Lockdown Keepsake (Update)

GRANGEWOOD KEEPSAKE 2020

Over the next 10 or so weeks I will be putting 4 squares a week on the Blog for you all to look at and appreciate. It will be a while before the keepsake is completed and we can display it for you to stop and look at in detail. This is due to the ongoing restrictions. By putting it on the Blog those who have access to the Internet will get a feel for all the amazing squares I have received. Thank you to everyone!

I have put the words of inspiration from the creator below each square. These will eventually go in a scrapbook to have alongside the keepsake.

Sue Bond

Inspiration for the Grangewood keepsake

At the beginning of Lockdown a friend, who is a midwife in Yorkshire, mentioned that she and her colleagues were making a quilt of 9 squares. Each square would be their interpretation of how Lockdown affected them. I thought that I could possibly co-ordinate such a project with Grangewood. Having discussed it with Rev Christine Fox and getting approval from the stewards I invited as many as possible to take part. I have been overwhelmed and utterly amazed by the response. Thank you to everyone! For those that have not created a square I thank you for your encouragement, support, and prayers. It has been a lovely bonus to have contact with you when I would not have normally.

During the Lockdown it was difficult to obtain supplies so being resourceful was important. Finding materials that were in the house to create the squares meant using old T-shirts, craft materials around the house, cameras for photos, old bedding, and buttons. I appreciate that the creation of the squares has been therapeutic for many during the long, often lonely, months. Although Lockdown restrictions have been somewhat relaxed life still isn’t what we have all enjoyed before the effects of Covid-19 took a grip on all of us across the world.

I would like to thank Lorna Waine who kindly lent me her cross-stitch pattern of the Grangewood cross.

The squares will all be joined together and bordered with rainbow colours. The rainbow became a powerful symbol of hope during the long months of actual lockdown and can still be seen in windows as we look forward to better days ahead.

I believe this square speaks for itself.

Sue Bond

We have seen the Corona virus cell on the tv news every day for weeks now. I think it is an interesting colourful image so I have used the colours and shape in my design. But of course we need a mask for protection from it. I have made several masks for friends and family so here is yet another. There had to be the eyes peering hopefully over the mask looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. I am a member of the Monday morning art and craft club at Grangewood although I have reduced my visits since moving from Thoresby Road to West Bridgford last year.

Linda Bray

This square was designed by Natasha Bott