Summer is a'coming in...

Yes, the weather is b e a utiful! I am currently trying to write this blog outside in it... but we all know the blazing sun is not a friend of the humble laptop screen so alas, I must continue inside!

The view from our bedroom window...

OK I'm back inside our cave like dwelling! At least it keeps cool throughout summer, good ole basement flats!

Anyway, I wanted to check in and show you all the wonderful, creative things I have been up to so far in the sunshine, which definitely does get the best out of me (I literally jump out of bed on these days... not normal for me at all!!)

Finally, with the help and encouragement of my friend/violinist in the band Milly McGregor, I started the bunting that I kept on chirping on about and yes, it is easy, quick and so much fun to make! I have set myself a task of 30+ long strings for our big gig at Scala so I wonder if I'll be so chirpy at the end!

Then I got into pom pom making, which is perfect for doing in front of a film, on the train, in the sun, EVERYWHERE and I am addicted! This is how I do it:

First, draw 2 identical circles onto cardboard -I used a CD and a glass

Then cut them both out

Choose your wool!

With the 2 circles together start wrapping your wool around

Here's one I made earlier... the wool is thick (3/4 layers) and tight all the way around

Cut around the top in between the 2 circles all around

Tie a new piece of wool in between the circles TIGHTLY!

Take the circles off...

VOILA!!

I have also been doing lots of cooking... including an outdoor feast of a delicious 3 cheese lasagne (that I will share soon- very proud of this one!) for a couple of friends and family which I loved doing in the hot balmy evening as our tiny kitchen is joined to the garden it is much easier to cook in the summer with the door wide open and a feeling of space!

View from the kitchen...

Friends, food and supper in the garden- bliss!

The garden is buzzing too....

This little cutie was in our doorway but hopped off when I tried to save him!

Oh and Swan update... The Cygnets are absolutely adorable and fluffy and the keep coming up to the bank to say hello. They are a few weeks old now and doing really well but sadly my pictures aren't great as I always have to hold Hobbes back from running and barking at them!

The other swan on the other side of the heath is chasing a goose... all day, everyday... poor goose!

The summerhouse is totally done now- all sorted, de cluttered and very very pretty but I think it deserves a blog all of it's own so that will be 'after the break'.

But now I must get back to that sun... it is too rare an opportunity to miss!
Love and little bits of fabric scattered everywhere,
Xox Gabhasgotherhatonhiphiphiphoooray Xox

Back to the garden...

I'm home now and have returned to a jungle!! The plants have been loving all this rain and been going, well a bit mental, which is exactly the way I like it. They seem happy and that makes me happy (when did I get this old?!)

And the Heath looked beautiful too...

The swans have baby cygnets again!!! Can you see?! Awwwwwww

So I'm enjoying the spring and I know the plants are loving the weather but I'm ready for some hot summer days now especially so I can enjoy the garden and THIS CHAIR:

Oh yes, look what Stephen picked up for free while I was away!!

I can't wait to sit out there in the sun with a book and a homemade, homegrown smoothie!!!

But I have discovered there is one place I enjoy being in when it's raining... THE SUMMERHOUSE:

Yesterday we spent the day running electricity from the house to the summerhouse so now it has power and lights and heat and a sewing machine/ glue gun ready to go!!

It really is looking amazing- it's becoming a magical hideaway and I love spending time in there, even in the rain (it's like being in a tent- you can hear the rain above your head but you don't get wet- yay!). There are still a few boxes of stock/junk/stuff that we need to keep but doesn't really have a purpose etc but it's slowly getting sorted and looking a lot less like a storage shed and much much more like a crafts room/ place to be creative/ somewhere I want to spend a lot of time in.

I've found a great way to sort my wool... in a freecycle hat case I got years ago!

It's changing all the time so I'll keep you posted...
One day it might look a bit more like this:

Hope you are all happy chappies and enjoying your bank holiday weekend.
Love and bluebells,
Xox Gabbell xoX

Car Boots & Holidays...

Hello all from sunny Nice! Yes, I'm actually on holiday (first time in 5 years) which is the perfect time to do a blog!

Firstly, we did a car boot... we've wanted to for ages but last Sunday we bit the bullet and bought ourselves a pitch at our favourite car boot sale in London, Battersea Park School. £35 might seem like a lot but we decided to go for a premium pitch so we were in the best location and able to set up an hour before the punters arrived- I think it was worth it and also we made that back in the first 20mins!

Our car was PACKED...

We were selling all sorts of things from guitars and music equipment to fabrics and unwanted clothes - it was a real jumble sale but had enough variation and pretty things to draw the customers in.

The expensive pieces were guitars, keyboards and studio equipment but I'm a soft touch and still sold them for a lot less than I should, "but they were so nice" was my hymn of the day!  I surprised myself by selling all 5 guitars I brought from £10 to £100 - yup, soft touch! We sold our beautiful bible chairs and other things we've picked up for our flat that wouldn't fit and vases, homewares, toys etc. I was selling my clothes at ridiculous prices- 50p, £1, £2 at the most and I couldn't believe I was still being haggled down by some, but then again I am guilty of that little trick myself when I shrug and say "50p is a little high" for something I was happy to pay £5 on... it kind of comes with the territory I guess!

 

 I really enjoyed it, I knew I would as I was excited like a kitten all the week before it! And we made some money- enough for half a months rent which couldn't come at a better time!! Also we had two wonderful helpersish/ friends with us- Gem and my sister Georgie which made it even more like a fun day out especially as it ended with SIR BOB GELDOF buying Stephen's kitsch lamp!! YES! We all like a bit of celebrity spotting!

We will definitely be doing that again!

In the meantime I've been in Nice which was a birthday present from my dad as I haven't been on an actual holiday for a very looong time and apparently 'I should get away and relax' so I did and it's been lovely... I won't say too much as you can see for yourself. Nice is NICE!!!

I did a little panoramic to show you the beautiful coastline

NICE!!!
I go home tomorrow and I'm praying to return to nice weather so I can get on with gardening and things in the summerhouse that I keep promising I'll do... and then I'll have more to blog about!

Until then,
Love and seaside memories!
Xox Gabiday xoX