bonny wee buttons

09/09/2026

🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍

Making their debut in this 1928 short animated film these two well known popular characters were a pleasure to create . . .

In full monochrome, framed in black with a pale grey background, I’m quite delighted with the result. I hope you like them too 🤍

See them on Saturday 3rd October at the Scottish Arts and Crafts Fair in Geilsland Estate Beith where you can enjoy a full day’s shopping in this cosy venue with an on-site cafe, free entry, free parking, 54 talented stallholders ~ and all dog-friendly too.

We look forward to welcoming you!

08/09/2026

A high-school chemistry teacher becomes increasingly ruthless and unsympathetic, adopting this alias and becoming recognised as a kingpin figure in this popular series . . .

He’ll be joining us on Friday 25th Sept at The Biscuit Factory EDIN with The Night Market UK so why not make a night of it and join us at this fabulous venue where you can enjoy browsing lots of amazing stalls, try delicious food & drinks and listen to some great tunes . . .

We’ll see you then 🌜

04/09/2026

Looking forward to your Friday night?

It’s just 3 weeks this Friday on 25th September until we’re back at The Biscuit Factory EDIN with The Night Market UK so we thought this Transylvanian Nobleman would bring the perfect late-night vibe to this amazing night market! 🦇

This famous gothic character is known as the centrepiece of vampire fiction - and who doesn’t love this charismatic Count!

He’ll be there along with some of your favourite horror characters as well as many others so get yourself along to the Biscuit Factory and enjoy lots of talented makers showcasing their marvellous makes - with great music, good food and lots more too!

01/09/2026

🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃

The ‘BER’ months are now upon us . . .

And I have to say I’m looking forward to cosy dark nights, jumpers & scarves, socks & boots and taking it a little slower . . .

Although I’m already busy re-stocking for our next market at Geilsland Estate Beith with the Scottish Arts and Crafts Fair . . .

We’ll be back on Saturday 3rd October with lots of spooky Halloween-themed minifigures so save the date and maybe make an early start to your Christmas shopping too!

31/08/2026

What an amazing day we had on Saturday at Strathaven Balloon Festival

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers for having us again and also thank everyone who came to browse our stall and buy lots of your favourite minifigure characters, I hope you love them as much as I did making them!

We had lovely friendly chats with you all and met so many interesting folk with lots of stories to tell, one of the best bits about my job! Thank you for your continued support and kindness 🎈

We apologise again to those people who couldn’t pay by card, as explained already there was absolutely no signal last afternoon into the evening (think because of the vast crowds of people all using phones) so most of the stalls couldn’t take card payments however many of you went to get cash which was greatly appreciated. Anyone who was disappointed please get in touch and I’ll happily ship out your chosen frame free of postage charge.

It was great to be back in Strathaven and the weather was perfect so we enjoyed seeing the balloons tethered and then taking to the skies. The ‘Thomas’ balloon was our favourite this year, absolutely spectacular!

I hope everyone enjoyed the day!

Until next year . . .

28/08/2026

Very much looking forward to seeing the balloons tomorrow.

We’ll be there from 11am til 10pm!

See you there 🎈

Update at 6pm on Friday: we have welcomed our visiting pilots from across the UK and further afield to Strathaven Park, with over 20 hot air balloons having made the journey to Strathaven 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 😃.

There are no balloon flights tonight, however we will be tethering some balloons in the arena for the next hour or two 🎈. We are optimistic for the weekend ahead and the next update on balloon flights will be posted here around 6.30am on Saturday, following the early morning pilot briefing.

Here’s a reminder of what to expect tomorrow:

🎈6.30am balloon flights, weather permitting

🚗 Park and Ride open from 11am - see pinned post for locations. Limited blue badge parking is available using the car park off Glasgow Road. All park and ride locations also have accessible buses.

🎵 Main Stage and Bandstand Stage both open with local bands/musicians from 12’noon. Gary Faulds officially opening the festival at 1pm on the Main Stage.

🎪🍔☕️ 🛍️Stalls/funfair/catering units all open by 11am

Later in the day, weather permitting / approx times:

🎈 from 12’noon Balloon tethers in the Arena, look out for Thomas 🚂
🪂 4pm Sky divers parachute jump
🎈 6pm Evening balloon flights
🔥 9pm Evening Glow

Plus the boating pond, classic cars, flight simulator, the wee train and more.

We have launched a JustGiving page and ask you to donate whatever you can to help fund our free to attend festival - to support the event this year and ensure it can continue in future years: https://www.justgiving.com/page/strathaven-balloon-festival-2

27/08/2026

Only 2 sleeps to go!

Can’t wait to be taking part in this fabulous event.

See you Saturday Strathaven 🎈

25/08/2026

Looking forward to being part of this amazing event. We’ll be there this coming Saturday 29th August from 11am til late.

See you soon Strathaven 🎈

🎈🏴 SCOTLAND’S SKIES ARE ABOUT TO TURN INTO A SEA OF COLOUR!

The countdown is on to the return of Scotland’s only hot-air balloon festival, with the Strathaven Balloon Festival taking over Strathaven Park from 28–30 August 2026.

Colourful hot-air balloons are expected to fill the skies above the South Lanarkshire countryside, with planned launches on Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings and evenings — weather permitting.

And there’s much more than balloons! 👇

🎈 Hot-air balloon launches
✨ Spectacular Evening Glow on Saturday
🪂 Sky Masters skydiving displays
🎪 Funfair and family entertainment
🎵 Live music
🚗 Classic vehicles
🛍️ Stalls and attractions
🚂 Strathaven Miniature Railway

Best of all — admission is FREE! 🎉

With the festival just days away, Strathaven is preparing for another spectacular weekend as families and visitors gather to watch colourful balloons rise over the Scottish countryside.

Three days. Thousands of spectators. A sky full of colour. 🎈🏴

📍 Strathaven Park
📅 28–30 August 2026
🎟️ FREE ENTRY

All balloon flights and aerial displays are subject to suitable weather conditions.

23/08/2026

Hope you’re all having a relaxing Sundae! 🍨

Thought I’d share these handpainted watercolour cards available next week at Strathaven Balloon Festival . . .

We’ll be there on Saturday 29th August so come along and browse lots of new framed minifigure characters and pretty watercolours to add to your collection.

We look forward to seeing you there 🎈

20/08/2026

We’re just back from a lovely Summer break in the Italian Lakes and busy preparing for next weeks fun event at Strathaven Balloon Festival . . .

And this fabulous balloon was just one of many amazing specimens that took to the skies last year ~ and it’ll be back again this year!

So bring your family & friends along on Saturday 29th August and spend the day being perfectly entertained with lots to see and do . . .

We’ll be there early til late . . .

We look forward to seeing you there 🎈