Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) I hope you will join me as we share different markets across the globe. Different and varied as the countries themselves, I always look forward to seeing what you send me. Come. Sit down. Relax. Enjoy the shortest trip around the world you ever experienced, taking in a market from somewhere different than what you have. And always remember #MarketFriday loves you!

We have enlisted the help of our friend to cut the pattern so we can sew them. We have created an assembly line of sorts. We couldn't have done it without him.

The recent events of the coronavirus have changed all of our lives, in ways that I never dreamed possible. I try not to react emotionally every time the news comes on, but it’s hard to grasp that there is something that is a bigger life changer than 9/11 was in my life. They project the number of deaths that is unrealistic to me. But, I do know that projections are always bounded by inaccuracies. So, I will continue to keep a positive outlook or at least look for the silver lining in this. It's there. I think I saw it yesterday.

I have chosen to use this time for the better good, as long as needed, for as many as humanly possible. My family and I have taken it upon ourselves to make masks to give away to ancillary workers in the health field, some have become desperate for protection from the coronavirus.

I had to ask the question of myself, then get a qualified answer. I can sew masks. Will hospitals be able to use them? The short answer is yes, if they get desperate enough. Call your local hospital if you are looking to participate. They will continue to use the preferred, unused, commercially produced medical-grade masks. Until they no longer have them.

So many different, cute fabrics. The Wigle family decided to make masks for our local grocery store this week, pharmacy and others that had to work. We enlisted our best cutters!

I realize that #MarketFriday is a challenge at this time. Many people are using memories, from days gone by or perhaps markets that they haven't posted. In these trying times, I am happy to see people still partaking in #MarketFriday. Use what photos you have. If you get to go shopping, we would love to see! Don't forget to take photos - whether it be the grocery, art galleries, or even the pharmacy, wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Don't forget to use the hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.

Please leave the link to your post on here so it can easily be found by others. They are easier to find in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much!! ❤

I cannot thank you enough for being a part of #MarketFriday! I realize what a challenge it has been to put one together and I must say that last week really surprised me. Stepping up to the challenge, every person put great effort into making it a most rewarding week. I truly thank you.

As I told you last week, here in the States, it is recommended that you wear a mask when you are going out in public. At one point, they were deemed not necessary, I believe because of the scarcity of masks for the medical sector. Can you blame them? Step right up, Do it Yourselfers! You have saved the day once again!

A few weeks ago, after much searching online, I found that JoAnn Fabric was a great place to get my fabric for making a few masks and in the meantime, help out the local community. Check out the site here: https://www.joann.com/make-to-give-response/ I bought what I needed and picked up a few kits too. Now, I just make my own and donate them. If you want, you can shop online and they have a service to deliver to you curbside. This way, fewer public appearances. And right now, they are even offering deep discounts. Check out the site, it has patterns to make the masks, although, I have an easier one at the bottom of the page!

The kit kat is without the pleats yet. Give it a moment and we'll get some in. These were fun to make and I know that plain colors would probably fit the old man in you, but, these are just happy!

Finished and ready to give out/and ship. Thanks for keeping us company while we put these together. If anyone is interested in making one for them or their families, the pattern is at the bottom of the page. Anyone who cannot make one, let me know and I will send you one. Seriously. Everyone should be wearing a mask now.

Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge!

Here is how: How to Participate:

Go to the market! Any market will do! Food, Clothing, Plant or Animal, if you wish. You can go to the zoo or an art auction. Anywhere or anything that you pay money for a service. I once went to a nail salon.
Take pictures! Be creative (or not)
Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
Post the picture(s)
Don’t forget to hashtag it! #MarketFriday by @dswigle
Drop the link to your post here so I can easily find them
It is always interesting to see the different markets around the globe! C’mon! Show me your market shots! I eagerly await them!

#MarketFriday loves you!

I dedicate this post to all of you. You bring joy to my soul and spread your love across the world. For this, I thank you. And just like that, this post is over..and just so you know, although we are throwing our love around the globe, I can guarantee you that there is still a little left to take us through the bad times until they can become good once again. Have a most fabulous day!

Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post, again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.

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they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"

it answered,
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire