Kick it off with K

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OK so the post titles are becoming lame. But the Flower Fest is not!

K is the letter that is next up. Deadline is Feb 7, 2007. Please send in all your entries to flowerfestival[at]gmail[dot]com. The round-up will be posted shortly thereafter.

Round up for J

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Here comes the round up for J:

Japanese Lantern


J



Priya has painted an exquisite watercolor of the Japanese Lantern, also known as the fringed hibiscus. She says she remembers seeing this hibiscus in India. The petals curve upward and hang down like lanterns, hence the name Japanese or Chinese Lantern.

Jasmine



Mythreyee sends in delightful pictures of the jasmines she grew. Her jasmines were white with a delicate fragrance. Check out her blog for more pictures and information on jasmines.

Jasmine sambac



Sree also has a lovely oil on canvas of a rose-like white jasmine for this parade of flowers beginning with J. She is so right - the fragrance of jasmine is woven into our day in so many ways!

Jasminum nudiflorum



Shilpa found these Jasminum Nudiflorum or winter jasmines when she strolled around her neighborhood earlier this week. They are a little weathered because of the unusual winter conditions in her neck of the woods. Here is what she says: "Native to China, this plant is commonly called winter jasmine and is a thick bush with flexible long stems. The tiny yellow flowers bloom from December to March and unlike other Jasmines are not fragrant. The stems remain green in winter and with these cheery funnel shaped flowers make an attractive combination and add color to the winter months."

Isn't that interesting? White fragrant jasmines that flower in summer and a yellow winter jasmine without a fragrance that flowers mainly in winter!

Johnny Jump up



Shilpa's second entry is Johnny jump up or Viola tricolor from the Violaceae family. She says:
"Johnny jump up is an European wildflower with vibrant blooms that are deep and rich in color. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white.
They are also commonly called wild pansies as they are believed to be the ancestors of the cultivated pansy. They also get the name Johnny- jump- ups because they “jump up” and spread wild in the flowering season. The plants are usually found in fields, meadows, hill sides, parks, and also in home gardens where they are grown for their deep and bright colors. Some say the flowers are edible - the petals can be candied, added to soups and salads. The plant is also considered an herb and used to treat certain types of skin diseases."

Jacob's Ladder



Manisha tried her hand at watercolors and submitted a painting of Jacob's Ladder, a tiny flowering plant that is a relative of phlox family. It is an ornamental plant and is called Jacob's Ladder because of its succesive pairs of leaflets. She asks that you be gentle with her as this is her first attempt at a watercolor.

That's six beautiful entries for J.

If you have an entry for J, send it in to flowerfestival[at]gmail[dot]com and we'll add it to this round up. In the meanwhile, put on those thinking caps for K as it's just around the corner!

Juggle with J

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Juggle with J is what it's going to be for me, in more ways than one. I don't think I have a photo, which means opening that box of watercolor pencils and trying my hand at it. I am still praying though, that I might find something in my stash of photos!

So J has just begun! The deadline is January 24, 2007. Please send in all your entries to flowerfestival[at]gmail[dot]com. The round-up will be posted shortly thereafter.

Incoming...It's I

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A very Happy New Year to all our contributors as well as our supporters and readers!

We've had a very successful run with over 40 entries since we started Flower Fest in September 2006. Entries have come in the form of paintings - watercolor, oils, acrylic, digital - and photographs. Each one, very beautiful and picturesque. The momentum is picking up and if you think you would like to join in the fun, it's never too late! We'd love to see your entries. Why not start with I?

Please send your entries for I by January 10, 2007. Please send in all your entries to flowerfestival[at]gmail[dot]com. The round-up will be posted shortly thereafter.