Drumroll please....

THE SIGNS ARE UP!

It's taken six months, but we finally found the perfect sign writer and look what he made for us!

Alex Burnett from Mapua made them, and his specialty is 3D sign designs.  He has made the train and necklace out of a special lightweight foam made from compressed plastic bags.

So they're recycled, handmade and fun - just perfect for us!

What do you think of the name?  It was the Toy Boy's idea and is a play on the Indiana Jones movie title "Raiders of the Lost Ark".  We had to come up with a name of our combined work, and this seemed like a bit of a chuckle.

He also made the Golden Bay Toys sign for the side of the building - it has the 3D train on the top, and sits out a little from the building in a shallow "V" shape.

And this is a shot of the little courtyard in front of the shop - I love the little fernery and tables - it gives us a little distance from the street and invites people to linger.

We even had a soiree last week to celebrate the fact that we're (almost) organised.

It was a glittering affair, with the guests wearing their finest (beads) with a number of local celebrities in attendance.  The hostess forgot to organise photos...so you will just have to take my word for it.