One indicator of spring to me, is the arrival of the Dogwood blossoms.  I call them blossoms but did you know they are really bracts. A bract is a fancy leaf and the nubby center is the flower.  A Poinsettia is also a bract.  Funny the things you learn when you do a little research.  They are plentiful in this part of the Northwest and they also grow in Hawaii and many other mild climates.  

I wanted to design a Hawaiian Wall Quilt that used three colors.  In this design you will applique the branches and leaves and after you have completed that you will place your blossoms and applique them in place.  I chose pink because that is my favorite however they can be found in white, red and orange.  What color will you make yours? 

Here are a few fun facts about Dogwoods: 

• The dogwood name is from "dagwood" which refers to the trees' earliest use as material for making daggers and swords.  
• Our founding fathers were dogwood fans.  George Washington planted them at Mount Vernon and Tomas Jefferson at Monticello.
• Dogwoods are native to North America and are also native to Asia and Europe
• Native Americans used dogwood trees to make arrows, daggers and toothbrushes.  
• There are many connections made with the Dogwood tree and Christianity.