A Forest of Friends

My tree wrap returned to Adkins Aboretum in 2025, this time as “A Forest of Friends.”

I wrapped this same tree on the arboretum grounds in 2023. This year, I took the same base of 44 granny squares and one double crochet block and stitched elements to represent the various things you might find along a forest path at Adkins. This included a rabbit, owl, caterpillar, flowers, butterflies and mushrooms.

I also included a goat, giving a nod to some of the former arboretum inhabitants.

“A Forest of Friends” is a celebration of the animals and plants you might find in the forest around us and encourages visitors to search out their woodland friends. On display March 2-April 6.

The Future of Orchids

The Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum is a lovely place to be on a winter day, especially when the orchids are on display.

“The Future of Orchids: Conservation and Collaboration” features orchids from the Smithsonian and Botanic Garden collections alongside the work of Phaan Howng.

Hope Grows Here

My husband gave me a yarn bombing book by London Kaye for my birthday last year. The next day I saw a call for yarn creations for Adkins Arboretum’s Yarnstorming 2023. I raised my hand and picked a tree. I starting crocheting in January and installed with snow coming down yesterday. 44 granny squares. 1 double crochet block. 13 letters. 3 butterflies. 12 flowers. 14 leaves. 2 vines. Many stitches holding it all together. Excited to see the other trees on display March 5-April 2 at Adkins Arboretum. The grounds and trails are beautiful—you should definitely stop by! Yarnstorming reception March 12, 2:00-4:00 pm.

First Quilt

Back in February I picked up Palmiers Kiss, Icelandic Poppies Bluebell Metallic and Climbing Branches Kiss from Jen Hewett’s Unruly Nature collection from Gather Here. No real plan for them, they were just too lovely to resist.

I liked the notion of trying a quilt/throw, but didn't want to cut those yummy patterns into tiny pieces. Several searches of big block quilts later, I had some ideas, but no real pattern. Then I picked up a fourth print from the collection, Metallic Bluebell Cup And Saucer Vine, from Three Little Birds along with some speckled backing fabric.

Some more thinking had me finally cutting into the fabric, using my ruler as the size guide.

I arranged the pieces, mixing and matching as I went. I have pieces and fabric left, but like where it landed size-wise after a day of sewing.

I'm my mother's daughter, so this one was destined for hand quilting.

Stitch, stitch, stitch, then it was time to give self binding a try.

Love Across the USA - 2022

Love Across The USA is a public art project led by renowned street artist London Kaye. The collective of stitchers creates large, powerful crochet art installations that amplify the voices and visions of women from the past and present that are changing the world. The organization was founded by OLEK in 2017.

I had the pleasure of taking part in two of this year’s murals.

The first was the Peace for Ukraine mural. I contributed a square to one of three murals displayed. I was excited that my square made its way to New York City and I was able to visit the finished piece hanging in the Oculus.

The second mural I contributed to was in celebration of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. This piece hung outside the Dallas Central Library in Texas.