Making a Mask each

It's Day Six in Lock Down and there was some rather urgent sewing to do, I needed to make a couple of masks.  Thanks to Dot for providing the pattern, no physical contact, it was safely left in our letter box for me to collect.  Did I have any elastic, I wondered?  It’s not something I use a lot these days.  This elastic must be rather vintage, it cost the grand total of 95 cents back in the day! 

These masks should have been an easy make, after all, Dot whipped then up in no time at all, she told me.  But I made a boo-boo, and had to do some unpicking.  All because I didn’t read the instructions correctly (the story of my life it seems) and had the elastic on the inside when I stitched the two pieces together.  After my years of sewing, I should really know better, shouldn’t I?  The white one is for Robin, and of course, I just had to make a blue one for myself.

My first masks

These masks are necessary, I decided, after our visit to the supermarket the previous day.  In line with the medical view that over 70s should not be going out to get their groceries during the lockdown, we investigated on-line shopping and delivery.  Not easy at all.  First, we had to register, then spent quite some time checking the website for the products we needed. Then came the frustration, with our order ready, we had to pick a “slot” (day and time) for either pick-up or delivery.  But there were no slots available, and seemingly no way of leaving the order ready on-line for the next available slot.  All this took a couple of hours, and Robin rang through to the office and told the person on the other end of the phone about our predicament.  How could we stay home as advised and get our groceries delivered.  The answer was, “Come down now, the queue is not too long”.  So that’s what we did, donning a couple of old face masks which Robin found kicking around somewhere.

The line outside the shop was orderly, all standing well apart, and the one at the front of the queue was handed a trolley and allowed in the door each time someone exited with their trolley of groceries.  After 15 minutes of waiting, it was finally our turn – although shoppers are meant to go on their own, he allowed both of us in together.  Perhaps we looked rather old and doddery?  With a list in hand, we quickly got what we wanted.  But then we had to wait in an even longer queue snaking around the store till we finally reached the checkout.  Goodness knows how the really elderly cope with all this standing and waiting.

The checkouts were quite different since our last visit.  Perspex screens for safety, and the items were scanned and placed into another trolley behind the operator, who then wheeled it around, for us to collect.  Payment was made by credit card, no cash allowed, and although I didn't witness it, I presume that the terminal would be wiped down between customers.  We had to pack our own groceries into bags, which we did at the car.   Walking around the shop we never witnessed anyone coughing, sneezing or spluttering, so that was good.  Still couldn't buy any flour though, although there seemed to be plenty of TP in stock.  And as a treat, a packet or two of Easter Eggs jumped into our trolley, we needed them after all that stress!

Although all us oldies were standing patiently in line with plenty of room between is as we wait for our turn at the checkout, one young woman decided to jump the queue and walked to the front.  How dare she, we muttered amongst ourselves,and she was told to go and  take her place at the end of the queue.   But no, she just hung around for a while, finally walking up to the next available checkout and unloading her trolley.  The manager came rushing up, telling her to put her things back into her trolley and get to the end of the line, as she had already been told!  Swearing at the manager, she flounced out of the store, leaving someone else, of course, to put all her items back on the shelves. 

After all that excitement, we were pleased to get home, put everything away, sit down with a hot drink and put our feet up.  Next time we venture out we will have our new masks to wear.  I know we have been told they aren’t as good as “real” ones, but surely they will be better than nothing.   We will give on-line shopping another try in the near future, hopefully it will be more successful next time we try.

A visit to Pete’s Emporium

With a super busy week, full of various appointments, I’ve decided not to roll the dice this week.  I’m sure I’ll find lots of other crafty things to keep me busy in any spare time I have available.  We had to take a trip to Porirua yesterday and after we had done what we needed to do, went to visit Pete’s Emporium.  This shop sells all sorts of things, but I love it for the craft area – you are sure to find what you are looking for here, and at very reasonable prices too.

Gidday Pete, nice to be back again

I was after some cord for the little draw string bags I’ve been making for the charity Foster Hope.  Children in foster care use the bags to put their toiletries or sometimes use them for pens and pencils.  Armed with some fabric for the next lots of bags, I went to see if I could match some cords. I found three out of four colours I was after, so I’m pleased with that.

These will do nicely

And here is a selection of cords available.  There were also stands full of buttons, lace, ric rac, ribbon, a veritable Aladdin's Cave of treasure!  You could spend such a long time here just checking the haberdashery selections.

Cords in all colours

There was also a good selection of quilting fabrics, but with Robin hovering nearby, I didn't have time to check them out.  And I really only like to buy fabric with a project in mind these days.  But I did pick up a couple of family birthday gifts, and Robin bought a new flag to fly on his flag pole, so he was happy too.

Sydney to Auckland

It was time to leave Australia, so off we went, pulling our wheelie cases behind us.  Robin has a new case with four wheels, and it certainly is much easier to manage than mine with two wheels.  My “I Love Quilting” tag was a gift several years ago from pen friend Elaine from Oregon.

Yes, I do love quilting!

Our trip through Security at Sydney Airport was a little stressful.  Both of us were directed to the body scanner, stand there and hold our arms up we were told.  Nope, that wasn’t right, and a female officer was called in to pat me down – oh dear.  The trouble seemed to be the passport and money I had in a holder around my neck, that had to be removed, put on a tray and through the bag scan, and I went through the body scanner one more time.  Robin was getting patted down too, and all the while people are looking on, wondering what these people had been getting up to!  When we were finally sent on our way, we waited, and waited some more at the correct terminal gate, and finally were called to board.   Oh look, Air NZ knows our names!

This flight was a much shorter trip this time, just under 3 hours.  Hopping aboard the Sky Bus at Auckland Airport we drove through the rain as it got progressively darker, luckily the driver told us when to get off.  Booked in at reception, and then we were informed that we had been upgraded to  King Room, so that was a nice surprise.  It was a bit of a wrestling match to peel those extra tight airline socks off, and then we could relax.

Our room for the next 3 nights

I was a bit foxed by these sockets by the desk, and plaintively told Robin there was nowhere to plug my lap top into.  But I was wrong, seems that these strange things were universal power connectors, my 3 pin plug had to be turned upside down, and then it would fit.  How was I meant to know that – it was all a bit too technical for me.

New fangled power sockets

Up to the 13th floor we went the next morning for breakfast, and there was a lovely view over the harbour.  The rain had eased and the weather was clearing.  The breakfast buffet was amazing, much more choice and so much nicer than our previous hotel.  Robin was in Honey Heaven when he found this delightful honey comb – liquid honey was ready and waiting to be poured into a dinky little dish and spread on his breakfast toast!  And I found some smoked salmon and fancy cheese, so I was extra happy too.

Some of the delightful breakfast choices

We were told that just  across the road from our hotel was The London Lolly Shop.  So while Robin was resting his sore knee after our day sightseeing I popped across to find out.  Sure enough, there it was.  Have to admit some Fry’s Bars and Acid Drops were very keen to come back with me.

The London Lolly Shop

And lo and behold, quite by accident,  I discovered a quilt shop, called New Zealand Fabrics and Yarn tucked down an arcade.   As I entered, the girl behind the counter called out, “I do like your bag”.  I was carrying my  blue denim raggy bag, with my little blue koala purchased last year in Sydney hanging from the handle.  I like to take this with me on holiday, as I have attached “dog clips” inside to keep my wallet and camera safe.  (My bag will need a good wash when I get home).

My ever so handy raggy denim bag

This young lady is a Bag Lady, she told me, and likes to make all sorts of bags.  She showed me two which she had recently completed.  And by the look in her eye, I think she will be making herself a shaggy denim bag before too long.

Self confessed Bag Lady

New Zealand Fabrics and Yarns

It was so nice to talk to somebody so crafty, pet some fabrics and yes, a couple of fat quarters did come away with me.  Some nice batiks with NZ designs, a dark purple paua shell design and the other printed with pale green kowhai.  I’ll need the purple one when I get back to work on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  That’s my excuse anyway.

New Zealand designed batiks

Fabric Bazaar

I joined the throngs of ladies, and a few men,  pouring in to the Memorial Hall on Saturday, all looking for a bargain at the Fabric Bazaar.  The Altrusa Club had been busy collecting fabric, orphan quilt blocks, wool, buttons, lace, and other notions, patterns, and craft magazines for quite a while.  Anything which was donated was gratefully collected from our homes, which made things very easy indeed.  I had gone through my fabric bins and pattern collection and easily filled three bags of bits and pieces to donate.

 

Come one, come all, to the Fabric Bazaar

The ladies of the Altrusa Club must have spent a huge amount of time getting everything priced and packaged for sale.  And it was all done very nicely indeed.  Lengths of fabric were rolled,  wool was put into big bags, patchwork fabric was packaged attractively, three or four toning pieces displayed nicely in clear plastic bags.  Button lovers were in their element as they looked at bags full of all the different colours.  And then there was a free for all area – fill a bag with fabric pieces for a dollar! There were patterns to rummage through, and thousands of those craft magazines which everyone swears breed in the dark.  And everything was very reasonably priced.

That’s Sandra in the blue hat, Altrusa member and also a member of our caravan club

I had a great time poking about all the various goodies, but spent most time at the patchwork fabric tables.  At one stage there was a young mum and daughter at the same table, and the little girl picked up fabric which was labelled as a cushion cover.  “Can I have that Mum?”, she asked.  The answer was, “go and ask Nana if she will make it up for you”.  Of course, Nana said yes, so that was a very happy child indeed, all for the cost of $1 or so.

There were plenty of familiar faces, either helping customers or getting on with the serious business of shopping, and even some ladies from my former Upper Hutt quilt club who had driven up for the day.  Of course I came home with a few bargains too, so I was very pleased with my purchases.  And the proceeds are going to support the Arohanui Hospice, a very good cause indeed.

Bargain shopping for a good cause

I’ve got my Fingers Crossed

Here I am, all set yesterday for a trip to Palmy.  The weather was glorious, bright and sunny, and that’s why I’m squinting!  And I’ve got my newly finished “quilt shop” bag over my shoulder.  It’s only right and proper that I take it for a trip, as I was planning a little quilt fabric shopping later in the day.

All ready for a day out

But there was a serious reason for our trip.  I was booked in to have a mammogram, as it’s an anniversary of sorts.  A year ago I had “that” mammogram which found my breast cancer.  It was caught early, and I had treatment to follow.  So this current mammogram is a follow up to make sure that everything is as it should be.  The radiographer was kind and as gentle as she could be, and told me that all of the doctors concerned with my previous care would be getting copies of the x-ray, and the results would take up to two weeks to process.  So I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

After that bit of business was out of the way, we took ourselves off to lunch.  My daughter Nicky had given me a voucher to spend at Speight’s Ale House for my birthday last October, so it was a good opportunity to cash it in.  What to order is always difficult for me, especially with so many dishes sounding great.  Finally, I decided on Salmon, and Robin had a beef, bacon and mushroom Pot Pie.  Both delicious.  We sent a snap chat photo to Nicky’s phone  to show me enjoying my birthday treat.  And what a surprise when five minutes later she walked into the restaurant.  She was taking part in some staff training in Palmerston North and popped in during her lunch break.

We stopped at the Spotlight store as I was after some fabrics for a special quilt.  I can feel another horse quilt coming on, this time for grand-daughter number two, Megan.  Megan is just as crazy about her horses as her older sister Emma is, so I’m sure she will appreciate a horse quilt too.  Watch this space!

The start of another horse quilt

Almost Over

It’s hard to believe that our Aussie Adventure is drawing to an end.  Tomorrow we will set the alarm clock, be up bright and early, drop the hire car back, and get a shuttle to the airport for our flight home.  We have been warned that some of the airport staff could be taking industrial action, and to allow extra time to get through the immigration counters.

Yesterday we caught up with my brother Brian, who has lived in Australia for quite a long time now.  Brian and Noeleen took us out to lunch at a lovely local restaurant – and it was great to catch up again after all this time.

Robin, Brian, Noeleen, Jenny

Brian and Noeleen live in Redcliffe, made famous as the suburb where the Bee Gees grew up.  We were taken to the Bee Gees Way – full of photos, statues, info boards, and the well known Bee Gees songs playing continuously.

Bee Gees Way in Redcliffe

Staying in the city seemed a good idea on our last day, and we did a little shopping.  Not something that Robin really enjoys, especially in the hot weather.  But we found some new shorts for him, and a top and summer trousers for me, so we both came away happy.

Shopping time

And…..I had been looking around for a little something for my charm bracelet in memory of our Aussie Adventure, and finally found just the thing.  A pretty little koala bear gold charm.

A little shopping and a blog reader

There I was, concentrating on my shopping list as I moved around Spotlight in Palmy.  I had items on my list, such as a pair of knitting needles size 5.5mm.  Yes, I did have two in this size, but they were different lengths, so goodness knows where their partners ended up.  I’m slowly knitting myself a nice cosy woollen cardigan, and because the back and fronts were knitted all together, I used one of those new fangled (to me anyway) double ended needles with thin cord in the middle.  Don’t know what they are called but I’m sure the keen knitters out there could enlighten me.   I like to knit both sleeves at once, and wanted to go back to knitting needles for this part in the process.

I'm getting there slowly

What else?  Two cushion inners so that I can get on with the job of making my daughter two cushions for her Christmas gift.  And some brown felt and little black buttons to make the head of my Christmas yo-yo reindeer.  But  I can’t see him being completed in time for Christmas – not this year anyway.

For my reindeer

As I was approaching the service counter, a customer being served said hello.  It was Joy, from Wanganui, an avid blog reader, and we had met once before.  She is not  just a quilty blog reader, she also reads Romany Rambler, our travel blog, and follows our travels as we tour around in our caravan.  Joy now has a “Bucket List” of places to visit, thanks to places we have visited with our caravan, and written about.  So “hello” back to you Joy, it was so nice to catch up with you, and know that the words and photos winging their way around cyberspace are read and appreciated.  Here is an earlier photo of Joy and her friend Judy, who introduced themselves to me at the Cotton On Quilt Show some months ago.

Joy and Judy at the Cotton On Quilt Show

Fabric’n’Brac

Here we are in rural Kiwitea for the weekend, parked up in our caravan on my daughter’s property.  Nicky asked if I was interested in going to see the Fabric’n’Brac show  in nearby Palmerston North.  Of course I was, it sounded really interesting.  And it was for a good cause too, in support of the local Arohanui Hospice.

The hall was teeming with bargain hunters, all crowding around the various stalls around the perimeter of the building.  Morning tea was available, and ladies were having a cuppa to recover from their shopping.   Nicky and I went our separate ways as we wandered around the hall looking for things which took our fancy.

Inside the hall

I had to go around several times, as it was too much to take in at once.  There was fabric galore, buttons, lace, elastic, patterns, books and magazines to rifle through.  Bags of scraps, quilt panels and  fancy sequinned fabric too.  For those who do embroidery, I noticed a whole lot of kits at very cheap prices, some already started, and most had the threads available too.  I needed a sit down and a cup of coffee after all that. 

We sat at one of the round tables and noticed that it had wool and knitting needles and an invitation to “Chit Chat and Clickerty Clack”.    While we were sipping on our coffee, we were invited to take up the needles and knit a few rows.  The Hospice was in need of peggy squares to turn into warm cuddly blankets, and every row helps, we were told.  What a great idea.  Nicky took up the challenge  and did a little knitting, as did others at the tables, I noticed.

Daughter Nicky doing her bit as she “clickerty clacks”

So what did I buy?  All of this, various bits of fabric, a bag of new hankies, a Father Christmas pattern, and my best buy, a kit to make a snowman family, complete with pre-cut felt pieces and embroidery threads.  It was a great morning indeed.

My bargain buys

Everything to make my snowman family

Quest for some Ric Rac

Some things are harder than others to find.  I’ve been after some green Ric Rac for ages.  But not just any green – it had to be an olive greeny/grey colour, to go with one of my current projects.  Yesterday we had an unexpected trip to Porirua to meet some friends.  If we get there early, I suggested, we could pop in to Pete’s Emporium for a wee while.  Robin was happy with that – as well  as having an enormous amount of ribbons, trims, and buttons, they also sell flags.  Robin likes to fly the flag here at home, and wanted a nice new one to keep in reserve.

Lots of lovely trims

I headed straight to the haberdashery aisles.  There were trims with feathers, sequins, and sparkly bits galore.  Buttons, ribbons and braids of all kinds.  You could spend hours here, just looking.  But what about the ric rac?  They didn’t have the sort of green I was after last time I called in.

Buttons galore

Then I spotted it, a card of green ric rac, close enough in colour to what I was looking for.  Thank goodness – my quest was finally over.  Robin found himself a new flag too, so we went to the check out with our modest purchases.

Just what I wanted

Shopping done, we continued on to meet our friends for a day out. Which is always a bit of a surprise, as we don’t actually know where we are going until we meet up.  As it turned out, we went to the Zealandia Sanctuary to see a marvellous display in the Visitors Centre.  To find out about New Zealand wildlife and our visit yesterday, read about it  here.

Kirks Christmas Shop

It’s that time of year again for my big trip into Wellington City to see and enjoy the Kirks Christmas shop.  Kirkcaldie and Stains department store is a Wellington institution, and has been around since 1863.  The beautifully turned our doorman was on duty, as he has been for many years. He opened the door for me, and I walked inside, and up two flights of stairs to reach the Christmas shop.

The doorman at Kirks

The Christmas shop was a riot of gold, silver, red and green, with people everywhere.  I heard one little poppet exclaim, “I can’t stop looking Mummy”.  I know how she felt, as I slowly walked around all the displays, I couldn’t stop looking either.  Here were some Santas, over there were reindeer, and further along were drummer boys, elves, fairies, and the popular New Zealand Christmas display showing Santa on his surfboard, kombi vans to hang on the tree, silver ferns and green koru fronds.

Lots of Santas everywhere

Youngsters were watching closely as the Christmas train went busily round and round the track.

Train set

As I  shuffled  slowly around all the displays, taking care not to trip over pushchairs or any small children who were beneath my field of vision, toys with motion sensors burst into life and sang their Christmas songs.  I was looking for a couple of Christmas decorations to buy for gifts, to take along to Christmas breakups which I will be attending shortly.  There was so much on offer, but I was  buying to a set price, not always easy at this exclusive department store.  But I finally found two items within my budget, so came away happy.

Gold and silver baubles

Lunching at Kirks Cafe is always a highlight, with the lovely food, and friendly helpful service.  The trick, I’ve found, is to get there a little before the  mid-day rush, so it is easier to find a table. (I fear I’m turning into my Mother, as she liked to lunch at Kirks too).  I found a Christmas gift for the MIL in another department, not easy to choose something for her these days as she has just moved into a rest home.

Shopping done, and replete from lunch, I walked back down to the Railway Station.  What’s this on the footpath by the State Insurance building?  Looks like the aftermath of an earthquake.  But no, don’t worry.  It’s a bit of city art, showing what might just happen when we have a big shake.

Art in the city, the broken pillars look so life like.

I didn’t get to ride in a train after all, as they had all been replaced by buses on the Kapiti line.  That’s a shame, I love train travel – there is no romance in riding a bus, is there?  I arrived at the bus with just a few minutes to spare, to find that there wasn’t a spare seat at all.  Bother!  After standing for a minute or two, a young man tapped me on the shoulder, and offered me a seat.  How kind of him, I really appreciated his offer.  Although I imagine that I looked as tired and footsore as I felt! 

Trains replaced by buses today

Pete’s at Porirua

With an appointment to keep in the Big City, we stopped off at Porirua for lunch.  But the real reason was to call into the wonderful shop that is Pete’s Emporium.  They sell all sorts of things, something for everyone really, from dress up items and wigs, to hardware, flags, and all sorts of interesting low priced items.  But the draw card for me was the amazing range of haberdashery, laces, trims, buttons, plus fabric too.

Robin was happy checking out all the blokey stuff, and I made my way to the haberdashery.  There were all sorts of interesting items in jars to look at, from bells, beads, and motifs, and all so very reasonably priced.

Jars and jars on interesting items

But it was the trims I had really come for.  There was lace, and fringing, elastics and ribbons.  Sparkly stuff glimmered and glistened under the lights, and I could have been there for hours, slowly going along the rows, inspecting it all.  But I’d really come in for something quite ordinary, some ric rac, and a few buttons.  Robin started hovering as I was getting served so I had to leave all these delights behind.  This is the sort of place to come without the husband, by yourself, or perhaps with a quilting buddy so that you have all the time in the world to check everything out.

Ribbons of all colours

We planned to have an early lunch in the nearby North City Plaza Food Hall, before travelling on into Wellington.    The place was really crowded, it’s still the Christmas school holidays here so there were family groups everywhere.  The three older ladies servicing the large Food Hall were really earning their wages, clearing tables, wiping them down, stacking plates and cutlery, and tying up and removing rubbish bags.  They never stopped moving, but did their work quietly and efficiently.

After checking out what was on offer, we decided to eat Chinese, making our way around the buffet taking a bit of this, some of that, adding a few “crunchies”  to the top of our plates, such as tiny spring rolls, a wonton or two, and how about one of those delicious stuffed and battered mushrooms.  Sadly, our stuffed mushroom wasn’t a mushroom at all – instead we found a ball of rice with a few bits and pieces mixed it, then battered and fried.  But this disappointment soon vanished when I sipped my decadent cup of Hot Chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Cafe.  So rich and yummy, and I was invited to chose a chocolate (free of charge) to accompany my drink.   What luxury!

Enjoying my Butlers

Travelling on to Wellington for my appointment with the Eye Specialist, I was put through a battery of tests, had bright lights shone in my eyes, and photographs taken of the retina.  While on holiday over the New Year, I had experienced flashing lights in one eye, and was quite concerned as I had previously suffered from a detached retina.  Luckily this recent incident seems to have righted itself, and no damage has been done.  Thank goodness for that, eyes are so precious, aren’t they.