Handsome horse marionette

Our puppet craze continues in earnest - we've made another marionette - but this time it's a horse. He's been named Handsome, and he is brilliant. He clip-clops around the house on his mismatched button hooves and he is particularly good at jumping. Here's a little clip of his skills in action:

I love that Handsome is made entirely from recycled and found materials; frayed string for his mane, forelock and tail (just seen), and empty toilet rolls for his head and body. I think he'd have been even better with some googly eyes but we used all ours in last week's puppet project - which you can see here.

We just need to find a good way to display all these puppets now. I think I need to buy some hooks...

Beads, buttons and bows

I have only just discovered the fabulous style icon - and nonagenarian - Iris Apfel (pictured above.) Recently, The Women's Room wrote about the upcoming launch of her new range of jewellery. Judging by her love of over-the-top gems and beads, I think I'm going to like it. A lot.

Apfel is a self-confessed fan of 'fun jewellery with big stones - so large they would be untouchable if they were real.' Apparently she used to take empty masking tape rings and decorate them with black markers to make beautiful bangles. Well, if home-made jewellery is good enough for her, then I am proud to show off some of the pieces in my collection. They were, I should point out, all made by Buddy and Daisy.

1. Glitter and Button bracelet

2. Silver Straw necklace

3. Pretty Preztel necklace (edible)

4. Flashy Foil cuffs (made from Easter Egg wrappings)

5. Fireworks tiara

Bold, fun and original; I love my jewellery. And a piece from Iris Apfel's collection would fit right in, don't you think? Not that I'm - ahem - hinting or anything.

[We're playing over at It's Playtime this week. Are you?]