Hanakuma Ikebana

Its time for the new Hanakuma Ikebana Monthly Challenge!!

we skipped July due to some challenging life things I was dealing with but now we are back into th swing of things...

This time around it's about "UNconventional Heroes"... so get your thinking caps on and get creative!

..and the prize this month, its a mystery so prepare to be surprised!

https://www.hanakuma-ikebana.com/blog-now/2026/4/16/2026-monthly-ikebana-challenge-august-edition

Its been a long time since posting any of my own arrangements. Here are some that I have been working on in the background. I hope you enjoy them.

For those interested the next Hanakuma Ikebana Monthly Challenge will be getting back on track soon with a new challenge coming in the next few days.

Public notification: if your entry was not included in the slideshow of the participants to any of the Hanakuma Ikebana Monthly Challenges, I most sincerely apologise.

There has been a lot of disruption in my life of late due to some personal challenges and a family medical situation (which seems to be resolving for the better - thakn goodness). That has meant that some of the emails I receive have not been noticed and/or have slipped through the cracks in my system. If this has happened to an email or an entry you have sent in for the challenge I am indeed sincerely sorry that has been the case.

Please do not be discouraged as there has been no intent to disrespect you or your work and I would encourage you to please keep trying and sending in entries to the challenge as I will do my best to improve the situation at my end.

Thank you all so much for your understanding. Your support and efforts throughout the monthly challenges has been seriously wonderful and greatly appreciated.

Aaand the Winner is!!!!...

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the June Hanakuma Ikebana Monthly Challenge is Ionela Stancu from Sogetsu Bucharest Branch. Her "Up the Wall" arrangement presented a lovely combination of bold and gentle and was very complimentary to the wall on which is was shown. A big congratulations goes out to Ionela for her wonderful arrangement. To read the blog post and see the other also wonderful entries please follow the link in this post.

junechallengewinner — HanaKuma Ikebana June Monthly Ikebana Challenge winner!

New ikebana pics in the gallery on my website!
enjoy! Below are a few examples - follow the link to see more.

https://www.hanakuma-ikebana.com/gallerymain

And now for the Hanakuma Ikebana Monthly Challenge for the month of JUNE!!

This year has been crazy all around, in fact this month it has us all "Going up the wall!" Time to have some fun with this months new challenge and see how creative you can be with a wall based arrangement! Kakebana or Relief work are both options in this challenge.. see below and follow the link for more details

https://www.hanakuma-ikebana.com/blog-now/2026/4/16/2026-monthly-ikebana-challenge-june-edition-thg9b-jexpd

I can't wait to see what you will do!
PS: please share this link with anyone that you think would enjoy participating in this month's challenge. Ikebana artists all over the world are welcome!

After some delay (due to participation in an exhibition) we can now announce the winner of the Hanakuma Ikebana Monthly Challenge for the month of May! - And the prize goes to Silvia Barucci from Concentus Study Group in Rome! Congratulations to Silvia for her interesting take on the topic Baskets of Bounty. Silvia made a mori mono arrangement that really captured the idea of abundance with a sense of fun and playfulness that is much needed in the world just now.

If you would like to see all the other entries submitted to the challenge please follow the link below:

https://www.hanakuma-ikebana.com/blog-now/maychallengewinner-jxemh

Finally a special thank you to all those who participated and sent in arrangements. Look out for the June Challenge which will be announced in my next post!

One of my favourite containers - it really suits simpler style arrangements and the shadows are always amazing.

The month of May passed by in blur of activity and its suddenly the last few days before the Hanakuma Ikebana Challenge May Edition closes so get your entries in before you miss your chance to win!

https://www.hanakuma-ikebana.com/blog-now/2026/4/16/2026-monthly-ikebana-challenge-may-edition-thg9b