It's A Pot Holder

Another swap I have been in. This time it was a Pot Holder swap and I find these come in very handy.  My partner Glenys sent me this lovely one.

Then I have made for Shirley and is in the post.  

LEST WE FORGET

Clicking on links will take you to more information about ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day here in New Zealand and Australia and it commemorates all New Zealanders and Australians killed in war and also honors returned servicemen and women.

The date marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the ANZACS – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

Thousands of men lost their lives in the Gallipoli Campaign.  Among the dead were 2721 New Zealanders - almost one in four of those who served on Gallipoli, 8500 Australians, 44,000 men from France and the British Empire and 87,000 Turks. 

ANZAC is the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or who still serve. In many countries, the poppy is worn around Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is most commonly seen around Anzac Day, 25 April.

In the early hours of this morning all around New Zealand there were dawn services and again there were services mid morning. There are always big turnouts with the younger generation now taking the places of the soldiers who fought and have now passed on, in the parade.

For the Fallen

by

Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.

There is music in the midst of desolation

And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with laughing comrades again;

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;

They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,

Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.

12 Inch Mini Club 'Easter' Swap

Yes another swap.  This time it is the 12" Mini Club swap that Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin' hosts.  This time we had to make a Easter themed mini for our partners.
I was lucky enough to send to Sue from A Stitch In Time and have heard that it has arrived safely.  I initially made a boo boo with it and made it to small ...hint: never sew and measure while in the midst of night shift duties.... so unstitched it and added on some more borders to get up to the right size.

The pattern I found over at Samelia's Mum and if you have not visited her before go you don't know what you are missing, so go have a look at her blog. The link to the tutorial is here and go have a look at her other tutorials too.
I was lucky enough to receive from Sharon over at Osewdevine. Isn't it cute.  She also sent me the lovely hanger it is on and some mini eggs which did not last long at all.  Hubby advised me they were a gift for him and got stuck in ... lol.

Another swap over and a couple more to go, so keep an eye out for them too.