At some point in the past Memorial Day, you may have seen organizations selling artificial poppies as fundraisers. Do you know why poppies are associated with Memorial Day? The tradition dates back to the 1915 poem "In Flanders Field" by Canadian John McCrae. The flower was used as a symbol for soldiers who had died in battle. Soon after, Moina Michael came up with the idea of wearing red poppies as a symbol of remembrance. According to the US Memorial Day website, the VFW began selling poppies nationally in 1922.
To create a poppy pin, cut four larger petals and two smaller petals out of red felt and a 1" circle from the black felt using the provided poppy petal template. Start the pin design by gluing one of the larger petals on the disk facing each other.
Place the two remaining larger petals in the other direction. The four large petals should now be glued to the wooden disc.
Add the two smaller red petals facing each other in the center of the poppy. Finish the design by gluing the black circle in the center of the petals.
Your pin is completed by gluing the pinback to the opposite side of the wooden disk.
To create a poppy stem, once again cut four large petals, two small petals, and a 1” circle. With one of your flower stems, fold it in half and twist it, leaving a larger loop at the folded end. Bend the bottom of the stem.
Cut the petal as you did with the pin. Add a small amount of hot glue to the bottom of one of the smaller petals. Place the wire in the glue. Add another drop of hot glue and place the other small petal on top to create a wire felt sandwich. Let cool.
Repeat the same technique to glue two of the larger petals to the petal sandwich. Let cool.
With the two largest petals remaining, you will add them to the poppy so that all four petals surround the center of the flower. Glue in place and let cool.
Starting at the top, wrap the floral tape several times around the base of the petals, making sure to smooth the tape as you roll to create a secure bond.
Continue wrapping the tape along the stem, smoothing it out as you go. Once you get to the bottom, start working your way back to the top of the stem. Tear off the tape once you're done and put it back in place.
Bend down each of the petals to shape your flower. Bend the wire loop to the side and hot glue the black circle on top. Let cool.
Present your flower with a ribbon around the stem or place it in a small milk jug to use as a vase.
