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Friday 10 November 2017

Remembrance Day Poppies

Blog 46


Tomorrow is Remembrance Day in Canada. It is a day to remember the sacrifices of the Canadian soldiers who have served and are still serving during times of war and conflict to help establish and guarantee peace.

To commemorate those who died in war, the red-flowered corn poppy is used, which became popular due to the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" by the Canadian surgeon and soldier John McCrae. Did you know that poppies are a symbol of sleep and peace? This connection comes from the possibility to extract opium from some varieties of the flower. In Western civilizations, red poppies often symbolize death in Western civilizations. The color of the poppy changes its meaning. White poppies are considered a symbol of peacefulness, while purple, pink, and blue poppies symbolize imagination, luxury and success. In Eastern civilizations, a red poppy is a symbol for love and success.


This summer, I created red poppies with a group of ladies. We created these flowers by dry felting wool rovings with the help of specialty needles that have very sharp, barbed blades. These needles are repeatedly stabbed into the wool fibers, so that they get tangled and compacted creating three-dimensional felt sculptures.

This repetitive movement is not only very relaxing, it also help you to get rid of frustrations and anger. If you have never tried felting, and are looking for an activity that is fun and offers limitless ways to express yourself, I hope the photos inspire you to learn this old craft. A word of caution: it is highly addictive; just ask my former students.

When I look at the poppy on my coat, I am reminded of the sacrifices the soldiers and military families have made throughout history and to this current date, so that we can live in peace. They are still making a difference not only in the many areas affected by war, but also help in cases of disasters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Canadian soldiers and their families.

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