Show us your lockdown creations.

How are you really coping with lockdown?


It's my 7th week in now, I did plan to do lots of artistic and clever things whilst socially isolating, so far I have made ONE birthday card.....it is a nice one though.

editing to add.....if you have made, drawn, painted anything creative, managed to spend time gardening, cooking, anything.....show us a pic. x

makes no odds to me...being an anti social type anyway.....
only thing I miss is not being able to go down to my woodland.

Victorismyhero wrote:makes no odds to me...being an anti social type anyway.....
only thing I miss is not being able to go down to my woodland.

I do think generally older people are coping a lot better than younger ones.
Time drags more when you are young, you don't want to miss out on anything.
When we get older, even though we may not have as much time left, things are just so much more relaxed. The only people I know who are really getting stressed are a couple of 20 year olds, the lockdown is seriously bothering them. Obviously other people may see it differently.

I have good days and bad days. Miss seeing my kids and my granddaughter. A lot of the bad days are frustration due to work and not knowing when we open, how we operate and what can I do to protect staff and myself.

I have been doing some organizing of kitchen cupboards and Mr. C and I did a lot of clearing out of old paperwork on Saturday so that felt good. We will be tackling 3 big drawers full of family photos and the drawers under our beds. If only I can get him to sort through all of his old military kit. I expect to find MREs in there

I have done a lot of new cooking and baking. We have binged watched 2 complete tv and caught up with 2 old shows whose current seasons we hadn’t gotten too. And I’m reading.

It’s the not knowing that is driving me crazy as I like to plan ahead.

Syl wrote:How are you really coping with lockdown?

It's my 7th week in now, I did plan to do lots of artistic and clever things whilst socially isolating, so far I have made ONE birthday card.....it is a nice one though.

I think Syl what should be asked, Is what people would do if not in lockdown?

Is there a sense of now we are like some other animals feeling caged?

Does this now provide a perspective on how this feels?

Personally I think technology is what is creating a cage around us. In that now when we have limitations. We are finally seeing that this technology that we often rely on. Is not what provides happiness. We are now like the pets we keep or like an animal in a zoo. Reliant on our keepers. It shows that caging an animal has drastic effects on people and even more in an age of technology.

So what do we do to combat this?

We look back to the past and how people faced far greater threats to their lives

Lets look at the Blitz during WW2

We are showing similar unity with our admiration for the NHS, as people did back then for the armed forces. In that we are fighting an enemy and people places themselves in the front line with this.

So how did the UK cope back then?

How about setting yourself a goal and making ten cards to say thank you to staff at 10 hospitals

Its just a suggestion and goal for you

When you have done that.

How about the teachers that are still going to school teaching?

A thank you card made to all care workers?

I tell you what I did today. I helped create two new jobs for people

What people need now is purpose, as they feel lost sadly

I also think a lot of it with young people is the "want it now" culture.
They dont have the ability to take it as it comes and just chill.....

Oh and well done getting them 2 jobs ....

Cass wrote:I have good days and bad days. Miss seeing my kids and my granddaughter. A lot of the bad days are frustration due to work and not knowing when we open, how we operate and what can I do to protect staff and myself.

I have been doing some organizing of kitchen cupboards and Mr. C and I did a lot of clearing out of old paperwork on Saturday so that felt good. We will be tackling 3 big drawers full of family photos and the drawers under our beds. If only I can get him to sort through all of his old military kit. I expect to find MREs in there

I have done a lot of new cooking and baking. We have binged watched 2 complete tv and caught up with 2 old shows whose current seasons we hadn’t gotten too. And I’m reading.

It’s the not knowing that is driving me crazy as I like to plan ahead.

I think the uncertainty about jobs is causing a lot of stress to many people Cass.
Even if the job is secure, and so many are not now, the inevitable changes everyone will have to make once they return to work is worrying.

Also, I have great admiration for everyone who is working from home, and home schooling at the same time....my idea of a nightmare.

Thorin wrote:

Syl wrote:How are you really coping with lockdown?

It's my 7th week in now, I did plan to do lots of artistic and clever things whilst socially isolating, so far I have made ONE birthday card.....it is a nice one though.

I think Syl what should be asked, Is what people would do if not in lockdown?

Is there a sense of now we are like some other animals feeling caged?

Does this now provide a perspective on how this feels?

Personally I think technology is what is creating a cage around us. In that now when we have limitations. We are finally seeing that this technology that we often rely on. Is not what provides happiness. We are now like the pets we keep or like an animal in a zoo. Reliant on our keepers. It shows that caging an animal has drastic effects on people and even more in an age of technology.

So what do we do to combat this?

We look back to the past and how people faced far greater threats to their lives

Lets look at the Blitz during WW2

We are showing similar unity with our admiration for the NHS, as people did back then for the armed forces. In that we are fighting an enemy and people places themselves in the front line with this.

So how did the UK cope back then?

How about setting yourself a goal and making ten cards to say thank you to staff at 10 hospitals

Its just a suggestion and goal for you

When you have done that.

How about the teachers that are still going to school teaching?

A thank you card made to all care workers?

I tell you what I did today. I helped create two new jobs for people

What people need now is purpose, as they feel lost sadly

https://youtu.be/s7ZsYe5Uwg0



System of a down - Prison song

Thorin wrote:

Syl wrote:How are you really coping with lockdown?

It's my 7th week in now, I did plan to do lots of artistic and clever things whilst socially isolating, so far I have made ONE birthday card.....it is a nice one though.

I think Syl what should be asked, Is what people would do if not in lockdown?

Is there a sense of now we are like some other animals feeling caged?

Does this now provide a perspective on how this feels?

Personally I think technology is what is creating a cage around us. In that now when we have limitations. We are finally seeing that this technology that we often rely on. Is not what provides happiness. We are now like the pets we keep or like an animal in a zoo. Reliant on our keepers. It shows that caging an animal has drastic effects on people and even more in an age of technology.

So what do we do to combat this?

We look back to the past and how people faced far greater threats to their lives

Lets look at the Blitz during WW2

We are showing similar unity with our admiration for the NHS, as people did back then for the armed forces. In that we are fighting an enemy and people places themselves in the front line with this.

So how did the UK cope back then?

How about setting yourself a goal and making ten cards to say thank you to staff at 10 hospitals

Its just a suggestion and goal for you

When you have done that.

How about the teachers that are still going to school teaching?

A thank you card made to all care workers?

I tell you what I did today. I helped create two new jobs for people

What people need now is purpose, as they feel lost sadly

Speaking of people feeling like caged animals, we have a neighbour who, everytime i look out of an upstairs window, I see him walking in circles round his garden, he actually reminds me of an animal in a zoo, it's very odd.

Technology is what is keeping a lot of people sane now. Where would we be without TV, phones, internet, whatsapp, youtubes......they are all enabling people to see what's going on and giving everyone the chance to see one another even if we cant be near one another yet.

I agree that people have faced far bigger challenges in the past, we are being told to stay home, no one is being forced to go and fight for their country, though the way some self entitled  people cant seem to follow the simple rules to keep one another safe God knows how they would act if they did have to actually fight for their country.

It would be intersting to know how you created two jobs.

I have changed the title of the thread (bet no one notices anyway )
I thought t might be a good idea to show pics of anything you have created whilst having lots of extra time.
I will proudly show my ONE card I have managed to make when I am on tablet later. x

Ben and I have worked on our sending book and also half-written two songs - music him, lyrics me.

Other than that I’ve just cleared out tons of crap that I’ve accumulated over the last two years. I’m surprised I had so much as I’ve never, ever, been a hoarder.

eddie wrote:Ben and I have worked on our sending book and also half-written two songs - music him, lyrics me.

Other than that I’ve just cleared out tons of crap that I’ve accumulated over the last two years. I’m surprised I had so much as I’ve never, ever, been a hoarder.

Will you be able to post your songs when they are finished?
I remember ages ago you posted yourself singing a song, I think that was also was one you had written yourself, you have a lovely voice.

Syl wrote:

Thorin wrote:


I think Syl what should be asked, Is what people would do if not in lockdown?

Is there a sense of now we are like some other animals feeling caged?

Does this now provide a perspective on how this feels?

Personally I think technology is what is creating a cage around us. In that now when we have limitations. We are finally seeing that this technology that we often rely on. Is not what provides happiness. We are now like the pets we keep or like an animal in a zoo. Reliant on our keepers. It shows that caging an animal has drastic effects on people and even more in an age of technology.

So what do we do to combat this?

We look back to the past and how people faced far greater threats to their lives

Lets look at the Blitz during WW2

We are showing similar unity with our admiration for the NHS, as people did back then for the armed forces. In that we are fighting an enemy and people places themselves in the front line with this.

So how did the UK cope back then?

How about setting yourself a goal and making ten cards to say thank you to staff at 10 hospitals

Its just a suggestion and goal for you

When you have done that.

How about the teachers that are still going to school teaching?

A thank you card made to all care workers?

I tell you what I did today. I helped create two new jobs for people

What people need now is purpose, as they feel lost sadly

Speaking of people feeling like caged animals, we have a neighbour who, everytime i look out of an upstairs window, I see him walking in circles round his garden, he actually reminds me of an animal in a zoo, it's very odd.

Technology is what is keeping a lot of people sane now. Where would we be without TV, phones, internet, whatsapp, youtubes......they are all enabling people to see what's going on and giving everyone the chance to see one another even if we cant be near one another yet.

I agree that people have faced far bigger challenges in the past, we are being told to stay home, no one is being forced to go and fight for their country, though the way some self entitled  people cant seem to follow the simple rules to keep one another safe God knows how they would act if they did have to actually fight for their country.

It would be intersting to know how you created two jobs.

Again I think technology and the internet is simple an addiction like any drug and that people have forgotten how to have fun and be happy in self isolation. |People did not have technology in the past and communities were actually far closer. People spend the time talking to their neighbours, their children and around the diner table. People have simple become easily distracted by technology and its basically controlling their lives. 

So is it really keeping people sane? Or furthering an addiction. That people cannot let go of something and should actually look to the past in how people coped and lived their lives free from such controls?

How I created two new jobs? I work as a planner in a pharmaceutical company. In fact my suggestion could lead to even more roles created. I researched costs and found that we could employ at least two people to deliver locally our products to our buyers. Instead of outsourcing. It has many benefits, especially with delivery times. Especially when out sourcing prices for transport have gone up

That’s great news Didge! Keep up the good work!

Cass wrote:That’s great news Didge! Keep up the good work!

Thank you Me Lady

Thor wrote..


"How I created two new jobs? I work as a planner in a pharmaceutical company. In fact my suggestion could lead to even more roles created. I researched costs and found that we could employ at least two people to deliver locally our products to our buyers. Instead of outsourcing. It has many benefits, especially with delivery times. Especially when out sourcing prices for transport have gone up."


Well done to you Thor, creating jobs in these troubled times is brilliant.x

Syl wrote:I have changed the title of the thread (bet no one notices anyway )
I thought t might be a good idea to show pics of anything you have created whilst having lots of extra time.
I will proudly show my ONE card I have managed to make when I am on tablet later. x

And here it is..the  one card I have got round to making up to now,  quality over quantity.  

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:Ben and I have worked on our sending book and also half-written two songs - music him, lyrics me.

Other than that I’ve just cleared out tons of crap that I’ve accumulated over the last two years. I’m surprised I had so much as I’ve never, ever, been a hoarder.

Will you be able to post your songs when they are finished?
I remember ages ago you posted yourself singing a song, I think that was also was one you had written yourself, you have a lovely voice.

When we finish them, yes. I did post four of my songs in the Creative section, and yes, all written and sung by moi.

Ps that should’ve said second book, not “sending” book.

About the only thing I've created during lockdown is a fucking drool stain on the fucking sofa cushion and I doubt anybody wants me to post a picture of that shit.

Ben Reilly wrote:About the only thing I've created during lockdown is a fucking drool stain on the fucking sofa cushion and I doubt anybody wants me to post a picture of that shit.

Yeah, pass.

Syl wrote:

Syl wrote:I have changed the title of the thread (bet no one notices anyway )
I thought t might be a good idea to show pics of anything you have created whilst having lots of extra time.
I will proudly show my ONE card I have managed to make when I am on tablet later. x

And here it is..the  one card I have got round to making up to now,  quality over quantity.  

That’s really rather good. I think I’d like to make cards....but I have a book and two songs to finish first.
We keep getting distracted by Netflix and cheese.

It's odd that many of us  have so much more time to fill.....yet we seem to be just as busy as ever.

Apart from people who are working from home and home schooling...I dont envy them at all.

Syl wrote:It's odd that many of us  have so much more time to fill.....yet we seem to be just as busy as ever.

Apart from people who are working from home and home schooling...I dont envy them at all.

We are homeschooling my daughter. I’m not massively strict about it. She’s not overly impressed with either Ben, myself or her big brother when we ask her to “come to class”.
She does the biggest eye roll you’ve ever seen. She’s happy to sit in her own filth and eat watermelon all day.

The eye-rolls are not just for schooling, they also extend to how much chocolate or candy she gets, when she has to have a wash, etc. She's just as impressed with being told to do something as her mother is

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:It's odd that many of us  have so much more time to fill.....yet we seem to be just as busy as ever.

Apart from people who are working from home and home schooling...I dont envy them at all.

We are homeschooling my daughter. I’m not massively strict about it. She’s not overly impressed with either Ben, myself or her big brother when we ask her to “come to class”.
She does the biggest eye roll you’ve ever seen. She’s happy to sit in her own filth and eat watermelon all day.

Hahaha.....who could she possibly take after?

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:It's odd that many of us  have so much more time to fill.....yet we seem to be just as busy as ever.

Apart from people who are working from home and home schooling...I dont envy them at all.

We are homeschooling my daughter. I’m not massively strict about it. She’s not overly impressed with either Ben, myself or her big brother when we ask her to “come to class”.
She does the biggest eye roll you’ve ever seen. She’s happy to sit in her own filth and eat watermelon all day.

Hahaha.....who could she possibly take after?

Pfffff. Not me!

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
Hahaha.....who could she possibly take after?

Pfffff. Not me!

Well read bens post......and he should know.

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
Hahaha.....who could she possibly take after?

Pfffff. Not me!

Well read bens post......and he should know.

Why would either of us listen to him? He drools on my expensive, Parisian, beautiful feather cushions!

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
Hahaha.....who could she possibly take after?

Pfffff. Not me!

Well read bens post......and he should know.

Why would either of us listen to him? He drools on my expensive, Parisian, beautiful feather cushions!

Syl wrote:

Syl wrote:I have changed the title of the thread (bet no one notices anyway )
I thought t might be a good idea to show pics of anything you have created whilst having lots of extra time.
I will proudly show my ONE card I have managed to make when I am on tablet later. x

And here it is..the  one card I have got round to making up to now,  quality over quantity.  

That’s beautiful Syl. You are so talented. If I even attempted that, i’d end up covered in glue and feathers and crying hysterically.

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
Well read bens post......and he should know.

Why would either of us listen to him? He drools on my expensive, Parisian, beautiful feather cushions!

Well...dear...I would piss on them, and throw them out with the trash. You only need one pillow to sleep on. "Parisian feather cushions"...indeed.

Cass wrote:

Syl wrote:
And here it is..the  one card I have got round to making up to now,  quality over quantity.  

That’s beautiful Syl. You are so talented. If I even attempted that, i’d end up covered in glue and feathers and crying hysterically.

On the other hand you cook like a dream Cass, so imo it's you who has the talent.
I bet your cooking skills have cheered everyone up lately.

I have to say I have never thought about food so much since the lockdown. Knowing we cant just nip out to a restaurant, or shop for whatever we fancy, I am actually planning meals now, nothing too fancy, but I am certainly using the stove more than I used to.

Original Quill wrote:

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
Well read bens post......and he should know.

Why would either of us listen to him? He drools on my expensive, Parisian, beautiful feather cushions!

Well...dear...I would piss on them, and throw them out with the trash.  You only need one pillow to sleep on.  "Parisian feather cushions"...indeed.  

Hahahahaha these are sofa cushions, not bed pillows. And if you pissed on them I’d piss on your toothbrush.

I have started on my Christmas cards now.....

Still in creative mode, I have started making shabby chic cards. The idea is to age a card as much as possible to make them look vintage.
I find old lace and ribbon from all over, then distress it, I even cut up one of my lace beaded covers I bought abroad decades ago, just to give an authentic 'old ' look....used tea bags are good also to age stuff.
OH thinks they look like a load of old tat you would find in antique shops ....I think they are fabulous.

Oooh they’re nice! I’m a bit jealous, wish I’d made those. Better than your drive-film-car idea.

Just sayin’.

Hope she doesn't mind me saying this, but at one point a few months into the lockdown, Eddie and I had a weekly habit of filling a large blue rectangular tub with as many colorful bottles as we could empty!

It was really something to see our creation reflecting the harsh rays of the mid-morning sun as I staggered out after waking to fill it a bit more ...

Ben Reilly wrote:Hope she doesn't mind me saying this, but at one point a few months into the lockdown, Eddie and I had a weekly habit of filling a large blue rectangular tub with as many colorful bottles as we could empty!

It was really something to see our creation reflecting the harsh rays of the mid-morning sun as I staggered out after waking to fill it a bit more ...

Art comes in many forms.

eddie wrote:Oooh they’re nice! I’m a bit jealous, wish I’d made those. Better than your drive-film-car idea.

Just sayin’.

Thanks Vintage and  Eddie.

Re the open air drive in, it's allready taking off, maybe somone read this forum and acted quickly.

[size=76]A socially-distanced scare-fest has creeped into town![/size]

[size=31]October is fast approaching and that only means one thing. Halloween! Screening now, Park N Party is opening up the gates to ScareCity, a drive-in cinema and immersive experience featuring performances from live actors and some of the most terrifying films. The organisers have transformed EventCity in Stretford and have a jam-packed schedule filled with Halloween classics for both adult and child audiences to enjoy… or have you on the edge of your seat. Not only that, but due to high demand, they’ve even added a whole week of extra screenings to enjoy.[/size]
[size=31][/size]

Those cards look so luxurious, Syl!

Got to say, as someone who doesn't really do cards I'd definitely appreciate one of those and the effort it took than anything off the shelves of one of the bajillion card shops in the UK.

As for me, got back to short story writing while at home and still enjoying it. Just won a contest on a small writing forum with an 1800 word story written using only dialogue. Was quite proud of it, might post it up here later

Eilzel wrote:Those cards look so luxurious, Syl!

Got to say, as someone who doesn't really do cards I'd definitely appreciate one of those and the effort it took than anything off the shelves of one of the bajillion card shops in the UK.

As for me, got back to short story writing while at home and still enjoying it. Just won a contest on a small writing forum with an 1800 word story written using only dialogue. Was quite proud of it, might post it up here later

Thanks Eilzel, I appreciate the comment, I can spend a full day on one card, they are a labour of love to me.
I used to sell them but not now, I just make them because I love to.

Congratulations on winning the writing contest, it sounds really interesting.
I for one, and I'm sure others too, would love to read your story.

Syl wrote:

Eilzel wrote:Those cards look so luxurious, Syl!

Got to say, as someone who doesn't really do cards I'd definitely appreciate one of those and the effort it took than anything off the shelves of one of the bajillion card shops in the UK.

As for me, got back to short story writing while at home and still enjoying it. Just won a contest on a small writing forum with an 1800 word story written using only dialogue. Was quite proud of it, might post it up here later

Thanks Eilzel, I appreciate the comment, I can spend a full day on one card, they are a labour of love to me.
I used to sell them but not now, I just make them because I love to.

Congratulations on winning the writing contest, it sounds really interesting.
I for one, and I'm sure others too, would love to read your story.

Yeah, spending a day making an effort on something you enjoy is a day well spent for me

I'll put it on here later, when at my computer