The Grandma Mary Tea Cosy

Published on October 2, 2016November 14, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

Introducing the ‘Grandma Mary’ tea cosy…the first in the Grandma Collection

Grandma Mary Tea Cosy

Dedicated to my Grandma Mary who was a truly inspirational woman. Born in October 1916 and christened Vera Mary, she grew up in England in the West Midlands and trained as a primary school teacher. I was privileged to have had her in my life for 34 years before she left this world at the grand old age of 94. Granny Mary played a huge part in nurturing my creativity as a little girl, teaching me how to make pompoms and to French knit using a wooden cotton reel and some nails that my Grandad would have made. She was a gentle and patient woman, who always had a smile and a piece of chocolate. I once asked her what the best invention of her life time had been and without hesitation she quipped…’washing up liquid!’

Granny Mary worked hard, but always took time to make things pretty… whether that was pansies in the garden, geraniums in the porch, sugar on a peeled apple, a pretty apron whilst doing the housework or a tea cosy for the teapot.

Prettiness was important because it was the way she cared for people and her care was a true blessing.

So this cosy had to be pretty, in colours that evoke memories of her and of course had to be covered in flowers.

The beads at the bottom of the cosy actually belonged to her. I have a bag of broken plastic beads that she gave me – she never threw anything away!

I am honoured to put them to good use…I think she would be really very pleased with their new use.

So that is the Grandma Mary tea cosy in all of its glory, here is the pattern linky thing.

xxxxx

The Grandma Collection

Published on September 25, 2016February 21, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin25 Comments

I’m so, so, soooo super excited to launch this new series here at the nest.

I would like to introduce you to a collection of beautiful tea cosies over the course of the next few months, named ‘The Grandma Collection’. Each one dedicated to the inspirational women in my life.

The patterns will of course be crocheted, but will also include other mixed media embellishment, making these cosies the perfect companion for your teapot….and as always the patterns will be free.

If you have been following me on Instagram then you will have seen some sneak peeks…

The Grandma Mary tea cosy… coming later this week. I really hope you will enjoy this series with me.

xxxxx

Since this post was written there are now four stunning Tea Cosies available in this series…the links to each can be found below.

Mary

Mabel

Dot

Florence

I do hope you enjoy these free patterns and that your tea pots love their new adornments.

xxxxx

A lovely week

Published on September 16, 2016September 16, 2016 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

Well put out the crochet bunting….I’ve qualified!…a long hard slog, but it is done.

So of course celebrations have been ongoing (both alcoholic and non alcoholic), but my favourite (and the one I am going to share with you) was a blissful week at home, pretty much to myself. Doing this sort of thing…

wet Jess — Bathing Jess…

InstagramCapture_3735a626-ffcc-447a-8415-d1f7727bedbf — she looks so cute once she gets a blow dry…

drinking coffee from my special mug — drinking coffee …

working on a new tea cosy pattern — working on a new tea cosy pattern…

Enjoying suprise gifts left by a neighbour — Enjoying suprise gifts left by a neighbour…

planting out my winter window boxes — planting out my winter window boxes…

and hiding daffodill bulbs under the ground — and hiding daffodill bulbs under the ground.

Enjoying a fish and chip picnic

wp_20160908_08_36_13_pro — and contemplating what to do with these bag handles??????

wp_20160909_20_04_04_pro — Enjoying the cosiness of home with friends…

wp_20160909_19_52_45_pro — Yes…a lovely week indeed…Now, the hard work really begins! xxx

Roses and Posies tea cosy

Published on July 20, 2014October 21, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

Roses and posies tea cosy

So this week has seen the start of the Roses and Posies tea cosy by Nicki Trench. It is the tea cosy that you can see on the front of this book….

Nicki Trench book

So here is my progress this week…

components for roses and posies tea cosy designed by Nicki Trench

I really enjoyed whipping up these roses and hooked them all over the place this week, mostly in the car, whilst waiting for one or more of my Little Robins (as their social life is so much better than mine!!).

tea cosy wip — naked tea cosy

these little roses are gorgeous to hook

and here it is my second Finished Object

roses and posies tea cosy by Nicki Trench

If you knew my friend, then you would know that she is just going to love this tea cosy!!

Tea Time x

I have also made a start on my scrappy afghan… I want this to be huge at least big enough for Mr R and I to snuggle under together, so I’m not even going to do the maths and work out how many squares… as that may be rather disheartening to know! But, this is the width and I’m x3 rows in, so I’m a happy Robin. It’s a long term project always in the back ground, but always a joy to hook. It’s a bit like having an old friend that you get excited to see, you know you can always pick up where you left off from, easy and relaxing and just a pleasure to be with, well that’s this blanket!!

tiny little granny squares

I love a simple granny!

The happy ripple is almost done too, no pictures this week, but there will be some next week… About x5 more rows and a border and it will be done ready to gift at the end of this month.

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