Christmas Trees, Santa Cat and Wreaths!

Hello everyone, first off let me say sorry for the lack of blog posts - I have been feeling very under the weather and lately when I have been getting in from work Morgan has had the heated blanket on the bed and I just rest all evening! to kick this post off I will be taking a trip down memory lane to show you this teddy I made for Morgan years and years ago!

May I also add this was all hand stitched!

I cant believe we are in the month of December already! I am so excited and happy that Christmas is coming! and now I must show you our wonderful tree!

 isnt it so pretty!

each decoration on the tree tells a story - the first decoration from my first boyfriend (Thank goodness he turned into my husband!), a beautiful "carers" decoration I got when I started my new job, handmade decorations... you get the point

On Friday in work, I had the job of putting up all the decorations in the nursing home, in fact this has been my job for the past four years!

 up in the attic to collect all the boxes and the eight Christmas trees to go up!

Have you had enough of Christmas trees yet? well I finished work at 3pm on Friday and had plenty of time to go home and have a bath before I went out on our staff night out - we went to a local bistro/bar in Galway town

Rushie and Karolina

Mia and Niel

where has Paddy just put his finger?

Last night I awoke at 4am as I was not feeling well at all - I got up and decided to watch a Christmas film to keep me busy, only I must have fallen asleep as I woke up then at 630am frozen stiff!! so after a sleep in I went along to the stitch group and then into town to run a few errands- I also had to go for an eye test as I lost my glasses a year ago and lately my eyes feel weak - I was told that my right eye is the same as it has always been but the left has reduced by 5percent, so this day next week I will have my new glasses! 

We then decided to go and visit my parents house as Morgan had gotten a Chinese Lantern and wanted to let it off with the kids!

Morg and my Mum lighting it

Floating off in the cold night sky- with all our wishes attached to it

Tonight was the night that my Mum put up her decorations and she ended up giving me this - I have to say it has fast become one of my up most favorite decorations!

While in town today Morgan spotted these cat suits in Penny's (Primark) and I couldn't resist taking this photo although Hope looks unimpressed!

 SO CUTE!

 Yet again when reading my favorite blogs I came across this pattern for a scarf wreath on Michelle made this... here is how I made mine:

• I got a chunky cheap scarf and I got some pretty accessorises in Penny's - you could use anything you have lay around the house, old ear rings, hair clips etc 

• next I took a normal wire coat hanger and shaped it into a circular shape

• I dont own a glue gun, so instead i just wraped the scarf tightly and evenly around the hanger, tucking in the last section

now I will take the time to show you Michelle's original wreath with a link to her instructions below:

Michelle's wreath

image property of michellemadethis

• next i attached all my accessories 

And here it is hanging above my fireplace, Thanks again Michelle!

So what have you guys been up to this month?, have you made anything seasonal? If you get a chance go and visit my husbands blog, he is doing a post a day about our lead up to Christmas! I am sure he would love to see you, just tell him the "missus" sent you! ;) you can find Morgan HERE

Hope you all have a wonderful week and keep warm and cozy!                                                                                                              

Candy, Families, Cancer, Crafts and Engagements

Hello everyone, I want to first thank you for the get well wishes from my last post - I'm feeling much better although I am still aching, It has been a very busy week for me, working, visiting family etc, although I have not posted all week I have been snapping pictures, so be warned this is a very long post! Get your self nice and comfy, cup of tea in your hand and biscuits in reach and we can begin!
On Tuesday we called up to Morgans grandparents house Angela and Aidan Sr, to say goodbye to his uncle Aidan Jr, aunt Colleen and cousins Sally and Molly who were returning to the states the next day- Colleen was so very kind in giving us a great big bag of American candy! we cant get these in Ireland so it was a real treat!

 I have NEVER tasted candy corn until now! I loved it and could eat it all day!

 Pop Rocks! It was like I was five years old again!

Tootsie Rolls! Yummy!

When we arrived it was lovely to see that all the family had turned out, so we were able to catch up with everyone. I enjoyed playing with Molly and Sally and getting to know them a little better.

 Molly, wondering if she could make it to the top of the stairs before anyone notices!

 Collen and the girls unwrapping our gifts - I made the girls crochet hats each and Collen a crochet Cape

 A knitted Jumper, made by Morgans grandmother, this was made over 20years ago!

Sally drawing a picture for Morgan

Here I am reading to Sally about Sly Fox, Morgan looks worried for poor Mrs Chicken!

after the evening it was time to head home and I couldn't believe it was almost midnight! I was shattered in work the next day! 

We have also been very worried about our cat Hope, last year Hope lost her back leg to cancer and this week the remaining back leg was very swollen and she struggled to walk - We don't know if the cancer has returned - I have come to terms that she more then likely will need to be put down - it is very upsetting for me - for many years she has been such a comfort, When Morgan was in Dublin studying and I felt alone she was always there for a cuddle and always offered lots of love - we took her to the vet on Friday and was told to bring her back for an X-ray on Monday morning, until then they gave her a few shots in case its just an infection.

After we brought her home I decided we needed to go out and relax and so we went to the opening of the Christmas Market in Galway - it was dark and cold and the Christmas lights twinkled and the carols could be heard from every corner! - BLISS! below is a selection of short videos I took:

Craft wise I have been making these lovely corsages designed by Michelle from Michelle Made This

very quick project to make! In fact I decided to run a workshop making these in work for the elderly - and in one hour we had managed to make these:

Didn't the women do a wonderful job!!?? big thanks to Michelle for the wonderful pattern!!

In news this week Prince William and Kate finally got engaged! I have to say I for one think they make a lovely couple and I am in love with the dress she wore when they announced it

 After much looking I found out the dress is by designer Issa and costs over 400 sterling! better take it off my Christmas list :(

I love this photo of the pair, elegant and classy!

And the ring - I think its stunning, It belonged to Princess Diane, My only thoughts on this is that it is opening Kate up to constantly being compared to the late Diane - take for example this picture

I think Kate has more of a back bone then what Diane had, Diane was after all only 21 when she was married to Charles, a man in love with another woman, I have had to laugh at myself right now because it sounds like I know and have an interest with the Royal family - which I dont - I do like style however, and I think Kate Middleton is a woman to watch!
Wishing you all a wonderful week xx