I was just inspired by a thread about home-grown kilt items (this one, for those that are interested...BTW, that tweed is AWESOME!!!: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...452/index.html). So here's the rub: I've been thinking of making custom kilt belts and especially sporran belts/straps for a long time now. I've done leather working for a really long time, and this is something I'd like to offer to everyone else, but I also need some "guinea pigs" for it (especially when it comes to photographs and examples of previous work). So I decided that having a contest would be a good way to A) get at least a few photos to use, B) provide someone with a nice sporran strap/belt at nearly nothing, and C) have at least one example to show for what I can do (since I've been really bad at remember to take pictures of me doing leather work.) Anyway, here's what I posted in the other forum for this contest (please read the rule about having to pay for shipping! I am REALLY broke right now and while I'd love to send someone a fully custom sporran strap, I just can't. So the winner must be willing to pay for shipping!) "But all I have to say is...Careful With That Axe, Eugene! [PS: This post is full of awesome, and because I am feeling the awesomeness of making something Scottish tonight, I feel like doing a contest. So here goes: Anybody that can give me the original source for my above "Careful..." quote within about 24 hours of now (26 Aug 2008, 1:30am Mountain Time) I will make a custom sporran belt for free, if the winner covers the $5 for shipping (I'm pretty broke at this point, but I'll happily pay for the supplies and labor if you pay for the shipping, because this is something that I'm trying to get into making. If the winner is outside the continental US, I'll get in touch with you and we'll work out the shipping.) But the belt will be a single leather strap 1/8"~ thick, with one buckle in the back (this is meant for sporrans that have at least a small leather "channel" to run a strap through.) Your choice of brass or nickel-plated buckle and hardware. Your choice of length, your choice of width (either 1/2", 3/4" or 1".) Your choice of color (the back will be left undyed, because leather dyes tend to rub off on fabrics no matter how well they're set and sealed) and perhaps some basic embellishing/carving, depending... The sporran belt will also be treated for water-proofing (using all-natural products that won't go rancid or break down the leather), which will also soften the leather "just enough" but not so much that it degrades and breaks in half in a year or two. BTW, when I say "original source", the person that gets me the earliest official use of my quote first will be the winner! Annnnndddd...GO!]