Photo credit: Kristen Dettoni
Wildflowers have a language all their own. They scatter, bloom, take root, and find their way into unexpected places. In Wildflower Garden, a series of four contemporary fiber art pieces from my Secret Garden collection, I explore the beauty, movement, and quiet messages hidden within the natural world.
The designs feature two interpretations of wildflowers: some appear as though they have been hand-picked and tossed into the air, suspended in a moment of carefree movement, while others are more deliberately planted, growing together in a garden-like composition. There is also a subtle nod to my earlier days in the commercial design industry, where pattern, repetition, and composition played such an important role in my creative process.
But beneath the flowers lies another story.
Hidden within the flower heads is a message written in Morse code. To create this unexpected detail, I use an ancient textile technique called Ikat, in which sections of yarn are carefully wrapped and bound before being dyed. For these pieces, the wrapping follows a Morse code pattern. Once the yarn has been dyed and dried, the bindings are removed, revealing the original white yarn beneath. The result is a secret language woven into the visual design itself.
Each message decodes first into Italian, as a tribute to my Italian ancestors and the beautiful gardens that left a lasting impression on me in Italy.
The medium adds another layer of intrigue. Each piece is created using punch needle, a fiber art technique that allows me to work continuously from a single strand or ball of yarn. Unlike many textile processes, this one produces virtually no material waste. In fact, the work could theoretically be unraveled by pulling a single strand from the back, much like unraveling a knitted piece, eventually revealing the hidden message.
For me, Wildflower Garden is about more than flowers. It's about the stories we carry, the messages we leave behind, and the unexpected ways meaning can be woven into something beautiful. Sometimes, the most interesting things are the ones you have to look a little closer to find.
Backs of the Pieces
Of course, I don't want anyone dismantling their artwork to solve the mystery! Instead, I've thoughtfully included a separate strand of yarn on the back of each piece. It invites exploration of the process and discovery of how the Morse code message might be decoded, without disturbing the finished artwork.
Discover Secret Garden
See Wildflower Garden and the complete Secret Garden exhibition at the Jaffrey Civic Center in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.
November 5 – December 19, 2026
Come explore the textures, patterns, hidden messages, and stories that unfold throughout this collection of contemporary fiber art.