Spring has arrived here in south Arkansas! Those who’ve lived here any lengh of time have learned that it’s officially spring when the Wisteria bloom and the pine pollen falls. We have other earlier blooming plants, daffodils and Bradford Pear trees always bloom earlier, but for the most part the frost is gone when the pine pollen falls…
There were a couple of different places where someone had planted Wisteria in the area we lived in Colorado when I was growing up and I always thought that was the most beautiful plant! Little did I know that I would one day live where folks considered it a noxious weed. At any rate, I love my Wisteria tree and appreciate my neighbor who took me out into the woods and showed me what to harvest and how to plant and train Wisteria so it would grow into a tree (bush?). Here it is 8 years later, my favorite harbinger of Spring.
Isn't this a lovely way to greet Spring?
I was trying to snap a photo of the huge bees that love this plant but wasn’t successful in catching one. You may well see this picture again in another medium, stitched or quilted or both!
Here's a close-up of the flowers!
Didn’t take a photo of the pine pollen as I really try hard to pretend it’s not here! Never knew why these lovely trees were called Southern YELLOW Pine until the first spring we spent in the South. Now I know.
This last week someone posted on the ANG list a link to these videos. They are awesome! Take a minute to check these out and be sure to bookmark the site as there is lots to learn on this site. Go to Needlepoint Now instructional video and click on the video camera to see all the choices of videos.
When I’m not admiring my Wisteria I’ve been working on the Quilt Guild projects. This month we learned a quick technique for the Dresden Plate block, were given the fabrics and instructions and will return them to the Guild to be made up into a quilt for a family that has experienced a tragedy. We try to keep a few quilts on hand and ready to help when a fire or other tragedy strikes a local family. Here’s my block ready to go back to the April meeting.
Completed Dresden Plate Block - what fun!
Can’t show you what I’ve been stitching because it’s a secret for Needlework Hideaway in a couple of weeks. Still a spot or two available. Take a look at what we’ll be doing at Needlework Hideaway at the Red Apple Inn the end of the month.
Until next time, keep stitching!
Pat
