Wednesday 23 November 2011

Life's little ironies

A sunny day and all seems calm - but lo, a cloud on yonder horizon . . .

Two women sit either side of a small, white table. The conversation is quietly rational.

So what have you been doing to your hand?
I was wringing out a dishcloth . . .
And how long ago was this?
A few weeks now. I was cleaning windows too. Quite energetically.
I can see that it is rather swollen. And the symptoms would indicate inflammation. You must rest it completely, wear a splint day and night, and then we can begin rehabilitation exercises when there is no pain at all at rest.
But I have to make my Christmas presents.
Not this year - maybe next. No knitting, no sewing, complete rest.
But I am a freelance - no sick pay, you know the sort of thing . . .
Essential computer work only, and wearing a splint at all times.

Of dishcloths be very wary, they are dangerous things
Sunday afternoon. At home. Our heroine paces the room. No knitting, no sewing. She casts about for something to do and growls at her keepers.

Three carrier bags later the contents of her wardrobe and drawers have been turned out. Princess Bunchy has heard a new word: What does dowdy mean? she says. It proves a useful word. Another handy phrase when decluttering: Is it meant to be that tight? She concentrates on the power of positive thinking and takes comfort in the fact that there is now storage space for new clothes. How exciting!

And if she can't make her own Christmas presents, she can buy handmade and support other lovely crafters.

The sewing cupboard must remain firmly shut
And as some of the recipients have been known to lurk on the borders of Blogland, she can tantalize them with pictures of packages with mysterious and beautiful contents.

Feeling festive
So here are two wonderfully enticing boxes from Emma at Silverpebble. I wonder what exquisiteness they contain and who will be the lucky recipients?


The lovely screenprinted fabric from Amy could, of course, be used to wrap presents, but she is not giving everything away and will bide her time because one day she will be able to sit in her newly completed, but sadly neglected, sewing room and stitch, stitch, stitch.


She will use tea towels for wrapping paper, though, and has them sitting all ready in her present basket (you will have to go here to look at them because they are Top Secret).

Little mirrors from Jenny Arnott
And look, there is another enticing little package from Thirtyfive Flowers (who are a new favourite shop on Etsy if anyone cares to buy her a present), together with the perfect little presents for a Young Person to give friends and teachers, which come from Jenny Arnott Textiles.

Word art from Mrs Eliot Books

She never realized until now that knitting was an addiction. I am in recovery, she says to herself, I will have more time for reading.

Motivational apparatus from Dottie Angel


She will be back in a day or two with a giveaway which is a cheering thought.

55 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh dear not being able to knit, crochet or sew!! That's almost as bad as not being allowed to eat chocolate!!
Hope it all heals soon!
Vivienne x

Serenata said...

Sorry to hear about your arm, I can well and truly sympathise! My knitting is limited to about 8 rows a night of a doll size jumper!

Good news about your wardrobe though!

millefeuilles said...

Oh Pomona,

My goodness! My heart goes out to you although maybe it would be more use to you if I lent you a hand rather than a heart.

As you well know every cloud has a silver lining and it seems as if you are more than cabable of finding that platinum edge when things get tricky.

Yes, knitting is an addiction. I certainly think about it an awful lot and find it very hard to sit listening to people chatting to me without having some yarn and needles clutched in my hands.

How long will you have to wear this torture instrument for?

Stephanie

Jenny said...

Oh no, I so feel for you, that must be so awful, especially at this time of year!! Hope it heals soon. Thank you so much for the mention too, I'm glad the mirrors reached you ok :) Sending speedy get well wishes to you, Jenny x

VintageVicki said...

You've made me glad its my leg thats duff - I'd have been so bored without the use of my hand for a few weeks :( Hope it heals soon - those splints do help - I had to wear one on and off for while many years ago pre-children. Not due to excessive dishcloth operating - just the more mundane typing ;)

Thrifty Household said...

Poor you! On the bright side you've had an unexpected wardrobe clear-out...

Amy Friend said...

I hope you are back in tip top shape soon and can stitch up those cushions and knit up a storm. Thank you as always, you are such a good friend.

Used-to-Bees said...

I really feel for you - how very frustrating and inconvenient, as well as painful...Hope it heals fast with proper rest. I think you'll have to treat yourself to something nice to fit in one of the spaces you've created in your wardrobe, to console yourself...
x

Selfsewn said...

Oh no thats not what you wanted to hear. I think you should keep a sketchbook handy to jot down future sewing projects, otherwise you might go mad with ideas!!
take care xx

andamento said...

Uh oh, must be sooo frustrating. Hope it heals quickly. Just shows you that too much housework is not a good thing, hehe!

The Weaver of Grass said...

This all sounds so very frustrating - although I must say more time for reading sounds more like it.

Canadian Abroad said...

Well, that's all the incentive I need to not have shiny sinks! So sorry for you and your hand. I do hope it heals quickly and you can undo all the good (not the healing bit), come out of recovery and embrace your addiction once again.

menopausalmusing said...

Oh NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor you. Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Katy Cameron said...

Oh no, I always knew cleaning was seriously bad for your health... Hope the evil dishcloth has now been vanquished, and you got some good drugs to remove all memories of the incident!

Mousy Brown said...

Oh you poor thing! No knitting what a nightmare!! Hope you recover soon, take care Em xx

Claire said...

Hey Pomona, there are quite a few of us out there who have been through similar situations and know exactly what you are going through.....the frustration!!

I never got around to cleaning out my wardrobe though wish I had've it could certainly do with a good sorting out...........

Whilst I could still do limited activities I had to be very careful. I used the time to practice my drawing (other hand) and that helped fill the creative void somewhat. My drawing still sucks, hehe........but the time passed and now everything is fine, but I am more aware and less enthusiastic in my approach.

Wishing you a speedy recovery,

Claire :}

Annie said...

Oh dear, life does seem determined to have the last laugh sometimes. But however frustrating at least it should get you out of the Christmas washing up ;D

I hope you heal soon and don't go too stir crazy x

Grateful4Crochet said...

Oh no!!
Glad to hear you have found other fun tasks to distract you, but really hope it heals soon
xx

Isisjem said...

Oh no! How awful! hope you recovery is speedy - mind think of all that decluttering you may get done! I certainly need to do some of that myself!

Helen Philipps said...

Oh no, poor you Pomona! Having to give up knitting and sewing must be so hard....but glad to hear about the big sort out, and you will enjoy the extra reading I'm sure. Take care, and I hope your arm soon heals.
Helen x

harmony and rosie said...

Not great timing, but I guess no time is good for this sort of thing .. we need to create!! But you have taught me a valuable lesson, one which I must show to my husband - leave the dishcloth to somebody else. Thank you.
Do hope it heals in rapid time Pomona.
Kate x

Arianwen said...

hope you are feeling better soon. There is nothing more demoralising than not being able to do what you want, especially when it is craft related!

Peeriemoot said...

Oh blimey, bad luck.. I hope it eases soon!

Kay G. said...

Look at this way, those hands of yours have been VERY BUSY HANDS. Let your arm rest for a while, everything will be okay and you will be able to get back at what you love to do!

Sue said...

How terribly frustrating for you. When I first had an RSI the Doctor splinted my hand and wrist for 6 weeks and I couldn't use that hand at all. The only good thing was no ironing! I did become very adept at controlling the mouse with my other hand though. I can totally sympathise with you, and what a rotten time of year for it to happen when you had so many plans made. Sounds like a good reason for new reading material!

Karen L R said...

what a disaster. really. i might go mad in your situation. but you are made of tough stuff, dear pomona, and you will carry on.

sending you healing thoughts and lots of love.

xo

driftwood said...

oh dear, heal soon xoxox

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Oh no I am so sorry to hear this. That must be seriously hard and I know there are harder things but still...
On the bright side, it has led to your writing the wonderful sentence "Is that meant to be tight?" which made me smile and wince at the same time. There are lots of blogs to be read, if that is any consolation. Get well soon and I hope you can find a way to enjoy your enforced rest.

Shocking Hocking said...

oh what a shame - i knew housework was bad for you! make sure you do as the doctor said!

i've just sorted through my clothes (the hanging rail collapsed) and I've been uttering the same type of words - and apologising to those that are in the op shop pile!

Becks said...

Oh dear. I hope recovery is speedy and you are back knitting and sewing soon. But make the most of the rest whilst you can. And don't forget, you can't knit, but you can plan, ravelry browsing is good for the recovery ;)

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Dear oh dear, what an ordeal for you Pomona! However, given your positive and practical outlook, achievements will be made and hopefully recovery will be speedy. Lesley x

Frances said...

Is life not a very strange condition, Pomona?

Painful condition caused by zealous cleaning techniques! So, so unfair, and a condition that I am so unlikely to ever encounter myself.

It's just finding the time to continue my immersion into Santa Workshop activities that is stressing me out.

I hope that you will follow the doctor's advice and will find that a recovery will be speedy.

xo

Pat said...

You must obey the rest and healing instructions!! I can so empathize with you having broken both wrists. The nicer that arm behaves, the more quickly you can start rehab and then return to the passions we all love...

Take care of yourself.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Sorry to hear about your arm, I hope it heals soon and you can get back to knitting and crochet etc!

Victoria xx

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Poor lass to not be able to knit and sew...but don't despair I know you will find something creative to pass the time.You are a gifted soul and must not be tempted to indulge in those before mentioned pursuits, but
there may be a bit you can do with your right hand only!
Take it easy.
Susan x

Catherine said...

Oh dearie me! No socks allowed! Quite a catastrophe really in the knitting department & very, very inconvenient. Probably no compromises permitted then old thing : 0 I guess a splint is a little easier than a cast?? Wishing you swift & thorough mending. Much love Catherine x0x0

Cheryl said...

Blimey, oh Riley. That's it I'm giving the housework a miss until I've finished sewing and knitting. After that I'll just take my chances. No knitting. My heart goes out to you. And the sewing room doors shut!

Hope the retail therapy helped and I bet the decluttering is making you feel virtuous! Not all bad then, right?!

Tina said...

Oh Pomona! I hope you get well soon. I can only imagine how it must feel to be without being able to do what you like so much. But take plenty of rest so you can go back doing your lovely works again very soon. :)
xx

Elizabethd said...

That is so hard for you. Hope it is soon better and you are able to pick up a needle again.

Lisa said...

I'm very sorry to read about your injury. It must be so frustrating for you being the creative person you are. Hope the recovery goes to plan.
Lisa x

Anonymous said...

oh no. poor you :(
like other commenters, i really empathise - it must be very frustrating not to be able to pick up some stitching or knitting. i do hope you heal up soon!

Madelief said...

Oh Pomona,

This must be difficult for you! Hope it will heal soon so that you can start knitting again! Meanwhile enjoy the reading. Stephanie from Millefueilles gave me a book by Rosie Thomas, the Kasjmier Sjawl. I can recommend it to you! It's beautiful!!!

Lieve groet,

Madelief x

Gina said...

Oh dear... I always knew cleaning was a bad idea. Hope it heals soon.

Beth of The Linen Cat said...

Oh no, what a nightmare and at the worst time of year! I am not very good at 'resting' either, I really do feel for you. Some lovely goodies from fab designers, most of whom I already know but I'll be off to check out the few I don't.

Hope your arm is better soon. Beth/The Linen Catx

Evelene S said...

Oh my goodness not good for such a creative woman. Rest up and catch up on your reading and let your hand rest. Today is Thanksgiving in the States and I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am for your blog.

Simply H said...

Oh no Pomona you poor thing. I can't imagine not being able to be crafty - I'm quitting housework from now on - you have just proved it is far too dangerous!! Hope you get better soon xx

Sandi said...

Oh no!! but rest you must if you want to pick up needles and yarn or needle and thread......be a good girl and all will be well again.
x Sandi

Mrs. Micawber said...

And you can't even embellish the splint ... sigh.

May your mending be swift and your return to making swifter. Gosh, there's got to be SOMETHING crafty to do that won't contravene the rules! Hand spinning?

silverpebble said...

Oh how very very frustrating for you. I do hope your poor arm will be back in full working order soon. In the meantime how you are flying the flag for buying handmade. A huge and wonderful flag.

Have a truly lovely weekend xxxx

janie said...

I am so sorry to hear about your malady. How will you stand this time without all your wonderful projects? Hang in there!

Indigo Blue said...

Hi,
I am sorry to hear about your hand. it must be very frustrating and you do find out just how much we use are hands when one is out of action! Very frustrating too if you had lots of present making to do. I hope it is not too sore and it heals quickly.
Pop over to my blog if you want something to do for a bit.
xx
PS Ironically my word verification for this comment is "Makin" how odd is that.

Nicky said...

Bad timing! And yes I think cleaning is dangerous...that's why I don't do it!

Hope you are better soon!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I'm so sorry about your hand, hope it heals well...

Julie said...

Crickey, that really is a bad thing. I do hope it co-operates and heals fully and quickly.
Great to see your handmade purchases. I have one of Emma's necklaces - your recipients are very lucky people. Juliex

Unknown said...

Oh Pomona, your poor, poor girl, how dreadful. It must be very hard to look on the bright side but a tidy wardrobe is a wonderful thing.

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