Mine did that too in the summer time and we're in similar growing zones (7). I attribute it to the heat, thought I've never though much about it. Many of my oncidium alliance plants suffer from those spots. I suspect its the heat, because growths that occur during the winter (when my plants are indoors and under lights) don't develop the leaf spotting. There's nothing you can do to get rid of the spots that are already there, aside from cutting away the leaves, but that's not a good idea. Basically, they're just cosmetic damage, the leaves are otherwise healthy and productive. As far as the leaf tip damage, you may be letting the plant dry out a bit too much between waterings OR you might be over watering (and killing off the roots). Sounds kind of odd doesn't it? Anyway, increasing the humidity would probably help with the spotting and leaf tip die back. I'd also suggest checking the roots to see if they are white and healthy with lots of green growing tips. If they look bad, don't worry too much, but cut back on watering for a bit and consider repotting the plant. Personally I wouldn't divide the plant when you repot. It actually looks fairly young and there aren't all that many growths (for a Twinkle). Give a another year or two before you consider breaking it up...really let it get large and healthy unless it's completely over grown the pot. Your plant is at least another growing season or two away from that point, though.

Topiaries are my favorite thing to make w/ dried flowers. The main thing I've found helpful to remember is that it will take lots more material to cover even a fairly small topiary than you'd imagine. For example, a 3" rosebud topiary will require about 300 buds, or 6-8 oz. If the calyces on the rosebuds are long enough, sometimes it isn't even necessary to glue the bud, unless it feels wobbly.San Francisco Herb Co. has some nice pink rosebuds for topiaries. Fruits,nuts or pinecones would need to be hot-glued. Another type of topiary is one where the material is put on picks, and the picks then inserted into the foam. If you make this type, remember to start with a smaller form, because the material will add 2" or so, depending upon the length of the bundles you've added. I like to use dyed green goldenrod for the background on these types, then add clusters of accent flowers, but lots of other materials could be used, depending on the look you wanted. The easiest, but still elegant, topiaries are the ones covered with moss only. Design Master makes a Moss Green spray paint that can be used to touch them up after they fade. Terence Moore's Book "The Captured Harvest" has some nice examples of topiaries and other dried arrangements. Good luck with your projects!

I've used wallpaper or scrapbooking paper attached with a glue stick to tag board cut to size. I bought some matting board on Ebay and that works great. Our church sponsored a tour of gardens this summer along with a craft sale. I took an old hymnal and took familiar songs, burned around the edges (some left plain) and mounted it on the backing and glued dried flowers around the song. They were a big hit. Used 8x10 frames.

A timed challenge to find as many photos in their group based on a certain theme. For example, 2 minutes to find as many photos of people at the beach. Or 2 mintues to find as many photos cropped as ovals. A challenge to find something based on a holiday that isn't a recent one. For example, the holiday is Halloween. So which ever team finds a Halloween sticker, die cut, back ground paper, etc. wins. I am thinking these ideas are kind of like lets make a deal. Maybe which ever team has a certain type of adhesive with them? Type of sticker(s)? Color of background paper? Anyone with dried flowers? certain die cuts or pictures in geometric shapes (like the puzzles they play on Survivor)? About prizes...maybe food...picnic papers, stickers and die cuts? Fishing themed items? Bug themed items? Camping themed? Wild or jungle animal themed? I'm not a scrapbooker, but I hope these ideas are helpful to you.