Despite the fact we had no visitors or family over Easter I still decorated my window to cheer up people walking past.

Well would you believe it that since I last wrote a blog the whole world is now upside down. We just have to stay at home, stay safe and keep ourselves sane, as Nelson Mandela said 'It seems impossible, until it’s done’. I’m lucky enough to have a garden and my workshop to keep me active and a very beautiful quilt to keep me busy!

In these dark times this wonderful weather has had me in the garden everyday listening to bird song, watching a blackbird make his nest in my ivy, and delighted in the sighting of two Sussex Blue butterflies. This spring fever has got to me and my lovely ole washing line needed a new peg bag, so I dug out my old favourite pattern and whipped one up!!

My lockdown green house has never been so tidy!

Our garden is looking wonderfully neat and tidy and even the greenhouse has had a new lick of paint. Seeds are all sown but a little mouse has been chomping through my peas, we cannot have that so he came to an untidy end. I have been supporting my local nursery by buying via the phone and a clever pick up system, but I also have been reclaiming all those old packets of seeds, let’s see what come up. Don’t forget the evening are still really cold and tender plants still need protection.

And as well as the garden thank goodness we have sewing in our lives to help get us through all of this. Do you have a special lockdown project going on? If you need some inspiration I have been designing free downloads to keep you all busy. So far there are three – NHS, Keep Calm and Kindness Matters and you can download them here and keep your eyes pealed as there are more to come!

Stay safe, stay at home, keep sewing and scroll down for more pictures! Mandy x

Download a printable version of this blog here