The Birdcage

Busy Month

2012-12-06T14:05:00.001Z

I love this time of year, the frosty mornings and the dark evenings.....of course the steamed puddings!!

I am trying to be so organised this month. The presents are all bought, wrapped and hidden.....to be honest I can't wait to see their faces when they open them.

I have even decorated brown paper with apple green & mauve robins stamped all over it....put with mauve & green ribbon.

You would think after reading the above you would think all our Christmas decorations are up?? You would be wrong, I don't like to put them up too early.....I would be fed up seeing it all before the big day!

We will go and choose a real tree on Saturday 15th.......Storm is so excited

We went for a walk the other Sunday, we saw it advertised on the TV. Winter wonderland walk at Springfields.....their was a walk, with 3 penguins & a sleigh with 2 reindeer......not really a winter wonderland!!

Two weeks left at school, with party days, Christmas dinner, a nativity & concert to go and watch!!

I am going to watch Storm dressed as a horse in her nativity in the morning on the 17th & Alfie's concert in the afternoon!

Whatever you get up to this month.....try not to get too stressed & enjoy it.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Birthday Girl

2012-11-25T12:17:00.001Z

Storm was 5 years old yesterday (where did that time go)?!

She had a great day, ballet with her friends in the morning for an hour. Then home to have a quick look at her presents she opened earlier.....she received some great gifts. The favourite I think was Hama beads, she hasn't stopped making dogs, cats & hello kitty!

She also had "princess" hama beads, though these are a little harder, as the you don't get the princess shape....just a square so alot of counting.

Four of her friends arrived at 1pm for a craft party, they coloured and decorated masks & hats to wear (though they didn't)! Pass the parcel went over some heads, literally!

They decorated gingerbread men, which was a hit....also a big mess!

Sophie in her butterfly mask!

Really wish I had moved the washing from the radiator behind Storm!!

Jay made her cake, Storm loves fondant fancies (who doesn't)??

So he made a large pink one for her, it is amazing and was a challenge with that pink icing!!

I will blog more on how it is made later, there will be extra photo's on my flickr.

Storm's friends all took some home, with their goodie bags, I hope they all enjoyed it.

Thanks Ava, Sophie, Evie & Brooke for coming and sharing Storm's birthday with her.

We have taken loads of photos, so I will make her a scrapbook of her day to keep.

Hope you are all having a good weekend

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

In Action

2012-11-19T21:13:00.000Z

This weekend Elliott had 2 football matches, both Saturday & Sunday. One for the league and one for the cup.....if you are footie minded you will know what that means? Me.....I haven't got a clue!?

Though some great action shots were taken.

They won 5-2, plus supporting a bad cold....well done lads.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Like Father Like Son

2012-11-11T15:18:00.000Z

First of all, I am very sorry I haven't blogged sooner...nearly two weeks, very slack of me!!

Well we haven't really been up to much. We went to see fireworks at Waddington, which Storm just loved.....laughing every time there was a big bang.

School for all and parents evening this coming Thursday (though Alfie's teacher left on maternity leave on Friday)! So I don't expect much, other than looking through his books!!

Alfie goes to work every Saturday morning with his Dad. Gets up at 5am, has breakfast and goes off with his backpack of goodies.

I walk Storm round to the village hall for her ballet lesson....then home for a Saturday morning coffee with Tara.

As you can see it does make him very tired by Saturday evening.....Rocky will sleep anytime, anywhere...and since I banned him from our new room, Alfie's bed has become a favourite.

The dolly Jay has put there for the photo...Alfie has his "Mertyl" teddy, that he has had from being a baby (there is hardly any filling left in her!

Ah so cute....one to show the girlfriend when he is 18.

Hope you are having a good weekend

Love Gill x

Happy Halloween!

2012-10-31T12:46:00.000Z

Not that we celebrate Halloween in our house.....I just don't get it?? What are you actually celebrating?

Plus I think that trick or treating in begging....my dad would never let us do that as kids. Anyway my little moan over we did buy a pumpkin which Jay and Storm carved at the weekend.

Whatever you get up to, enjoy yourselves.

We are going to see some fireworks on Thursday evening....now, I do agree with that.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

8 Going on 18!

2012-10-27T13:16:00.001+01:00

Alfie is 8 years old today. Sometimes you would think he was alot older.....that will be with having El for a big brother.

We woke up to a thin skittering of the white stuff this morning, never known it so early before (though it wasn't much)

Alfie had some great gifts, whimpy kid books, big nate books, lego ninjago board game & some spinners.We bought him skylanders for the xbox....which he & his dad have been playing all morning. A big hit!

He has his friend Reilly calling round this afternoon, to play skylanders & then we said that when it is anyone's birthday, they get to choose the tea?

Alfie is having a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket all to himself!!

Jay was busy yesterday making him his birthday cake. He wanted a chocolate brownie sponge with chocolate topping, malteasers, flake & buttons on top......

It looks amazing! Can't wait to have a slice or two!!

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

So Ready.....

2012-10-24T21:50:00.000+01:00

......for a total re-vamp!

Sit down, take the weight off and join me for a coffee....

Do you like my new mugs? I had to buy these, as they have birdcages on!

Well...I am sorry I have been a non-blogger lately. I have been busy making bracelets, which came in very useful for last weeks house party at Beverley's....

Then Jay has taken this week off, so we have been Christmas shopping together (I normally do it all-while Jay is at work) so that was nice.

Enjoyed a coffee & walnut cake with a cappuccino at Costa Coffee...

Then today, I gutted our bedroom and totally gave it a well needed face lift! I wanted to bring some more green into the room (only had the lamp).

The canvas's on the wall are the kids feet, Storm was 2 when we did them.

I absolutely LOVE it!! I am so looking forward to getting into bed later.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Mmmm.......

2012-10-17T19:20:00.003+01:00

....Everyone in our household loves Nutella......as you can see by Storm's face!

Try it on digestive biscuits yummy! I have also heard it is nice on weetabix!?

I have been like a busy bee the last week, making leather gemstone bracelets & crystal macrame bracelets. Approx 20 in all! Some have gone on the website www.the-birdcage.co.uk

all will be with me this Friday, at Beverley's house party.

Hope you are having a good week?

Did I tell you I am more than half way through my Christmas shopping???? So pleased with myself.

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Gill x

Photogenic

2012-10-08T16:58:00.000+01:00

Storm went to her first party yesterday, invited by her new school friend Finlay.

She couldn't wait to go and asked every 10minutes "When can I put my party clothes on"? that was from 9am and the party was at 3pm!

The party was at a place in Lincoln called "Fun Farm" one of these places with slides, lots of climbing & ball pools.....she loved it. Plus as she had tights on she went really fast down the big slides!

I just LOVE the photo above, I have put it as my screen saver on my laptop! I am certain I will be getting this made into a canvas.

I still really like black & white photo's.

I have been busy making more leather wrap bracelets, for my up-coming house party. I have alot more photo's on my flickr (link at the side of my ramblings).

Thank you all you lovely people that have been and "liked" my facebook page. I am really pleased with the kind comments and response to my work.....makes it all worthwhile!!

If you haven't popped along to have a look yet, here is the link:

I hope you all had a great weekend, the weather here in Lincoln was really good for October.

Back later in the week

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

First Week....

2012-10-04T16:58:00.000+01:00

.......on my own for 30 hours!

After walking the kids to school in the mornings, I get back around 9.05am, and I don't have to go till 3pm......heaven!

I still find that it goes really quickly, I put washing out, clean up, even baked a cake this morning. The last couple of mornings I got down to buisness...and made four new leather wrap bracelets.

I put the radio on (though must find a new station...the one I am listening to is pretty lame)!!

Make myself a coffee and sit down at the kitchen table and start sewing, they take approx just under 2 hours each to make and if I get a knot.....I have to start all over.

Gorgeous peace jasper, impression jasper, turquoise & dyed hematite gemstones triple wrapped onto soft chocolate & olive greek leather & indian black leather, I ordered more pewter buttons last night but sadly the elephants were out of stock....these are very popular.

I am building up my stock as I have my first house party this month!

I also have opened a business page on facebook. If you would pop over and "LIKE" my page I would be very grateful....here is the link.

Back later this week, oh and I have just received my new buisness cards from "Moo" they are fantastic!

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Hanging On

2012-09-30T20:19:00.000+01:00

This week the clematis in the front garden decided to bloom her last flower of the season. She is very late, trying to hang on to that last mild breeze.

The days have that autumn feel now, cool windy, leaves turning lovely shades & of course rain!!

We haven't been up to much, Storm has finished her half days (at last)!! She starts full time tomorrow morning, she can't wait. (neither can I)

Storm went to ballet on Saturday, she really does enjoy it....I will take my camera next week.

The boys had an eventful day with football matches today, El's team won 8-2 & Alfie's team drew 2 all....well done boys.

This fella spent all day sleeping on someones bed.....all right for some!!

Hope you all had a good weekend

Back later in the week with some new jewellery pictures.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Our Little Ballerina.

2012-09-24T10:40:00.000+01:00

Storm has started going to ballet classes on a Saturday morning. She loves it, there are not many of them which is great as they get a more close tuition.

As Jay works Saturday morning, we walk in the village to do 45 minutes of ballet. The hour after is tap class, which she says she would like to do too!

She is learning to be dainty on her feet, she wishes her cousin Chloe could come and watch her dance......if she continues with it, she will have alot to show her next July!

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

It's Live!

2012-09-18T20:15:00.003+01:00

At last my website is live! I had a few technical hitches along the way.....but this morning it was all there looking fresh and new.

Please take time to have a nosey and let me know what you think. Jay has done the badge to the right hand side of my ramblings....just click the aqua bracelet and it will take you there.

You can find more photos on my Flickr.

I am very excited about starting creating again, I have really missed it.

http://www.the-birdcage.co.uk

I need to design some business cards now!

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

A little Teaser....

2012-09-16T16:33:00.000+01:00

.....of what to come. I have been beavering away these last few weeks, doing something I am not a stranger to.....making bracelets.

After 7 years creating jewellery pieces for "Bluebell Designs" I took a year off to take a change of direction.

After around eleven months I felt the need to start creating again......

My new pieces are very easy to wear, no precious metals to tarnish and very up to the minute.

My website is in the final process and will hopefully be live later today!!

Don't worry I will put a link here for you all....I hope you will like it, I am a little nervous!?

No more Bluebell Designs.....2012 is the year of The Birdcage.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

My Space...Part 2

2012-09-12T17:11:00.000+01:00

I thought today.... that I never showed you my wall unit which is in my little space under the stairs.

I love it, it is so me!!

It houses all my shabby chic pieces to match my lounge (blues & chocolate).

Cubby holes with my old vintage camera, large Norfolk pebble, "Together" wooden blocks and birdhouse.

I managed to find just the type of lamp that I had visioned in my mind for the console table, thin enough not to take up much room.

Under the lamp is a lovely wooden sea bird from Sheringham....I have 6 of these birds around the house!!

It is very cosy to sit here in the evenings with the lamp on and work.

If any of you are interested as to where the furniture is from.....It is from the Next Autumn/Winter 2012 catalogue, it is a cream distressed wood and very well built.

I will be back at the weekend with some exciting news & a link for you to follow

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

The Visitor

2012-09-08T14:29:00.001+01:00

When we came home at lunch yesterday Storm found a little visitor in the back garden.

She spent a good half hour outside playing and cuddling this little kitten, he had gorgeous grey and black markings and was so friendly if a little curious too.

He walked all round the garden, stopping to look at the rabbits (that were bigger than him). Along the decking, looking in the french doors of the conservatory and kitchen....where he spotted Rocky looking out at him!

Storm wanted to keep him! Of course we can't he belongs to someone else....who he was missing I think, he disappeared after he finished playing.

Hope you are all outside enjoying this lovely weather this weekend....last of the summer I think.

We are going to fire up the bbq for the last time this year.

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Back next week with some exciting news.

Big School

2012-09-05T10:28:00.003+01:00

The day finally came, Storm's first day at big school!

She was so excited she couldn't get to sleep last night, she was dressed and ready at 8am!

She put her bags on her peg and found her drawer with her name on and a picture of a little lamb....then sat down to colour a picture for Daddy.

She has taken to it like a duck to water....fingers crossed tomorrow goes as smoothly???

Back later in the week

Love Gill x

Afternoon Tea

2012-09-02T16:11:00.000+01:00

It was my mum's birthday yesterday, so we invited her over for an afternoon tea.

Sandwiches and coffee with lots and lots of cake!

You can never have too much cake!!

I didn't make her a big birthday cake, as she preferred a selection.....vanilla cupcakes with pink butterflies, fondant fancies (Storm's favourite), chocolate eclairs, custard slices, choux buns, doughnuts......the list goes on!

While I am typing this I have a coffee at the side of me and a apple cream pie.

There was fresh fruit too with Elliott's homemade scones, clotted cream and jam.

Today we don't require much to eat.....as you can imagine! Jay is going to do a chicken curry for supper, he makes a top curry!

Two more days until the kids go back to school, everything is bought labelled and ironed.....I haven't shown you the sign I bought in Sheringham....as soon as I saw it I knew it was meant to come home with me!

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Oh How I Wish....

2012-08-28T21:25:00.000+01:00

.....we were back in Sheringham!

It has been very hard this time to get back into some sort of routine since we have been home. Only one more week till the kids go back to school next Wednesday....then routine changes once again.

But I know where I would rather be.....

The boys miss the waves too....they had so much fun this year & made so many memories to take with them through the next coming year.

I don't know what it is with that place but it definitely pulls me back to go a visit regular and stay over if we can...I first went when I was Alfie's age....and have gone every year since!!

A place to escape, to be carefree.....to not be disappointed with anything happening elsewhere....heaven!

I think I will just have to enquire about next year now...how I wish we could afford 2 weeks.

Enjoy your week

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Free Feeling

2012-08-21T10:19:00.000+01:00

Have you ever been walking and come across a hill or slope in the grass and wished you could just roll down it?

Well when you are 4 years old you can.

Storm and I also did something we have wanted to do for ages.....for me the past 30years!

Is to get back on a horse....if only for a few minutes it was great.

Storm asked all week when could she get back on her white spotty horse....called, you guessed it Spotty!

We made some lovely memories.........

Enjoy your Tuesday

Love

Gill x

Heaven is a Place in Norfolk....

2012-08-19T17:17:00.000+01:00

.....called Sheringham.

We have had a brilliant week away with glorious sunny weather and high temperatures.

Long days sat on the beach, the kids spending nearly all day in the sea...wave jumping and swimming.

No cooking (apart from Jay's yummy cooked breakfasts), no washing or ironing....no housework!!

We stayed at a place I have looked at for years, but never enquired about staying there...until now

"The Old Boathouse" used to be owned in the early 1900's by the Emery family they made sailing boats in the two storey building just 20 seconds walk to the beach.

An upside down house, sleeping downstairs & all open plan upstairs with great views from the decked area

Definitely a place we will always go back to.

The view from the boathouse

This is what I looked forward too everyday.....though I did put 7lb on while I was away...wonder how that happened!!?

I will be up loading lots of holiday snaps on my Flickr later today....blogspot isn't letting list more photos at the moment...so I will be back later in the week with some beach photos.

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Gill x

My Space

2012-08-07T16:22:00.000+01:00

Last weekend I had a brainwave moment of making the space under the stairs mine.

Ever since the tank went earlier on in the year, there have been just my vintage suitcases piled up. I saw a corner desk with a hidden corner chair hidden underneath but it turned out it was over 2 meters high!

So the search began...I fell in love with this cream distressed console table from the autumn Next catalogue. I have a wall unit hopefully coming tomorrow that will sit on the wall above the table.

This will hold my leathers & cords etc for my jewellery designs. I need a lamp in the corner....shall I go for a table lamp or floor??

The brown leather chair came down from the loft, a previous buy. I am looking forward to looking in the nik-nak shops in Norfolk for shabby chic unique pieces to put in my space!

I hope you are all enjoying the summer so far

Thanks for stopping by

Love Gill x

Crossing Off.....

2012-07-30T14:55:00.000+01:00

.....the days till we go on our summer hols, not long now!

Making lists, giving rooms a good clean, saving things to go into the holiday box, making sure the school uniform is bought before...

trying on last years wetsuits....they still fit, YIPEE!!!!

How cute does she look??

We haven't been up to much lately, just getting up when we feel like it. Having a late breakfast, lots of reading and plans made for the autumn...the boys played in the back garden with the football and lego.

Sometimes the boys break my plants with the football....like my pink hydrangea, so what is a girl to do but put them in a vase!!

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Gill x

Enjoying the Sunshine

2012-07-24T14:48:00.000+01:00

Well it finally arrived.....the summer sunshine.

Today it is 27 degrees and the thunder flies are out in force, I sat out for a while this morning they were all over my kindle & floating in my coffee!!

At the weekend we went to mum's for lunch and home baked lemon meringue pie..yum, yum.

My sister is over from Thailand for a few weeks with Frazer & Chloe, so the children enjoyed the sun in the back garden...playing football and jumping off grandma's wall!

Chloe gave Storm a Cinderella dress up outfit which she loves.....and has worn it for the last 2 days!

Thankfully the nice weather should be staying with us for the rest of the week. Just hope it returns for the second week of August....fingers crossed

Back with more sunny photo's later in the week

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Gill x

At Last!!

2012-07-18T18:51:00.002+01:00

It has taken me all day to get into my blog to write a new post!!

Every bit of information it wanted I put in....but it wasn't having it. I was so close to screaming obscenities at the screen! ( that happens quite often)!?

Well it is nearly over....yipee, I have made over 17 bags of fudge this week. Seven have been my first order (thank you Clare), the rest teachers presents for playschool & Alfie's school.

They got a china mug which had a teabag in the bottom then a bag of home baked fudge inside.

They were greatly received and said that it looked very professional! Just hope they liked it!

The 5 teachers that weren't Storm's key worker got bags of "All butter" or "Cranberry & Walnut" flavours.

Just Alfie at school tomorrow then on Friday we can give a big sigh of relief!!

Hope you are having a great week

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Gill x