MAKE A REMEMBRANCE POPPY USING A KNITTING NANCY/FRENCH KNITTING

 

Me, in Tasmania on the Centenary of Armistance Day 11/11/2018

 Having been an invetorate poppy maker, when we stopped at Oatlands for the memorial service, I saw a poppies made using the old Knitting Nancy many of us had as a child, so I decided to make one myself. This is a white one in honour of the medical staff - doctors, nurses, medics - who served so bravely, and still do, for our country. I prepared a lengththat I thought would be appropriate and tied it off. I left a good length of wool at both ends. I am afraid I didn't measure it, but if you want to make one, I would suggest about 35cm woud do it!

 As you can see, I wound it around in a circle, leaving the length of wool on the top.
 

 I woud it fully, then stitched it together from the back, using a strong white thread and weaving my way between the threads, so no thread was visible.
 

 I then threaded a botton using a wool needle. It is not obvious in this picture, but the button is a decorative metal with white edging.

 Oops, there are my thongs, I like Havianas best! Forgive me, it was 45c+ degrees that day. Anyway, I pulled the thread through using my wool needle, sort or giving some shape as I pull the top thread to the back.

 I bring in the end thread to the middle to join the beginning thread, pulling in the end of the end of the the knitting in with it to try to hide it as much as possible.

That's it - a basic poppy. I was in a hurry to post this (at last), so haven't added any embroidery or beads around the poppy button, but I do plan to.

The great thing about using this method is that it can be adapted for us who aren't the best at knitting, or crochet (but make great quilts!) to make other flowers for Lyn Berry's new spring floral project!

Helen - who promises to do more on this blog in 2019, inspired by more travels, now that hubby has retired, and also inspired by plans for our daughter's wedding on the 1st of December this year.

Helen (Riordan) Evans

My "Catelaine"

This is my very of a Chatelaine - a Catelaine! I made it way back in 1999 for a Chatelaine - sorry Catelaine - for a challenge for the Southern Cross Quilters (a great Australsian on - line quilt group) retreat in 1999 in Hobart, Tasmania. I was very nervous, as it was the first challenge I had ever taken part in. Of course a beautiful, intricately made Chatelaine won, but no-one thought mine was dreadful, and I have gone on to win a challenge or two over the years.

 

I tried to include the whole Catelaine in this photo. We were obliged to use the Southern Cross Quilters logo on our entry. I managed it twice, inckuding the little cat's dress (look at her carefully - much more will be revealed later). As you can see there are many little catpockets for sewing implements. It is actually quite useful!

Close up of the head./pin cushion. the front paws and the snazzy bow tie. A Catelaine must be well dressed.

 Note the back end of the cat! The other two paws and a tail, and, of course, its neat little suffolk puff arse!!!

 Look carefully at the back of the Catelaine. There is a little piece of elastic. It contained a small bottle of whisky as a bribe to the judges. It didn't work - perhaps I should have used gin!

Look at this naughty little cat on the side of the Catelaine. It is flashing its bits, with the aid of press studs to open up its dress and use its tummy as a needle holder.

Last - here is Lady Penelope taking extremem interest in the Catelaine - to the extent that she is covering her eyes. Never mind, she might be more impresed with the Artisan Cows (you know them Andy Warholstein, Moonet, Milk van Gough, Frida Cowlo, Salvudder Dairy and all the rest of the famous talented Cow painters).
Bye for now,
Helen
On a beautiful warm autumn day in Melbourne, Australia

SPECIAL BAUBLE HEAD BAND TUTORIAL

Special Bauble Headband Turorial

 Clear veterinary reminder from table

Make cup of tea (preferably early grey)

Ensure your audience is both attentive and sober

As you can see, all you need are a small/medium pack of small baubles (large balls tend to get int the way), a pair of old bluntish scissors, some curling ribbon. Ensure audience is attentive and sober - ah have all been milked (except for bull).

Time to ditch the tea - there is no need for the tutor to remain sober

Measure enough of the garden plastic stuff to go around your head - add quite a bit extra to twist closed when finished - more is better than less - you can always trim later. Measure and fold exactly at half way point.

Take a break and drink some some champagne

Start in the middle by threading baubles onto pre cut garden tie. You can either thread on as pictures, or tie each one on with some curling ribbon. If threading on, secure on either side with curling ribbon. If you are particularly anal, you can choose matching baubles and curling ribbon. I am not.

Oops! Time for a refill.

Keep adding until you have enough baubles to dazzle any Christmas event - ensure roughly even numbers on each end of your middles baubles.

Measure garden green stuff around you head and twist -very well- to secure. cut off excess.

Cover the un-baubled area (if you have any) with any wired, snazzy ribbon, such as this one, or florist's tape, by winding around the un-baubled area.

And there you have it .....almost.

It you have some snazzy tinsel you want to use instead (or are just tired and emotional), you can just measure off and twist to size, and then just wrap the sentinel around the garden twine - you will need to use a glue gun just to secure it every now and then.

Here we have a "volunteer" from the audience (he was out of shot earlier), modelling two examples of what can be done with the listed ingredients. You may need more or less champagne than me, but either way I hope I have listed everything. Of couse you are only limited by your imagination - bells, other ribbons, and all sorts of Christmas decorations can be added, if you like.