Sunday, 2 October 2011

schoolhouse craft conference, blogging 101

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links: misc

Red Carpet Rundown: Comic-Con, Part 1 [1] and Part 2 | Tom & Lorenzo. Comic-Con has a red carpet?Fair relationship fighting. What are your rules to keep relationship fights fair and above-the-belt? | Ask MetaFilter. These are good to keep in mind.ASK COOL TOOLS: Q&A Forum.Cool Tools: ResQMe. A keychain tool made to slice seatbelt webbing and break a car window in case you need to escape a car. No more jokes about not being able to reach you glass breaking tool in the glove compartment.Black*Eiffel: Speaking Digitally : Personal Finance + YNAB. This personal finance software might work for me, I'm no good keeping track of things.Urban Bee Store at GirlHacker's Random Log. About the only retail bee keepers store, in SF. And in Seattle: "Ballard Bee Company will install active beehives on your property for the spring through summer seasons... The company also keeps bees for commercial clients such as the Fairmont Olympic Hotel where the hives sit on the roof and the honey goes into the restaurant?s menu." The Fairmont might win me back to visit for high tea after all.

[1] http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2011/07/red-carpet-rundown-comic-con.html

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Fantasy Project Runway Challenge, episode 2: the one with unconventional materials

What's going on here? HP [1] invited me to play along with the current season of Project Runway [2] and sent me a TouchSmart [3] computer to create my own designs. Along with creating designs I decided to write myself into the show. I am not doing well.

The second episode of this season of Project Runway [2] was one of the familiar unconventional materials challenges. This time it was a pet store. I love the shopping scenes for these episodes. I also love how Tim Gunn looks even better with a real world backdrop.

Here is my design:



And here is how I imagine this came about:

I originally grabbed a huge amount of of colorful rubber and stuffed dog and cat toys thinking I could suspend them, or maybe make a super chic version of Flea's pants [5]. Or something. My mind was blank. I spent far too much time looking for a decorative domed bird cage to put over my model's head (they only had square!). In the last moments I grabbed a bunch of leather leashes, some chain and some oversized dog beds because they seemed like safe materials to have. I worked most of the first day trying to arrange the chew toys in a way that looked good but it just wouldn't work. I started cutting them apart hoping that a solution would present itself. Attaching them to a skirt was too literal, arranging them on a bodice looked to much like brightly colored chest hair. Tim's analysis was grim. I was out of my mind with worry. Tim gave me advice that was the very opposite of "make it work." I gave a frantic workroom interview clutching stuffed toys to the sides of my head.

Around 7pm I trashed everything and turned to my dog beds. I didn't have any time to dye the fabric so I had to go with the dull blue polyester canvas. Great. I talked myself into a simple sheath dress with criss crossing leather leashes in the back. I hoped that decent construction would be enough to keep me in. I also created a fascinator with the feathers from the cat toys and I attached a pull-through chain training collar [6] to a leather clutch I grabbed off the accessories wall and wrapped it around my models wrist a few times. Is it against the rules to permanently alter the accessories? I hope not, I had to poke a huge hole in the corner of the leather to attach the chain.

My model rocked the dress on the runway, but it was obviously a very stiff fabric. The judges thought the look overall was boring, the back detail was interesting but they took off major points for using materials that were so obvious. In the end I just barely managed to stay out of the bottom three and was safe. I didn't even have to defend my choices and break down onstage to dramatically explain that I had started all over again.

Here is Scott [7]'s design:



Use of a live animal was certainly an unconventional material, and the producers loved the drama it created in the workroom and on the runway. (The dog ran straight over to Nina's legs and left a lipstick smeared lick mark!) Three of the four judges liked a dress made entirely from rawhide for the top spot but Nina liked Scott's look the best. And since we know that Nina always gets her way when it comes to a standoff in the judging, he won! Twitter was buzzing. Also, he gets immunity for the next challenge.

The end.

(A note: In reality Scott didn't misunderstand the challenge at all, he watched the episode with me. He had a packed schedule for the weekend and barely managed to find time to make a sketch. Since he was rushed he went with his very first instinct, and rightfully so since he won in my imaginary version of the episode!)

About the episode [8] that happened in reality: I was really impressed with the ways contestants looked at the options. Do you think Anthony's birdseed dress [9] should have won? I liked it over Olivier's wood shavings [10] look, but I do understand why the judges liked that one. I also really liked Fallene's orange aquarium [11] skirt but I agree that paired with the browns it wasn't shown as well as it could have been.



My go to site for smart and hilarious Project Runway commentary is Tom and Lorenzo [12], they've gathered the PR posts here [13]. Wanna know what they have to say about Bert's look last week? Of course you do [14].

A quick shout out to HP who sent me a TouchSmart [15] computer to create my imaginary designs using ArtRage [16] and the touch screen. Which is way fun. (They didn't pay me any money for this challenge or for my opinions.)

There are a bunch of fellow bloggers also taking part in the HP challenge, many of whom I had the pleasure to meet at Alt Summit [17] in the last two years. Go and see what they have come up with: Design Milk [18], Design Crush [19], Creature Comforts [20] and Freshly Picked [21]. Hi everybody! We're also doing a Twitter chat during the episodes, you can find us at #ProjectRunwayHP. I'm the only one over on the West coast so I'm an hour or two behind the others, please do join me next week (9pm PST).

And one last thing, Kat at Project Project Runway [22] put up this link to the Piper Lime Accessories Wall accessories [23]. I'll have to use that next week.

[1] http://www.hp.com/
[2] http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway
[3] http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/series_can.do;HHOJSID=LqJvTdGZsVn948NxhqsDD2fngLTCcQnKkyWlXGjDS2F02Q4MGQyQ!532057686?storeName=computer_store&landing=desktops&a1=Category&v1=TouchSmart+PCs&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/desktops/TouchSmart_PCs
[4] http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway
[5] http://specialfriday.tumblr.com/post/316389275/mygang-red-hot-chili-peppers-fleas-pants
[6] http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754858
[7] http://www.scottandrew.com
[8] http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-9/photos
[9] http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-9/rate-the-runway/episode-2#id=1
[10] http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-9/rate-the-runway/episode-2#id=14
[11] http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-9/rate-the-runway/episode-2#id=8
[12] http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/category/reality-tv/project-runway
[13] http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/category/reality-tv/project-runway
[14] http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2011/08/pr-the-queen-mothers-fit-of-pique.html
[15] http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do;HHOJSID=nW1yT4GGHc9JRCL20xmXpsQTPHJsskxjQ1bhpYQXGJQJ4wXWdwG4!-1752973926?template_type=computer_store&landing=desktops&a1=Category&v1=TouchSmart%20PCs&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/lateralnav_TouchSmart_desktops
[16] http://www.artrage.com/
[17] http://www.altitudesummit.com/
[18] http://design-milk.com/
[19] http://www.designcrushblog.com/
[20] http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/
[21] http://www.freshlypickedblog.com/
[22] http://www.justcraftyenough.com/2011/07/project-project-runway-challenge-1/
[23] http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=70711&mlink=15956,3556751,imgLinkProjectRunway&clink=3556751

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All Dappled

Source: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2011/06/all-dappled.html

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links: food

Easy Little Bread Recipe - 101 Cookbooks. This bread looks utterly delicious, and I hope to find that book to purchase someday soon.Imbibe Unfiltered: Drink of the Week: Boulevard Brewing White IPA. "A collaborative brew between Kansas City, Missouri?s Boulevard Brewing and Bend, Oregon?s Deschutes Brewery, this White IPA combines the former?s expertise with Belgian-style brews with the latter?s mastery of hop-assertive ales into one really tasty beer." I'm a fan of both types of beer so I'd really really like to try this.Can It, Bottle It, Smoke It | Food in Jars. This book looks amazing, just peeking at the table of contents I see stuff I'd love to make.CakeSpy - Haute Chocolate: Historically Accurate Chocolate Elixirs by Kakawa Chocolate House, New�Mexico.How to Brew Coffee in a Clever Dripper | Serious Eats: Drinks.Herb Cream Cheese Scrambled Eggs Recipe - 101 Cookbooks.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/notmartha/~3/-PLsOZqWllE/

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links: the home

Dewit:�Pillows - AB Chao. Simple instruction on throw pillows, what size, how many and where to put them.FR�CK Hack � Manhattan Nest. An adjustable bedside light, such a great idea.Shift Space Design - Philadelphia, PA. I love these modern planters and yard accessories. They are expensive but so nice and clean looking.Refreshing Vintage Wood The Brick House. A nice how-to with favorite products.

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How-To: Fisherboy Shorts

Source: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/09/how-to_fisherboy_shorts.html

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Saturday, 1 October 2011

Felty Frenzy

Source: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2011/09/felty-frenzy.html

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Re: Ongoing Holiday List Swap Round 2 Discussion/Gallery

I'm keeping an eye on these lists; when one pops up with something needing to be crocheted, I'll be there!  Cheesy

Source: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=391135.msg4642728#msg4642728

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Teensy Little Bird

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HELLOmynameisHeather/~3/NLAfdHGnbk4/teensy-little-bird.html

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Halloween Paper Bags Decorations

While it’s fun to be dazzled by the Halloween displays in the stores, nothing is better than cute handmade Halloween decorations like these Halloween Paper Bags. You might already have all the supplies at home and it’s a great craft project for the kids to get creative, too. Added to Halloween Crafts Please vote by [...]

Source: http://allcrafts.allcraftsblogs.com/2011/09/21/halloween-paper-bags-decorations/

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New Project - Recycled Book - Clutch Purse

Untitled_-_finished

This recycled or upcycled craft project shows you how to take a book and turn it into a clutch...

Source: http://www.craftbits.com/project/recycled-book-clutch-purse

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Sampler Kits Update

Source: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2011/06/sampler-kits-update.html

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Giant Jenga at the Georgetown Carnival

Last month we went to the Georgetown Carnival here in Seattle. There was a giant community Jenga game set up and I managed to be there to watch it fall twice.
















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Quiet Cloudy

Source: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2011/08/quiet-cloudy.html

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