“Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility.” ~Rosabeth Moss Kanter
I have always loved kaleidoscopes. The patterns and colors. I can’t resist looking into one when I see it. A friend bought this picture of pressed flowers for my birthday. And it has a proud place on the table where I display cut flowers. And when I looked at it closely, it reminded me of a kaleidoscope.
When I went into my garden, I wasn’t planning on cutting any particular flowers. Just a few here and there might suffice. So I started cutting what caught my eye. And before I knew it, I had what amounted to a kaleidoscope of colors swirling in my hand.
One pinched back zinnia finally bloomed.
And there were several gerbera daisies, in yellow and bright pink, along with a few calendula.
I try not to cut much in the native garden, but I saw the echinacea and rudbeckias flowering. And nearby the native white yarrow. So I thought a few of these would be nice.
And for a bit of fun, some seedbeds. Like the puffy seed heads of nigella. And the wild horned seed heads of the Chacewater clematis.
So what do you think? Kaleidoscope? A bit of whimsy? Or just a bouquet that makes one happy to see all the colorful blooms?
With this vase, I am joining in with the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, from Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All the pictures shared in this post were taken with my Nikon Coolpix or iPhone camera, and manipulated on my iPhone using the apps, Pixlr and Prisma.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2024. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.
I not only like your bouquet, I was surprised to read Kanter’s words. I used that very same quotation in a post several years ago!
Lovely how like minds find each other.
Beautiful kaleidoscope bouquet and an equally beautiful quote. They definitely make me happy. Hope all is well with you in this crazy world. Enjoy summer and your garden, Donna
Thanks Annette. Trying to remain hopeful.
Lovely. I love the pastel colour combo. More than a kaleidoscope your creative hand was involved!
https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/07/22/in-a-vase-july-22/
Jenny thanks so much!!
Oh, that is beautiful, Donna. Happy IAVOM!
Thanks so much Beth
Your lovely collection of flowers matches your friend’s pressed flowers so well, Donna. What a perfect gift for a gardener!
I thought it was a perfect gift as well!
That is such a pretty bouquet of summer flowers Donna. And yes, it does resemble a kaleidoscope with all the different colours. Have a good week Donna!
Thanks Cathy. You too!
I love the complexity of your arrangement looking though the different layers, and that love-in-the mist seed head. It reminded that I have none in the garden this year. The arrangement goes particularly well with that frame of pressed flowers, a lovely present from your friend.
I think my favorite part is the layers as well.
You did a lovely job of creating your own personal kaleidoscope of flowers, Donna. They nicely echo the pressed flowers your friend gave you too! No vase from me this week as I’m treading water just trying to catch up after returning from the Garden Fling in Puget Sound.
Oh thank you. And the Fling pics I saw looked fabulous. That must have been amazing. Maybe one day I’ll make it.