Peony

This is a whimsical interpretation of opposites attracting with monochrome bees compelled toward the vibrant peony.  

The peony itself is a symbol of family history for me. Growing up on a farm in Indiana, most of the landscape around me had a purpose. The fields, the apple and peach trees, the garden, the raspberry bushes all provided food that was used and valued. The flower bushes were my grandmother’s only addition that was just there for the sake of beauty. There was a large patch of peony bushes and they overflowed into the home when they bloomed in the spring. It seemed that they were valued even more highly due to their rarity. This “tradition” was continued by my mother and then by myself when I started a family home elsewhere. Only when I moved to Arizona and became unable to grow them did I consider purchasing a bouquet of peonies when I saw them in the market. I felt compelled to bring them home and honor them in some way. Creating something permanent from that first purchased peony has been a long journey, but one that has provided a lot of memories.

A line drawing was traced over an original photograph for paper piecing. Pieced by hand and free motion quilted..

Materials:  Cotton fabric, cotton batting, cotton thread, tulle