Friday, July 2, 2010

My Handkerchief Poppies


Over the years I have collected printed hankies and always wondered what to do with them. The color and cheeriness of them attracted me to buy them at flea markets and thrift stores until I have accumulated quite a pile of them. I stored them in a round Blue Bell ice cream container for years until a few weeks ago I took them out again to admire them. I have to do something with these!

I had seen other artists make flowers out of them but they cut them and I couldn't bring myself to do that. Am I nuts? I started gathering them and folding them and pinning them on garments and finally I came up with a flower I could make them into. When I sent the pictures to show my sister she commented that they looked like poppies and I agree they do have that floppy quality of a poppy so that's what I've decided to call them. I did not cut them, they are hand stitched so if someone wanted the hankie back again (?) the stitching could be remove.

I've sewn vintage buttons as centers and each flower will have a pin back sewn on so you could wear these on any garment, a hat, or perhaps use them to decorate a room.

I've only made these two so far but just had to share them and plan to make more. Wouldn't a bowl full of these be uplifting to see?




5 comments:

Jood said...

OMG! I LOVE your Floppy Poppies! Hope you bring one to First Friday tonight! Jood

eirene said...

love it! I also have a small stash of these printed hankies, and like you, couldn't bear to cut into them. What a really cheery design, and the button makes it so friendly.

Now where did I hide them?

Joanne Huffman said...

What a great idea! They look very cool.

lindy said...

I love these! Pretty little hankies always bring good memories of my Granny who always had one in her purse. What a great idea.

Connie said...

BEAUTIFUL! Looks divine on the red camisole dress!
...i would like to buy that poppy. is it for sale?

connie