The Touchwood Project

Another Power Off experience, this time from urban New York. Kerrilee, who wrote our first guest post on how to make a recycled magazine basket, had this to say… -Rachel Greetings! I figure, since this is my second guest post, I should probably introduce myself a bit…. Read the rest of this article >>

A lot of people have asked us, “So how did the whole Power Off thing go?” Rather than just our experience, we asked a few people to share their thoughts. Esther Pawley sent us her almost haiku-like notes that we just had to share… Official candle lighting time – 5.23pm Feel like Wee Willie Winky carrying my candle about. Such a beautiful warm glow – should use candles more often. Frustrating –… Read the rest of this article >>

Storage basket made from recycled magazines: Hello there, Rachel asked me to do a guest post about this project, since it’s one she and I had worked on together before and that I recently took on all by myself. It probably would have been a good use of your Power-Off Weekend. Well, maybe next time. So! Let’s talk weaving. Time required: Uh… several hours. It took me an American football game (roughly… Read the rest of this article >>

It was wonderful, magical, like Christmas! The weather helped, with sunshine and no wind. At night, stars mesmerised me as the scent of wood smoke drifted down to my eager nostrils. Joy! The time has just flown by, and to be honest life was so enjoyable without the electricity that we are only re-introducing it selectively – I call that a success! We rode our bikes to the local Stenness store, only a 5… Read the rest of this article >>

We’re up to over 100 people participating in the Power Off Weekend coming up Friday night, with 46 families officially signed up through our Facebook event page or who have emailed us directly to join in. We are asking participants to take a survey before and after the event so that we would like to understand a bit more about: why people are participating what they’re worried about and what they hope to… Read the rest of this article >>

Dear Power Off participants: Please will you all follow this link and complete the quick 10 question survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XJP2H5B Thank you. Please, will you also make notes of your experiences during the weekend, keep a diary, take photos and complete a final questionnaire afterwards? Best wishes! Malcolm… Read the rest of this article >>

Today, in the spirit of being frugal and eco-friendly, I am going to show you how to make your own lamp using only natural materials. This I believe to be one of the earliest of human inventions and in all honesty, it is superior to the man-made, metal equivalent. For one thing the parts are white and shiny, so reflect more light. For another there are many flutes thus allowing multiple wicks and thus… Read the rest of this article >>

When I was a kid I was amazed how many people assumed you needed to buy the game to play it, not realising that often you just need pencil and paper. They’d rather buy some tacky plastic game or watch TV than make their own fun! I’m of the play-it-on-paper or build-your-own-game tribe. Since the Power Off Weekend is just around the corner, here are 101 things to do with your friends and loved ones — all… Read the rest of this article >>

It’s a weekend of crafting frenzy in our house this weekend. I’m knitting like mad, Malcolm’s making felt using a washing machine, and I’ve just finished making a big batch of chocolate peanut butter balls. The reason for the rush is I looked up the date you have to post all your gifts to the USA, and it’s December 10th — Thursday. To be honest, I’m not sure I can make it in time, but we’re giving it our… Read the rest of this article >>

Malcolm was interviewed on BBC Radio Orkney the other day about the upcoming Power Off Weekend December 12-13. You can have a listen to the interview here: Click here to listen to Power Off Weekend BBC Radio interview For more details about the Weekend: http://www.touchwoodproject.com/your-chance-to-join-the-power-off-weekend/… Read the rest of this article >>