Hello and welcome to Patchwork House . . . . .
my little corner of the world in England, where you will find me addicted to colour and playing with yarn!


26 April 2016

When life gives you lemons . . .

Well what a year I've had !
 To try to explain my absence is rather complicated
 but I've missed blogging
 and it's good to be back !



Life is very unpredictable and I am learning to take 1 day at a time as I come to terms with living with a chronic illness. Having been diagnosed with Lupus and other connective tissue disorders life has changed drastically. The daily routine of work that I used to grumble about now seems so desirable, as instead I cope with the roller coaster ride of pain, exhaustion and medication. No longer able to work as a teacher, I now find myself on the brink of beginning a new journey here full time at The Patchwork Heart.

It has always been a dream of mine to work full time in my colourful yarny world, but I didn't expect it would happen this way! Having just moved house and tried a return to work my body has screamed NO! So once again I am coping with a flare of pain and exhaustion, just like I experienced last June. I have no other choice but to listen to my body and rest rest rest!

In between the frequent blood tests, visits to the Dr and hospital appointments I am beginning to enjoy crocheting again and sharing photos daily on Instagram and Facebook is my joy.

 Thank you to those of you who have supported and encouraged me this past year. Your friendship and prayers have meant a lot to me.


I am very sad to leave teaching,
 a job that is exhausting but rewarding
 and a job that I was good at and enjoyed. 
So I am taking this opportunity of having to leave work
 and seeing it as the beginning of a new direction in my life.
 My days are full of long periods of sitting and resting at present,
 so crochet is a perfect occupation!

God has given each of you special abilities,
 use them to help each other ..... 1 Peter 4:10



Crochet is my happy place, 
it provides hours of quiet meditation
 and transports me to a colourful world,
 bringing me into contact with many lovely people around the world,
 many on a similar journey to myself.

Do keep watching my blog as I now plan to update it
 and aim to post each week, sharing exciting new makes
  and colour recipes to inspire you.

Wishing you all a happy hooky day
Heather
 x x x



25 comments:

J9sHappiness said...

Congratulations! Good luck and I love your positive attitude x

Pattypan said...

Hi Heather

That's it glass half full instead of empty. And as one door closes another one always opens. Look forward to your future posts as always. You inspire so many people. Just be gentle on yourself - a hard lesson I know but this may take you to a better place altogether.

Hugs.

Pattypan

x

Emma said...

Hi Heather,

I've been following you on Instagram and Facebook and I'm a huge admirer of yours. I just wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you back after your break. I'm glad to hear you're taking it slow and steady and that you can lose yourself in the world of crochet and also selfishly, that we get to see your makes brighten up our newsfeeds once more 😊 Wishing you well and sending my love,

Emma xx
@theartyhedgehog

Lesley said...

So glad to see you back. Am very sorry that you are still in pain and I hope things will get better for you and that your new venture takes off. It was just meant to be.

Denise T said...

I don't know if you realise it but you have been inspiring me and teaching me so much about crochet from your posts. I'm sure many others feel the same way. You'll always be a teacher, Heather, but a teacher of something different! Thank you and I very much hope you will be back to full health as soon as possible.

NADINE said...

Dear Heather,

It's SO NICE to read you back on your blog ! I didn't know you were facing health problem, and I'm very sorry, I do hope you'll find the right balance between rest & médications, and I'm sending loaaaads of positive vibes to you :))
I can read that you're full of courage and optimism, which is such a blessing. As you know "when God closes one door, He often opens a lovely window"...
like you say, crochet is also wonderful in such circumstances, and I'm sure you'll soon spoil us with lovely, inspirational posts !

With heartful thoughts,

in stitches,

NADINE (Belgium)

NADINE said...

OOOOPS, sorry, I forgot to write an important note in my comment : ---> LOVE your new haircut! It suits you perfectly :))

XOXO
NADINE

clairerobinson73 said...

He has a plan for you! God bless you Heather. Praying everything goes well. I think of you often when I wear my lovely shawl you made for me. I'll be following your journey. X

ChocolateDogStudio said...

There is something quite therapeutic in working with color and yarn! I am so sorry to hear that you have not been feeling quite yourself. I am so glad to hear that you will be posting more! I so enjoy seeing your projects and the lovely things that you make!

barb's creations said...

So happy to see you back on your blog, I've missed seeing your posts. Remember to listen to your body and as you say when life gives you lemons make lemonade and I'm sure you're will be delicious :) Barb.

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see you're back and blogging. I learnt to crochet recently really when diagnosed with a form of cancer. It's such an amazing relaxing absorbing thing to do. I'm delighted you feel you're feeling able to create and share.wishing you happiness and health xx

Trish Stevens said...

Wishing you all the best, Heather, and looking forward to reading your blog again. I really look forward to seeing your daily pictures on Facebook. You are an inspiration, not just with your crochet, but with your courage.

Janice said...

Hi, sorry to hear that you're unwell again. But it's good that you are able to rest now and crochet again. Looking forward to seeing all your projects in the future. Janice X http://Createdbyjan.blogspot.com

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Hello Heather, I was a similar position as you a few years ago, having to give up a demanding but satisfying career due to my health. It was a very difficult transition and crochet really did help me. I do hope you manage to balance out your health needs, there's nothing worst than exhaustion. I'm looking forward to seeing your new creations :) xxx

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry you have lupus and have had to leave the profession you love! It can be very difficult to readjust to a new rhythm of life when it is thrust upon you. However, as you are discovering, there are always rainbows along with the rain. I can't wait to see the rainbows you make!

Penelope said...

I know what it's like to leave a career that you enjoyed and considered to be 'it' until retirement due to ill-health as I was forced to do exactly the same quite a few years ago now. I'm now doing something that suits my lifestyle much better although the salary isn't brilliant, but sometimes the money has to be secondary to your health and sanity. My whole life is completely different as a result but I think I can say it was definitely the right thing to do and I am happy. One door may have shut but another was waiting ajar for me and I pushed it open.

Run Home To Crochet said...

It is a terrible shame that you can no longer teach, but your work at the patchwork heart is very inspiring to hundreds if not thousands of people and your work is so beautiful. Wishing you good health and I look forward to your return to blogging xx Joy xx

Cath Wirral said...

So pleased to have you back, I follow you on Facebook, you have been missed, take care of yourself, have courage and enjoy your new home. xx Cath xx

Anonymous said...

WELCOME BACK!I MISSED YOU, DIANNE

Unknown said...

Crocheting is my saving grace from cancer. I was diagnosed back in the summer of last year and between the traveling for Dr, medication and the endless blood tests I am just wore out. I am not cancer free, I still take chemo but it's pretty yarn that gets me though. One more row, I tell myself. I'll crochet until the pink shows, I say. I love yarn. It makes me feel good. I don't even have to crochet with it. I am content to just put it in its bin and look at it. I remind myself all the time of the feeling you get when you complete a project. If I can complete a Cali King Never Ending Granny Blanket that weighed more than I did, then I can do that one day of chemo. Yes, some days it feels endless, like it me or the blanket. Yarn is my partner in crime. I am glad to see you posting. Your crochet work is lovely, you have a great eye for color. I hope you continue to heal, and I hope to see posts from you more often. Have a good evening.
~Crystal
http://krystlewv.blogspot.com
A Day In The Life, Crochet...

Unknown said...


So sorry to hear of your illness,hope you aren't in too much pain. It's nice that you have more time to post as we've mist you and can't wait to see what's in store for us in the weeks to come.Take care xx

Ruth said...

SO glad you are back. It has made my evening. I have been looking for you to come back every day for months. Good luck with everything.

Miriam said...

Welcome back! I am sorry to read about your health problems.
Take care,
Miriam

Jackie said...

Lovely to see you back on your blog - I've been popping in every now and then to see if you've posted anything. So sorry to hear you're not well though. Take each day as it comes and rest when you need to.....a positive attitude is the best way to go, and you have your faith to help you through these times as well. Don't know where I'd be without God in my life! Take care, Jackie

Unknown said...

So pleased to see you back and know what illness you have. I too have to pace myself with arthritis and fibromyalgia and find crochet wonderful. I have a friend with lupus and she paints, a hobby is such a great help. I will look forward to you blog and lovely crochet again. All the very best. Caro nz.

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