Monday, January 25, 2016

In a Vase on Monday - The Goodwill Challenge

No, it's not another Challenge in the same vein as the Ornamental Cabbage & Kale Challenge or the Poinsettia Challenge – this one's personal. Issued directly to me, and only me...quietly at the Goodwill. You see I'd spotted this...

And was very intrigued. It immediately reminded me of the beloved Circle Pot from Potted...

But yet, it wasn't quite right, there was something vaguely "Nagel" about it. Which gave me an unpleasant shudder and sent me looking elsewhere. Finally, I circled back around. It had really fired up my imagination. 60% horrid, 40% good...and it did match the tile around my fireplace...maybe I should buy it? At the huge price of $2.99...it was hardly going to break the bank either way, but I'm not a fan of accumulating clutter, just because it was cheap.

Then I realized what else it reminded me of. Circle pot from Potted = good. Sculptura Circle (Donut) Phone from the 1970's = not so good. Don't know what I'm talking about? This photo (found here) should help...

Yes, and lucky me I had one of those in my room as a teen. Go figure. The final straw was a fellow shopper who decided to lecture me on how "wrong" the shape was for a vase. "It will, you know, contain the flowers, hold them back...don't buy it, nope...nope...nope." Well okay then, that settles it, I couldn't pay for it fast enough.

But what to put in it? Something with a blush of burgundy, like the new growth on the Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue'.

Subtle

And not so subtle. Love this combo but there's no way I'm cutting a branch from my variegated Daphniphyllum.

Maybe...

In the end I went with the Melianthus foliage mixed with a couple sprigs of Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'. I liked it – but decided it needed one more element, something to break up the green...

Lupinus albifrons!

I like how the color contrasts, while the shape echoes the Euphorbia.

The finished item. Do you notice something missing? Something that was in the photo just above? Ya – I'd created a two-horned monster. Ugh. So one of the Melianthus stems was chopped, sadly that took away the blush of color too, but once I'd seen the horns I couldn't unsee them and it had to go.

Have you noticed I'm working on this arrangement outside?

It was a GLORIOUS 59 and sunny. I was giddy. My apologies to those of you suffering the winter storm on the east coast – but I was experiencing a severe case of spring fever.

So that's that. My answer to the Goodwill Challenge...

More vases filled with gardeny goodness can be seen over on Rambling in the Garden – our hostess for this weekly adventure.

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

39 comments:

  1. Vase so wrong, made right by enhancing the roundness and letting just enough color through.

    I've issued myself a challenge based on your success. Find something that works in the crazy Timo Sarpaneva vase I just had to have. Maybe not next week, but soon...maybe.

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    1. How exciting! I hope you do it and share the result!

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  2. Oh Loree I can see why you bought this...I love odd shaped vases, and you certainly have met the challenge....fabulous garden material. I am glad someone is experiencing spring fever somewhere.

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    1. Thanks Donna! And with the spring garden shows coming up next month (in Seattle and Portland) I'm doomed...spring on the brain.

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  3. I had a good giggle as I read this Loree - I loved your thought processes and how you took the 'precious' vase round the garden with you to choose the contents, and then the horns...! You found the perfect foliage that picked out the red of the vase, even though there was rather too much in the way of melainthus! Thanks for sharing and bringing a feelgood factor to our Mondays!

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    1. Glad to bring giggles Cathy, if we're not laughing we're doing something wrong.

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  4. I love that the clincher was the busy body lecturing you on how it didn't work. I see I'm not the only one with a contrary streak. I'm amazed Melianthus is already growing in Portland. It really has been a mild year.

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    1. Oh Evan, it's a good thing my mom doesn't chime in here very often or she'd have a thing or two to say about my contrarian nature! Regarding the Melianthus I don't know that it's ever actually stopped growing. I did bite the bullet yesterday and chop it back. Post to follow.

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  5. LOVE this! And your Goodwill vase is a keeper.

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  6. So happy you snagged this vase, and the Lupinus albifrons is the perfect pop for your arrangement!
    Oh, I just thought of a second use for your new vase,imagine it on your arm and 'voila' you've got a purse! A new trend in the making, Loree! Can you see it???

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    1. Actually as I carried it up to the check-out at the store I had that feeling, of carrying a handbag. Of course there is the issue that my phone and wallet would barely fit in there...leaving me no room for reading glasses, keys, lipstick...

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  7. It's only that you had that phone. The rest of us took one look at that color and shape and your fireplace surround and shouted "Buy it." Only one more thing needed to make it the perfect arrangement: a red onion!

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    1. Yes, I suppose the phone did leave it's mark. And don't tempt me with talk of the onion, I might have to go and do up something "old masters" inspired.

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  8. I'm surprised you hesitated for one second on the red vase. I'd have immediately headed to checkout with it, even if red isn't my favorite color. Your story and those of some of the other IAVOM contributors also have me thinking that I REALLY need to spend some time at my local Goodwill and Sally shops.

    As usual your arrangement is inspired. I love the foliage combination. I think I also "need" that Lupinus.

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    1. "Sally"...I've never heard of Sally shops. You've got me curious! And yes, you do "need" the Lupine. Really.

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  9. Oh, yes...and the lupine foliage picks up the color of the nearby Tillandsia. Funny how fellow shoppers at Goodwill are often quick to chime in with opinions. Did your "helper" see you put your find in your cart? I have a vase exactly that shape but black. I don't use it often but when it's right, it's right.

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    1. I wondered if anyone would notice the Tillandsia tie-in, unintentional but quite nice! And now that you mention it I was fairly certain I'd seen that vase before in black. Good to know whom it belongs to.

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  10. Goodwill finds are the best! I'm with Ms. Wis. on the buy it side of the thing but then I'm all about the cheap clutter. Beautifully done arrangement and impeccable placement as always!

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    1. You have achieved a certain "layered look" although I don't think anyone would mistake it for cheap clutter.

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  11. I love it!!! It is beautiful.

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    1. There was almost too much of it, I'm glad the silver neutralized it a bit.

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  13. Love the vase, love the arrangement. It's art. Ok, and I'll admit I sort of like the phone, too........

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  14. This is simply splendid--and the color is a perfect match to some of my Bauer ringware and Monterey Moderne. I would have snatched it up in 2 seconds !

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    1. You're killing me! Someday, someday, I will get to see your collection in person!

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  15. Wow, what a find of a container. The Goodwill here has a good supply of broken Happy Meal toys and particle board furniture, nothing like that.

    Beautiful foliage arrangement. It looks just right. Do you have florist foam or anything in there to keep things secure?

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    1. The PNW Goodwills have always been a source for surprises. There can be long (very long) dry streaks but the well never completely dries up. I wonder where all the good used stuff goes in your part of the world?

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    2. Sorry...I missed the floral foam question. Nope. "The handle" part of the vase allowed me to wedge the Melianthus in there in such a way that it provided a framework that is holding everything in place.

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  16. I don't blame you for working outside--I'd do the same thing if it was that warm here. It would be a sin not to! I like the color of your vase much better than the yellow circle phone. (I do remember those.) Excellent combinations of plants for it, too. Yes, the finished project looks fabulous!

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    1. It's so much easier too! To work near the source and not have to haul things inside, make a mess, and then run back out when you realize you need more of something.

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  17. Wow, beautiful! Amazing work with that vase. Your plants combination is very exciting. And looks fabulous!

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  18. It is fabulous! You have really used the vase to full advantage and created a wonderful arrangement. Well done for meeting the challenge!

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  19. All the different greens are so festive together, I especially like the silvery Lupinus is almost like a flower, and I like the variegated leaves and Euphorbia for the color as well. They do look marvelous in the burgundy vase, Loree.

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  20. apotspotMay 26, 2016

    Love the color combination of the red pot with the green plants!

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