Pause For Applause

 Did you stand at your front door and clap last night? Some did, some didn't. For many reasons, I have chosen to join in - not least to show my support for all the key workers who live in my road.
But listen - clapping is not enough. 
When all this is over, the NHS will have a hard road to climb. All those 'non-urgent' treatments and operations which were delayed, the return of daily clinics which have currently been reduced to weekly, extra work for mental health departments...these things are going to add significantly to the workload of the staff, and the demands on the budget.
We must be grateful to all those who have sewn scrubs, and masks, and scrub bags - and to those who have ensured NHS workers get proper meals [Matt Lucas with Damien Lewis and his wife Helen McRory 's Feed NHS campaign etc] and the Green Commute Initiative to provide bicycles.
But the NHS needs proper government funding - it cannot, and should not, have to rely on the charity of the nation for its ongoing existence.
If you really want things to be different, then please consider how you are going to support the NHS in the future. We need to hold our Government to account, to ensure that healthcare, free at the point of need, continues to be available to all - and that those who work in the NHS are recognised not just with awards and applause- but with proper wages, so they can afford to have a reasonable quality of life. 
Claire [yes, the one I mentioned last Friday] designed a poster, to help express her feelings about the need for better NHS funding

If you go to Claire's shop on Redbubble, you can buy stickers, badges, mugs, teeshirts and more - all profits go to charity.
This logo is ©ClaireCooper2020, but free to use for non profit only. 
We cannot, we must not, lose the NHS - 
I want my grandchildren to grow up in a Britain where the NHS  is properly funded, and properly maintained, part of our nation's ongoing heritage - not treated as a business which can be dismantled and  sold off to make a quick profit.
#NHSfundit

Best Bib And Tucker

That's a wonderfully archaic phrase, dating back almost 300 years. A bib was a fancy trim on the front of a bodice- between the throat and the waist, and a tucker was a lace insert in the neckline. Later, bib was applied to menswear also. People sometimes spoke of bib and bands where bands meant a collar, and the bib was the decorative front of the shirt. 
The key thing was fancy, decorative clothing - not your plain everyday wear. To put on your best bib and tucker meant to get dressed in your smartest clothes - your 'Sunday best', your 'go-to-meeting' outfit. Most of us in the west have far too many clothes now. My Grandad had his best [Sunday] suit, worn for church, funerals and formal events - and when it started to wear shiny and thin, it became his working outfit, Monday to Friday - and once it got beyond that, it was his casual outfit for gardening, working in the shed, etc. Similarly shirts - first for church, then when the collars went, they were 'turned' and worn for work, then finally removed neatly, so the shirt could be worn for 'mucky jobs', or day trips to Southend [because you wear allowed to forego a collar&tie when on holiday!] None of this popping into M&S to buy a pair of 'gardening trousers' 

I have known this expression for years- but what I did not realise until this week is that "bib and tucker" has nothing to do with the bibs worn by babies! The word bib here comes froma C14 word bibben, probably from the Latin bibere, meaning to drink. Because small babies drink a lot, and they dribble! This garment protected their clothes from the spills and dribbles.
And I have been interested in bibs this week because there have been a lot of "lockdown babies" - Steph is in an NCT group and wanted bibs for all the group, a neighbour had a baby on Saturday too [and of course, it was important to do a facecloth for the sibling] and a friend from the Craft Group had asked for a bib for a new little relation. So I ordered some plain bibs from John Lewis, and used up some others in and stitched a dozen on Tuesday.

Eagle eyes will spot a duplicate- I wasn't too happy with my first crocodile, so George is getting that along with the giraffe bib.

When Steph was on holiday in Budapest, she met up with a friend of a friend. He is South African, but lives in Amsterdam - and he sent George a toy giraffe this week. 
I don't think I have used the embroidery machine's built-in motifs enough. So I am working on developing that skill, mastering the art of speedy rethreading in a different colour!
All eight Mums in Steph's group have had their babies now - George was the last to arrive. they are hoping to have a reunion at the end of June. I do hope they can!

On Yer Bike!

Thank you Dave Walker for putting it so clearly. Even Ferndown [not a city] is mostly a good place to pedal around in my lockdown exercise moments. However...

I hope that if the government is serious about getting more people out there on their bikes, they listen to the cyclists. It isn't just about the ciders wearing HiViz vests and helmets...

Wouldn't it be wonderful, if one of the outcomes of this strange time is that our towns and cities became much safe places for people to cycle? We cannot turn this country into a cycle-friendly place, like The Netherlands, overnight. A few painted lines, or cones or temporary bollards are just a stopgap measure - the longterm infrastructure needs to be considered carefully.
Manchester had already begun planning the Bee Network before we pedalled into this Covid Wilderness. I hope those plans are not shelved, and that other cities take note now 

[Thank you Dave Walker, for your brilliant cartoons]

Potato Peel Pie, Anyone?

I recorded this the other day, and will get round to watching it at some point. I've read the book, ages ago. It stars Lily James [she played Churchill's Secretary in Darkest Hour]
I have never made a Potato Peel Pie. Much of the time, I just scrub potatoes and bake them, or cut wedges and bake them, or if they're new, I boil them in their skins. But for mash, I do like them peeled. And I hate food waste, especially right now.
Last week, Meera Sodhal referred to one of her favourite comfort food recipes- No Waste Potato Masala Toasties.

"No Waste" because you do need to peel the potatoes- but you bake off the peelings in the oven, to make crisps to accompany the sandwiches. 
The peel being in long thin strips, I served the crisps in a cheffy little glass. I had to pan fry my sandwiches, as we do not have a sandwich toaster. But they were very pleasant. 
There was some leftover filling, and Bob made a couple of small potato cakes, binding the mix with egg and flour to go with our Saturday Full English.
Another success was Nigel Slater's Lentil, Sausage and Harissa Supper. I added pizza sauce instead of his suggested passata, to make a casserole. My only comment is that it was very generous- and on Saturday we only ate about 60% of it [recipe says serves 2] 
So on Sunday evening I made mashed potatoes, and served them with the remaining 40%. The oven was already on and hot, so again I made crisps. 
Then I saved the water from the potatoes, and used that as a stock to form the basis of an impromptu tomato soup. Stock, some leftover pizza sauce, and two finely chopped carrots, plus a handful of red lentils. Simmered for a while, then liquidised till smooth. I have to say that the crisps begin to lose their crispness fairly quickly, even in an airtight box. But they were OK for Monday lunch. There is something so satisfying about using up leftovers, stretching meals to make them go a little further, and making a tasty snack with things which others would discard. Bob has vetoed anymore dandelion crisps though, and I'm not sure he will like Nettle Soup. I bought a little bottle of banana essence a while back, in a £shop. One of these days I may serve him Mock Banana Sandwiches for tea - using Marguerite Patten's Wartime Recipe, which uses parsnips. [here] He doesn't usually like parsnips ...

Very Exciting Day

How did you celebrate VE Day and the Bank Holiday Weekend? On Thursday, after all the applause, the word went down the road "tomorrow, 2pm, in front gardens with cakes and cuppas to celebrate VE Day with a socially distanced Street Party" So we all joined in. I fished my red, white and blue bunting down from the loft. We strung one long length along the front of our house & next door, and neighbours across the road borrowed my second shorter length. I draped two Union Flags from upstairs windows.

I found 4 patriotic cupcases in the kitchen, and made some fairy cakes, and dug out my coronation mugs to set a suitably patriotic tea table. Bob brought out an amplifier and played the Bletchley Park VE Day music selection. 

Everyone had a great time in the sunshine, a number of pyjama-d bears even came to the party! [note; this photo was taken from correct distance] We have lived in this road for five years, but only in the last 2 months have I got to meet some of my neighbours properly. 
The atmosphere was brilliant.
Friends asked about The Baby - so of course, on Saturday, I had to put a notice on the lamp-post outside announcing George's arrival. It's been fun watching people walk past, stop and read it, smile - then look in to see if we are around. Then they grin and wave.
We listened to the Queen's Speech on TV and watched some of the special programmes - and recorded Darkest Hour to watch on Sunday afternoon. [I've got mixed feelings about it, good casting, clever acting, but lots of dramatic licence with historical accounts...]
And finally I made a WW2 recipe cake for Sunday Tea. This was a Vinegar Cake from one of my favourite blogs - The 1940s Experiment. I've been following Carolyn's adventures for more than ten years. I love her determination and honesty.
She has sourced, and tried out, some superb recipes - around 200 thus far - from the War Years - and her blog is well worth a read. Vinegar Cake is #130 on her list

This is made with just 6oz flour in 1lb loaf tin - so it is not too big, ideal for the pair of us. Vinegar plus bicarb acts as the raising agent instead of an egg - a trick used by many WW2 cooks. In the past few weeks, Carolyn's blog has been a good source of inspiration when some ingredients have been in short supply.
One parent said that it was something for the children to remember in years to come- and watching John Craven and Co reminisce about the Street Parties of 1945 made me feel glad we had done it.
Did you mark VE day in anyway? 
I must finish by thanking everyone who has sent such kind comments about the arrival of baby George. Although it is hard being unable to visit, I'm really glad that people can share in our joy. 

Sunday Worship - Called To Be A Light

In all the excitement about the baby, I nearly forgot to post the link to worship!
Here it is - UCF Morning Service 10th May

Wonderful News!

We are thrilled to announce that our grandson,  George Robert B. was born yesterday in Manchester. More details to follow! 

The Yoda Hat For Baby It Is

I meant to post this on Monday [aka Star Wars Day, May the Fourth be with you and all that]  Steph sent a request for a baby yoda hat in green, and a link to the free pattern. But I did not have any 'bulky' wool, or the necessary circular needles. So I rewrote the original pattern for dk, and did it on 2 needles, with a seam up the back. The original pattern is here, my variation is below the photograph

Baby Yoda Knit Hat [double knit]

Materials: Approx. 25 grams of double knit yarn ,pair each of size 4mm and 3mm needles.

Tension – 24sts x 30rows to 10cm² [approx] for hat

Abbreviations: K – knit, K2tog - knit two together, P – purl, P 2tog – purl 2 together

Kfb - knit through front and back of loop, stst – stocking stitch.

Finished measurements: 15” around the brim; 5”tall [with the bottom edge slightly curled, which it will do naturally]

  Pattern for the Hat: Cast on 80 stitches using 4mm needles.

Work in stocking stitch until the hat measures 4”, then start decreasing as follows:

K2tog, K14, rep. until end of row [75sts]

P13, P2 tog, rep. until end of row

K2tog, K12, rep. until end of row

P11, P2 tog, rep. until end of row

K2tog, K10, rep. until end of row

P9, P2 tog, rep. until end of row

K2tog, K8, rep. until end of row

P7, P2 tog, rep. until end of row

K2tog, K6, rep. until end of row

P5, P2 tog, rep. until end of row

K2tog, K4, rep. until end of row

P3, P2 tog, rep. until end of row

K2tog, K2, rep. until end of row

P1, P2 tog, rep. until end of row [10 sts]

Cut off your trailing yarn, leaving a 4 inch tail. Thread the yarn tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight, then secure the tail by knotting on the inside of the hat.

  Pattern for the ears [make 2]: switch to 3mm needles [this will produce a tighter weave so the ears are less likely to droop] Work in garter stitch [ie all rows knit]

Cast on 16 stitches [leave a 12” long tail which you can use later to stitch the ears onto the hat]

Rows 1-4: K

Row 5: K7, Kfb, Kfb, K7 [18 stitches]

Row 6: K8, Kfb, Kfb, K8 [20 stitches]

Rows 7-18 knit

Odd numbered rows, 19-51 K1, K2tog, K to end

Even numbered rows, 20 -50 K all stitches [ending with just 3 sts]

Row 51: K1, K2tog [2 sts]

Cut off your trailing yarn, leaving a 4” tail. Thread the yarn tail through the remaining stitches, secure with a knot, and weave in. 

  Making up Sew centre back seam of hat. Stitch the ears onto the sides of the hat. If you fold down the curved portion of the ears as you stitch them onto the hat, they will be less floppy and have a more authentic Yoda look [see photo]

I Name This Child...

Will there be any VE Day babies saddled with "Winston" or "Vera" do you think?

Art Aches

One blog I really enjoy reading is "Ragbags and Gladrags" by Claire Cooper. We have stuff in common - she is married to a Rev, with a daughter, she's a teacher, and she likes sewing. She does the most fabulous dressmaking. I'm in awe of her skills. But she's also an artist and a designer. Through her, I learned about the Artist Support Projects, set up in 2008 by Sussex based artist Matthew Burrows. He wanted to help young professional artists to be able to develop their skills, to form networks, and 'maintain critical engagement'. He organised all sorts of events, workshops and activities.
When lockdown started, Matthew realised this would not be good for artists - galleries were closed, exhibitions put on hold...Many of them would struggle financially, and suffer genuine hardship. Income is already erratic for many of them - and the part time jobs [baristas, temping, retail work] they take on to supplement their income from sales have all dried up during the pandemic.

On March 16th, Matthew set up the 'Artist Support Pledge' - artists were to post on instagram pieces of work which they would sell [maximum price £200] - then when they had made £1000, from sales, they pledged to buy a piece from another artist, for up to £200.
Claire mentioned this on her blog and showed some of her work.

This one is Abstract Landscape III - from a series based on the North East of England coastline where she lives. Sunlit sparkling waters, dark stormy skies.
Claire's participating in the Pledge. I said that I haven't got spare cash for a picture right now - but please could I mention the ASP on my blog and link to hers? She kindly said yes.

This one - Blue seas, blue skies is my favourite. 
Yes, art is a luxury - but creativity is something to be encouraged. I like Matthew's idea, that the artists' community should be supporting each other through this time.

Almost all the pictures we have are reproductions. However, I bought an original artwork in 1978 from an artist when I was visiting Bude in Cornwall. I was young, single and setting up my first home. It hangs in the lounge at Cornerstones, and I still get much joy from looking at it. 
I hope Matthew's idea works well, and that lots of struggling artists are helped through this difficult time, by their own efforts, by those of their colleagues, and by the generosity of others. Thank you Claire, for letting me share your pictures here.

find the artists involved by following this Twitter hashtag #artistsupportpledge

This Little Light Of Mine

Nearly 30 years ago, my Dad went on a visit to the St Michael's Workshop, part of the Bowthorpe Community Trust, in Norwich. This charity, started in 1984 is still going - training people with learning difficulties and special needs in woodworking skills. 
Dad was very impressed with their work, and bought me a candleholder, with a glass chimney. I don't have a picture of mine as it was then. Unlike the one on the left, the wooden pillar was much higher, and had a hole drill through the centre. It had a clever spring loaded mechanism, so that you could fit a candle inside the pillar. As the candle burned down, it was pushed up so always just the wick showed. It looked like an old fashioned oil lamp. I loved it.
One day in 2001, I took it into school as part of a science display about light. On the way home, the glass got broken. Bob tried really hard to find a replacement chimney to fit the candlestick. It was a non standard size.
I was really sad- I'd loved the light burning with its soft glow. I just couldn't bring myself to throw away the wooden base. But it looked silly with the little flame and no glass.
Then this week I was tidying up, and I found it in a cupboard. The top was about the size of a standard pillar candle. The recess in the top was just a few millimetres to small to hold the large candle. Bob took the candlestick out to his lathe, and enlarged the hole. [thanks Bob]

And now a pillar candle sits securely on the top of the lovely turned wood base. It no longer matters about a glass chimney. I'm sure my Dad would be glad to know that I'm going to be using the candlestick again, and that Bob is doing good things with a lathe. And he would certainly be glad that at St Michael's Trust they are still teaching all those woodworking skills. Perhaps when lockdown is over, and I eventually get back to Cornerstones we might visit the project. They do not make 'gift items' now, but instead produce lots of lovely wooden artefacts for "Godly Play" practitioners in the UK. 

I'd rather have a piece of handcrafted woodware than a mass-produced bit of plastic to decorate my home, wouldn't you?

Ay, There's The Rub!

I don't think Hamlet was thinking about domesticity and polishing though. When it's all over and we Look Back On Lockdown [now there's the title of a Channel 4 documentary for sometime in the future] I shall certainly remember all the home baking/breadmaking, and the Thursday night NHS Applause. I'm afraid I cannot bring myself to say "going out  for The Clap" as it sounds vulgar.
My wooden spoons, and my playground bell are getting lots more use at the moment because of these activities [Bob even brought out the little Gospel Bell to ring last Thursday]. My treen [small wooden domestic objects] is looking dull and dry, and my brassware has lost its lustre. Out with the big tin of Brasso [1 litre for £6 - which is a massive saving over little tins]  and the jar of Spoon Butter which Liz made for me a while back [recipe here, thanks Liz]

It only took about half an hour, and everything is looking much happier now. 
I know the National Trust properties polish their brassware just once a year
Have you done any extra polishing in the last few weeks?

Get Knotted! [But With Style]

I do like scarves. They can brighten up a dull outfit, make a simple dress look stylish - and keep your neck warm in winter. I have got lots of scarves- mostly gifts, or family hand-me-downs. Long ones, square ones, fine ones, warm ones, in wool, cotton, silk [or artificial silk] Steph gave me one of those loopy scarf holders, and it is useful for keeping them together and accessible. 

But my scarf collection is paltry in comparison to that of Doctor Deborah Birx, who is President Trump's "Corona Taskforce Co-ordinator" .  Lady Hale, President of the British Supreme Court wowed us with her amazing brooch collection last September, and now this Doctor is doing similar Stateside with her neckwear.

When asked about this feature of her wardrobe, she explained that her job involved a lot of travelling- but she prefers to take a small suitcase. She noticed that the men had a couple of suits, but lots of bright ties to ring the changes with their appearance, and decided to make silk scarves her signature look. She alters the drape and the fold and the knot - achieving hundreds of variations on a theme.

This has captured the public imagination, and somebody has even set up an instagram page, cataloguing the styles.

At least she has something with which to cover her embarrassment if her boss makes any more bizarre statements about injecting with Domestos. I don't think she has a very easy job right now. Perhaps the scarf styles are there to distract us from what is being said at the podium...

One For The Pot

We continue to enjoy freshly baked bread, and homemade yogurt, and my herb patch is giving us sage, chives, rosemary and loads of mint. I'm enjoying sharing pictures of the meals we are making with Liz and Steph [and other friends] Liz mentioned using her Le Creuset pot as a bread tin. It was actually one of my wedding presents, so it is 40 years old, but it produces a beautiful round well risen loaf for her.
I decided to try this in one of my LCs - a smaller one.  I didn't quite get the method right - she proves hers in the mixing bowl, whilst the pot is heating up inside the oven. And she leaves the lid on initially. But my loaf tasted fine, even if not so well risen- it was 50/50 strong bread flour/plain flour.

I made the dough in my Kenwood Chef, and baked the bread in the regular oven. These two didn't get anywhere near the breadmaker!
Having discovered a stack of 3 cans of chickpeas lurking at the bottom of the larder cupboard behind my empty biscuit tins, I have decided we should have some falafels this week.

I plan to serve them in 'slider buns'. Liz made some at the weekend for serving pulled pork. She linked me to the recipe- which bizarrely requires custard powder! I suspect that is to provide [a] cornflour and [b] yellow colour. Hers look great. Check out the recipe here

Singing In The Rain

Whatever the weather where you are, please join us for worship this morning! Click here  for the UCF service on YouTube 

Just A Teaspoonful

Every Sunday, at 10am, ever since we had to find new ways to worship because the buildings were shut, I have been going to church "in Norfolk" via a Conference Call. We have a brief 30 minute service, over the telephone. Around 30 of us from the little Foulsham Chapel are involved in the service. 
Jane always organises the prayers- and she has worked hard to make it meaningful. After all, when you are worshipping on the phone, what do you look at? Some of the time I close my eyes, but it is easy to get distracted if I don't.
Last week, she asked us all beforehand to bring a teaspoon to the phone. She reminded us that in recipes you are often asked to add a teaspoonful of sugar, or essence, or herbs...But that in the books, they rarely spell out teaspoonful - it is usually abbreviated to tsp. Her suggestion was that whenever we encounter a teaspoon - in a recipe book, or with a cup and saucer, whatever, we should use it as a reminder to pray. She said that TSP is a good mnemonic for Thankyou, Sorry, Please...Three of the most common sorts of prayer. 
As we looked at the spoons we were holding, Jane said some prayers from these three categories. Such a simple idea, but a helpful reminder. Thanks Jane.
The link for today's UCF service is here

The Lizards Fade, The Guinea Pig Dazzles

That's three days of sewing done and dusted...Wednesday I did the teddy pyjamas. Thursday, I took another wall from the collapsed gazebo [see here] and made a new cover for my whirligig dryer. We've had the dryer seven years, and I have diligently put the dryer down and replaced the cover almost every time I have used it. The dryer remains in pristine condition. 

But the cover is really worn and beginning to go into holes. There is a lot of green discolouration, and the original pale blue with its lizard design has completely faded. Now the cover is bright blue, and I found a long black nylon zip in my Stash.

I think this is a great improvement, and it is all using recycled fabric. On Thursday evening I met a young neighbour who lives a few doors up - another resident was showing her a rabbit in new pyjamas, and pointing at my house. So of course I offered to make some pjs. Mum said "Can you do clothes for guinea pigs?" Further discussion revealed this was a resin animal from a local garden centre, which has become very important to its owner. They have made a little house for it, but really wanted some clothes too. This was something of a challenge...

I did panic halfway through the afternoon when I spotted it had a chipped ear - then realised both ears and 2 feet were damaged. It was clearly like that before it arrived at my house. Rabbit got pjs just like the other toys - and the guinea pig ended up with two pairs of trousers and hats. The GP does look alarmingly lifelike.

The owner was delighted. Then I sewed twenty more of Hannah's Headbands, and once all the buttons are sewn on, they can be delivered to the charity collection point. 
I think that's all the sewing I shall do this week - the dining table is clear again, and we can eat meals, and I have another jigsaw to do. What's on your dining table these days?

What A Wet Week !

The weather has really changed this week. Yesterday there were hailstones in Norfolk, Liz said. It has certainly been colder and damper here. I am logging the highest temperature each day, for my weather scarf - I now have 21 days noted since my birthday. I really must get around to ordering the wool and start knitting it! 

I made chicken stew with dumplings one day, it felt so wintry. Bob cooked a huge batch of ragu on Tuesday, to go in the freezer. The kitchen was warm and cosy even if outside was wet and miserable.
I am afraid that my 'daily cycle ride' hasn't happened for the last couple of days - although I did go outside to deliver bears, and to post a letter, and to clap for the NHS with the neighbours.
But what about those people who are being 'shielded'? - the ones who had official letters telling them to stay inside for 12 weeks. How frustrating for them. I moaned about my difficulties in Waitrose - but these people don't even have the opportunity to go into a shop, to walk to the post box, or collect their own prescriptions. 
We have a number of 12-weekers in our church family [should that be 12-weakers?] 


We didn't want them to feel neglected. They have phone buddies and get regular chats, but that's not like seeing a friendly face. On Wednesday morning, in the pouring rain, Bob drove round to each one and delivered a gift from the church to show they weren't forgotten. Baskets of hyacinths and tins of biscuits. He put the gift by the door, rang the bell, then stepped back 2 metres. I sat in the car, with the list [working out the most efficient route] and watched him, standing on sodden front paths, rain dripping from the brim of his hat, as he chatted to our friends. They were all so appreciative.

People tell me that the rain is good for the gardens, and others point out that it deters the idiots who want to congregate on beaches and hillsides, but I hope we get more sunshine soon. Not least because I like to peg my washing outside to dry on my whirligig dryer. But my whirligig story will have to wait for another day.
Perhaps the wet weather has driven more people to shelter in Blogland - welcome to the considerable number of new readers who have dropped by in recent days!

The Great British Sewing Bears...

I've watched Episode 1, but was busy last night so haven't caught up with #2 yet. Pleased to see that Patrick Grant's clothing company has turned production over to PPE scrubs for NHS personnel [as has David Neiper's Ladieswear factory, and also one of John Lewis' suppliers] If the professionals are doing this, I don't feel guilty about not sewing scrubs from old bedsheets, as many others are doing. The factory output would far exceed mine, in terms of professionalism, correct fabrics, and meeting the rigorous quality control for such important clothing. I want to do something helpful - and I will make more Hannah's Headbands. I had a reply to one of my Lockdown Letters, and in it my young friend mentioned the PJs I'd made last week 

She included a picture of her bear, and the measurements. Well, I couldn't ignore a request like that [especially when she'd written such a lovely 3 page letter] I also had a thank-you from the girl next door, for her doll's pyjamas.

"When we clapped on Thursday it gave me a smile because I was seeing you."

I started thinking about the children who live in my road. We're at the top - I don't really know the families at the bottom. But in this row of just 6 houses, we have loads of 'key workers' - 2 teachers [I don't include myself] 2 firemen, a social worker involved in Fostering and Adoption, and 2 NHS staff [and Bob counts as a key worker too]  All of those 7 are parents of primary school children. So I put notes through their doors saying I was making pjs for dolls and teddies on Wednesday 29th, and anybody who wanted their toy dressed should leave it in my porch on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. And they started arriving before 9am!

One had a letter attached [and a chocolate egg in the bag with the teddy]

I set to with my fabric, and had a lovely day, making paper patterns and creating pjs. They sat on the table with their outfits, and I stitched happily all day. 

At 6pm I delivered them to the families. "I told you she would bring them before bedtime, Mummy!" cried one delighted young lady.

And yes, the red ted has got a pink dress too - but that is not quite finished, and will be delivered later this morning! These children may be anxious when Mum or Dad has to go to work - and toys are very important at such a time, when you need someone to cuddle. Making the pyjamas is one way of saying thankyou to my neighbours, and showing these families that they are valued members of our community.