ANZAC DAY IN ISOLATION

An ANZAC Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) like never before in Australia.  On this day we thank our war veterans for their bravery and giving their lives for this country.  Far different from the street parades and dawn service.  People commemorated this day by lining up at their front gate and listening to the service via the radio.  Light up the dawn was very successful, so many families made an effort with flags, poppies, candles and rosemary. Some played the last post. It was touching to see.
We had a little ceremony in our front garden.

Lest We Forget

...... at the going down of the sun and in the morning,we will remember them. Lest we Forget 

My son did some searching and found these records of our grandfathers war service. Mine were  Donpon and Lewington and hubby's  was Kerr. Very proud of them and luckily they all came home.

Zen Pouch

I thought I should make something from my birthday box before I go back to work and things get busy.  This cute Zen Pouch by Millie Moo Designs.

Where There is a Will There is a Way

There is a first time for everything, virtual stitching. On the first week in April a bunch of ladies were supposed to meet for a stitching retreat organised by Chookyblue.
But as we all know we are in lock down due to this COVID 19 virus . So the very smart Chookyblue organised an online stitching day where we all did the same project. Anni Downs " Hatched and Patched" sent a package to all those involved. We were sworn to secrecy and we all opened it at the same time at our virtual sewing day. It was such fun chatting almost face to face with everybody.

Prepared to sew 

The Pattern

As the day went on !

All finished Easter Sunday - what else was there to do?

Meet the Hulk

I just had to include this in my blog. His aunt said he really acts like the Hulk when he is dressed up, my DIL says no.. he IS the Hulk when he is dressed up.  Ha! Ha !  Meet the Hulk at  three and a half.

and his sister at  six and a half 

Check the mail Mum

The kids surprised me with this lovely gift for my birthday. This arrived in the mail today from the "Fabric Patch" Wow I love it. Apparently you give a price range and they do a gift box and post it direct. Looks like plenty to do in  COVID .19 lock down.

Birthday in COVID lock down

Yesterday I spent the most unusual birthday with my family . We had a virtual lunch. Hubby made me the best roast pork lunch and the kids sat to their table at the same time and we shared conversation and cake. Colty though it was funny when the candles weren't going out when he blew them ha! ha ! He is the only one finding all this very confusing as the rest of us understand. But considering how things are at the moment I had a lovely day and appreciated the effort put in by friends and family to communicate best wishes to me.
My friend Kerry made this beautiful covered tape measure for me, its is so sweet with grub roses and seed pearls. I received things to sew, scented candles and little bags as well as a face massage gadget. I was very spoiled.

My lovely hubby organised all this for me knowing how much I was missing the kids. 

Check out this crackle  I did' have to share ..........

 I feel truly blessed.

WILD TULIP SAC

I am really loving Sue Spargo projects I have just  finished this little zip bag called Wild Tulip Sac .

 

I placed a little badge on it that says hand made, I think they are very cute in rose gold and matched the zip also in rose gold.

Coronavirus COVID-19

I don't think I can have a blog without talking about COVID-19 so don't read this if you know all about it as I am sure everyone does by now.  Its now a pandemic .

This Pandemic has swept across the world like a tornado of sickness, death and discomfort for all. 

It started in China and quickly spread across the world with international travelers. Entire cruise ships have been quarantined.  Italy was one of the first countries badly hit by the virus, then it spread through out Europe the UK , the USA and of course here to Australia . I don't think any country will escape this pandemic.

Today in Australia we have 5,100 cases, 345 recovered and 23 have died. In the USA 201,312 have the virus 5,110 have dies and 8,878 have recovered. That is just an example at this moment. Those figures are climbing every day. 

So what's happening. The borders of the States are closed for the first time in one hundred years.

All pubs, clubs, restaurants and coffee shops are closed. Only takeaway is available.

The Australian border is closed. Anyone coming home from overseas has to isolate for 14 days in hotels. Anyone over 70 or with lowered immune system or chronic illness should be staying home. Anyone over 70 cannot visit anyone in hospital.Self isolation is what people are being told to do.

You cannot gather in groups and only one other person can visit your home at a time. 

People out in public need to stay 1.5 m apart

Schools are closed for extended holidays and may be for a longer time , no one knows what will happen in 3 weeks.

The list goes on- never have we had these limitations to save peoples lives, the economy is falling rapidly because so many businesses are closed. Only what they class as essential services are open.

The stores are out of most non perishable things because people are panic buying. 

Nurses and doctors and pharmacists are being called out of retirement and the army is helping with monitoring isolation, and in businesses making medical masks and sanitizers. It is a crazy world and a little scary I guess.

I feel most for all the health workers putting themselves on the front line. THANK YOU !

We are not supposed to travel out of our area.  

One can't complain when authorities are trying to save lives.  

I only have one -

The thing I'm really having trouble with is not seeing my Son , Daughter in law and grandchildren.

I so miss my grand babies at this time and especially the thought of not seeing them for months.... thank goodness for technology and smart phones.

I thought I should record this on my blog just because its happening.

Stay safe every one stay home , wash your hands a lot, phone your friends and practice social distancing. 

The symptoms

The virus

Girls Stitch in 2020 hosted by "QUILTERS ANGEL" Highfields Toowoomba

What a wonderful day the  "Girls Stitch In " was. The hall was set up with soft pink colours  with little chandeliers glistening away on each table and bows on the chairs. You would think we were at a wedding.

 Marion said just a day to relax and appreciate ourselves as women and who and what we are. We were treated very well.The guest designers were Natalie Bird of "Birdhouse" and Kris Mears of "Tag along Teddies".

Natalie with her display

Kris Teaching some skills

Below are both sides of Kris' display

All meals were provided and we sat at a table and table service was provided.

The Projects 
Kris designed  the Ipad cover and the tote bag.
Natalie designed  the 3 small items , pin cushion, project bag and thread holder. 

Jenny actually went right home and finished the projects as well as made a block holder and a zipper bag to use up every scrap of the fabric as there was a bit left.it must be a miracle or NO just  CO-VID isolation.

The day's projects 

My extra projects inspired by Natalie's designs

My complete matching set