Stitched- Online Video Workshop

Become . . .
The Queen Of Creativity Tiara

Push past your creative comfort zone and celebrate the unique spirit inside the one and only, amazing you! We'll explore a number of innovative color applications, sewing techniques and fiber twists and turns to design and embellish your one-of-a-kind, fabric creations. Discover the creative queen inside of you!

Let me teach you how to transfer photos, coordinate fabrics with a 5 minute dye process . . .

I'll show you how to create fabric with yarn without knitting or crochet . . .

Would you like to learn some easy and fun embroidery stitches?

We'll explore the Art of Color and Composition-

Learn how to design 3 dimensional designs with a few simple materials-

And much more ! ! !






To find out how to create this tiara and the other projects in Stitched- order the Stitched Video Workshop!






Let me tell you a bit about the Stitched Video Workshops. This project is sponsored by the lovely Alma Stoller. She contacted me and 19 other talented artists. She asked us to create an original project and a video workshop.
All of our projects workshop videos will be available for purchase via the Stitched Video Workshop page. You can download all of the 20 projects available and watch the video tutorials as many times as you wish, any time you like!

These are not your average 3 minute U-Tube tutorials. Each instructor will walk you step-by-step through each project. Each workshop is a multi-dimensional learning process on a wide variety of fiber and fabric masterpieces! The instructors are experienced fiber artists with truly original ideas and techniques. I"m so honored to be among them!

Here is a list of the 20 Stitched Instructors, go to Alma Stoller's Blog for their projects and to learn a bit more about them.

Mollie Johanson
Annie Hutchings
Sara Lawson
Jennifer Ofenstein
Deborah Boschert
Karen Ruane
Kelli Nina Perkins
Vanessa Wilson
Joanna Martinez
Wendi Gratz
Penney Klaproth
Jackie Bowcutt
Ann Tucker
Tammy Gilley
Tracie Lampe
Paula Joerling
Nikki Wheeler
Cindy Caraway
Dale Anne Potter
Jill Verbick O'Leary

You will find a variety of beautiful quilted projects, art journals, pretty fabric and stitched paper flowers, an adorable bohemian bag, beaded projects, collages, fabric cuffs and oh my, so much more! I can't wait to sign up myself!

Look in the right hand column on this Blog page and Click on "Click Here to Visit Alma Stoller" to sign up! (in red)
The cost for 24/7 access to all Video 20 Workshops is $89.00. Its rally a bargain when you think of all you will learn.

You will be sent to Alma Stoller's Registration Page for your Stitched Video Workshop Registration.

Honda's new AC-X saloon concept

Honda has also revealed the AC-X saloon concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Japanese manufacturer describes this concept as a next-generation plug-in hybrid. The AC-X (Advanced Cruiser Experience) concept is between the Civic and Accord in size.
Honda says the concept “offers a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience in urban and long-distanc
e motoring”. To that end, the concept is offered with an ‘automatic driving mode’ for more relaxed driving, with an ‘engine drive mode’ on offer for more spirited driving.Specifically designed for long journeys, the AC-X gets the two joystick steerin
g controls that are common to all of Honda's Tokyo show cars. Dubbed ‘twin lever steering’, the system is said to reduce the physical stresses of driving, allow for an auto-pilot setting and more efficient auto-recharging in electric vehicles.
It’s not something we’ll see in the near future, but Honda has tested it in an old Formula One car, resulting in significant improvements in lap times. The four-seat AC-X concept showcases particularly advanced aerodynamic progression including ‘wheel diffusers’ that help contribute to the impressive 0.21cd drag coefficient.
Expect to see this less-cluttered, more striking design language arrive in future Honda production cars uncorrupted from these concepts, though you will still see different designs and types of Honda model being produced for individual countries.
Yoshikazu Kigoshi, general manager for Honda research and design, was open about the fact that Honda will “uphold the categorisation we think is necessary for markets as different as USA, Japan and Europe.”
The firm revealed last month that it intends to have a plug-in hybrid on sale in limited numbers in China, Japan and US in 2012.

LA shows divide of how people use the web

Divided city, tweet concentrations overnight in LA show a cluster around the Occupy Eviction cam and Hollywood Boulevard, showing the division of economic and social perspectives that characterize our times.

Map of tweet densities in Los Angeles for the night of November 29th to 30th.  You can see two clusters, the largest is a the Occupy camp as police clear the camp.  These tweets are from journalists,onlookers and politically engaged people involved in a global issue.  Northwest you have Hollywood. See Wikipedia and Google drill down on Hollywood. Not to be too harsh on Hollywood Boulevard but we doubt many people going there late at night are much concerned with the state of the world.

This map shows a marked line that is developing in the Internet, and shows how history and geography are defining that line.  A large group of people want the web to be an engaged place of social discourse and debate. Against this is a trend for the web to be a collection of entertainment or trivial facts.

Someone tweeting from Hollywood Boulevard is going to tweet things like their hands fit in the hands of some actor who pressed them against a side walk.  Someone tweeting from the Occupy camp is going to be talking about free speech, protest, policing and social justice.

If you agree with the Occupy movement or not you can certainly see that two radically different ways of looking at the web are at work here.  Will the web be the new book or the new TV.  Certainly there a dumb books and smart TV shows, but the way the media has been organised in our culture TV has become dominated by content with no real social or cultural value or meaning, which books contain the great ideas and debates of our times.  To say I read a lot is to say I am informed, to say I watch a lot of TV is to say I am pretty ill informed.

The Internet provides both kinds of media creation, and certainly I have nothing against posting silly things you see to the web on your day to day life for the amusement of your friends, but we should be aware a major struggle is going on for the social and political value of the web.  The US lost TV, the greatest communication revolution before the web was turned to selling soap and telling us who wants to be a millionaire.  Lets hope we can do better with the web.

Twitter Density from LA Occupy Eviction

We are seeing a large surge of tweets coming from the LA Occupy Camp during an eviction

One thing we have learned from watching mobile web communications in 2011 is that the regime no longer has a monopoly on communications and coordination.  Each time the police authorities try to break a protest up from Egypt to Spain to the US there is a response of tweets, youtube videos, UStream and blog posts in response. 

Twitter Map Shows Crowd Around Tahrir

We are seeing a large crowd forming in Tahrir Square Cairo

We are getting some reports of violence in Tahrir Square Cairo.  We are seeing a large collection of people in the area.  But we are not seeing the concentration in the Square itself but also around that area, indicating that perhaps running battles or violent protests might be happening. 

Google Maps go Indoors

BMW forays into used-car market

BMW India has made buying a pre-owned BMW easier and more reliable with the launch of its Premium Selection range. Each vehicle is carefully selected, examined for quality and sold with a BMW warranty as well.

The examination includes a 360-degree check as well as a technical and visual refurbishment. Additionally, every Premium Selection vehicle will be sold with a detailed history of servicing, maintenance and repairs.

The vehicles on sale will be less than five years old and do not have more than 1,20,000km on their odometers. They come with an up to 24 month/2,00,000km warranty (whichever is earlier) and buyers can also avail of BMW’s Roadside Assistance service any time of day, all year round.

Dr Andreas Schaaf, president BMW India said, “We believe that a decisive factor in the development of BMW Premium Selection business will be through establishment of exclusive and luxurious BMW Premium Selection showrooms of international standards at important commercial centers across the country.”

Vehicles can be ordered through exclusive BMW Premium Selection dealerships at seven locations in India, namely Bird Automotive (Gurgaon), Krishna Automobiles (Ludhiana), Infinity Cars (South Mumbai), Bavaria Motors (Pune), Navnit Motors (Bangalore), KUN Exclusive (Chennai) and KUN Exclusive (Hyderabad). Customers can also browse through the Premium Selection vehicles that are currently available for sale on BMW India’s website. 

Samsung Wave 3 Specs

Samsung Wave 3 has been released! The Samsung Wave 3 is a nice smartphone with bada OS.
It is the third generation Wave comes with a 4 inch screen with 480x800 pixel density, single-core processor 1.4 GHz, the main 5 MP camera which can record 720p video, and VGA secondary camera class.

Samsung Wave 3 also will come with features such as 14.4Mbps HSDPA connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0, and Wi-Fi Direct, as well as A-GPS chip. It has a powerful 1500 mAh battery that provides up to 8.5 hours of talk time. You can read Samsung Wave 3 specs below:

Samsung Wave 3 Specification

Network
HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps 900/2100 MHz
EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

Processor
1.4 Ghz Processor

Display
4" WVGA (480x800) Super AMOLED*

OS
bada 2.0

Camera
Main (Rear): 5 MP AF with LED Flash
Sub (Front): VGA

Video
Codec: MPEG4/H 263/H 264/DivX
Playback/Recording: HD(720)@30fps

Audio
Codec: MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA/AMR/MID/WAV
3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS

Value-added Features
Samsung Apps
Samsung Kies 2.0/Samsung Kies air
Samsung ChatON mobile communication service
Samsung TouchWiz for bada
Social Hub 2.0

• Integrated Messaging (Email, IM, SNS), Contacts/Calendar Sync
• Basic: POP3/IMAP Email & IM

Music Hub
Polaris Office
Caster
A-GPS/Glonass

Connectivity
Bluetooth v3.0
USB 2.0 + HB
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
WiFi Direct

Sensor
Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity, Light

Memory
4GB + microSD (up to 32GB)

Size
125.9 x 64.2 x 9.9mm, 122g

Battery
Battery (Standard) Li-on, 1500mAh
Talk Time:
Up to 14.2 hours (2G), Up to 8.8 hours (3G)
Standby Time:
Up to 535 hours (2G), Up to 517 hours (3G)

I hope the Samsung Wave 3 specs above can be useful for you who were looking for information about this smartphone.

Revolution vs Election on Twitter

Above was during massive protests in Cairo, notice the high concentrate of tweets.  This is what a popular protest looks like in the emerging world, with tweets concentrate on mobile phones near the site of the protest.

And this is what an election looks like.  A distribution of tweets as an election is network site of distribution.  Both event are the exercises or attempts to exercise popular power, but they show ever different distributions of tweets.

Lexus launch in India confirmed

Toyota has officially confirmed that it will introduce the Lexus brand in India by 2013. The Japanese carmaker has been evaluating the feasibility of its luxury brand in India for several years now and has finally decided to go ahead with the launch. “We have been watching India with keen interest and we are happy to announce that we will bring Lexus to India in 2013” confirmed Yukitoshi Funo, executive vice-president of Toyota Motor Corporation.

The Lexus range will be sold through dedicated dealerships, though several Toyota dealers are likely to take up the franchise to take advantage of their service set up that requires common equipment for both brands. However, Toyota will take a very cautious and diligent approach to appointing dealerships. “We would rather have a few, quality dealerships than a large number of mediocre outlets” said Funo who also emphasised that he wanted to differentiate Lexus from its German rivals. Last month Kazuo Ohara, who oversees the Lexus brand globally, made a visit to India and gave the green light after intense market research, which included studying the dealer and service outlets of other brands.

Toyota plans to follow a top-down strategy and the initial plan is to introduce the LS saloon and RX SUV, both premium luxury models. This is likely to be followed by the GS executive luxury saloon which competes directly with the E-class and 5-series.

The company will initially bring the Lexus range as imports or completely built-up (CBU) units to test the market before considering local assembly. “We need consider local production to compete with the others in the market, but this is still being studied,” said Funo. It is likely that the compact IS models will be locally assembled in time.

The initial feedback and market studies for the Lexus brand have been very encouraging. “The Indian consumers’ awareness of Lexus is quite surprising and much more than we anticipated,” said Funo. However, the challenge will be to price the cars competitively, especially since Lexus will initially import cars and will be at a cost disadvantage in comparison to rival luxury brands that locally assemble and hence pay lower duty. Also, there is no diesel engine in the Lexus range which could be another disadvantage. However, Lexus will introduce its hybrid technology, which could click with customers looking for the ultimate in refinement.

Coloring Pages Christmas Presents

Coloring Pages Christmas Presents

Copyright @ http://neverland-tinkerbell-coloring-pages.blogspot.com/

Cyber Monday and all those lovely deals of the day.

I am not one of those, rush to the malls, sleep in a parking lot, or shop till you drop kind of gift buyer. I'd rather take my time and contemplate on the whole gift giving thing. Finding something as unique as the person I'm buying for is a challenge I really enjoy.

I make many gifts for Christmas. Even when I give money, I create a special stocking or wrapping to put it in. I think its important to share a part of us that is uniquely human and personal. I hope you do too. So often we doubt our skills or abilities and defer to the perfection of a store bought product. What a shame. From our hands, we have the power to create something that oozes with love and affection. You can't get that at the mall!

If you can't create that special something, well, the next best thing is to support the handmade economy. There are so many wonderful places to choose from. I happen to love Etsy. I was a fan before I was a seller. I love the favorite feature. I use often when designing a custom order. At a glance I can see what colors they like, if they are traditional or modern, funky or fashionable. I also know that when I purchase from Etsy, I am supporting a small business. Sites like this even out the marketplace. Everyone gets an opportunity reach customers. An artist can support their family doing what they do best, while staying home to take care of their family. The profits your sale generates may buy a young mom more diapers or a retiree more craft supplies or even food for the dinner table. I love that. Its the gift that keeps giving.


My Etsy Shop Fiberluscious is all about gift giving. My tiaras and crowns are meant to be a big old "thank yous" for being exactly who you are. From a Garden Goddess, Countess of Comfort and Joy or a Man's Man Crown, these are the people we love in our life. They bring us something so beautifully unique.

My pincushions are frequently purchased as gifts. I think they are perfect for a new sewer, or for someone who sews every day. Everyone needs a pin cushion. Many shops make pincushions for every day. My cushions are deluxe! Not only do I spend hours embellishing them with hand embroidery and beads. I also create cushions that last. I enclose tiny packets of emery in many of them. I also like to use wool. Both Wool and Emery sharpen and clean your pins and needles. My pincushion rings have very strong tiny magnets in them. The magnet keeps the pins from sliding out as you were them. I create pincushions I would like to use. In fact, I test each and every design. If they have features that make my job more frustrating, its back to the drawing board for me. I want people to love what I make.

Flowers just make me happy, so I hope that joy comes through in the flower brooches in my shop. They are bright, big and bold. I use a variety of techniques. If you look into my September posts you'll find a tutorial on my fringed flowers. I usually dismantle, untangle, reshape, dye and combine silk flowers. I add organdy, tulle and other fibers to create multi-layered fantasy brooch blooms.

This year I told myself that I wasn't going to do Christmas items. I created a whole bunch last year and they didn't sell. I thought that people would love to purchase re-rappable gift wrap for CDs and DVDs. I made ornaments and even a few different tiaras. Well, a few weeks into this season, I started to sell what I had. So, I'm working on a few small, fun ornaments and other holiday gifts. If you want to see some really great ideas, check out my Pinterest Board called "Happy Cheer". These cool ideas are from Better Homes and Gardens, but there are so many more projects I want to make when I have time, hmmmmmmmmmmm

And easy but beautiful gift ideas~

So, get busy! You have your own holidays to create!
Don't forget to add a bit of you to all you do.

Hack your monitor and 3D glasses, ensure ultimate privacy

Author:dimovi(CutYourWay.com)

I'm an electrical engineer interested in making stuff!

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Finally you can do something with that old LCD monitor you have in the garage.
You can turn it into a privacy monitor! It looks all white to everybody except you, because you are wearing "magic" glasses!
All you really have to have is a pair of old glasses, x-acto knife or a box cutter and some solvent (paint thinner)




Here is what I used:
an LCD monitor of course
single use 3D glasses from the movie theater (old sunglasses are just fine)
paint thinner (or some other solvent such as toluene, turpentine, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate etc)
box cutter (and CNC laser cutter :) but that you don't really need, I'm sure x-acto knife and a steady hand would do just fine)
screwdriver or a drill
paper towels
superglue

Step 1Take the monitor apart

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Find an old monitor that you are willing to sacrifice.
Take off the plastic frame by unscrewing all screws from the back.

Step 2Cut the polarized film

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Most LCD monitors have two films on the glass - a polarized one to filter out the light you are not supposed to see, and a frosted anti-glare film. The anti-glare film we don't need, the polarized one we do - it is used for the glasses.

So, grab you cutting tool and cut the films along the edge. Don't be afraid to press, metal wont scratch the glass, unless there is sand or other abrasives on it.

Then, start peeling. Make sure to save the polarized film, also remember the orientation.

Step 3Clean the film adhesive

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After you remove the film, the glue will likely remain stuck to the glass, so here comes the messy part.
With a solvent, soften the glue and wipe it off with paper towels.
I started with OOPS, but that was not fast enough so I got some paint thinner.
I found out that if you cover the screen with paper towels and then soak them in paint thinner you can let it sit longer and dissolve the adhesive without running and evaporating.
Scrape off the soft glue with a piece of plastic or wood.
Be careful not to get paint thinner on the plastic frame, because it will dissolve it.

Step 4Monitor - done

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After cleaning the adhesive, assemble everything back the way it was. Before even making the glasses, you can test the monitor with the polarized film!
Notice how the upper left corner looks clear, because it has the anti-glare film removed. That is the part we are going to use to make the glasses.

Step 5Pop the lenses out

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For the glasses, I used single use 3D glasses from the movie theater, but you can use whatever you want.
Pop the lenses out or take the glasses apart if you can.

Step 6Scan, Trace, Cut

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If you are going to use a cnc blade or laser cutter, scan and trace the parts.
You can find a local vinyl or laser cutting service, or you could send them to an online service like CutYourWay.com
I scanned the frames so I can use them as a reference for the lens orientation.
Remember, this is a polarized film so the angle is critical. Back and front also matters.
If you don't have access to a cnc cutter or you don't want to wait for an online service, you can probably tape the old lenses on the film and then cut them out with an x-acto knife.

Step 7Reassemble glasses and enjoy!

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Finally assemble the glasses and you are ready for some fun!
People might think you are crazy, staring at a blank white screen wearing sunglasses!
But I guess that makes it even more fun!