Autumn themed arrangements showcased

Islamabad
Despite the early hour of a winter morning, a cheerful group of ladies from the Floral Art Society (FAS) arrived at the Serena Hotel to begin work on their arrangements for a competition titled, 'Nature's Bounty of Fall' (Autumn). It was an 'imposed' material, creative contest, wherein members are given material of different kinds after their arrival and told to make an arrangement in keeping with the theme of the competition. A hustle and bustle and humorous remarks were interspersed with concentration, keeping the contest light and lively and not too serious. It's surprising what one can create with a few dried twigs; some leaves and a few other odds and ends if one has the imagination as well as a creative streak!
After two hours of cutting; binding pulling and pushing it was time for contestants to put down their tools and judging to begin - by then non-contesting members had arrived and were busy examining what was going on, with a bit of advice and a hint or two being part of the exercise! Judges were senior members of FAS, Farhana Azim and Farhat Zaman and while they went around discussing the pros and cons of each arrangement, members interacted with each other; birthday 'girls' were showered with good wishes after everyone sang 'Happy Birthday,' and those who had not done so, paid up for the mornings activity.
Results were announced by Farhat; Ghazala Abdullah (first), Huma Ehsan (second) and Ishrat Saghir (third) while 'commendable' was awarded to Tabassum and Shehla. After this, Farhana said all the arrangements were well thought out; briefly explained why the prize winners were selected and critiqued a few other arrangements which had the potential but missed because of a technicality. She also gave a 'shahbash' to Tabassum who is a young member.
Refreshments were served and plans for taking part in Horticultural Society show were discussed among those who wanted to participate in this upcoming event.