The sun's still shining ... and a giveaway!

Here in England, the fine spring weather just goes on and on ... it's simply wonderful after the cold and miserable winter, and the late arrival of spring means that everywhere has burst into bloom at once. So we have hedgerows studded with primroses, daffodils everywhere, the magnolias are wonderful and I even saw some very early bluebells today. The swallows have returned too - last year a pair built a nest in our woodstore and I'm very much hoping they'll return to raise another brood.

It was great to go outside to take photos too - all winter I've been struggling with gloomy grey skies trying to get photos of my "stuff". But today it was easy ... straight outside to the gazebo. The canvas sides and roof create perfect lighting - bright and yet diffused.

I had to recover the cushions this year - the yellow stripey fabric came from a local charity shop and cost me all of 50p (less than a dollar). I stapled the Cath Kidston oilcloth table cover to the underside of the table - last year the summer was so wet and windy the tablecloth kept blowing away and was ruined. Not taking any chances in 2010! I was very pleased with my Union Jack too, it's a very cheap modern one, but it was easy to take the newness off it by soaking with a teabag for a while.

The project I was photographing is a storage cube - made from a variety of fabrics and stiffened with a canvas lining. I was very pleased with the embroidery on the front - I took a vintage embroidery pattern and recreated it using applique.

I think it worked really well and if you'd like the pattern, then please just click here for the free download.

All that's missing from my gazebo is some flags to add some summer jollity. I think I'll make some fabric ones as they'll have to live outside all summer, but for Townie Husband's birthday party I'll add extra ones in the form of the paper bunting I sell at DevonBear Designs

I've been redesigning the packaging and am rather pleased with the results - what do you think?

And because I'm so pleased with my new packaging, I'd like to give some away! If you'd like the chance to win two packs of my paper bunting (design of your choice) then please leave a comment below.

The draw will close at midnight (British Summer Time) on Saturday 24 April. You'll find more details and pictures of the bunting at DevonBear Designs if you'd like to learn more.