Staying in my Bubble ...............................................

Greetings dear friends & readers

As of midnight last Wednesday New Zealand went into Level 4 Lockdown due to the Covid 19 virus.

For us here this means everything is closed to the public except supermarkets, chemists, medical centres & 

petrol stations.

Our Prime Minister has said "we all have to stay in our bubbles in order to flatten the curve of this pandemic"

Personally I am more than happy in my bubble, but I know there are others that will really struggle with it & 

my heart goes out to them 💗

I have a new (step) granddaughter due in 2 weeks time whom we will not be able to visit until this is all over.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been doing some sewing for her just using up bits from my stash -

 I thought I would have no feminine fabrics but I was able to rustle up some pretty colourways.

I made 3 bibs using this free pattern from the internet - I have made these for my other grandsons & their Mum's 

tell me -  "these are the best bibs ever" !! 

I always buy white or cream towels when I see them on sale & use the toweling for the back of the bibs.  

I had an end left over from a white towel so I made two burp cloths & bound them with pink bias binding.

I knitted two pink organic cotton washcloths using this free pattern 

I made a flannel wheatbag & the bunny rattle is made from a vintage wool blanket - I tucked a rattle into 

the bunnies tummy before stuffing with fibrefill.

I found a length of fleece large enough to sew two cuddlies.

The little cloth doll is called Maisie & is a pattern by Kate Henderson of never enough hours blog 

I packaged everything up in pink tissue paper & The Mr was able to deliver it over to the city before the lockdown came into force.

Once we were in lockdown I decided to spend some time giving my sewing room a good clean, tidy & sort.

This was looooong overdue dear readers. 😉

It was lovely to give it all a good freshen & a fluff up & when I was finished I thought I would sew a new 

ironing board cover. 

Whenever I do this I just take the old cover off, cut the elastic & pull it out of its casing, open the fabric out fully & lay it on the new fabric on the floor - cut around the shape, make a casing, new elastic & voila .  .  .  .  .

This fabric is Cath Kidston & was purchased a couple of years ago when Mystyle first closed its Cambridge shop. 

I originally planned to cover a chair with it but used something else instead.

Last month my friend Gail turned 70 & had a small party.

Although she said "no gifts" I wanted to give her something but was not quite sure what as Gail has everything 

you could ever want  😉

I had this vintage cane dolls pram in my sleepout so I lined it with a black rubbish bag & planted it up with petunias for her.  On my way to her party I stopped at the Variety store & purchased a helium filled balloon that said 

"Happy Birthday" & tied this to the handle.

Gail said it has continued to flower away beautifully & she was thrilled with her gift.

Like alot of you I am sure, every now & again I feel this tight knot of anxiety about this horrid pandemic in our world -

 I worry for my children & grandchildren & what the future holds .....

When I feel this happening I try to distract myself with some home remedies

I play with Pippi alot - she is a great entertainer & very much lives in the moment

Blackie has been bringing in on average one mouse a day (!!) lately so he prefers to maintain a social distance 

as Mum is none-too-happy with him 😐

I burn lavender oil in my diffusers as I find this helps to calm me

I knit dishcloths & I stockpile dishcloth cotton yarn in lovely colours 😉😇

I try to cook good nutritious meals & I spend some time outdoors each day if the weather allows.

I find if I keep my hands busy then my mind stays on track so I try to keep creative & do things that bring me pleasure.

I am thinking of you all at this trying time dear friends

Take care of yourselves & each other & stay in your bubbles,

With much love & friendship to you all ! 💕

Julie & the furry ones x0x0x