piecedgoods

Maker Faire

Posted on May 15, 2011 by piecedgoods

We’ve been lucky enough to have attended Maker Faire since the beginning of Maker Faire in 2006 because we live close by, and well, we like to make things. Not a lot of people knew about 7 years ago, but boy do a lot of people attend now. They call themselves the ‘World’s Largest DIY Festival’ and it’s got cool makings of all sorts. There are halls filled with Lego’s, Robotics, Electronics, Rocketry, Gardening, Crafts, and Food… just to name a few.

I think the most interesting things at the Faire live in the intersections between the categories. Combine any of the two listed above and you’ll probably see someone that’s done it and is sharing their lessons learned at the fair. Quilts with LED lights in them. Cupcake Cars. Robotic rockets. Electronic Legos. You get my point. Cupcake Car by Lisa Pongrace

If you’re around one and you like making things…Go! It’s May 21st and 22nd at the San Mateo Fairgrounds.

This blogger is not affiliated with Maker Faire. I am a fan, and am getting no promotional considerations for this endorsement.

Posted in Art Thoughts, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged cupcake car, Maker Faire, San Mateo | 2 Comments

Kaleido Color

Posted on May 12, 2011 by piecedgoods

Schnap is annoyed that she cannot move fabric around now that pieces are mostly on the design wall. She sees her feedback being an important part of the design process, and I mostly agree, but what with the shards of fabric that are the pieces of the Kaleidoscope quilts, her moving things around really complicates things. She is contenting herself at the moment with the scrap pile and a bit of sunshine.We’ve been making things. Ignore the unclipped thread.

Posted in Quilts, Schnap, Sewing | Tagged kaleidoscope, Quilting, Schnap | 3 Comments

Localized

Posted on May 11, 2011 by piecedgoods

‘Locavores‘ is the term for folks that try to consume things that are raised and grown locally. Though we’ve been trying to eat food grown locally (and in fact are trying to raise some of our own produce in the backyard), things we eat are far from being grown within a 100 mile radius of our home. I like bananas, pineapple, coffee and chocolate too much for that to happen. Sorry, selfish…I know.

In any case, I make an effort to buy seasonal and local things when I can at the farmer’s market. And I buy organic whenever I can.

As with everything obsessive and extremist, the locavore and foodie movement can get a bit tiresome and strident. Portlandia pokes fun at the new obsession of knowing your food.
I was amused and charmed to know the name of the cow that produced the cream for the butter we consumed at a meal. I even like knowing and visiting the chickens that produce eggs down the street. But I draw the line at knowing the name and social habits of my fried chicken.