Crochet Hats and Me!

Hi Everyone,
How has your week been? I have been busy with my work in the nursing home, for those of you who don't know I am a Activity Coordinator for the elderly, my duties are to fill the residents day with fun and energetic activities, when I started in the home there was no coordinator, so when I was offered the promotion I had a lot of hard work ahead of me- setting up a timetable of suitable sessions - I now run a full time activity schedule which covers Bingo, Prayers and spiritual groups, Relaxation, Exercise, Movie group, Multi sensory sessions, Baking and one to one therapy.
Let me introduce you to one of our oldest residents at 98 years young!

Last year she asked me to make her a hat to keep her head warm, we were going on a day out, she wanted it to tie under the chin so not to blow away in the strong Irish wind!

also I finished the 2nd hat towards my charity project for Debra Ireland, I call this hat Agnieszka

I am very happy with how it turned out - so thats two down only ten to go! I have also been busy this week preparing for my first crochet evening class which I will be giving on Friday, It will be a ten week course and so far eight people have signed up, I am delighted with this as the maximum number was ten!

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week and I will end with a picture of me after I opened my sewing machine!!!(can you tell Im still excited?) ;)

Pretty Handmade Fabric Broach

Last night I was itching to get on "Sarah" my sewing machine again! I am still so excited that I, Nina O'Brien have a sewing machine!! Now one thing I love is all things floral! I am obsessed and I know it! I love flower hair clips, bags, badges, clothes! so that is what lead me to make my own floral broach, I started by cutting lots of fabric and arranging them in a modern design - I also added so vintage ribbon that I got from the shop Feanor, and to added a navy button for the finishing touch - I wore this today on my coat and I have to say it looked wonderful and really caught the eye!
Oh and for those of you wondering why I called my sewing machine Sarah, it was named after the current sewing and craft novel I am reading Sarah Love.

Surprise Party, Cuddles, Sewing and Wool!

Warning: very long post!

Hi Everyone, so if you read my last post, you will know I had a wonderful birthday on Friday and that my romantic and handsome husband really spoiled me! On Saturday I was heading to CafeCreate for the weekly group meeting and as usual was being picked up by my mum, most Saturdays I get there for 11.30(meeting starts at 12)so that I can have a scone and tea, anyway yesterday mum didn't show up until 12! with her was my aunt/Godmother Mary who insisted she needed a coffee and really wanted to attend this weeks meeting ....

so a little bit later we got to the Menlo Hotel and as I walked into the Holland room where we normally sit ... 

SURPRISE!!

All the group members were sitting around with party hats on and the room was covered in balloons and banners (Thank you Aga for decorating!)

Turns out Morgan had arranged the whole thing!!

 I was so so shocked that all I could say was "Oh Wow!" I even forgot how to hold my crochet hook!

 Even the lovely J came though she had broken her foot!

 Look! the cake has my name on it!! After a few minutes Morgan came in with this cake covered in candles, I was smiling so much I could hardly blow them out!

 Morgan also had arranged for Melanie my best friend to send me a video birthday message from England, he had it on his net book and played it for me at the party - So Melanie was still apart of the day!

 "Who wants cake?"

After 2pm we decided to head into the bar to get lunch - this was so the group could all get to  know each other proper - the lunch was lovely!

A big thank you to the staff at the Menlo - I had such a wonderful day and feel very lucky to know all these talented women. A Huge thanks to Aga who worked with Morgan on this surprise, all I can say is "Oh Wow!"

I was so spoiled by the women in the group: have a look at this:

 A wonderful Book "Crochet edgings and Trims" with my favorite magazine "Crochet Today" and gorgeous Lavender from Jacqueline, the card really makes me laugh - its two older women chatting, one says "He says his Mother made him Homosexual!" and the other says "Do you think, if I give her some wool, she'll make me one?" hehe reminds me of the nursing home where I work.

Two little people (in the red bags) called Mel and Anna - some Chocolates, a pretty card and some beautiful pink flowers From Aga and the group - on the bottom of the note it said there is something from South Korea coming too!!! I am dying to know what it could be!!

Some lovely chocolate from Suzie, I have been enjoying these all day!

A homemade keyring from the talented Kym! isn't it adorable!

"Funky Chunky" a crochet pattern book great for the coming winter, from Yvonne, Marian and Kathleen

When I got home I was so tired from the shock, so I cuddled up on the sofa with my pretty kitty Hope :) 

Last night I was busy making a patchwork pillowcase, I used stunning fabric that I got from Pippa Blue

I found that it worked up so quickly, I cant wait to make a matching blanket :)

While watching telly Morgan found a parcel in our postbox, it was from my sister in law Maria, I got three balls of the softest yarn - a lovely homemade card, and a selection of buttons and badges! Maria always picks me out the nicest yarn!

So I wanted to use my sewing machine as much as I could so I decided to put a much needed hem in my work pants, but I didn't want a standard hem so I choose a very pretty and unusual stitch, and used pink thread

I then got the idea to take out from storage the work uniform that I got online but that was far to big for me, My idea was to make it more fitted so that I could start wearing it this week

Before:

it makes me look shapeless and huge

 After:

I brought it into the waist and gave the top a better form

So I have been busy! I will be spending the last of my Sunday watching "The Big Bang Theory" and crocheting, Before I sign off Here is a video that Morgan shot of me, unawares the first time I went on Sarah, my sewing machine.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and have a lovely week :) as always I am looking forward to reading your comments and thanks for dropping by :)

My Birthday, Sewing Machines, Crochet and Tea!

Today was my birthday, I am now 26 years old - Last night My mother in law, sister in law Genny and Graham called up to our house with presents :) From Morgans parents I received a beautiful bag by Juicy Couture its so pretty and fancy and inside the bag was lots of sweets

I also got from Genny and Graham the wonderful DVD "Dear John" and cannot wait to watch it on Saturday night, along with an alarm clock and pretty floral hair clips.

Soon after my Mum and brother and sister called in, so we really had a full house they brought with them lots of presents and a birthday cake! For anyone who knows me, knows I love my comfort and I am a huge fan of wearing pyjamas or as I call them .. Comfy Clothes! and wow I got spoilt! from my family I got many, many pairs! and was delighted with them!

Now please let me show you what my darling Husband Morgan got me:

Glass ear rings with natural pressed flowers inside - aren't they stunning!

I am a huge fan of Chanel, I find everything about it to be classic and elegant - so Morgan got me the Rose Dentelle shade

Fiskars Scissors 

AND:...

My Very First Sewing Machine!!

A Singer Confidence 7467

I have wanted one for the past year, and just cant believe Morgan got me one of the best makes out there! this sewing machine is of the highest standard from Singer and has over 80 different stitches! Thank you so much my wonderful Morgan ! I have been so so spoiled!

After all the gifts were opened we went into town and did a little window shopping before I went to Annette's in Galway to get my hair done, I decided on a wash and cut, although lately I have been thinking of trying something new .... but anyway I was very happy with my hair, what do you think?

We had a really big look around all the shops and Morgan was delighted to find series 3 of The Big Bang Theory and a couple of books and I was so happy with buying a new coat with a voucher from my God-mother Mary - Thanks Mary xx

For a treat Morgan took me to a new place called Sweetie Pie, which is a tea room, selling afternoon tea~(English country style!) I have to say the service was wonderful as was the food - we had a selection of sandwiches / mini scones so wonderful tea and ALOT of cake!! 

There was so much cake left over, that We decided to steal some in a napkin and bring it across the road to my favorite shop....

PIPPABLUE

I was thinking that Ger, the owner might fancy abit of chocolate cake ;)

All in All I had such a wonderful day - and It is all because of my wonderful husband Morgan - Morg's Blog(Morgan has wrote on his blog about our day too) and then when we got home he spent the next couple of hours helping to show me how to work the sewing machine :) so guys do I have the best husband ever? 

Yes I do!!

So it wouldnt be a neencrochet blog without something to do with crochet :P I finished one hat towards the EB Charity . I have decided to call this hat Grace,

As always thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend :)