Celebrating life!
Some of you that read my blog will already know that four weeks ago my husband, Steve, suffered a major heart attack and was admitted to hospital. After a two week stay, a second heart attack and two lots of stents he is now home and doing well. As horrific as it has been, it could have been far worse. Thanks to the paramedics, the doctors, the nurses and all the wonderful NHS staff we have a happy outcome. A reason to celebrate and time together that we won’t be taking for granted. There will be more tests, hospital visits and cardio rehab to keep us both busy for the next couple of months and beyond that we want to spend more time together, more time doing the things that we always seem to put off.
Inevitably this has affected my work and I’m grateful to all those you have been so understanding and supportive when I’ve had to cancel workshops, talks etc. I hate letting people down and their kind words have meant a lot. I will start teaching again in a few weeks time but have put some of my plans on hold. I had been expecting to start work in earnest on an online shop selling dyes, screens etc this month but that will have to wait as will work on my second book. For the next few months I am focusing on teaching and on making art.
Making art. And just ‘being’ in my studio brings me so much solace and a quiet joy. Because the studio is at the end of our garden I have been able to spend time in it whilst Steve snoozes or when I know he’s got company / watching the football / sat reading. A few minutes at a time to begin with but now that I have stopped fussing over him so much I am grabbing the odd hour. I’m working on my new series and having been printing lots of cloth. I had a head full of ideas before the heart attack that I thought were lost but are coming back to me as I loose myself in process. Life is returning to normal and it is glorious!
And, because I really am one very lucky person right now, I heard this morning that my quilt Franklin Gothic Heavy was awarded 1st prize at Quilt=Art=Quilt!