Poppies

It was May when we first decided to organise a poppy cascade from the tower of a very old church to commemorate the WW1-100.  We asked the community to knit or crochet poppies and by the end of October over 4,200 had been donated.  Some even came from the USA where a family who used to live in the village had moved to.  How to construct the installation took a lot of thinking about, but finally it all came together and at the beginning of November it went 'Over the Top'.  That is the name we called it, as those who fought would say those words as they climbed over the trenches into battle. 

Over the last ten days it has rained and the wind has blown but fortunately the cascade has remained in place, although a bit soggy!    The porch was also decorated.

And this is what it looked like on the evening of Remembrance Sunday.  

The poppy installation has attracted wide press coverage and hundreds of visitors have come to see it and look at the exhibition inside the church.  A fitting tribute to those who gave their lives so that we can live in peace. Even if there are people who do not believe in remembering such events, I am sure they would agree that this poppy cascade is a work of art if nothing else!

Craft Evening

I am busy preparing for another Adult Craft Evening, an opportunity for people to have a go at different crafts.  Here are a couple that will be on offer. 

And pyrography on some holly wood 

The top pentagon has tatting on but actually the crafters will be making this one as I do not have enough tatting to go round everyone.

Another Horseshoe

I had another chance to tat the pattern by Marie G. Gunby last week.  This time I was approached by someone who comes along to the 'knit and natter' group that meet in the  church once a week.  The person was making a 40th wedding anniversary card and wanted to know if I could tat something.  Having very limited time at the moment, decided to do the horseshoe.  I offered to include red beads with the tatting but I was told that she would put them on the card.  This is how it turned out.

I am not too keen when tatting has added bits in between would have preferred to include the beads as I went along, but quite honestly the person who I made it for did not quite understand that we tatters are clever with beads!  She said she would do that herself and obviously liked to do her own decorating.  But it was nice to be asked to contribute some tatting.

Martha's tea pots

As most of you may know Martha Ess has designed some lovely tatting teapot patterns in the past. In her latest book 'Button Jar' she has this cute little teapot.   I really cannot stop making them although the last one (bottom) sort of went wrong and came out a little larger than the others.  I think they will look great on cards, as a brooch or just given away.

They also seem to work well with variegated thread.  Now to look in the book and tat with more buttons. 

Tatting Day

Last Saturday Jane and I went to Churchdown in Gloucestershire for a Tatting Day, this is quite rare for us to go out together to an event like this.  We made lots of new tatting friends and saw the many projects others were doing. Also on display some very old christening gowns with tatting on them. 

Neither of us got that much tatting done but we did buy another tatting book Tatting Designs by Pam Palmer and I bought some thread.

And we also met Rosemarie Peel, although Jane had seen her before, but this was the first time for me, she is on the right of the picture. 

And here we are together - 'the tatting sisters'

Button Love Heart

I am not aiming to tat every pattern in Martha's latest book but really must try and have a go at most of them whilst the book is new and exciting.

This is a lovely pattern but rather think my choice of thread and buttons do not do it justice, will probably try paler buttons and thread next time.

But it is rather fun to tat!

More versions of Rain Drop

I admit is is a little early to think about Christmas but from now on is the busiest time of the year for me, plus I am taking a break just before the festive season to go to Singapore.  One of the things I try to do at Christmas is to thank people around me for their help and support by giving them a piece of tatting. If I am to keep this tradition going then I must start preparing now. 

So I thought these will do for this year, the main thing though is when they have all been completed is to put them somewhere and not lose them!