Marg and I have had a wonderful overnight stay in the incredibly picturesque Bendigo working on the display for Fed Square for next month. We also called into say hi to Ann at the Bendigo Woollen Mills (who needs any other reason to go to Bendigo) who had sent her first batch of poppies in only last week … so we were really pleased to meet another one of our sisters in craft. For Bendigo locals, Ann is handing out patterns left right and centre so we really want to thank Ann for being a brilliant 5000 Poppies Ambassador. While we were there we had a chat with a few of her customers which was also lovely. Dinner at the Dispensary was definitely a highlight … but the main aim of the weekend was to get away to finalise the installation details.
So … this week’s poppy haul was massive : 518 poppies in total with contributions from Karen Boulden of Fitzroy North Vic, Jennifer Luscombe, Sandra Marczenko, Anette McRae, Lucy D’Ambrosio, Patricia Strong of Caulfield East, Murial Harmer from the Combined Lower Templestowe Ladies Craft Group, Diane Collyer of Ferntree Gully Vic, Nance Dawson from the Tongala Womens Auxiliary RSSAILA, Kerang RSL Ladies Auxiliary including Susan Watt, Kerang Vic. D. Gardiner, Kerang Vic, Ann Thomas, Bendigo Vic (Bendigo Woollen Mills), Valerie Zegers, Wallan Vic, Debra Fitzpatrick, Thorneside Qld, Diane Spoiers, Aisha Mary Ryan, June Fillingham, & Jacqui Piper from the Willows Branch QCWA, Ingrid Beatton of Rochedale Qld, Mary Pearson, Eaglehawk Vic, Lynette Willey, Drysdale Vic, Lindy Newton, Sandy Bay Tas and my wonderful mother-in-law Setsuko Berry.
Marg and I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful (and in many cases continuing) support. Keep them coming. We are having delusions of grandeur here.
The image is of Marg and our first of many strings of poppies for the display.
5000 POPPIES 
Hi Lynne
I am reading your posts with interest (as I make more poppies) but I have not seen the whereabouts of a convenient collection point. Are you going to be in Fed Square on Monday tomorrow 21st October? Please let me know If not then. When? Or would I need to make a trip to Ashburton. Phone number is 98045856 in case my dodgy computer is not receiving e-mails.
Thanks for mall your inspiration and work .My poppies have been the subject of many good conversations regarding remembrance of our troops. Keep up the good work best wishes Norma Gallacher
Wonderful news Lyn..I have had a great week toooo..knitted 4 poppies of my own.(would there be any new knitting instructions available other than two on the website?)..& have shown these around & now have 4 ladies from our “Crafters of Beechmont” already working on them since Wednesday & a friend today running with it excitedly..what I did was go into Spotlight at Ashmore (Gold Coast) & buy up a stack of wool in the three colous (they have a sale on wool now it is coming into summer.& several pairs knitting needles ( very hard to get 3.50 size up here) & photocopied the instructions & Wham….they were ready to go..cant wait to see their efforts. I have articles coming out in local papers as well. I just love knitting them & doing something different with each one…thanks for the opportunity to be involved…Pammy Frangipani..Gold Coast Hinterland..Qld… Pammy Frangipani Gold Coast Hinterland.Qld 4211 E: pammy@pammyfrangipani.com Ph: 0419528401
That’s amazing Pammy. You are so generous … Queenslanders are really getting into it I have noticed … love that.
I will not post this pattern because it doesn’t belong to me but it is a free pattern on the webs by Lion Brand.
Click on the link below.
It looks wonderful but a bit fussy for me.
Let me know how you go.
Lynn
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=498
Hi Lyn, thanks for the link to the Lion Brand poppy, will give it a go, as you said, “bit fussy”, but will work thru it. I am now up to 6 poppies myself, have been using different textured wool in the red along with different shades, then using textured black wool for centres, and different coloured green wool for that. They have come out wonderful. Just got confirmation yesterday “Tamborine Times” editor is happy to run with your news article next week, our own “Hinterlander” here in Beechmont, (Gold Coast Hinterland) is running a further story next month, and waiting to hear from editor of Canungra Times for an article there. So as you said, Qld is moving along with creating these beautiful poppies, I now have 6 “creators” working with me….will happily accept your poster if it is ready, kind regards, Pammy Frangipanni