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Saturday 28 July 2012

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

39 comments:

  1. How very wonderful Claire and very British - a great stash of items and the chocolate is perfecto! Bike looks great - a bit of bunting perhaps....Please keep it. I get great fun riding my old bike with it wonderments attached - children stop and talk to me about it and I think an eccentric bike is just wonderful.
    Happy Days!

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    1. I've put a bit of floral bunting on and it looks lovely! Thanks for the tip, xxx

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  2. Keep it definitely. It looks flipping fab! I love it! What a great idea. Sadly I dozed off for most of the opening ceremony but luckily recorded it and am making up for it by watching the cycling now!
    Lucky you with your goodies, enjoy the chocolate!
    Happy Weekend!

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    1. Thanks Missy, the chocolate was lovely!

      Xxx

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  3. Hi Claire

    I'm so glad you liked your British box.
    Glad you've also been enjoying your wine, I presume that was to celebrate the Olympics. Wasn't it great, Danny Boyle has done us proud.
    Yes the bike should stay what a great idea. You can spend all year changing the look depending on the season.
    Love the pics of Ruby.
    Have a lovely weekend. Ali x

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    1. Hi Ali, have got great ideas for it for Christmas! Xxx

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  4. Ooh what wonderful goodies you received! Ooh and I adore the bicycle, such pretty colours!
    Victoria xx

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    1. Thans Victoria, love you dropping in! xxx

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  5. Luck you. There is nothing more exciting than post. Love your pink bike I think it is a great idea, and what is wrong with eccentric.

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  6. Beautiful opening ceremony
    the Olympics, spectacular, Claire
    I think we're proud to be
    English, you have every reason!
    Susy Love x

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    1. Thank you Susy, so glad you enjoyed it! xxx

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  7. Oh please, please, PLEASE keep the lovely bike! It is gorgeous.........I too have been after one for ages, to do the exact same thing, and now I want one even more!:D
    And lucky you, that parcel of goodies is divine. I like everything, but especially the post box card!
    Simply lovely.
    xKarenx

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    1. P.S I see what you mean about out cute doggies, they really do look similar. (Ruby is Sooo cute)
      Mr William is a labrador cross, at least we think he is, as we got him from a shelter what seems like a lifetime ago.
      I think they would make a gorgeous couple! ;D
      xKarenx

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    2. Hi Karen, I'm keeping the bike, and agree that our dogs would make a lovely couple ... xxx

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  8. I think it's a perfectly sane idea, I would love a colourful bike in my garden ( actually it would be much better for me, my coordination is dreadful, I'm bound to do myself an injury riding a bike!). Fab swap! Ada :)

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    1. Hi Ada, I have terrible co-ordination too, so this is the safest bet for me too! xxx

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  9. I love it personally, I just worry someone will steal the bike from the front of the house, people can and do take anything these days. I dont think you are mad at all, theres nothing wrong with liking pretty things!

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    1. Hi Anne, I know what you mean, but I haven't had anything stolen yet ... possibly because nothing's worth pinching! It would be awful to not have nice things because of being afraid of someone stealing them xxx

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  10. What a lovely parcel, such thoughtful gifts :) Love the bike, brilliant idea. x

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    1. Hi Cheryl, lovely to see you ... Thanks for dropping in! xxx

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  11. Hello Claire

    Oh! Ruby isn't she gorgeous!!!
    I love the bike and the pastel colours of the bike....keep it like that.
    Lots of lovely goodies...lucky you.
    My friends are getting a tad sick of me talking about the marvelous Olympics ceremony that I stayed up to watch on TV here....can't think why ....it was out of this world after all!!!

    Don't forget to enter my giveaway Claire....I'd hate for any of my bloggerfriends to miss it! Pop in when you can and its open to everyone :-)

    Amanda

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    1. Hi Amanda, Ruby says thanks for your lovely comments! Alwas lovely to have you drop in xxx

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  12. What fun swap pressies..the handmade union jack tote bag is really cute. The tea selection pack sounds nice, lady grey tea is one of my favourites as well :)
    I really like the bike where you have it, I think it looks great there all painted up like that..
    I hope you are having a lovely day today :)
    Magie x
    PS: Ruby is just adorable!

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    1. Thanks Magie, your comments are lovely and so welcome xxx

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  13. Hello Mrs Thriftwood!!
    What lovely goodies you received too, from lovely Ali....
    That bike, well what can I say, other than I want one too!!
    I'm gonna be joining you too, with my bunting making a show for Olympic's and paralympics.
    The Opening Ceremony was a amazing production and i loved the queen and James bond!!! So typically British!!
    See you soon.
    Love Maria x

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    1. Hi Maria, won't be long until your Dean's adventures! You need to be well and truly decked out in red, white and blue xxx

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  14. Your not mad you are being creative and your ideas will only inspire others to do the same on the other hand I was out in the garden wanting to paint my fence in Antoinette hmm I don't think the Manchester rain will appreciate it. What a lovely parcel I bet you was very excited to open it up, great gifts. Tracy x

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    1. I just love Antoinette! I put that it was paloma at first but realised my mistake and corrected it. I think you should paint your fence, it will be lovely. If we thought about the effects of the rain all the time, we wouldn't have anything nice! Love your creativity too xxx

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  15. I LOVE your garden bike, so creative... I would never have thought to do that but it looks great!! Love your British themed swap goodies too, what fun :-)

    Thank you for the lovely comment on my mini quilts. So glad you like them. Have a great week!
    Louise xx

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    1. Hi Louise, was really quick to do ... Could be better really, might just paint all pink and do the wheels too? Have a lovely week xxx

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  16. What a lovely gift you received ! and yeah I lurve the bike...will look even better when that ivy gets to work. The opening ceremony was so fantastic with some hilarious bits..we really enjoyed it..good to see the queenie being a good sport too ! Gail x

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    1. Hi Gail, I'm thinking fairy lights and ivy at Christmas ... Steve will think I've definitely lost the plot! Xx

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  17. Oh that recondition bike is just fabulous!!!!!
    So cute the way the colors pop and in front of all that greenery!
    You are one lucky gal to have that bag. Love the seam ribbon stating made in Britain. Very cute and so useful.
    Take care,
    Amy

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  18. Hello Amy, you were leaving the comment just as I was leaving one on yours! In't technology marvellous? Thanks for your lovely comments xxx

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  19. Woo wee I love your bike. Definitely a keeper! Good on you for flying the flag! I've just got back from London, there's a great buzz in the air there. Love Katie xx

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    1. Hello Katie, thanks for popping in! Lovely to hear from you

      xxx

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  20. More bike love from me :D Great idea :D

    Lucky you on the swap front, what a parcel of patriotic goodies you got there!

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  21. Thank you Annie, always nice to have you here!

    xxx

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx