Friday, 1 January 2010

Poems on boxing day


To Ethan on boxing day 2009


Angels from the realms of glory
Told of that first Christmas story.
Many years have passed since then
But still we speak of Bethlehem,
Of peace on earth, good will to men
On whom God's favour rests.

Now as you take your rest with me
(Or, rather, wake so cheerfully
And watch me, happy as can be)
Come, child, and hear the tale
Of shepherds and an evil king,
Of wise men and their offerings
And how they came from lands afar
Guided by a special star
To one whose wisdom far surpassed
Their own and one day would at last
Be known as the Great King.
Good Shepherd of the sheep,
His people he will keep
Safe for eternity.

Now, sweetheart, listen well
To what the angels tell.
And not just what, but who
Can save a child like you,
And keep you safe in ways
I can’t, but I can pray –
And that I’ll do –
That he will favour you.


To the growns-ups at Godre’r Graig, Harlech, Christmas 2009



On Christmas morn, a little girl’s search
For baby Jesus in the church
Was, sadly, unsuccessful.
But gladly too
For me and you
(And her, one day, I trust),
The babe has grown
And rightly owns
The heart of every grown-up
Around our table
And is able
To win the hearts of those
We sing to sleep
And help to eat
Their dinner every evening.

Ethan's devotions with Daddy 26/12/09

Two profiles that I love to see,
One sitting on the other's knee
While sometimes looking up
At Daddy's face above his own
As, steadfastly, the seeds are sown
On ground, as yet, unknown.




Thursday, 29 October 2009

Shell stitch baby hat

I was using up some left over wool recently and came up with this...


It's very simple and easy to make. Here's the pattern in case anyone out there wants it:

Yarn weight: Aran
Crochet hook: 5.5mm
Size: 3-6 months

UK crochet abbreviations used.

The hat is made in rounds without seams, at the end of each round sl st into first st to join the round.


You can use and change colours as you like. I used gold Debbie Bliss Merino Aran for rounds 1-5, 8, 11 and 12, light purple Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran for rounds 6, 9 and 13 and dark purple Rowan Pure Wool Aran for rounds 7 and 10.



Round 1: 12 tr into magic ring, pull ring tight (12 sts)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 tr into each st in the ring (24 sts)
Round 3: ch 2, tr round adding 12 sts evenly (36 sts)
Round 4: ch 2, tr round adding 12 sts evenly (48 sts)
Round 5: ch2, tr round adding 12 sts evenly (60 sts)
Rounds 6-11: ch 2 (counts as the first tr), 2 tr into next st, skip 2 sts, *3 tr into next st, skip 2 sts, repeat from * around to make shell sts
Rounds 12-13: ch 1, dc into each st

Finish off and weave in ends.

This one's been sent to Carys Leila Walton born on Oct 25th 2009. Congratulations Mike, Amanda and Jacob! Welcome to the world, Carys!


One other thing I've made in the last year...

I clearly wasn't born to blog, it's been a year since I've been on here. But it's been a very exciting year. Ethan Samuel Ayling, our son, was born on July 23rd 2009. We are loving being parents and enjoying Ethan so much.




He's recently learnt to poke out his tongue (as seen above).
We thank God for such a wonderful gift.




Saturday, 4 October 2008

Things to be thankful for...

I've just been playing a game with my husband which, he informs me, is called "thank you God" where we take turns to say things we're thankful for. Good tonic for grumpy wives.

Some of the things I'm thankful for are below (not in order of importance)...

Lovely books (though 'Toys to knit' isn't as good as the other two).


A bear for my sister, Liz.

A lamb I knitted for a secret person who will remane nameless for now.

Beautiful material from Japan for a dress for my husband's little sister's wedding

My husband, Bug (aka Nathanael).

This isn't him, but I did make it for him.

Above all, I'm thankful for Jesus and His grace in dying for me so that I can live with Him forever in the new creation which is coming. But I haven't got a photo of Him.

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

It starts...




So, here begins the diary of Mrs Anna Ayling and her amazing crafty creations!



(I can say that because I'm her husband and I know they're amazing!)


This will be a space for her to showcase some of her work, whether its knitting, crocheting, sewing... who knows what else! Is there no end to her creative craftiness?!



Looking forward to seeing some of her work here!


Mr Ayling