Nature Crafts: Deconstructing Flowers

Over a week ago now, I bought myself bright flowers and displayed them in tinted jars.  I enjoyed them every single day. Today, when I glanced over at my kitchen table, the flowers looked a little tired. But there was still a little perkiness in the petals.

How often to we glance at a simple flower without truly appreciating the complex wonder contained in each one?  I was challenged to do this very thing by photographer Qi Wei Fong and his exploded flowers series. So, before I disposed of the gerberas, I thought: why don’t I take a few moments to examine them with the kids? The activity took less than 10 minutes and gave me opportunity to reinforce the wonder all around us, if only we take the time to look.

Exploded Flowers by Qi Wei Fong

Deconstructing Flowers

Materials

Flower

Scissors

Hard surface

It’s best to work out of the wind, so we found out very quickly!

Cut the stem off.

Pluck the petals and arrange of a white piece of paper, cardboard or directly on a table.

Display.

I love these unforced times, when anyone can join in if they like.

I said, “Hey, I’m going to pull apart these flowers to see all the bits. Anyone want to do it with me?”

The two little ones hovered for a bit, interjecting, chatting and taking turns at pulling petals, and then they left to continue their game.  Then, my 9-year-old daughter and I were left, and we sat together plucking petals and arranging them.  It was a truly lovely experience.

When we finished, I called out to no one in particular, “We’re done if you want to have a look! I’ll leave it on the table for the rest of the afternoon, so if you’re interested, come and look at all the amazing pieces of just one flower!”

It didn’t really matter if they got messed up. I left them there until dinner. Everyone looked, and loved it. I watched the children pause, every time they walked past the table.

The petals are in the bin now. I wonder, was that a waste of time? To sit and pluck the petals off flowers? I mean, who has time to do that, right? Well, I do, I guess. I’ve learned the value of just doing stuff.  Capturing the moment.  Acting on an idea and threading it into our life…because I have more time than I think. Time woven, not caught.

Next time I look at a flower, I will have a little more wonder than before. And I hope the kids do too. Yes, time well spent.

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