Patchwork Purses, Dots and Spots.

Buying fabric is becoming a bit of a new addiction for me. Once my workroom was full of beads, and now its full of beads, fabric, random pieces of ribbon, crystals, silver and wood among other things. When we eventually get our new house I can't wait to have a bigger room with lots and lots of lovely storage. For now, small room = organised chaos.

Here's a few of the wee purses I've been turning my fabric hoard into recently. I went to town for mascara today and ended up coming home with masses of tartan, so lots more on the way soon.

I want a Tigerdog.

Looking through msn's week in pictures, I found this gem of a pic and had to share as it made me laugh so much. Thankfully it's just hair fur dye, not some new tigerdog creation. I msn'd the pic to a friend who immediately pinged me back a link to the panda dogs below. All the dogs live at the Dahe Pet Civilization Park in Zhengzhou, China. They were dyed as a publicity stunt. Enjoy.

The Out of the Blue Arts Market. Edinburgh

This Saturday as part of the Leith Festival, SparkleSmith will be having a stall at the fabulous Out of the Blue Arts Market in Leith, Edinburgh. There will be over 50 makers and designers there selling their painting, jewellery, furniture, clothes, photography and much more. SparkleSmith will be selling our fab range of sparkles as well as a mix of purses, mini purses and bags.

The market is open 11am to 6pm and is just 80p entrance fee. The Drill Hall Café will also be open throughout the day for snacks, meals and coffee. Hope to see you there.

The Bank, Open to All?

Nothing says come and eat in my restaurant quite like a bleeding horse head does. This is such a bizarre advert, it definitely got us talking but definitely didn't make us want to eat there. I take pity on any bankers who unwittingly wander in for a swift half, particularly if they work for Lloyds TSB. Click on the picture to enlarge it and read all the text.

Folksy Friday. Bumbley Bumbles.

I finally joined Folksy last night. There are only 2 SparkleSmith items there just now but more to be added soon, once I work out a faster way of doing it. And I have now discovered Folksy Friday which promotes other fabulous makers and designers. Thanks to the 2 giant bumble bees which flew into my living room this morning, my first theme is the humble bumble. Enjoy.

Top row, left to right. Pookie Su, Spoilt Pig, Julia Smith Ceramics (I have a bee bowl)

Bottom row, left to right. With Hugs and Kisses, Chain of Daisies, Vintage Candy

Click the pic to enlarge.

Norman. Happier times in St Andrews.

This is one of my favourite pictures of Norman. Quite happy and full of chug as he drives along Granny Clarks Wynd and across the 1st and 18th fairways of the Old Course. We were lucky to get such a great shot with no golfers on the course and hardly any tourists in the background. Unfortunately due to the vandalism of mindless idiots we had to put Norman into early retirement. He’s been in my family longer than I have and hopefully he'll be making a comeback someday soon.

Below are some brilliant mini inspired items from etsy. I love them, especially the gorgeous lower 3 items all by Vitamini. Top row, left to right - Bag with Mini print by NKanner, Mini cufflinks by Blinkphoto, fabulous Mini drawing (which could be Norman) by Annechovie. Bottom row - Mini cards and lavender sachets by Mini lover Vitamini. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Ribbit Ribbit.

A few pics of just some of the many many frogs we dodged on the way round Arthurs Seat a couple of weeks ago. It was a pretty amazing sight. They were all over the place, literally hundreds of them. Ribbit ribbit.

Today is Earth Day.

Thanks to the ever changing Google Doodle I've just found out that today is Earth Day. To find out more and add your Act of Green go here - http://www.earthday.org/ My small acts of green today will be unplugging the television, putting out the recycling, walking home and picking up plastic litter along the way. The text below is from Earth Day.

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day