Goodness me sometimes they all jump out at you at once.
There’s some nice wee crafty developments that I want to draw your attention to cause they’re pretty bloody interesting.
Firstly, there’s this site called Ponoko. It’s best to go have a look to get the full run down. But basically, you send them your design for a product made out of light timber, acrylic etc (there’s a list to choose from) and they cut it out and send it to you. If your design includes an assembly, you do that yourself. Brilliant.
Then once you’re happy with your product you can also use their site to market and sell it. Very clever.
OK so why is this good? Because for many of us sitting at home creating little genius ideas in our heads the main obstacle is often tools, materials and skills. Now for a specific genre of products, this is so, so brilliant. If you’re into making stuff or buying stuff that people make, I recommend you have a look.
Next up is KNitML.
Now I’m not a knitter so I don’t really get this but pattern inconsistency is the one thing I’ve heard a lot of knitters bitch about. So a pattern standard is a brilliantly logical thing to develop.
The KnitML Project’s main goal is to develop and promote adoption of a standard content model for knitting patterns.
…
Imagine being able to do the following for any KnitML-based pattern:
- Render a pattern in either written directions or a chart, dependent on a preference setting
- Render a pattern in any language, using conventions familiar to that language and dialect
- Validate that a pattern is physically possible to knit (eliminating some types of errata)
- Automatically convert English measurements to and from metric measurements
- Size a pattern up or down to any size, not just the sizes that come with the pattern
- Recalculate a pattern for your gauge rather than the one that came with the pattern
- Explicitly write out mathematically complex directions (e.g., “increase 34 stitches evenly over 171 stiches”)
- Alter the pattern using an easy-to-use graphical editor (or create new KnitML-based pattern from scratch)
- Preview the result of a pattern using graphics
- Integrate into your favorite knitting software (such as Sweater Wizard)
- Digitally sign the pattern to guarantee original authenticity
See how obviously useful it is? So those of you knitting nerds out there should get involved!
Finally check out some sustainable baking. This one is just perfect for any Radical House Wives Baking Club and Terrorist Society members who might be reading this post.
Gingerbread folk have a proud architectural history - from the Icing Buttresses of the past to the sugar spun spires of the present day. Recently, the world of Gingerbread house design has been pushing towards sustainable practices – houses that exist in harmony with the environment, but still look good enough to eat.
Yip it’s a sustainable Gingerbread House baking competition. Obvious really when you think about it. If any of you enter this one please let me know. I’m considering an entry for sure!
As for me yeah I know the posting has been a bit sporadic recently, I’ve been too busy making stuff. But hopefully I’ll have some very fun special things to share with you by the end of the week!
Hope you’re all remembering to buy handmade this christmas!
xox
