Yes, it's the big ole ornamental cabbage. I know. But I had to. It's the second week of OC&K Challenge don't you know?
Not all the OC&K Challenge entries need to be "planted," you can put together a ornamental cabbage and kale arrangement in a vase...
The garden elements include a few leaves and sprigs of Virginia creeper...
I had to include it...that color...
The dried pods of Colutea arborescens.
The buds of Grevillea victoriae 'Murray Valley Queen.
And a few branches of Grevillea australis.
Putting this arrangement together it occurred to me there is something Aeonium-like about ornamental C&K. Seriously! Big fleshy rosettes of foliage. And yes, there is an element of making-due in that statement (if you can't have this, how about that?).
I also included a couple of Lunaria seed pods, they grow like weeds (haha) in a nearby field. I guess that's a second cheat. But how could I not?
So while I was composing these tranquil shots something entirely different was going on behind the scenes. And my neutral background? Well...it's all a facade
Keeping it real! Here's my photography studio, the corner of our bathroom and a sturdy woven placement atop the trash can. While photographing I was attacked by a 20-lb dog..."you will let me sit on your lap"...
"You will let me snuggle in"
"In fact I'm so comfortable I think I'll just take a nap"
You just never know what's going on behind the scenes...
But wait, I'm not done yet. That vase went over to a friend's house, I needed to make an arrangement to keep at home. This one includes pretty much all the same elements, but it's in an old wooden cheese box that I've had for ages. My mom, grandma, and I used to hit up antique stores and sales and this is a remnant from those days. I'm so glad I've hung onto it all these years.
Of course the words "process cheese American" aren't terribly appetizing, if you think about it. We won't think about it...since it's in the center of our dining table.
I do love the white mini-pumpkins.
And this celebrating autumn thing really is helping with my mental state and the loss of summer.
I'm joining up with Cathy (Rambling in the Garden) as she hosts In a Vase on Monday. I hope she won't be too annoyed with me for featuring store-bought cabbages front and center. If you're considering making your own ornamental cabbage or/and kale arrangement please do so and send me a photo (spiky plants at gmail dot com) - I'll post it along with the other entries in the OC&K Challenge, which ends Nov 1. Have fun!
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Love both of these (first one a bit more) and appreciate the glimpse into the "studio". :)
ReplyDeleteThe paint color, the soft diffused light from a frosted window, it works! I wonder if the next time you see that background you'll think "bathroom!"...
DeleteIn fact, we NEVER know what lengths someone has gone to in order to achieve that perfect photo. :-) Always love the "Pony" posts!
ReplyDeleteI saw something the other day that made fun of the perfect Instagram photo by showing what was going on just outside of frame. Good stuff.
DeleteOh I so enjoyed reading your post today and had a good laugh at the Photographer's Assistant - not really a laughing matter when they are sitting on your knee, I suppose! You have done a great job with the material supporting your ornamental cabbages and I especially like your second 'vase' which was most definitely celebrating the autumn season. Thanks for sharing, Loree
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me cheat without getting a scolding!
DeleteAnother set of unique creations! Funny enough I have yet to spot ornamental cabbages for sale here...
ReplyDeleteReally? That's interesting. I was up in the Seattle area last weekend and noticed a lack of them at an open air mall which usually plants up all their spaces with loads and loads of them in the fall. A backlash?
DeleteOh my these are lovely...the first in the structure and colors with so many elements from the fall garden...and the second box is equally gorgeous....I never do grow cabbages as the cabbage white butterfly caterpillars destroy them...but oh they do make a lovely arrangement.
ReplyDeleteI've been buying mine at local nurseries and haven't noticed in hitchhiking pests, yet. (knocks on wood)
DeleteBoth arrangements look great, Loree! You are making the most of the OC&K challenge. Despite the weekend's intense heat, I made a foray to my local garden center this weekend and checked about for ornamental cabbage and kale. (Okay, my purpose was to use the one-day only 20% off coupon for some planting mix but I DID check around for OC&K - even though it was over 100F.) Nothing! I found nothing. I'll check my supermarket this week when I do my regular (dreaded) rounds - at least the supermarket should be cool. Lila is very sweet - at least she just wants affection, unlike Pipig who's jealous of flower arrangements and tries to disassemble them give half a chance.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe try Home Depot? They seem uniquely adapt at bringing in climatically inappropriate plants. I was glad to see a shot of Pipig in your vase post, such a gorgeous kitty.
DeletePeeking behind the scenes is always fun. I read an article once about the strange goings-on leading up to food photography. You wouldn't want to eat the stuff no matter how scrumptious they get it to look.
ReplyDeleteI've read many extra chapters so as not to disturb the cat in my lap.
Oh now I'm imagining all sorts of disgusting things!
DeleteLove both arrangements. I need to get my thinking cap on for this OC&K Challenge. My cat thinks every time I sit down it's an invitation for her to sit on me, usually on my chest, not my lap. She thinks she's a scarf.
ReplyDeleteYep...start your OC&K engines!
DeleteA kitty scarf, you had me chuckling at that one.
Best part is seeing behind the scenes. I think figuring out where to take the photo is the hardest part of putting the bouquet together!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Too busy of a background and you can't even see the composition.
DeleteHow sweet to have a friend "help" you with your photography session. Thanks for the idea of using Virginia Creeper in an arrangement. But of course! Your location, lighting, and set worked perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI had a few leftover VC leaves, too beautiful to just toss, so I laid them on the mantle. They lasted (without water) for days before starting to curl up. Who knew!?
Deletei thought about getting a silver pumpkin at Drake's recently but then thought "oh god, here I am ripping off Loree's style again!" :)
ReplyDeleteOh Fifi you're giving me too much credit! Rip away, I'm hardly original.
DeleteThey are both so gorgeous, I can't possibly pick a favorite. Well, actually - that snuggly cutie Lila is priceless!
ReplyDeleteYa, she's a keeper.
DeleteI love the behind the scenes shots. As soon as you're down at their level, it's on! Lila has such cute salt and pepper hair. Cool arrangements too. I like the old box.
ReplyDeleteYes! I was telling Andrew about the attack and he said "she never does that to me"...to which I had to point out he never sits on the floor.
DeleteI like the touches of white in the cabbages staged in the box with the white pumpkins and red Grevillea buds, they look very festive. The Lunaria seed pods add some nice beiges to go with the box, too. Processed American cheese was really popular when I was a child...
ReplyDeleteI remember my grandparents always had Velveeta in their refrigerator. My brothers loved it, but even back then I was a cheese snob.
DeleteWonderful! And love the back story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marian!
DeleteInreally enjoyed this post - lovely elements for your vases today! I love the way that creeper seems to be moving towards the wall begging to get climbing again! And I loved the extra photos behind the scenes too! ;-)
ReplyDelete