thats life! – Page 4 – Crochet blog

crochet granny squareblanket with bobble edging

A glance back at 2015…

Published on December 29, 2015November 20, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin10 Comments

2015, well what a year, a roller coaster in a lot of ways, but a good year. A year of progress and accomplishment and growth…. and of course craftiness.

There have been walks that have embraced the changing seasons.

Beautifully chilly

Enjoying the very new spring sunshine

November 2015

December 2015

There has also been craftiness that has not been yarn related…

Valentines craft

pretty pumpkins

Christmas dog wreath.

Of course I did indulge in yarniness too, although at times making time for this proved difficult, but nevertheless, I did…

Rows of popcorn stitches

A pretty granny.

Blooming flower cushions.

100 patch granny

tree house pimping

Sprinkly donuts

Winter blooms.

Sunflower in progress.

Certainly, a lot less hooking than previous years, but for very good reason. As I eluded to at the beginning of this glance back, 2015 has been a year of progress, growth and accomplishment.

from this…

to this.

Walls demolished and a new kitchen installed, a new lounge and a whole lot of decorating. And as for the little Robins…

they are growing so quickly... — they are growing so quickly…

well, I guess they’re not that little any more.

Then there was the small matter of studying…

my study buddy…

A new career on the horizon!

assignments...aaagggh!!! — assignments…aaagggh!!!

and throughout it all, through these last beautiful, hard, tiring, challenging and wonderful twelve months that has been my 2015… I have clung to my motto BRAVE... and it has seen me through, it has inspired me, encouraged me, comforted me and at times kicked my butt… it has also taught me…

to be still…

Herb bench

to self soothe…

and that the smallest achievement is better than the greatest intention.

a glut of granny's — a glut of granny’s

So thank you to all those that have journeyed through 2015 with me here, this little, mostly yarny space of the ether. I value your encouragement and appreciate the time you spend dwelling here with me… more than you will ever realise.

Here’s to your 2016…may it be blessed and beautiful and of course yarny.

xxxxx

What weekends are made for…

Published on July 5, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

hooky planning — hooky planning…

in the sun!

in the park — at the park…

under blue endless sky — under an endless blue sky…

a lot of weeding needed in the garden...overgrown bush!! — a lot of weeding needed in the garden… and overgrown bushes!!

some chopping and pulling and a lot of elbow grease... — some chopping and pulling and a lot of elbow grease…

a few coffee breaks... — a few coffee breaks…

ta dah!!

finished with a evening by the chiminea

and some good company — and some good company!

Random note

Published on June 17, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

When collecting the boys from my parents this evening, my Dad found this post it note had blown onto the drive…

random note

it made us chuckle

xxx

self soothing!

Published on May 5, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin11 Comments

With a huge sigh… I have finished my assignment and therefore my course…full of self doubt but clinging to my battered motto…BRAVE… feeling weary I felt it time to self soothe, so this is what I did…

addictive!

I got my hook back out…

chives and parsley

I created a little herb bench on the patio… I still have some lemon mint to pot up.

pink and white fragoo

Planted strawberries…

summer trailing boxes

planted summer tubs with hot pinks and sunny yellow trailers

Mrs Butterfly like the parsley... — Mrs Butterfly like the parsley…

I stopped…and was still and just noticed (with my camera)

clematis glory

and my world was a better place.

weaving in the ends and life….

Published on April 10, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin21 Comments

A couple of days ago…after 3 weeks of working shifts on placement as well as working my regular job and juggling Easter holidays with the robins and studying until the wee small hours…..crazy, absolute crazy…. I had the day off!

this is what sanity looks like!

Who would have thought that weaving in ends (millions of the things) could be so therapeutic… but it was. The warmth of the spring sunshine and the peacefulness of being by myself…the boys went off making all sorts of dens with big branches…close enough so that their laughter made my heart smile, but far enough to just allow me to breathe and weave in ends.

I love these colors — I love these colours

all done....just like my placement! — and the view

A busy few weeks, which explains, my absence here…it is so good to have a hook back in my hand. This giant granny is a long over due gift for a very special lady…who is patiently waiting. The colour way is delicate and pretty and of course it’s good old stylecraft special dk.

So, I need to get this wrapped and mailed, before the second wave of study hits…

xxx

BRAVE…

Published on January 11, 2015January 11, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 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!

a look over my shoulder

Published on December 27, 2014December 27, 2016 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 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 @ ayarnyrobin6 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.

Leibster Award

Published on November 15, 2014December 1, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 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

I’ve looked high and low…

Published on October 13, 2014October 14, 2014 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 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