Artful Times - Poppies

Today is rather a sad one as I had a phone call early morning from the youngest daughter of a life-long friend to tell me her mother had passed away. I just cannot get my head around it and cannot stop crying.  So, if I get time I will make another Poppy card in remembrance of my dear friend Joan.

In the meantime this is the one I made for the challenge

Sorry it is a bit "cock-eyed" (well, a lot really) but I was rushing off to get ready for Anglesey at the time.  I used my Adirondack pens to colour the stems and leaves (two colours believe it or not) but then used my Twinkling H2o's for the flower heads - a pink and a poppy red.

I wanted to show you some of "my collection" as this flower has been a firm favourite of mine for such a long time.  One of my closest friends planted some of her big Papavers in my garden a couple of years before she died and they mean so much to me when they flower.  (Sorry if I am being a bit morbid)  This is a painting she did for me on silk, she was a very talented painter, and could sketch a perfect likeness of someone in half an hour.

The delightful sisters, Jo and Annie have both contributed to my Poppy collection at some time.

This is a beautiful felted brooch which Jo made for me and which I will wear with pride over the coming days (obviously putting a contribution in the British Legion collection boxes as always).

and this lovely picture was made for me by her sister Annie - again felting with some additional stitching.  Two very talented ladies.

I have a friend, Mags, from our cake icing days, who went on a water-colouring course and knowing of my love for these flowers painted and had the picture framed for me 

I am sure that by now you have had lots of inspiration and hope this spurs you on to enter our challenge for this fortnight.  Just n case you haven't here is some jewellery Chas bought me whislt we were in Stratford this summer

Told you I like poppies

and I haven't shown you all the prints I have and the pottery I have collected over the years.  I could almost do a blog dedicated to those beautiful flowers.

Late addition:  A card I made in Memory of Joan, my friend from childhood.  Poppies and Forget Me Nots seem most appropriate.

RIP Joan

We would love to see your work over at Artful Times Challenge Blog.