they fit the category along with other flowery judgy type reasons.
Emerald
I missed the official design prompt here, but the entries looked like something a woodland sprite would create.
Proof you don't need tons of flowers to make an arrangement as long as you have tons of greenery. And a piece of driftwood. And several types of kale.
Diamonds
Are Forever
A Transparency Design
These arrangements had the kind of precision that makes me look like I arrange flowers with salad tongs.
I'm not even very good with salad and salad tongs.
Ruby
On Fire
A Design
These were the floral version of a Flamenco guitar solo.
If next year they have the category, Didn't Abide By the Rules But Looks O.K. From Across the Street, I'll enter.
Elaine
Though not really my to my tastes I do love to see how creative floral designers are. I usually just stuff some pretty flowers into a vase without giving any thought to balance, texture, etc. Lots to learn from these experts. I look forward to seeing your entry next year.
Jennifer
These were so fun to look at and way to go Sandy!! Many are indeed works of art and I have never seen anything like them. Our county fair lamented the lack of entries for floriculture so I decided I will enter next year. I am more of a daisies in a mason jar kind of a gal, but these will inspire me big time!
Terry Rutherford
I prefer your beautiful arrangements that are flower forward. And your vases are great too. Thanks for showing us this interesting art, though. Enjoy this amazing weather in this increasingly chaotic world.