Legend of the Bluebonnet

A field of bluebonnets -- a classic sign that Spring has arrived in central Texas -- is a favorite time of year for me. The legend of how the bluebonnets came to be in Texas is also a favorite story -- either the version retold & illustrated by Tomie de Paola or the poem below.




"The Legend of the Bluebonnet"

The Texas fields are covered
With a blanket of deep blue.
But for a little Indian girl,
This would not be true.

Texas land was buried and dry.
Rains just would not come.
Indians danced and prayed for rain,
And beat upon their drums.

The Chief made a proclamation.
He appealed to one and all.
A prized possession must be sacrificed
Before the rains would fall.

The Indian camp was silent,
While each person searched his heart.
But when it came to sacrifice,
With possessions they would not part.

Suddenly a little girl stepped forth,
Holding her blue-clad doll.
She placed it in the roaring fire
and raindrops began to fall.

The rain brought forth the grass,
Among its blades, flowers of blue.
To be a sign for all the time
Of a love so pure and true.

-- Author Unknown


This poem is the inspiration behind my 2008 Journal quilt. It portrays all the Elements (earth, wind, fire and water), the theme of this year's Journal Quilt exhibit, also a juried exhibit for the first time this year. One prerequisite specified that entrants were not allowed to post photos of their journal quilts before the International Quilt Festival opened (end of October 2008, in Houston). Since I have received the official notice that my quilt did not survive the jury process and that it has been "released" back to me, I am free to post photos here on my blog. Likewise, I will enter it into the Online Journal Quilt exhibit, called "Braving the Elements" and being curated by my friend Linda T. Minton.

Of the 150 quilts entered into the 2008 Journal Quilt jurying, 48 were selected to be in The Festival exhibit, including 3 by friends of mine. Congratulations to Linda, Susan & Nancy! If your Journal quilt was released from the official exhibit like mine, be sure to send it in to Linda's online show, "Braving the Elements" -- she needs all your info and jpgs by September 15. (I'll send mine to you this week, Linda. Promise!!!)