How fun – make some geeky robot rabbits this easter! [via geek crafts]
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Geek Crafts
these stripey socks “All the Math” by Helena Bristow are pretty darn cool – get the free online pattern from ravelry.
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Manga Cross-Stitch: Make Your Own Graphic Art Needlework
‘Stitchers often get stereotyped as middle-aged ladies in cardigans, anime and manga fans as geeky teenage misfits. Both stereotypes are equally inaccurate – because both groups are just people who love beautiful things and want to create and enjoy beauty in their own way.’ Helen McCarthy
With a compelling voice, Helen McCarthy, reaches out to those with a curiosity for everything Manga and needlework. McCarthy is a well known writer and speaker on Japanese animation and comics and with her other love of historic and fantasy costume and embroidery designs – it wasn’t long before these two loves would meet in the middle.
She has done a fine job with this authentic manga design book – with short engaging passages that contextualize the manga aesthetic, along with instructions on how to use the included CD/DVD – where you can find all the customisable and printable charts – McCarthy also has included instructions on how to make your own cross-stitch charts based on your favourite character – using the included software found on the DVD.
(Needless to say this book is just as thorough in learning how to cross-stitch as how to design – with the basics covered – thread, materials, charts, there are also good close up photos of how to stitch.) But really this books main feature is its dedication to helping you design your own cross-stitch patterns – and the manga – its all about the manga really – who and what are these kawaii characters / cyber beings / heroes + villains / samurai + ronin / monsters … and more fantastic run down on these character types – how to add in text + special effects, change the texture and tone, and how to change the facial features to give different expressions – this is better than many ‘how to draw manga’ books that are so popular with kids these days.
The readership will not be confined to needle-workers or manga fans but to anyone who wishes to be creatively guided and engaged.
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Fashion Geek: Clothes Accessories Tech
I am totally into the whole new tech savvy fashion thing that is going on these days. Combining science with sewing – totally cool. This book ‘fashion geek’ has some fun, nerdy and cool (is that an oxymoron?) sewing projects for your inner geek – or if you are not that tech savvy – a perfect way to learn or to get your tech nerd partner involved in your crafty pursuits.
Along with some sewing basics – there is a also an electrical basics section – including soldering, and where these two meet up – how to sew in LED lights and battery holders.
The projects have the usual break up of sections into accessories and clothing – but these are not your usual projects – rethinking the traditional. Sewing some felt flowers onto your earphone plugs, making a flower necklace that hides your zip drive. I love the LED necklace and the music hat featured on the cover – where the ears hide earphones and the tail hides the cord. I love the magnetized buttons that light up when they are buttoned up. And another headphone fashion accessory – the headphone hoodie.
As well as some obviously very cool projects – this book has some excellent pictorial instructions – its very clear and concise and explains the new technology really well. Great book for a wide audience.
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Evil mad scientist has done it again and developed a pattern to make these two bags the d20 is a icosahedron (composed of twenty triangular faces, with five meeting at each of the twelve vertices) lined zipper bag. The (retro-dork-chic-DIY) d12 bag is a dodecahedral (composed of twelve regular pentagonal faces, with three meeting at each vertex). I just love when math meets craft … so very nerdy cool.
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