This is probably the least variety of fabrics I've ever used in a quilt, just 4 different pieces. A year ago I bought the hand-dyed fabric from Laura Wasilowski at the Des Moines AQS show. Once home I wondered why, but it worked well as the background for this piece so I'm glad I bought it. It was shades of light grey-blue, light rose-pink, and light yellow. The first two reminded me of a dreary fall sky telling one winter would soon follow the loss of leaves. I chose a maple tree because when I looked out my window the day the challenge was announced, my maples were loaded with gorgeous leaves that were beginning to fall. Once started the light yellow was too light so I darkened it with a light wash of color with paints and quilting.
I quilted leaves on top of the fused pieces on the ground and then decided to do the same with the tree. The tree's leaves actually ended looking more like oak leaves, but they'll do. I decided to add a fence row disappearing over a distant hill to fill the space in the lower left corner. It ended at 16" x 26 1/2".
The Haiku was written and the quilt over half completed when I decided to change the last line which I personally like better, but others may disagree. Here are both versions:
Leaves, orange, red, gold
Gnarled maple dropping its crown
Which is last to fall?
Leaves, orange, red, gold
Gnarled maple dropping is crown
Earth's winter blanket.
