Sakura Blush is…

… a celebration of the arrival of spring in Vancouver and the return of blue skies and blushing blossoms.

As needle workers, we have the opportunity to mark occasions and document our experiences in our work. We are inspired by our surroundings and reflect it in our work. We tell a story.

In early spring, when Vancouver is blanketed by an ever present puff of pink , my needle and thread couldn’t help themselves but to take control of my cherry blossom boutis. “Sakura Blush” is the result.

The boutis design was stitched on two different colours of silk, which were appliqued together, corded with pink and white yarn, then attached to the background ramie cloth with applique on the front and reverse applique on the back. The piece is reversible.

Placing the boutis against a window emphasizes its luminosity.

Sakura Blush celebrates the universal language of needle art.

The design for “Sakura Blush” reflects a Japanese influence, as it was the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama who gifted the first 500 cherry blossom trees to the city of Vancouver in the 1930’s. Today, the population of cherry blossom trees in the city has grown to over 130,000.

We have two lovely Japanese watercolour prints that have always given me pleasure. Over the years, I have spent many quiet moments examining the design and the patterns and they have left quite an impression on me. In my boutis design, both the cherry blossom and its surrounding frame, have been inspired by the symbols on the samurai’s kimono. The floral design on the sleeve is a cherry blossom. “Sakura” is the Japanese word for cherry tree blossom.

By combining a Japanese influenced design with a traditional Provencal needle work technique of Boutis, Sakura Blush tells a story and celebrates the cross cultural nature of needle arts. (Especially when I, the maker, am neither French nor Japanese.)

To celebrate the season, “The Silk Purse Arts Centre” at Ambleside Beach holds an annual cherry blossom exhibit. If in the neighbourhood of Vancouver between April 3rd - 28th, please check out the current exhibit, where “Sakura Blush” is one of the textile pieces on display.