Now…most people who know me will also know how unusual it is for me NOT to have tried a craft..but it’s true..ish.

When I was younger..13 or 14 I think..I got some clay for Christmas and loved making things with it but since I became grown up I’ve never tried again…until now!

For Christmas 2019(!!!!) my fabulous husband bought me a gift voucher for a pottery class…learning to throw a pot! Then, just as I’d booked in January 2020, I hurt my wrist and had to cancel…then COVID 19 hit! My hopes of learning a new skill were deflated. I kept in touch with the business that ran the classes and they said it would be ok..they’d honour all vouchers.

Then, they moved!!! More panic…were they still around? Was it too late? Absolutely not! Even though another year and a bit has passed since then, they have continued to keep in touch, reassuring me that I would get to do this..and last Sunday was the day!

I arrived at MakeNorth with bags of time to spare..(hate being late)…and got to have a look around and say hi. There were just five of us doing the throwing and the trainer, Christine, was brilliant. Very patient! After a demonstration we were quickly given the opportunity to try it! Encouraged not to worry about mistakes but to just keep trying…so I did. I had so many failures it was funny but…I really enjoyed it.

this was my first attempt..

Not bad I thought! I did many others following this, lots of wobbly sides, lots of complete collapses but, as one of my girls always says, practice makes better..and better they got!

…and better…..

…and the best…This is my favourite one.

My first and last attempts will both now be glazed and fired ready for me to collect…then I can show you the completely finished result.

Above all I had fun..and I’m desperate to do it again! I’m hooked!

Having left my very precious pots to be glazed and fired ready for me to collect…I felt like an anxious new mother! However, I shouldn’t have worried at all…here they are, carefully looked after and now in pride of place at home x

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I’ve had three awful days…I could barely move and didn’t leave the house…today I felt better.

I decided to take our dog, Oli, for a walk on a park where I spent most of my youth. It was just at the top of our road. I recall summers spent making up games, lying on the fresh cut grass..feeding the peacocks!..and watching the bowling, cricket and football that was enjoyed by many.

But my most favourite was the make believe games played on, around and under the stone bridge that led to the duck pond.

So many hours…one stone was the bedroom…another a table for lunch..yet another a playroom….but all beautiful, warm and comfortable..at least in our imagination.

I’d leave the house early morning…going back home only when my tummy told me to..then right back out. Beautiful summers filled with joy.

On my return today I found the two ends of the bridge intact…but no longer a bridge for me to cross..a wave of sadness washed over me. However, our stone house was intact..the stones looked so small..but I guess I’ve grown!

I dipped under the rail and explored the playground of my youth..what joy we had..what fun..our imaginations taking us wherever we desired. I’m still smiling. Juat being there has filled me with a sense of the familiar, of peace, comfort and happiness. How amazing that after over 40 yrs a pile of stones can elicit such a sense of calm and contentment.

This blanket is soooo easy to make…a simple four row pattern you’ll soon be able to remember. I’ve made this several times both in bright and pastel colours

The basic four row pattern is as follows
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: (K2tog) x6 (YO, P1) x6
Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Purl

For a baby sized blanket you will need
• Double knitting wool in any colour combination you want..you’ll use less that 50g of each
• 4mm needles or 4.5mm gives a more open texture and makes a slightly bigger blanket…this is what I prefer to use

Abbreviations

k – knit

p – purl

k2tog – knit two stitches together

x – repeat the instruction by the number stated e.g. 6

yo – yarn over the needles

Basic blanket pattern has six stitch garter stitch border on each side and six row garter stitch border top and bottom
Cast on 138 stitches in white
Knit 6 rows garter stitch
With right side facing, join in first rainbow colour and pattern as follows

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit 6, (K2tog) x3, *[ (YO, P1) x6, (K2tog) x6 ] repeat from * to last 18 sts, (YO, P1) x6, (K2tog) x3, knit 6.
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Knit 6, purl to last 6 sts, knit 6
Repeat above four rows twice more = three pattern repeats total
Next you will add a garter stitch border between colours
With right side facing, join in white and knit 4 rows garter stitch between colours
With right side facing, join in next colour and work 12 rows pattern
Continue with pattern as set until blanket is desired length.
Knit six rows white garter stitch then cast off.

a few years ago I made a puzzle ball for my grandchildren…and it is a puzzle! I’ve been asked recently how I made it so…here it is…how I make a puzzle ball.

you will need

a plate to draw round, any size…the size you choose will determine the size of the ball

pencil

paper

Scissors

ruler

material/ felt

thread

needle

polyester stuffing

step 1. Draw around the plate to make a circle, then divide into four quarters using the ruler. Cut 24 quarters using these as a template. Alternatively, cut 6 full circles of material and then cut those into quarters. Either way you will need 24 quarter circles

Step 2. Now on another piece of paper, use one of the quarter templates and draw along the curved edge. Next, flip the template over and, making sure the points meet, draw again along the curved edge to make a shape almost like an American football. You will need to cut out 12 of these

step 3. Putting two of the quarter circles together, first stitch the two straight edges. You can do this by hand as I did, or by machine. Stitch almost to the corner leaving a small seam along the edge.

step 4. Next, place one of the curved pieces along the curved edges making sure to sew the corners firmly. Along the other edge, leave a small section open to turn it to the right side and for stuffing.

step 5. Before you turn the prices inside out, carefully snip the corners to help with turning out.

now stuff each piece very firmly and sew up the gap by hand

step 6. Now to put it all together!

piece one.. sew four of the triangles together into a circle by joining the corners and the sewing the centre points together

piece two. As before join all the corners together to make a circle but this time join two points together, then the other two points as in the picture

piece three. As before sew the points together into a circle but do not join any of the centre points.

step 7. Putting it al together is the fun bit. Piece one is the centre…place piece two over piece one as shown below. You might need to squash it in a bit but it will go on

next…put piece three over the other two pieces

I have, unfortunately, several invisible illnesses! One would be enough but nothing ever happens like that.

The two main illnesses I have are postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, (PoTS) and Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) which I have previously talked about

Each affects me in a different way, neither can be seen, no one can tell I have either and that, in itself, causes problems.

Today I’d like to talk a little about PoTS. I was first diagnosed around six years ago after four years of investigations. The symptoms aren’t good.

Orthostatic intolerance is a term that is sometimes used to describe symptoms of PoTS. It means symptoms that occur on standing and are relieved by lying down. In addition to heart rate and blood pressure, other bodily functions that are regulated by the autonomic nervous system can be affected. 

Before diagnosis, my symptoms ranged from mild to severe, tended to be worse in the morning and changed every day. I was prescribed medication to help and some of them are now better controlled.

Orthostatic Symptoms – occur when upright

There are lots of other symptoms, not everyone will get all of them, but most likely everyone will get some of them!

• Palpitations

Palpitations are a sensation of your heart pounding in your chest. I hate this…feels like you heart is going to pop out!

• Dizziness or light-headedness or presyncope (almost fainting)

These symptoms usually occur when standing up but can occur with prolonged sitting. Before medication, I had these every time I stood up

• Syncope (fainting or blackouts)

Approximately 30-60% of people with PoTS experience fainting. Some people think that all patients with PoTS faint, but this is not correct. Pre medication I blacked out every day..the most was around 18 times in a day. It happens without notice, just bam! ..down you go. Until you come around you’re not even aware of it..very scary

• Chest pain 

Chest pain is fairly common in patients and can be worse when upright. The cause is not clear…something I still get but not so often and not so badly

• Shortness of breath

Patients can feel breathless when standing up or with slight exertion. ..this I still get, walking any distance will have me gasping. On a good day I can have a walk with my dog, as long as he doesn’t mind me going slowly

• Shakiness or Tremulousness ..I never got this..thankfully..I dread to think how it feels
• Excessive sweating.. I still get this…constantly having to take things off…then get cold and put back on..then repeat!

Non-orthostatic symptoms

• Gut problems 

Symptoms may include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain and vomiting. Many people with PoTS are told that they have irritable bowel syndrome…these symptoms are awful and have never gone away. I’m now diagnosed with diverticular disease…stomach pains are very bad at times…not recommended!

• Bladder problems ..another no for me..phew

Problems with circulation

• Visual problems 

This can be described as excessive glare, blurred or tunnel vision…for me I get very dry eyes

• “PoTS feet” (peripheral acrocyanosis)

Purple hands and feet affect around half of patients…yup…looks like I have gloves on!

General Symptoms

• Tiredness or weakness

These are common symptoms of PoTS and can be an ongoing symptom of PoTS or last for a considerable time after a PoTS flare. I am always tired..I’ve learnt to pace myself which helps tremendously

• Brain fog 

People with PoTS often complain of ‘brain fog’ which is difficulty in thinking or concentrating.

Brain fog has been described as being “forgetful, difficulty thinking, difficulty focusing, cloudy, difficulty finding the right words or communicating. It may be triggered by fatigue, lack of sleep, prolonged standing, dehydration, and feeling faint. Although aggravated by upright posture, brain fog often persists even after sitting or lying down. ..try studying and getting brain fog. This frustrates me so much..I can be talking and I go blank..can’t think what I was going to say. I know many people experience this at times.. try it every day?!

• Headaches 

Approximately 30% of those with PoTS have orthostatic headaches, which means they occur as a result of being upright and may be caused by reduced blood supply to the brain. Many with PoTS also have migraine type headaches…I’m very lucky that I rarely get headaches…but when I do, they last for days

• Exercise intolerance..what’s exercise? I struggle to walk most of the time, so exercise is mostly out of the question. I do try but have to take it slow
• Poor sleep ..ask my very patient husband. I sleep poorly, very fitful. A lot of that is due to pain from my EDS..my joints are so lax that when I truly relax into sleep, they dislocate. I think I’m naturally tense when going to sleep as I’m so wary..

Many patients with PoTS have problems with sleeping. This may be trouble getting to sleep, waking in the middle of the night and trouble getting back to sleep.  

(Information of symptoms taken from PoTS UK website. https://www.potsuk.org/symptoms)

As you can see symptoms are many and varied. My medication really only controls the blackouts, which I’m thankful for, but, like EDS, you can’t tell what I’m experiencing. When I go to the shop I get looked at for parking in a disabled bay…even though I need to be near the door. I’m not ancient..yet..I’m about to turn 54..and I’m expected to work, drive, exercise…all the normal stuff people do at my age…but I can’t do them. To look at me you’d never know.

I get up each day and get dressed, clean my teeth, brush my hair…then sit on my bed for 30 minutes to get enough strength to walk downstairs! Making breakfast, a cup of tea and then carrying them to the lounge requires a further sit down afterwards in order to do anything else. Currently everything has to go on a tray as one of my elbows was damaged when it dislocated…trapped radial nerve they think…so I can’t use that hand or arm.

I plan my week of jobs very carefully…Monday..wash dishes, Tuesday, hoover..Wednesday..clean bathroom..(well..bath..or sink..)..and so on…one task a day or I’m done.

I sometimes look back at what I used to do..two jobs, five children..a house to run..and me at the helm…and I loved it, every minute. Now just thinking about it makes me tired.

However, there are many good things. In 2019, for Lent, I gave up negativity. An odd one I know but I thought I’d give it a try. I promised myself to try and see the silver lining in everything. I enjoyed it so much I’ve continued…for example, not being able to walk fast, or too far, with my dog means I get chance to look around, to enjoy everything around me. I notice the birds singing, the water trickling past along the canal. I take time to sit on every bench I pass and just watch people going by. I would never have done that. In times gone by taking a dog out would have been just another chore to be done as quickly as possible, now he is the reason I leave my house.

I had to leave my job when I became ill with this..but later on, when some years had gone by it made me rethink my life. I went to college, then uni and now do a job I love every day..before this I might never have got the chance. I get to help people, every day, from my home..perfect.

So…next time things seem bad, slow down, take a breath..look around you and marvel at the world, at its beauty..give yourself chance to breathe xx

I want to do something similar to my temperature socks..using the temperature to guide the colours I use…but what to make?

Many people make blankets…or scarves…but I want something different..I just don’t know what.

if I make a blanket..how do I do it? One or two rows per day?..or…one square a month…then sew them together…or what about 12 washcloths..one per month? Gloves? Or one accessory a month…a scarf, gloves, socks, hat etc..are there 12 accessories I can make?