Summation

Open Source Techs for Disaster Response Demo Oct 4-7, 2011

2011-09-17T16:10:00.001-07:00

For the fourth year in a row, public, private and military sector groups will gather on a field at the National Defence University in Washington D.C. to show off the latest in sustainable technologies that can be deployed during post-war or post-disaster humanitarian relief projects. Solutions which address a variety of problems -- from energy and communications to shelter, potable water and sanitation -- will be on display from Tuesday, October 4 at 9am through Friday, October 7 at 2pm.

Organized by Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support (TIDES), this conference isnt only focused on the latest and greatest in sustainable disaster relief but also on communication and partnership between disaster relief groups, whether they are in the public, private, or military sector. The focus is on improving civ-mil cooperation, information sharing, and thinking about transformative ideas to encourage unity of action among diverse organizations where there is no unity of command.

Check out the video from last year's demo below and read more at http://star-tides.net/. More information about the demo event and to register to attend or present here: http://tidesdemo2011.eventbrite.com/.

If you are planning on attending the demo, or are in the DC area and would like to chat with Willow while she's there, we'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send us an email. We're also monitoring tweets mentioning @gwoborg if you'd like to contact us that way. While you're at it, be sure to follow us on Twitter.

TIDES stands for Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support. This research project is coordinated at the Center for Technology and National Security Policy (CTNSP) at the National Defense University (NDU), which is part of the Department of Defense. http://star-tides.net/

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

Building the New "Social Norms"

2011-07-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

Our schools and workplaces routinely forbid us to have open honest communication with our peers. Whether it's passing notes in class or using social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, the basic rules have stayed the same, "Dont do it." But a revolution is growing. In the face of such communication restrictions, makerspaces are coming into their own as the backdrop for people to create new communities -- built on learning, teaching and open communication.

In James Carlson’s TEDxMadtown talk from April 27, 2011, he describes the cyclical mentoring relationships going on right now between three generations of makers, and why makerspaces are succeeding in building new communication practices where traditional schools and work enviroments are failing.

"This is all being broadcast online. If you want to see a healthy use of social media...just go on Flickr, Deviant Art, Facebook, Twitter. You'll find those stories all over the place," says James. "What I ask you to do is, go to [a local makerspace], spend a day there, and see this stuff in action."

In the meantime, take a few minutes to enoy his TEDx talk, linked below. In about 10 minutes, he gives the best overview I've seen of what makerspaces, hackerspaces and co-working spaces have to offer, for individual participants and the community at large.

James Carlson is the founder of the School Factory, the makerspace Bucketworks and BarCamp Milwaukee, among many other things. When he's not traveling across the globe, spreading his vision of the new school and open learning methods, he can likely be found at Bucketworks in Milwaukee, WI. Follow him on Twitter @hypnagogic.

Leave a comment: Tell us about an experience at a hacker-, maker- or co-working space that has changed how you communicate with those around you.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

Friday's the day!

2011-01-18T23:55:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited about TaD this year! I'm prepping for it the same as i did last year, by writing down all my project ideas and going through all my supply bins (which have multiplied in just a year!). Dont forget to actually sign up, Friday is the first day to do so.

-summation

Posted via email from thing-a-day

So Excited

2011-01-13T16:35:00.001-08:00

This is motivation I've needed to reawaken my creativity.

Posted via email from thing-a-day

CyberSutra and Friends (Burning Man 2009 Podcast)

2010-04-09T13:30:00.001-07:00

I'm still listening to this podcast by CyberSutra for Burning Man 2009. I didnt find it until a few months after bm, but wish i had it for the trip to the desert. It does remind me of dancing out on the playa.

http://cybersutra.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=520948

Posted via web from Moonrock Interstellar Disco

Welcome to Moonrock's Music Link Compilation

2010-04-09T13:00:00.001-07:00

Inspired by Josh's post to the list, I've created a place for us to share cool music in an easy to browse format (I hope), and without having to get side-tracked by interesting non-music posts. Anyone can post here by sending an email to posterous@moonrock.posterous.com.

I hope you'll all share your music finds here, and come here when you're looking for music reccommeded by fellow moonrockers.

-the Thermburglar (Erin)

Posted via web from Moonrock Interstellar Disco

LED eyes for a toy rat

2010-03-08T18:11:00.001-08:00

This squeaky rat obviously needed laser eyes, and I was happy to oblige. I cut out his old eyes, and wired two LEDs in series to a 3.6v lithium battery. It's hard wired, but should last a good while. The tinyish battery even fit inside the face, making everything tidy looking.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(24-Thing-2502) Knit Cuff Application

2010-03-05T16:28:00.003-08:00

Revisiting that darned onesie just one more time, post-pajama party. Knit cuffs to make it easier to push the sleeves up and keep them out of a syrupy breakfast. Actually pretty easy, now that I've gotten the hang of working with stretching the knit to match it to the woven material. Cut a piece of knit twice as tall as you want it to be on the sleeve, making sure the ribbing runs perpendicular to the sleeve edge. Sew it into a tube, fold it in half wrong sides together, and press. Turn the cuff upside down and place around the outside of the sleeve (garment should be right side out). Sew or serge along the seams, stretching the knit as you go, making sure to sew through both thicknesses of the knit cuff. fold the cuff right side up and you're done! It helps if you line up the seams of the cuff and the sleeve and sew that part first, or they will never come close to lining up.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(23-Thing-2402) Sewing Table Lamp Repair

2010-03-05T16:28:00.001-08:00

There are 2 industrial sewing machines at my craft-space, both with lamps that didnt work. Using some spare electrical cords, a soldering iron, wire strippers and a screw driver, I was able to replace the wiring in the lamps and make them work. This is very good for when the sun goes down and I want to see just how close my fingers get to the serger blade.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(21-Thing-2202) Rag Soup

2010-02-25T17:50:00.001-08:00

yummy rag soup! My dad makes this every Easter, filled with homemade mini meatballs. It can be made with chicken broth and beef, or with vegetable broth and meatless meatballs.

Rag Soup
2 boxes broth (chicken or veggie)
1 package mini meatballs (or meatless meatballs)
1 lb broccoli raab or okra or spinach
4 or 5 eggs
Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning
cayenne pepper
salt
black pepper

Put broth in medium pot, add a handful of italian seasoning (rub it between your hands to crush it as its going in the pot), some cayenne pepper, and boil.
Brown meatballs (meatless meatballs) in a pan, set aside.
Add whatever greens you're putting in your soup to the broth. Cover and cook til done.
Add meatballs to soup, cover and simmer.
Beat eggs in a small bowl. Add to soup while stirring. It'll make strings of cooked eggs, like rags (hence name of soup).

Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Eat. The leftovers are great for lunch throughout the week.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(17-Thing-1702)through (20-Thing-2002) Flannel One-piece Pajama

2010-02-25T13:10:00.001-08:00

In celebration of my completing my Master's Degree, I wanted to have a pajama party. So of course I wanted to have new schmancy pjs to host my party in! That didnt happen because I'm a slacker and was only able to complete one set of jammies, for Mint Hoagie of course! He picked out the fabric, and to town i went! He's a bit longer in the legs n torso than regular patterns, so I made it up in muslin first, figured out how to alter the pattern, and then cut it and made it again. I tried to draft a pattern for making a footie in the pajama, but in the end, I didnt put feet on these pjs. This garment also marks my first zipper insertion! Its nice and straight, and super duper for being my first zipper. The pattern is from McCall's 5956 for Halloween costumes. It's worked out pretty well in flannel instead of fake fur. Here's a list and photos of my "things" for each day, starting Wednesday and finishing up Saturday before the party.

Wednesday: Footie pattern
Thursday: My first zipper!
Friday: Finished arms and leg hems
Saturday: Knit collar addition

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(16-Thing-1602) Flower Bed

2010-02-25T13:07:00.001-08:00

It was such a beautiful day on Tuesday, I wanted to get outside! I'd bought some seeds and bulbs with the intention of potting some of them for TAD or guerrilla gardening around our sometimes not-so-spiffy neighborhood. It's not so guerrilla, but I decided to spruce up the outside of our warehouse loft building by pulling the weeds in one of the tree spaces in the sidewalk.

It was kinda gross, since people just throw trash and leave dog poo everywhere. But once I got all the weeds and trash out, the dirt was really quite nice. I wasnt expecting there to be so many earthworms! There were also a lot of grubs which i threw into the road and the pigeons ate. I wore my heavy duty gloves, but I'm still glad I didnt find any hypodermics or anything too gross. (I did find an unopened can of tuna fish and half a pre-packaged cheese danish* though).

The bulbs are planted, and the seeds sown, but it's not so impressive looking yet. I cant wait for the seeds and bulbs to start shooting up greens! I am also bad at remembering to take "before" pictures. But here is one of the tree next to the little plot I did.

*Just a thought: If half a pre-packaged cheese danish can sit in a flower bed for an undetermined amount of time under some weeds and pouring rains, and still be identifiable as a cheese danish (it was in almost perfect condition) why would we EVER want to put that in our bodies?

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(15-Thing-1502) Friends

2010-02-18T11:30:00.001-08:00

I spent the day playing games and goofing around with MH's brother's family, and his brother's wife's extended family from China. I dont speak much Mandarin, which was ok because most of them didnt speak much English. The pantomiming alone was super creative, so this totally counts ;)

Set and Ingenious are good games for playing with people who dont share a language. There were pictures taken, but I dont have any of them yet :( I'll update if I get them before the end of February.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(14-Thing-1402) Dalahast Cake

2010-02-16T10:50:00.001-08:00

Dalahast is a traditional swedish symbol which originated in Dalarna province. Mint Hogie (my BF), is of Swedish descent and has taken a liking to these horsies. Especially when they are made of spice cake and icing. I've altered a Spice Cake recipe from Fannie Farmer's Cookbook to make it even more yummy! This is the latest manifestation of dalahast in our house, made for a Valentine's Day party.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(13-Thing-1302) Smittens

2010-02-15T11:09:00.001-08:00

I saw this Care Bears polar fleece remnant and had to have it, even though I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I'm always cold, so I came up with a scarf with mittens built in. Smittens. Looks like two potholders on a string, but I'm happy wearing them. Here's proof!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(12-Thing-1202) Long Overdue Framing

2010-02-13T08:53:00.001-08:00

I made this Warhol style ducks print about 4 months ago. Its been sitting with a frame that I bought for it, unframed because I had to cut half an inch off each side to get it to fit into the frame. So sad. I was putting it off because I'm terrible with a straight edge and rotary cutter. But I took my time with this, and only messed it up a little bit. Not very creative, but the finishing touches on another WIP. So here it is, before being hung in my rubber duck-themed bathroom.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(11-Thing-1102) Spicy Cornbread Muffins

2010-02-12T15:20:00.001-08:00

Yummy corn muffins, with chiles and pepper jack cheese chunks. The cheese was all gooey when I first pulled them apart when they were hot. So Delicious! From Fanny Farmer's Cookbook w/ small changes by me :)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(10-Thing-1002) Purple PomPom for Tail

2010-02-11T09:26:00.001-08:00

I was given a black and white striped tail recently, but I thought it looked sorta plain. What better way to spruce up a tail than with a purple pompom?

First, I had to make the cardboard circles, which was easy because I happen to have a compass for drawing sleek circles in various sizes. The I cut 3 lengths of purple yarn about 8 feet each. (It has to be small enough to wad up and push through the hole in the center). If I was to do this again, I'd use at least another 8 foot length to make the pompom fuller. Then I cut around the circle and tied the bunch up with another small piece of yarn. Poof! A pompom!

I sewed it to the tail, and added a snap to the top so I could attach it to my belt loop. Its always nice to have a tail available to wear when necessary!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(9-Thing-0902) Bacon Infused Vodka

2010-02-10T15:32:00.001-08:00

We're having a pajama party soon, and we'll want to serve Bloody Marys in the morning. Time to make some bacon infused vodka! I'll update to let you know how it turns out!

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

Crochet Coffee Sleeve Pattern

2010-02-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

I've been "field testing" a crochet coffee sleeve I designed this summer, and its been working out great. I'd love to see pics if you make sleeves from my pattern.

Materials:

Worsted weight acrylic or cotton yarn
G or H hook (depending on your tension)

Pattern:

Ch 33 loosely. Join to first stitch with slst.
Row 1: Hdc in each ch. Join with slst to first hdc. (33 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1. Hdc in join and in next 14 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in next 15 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in last st, join to first hdc with slst. (35 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1. Hdc in join and in next 16 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in remaining sts. Join. (36 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1. Hdc in join. Inc in next st. Hdc in remaining sts. Join. (37 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1. Hdc in join and in next 7 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in remaining sts. Join. (38 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1. Hdc in join and in next 17 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in next 18 sts. Inc in next st. Join. (40 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1. Hdc in join and in next 28 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in remaining sts. Join. (41 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1. Hdc in join and in next 19 sts. Inc in next st. Hdc in remaining sts. Join to first hdc with slst. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

This pattern is protected by copyright. Please do not sell or redistribute this pattern in any form. If you'd like to sell the completed items you make using this pattern, please contact me first.

(7-Thing-0702) Bath Salts

2010-02-09T14:33:00.001-08:00

An easy day after my hiking misadventures required an easy project. My backpacking companion remarked that he would love some nice smelling bath salts for post-hiking relaxation. It was a breeze to whip the salts up (one cup epsom salts to 8 drops lavender essence). The bottle was in MH's pile to take to the thrift store. The sachet bag I had saved from a wedding shower. I refilled the sachet with lavender blossoms, poured the salts into the bottle, and slapped a "Hello My Name is" badge on it. I think my friend will enjoy the results.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(6-Thing-0602) Giant Bruise

2010-02-08T12:49:00.003-08:00

On Friday, I spent pretty much the whole day straightening the house and running around getting last minute supplies for a backpacking trip that I was suddenly invited on. So no Thing for that day :(

We hiked about two miles into Henry Coe State Park in the fog, and set up camp on the flattest ground we could find. In the morning, the fog had lifted, but it was raining. Our tent was gaining water, and our sleeping bags were getting wet. Once out of the tent, we realized we had set up in a valley, and the run off was running straight under our tent toward the nearby stream. After breakfast, we broke camp, walked about 50 feet and saw a glorious flat camping space on high ground with firm dirt. We were sad.

After filtering water for the days hike, I put a bandanna on my head, thinking I could make an awesome tie-dye project as the bandanna got soaked by the rain and mixed with the purple dye in my hair. As it turns out, my rain gear was way more rainproof than I had expected, and my project didnt work out.

Luckily, I fell crossing a tiny stream and made this amazingly large bruise!

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(5-Thing-0402) Nightshirt

2010-02-08T10:08:00.001-08:00

Continuing on the "lounge wear" theme, I decided to make a nightshirt too. I'd bought the materials and pattern about 2 years ago, but wanted to alter the pattern to fit me better in the bust. I had no idea how to go about doing this and so it sat, unstarted, in one of my project bins. Luckily, I was able to get mnrsiat to teach me how to alter the pattern. She's a good teacher, and I was able to finish this project pretty quickly after the pattern had been redrawn. I'm supposed to hem the bottom, but I surged it instead and I'm thinking of leaving it that way.

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(4-Thing-0302) Pajama Pants

2010-02-08T09:48:00.001-08:00

I've been excited about this gorilla flannel print since I got it. Wednesday I turned it into a pair of pajama pants. I'm getting pretty good at pj pants by now. They are super fun to make, and I even get to use my automatic buttonhole feature on my machine, which is really fascinating to watch. This is from McCall's 4320 pattern. I didnt follow the instructions for the waistband, because I like to make pj pants with elastic in the back and draw strings up front. So I take a piece of elastic about 14 inches long, sew the draw strings to each end, and then thread it through the waistband. Then I center and stretch the elastic and sew the two ends to the pants through the waistband. It makes it fit better in the seat (for me at least).

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(3-Thing-0202) Collapsible Hula Hoop

2010-02-04T18:47:00.001-08:00

I'm a bit behind in posting, mostly because my camera battery died. But now its all charged up and ready to take pictures of my daily "things" once again!

I've been wanting to make a hula hoop for some time so I can start practicing hooping tricks. Tuesday I finally got down to the hardware store to pick up tubing, so I decided to experiment with making a standard and then a collapsible hoop. Both are incredibly easy to make and fun to decorate. Here's a picture of my collapsible hoop. I've written an Instructable on it here.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

(1-Thing-0102) Rolled Hem Vintage Scarf

2010-02-01T20:31:00.001-08:00

After a few false starts (didnt have plastic cups for resin mixing, princess was in another castle) I decided to ease into the most creating-est month of 2010. I just bought a rolled hem foot for my sewing machine and I have been wanting to make a pretty scarf out of a hideous vintage dress I picked up at a thrift shop. I tore the fabric into a nice long rectangle (to make sure it was on the straight of grain) and then did a few test runs setting up the stitch length and figuring out how to feed the material into the fancy rolled part of the foot.

I had to rip out the hem a few times and round the corners to make it easier to keep the material threaded through the foot in the turns. But here it is. Now to wait for my hair to grow out some so I can wear it!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

TAD prep 1/29

2010-01-31T20:20:00.001-08:00

Last year, I was introduced to Thing-A-Day (thanks clamoring) but it was already in progress and too late for me to participate. This year I am pleased and excited to be joining the fray that is TAD 2010!

Patience, while being a virtue, isnt one I possess. So I've been chomping at the bit for February to begin, and with it copious amounts of daily "crafting." What a great excuse to give life to some of my brain children! I'd been sipping on a zipfizz while daydreaming of possible projects that I could tackle, when I was inspired to dig through one of my (many) materials bins to see if I had a specific piece for one of the ideas id been tossing around. My weakness for tangents and caffeine being what it is, I found myself 8 hours and 3 zipfizz later with a completely resorted work space, a list containing about 35 project ideas, and several WIPs completed. I'll post a picture of my work space soon, because it is so clean and neatly labeled.

Here's a list of activities from 1/29 (because I'm boasting about my unusually productive day):
* Bought fabric and pattern for several projects
* Finished pajama pants for Mint Hoagie (my BF, MH for short)
* Photographed recently finished projects (I always put this off for some reason)
* Repaired hole in sweater
* Patched hole in MH's burner costume
* Added accumulated "inspiration" pictures into inspiration book
* Ripped out botched strap from upcycled bag project
* Sorted most bins and cleaned up work area

Plus a picture of the pajama pants, because I probably wont do an additional post on them. if you have any questions though, I'll be happy to answer to the best of my ability.

tags: thingaday, craft

Posted via email from summation's Thing-A-Day 2010

Coffee Sleeve Transplant Pots

2009-06-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

I had been playing idly with the coffee sleeve from my BF's morning joe on the train to Maker Faire, when I accidentally folded it in half the opposite way, giving it a more square appearance. Looking at it again, i realized it looked sort of like a plant pot. In the days following Maker Faire, I gathered more sleeves and came up with a simple way to fold four of them together into a transplant pot for gifting or using in the garden. Here's a link to the Instructable for this project.

UPDATE: This project has been Featured on Instructables.com! Thank you to the editors, for thinking this is neat.

Earth Day Projects

2009-05-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

A bit late, but here they are, nonetheless.

For the past two years I've come up with projects that focus on recycling/upcycling things that my coworkers usually throw in the trash. A lot of people are doing this, but all too often the end result doesnt look like a quality item. Or its just plain ugly. I've decided the secondary requirement for these projects is that they must be things that my consumerist, non-hippy friends would want to have or use on a daily basis.

The first project was to construct a project out of the retired foam core that my company uses to print signs for the lobby. The signs are up for maybe a month, and then are tossed or given away. I was able to score 2 retired signs, and decided to make myself a jewelry board. I'd never thought of displaying my jewelry when I wasn't wearing it, but I came across the idea while browsing the Instructables site. I happen to think my jewelry is very attractive (which is why i have it), so why not display it for all to see? Besides, its much more organized than my previous solution, shown below. Here's a link to the Instructable I've created for the jewelry board I made.

For my second project I wanted to reuse some of the plastic bags that I've been collecting from coworkers for a while. I used the old stand-by, Plastic Bag crochet, to create a new trendy bag with a soft feel, but visually sharp corners. If you'd like the pattern, let me know and I'll write it up.