The Magnolia series started with hundreds of photos of the 4 magnolias in my yard. The prehistoric Magnolia trees have always been one of my favorite flowering trees. I am intrigued by the center of the Magnolia flowers, the curves of the stigmas, often lost to the viewer because they are small and the tough seed heads that protect the bright red seeds with their prickly defense.

I began a small quilted 'sketch' as I returned to quilting after years of photography. Beading was the only surface design. The next one began with the lovely deep green and suede-like leaves and grew in size. The curled carpels on the center structure of the flowers have intrigued me as my work began to rise off the surface becoming more sculptural. The size of the work has increased the 'curly Qs' have become looser abstract shapes.

The series has continued with inspiration the hundreds of seed pods dropped from my tree through winter. The contrast between the softness of the flower and the hardness of what is left at the end of the season called to be created. Each piece is constructed separately, tepals (petals) and leaves are quilted, thread painted & appliqued. The carpels are wired and stuffed then hand attached to the base of the flower. Background is quilted and attached to a stretched canvas frame before tepals, leaves, seed pod and flower are hand-stitched on.