Poppies

Poppies wreath in miniature

On woven head wreath or in Thanatos' (Death), Nyx's (Night) and Morpheus (Dream) hands, poppies are symbol of oblivion. The red poppy, with its silk petals, has moderate calming properties, Papaver somniferum, with its large mauve petals, has sleeping and narcotic properties.

Meadow with poppies in miniature

In Commonwealth countries red poppies are symbol to remember soldier who have died during the World Wars. Red poppies are distributed during Remembrance Day on November the 11th, the day when in 1918 World War I ended.

Its soft and red petals are irresistible. I've tried to reproduce them in miniature, with tissue paper, on wreaths, frames and little corner of meadow.

Frame with poppies in miniature

Poppies inspired to me a tutorial, do you want to know about it? Stay tuned :)

An ancient talisman

Ilex aquifolium is the Latin name for holly. Alfredo Cattabiani in his book "Florario" writes that the ancient Romans brought branches of holly during Saturnalia, the days before the winter solstice, as talismans against evil spells.

An echo of this tradition has reached us and in the present holly is a symbol of Christmas.

I think it is a good omen to write again on this blog with a post dedicated to holly.

During the past days I've prepared some miniatures with little paper leaves and tiny handpainted berries. The writing NOEL is already gone in UK, the two wreaths are in my shop and the greeting bunch will follow them on tomorrow and then... what is that question mark?

Curious ;)