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Poppies are popping all over the garden right now- those papery red ones with a crinkly sheen. I love them. I made a small folk-style painting and got it professionally printed into card sets to give to friends at Christmas time. 

And speaking of Christmas, I made my first decoration of the year- a grey dove with some embroidery. This is in preparation for teaching a class this afternoon, for an English-teaching organisation I've been volunteering with this year. The women we work with are recent refugees to NZ, and they are all really into making things by hand. Working on projects together, the women can practice their English and I love chatting with them- it's a great way to end the week. After a few sessions of making these, we'll use them to decorate a Christmas tree in our local cathedral. I'll be sure to show you how it turns out!

Have a lovely weekend, blogfriends.

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16 responses to “dove and poppy”

  1. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    that is a really beautiful thing to do

    Like

  2. louana Avatar

    I LOVE poppies and those cards of yours capture them so beautifully! How great to be having a fun time stitching with refugees, I’d love to see how they all turn out. Happy weekend melissa

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  3. Hanah Avatar

    What a lvoely thing to do. I was just admiring some quilts in our local library that had been completed by a group like that.
    I love how creativity can bring people together.

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  4. Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow Avatar

    Have to say that I’m LOVING those little Poppy writing cards ~ truly eyecatching! 🙂

    Like

  5. jenni Avatar

    love your little dove..

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  6. Francesca Avatar

    what a wonderful way to help refugee women settle in a new country, and what a brilliant idea for an english class, to combine it with handmaking! come to think of it, I could use some english lessons too, will you teach me? 🙂

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  7. Nicole Avatar

    How appropriate that you post about poppies and doves today. Poppies for remembrance, and doves for peace. Your class sounds wonderful.

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  8. Ariadne Avatar

    It is great you have volunteered for these women!AriadnefromGreece!

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  9. Kevie Avatar

    What an amazing way to integrate newcomers into community. Your poppy cards are gorgeous!

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  10. Ingrid Avatar

    those lovely cards and the rest! It gives me always some relaxing mood if i visit your blog and see what you have made again,thanx!

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  11. Geraldine Avatar
    Geraldine

    Poppies for Armistice Day – perfect timing!

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  12. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    We had a Remembrance Day service at our Aged Care Facility with poppies. Also we let 12 white doves go, they circled around and then flew home. It was a beautiful sight and the residents and families thought it was very special.
    Love your idea of making Christmas decorations,real Kiwi spirit.
    Cheers
    Karen
    Newcastle NSW

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  13. Paula Avatar

    I always love the things you make and the art you do. It’s very ‘you’ and there is always something so honest and lovely in it. x x x

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  14. Annie Avatar

    What a brilliant way for folk to improve their English. Loving the dove 😀

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  15. Aneta Avatar
    Aneta

    Hi I am from Poland and I was always curious how it is to have a Christmas Tree when it’s actually summer and the whole idea of Tree with snow on it and baubles and lights seemes a bit crazy. Actually I envy you the weather and New Zealand’s picturesque views – my friends went to NZ for holidays and have shown us some photos – yet the Christmas in full summer is honestly so incredible idea – ours is always at least 2 feet deep in the snow and frosty. Anyway I love your blog and the pictures – you make it all seem so effortless..
    All the Best
    Aneta

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  16. kaylovesvintage Avatar

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