Senior Hour at the Supermarket ~Mask Making Update ~Do You Still Need a Mask or Two?

Helper Cat and I make another batch of masks every day.

As long as I get requests from our family and friends,

I am going to keep on sewing...

Over the weekend, I finished a large batch.

A friend and business owner

is providing them for all of their employees.

Since I now have a good variety of masks in my inventory,

I took a day to tidy up my mess, and focus on some house chores.

Starting with a trip to the Supermarket.

I so appreciate that they designate the first hour of their

daily opening for Seniors and First Responders.

I was alone in the produce section...

I was alone in the bakery...

And I was alone in the meat department.

You can see, there is no shortage of beef here.

However, the poultry is another story!

Seriously, there were very few other patrons

at 7 o’clock this morning.

And the folks I ran into were wearing masks.

It was a good shopping day at the supermarket.

Oh, how I’ve missed being able to take the time

to browse for what I need.

And the experience will be even better when we are allowed

to bring our own shopping bags! This is just after one  trip.

In case you are wondering how the

Patriotic Mask Collection is coming along?

This is just a start...

Let me know if you are interested.

#slowthespread

Stay Safe and Well.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~My Report ~Quarantine Question ~Do You Still Need a Mask? #flattenthecurve #slowthespread

Do you recognize our handsome neighbor boys?

Their mom asked if I made child-size masks.

I did not hesitate to seek out a pattern

and appropriate print fabrics.

A lucky find at Hobby Lobby was this

Dinosaur Print Fabric

for our Dinosaur loving Grandson.

None of these boys go out and about very often,

however, it is good to be prepared

in the event that they do.

Remember this photo? I created my first masks on March 29th.

Since then, I have made a batch or two nearly every day.

Every morning, we make coffee,

send messages to family and friends,

and watch the news while we cut and press.

The kitchen counter is just the right height for

cutting, pressing, and pinning.

Stitching is done in the Sewing Studio.

Blue tends to be the most popular color, and elastic

that goes behind the ears is the most popular style.

However, I am still using both patterns.

This is the one with elastic that goes around the back of the head...

much easier on your ears, especially if you

wear your mask for an extended length of time. 

Back in March, I decided I wanted to make masks

for family and friends at no charge.

But, I have accepted donations so I can purchase

more Mask Making Supplies.

In addition to some very generous cash donations,

I have received print fabrics and elastic,

A variety of Baked Goods.

Tasty looking Canned Goods,

And plants for our Outdoor Living Space.

Lizzie, our Helper Cat, provides excellent support...

well, most of the time, anyway!

Stay safe and well.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~My Mask Making Report ~Who Else Needs One?

This is a challenging time.

When going out and about, the CDC recommends

that you should wear a Fabric Face Mask.

Crafters across the country have put

their other projects aside to create masks

for their family, their friends, and their community.

The following was on my Newsfeed yesterday...

 I couldn’t agree more with these thoughts.

It’s why we all keep cutting, and stitching,

and folding, and  pressing.

I feel like I am doing something worthwhile, 

when I am helpless about everything that is going on around us.

I’ve been making the two different styles,

as some folks like elastic around their ears,

and some prefer the longer elastic around the back of their head.

Helper Cat provides good support.

Over the weekend we had requests for about two dozen masks.

So we stepped up our production...

We filled those orders and have about 30 more in our inventory.

Please let me know if you still need a mask.

I am not charging for them,

as my objective was to just create protection

for our family and friends.

I have received some very generous donations

of crafting supplies, delicious baked goods,

and cash for our elastic fund.

Thank you, everyone.

Stay safe and well.

~Natalie

Senior Hour at the Supermarket ~Mask Making ~Where the Quarantine Time Goes

I left the house early yesterday to take advantage

of Senior Hour at my favorite Supermarket.

I had my list, my face mask, my Clorox Wipes,

and my hand sanitizer with me.

(No worries, this is a Red-Light Selfie)

If you know me well, you know that I love browsing in

a nice supermarket. I like looking at

the colorful produce, the beautiful baked goods,

and the artistic display of fish and seafood.

I was pleased that the store was not crowded

and almost every single person was wearing a face mask.

So I stocked up on necessary supplies.

This is how I felt when we went to the store a week ago...

While I was there, I chatted with three friends

that would still like a face mask.

So, when I got home I promptly

finished this batch, and cut some more.

As long as there is a need, I will keep sewing.

Remember, I am not charging for the masks,

but I do accept donations.

I have accepted crafting supplies, Lysol wipes,

generous cash donations, and baked goods.

Hubby and I went out this afternoon to 

drop off his finished paperwork at the office.

We stopped by to leave a mask with these good friends.

Notice we visited at a safe distance.

We both hope you are all staying safe and well.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. Leave a message if you would like one of my masks.

Stitching on Sunday ~Face Masks #COVID-19 #FlattentheCurve #StoptheSpread

Like many of you, Helper Cat and I have been

spending time in my Sewing Studio making Face Masks.

We started last weekend. For our first batch,

we used the pattern from the Avera St. Lukes website.

This mask is shaped to fit your face,

And it is reversible, so it is easier to remember

which side should be worn next to your face.

I was so pleased to see this photo.

Our friends had sent a few of my masks to their

daughter who is a physician working  in Florida.

I’m glad she received them quickly

and will make good use of them.

Now, with the CDC recommendations for everyone

to wear a mask when going out and about,

our daughter used this pattern to sew some today.

I like this idea of sewing a pipe cleaner over

the nose area to create a closer fit.

Since elastic is now in short supply,

she used a shoe lace for ties.

Good work, Emily.

They look great on you and your hubby.

This weekend, I finished my second batch.

This one is the flat mask with pleats.

Which style of mask do you like the best?

Please leave a comment if you are in need of a mask.

I am planning to cut more out tomorrow.

Stay safe and well, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Friday’s Fabulous Finds ~Fashion, Food, Flowers, and Fun #COVID-19 #StayHome #FlattentheCurve #StoptheSpread

So many of us are spending all day, every day at home...

working, schooling, cooking, cleaning, and perhaps creating.

Find something to wear that is casual and comfortable,

but still makes you feel good, like a cheerful yellow.

With Spring in the air, our favorite stores are posting

fresh fashions on Facebook, Instagram,

and in frequent emails.

So many times, I already own

some of these pieces in my wardrobe.

I appreciate the photos that show

new options for putting them together.

The caption (where can’t this go?) made me chuckle.

Right now, most of us are not going anywhere,

except out for essential errands...

And for those of you faced with challenge of

finding nutritious foods for your children...

breakfast, morning snack,

lunch, afternoon snack,

dinner, and bedtime snack.

Aren’t these just the cutest?!

Older children can even create their own.

Here’s another fabulous food find.

One of our local establishments, Dempsey’s,

posted their Pizza of the Week.

It is available as a Take & Bake, so Hubby promptly called in an order

and picked it up in the late afternoon.

It was the perfect Friday Night Dinner plan.

Back to my Fashion Finds...

Spruce up your Spring Coat with a Scarf

when you go out for your daily walk.

A scarf also provides a way

for you to cover your nose and mouth

if you are without

the recommended fabric face mask.

I remember when I was a little girl.

Easter was one of the few occasions when I got a new dress.

This is what my Grandma was wearing

when we got to her house for Easter Dinner.

This generation of Nana Gigis has a very different style.

For the next several weeks it is important

for all of us to stay safe in our homes.

Enjoy the hobbies you love,

like cooking, baking, gardening, and creating.

Let’s flatten the curve and stop the spread together.

Take care,

~Natalie