Friday, October 30, 2015

Purple Poppies


You learn some interesting and unexpected things in the line of cardmaking.  I wanted to play along with this week's Muse, and also with this week's FUSION:

Tracey McNeely for Muse


I already had my Clearly Besotted Brushed Poppies stamp set out on the desk (granted, it was under a pile of gelli prints, background papers, half-completed cards, etc., but it was out on the desk) because I wanted to try some poppy cards in colours other than red.  So I turned to my friend Google and searched "purple poppies".

In the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand the red poppy has been used since 1921 as the symbol of remembrance and hope to commemorate soldiers killed in conflict since 1914, and is worn in the days leading up to Remembrance Sunday (nearest to 11 November).

There is also a white poppy which, depending on your point of view, is either a political protest against war, or is worn alongside the red poppy as a lasting message of peace.

I was surprised to learn that the purple poppy was adopted in 2006 by Animal Aid to remember the animal victims of war, and again is either a political protest or worn alongside the red/white poppy to remember animals that lost their lives in service to their country.

The other thing I learned is that, while there certainly are purple poppies, they are often confused with purple anemones, which are a different family.

So here is my non-political, non-anenome, purple poppy card.  I think I'll try pink next.  Or orange.


I'm also entering it into Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes.


37 comments:

  1. Simply stunning! Soft and delicate such a beautiful card.
    Elaine

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  2. Very interesting, Shirley! Your purple poppies are gorgeous!

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  3. A gorgeous card... And a very interesting post too! Thanks, Shirley, Jo x

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  4. Well, your card is absolutely stunning, a delight to see plus I learnt something,which always helps-so thank you for this! Thanks for joining Fusion x

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  5. gorgeous and perfect for both challenges

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  6. Shirley, I found your information on poppies and Remembrance Day very interesting. I didn't know about the white and purple poppies! Your card is super-amazingly gorgeous. I love it! Thanks for joining us at Fusion!

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  7. Thanks for all the interesting facts about poppies, Shirley! LOVE that there are purple ones ... and you have out-done yourself with your watercolouring. These are GORGEOUS. x

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  8. Those are super cool! What an amazing effect! I love the blue poppies that I've seen in Scotland. So glad you joined us at Muse this week, Shirley!

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  9. Your poppies look so beautiful Shirley and I love all those cool facts:) xx

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  10. Shirley your purple flowers are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing with us this week at Muse!

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  11. W O W !
    How awesome is this! Such a beauty!
    Anni

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  12. Wow ... what an interesting floral history ... and your purple poppies are fantastic ... so very glad you joined us at Fusion Card Challenge.

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  13. Thanks for the info on the purple poppy! First of all, I had no idea there was a purple poppy and was less enlightened to the fact that it is used to honor fallen service animals.

    Beautiful card! The shades of purple are stunning!

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  14. FABulous watercoloured poppies Shirley, and research!! So glad you joined in the fun @ FUSION!

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  15. These are gorgeous!!! Love!!! And thanks for the research! Had no idea? Learn something new everyday!!!

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  16. This is stunning Shirley - love how you've done those politically correct poppies!

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  17. Gorgeous! So soft. And I've learnt something new too.

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  18. Dreamy. And educational. What a mix.

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  19. Stunning, Shirley ... beautiful poppies ... and interesting background! Looking forward to seeing some of the variations you create ... how about some California poppies ... ours are still blooming in their full orange splendour! Hugs, Anita :)

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  20. No other word, just - BEAUTIFUL! :)

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  21. Hola Shirley, simply stunning card!!! i love your techinique, wonderful card!!!
    A hug from Palma

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  22. Good Golly this is GORGEOUS!!!!!!! Thanks for joining FUSION, and got my VOTE for MUSE, too LOVELY!

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  23. An awesome card, I'm in love with your purple poppies :)

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  24. Wow! Beautiful card! Such a pretty image!! Love this!

    Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

    hugs...
    Melissa

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  25. This is one amazing card...so beautiful!

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  26. Shirley this could not be more stunning, brilliant, or gorgeous ... it deserves to be in a frame [on my wall, next to my craft table where you would inspire me, as always!]
    =] Michele

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  27. This is REALLY beautiful. I love the way the edges of the poppy bleed out into the paper. Your other accents, the purple paper, the string and your spatters just make it perfect.

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  28. Wowzers what a great watercolour effect you have achieved here - love it!

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  29. Thank you for your interesting information about the poppy colors! who knew??!! Your watercolored flowers are just gorgeous Shirley - thanks for joining us in the Fusion Challenge! Julia xx

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  30. Love your watercoloured flower, Shirley. Great job. Thanks for playing along with the FUSION card challenge and hope to see you again.

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  31. What a gorgeous card!! Thank you for the info on poppies, I never knew! I love your color choices and how you made the color bleed out. I'm a color inside the lines girl, so I envy your ability to watercolor! Truly a piece of art, all the details are perfect!! Thanks for playing along with the Fusion Card Challenge!

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  32. Beautiful, soft and ethereal card! The poppies are just gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining us at Fusion Card Challenge.

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