Memorial Day

It's nearly impossible to express my gratitude to the men and women who have given all in service of this country. On Memorial Day, especially,  it is traditional to wear a red poppy in remembrance. In case you've never read the details, here's a little excerpt  from the Department of Veterans Affairs:

"In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War...The VFW celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Buddy Poppy as its official flower in 1997. While profits from its sales have helped countless veterans and their widows, widowers and orphans over the years, the poppy itself survives as a perpetual tribute to those who have given their lives for the nation's freedom."

I decided to create my own Poppy pin today from felt. The time spent making this provided a great opportunity to talk to my boys about what others have sacrificed so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. I cut Stamp School 100% wool felt with Lifestyle Crafts Leaves nesting dies to created the petals. I sewed the 8 flower petals together, and then attached a pin backing. To finish off the center of the flower, I cut 3 black felt circles with the smallest nesting die from Lifestyle Crafts Circle Nesting Dies. I attached the circle felt pieces with Ultra Thin Glue Dots® so you wouldn't see any thread from the top side. From start to finish, this project only took about 15 minutes...more than worth it! The finished poppy pin is about the same size in diameter as a tennis ball.

Thank you for stopping by!