Pusstaphah's Palace

Stuff. Stuff everywhere.  I'm not just a hoarder, I'm a genetic hoarder. Both of my parents come from families where as much as possible was stashed away, "just in case" it was needed. I'm just the same, I see potential in all sorts of random things and so I keep them for projects that I'll "eventually get round to".  I also adore books.  Not just fiction but practical books, books that need a loving home and have knowledge to impart. I often see parallels between a certain magical orangutan, created by the wonderful Sir Terry Pratchett, and myself.  I can lose myself in a library for hours. Some of you, Dear Readers, will be nodding along in experience. Some, like my minimalist step-parents, won't quite understand and that's absolutely fine - in both instances. This week will see a couple of decisions come to fruition.  I am going to charity shop at least 2 larges boxes of stuff and 2 large boxes of books. I've also had some succes...

I observed a couple in Gateshead Interchange this morning, taking their bags along to the bus stop where the holiday coaches leave from.  Being dragged along behind them was a black canvas suitcase on wheels.  Just like any other black canvas suitcase on wheels. Like the other dozen-or-so black canvas suitcases waiting to be loaded onto different coaches.  However, as well as being obviously labelled, this suitcase had a crafty addition.  Around the handles of this case were some luminous orange tube grips, hand knitted in chunky yarn and stitched around each handle.  So with one crafty step this couple have a more comfortable grip while carrying the case and can identify it easily. I don't know which half of the couple is the crafter but they've given me my light-bulb craft moment for the day and I salute them.  I can't help but wonder if they partake in a spot of knitted graffiti and, if not, then I think they should be encouraged. Do you look...

My lovely friend, the lady behind http://justonechaptermore.blogspot.co.uk/, who also has an Instagram account at @Jst1MoreChapter, has recently had a giveaway for reaching 200+ followers!  Well done to her and can I say congratulations to her followers for having excellent Instagram taste! @Jst1MoreChapter has gorgeous Instagram shots of books, coffee and lovely places.  She is also a prolific reader and does reviews on lots of different YAF, paranormal romance, chicklit and lots of nicely dark fiction.  If you have an Instagram account I recommend you pay her page a visit. I was incredibly flattered when she asked me if I could make something book-related for her giveaway.  Not knowing the tastes of potential recipient, I came up with a crystal bookmark and co-ordinating crystal bag charm. The 3 pendants are a Man-in-the-Moon with a sleeping cherub, a silver book entitled "A True Story" and a swirl pendant with the phrase "Follow Your Dreams" written on...

Tonight's potions-class-style experiment has been a big success!  I am a happy crafty bunny.  With just under a pint and a half of eco soy wax flakes I have made one medium sized jar candle and a couple of soy wax melts in cotton musk fragrance. This is the first time I've ever made candles and I did some quick learning tonight, on top of the pre-creative reading I did via the mighty Pinterest.  The amount of wax flakes needs to be nearly double the size of the container you have.  Once they melt down and the air gaps disappear, the volume of wax shrinks considerably.  I started off melting the wax in 20 second bursts in the microwave but very little was happening.  A quick swap of the candle-making jug to a pan of water on the hob and the process was much faster. Perhaps heating the wax in the microwave helped it along but I can highly recommend the bain-marie method. I added about 20 mls of candle fragrance oil after the wax was thoroughly liquid and ...