WoPC in Review

We're back!  It's been a long hiatus...too long, really.  Due to moving, job changes, and the holidays we've been unable to devote the time and attention we want on WoPC lately, but all that is about to change.  Before we jump ahead into a new year of crafting, gaming, sharing and celebrating we want to take a quick look at some of the things that have made this venture successful and fun.  Why do we keep blogging?  Here are a couple reasons:

Tetris Rag Quilt

We've been working harder than ever at WOPC to bring together our two fan bases: nerds and crafters.  With that in mind, we set out to create a handmade nerd quilt just for that particular demographic.  We've also realized that many nerd crafters are of the generation who are currently having children, settling down, starting families, etc.  Thus, the crib-sized Tetris Rag Quilt was born!  Made in much the same way as our ever so popular Rag Quilt, this Tetris quilt is simple and soft enough for use in a nursery....as long as that nursery is full of bright colors!

 To make this puzzling quilt you'll need:

• 2 1/4 yd. Black Flannel
• 1 1/2 yd. Gray Cotton
• 1/2 yd. Turquoise Cotton
• 1/4 yd. Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow, Green and Dark Blue Cotton
• 36"x54" of quilt batting (or a little less)
• Black Thread

From Concept to Completion: Bottlecapped Sidebar, Part 2

It seems like just yesterday that we were discussing the woodworking for our minibar-- Wait, Part 1 was put out in July? Before the long darkness where we just wasted your time on budget costumes? Huh.

Well, we finished it a few weeks back but we were on a roll for Halloween, so you'll have to forgive us if it took a while to show you. We haven't gotten any messages about woodworkers sitting with an unassembled bar in the living rooms waiting on us, but that doesn't mean we don't owe you any closure. So here we go: staining, bottle caps, and resin. Let's build this thing.

Two-Face Costume

We've talked a little bit about cheap options for robots and superheroes, but what if you want to go a little further? This year I was interested in a costume that involved some sewing and a decent makeup project, on a somewhat more limited budget than most years. From there, I started brainstorming a concept and made my way over to Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop or Two-Face from Batman's rogues gallery. I decided the choice would be made based on finding a light colored suit vs. a blue jumpsuit. One light gray suit later, there we have it. That's practically a coin toss, right?

You'll Need (for the Suit):

• Light colored or white suit, natural fiber (wool, cotton, linen)
• Two dress shirts, contrasting colors. Both should fit you.
• 2 bottles of Rit Die for color of choice (in this case, Scarlett)
• Thread and buttons for matching the new suit color
• Sewing machine, scissors, usual sewing stuff
• (Optional) Serger

...and for the Makeup:

• Liquid Latex
• Facial Tissue or other thin paper
• Makeup in your skin tone, plus highlight and shadow a few shades up and down from there
• Baby powder (not makeup powder, you'll need lots)
• Hairspray
• (Optional) Hair color, spray or bottled

Antique Mirror: Mirror Spray and Crackle Paint

Sometimes you need a nice antique mirror to finish off your mantelpiece or over your bed. For us, it's haunted parties. Whatever. With one specialized product (and a bunch of common household items) you can make your own tarnished silver antique mirror with a crackle-paint frame. Clear your afternoon, we're making antiques!

You'll Need:

• Picture frame with glass
• Krylon Looking Glass Mirror-Like Spray
• Spray Bottle
• White Vinegar
• Paper Towels
• Acrylic Paint
• White Glue
• Brushes, water, palette, etc.

ANNIVERSARY!

One year today! About this time last year, A and I were in The Container Store discussing baskets or something. I laughed and said I had come up with the name for a blog and she said we had to do it. A day or so later, she'd gotten everything registered and we haven't looked back. Until today, when we look back on what this year has been for us.

Lighting (Your Pumpkin) wth Arduino

Earlier this week, we showed you how to make your own eternal jack-o-lantern. You could toss some LED candles in there or you could jack that thing up to 11...

This will be the first of (hopefully) multiple posts on using the Arduino logic control platform for various home uses. I'm not a brilliant programmer, and that's kind of the point: I'm learning the system by looking at the world, deciding what I need to happen, and figure out how to get there. As I go along, I'll discuss my thought process in here. Feel free to jump in if there's something glaringly obvious that I'm missing.

What You'll Need:

• Arduino board (I use an Uno)
• LEDs, preferably high intensity
• Assorted resistors
• Wires, soldering iron, electronics tools, etc.