BRAVE…

Published on January 11, 2015January 11, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Autumn leaves

I have not made resolutions for a number of years… I feel like I am just setting myself up for a fall and lets face it, life can be complicated enough with out sabotaging yourself! I do like a new year though, I have friends who say that it is just another year and nothing changes, but I suspect that has more to do with their attitudes being unchanging rather than anything else.

down by the brook

A new year is different, after all it’s how we mark significant events, birthdays and anniversary’s of various things, both positive and not so, and I know for sure that there have been some years that I have been really pleased to see the back of and some years that have been extrodinarily memorable for me.

Last year I adopted a word, which kind of just happened and helped me through, not a resolution as such, more a spirit of attitude that I sensed was key to my journey through 2014. That word was ‘Flow’ as in the ebb and flow of the tide. In other words I just went with the flow.

That flow has delivered me into this blustery grey January and already I am sensing from deep within my soul a new key word for my 2015. I have had to wrestle with this word as I am finding the thought of what it means a tad daunting. I don’t just invent the word…if I did I would think of something like ‘wealthy’ or ‘creative’ or just plain ‘happy’. If you know anything about me you will know about my faith in God, and as I have sought direction in my alone time with Him, this word is just filling my soul.

The word is ‘Brave’

Be Bold – go all out for it

Rest in God – take time out to

Advance – Keep moving forward

Victory will come

Enjoy even when it’s tough / Effort – put it in

A bit daunting, but exciting don’t you think… I feel a little intrepid mixed with a great dollop of hope… I feel like this year is going to be really challenging but that this challenge will prosper not only me, but my family as well!

happy new year

Published on December 30, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

to all my readers old and new xx

a look over my shoulder

Published on December 27, 2014December 27, 2016 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 Comments

This is my end of 2014 review… a chance for me to look over my shoulder and reflect on the last 6 months…yes…this little sanctuary of mine is 6 months old and as we trip in to 2015, I feel both excited and content, which I think is a good place to be.

June 2014 saw not only the birth of ayarnyrobin… but the completion of my friendship blanket.

already a firm favourite!

and the Robin’s nest!

tree house rules... "there aint no rules, there never was none, there aint never gonna be none"!! — tree house rules…
“there aint no rules, there never was none, there aint never gonna be none”!!

In July I completed charity headbands

basket of headbands

a happy ripple blanket

happy ripple in progress

a vintage tea cosy

these little roses are gorgeous to hook

and wrote my first tutorial

my first tutorial

as well as spending some ‘down time’ on the river

messin' about on the river — messin’ about on the river

August saw me settle outside to crochet in the warmer weather and do a spot of blog hoppin’.

crochet corner — my crochet corner

I also broke into my sumptuous alpaca stash

alpaca yarn - Louisa Harding yarns - Orielle — alpaca yarn – Louisa Harding yarns – Orielle

and enjoyed the summer holidays with the boys, making some special memories

down by the canal

and completed a light weight summer scarf

lightweight glamour... — lightweight glamour…

and wrist warmers ready for the autumn

fingerless wristwarmers

and a much needed Summer break away was enjoyed also.

Tenby harbour

September saw the struggle with my hook to complete this basket weave baby blanket

basket weave baby blanket

which led to a frivolous yarnpom in the park

yarnpom

and the arrival of Jess!

Jess

I lost my crojo completely in October…partly Jess’ fault

crocodile flower by Joyce Lewis

eventually finding it, after much help from some lovely readers, and completed a couple of beanies for the boys.

brainwave beanie with ear flaps

and more than a few poppy brooches,

2014-10-21 09.46.42 — poppy brooch

and Summer turned to my favourite time of the year…Autumn.

walking the dogs x

In November I hooked myself a beanie

my beanie love

and had a great time at the circus

balloons

and was very kindly nominated for the Leibster award

Leibster Award

and very proudly offered my first free pattern.

my first pattern

I continued to enjoy the changing landscapes walking with the dogs and rellished the tranquillity that the peace allowed in my mind.

Gloomy day

and then there was the last minute Christmas hooking in December,

Cosy blanket by Attic 24

which did get completed in sort…and which I have yet to post about in finished splendour (I will in the New Year…I promise).

The 'his' cosy blanket by Lucy of Attic 24 — The ‘his’ cosy blanket by Lucy of Attic 24

And finally a traditional Christmas spent with the people I love the most… a perfect way to celebrate my most favourite festival.

our Christmas tree

And there you have it… my 2014 review. May I take this opportunity to thank all of my lovely readers for sharing this journey with me. I have honestly loved sharing my journey with you and appreciate you all so much. I guess all that is left to do this year is to wish you all a very peaceful and healthy 2015.

xxxxx

A peek in to Christmas

Published on December 9, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

One of the things that I have really enjoyed this December, when peeking into other blogs and generally taking a good look around, is glimpsing how other people do Christmas… so here is a little peek around the robin’s nest.

our Christmas tree

I love the designer trees and the minimalist trees in the shops and I always catch myself thinking how I would love to get one. This year I fell in love with an all white one with sherbet coloured decorations… but I adore more, our tree, decorated by the boys with our mismatched decorations that we have accumulated over the years, most of which are attached to a lovely memory…like the spherical robin bauble at the bottom of this photo, gifted to us by dear friends.

deck the halls... — deck the halls…

pretty Christmas bows

stockings...just waiting to be filled — and stockings…just waiting to be filled

party shoes! — party shoes that I just couldn’t resist!

the nativity — and the nativity

Certainly the most important part of Christmas for us…the reason for Christmas…the birth of Jesus.

16 days to go!

Published on December 8, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin15 Comments

colour therapy

Just a short update this week and here is why…..

It is with great panic that I have to report that I am still hooking the main body of this blanket, which is my Mom’s Christmas present (I have one to start for my Dad, yet, hence the panic!!)

I had almost finished it last week, when I noticed a distinct increase in stitches, meaning the sides were not straight. The reality of this meant that I had to rip out over a weeks worth of hooking and so now I am behind…seriously! My ONLY saving grace might be that I finish work on the 18th so may be able to make some time up then.

My error…simply becoming complacent and not counting every 4th row or so as this is such a simple pattern. Anyway, let’s not dwell, lesson learnt and it is such a lovely pattern that I am still very much in love with it.

Now, I must get back to my hook

Cosy Afternoon

Published on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin21 Comments

Today I have had a lovely cosy afternoon hooking happily, listening to the radio, I will show you some pictures of that gorgeousness in a minute.

down by the brook

This however, is where I walked this morning with the dogs, unbelievable that this little path which runs alongside the brook, is just 2 minutes away from my home.

going up the hill

This morning was so sunny, but very cold, in fact my little thermometer read -0.5 degrees centigrade, so I didn’t stop for long but instead walked briskly up the hill!

at the top!

Once at the top I was rewarded with this… I see this most days as this is where I walk the dogs, however, today I appreciated it more than ever…maybe the bitter cold coupled with the glorious sunshine had something to do with it.

Jess at 16 weeks

Little Jess enjoyed it too, Alf didn’t hang around for his photo! Anyway, here are the pictures of ‘that gorgeousness’ I promised you…this is what I have been hooking this afternoon

Cosy blanket by Attic 24

Yes this is the glorious, heavenly to hook Cosy blanket which is currently part of a crochet along that is being hosted by the enormously talented Lucy of Attic 24. This one is the ‘her’ part of the ‘his and hers’ set I am making for my Mom and Dad for Christmas….the colour way is beautiful and is from the Attic 24 shop at Wool Warehouse and comes as a pack called ‘cottage’… my Dad’s colours I selected individually and look like this

for my Dad

My Dad’s blanket will be the same pattern as my Mom’s to complete the set. Do you want to have a look at that pattern again… close up

colour therapy

So simple, but so beautiful.

Leibster Award

Published on November 15, 2014December 1, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

Leibster Award

You might remember me mentioning the nomination that I received for the Leibster Award, from the lovely Lauren that writes her equally lovely blog, called the handmadehandmaiden.

Well, here is my post in response to that nomination. In a nutshell, I answer some questions, set some new questions and pass the Leibster on by nominating others, there are some more detailed rules which I outlined before, which you can take a peek at just here

Here are my answers:

Have you ever lived in another country?

No, but sometimes I think it might be nice to!

Do you have any pets?

Alfie

Jess

Heidi, Holly and Bo... Sunny was busy laying an egg!! — Heidi, Holly and Bo… Sunny was busy laying an egg!!

What is your favourite icecream flavour?

that would have to be Peach Melba…or possibly bubblegum…or rocky road..or… lets be honest it depends on what ever takes my fancy.

What do you desire most to do in your life?

That’s easy…to influence and inspire people positively.

Countryside or City?

I need both.

If you could travel where would you go and for how long?

Bikini Island, Fiji for at least a month, then Australia for at least 6 months!

What is your hobby?

like that needs an answer, but just in case…

yarn, yarn, yarn, hook,hook,hook!

out on Bella x

gardening

Least favourite thing to do?

Clean the oven!

What tv/ current book are you watching / reading?

my current read!

If you could time travel – who would you see – where would you go?

Another easy one… I would revisit the younger me and say…

worry less, it will all be just fine,

you are beautiful just the way you are

and maybe consider avoiding eating chicken in the Lake District!!!

Here are my nominations for the Leibster Award,

Leibster Award

crochetandcoffee

thegreenonion

loveorchestrated

I highly recommend you take a peek at these blogs.

Here are your set of questions guys:

1. If you could have a shop what would you sell?

2. What is the meaning of your name?

3.What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

4. Margarita or Pina colada?

5. If you had a super power what would it be?

6. What is your favourite book?

7. win the lottery or work your perfect job?

8. Do you have a favourite quote?

9. what sound do you love?

10. tell us what your happy song is?

Hope you have as much fun as I have had with your

Leibster Award.

xxx

Not a lot…but quite a bit!

Published on November 9, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

my poppy

This is the sum total of my craftiness this week….not a lot. This is my poppy made just for me, being as all the previous poppies I had made for myself were oohed and aahed over and taken by my family and friends…not that I minded in the least, I take great joy from knowing that my hooking is appreciated! I did however run out of the pretty topaz glass beads for the centre, but found these little glossy black beads instead which just makes this one extra special and mine!

I did achieve quite a bit else, this week saw my interview for my Return to Nursing Practice which was on Thursday. After much of the week re teaching myself fractions and how to do long division and multiplication of decimals (yawn, yawn) I took my numeracy and literacy tests and successfully got through the gruelling interview and so start this new and daunting journey on the 13th January 2015! (cue angelic hosts singing Hallelujah!!)

I hope to make progress this coming week on my own pattern and who knows maybe even finish it so that I can share it with you in time for Christmas.

If you have not read all about the Leibster Award, please take a peek just here, I have 10 nominations to make and if you would like me to nominate you to receive the online award, then just let me know by leaving me a comment.

Leibster Award

Enjoy your week

xxx

I’ve looked high and low…

Published on October 13, 2014October 14, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin11 Comments

Apologies for my distinct absence lately… I’ve found myself waking each morning yearning to create and yet by the time I’m home from work and the chores are done and I have the opportunity to hook, that a severe melancholy rises up from within and my hook stays in it’s case….

I fear I may have lost my crojo!!!

I’ve looked high and low…I have tried and tried… I have put my hooks away and I have got them back out… I’ve thumbed the delightful pages of books and magazines… trawled through many of your lovely project pages on ravelry, where fleetingly my heart skipped at so many inspiring creations, only to find myself with yarn and hook in hand and still no hooking action.

Holey!!!!

My brother dropped round last week, to my horror with the blanket I had made as a wedding present last year. It had a hole in it and he wanted me to repair it, as now the evenings are chillier, the blanket is required once more. A hole!!!!

As I mended, I certainly didn’t feel inspired and worried about other gifts I had made… what if?….!!!!

repair in progress

With the repair done and my brother gone, I reflected that actually, that wedding blanket is super heavy and probably with hindsight, should have had a more substantial joining method than the pretty but delicate flat braid join that I gave it… hence the hole. I did take some close up pics to cheer my soul a little…

crocodile flower by Joyce Lewis

double treble burst, Crochetville

wedding present

It is a very pretty blanket.

In other news, Little Jess has finally found a best friend in Alfie and this has really warmed my heart, after 2 weeks of grumbling and growling our Alf decided that Jess was not so bad after all.

best friends now x

Importantly, the evenings are now drawing in nicely, I so love this time of year,

The evenings are really beginning to draw in now... — The evenings are really beginning to draw in now…

drawing the curtains, lighting the candles and snuggling in for the evening… what could be better… maybe just a little crochet

settling in for the evening

So, please would you have a little look to see if you have any extra crojo that you could send to me… I’m desperate!

xxx

Jess

Published on September 30, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin1 Comment

it's hard to get a good photo of her as when she is awake she doesn't stand still for a moment! — it’s hard to get a good photo of her as when she is awake she doesn’t stand still for a moment!

It’s been 48 hrs since little Jess arrived and so far so good… the first night she yelped for 10 mins before settling to a full nights sleep and last night she took herself into her crate and drifted off for the night without so much as a squeak. I think having Alfie our lab around has much to do with the suprising amount of sleep we have managed since this little ball of fur arrived.

bath time

She did require a bath however as she wasn’t that fragrant and the smell of her litter mates and no doubt her Mom, was sending Alfie a little grumpy…

she was all of a quiver

Jess, protested throughout her bathe, but seemed to enjoy the hair dryer and she smells much more pleasant both to us and Alfie, I think!

2014-09-29 09.53.22 — Alfie, interested in Jess, but not too sure yet!

House breaking is also going well, only x2 accidents so far, so I am very proud of how well she is doing. Her favourite thing is exploring the growing garden. That is where we have just come in from now and she is zonked!

sooo cute!

The cedum in glorious autumn splendour from Jess' point of view! — The cedum in glorious autumn splendour from Jess’ point of view!

Other progress made is that Jess is happy to wear her collar complete with name tag, which I am pleased about as you can always hear where she is, as it jangles gently when she runs, which is also very sweet as she runs and springs about like a baby lamb with a slight tendency to lean to her left as she goes.

All in all she is lovely xx