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ARTS, BELLYDANCING, CRAFTS
BELLYDANCING, ARTS, CRAFTS
CRAFTS, BELLYDANCING, ARTS

whichever order I put them in, these are my passion!

... all from my little home studio in Durban, on the east coast of sunny South Africa!

"I used to think that anyone doing anything weird was weird. I suddenly realized that anyone doing anything weird wasn't weird at all and it was the people saying they were weird that were weird." -- Paul McCartney









Saturday, November 10, 2012

RED POPPY DAY

The poem hand-written by McCrae.  In this copy, the first line ends with "grow", differing from the original published version.
The poem, in McCrae's own handwriting



Do you know why we wear red poppies on Armistice / Remembrance Day ?

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, when he noted how poppies quickly grew around the graves of those who died at Ypres. The next day, he composed the poem, "In Flanders Fields  while sitting in the back of an ambulance.

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.

Did you notice that he didn't say they were red, but it is generally accepted that they were all red, symbolic of the fallen blood at the Second battle of Ypres.

Here is my tribute to Armistice Day on 11 November:


This card features the image Poppies, an image I drew myself for the Digistamps 4 Joy store.

I coloured it using alcohol markers, and a white gel pen.  Here is a better look at the image:


I have entered this card into the following challenges:

luv'n huggz
Jen Leeflang
DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA

15 comments:

  1. Beautiful card, Jen! Fabulous coloring of such a gorgeous image--congrats on both! Love the design and that wonderful bow! And thank you for sharing that poem. :^)
    Hugs, Penny

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  2. Wow this is stunning, love colouring of the flower. Thank you for joining us at Crafty Sentiments this week and good luck xx

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  3. Wonderful card, brilliant drawing and colouring, I have a copy of that poem, my Grandfather is burried there from the first world war. My gradmother and my father went back years ago and yes the poppies are dark red. You have given a lovely tribute to all the great men and women who serve thier countries. My Father was a gunner in the 2nd world war, including ( El Alamein , and all over). I hope you are keeping well my friend. Love Carole. :)XXX

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  4. Beautiful card and peom Jan well done thank you for joining us for our POPPIES Challenge at Crafty Sentiments Designs Hugs Elaine

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  5. Beautiful card,fabulous colouring of the popies and love the verse.
    Thanks for joining in with us at Flutter By Wednesdays..

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  6. I'm sorry Jen, I meant, Thanks for joining in with us at Crafty Sentiments Designs..too quick with my clicking.

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  7. Hey Jen, I am loving this creation, the ribbon is stunning! Thanks so much for playing at CRAFTY SENTIMENTS DESIGNS this time:)

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  8. Such a beautiful creation Jen! A stirring post... it's a good story to remember. Thanks for sharing with us at the Card Crafter's Circle!

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Card Crafter's Circle! Gorgeous poppies and I love the satin ribbon touch!

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  10. This is a beautiful card and love the reds! Thank you for entering Lady Anne's Paper Craft Challenge!

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  11. Beautiful card!Thank you for entering your card at Lady Anne's Paper Crafts!

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  12. A awesome Poppy card thankd for joining us at Delicious Doodles this week
    Hugs xxx

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  13. All that rich red is stunning :) Thank you for joining us at Friday Sentiments.

    I invite you to share at the ANYTHING GOES chalenge here: http://pinandtack.blogspot.com/2012/11/spark-your-creativity-now-challenge-3.html

    Lots of joy,
    Corrinne

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  14. fab card thanks for joining us at fat pages and cards with attitude and good luck emma xx

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  15. me again thank you for joining us at daisy doodles and good luck emma xx

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