Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tuesday Tutorial: Poppies For Remembering


It was the birth of a poem that led to the poppy flower becoming a symbol for Memorial Day & all those soldiers lost for freedom's bright cause.


John McCrae's words led a woman named Moina Michael to respond with a bit of verse herself:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

Ms. Michael also started the practice of wearing a poppy for remembrance on Memorial Day. Today's tutorial takes a cue from her patriotic spirit.

Poppy Pins for Remembering

What You Need:
-red felt
-green felt
-yellow ribbon
-green or yellow center bead
-black seed beads
-red thread
-yellow thread
-sewing needle
-scissors
-pin back (found at craft stores in jewelry section)
-hot glue gun (optional)

What To Do:

Cut 2 ovals out of the red felt (make one slightly smaller than the other). Mine were about 5 in. across & 4 in. wide (bigger one); 4 1/2 in. across & 3 1/2 in. wide (smaller one). Cut around the edge in a sort of wavy, free form way to make it look like a flower (see picture). Cut a skinny rectangle about 5 in. long out of the green felt for the stem.

Taking your needle & red thread sew on your center bead & smaller seed beads. While you are doing this you can also sew on your green stem.

Make a little yellow remembrance ribbon & sew it to the stem with the yellow thread.

Sew &/or hot glue your pin back to the backside of your poppy.

Wear on Memorial Day to remember all the fallen soldiers past & present.
Sorry this is a blurry pic! =(



Happy Memorial Day
Remember to pray for our country, military, & their families.

Love in Christ to all my Sisters,
-Bess-

3 comments:

  1. Oh, I absolutely love the pin! Sooooooo cute!!!! I had to memorize the poem for school; I sometimes find myself quoting lines from it. It is really quite sad, but a fav. poem of mine.
    So, have you heard anything about your interview? I have been thinking about it alot (and praying), and hope that all went well.
    Hope you are having a wonderful day, dear sis!
    Love you,
    Grace

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  2. Did you know that poppies are my absolute favorite?! I had no idea about this!

    This tutorial is great Bess, as always :)

    Love ya,
    Amber

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  3. Thanks for your comments, Grace & Amber! I think I might use more of these (the flower without stem) on a headband or maybe even necklace. I'm so glad God gave us creativity!
    Love,
    -Bess-

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