London Calling ...

The other day the postman knocked on the door, and along with the usual pile of bills and brown envelopes was a big parcel ... It was from the lovely Ali from Ali Bee Creations.  I entered  LaaLaa's All British Swap and was delighted to be paired with Ali, who I might not have met otherwise, but I am so glad I was introduced to her lovely blog. I thought I'd taken pictures of the contents of my parcel, but I can't find them! If you pop over to Ali's blog, you'll see what I sent her.

This was my lovely box, all wrapped up in gold ... the colour of the medals Team GB are going to win in the next few weeks!

Each gift was wrapped very patriotically in red and blue tissue, and Ali also gave me a lovely Cool Britannia card, with lovely words inside ...

My stash of goodies ... well and truly spoilt!

Uncle Joe's Mint Balls, Winnie and Piglet picture holders, little Paddington pin, Union Jack tissues ...

Gorgeous, unique GB bag handmade by Ali, Jubilee Tea Towel, lovely notebook ...

The bag is so pretty, and very original ... I am privileged to be the only person in the world to have this bag!

decorated with a handmade flower ...

and Made in Britain ribbon lining ...

Twinings Tea Selection box (love Lady Grey!), GB mug, patriotic balloons, Postbox magnet, and Union Jack cake toppers, which I've earmarked for Steve's special birthday on Wednesday ...

A vintage postcard of Trafalgar Square and a lovely print of a British postbox .... and a BIG bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk (this was hidden as soon as the photo shoot was over!).  Wasn't I lucky? Thank you Ali ... a lot of thought had gone into your swap, and I really love it all! Am so glad you liked yours too.

Moving on ... after my previous post on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, my minds been whirring with ideas ... they don't seem to involve the WIPs I already have, they've gone on the back burner! Anyway, I picked up this old, neglected bike from Freecycle (I requested an old unusable bike and explained I wanted it for a project, rather than ruin a bike someone else could have used!)

Flat tyres, dodgy gears and brakes, left unloved in a back yard for years to grow rust and mould ...

 Ruby getting in on the photo shoot!

... and lurking by the gate, waiting for unsuspecting victims to pass by ...

and here is the finished product! Have I gone completely mad? Steve thinks I'm getting more eccentric every day! I painted the frame in Antoinette, a very pale pink, and the saddle in Provence, a lovely turquoise.  I have other plans for these paints ...

I've placed a pot containing ivy next to the bike, and hopefully it will entwine itself around the frame ... just thought the front of my house could do with a little something, haha!! Please tell me your honest opinion ... should she stay or should she go?

Wasn't the Olympic Opening Ceremony fabulous? I didn't expect to stay up and watch it all but was totally hooked ... made me proud to be British once more! Come on, Team GB, you can do it!!

I seem to be the only person in my street (and it's a big street), flying the flag for our Olympians and Paralympians, but I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of them in Blogland!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend,

Love Claire xxx