Being grateful

I have said more than once this past week that the "novelty" of being isolated was starting to wear thin and we probably have another four weeks to go with living this way. But living in Australia we are most grateful as we have not had the rate of infection or loss of life that other countries are enduring. While it is looking like we are heading in the right direction I would hate for complacency to take over, so we are grateful for the expert decisions being made to keep us all safe. So the new normal seems to be a bit like our usual normal - gardening, stitching and the occasional walk! I found myself even stitching scrub caps as a call had been put out from a major hospital. The pattern took a while to work out and Larry did well checking that it was suitable! I can recall during my nursing career working in paediatric intensive care and that any colour was welcome so I used some brights from my stash including a dance themed fabric from 2003!........

I've also been using up some of my stash on some more palliative care quilts. The group that I "work" with (and let me tell you it is not really work!), have made over 1200 quilts in just five years......amazing! We are so grateful that one of our members quilts many of them and between her and another helper this is what 140 bindings look like all ready for the quilted quilts! (Thankyou for the photo Faye x).....

Faye has sent me some photos of a couple of mine after her quilting and she even bound them for me.......

And two more using some of my rich gold fabrics that are waiting to be quilted......

 I've also completed another quilt but for now that remains a secret as it is a new mystery project designed as a "Pick a Box" project by Lessa Siegele that you too can join here: Quilters Guild of South Australia Pick a Box Mystery ....and it is all free to help during this time of isolation! I am also stitching some embroidery to complete another palliative care quilt. Two panels had already been completed by the kind stitcher who donated them. I needed to complete the bird cages but one in the centre had been traced off centre and luckily it was with a wash out pen so I decided to replace it with appliqué.......I've been missing that lately! I have some Morris fabrics that I think will work well for the borders as well.....

 Larry has been busy painting the ceiling of our new kitchen as the lights are now installed and I added some more of my late Mum's plates on the wall. While he was in the mood for painting I decided the garden dovecote could do with a makeover to match the house!........

 So it has gone from a stark white to cream and red........ 

 We've been trying to walk each day and have noticed many others are out exercising keeping a distance of course. But one does need to dodge the bikes when on the shared track......

 Easter has passed us by since my last blog post and while this year we couldn't share it with family it was lovely to see photos of the older two......

 And this as well being taught by their Dad and then playing on their own.....

We even had the neighbourhood easter bunny visit and we have yet to find out who it was! And every year I find a dark chocolate bunny on my bed!.....

 This week we've had some sunny days in the garden and I've managed to plant some new poppies, hollyhocks, foxgloves, sweet peas, hellebores and a plant that Mum always had in her gardens - ageratum. But the rain overnight brought out all the snails - they always know when there is fresh new juicy temptations! I did feel awful that the bait worked but I am not sure how else to save the plants. So the hope is for a sunny spring in about 4-5 months full of colour and joy.....

 Signs of Autumn are around us but the potted oak trees are still holding their colour. I've grown three from acorns that I took from my childhood home. I would love to plant them in the garden but a small suburban block is not really going to work!.......

 The lemon and lime trees are doing well in pots and my late Mum's maiden hair fern continues to thrive...it has to be at least 15 years old........

The wonder of the monarch butterflies makes us eternally grateful for where we live as well.........

 Shopping has come to a standstill only for essentials but I felt the need of some new warmer clothes so turned to a favourite brand - Out and About Clothing all made in country South Australia that I could order online. My sweaters arrived in under two weeks and they beautifully made with 100's of colours and trims to choose from. I never wore red growing up as Mum always said "redheads should never wear red"...but in this my 64th year I think it is time I did!........

 So I seem to have found the mundane to reach out to you......I hope life is as good as it can be and that wherever you are that you are safe and well. I will leave you with these lovely photos sent to me by Helen from New South Wales of her William and May quilt. Thankyou so much Helen....your colours are beautiful.......

Thinking of you 💕

It is difficult to write this post while we are safe and well knowing that so many are suffering so greatly across our world. This devastating virus is unrelenting but here at home (and for now), we seem to be "flattening the curve". Our eldest daughter is nursing on the front line and next week she will be in training in preparation for what we have seen overseas. We are all hoping it won't get to that but for now we are being sensible and staying home except for shopping for essentials. But today I did feel guilty going out to buy some activity packs to send to Beau and Maisie to help keep them busy during this long stint of staying home. So please know while sharing our safe and secure news that our thoughts are with those of you who may be in an intolerable situation....especially quilting friends across the world.....sending lots of love to you all. We are so lucky that we live so close to a river where we can have walks in the fresh air and in isolation too.....right at the end of our street.....

 We pass this wonderful 'house' made of branches and logs and also have a wetlands boardwalk but it is not too wet at the moment.......

 The birds sing high above and I wonder if they are aware that all is not well in the world.......

 

After a long walk we drop into our favourite cafe also at the end of our street to take home a coffee! It is so sad to see all the furniture packed up with the X markings on the floor to indicate how far apart we need to stand.....and there was a little visitor reminding us that Easter is not far away.......

We are not sure when we will be looking after little Wade again but last week we had a special time (continuing our social distancing), at a nearby beach. Wade loves to explore and it is so refreshing to see his little spirit happy.....

 We will never be bored in isolation at home....I have my quilting and Larry his tapestry, so it has been a good time for me to cut up some of my beloved William Morris stash. Even Larry helped with some cutting as my jolly hand is still not fully functional and by the end of the day it swells up and throbs. From all the cutting I should be able to make at least four quilts for those in need and I have found it quite meditative.....

 I still can't use my thumb and first finger so pressing even causes pain so I worked out a way of "chain pressing" along with the piecing!..

I have also found this little stiletto to be my new best friend for both piecing and pressing. It is made by a local girl Jane who has a little business called OnePeaceByJane and she calls it "A little creative Helper". It is like having another hand to do the fine poking, holding and turning. On the end is a beautiful handmade lampwork bead so if you would like one yourself contact Jane or Penny at Pennylane Patchwork as she stocks them too......

 We are also near the completion of our new kitchen and laundry and it is so wonderful to finally have pull out drawers where everything can be seen. I also asked for a pull out cupboard with two bins which we are finding very useful. ......

We still have some electrical work to complete the project and some skirting boards and spotlights need to be installed but in the scheme of things we feel very blessed. So here is the "before and after"........

Until next time I do hope that you are safe and well and our loving thoughts are being sent your way. I will leave you with one of our front windows as we join in the bear hunt across the world. Take care xx