Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Sunday 10 May 2020

Centred , near the end of a lockdown

We are nearing the end, maybe ,of a total lockdown,  a move to a lower alert level,  and some shops are gearing up to be open to the public again.  Real coffee, fabrics??? Clothes maybe, and able to drive further than our own very local area.
Meantime, I have been busy with the next set of blocks for the Centred Quiltalong with Sandra over at mmmquilts
The blocks and quilt  Sandra has done is in blues, and is stunning.

This yearly event is always wonderful, and no exception even with the virus hovering, lockdowns in so many places, and there will be more joining in  once they can go and get the fabrics they need. I used what I had here, and my batiks have again been so lovely to sew up.The gaps will be filled with the  final 4 blocks, I placed the deep teal strips to see if that suited, as white was not in my stash, and too pale against my palest strips.





This does look blurry, maybe my eyes are blurry too right now.
All is well, I might be brave and do an actual real life grocery shop this week, the online one is fine, but sometimes items are just not there, but in fact are on the shelves. Our local supermarket is very particular about sanitising trolley handles,  our hands when we go in and leave, no bags allowed, put everything into your trolley and then into the bags at your car. We are so thankful for every precaution we have to follow. 
Nothing exciting is happening, the cats stay healthy, and snuggle up close to the fire at night.
Quotation of the week, author unknown
" Long  distance is a  test of our true inner spirit,
resilience, loyalty and love"

Greetings from Jean.

21 comments:

Susan Heather said...

Not sure whether I will be going to the supermarket for a while, although, as you say, there seem to be some items not available on line. I have another order coming this afternoon. I have been getting them at 10 day intervals.

I love your work. Have a Happy Day and stay safe.

Mystic Quilter said...

Hello again Jean - I've been a little lax with reading over the past week so only just caught your post from last Sunday but I'm first in with a comment this Sunday! Your piece for the Quiltalong is looking lovely, no doubt you'll soon have your long arm machine set up and have it quilted in no time at all! We too have had store delivery a couple of times and our eldest son, who lives just five minutes away, has been shopping weekly for us. It all takes twice as long to wipe everything down when it comes into the house, wait for it to dry then put away, better to be on the safe side though.
Happy to hear your furry friends are snuggling in at nights now, soon be in the Winter months. We shall see what tomorrow brings at 1.00pm

Out To Pasture said...

Your batiks do work well with your new quilt. The colours remind me of the ocean, somehow. Soothing. It will be wonderful to move to a laxer level of lockdown. I do miss my drop-in visitors.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The quilts look beautiful, you do beautiful work. Hubby and I have been to the food store each week since this started. So far we have been lucky not catching this virus. Take care and stay well.
Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy your day, have a great new week!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Love the colors in this lovely quilt you are working on. Glad to hear you are moving out of lockdown. We are moving to phase 1 here and stores/restaurants will be opening with limited amounts of people allowed. I don't plan on going out again for a week or more since I did so for the first time this past Tues. Keep well and enjoy each day. Happy Quilting ~ FlowerLady

Jenn Jilks said...

I'm glad you folks are easing back. We are, too.
JB is out getting groceries right now. He goes during senior times!
My eyes are fuzzy, so I cannot comment! Take care! xxxx

Jane said...

Hello Jean! You accomplished a lot. I always admire quilters, you have such patience and detail. I love that quote. So true! I'm sure you'll be fine if you go out if you take all the precautions you should when there's a bad flu season going around. Right now I'm dealing with one of those "call-in" orders to my local craft store. Quite a drawn-out affair as they e-mail me back and forth. It would be so much easier and quicker if I could only go to the store and pick out my own zippers, threads, etc. But at least I'm supporting a local business. Makes me feel like I'm back in the pioneer days. Hope you have a lovely week!

Hugs
Jane

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Looks like a great way to use up some stash in an interesting design. Stay safe as you venture out, keep well!!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Your version is lovely and I'm glad it's been a fun sew and entertainment while at home.

Inger said...

Good to hear from you. I'm glad you are doing well. As always your quilts are lovely.

The Furry Gnome said...

Glad New Zealand has handled this so well! Quilt looks great to me.

Karen said...

Hi Jean. I like the colours in your quilt! Our province is not easing up on very many areas yet. We are still registering 300 or so new cases a day. Have a lovely week.

Natalia said...

Love your work, so pretty!

Wise Hearted said...

I have made one quilt in my 73 years and that was for my oldest grand daughter who is 22 now. We have just moved up to northern Mn. where quilting is a huge winter thing, sort of like a winter sport here. So I may try it again so I can not go stir crazy from being shut in during the winter. It's women who quilt and I love a good group of women to converse with no matter what they are doing. Lovely blog post.

Carol Mattingly said...

Things are opening up all over the States. I am so glad. I know there will be a second wave but we must have commerce or we will go into a depression. Can't have that. Your quilts are gorgeous. Woman you are a force to be reckoned with on that machine. Fair well!

KB said...

You New Zealanders are the talk of the world. You did such a great job! I know that it was hard (and still will be) but you are a strong people!

Your eye for colors always appeals to me :) BTW, you sent me a beautiful buff (to wear on my neck - not sure what you call it). I like it better than my masks - so it's seeing lots of use. Thank you!

carol l mckenna said...

Absolutely stunning quilting/batik work ~ an artistry ~

We are in a mess in MA ~ hoping to open May 18th ~ but doesn't look promising ~ wonder where you are? Gives me hope ~

Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Sharon - IN said...

Your batiks look wonderful in the Centred QAL. Stay safe as you venture back out into the world!

Fundy Blue said...

Sandra and you have created gorgeous quilts, Jean. What a striking pattern. Your colors are soothing, lovely Everyone is racing to open up here, but Terry and I are remaining at home as much as possible. We'll be self-isolating for a while yet. I'm waiting to see what happens with the virus well after we open. I've been going to the grocery store about once a week in recent weeks. I wear latex gloves and a large dishtowel mask. I always carry a baggie with Chlorox wipes, so I can periodically wipe my gloves, credit card, car keys etc. It's definitely a process! One day at a time. You and Hugh please take care! Hugs to you!

Tanya said...

The colors in your new quilt are just gorgeous! Great choices!

We are easing up on lock-down in Japan too... but I have no real fabric store that I just love and though I need some whitish fabric I guess I'm not going to be able to order some from the States for awhile. The mail service is still unreliable (I sent home-made masks to my kids over a month ago and they have never arrived.) With all the fabric I have I guess I'll have to go hunting and hope I find something in my stash as lovely as all your fabrics!

Our photos said...

Well, You have been busy ! Very nice !