The Touchwood Project

I love when I try something new, think I’ve failed, and then it turns out great. Such was the case with my first attempt and dyeing, carding and spinning my own yarn, the first of which I’m calling “The Coming Storm”. But it’s also brought up some questions about why getting paid for something seems to equal appreciation. As I mentioned in my previous post, I wanted to create a yarn that captured both the colours… Read the rest of this article >>

As my Dad told me recently, I’m well on my way to the 14th century at the rate I’m going. Well nothing says medieval like spinning yarn, so today’s post is for the crafty types and wool lovers out there with whom I’d like to share my newest project: Orkney tweed yarns. Getting started with spinning When we moved to this house, our landlandy generously left behind her spinning wheel to use and it’s been… Read the rest of this article >>

I’m writing this post at my kitchen table in between bites of breakfast porridge because I’m so excited about how warm, comfortable and easy my latest MacGyvered project is, and I had to share it with you while I’m still riding high from all your fantastic comments in my last post. “Up from the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success,” says the fount of wisdom that is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I had cause to… Read the rest of this article >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Before I get into how to make this next Christmas gift project, I’ve been thinking about the mysterious joy that can come out of humble things. The tin can is something humble, and making this project is less about the object made, than about the experience of appreciating these small, everyday things…. Read the rest of this article >>