So...two posts in one day, but I think it's justified. A kind of one time only offer, if you like.

I scourged and purged the two rooms the bird could have got into, and since I've found a small trail of droppings on the windowsill, I'm now fairly certain the little b*gger flew straight out again.

But I've found a billion and one half started/finished craft projects dating back years.

My one major crafty love is soapmaking, and every other weekend or so I join a hundred or so other hopeful crafters at craft fairs (please, never "fayres"...) trying to sell our makings.

I'm always astonished at the huge array of beautiful craft on sale - cards, scrapbooking, hand knits, jewellery, wood turning - anything you can possibly imagine. And yet most of us only ever just about make our stall money back. I think it's just the way the retail market is at present.

So in addition to the soap at the next craft fair, I'm determined to finish off some of those projects and have a one time only "lucky dip" stall. I'm sure it will put the noses of the purists out of joint (I don't care...), but I'm hoping the Aladdin's cave element will make people more inclined to stop and rummage rather than disturb a carefully arranged spa-like pile of brightly coloured soap.