We're in the thick of the birthday season in our family... and for the next one we have great plans.

We've bought some bales of straw [only just over £2 each from a local supplier] and we'll be decking the garden with bunting and flags of a cowboy/Western nature, putting some country and line-dancing CDs on - and with some fun and games, and plenty of cowboy hats and pistols, we'll be whooping it up (hopefully in the sunshine!)

We're planning on using (available from my ebay shop):

1. A Texan Flag
2. A US Native flag.
3. An 1861 Dixie flag
4. red White and Blue Bunting
5. A Betsy Ross flag.

We'll put some USA and Dixie table-top flags on the tables too.

We hope the party will go with a swing!

Fingers crossed for the weather...

This week saw the Urdd Eisteddfod in Caerfyrddin (Carmarthen) and so we all went over... and after some horrendous traffic jams we finally got in!

We were lucky to be there on a really warm day, and the atmosphere was great.

One of our boys got through to the main stage with half a dozen or so of his classmates, doing a recital. It was fantastic to see them up there in front of a huge audience, and we were so pleased that they got second place. Everythone (teachers included) had hoped for first place, and we thought they deserved it - but c'est la vie.

To come second out of the whole of Wales, with so many knocked out in the many preliminary stages was quite an achievement in and of itself.

And to see our little man on TV in the evening was the icing on the cake - we were proud fit to burst!

The only downside of the day were the dodgem cars in the fayre - because the owner crammed so many cars on there (to maximise profits no doubt) it was like a rolling car jam with no-one hardly able to move.

But what a day - and what a week for Carmarthen - Merlin's Town!

Even though the Eisteddfod is over, what a great idea to grab some Welsh flags, banners and badges: all available from yours truly. Just look in the section of my shop that deals with all things Welsh-Scots-Irish, and if you're feeling really adventurous grab some of my Celtic Warrior figures (check under my Celtic-Saxon-Viking section).

Well done to the Urdd for putting on such a great show.

You wouldn't believe it today (the clouds in Carmarthenshire have opened) but the Summer season is almost upon us.

I love the Summer. We have birthdays in the family - and we need no excuse to deck the house with balloons, garlands, bunting etc.

Our favourite is the garden party. Fun games for the children, drinks for all, goodies in lovely bowls, and a chance to hang out the flags and have good, clean old-fashioned family fun, with some friends invited around to add to the occassion.

With the flowers in full bloom and the colour added to with some charming garlands, table covers, bunting etc. we can transform our garden to a magical wonderland for all concerned!

It's a great way to take the house into the garden, to get everyong out enjoying the fresh air, and an excuse for cakes and drinks (if ever one was needed)!

If you want to enjoy a garden party (whether for a birthday or similar) this Summer I can offer you some great items.

Check my listings for suitable table top flags, full size flags and bunting - you can make your party a pirate one, an Ameicana festival, even a medieval banquet (with Norman, Owain Glyndwr and Richard the Lionheart flags!).

My Charlie and Lola range is not to be missed - it's essential for a wonderful party.

Or why not put some of my resin, hand-painted figures along your table to add to the occassion?

My range of pencil-toppers, keyrings, stationary and much more can help make the perfect gift bag for your friends to take home - even a 'I love the police' car freshner for the dad!

So whilst today - it being a Bank Holiday weekend of course! - you might be forgiven into thinking that our Summer has been and gone (in April!) - fear not! Summer will be with us again, and June, July and August always bear the promise of some wonderful opportunities to invite friends around - and if you have no birthdays, then do it on any pretext!

With a great mix of flags, bunting, gifts etc. your garden party will be the toast of the town!