Slowly getting back to normal

After eight weeks of lockdown we're starting a new phase today as shops, restaurants, gyms, primary and middle schools are reopening here in Switzerland. High schools and universities will stay closed for another month and of course social distancing will still be in place for the unforeseeable future. To be honest, these past weeks have been quite nice as we had both kids home for some time. My daughter, who works as a teacher abroad was able to come back here as her school switched to online learning and my son managed to break his shoulder just before the shutdown while snowboarding so he came home for a while too. I spoiled them with their favourite meals and we really enjoyed our time together, everybody safe and sound at home. We really stuck to the rules and we never went anywhere except for grocery shopping once a week and walks in the surrounding woods and field.  It definitely wasn't hardship, quite the opposite in fact and I'm even a little hesitant to leave this cosy cocoon we've created for ourselves. I've been cooking and baking and -  like everybody else it seems - made my own bread. But I've also spent a lot of time in my sewing room.  For a while I couldn't stop making little bags and pouches. Here's a selection:

I found an already pieced and quilted square in my scrap bin and made this little bag with it.

My daughter wanted a little bag to use as a wallet to go into her small evening bag

and this one is made with hand pieced hexagons. The pattern is called "Dear little Dillies" and can be found here. 

I finally "tamed" my huge scrap basket and cut all the scraps up into usable strips and squares as well as other shapes. After seeing Sameliasmum's "Twirling at the Disco" quilt I decided to use my 2 1/2 inch squares for that. The finished top measures 64 inches square. Now it "only" needs to be quilted!!

I also made all the blocks for another Swiss quilt for a friend who has recently become a Swiss citizen

now this too has to be quilted, once the blocks have been sewn together!

My Scandinavian Christmas quilt is finally together too. I quilted it by machine just around the blocks and I'm in the process of adding a bit of hand quilting too. 

I haven't joined any BOM programs for a while and since I'm a big fan of Irene Black (Focus on Quilts) I'v decided to take part in her newest BOM. It only started this month, so it's not too late if you want to join in the fun too. 

Like everybody else, I too was in the face making business and
I tried a few different patterns. DD needed some to take back as wearing them is compulsory where she lives when entering a shop or using public transport

Sometimes it's not a bad thing to be a hoarder as I still had a whole box of N95 masks from the SARS outbreak in Singapore.  They are probably expired by now as we had them since 2003 but I guess they are better than nothing. They are not very comfortable to wear though and I pity all those healthcare worker who have to wear them day in day out for weeks and months on end. 

My cartonnage classes are on hold of course but I finished a couple of boxes before the shut down.

I hope that you are keeping happy and more importantly healthy and that you are able to keep busy.  My mantra at the moment is; this too shall pass!

Vreni x

A week in Norway

I recently spent a week with my gorgeous friend Liv in Oslo. We met ages ago in Singapore at the ANZA (Australian and New Zealand Association) quilt group and have been friends ever since. She moved back to Norway - after 15 years in Singapore - a couple of years before we left, so it was very special to catch up again. 

Of course I couldn't go empty handed and made her a "sew together bag". 

It turned out quite cute and I think Liv liked it. 

We had a wonderful week of sewing and crafting together as well as some sight seeing. As it was just the two of us, we  made room on our cutting mats when we got hungry, so we could continue as soon as possible! 

Of course I had to try the famous cinnamon buns which they call kanelboller and I must say it was delicious. Yum!

I showed Liv how to make a sewing box and I made one as well.

Liv sent me this little box last Christmas. She made up the pattern herself and devised a clever way to hide the zipper. 

Of course I wanted to learn how to make it too, so we each made one. I made mine with Japanese fabric and instead of a decoration on top, I added a little handle, 

and Liv made hers with denim. I need to make another one sooner rather than later, so I won't forget how I made it, maybe a bigger one next time. 

I was lucky to be in Norway on their National Day and the flags were flying everywhere, in gardens as well as on every house we passed.  It was a gorgeous day, sunny and warm. Nature was definitely behind by at least a couple of weeks compared to Switzerland as all the gardens were in full Spring bloom.

I was amazed to see a lot of people wearing the absolutely stunning traditional national costumes, called Bunad. Apparently every region of Norway have their own distinctive designs. They are made from wool fabric,  are beautifully embroidered and decorated with silver buttons and adorned with silver jewellery. They are often made by earlier generation and handed down.

This is a sample we saw in a quilt shop where they offer classes for those brave enough to tackle making their own Bunad.

We also also went on a few outings, mostly to quilt shops ;)! I got a few bits and pieces like zippers - which were quite a bit cheaper than they are here in Switzerland - and of course some fabric including a few fat quarter of Jen Kingwell's new "Behind the Scenes" fabric line. 

And this is something else I bought at the quilt shop (yes at the quilt shop!)

a rubber spatula with the typical Norwegian pattern called Marius. I love collecting kitchen implements from all over the wold. Now you have to excuse me as I have to go back to my kitchen to finish that cake.

Have a lovely weekend.
Vreni x