Week I-Can't-Remember-How-Many (or, An Update)

Hi, hi! Still keeping ourselves in check here on Vine. Hard to believe that just a month ago we were pretty much oblivious to the terms "coronavirus," "shelter-in-place," etc. And, who would've thought that the world's sewists would be encouraged to make fabric masks for everyone! I want to be as vigilant as possible so I took on the mask task and so far have produced 14 of the bad boys (as my granddaughter called them! :). Just this morning I received texts, photos, and a video call from some of the great grands who had received their homemade masks in the post.

Here is our youngest great, Arabelle, showing off her pretty blue mask.

The pattern I used for the first 14 (I intend on making more), was from Sarahmaker and after the first one, I gradually figured out a streamline way of making one mask in about 30 minutes (to the designer's suggested 20 minutes). I see now that Sarahmaker also has this tutorial for a no-sew mask. These are a bit less sturdy than the sewn ones but would do in a pinch or if you needed a mask in a hurry. There are tons of tutorials popping up on the web but, aside from the one I've already used, I like this video tutorial from Jenny Doan and will probably make the others (and some backups) from her instructions. She uses just two pleats as opposed to the three (not so evenly spaced) pleats on the Sarahmaker tutorial. Fortunately, I just happened to have 1/8" elastic in my stash for the first 10 masks - especially for the little ones - but now am using 1/4" elastic which I also have in my stash.

Our second youngest
great looks like a stage coach bandit in his mask . . . my granddaughter said that he wore it all Sunday morning! Haha!

And then here is our seven-year-old great grandson with a "prop" - sanitizing spray. He definitely is a ham.



Speaking of great grands, great grandson Dawson (the bandit above) received the toy tote Bloem Basket I made and is thrilled with it and the various farm animal toys. Granddaughter Brittany said that he is all about farm animals and tractors and wants to come out here to the ranch and drive Grandpa's tractor. Well, maybe ride . . . !

There is a pig farm, a goat farm, and a horse ranch included with the toys. Love it!














Last Thursday morning I tripped on one of the dogs and a rug and landed hard on my knees. As a result my knees and lower legs, especially the right leg and foot, are swollen and sore and sporting some nasty-looking bruises. There goes wearing a fancy Easter frock . . . not that I have one! I would post a photo but it is not a pretty sight and I'm also rather embarrassed to show how clumsy I am! I did have a video chat with my doctor and he sent me to get X-rays to ensure there are no broken bones. I'm walking around okay, so that didn't seem likely and, as it turns out, the X-rays only showed lots of arthritis in both my ankles and knees. Duh! I already knew that! Nothing much to do except ice and elevate.

With my feet up, Chewy the dog finds a good spot to hang out.

This is a difficult time to not have regular worship services; however, our pastor decided to have two abbreviated services on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday so that fewer people are in each service, thereby adhering to the "social distancing" guidelines. Our congregation is small anyhow and this new schedule is working well. It is also important to me for my spiritual well-being to be in the Lord's house at least once a week. 

Palm Sunday at First Lutheran.

A palm frond left by a member of the congregation that I tucked into my Easter door wreath. 

So, another week on Vine Street and looking forward to sunshine and the chance to get out in the yard - or what I like to call my Garden of Weedin'!

God's Peace,

Hazel