Photo credit: Kristen Dettoni
Inspired by aerial views of winding rivers, pathways, and surrounding gardens, Woodland Gardens is a series of four contemporary fiber art pieces that weave together nature, memory, and hidden messages.
Each river and pathway contains Morse code wrapped into the yarn using the Ikat dyeing technique, much like the process used in Wildflower Garden. Rather than appearing as obvious lettering, the code becomes part of the design, adding texture to the pathways and suggesting the shimmering reflections of light on water. Each message draws inspiration from gardens, nature, and the paths that connect them.
There is also a personal story woven into this series. Being of Italian descent, I grew up remembering my Nonno (Italian for grandfather) and his beautiful gardens. It wasn't until visiting Italy that I fully understood their significance. Everywhere I looked, from small spaces to expansive properties, people were growing flowers and vegetables. I began to realize that my Nonno's garden in Quincy, Massachusetts, was more than a garden. It was a way to keep his homeland alive and bring a little piece of Italy into his new home.
Even the way these four pieces are displayed carries a hidden language. They are hung in a barcode pattern using alternating thick and thin lines. The thin bars feature images from my Nonno's garden dating back to the 1970s.
In Woodland Gardens, pathways lead to memories, rivers carry messages, and gardens become a connection between places, generations, and home.
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.