Saturday, February 26, 2011

My Pretty Dress and Wii Fit

What a weekend I have had! I was so happy to see that I had been given extra money in my bank account as part of my tax back - So Morgan and I went to town to treat ourself- something that does not happen often - First off I went dress shopping - It is my sisters confirmation in March and I wanted a pretty dress - and boy did I find one!!


Stunning on trend 50s style dress

  • Removable belt
  • Stunning embroidery fabric
  • Concealed side zip
So what you think? I must say when I tried this on I felt transported back to a small American town in 1952!


After much thought I also got the Wii Fit plus! and I can say honestly I love it, it is great at working you out and so motivating - since yesterday I have done an hour on it, My husband had also had a work out on it too and we both know we will keep it up :)
Weight wise, I have lost 3.5 pounds and aim to lose another 3.5 this week giving me in total half a stone :)

Hope your all having a lovely weekend xx


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Losing Weight

So hello everyone,
This is a quick post to keep you all updated - I have decided to loose weight and get fit - you can follow my journey on my YOUTUBE channel 
here is the first video I posted talking through my feelings:


and here is a video I took today while being active with my husband Morgan


Thanks for watching and thank you for your support and comments - as always x

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Day, Hearts, Sewing and Bloopers!

Happy Valentines Day everyone -
 I hope today that you have spent time with the people you love,
I have had a wonderful few days with my Valentine Morgan, we had dinner out yesterday and went to see Tangled in the cinema



It was really very good, and we saw it in 3D, it was very cute, funny and romantic but is it just me or are Disney characters looking more and more like my husband?!


This Valentine I have created two new patterns Be my Valentine Garland and Valentine Wreath so I hope you like them! if you do make any of my patterns please let me know s I would LOVE to see them :)

So Morgan and I have been an item for years in fact - this is our 11th Valentines Day together! over the years we have done everything you can do and bought everything you can buy! so we decided that this year we would simply hand make our gifts - and so began  "His Blanket"


A patchwork blanket - over 6foot and three inches in height!


Each patch has a special meaning


On the four corners I stitched little tassels, he loved the blanket and we stayed cuddled under it all last night while watching telly - I am so very proud of the work I put into this blanket and I would like to thank Morgans aunt Mary for all the help she gave to me,

So do you want to see what Morgan made me?? of coarse you do!


 A Chanel inspired bag! look at all the hard work he put into this! how blessed am I? I love it so much


In work this week I worked on making hearts with the residents and they really did a wonderful job!


Below  is my latest YOUTUBE video in it you will see how big the blanket is- make sure to watch it to the end to catch the funny bloopers!


Today I started work a little later then usual and when I walked in, there to greet me at the reception was a dozen red roses! I really do have a very special husband.


On Valentine’s Day, we think about
The people who are dear,
How much they add to life’s delight
Whenever they are near.

On Valentine's Day we think of those
Who make our lives worthwhile,
Those gracious, friendly people who
We think of with a smile.

I am fortunate to know you all,
That's why I want to say,
To rare and special people:
Happy Valentine's Day!

Free Pattern Valentine Wreath





Valentine Wreath Pattern
By Nina O'Brien
You will need:
  • 4mm crochet hook
  • 1 polystyrene ring
  • 1 packet of material flowers
  • 50g pink yarn
  • 80g white yarn
  • sewing needle
  • thread
  • ribbon
  1. Taking the white yarn, tie a knot and begin wrapping it around the polystyrene ring until fully covered
  2. next wrap the ribbon around, here you can use the clothing pins to pin it in place, make sure to keep pins at the back out of site.
  3. seperate your flowers and using the clothing pins, tack them into place
  4. now make the hearts, and sew into place

Heart (make 2)
  • Begin by chaining 6
  • Single crochet into second chain from the hook
  • Single crochet in each chain across, (there should be five single crochets)
  • Turn.
  • Chain one, single crochet in each space across.
  • Turn and repeat
  • Make sure to do five single crochet rows.
  • Now we are at the end of the fifth row, after making the last single crochet, you will chain 1
  • Make 6 double crochets, into half way point at the side of your rows
  • Slip stitch into last space
  • Make 6 double crochets, chain 1’s, 
  • Slip stitch into last space and tie off  and sew in loose ends. 
please note:
I have no problem giving my patterns for free to other crafters, all I ask that if posting this pattern up on any site that you link it to me and keep my name on it - however if selling any object made from my pattern please ask my permission first -  also DO NOT claim this pattern as your own, it has been copyrighted. 
If you crochet this please let me know and show pictures I would love to link your site here 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Free Crochet Pattern, Valentine Garland




Be My Valentine Garland

This pattern is very simple and open to your own creativity.
You will need:
  • 2 meters of white ribbon 
  • 2 meters of red ribbon
  • 50g of white yarn
  • 50g of red yarn
  • A sewing needle
  • A darning needle
  • Sewing thread
  • Buttons to decorate
  • Size 4 crochet hook and a size 6 crochet hook
Colours are open to change, use what suits you-

Heart 1(make 3, 5 or 7)
For different size hearts just change the size of the hook, make hearts in both colours:

  • Begin by chaining 6
  • Single crochet into second chain from the hook
  • Single crochet in each chain across, (there should be five single crochets)
  • Turn.
  • Chain one, single crochet in each space across.
  • Turn and repeat
  • Make sure to do five single crochet rows.
  • Now we are at the end of the fifth row, after making the last single crochet, you will chain 1
  • Make 6 double crochets, chain 1’s, (double crochet, chain 1) into half way point at the side of your rows
  • Slip stitch into last space
  • Make 6 double crochets, chain 1’s, 
  • Slip stitch into last space and tie off  and sew in loose ends. 


Heart 2(make 3, 5 or 7)
For different size hearts just change the size of the hook, make hearts in both colours:

  • Begin by chaining 6
  • Single crochet into second chain from the hook
  • Single crochet in each chain across, (there should be five single crochets)
  • Turn.
  • Chain one, single crochet in each space across.
  • Turn and repeat
  • Make sure to do five single crochet rows.
  • Now we are at the end of the fifth row, after making the last single crochet, you will chain 1
  • Make 6 double crochets, into half way point at the side of your rows
  • Slip stitch into last space
  • Make 6 double crochets, chain 1’s, 
  • Slip stitch into last space and tie off  and sew in loose ends. 

Cutting you ribbon at different lengths, sew them together at the top.
Place and arrange your hearts, 
Give a good space between them and sew on.
Making a bow sew on to the top of the ribbons and decorate with a button.

please note:
I have no problem giving my patterns for free to other crafters, all I ask that if posting this pattern up on any site that you link it to me and keep my name on it - however if selling any object made from my pattern please ask my permission first -  also DO NOT claim this pattern as your own, it has been copyrighted. 
If you crochet this please let me know and show pictures I would love to link your site here 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

My Home, Crochet Prizes, Teeth and Rings

Hello Everyone, I hope your having a lovely Sunday, I would like to take this time to invite you all to a tour of my home in the video below, so lets get started and I will put the kettle on:


Please excuse the puffiness of my face, On Friday I had my second wisdom tooth removed and it was a BIG one he he, but I have to say the dentist I go to is wonderful and in just five minutes the tooth was gone- it makes me smile to remember how nervous I was in the days leading up to it- to the point that my talented husband made and sent me this to relax me


I have just found out that I was a lucky winner (along with everyone else, thank you Sarah!!) on Sarah's blog, the prize is a wonderful pattern to this:


Isn't it lovely? I cant wait to make a start on it, when I saw this it took my breath away, I think it is so classical and vintage. 
Yesterday I had the pleasure of sharing the afternoon with Aga - I know Aga through the Stitch'n'bitch group we attend, well yesterday Aga came over to my home, we had a nice chat and a cuppa and while she and Morgan talked over some business I prepared dinner - homemade macaroni and cheese with a side salad, followed by a chocolate crumble dessert - 

Before I go let me share with you my ring collection- these are rings that Morgan gave me for gifts/ engagement/ wedding etc ...


The Promise Ring: The first ring Morgan gave me was for Valentines Day 2001 a gold ring with a diamond chip resting on a silver pillow, he told me it was a "promise" ring and the next ring he would give me would be an engagement one, I also gave Morgan a ring on this day, a silver thumb ring with the engraving N+M Forever


The Engagement Ring: we got engaged in November 2002, the ring was so simple and pretty - a gold band with one diamond solitaire, Perfect. we got engaged very young at 17, we both knew it would be a long engagement but met anger and disapproval with my husbands family, in fact they never accepted the engagement and so we were never congratulated by them, I understand now that they felt worried but it was very hurtful, thankfully we got plenty of support from our friends and my family, the engagement ring got us through many hard times and a long distance relationship lasting 3 years.


The Eternity Ring: Morgan gave me this ring for Christmas 2007, I was in shock by its beauty a gold band with three diamonds! it touched my heart, still to this day whenever I wear it people always compliment it


The Wedding Band: We went shopping for our wedding rings together, we both wanted something simple and timeless, we chose to have plain gold bands, I remember the day after the wedding, watching my new husband as he talked to different people, looking so smart in his new suit and the ring shining on his hand, I was so proud!


The Sapphire Ring: given to me Christmas 2010, When I was small I always wanted a ring like this, to me it was a real princess ring, I told this to Morgan after I wrote this post LINK as you can see it is very similar to Kate Middleton's engagement ring, on Christmas morning, I unwrapped all my gifts from Morgan and when we were done he told me to look in the tree and there on a branch was the ring!

I have been treated so well by my husband, I don't mean by what he buys for me- although he buys me so many pretty things, but by the way he treats me, with such love and respect- I am a very blessed woman

"I found the one my heart loves."~ Song of Solomon 3:4
Have a lovely week everyone, and remember to keep warm, pray at least once a day and smile at a stranger - you never know they may need it! 
and as always thank you for reading and commenting- 
love
Neen x