Man Made DIY

At first glance, this fun DIY project might seem pretty straightforward: You type some stuff on a piece of paper, print it out, then cut it with a craft knife.

And then you realize, if you tried that, you've ruined it before you even finish the first letter, because it's impossible to cut things out and have them still be stuck together in a single sheet...

Unless, of course, you know what you're doing.   … read more

The 2012 Oscar nominations have been announced going on two weeks now, and the general reaction from the public continues to be sorta...meh.

To address the hype, or lack thereof, TheShiznit has adapted this season's nominated films' posters to, as they say, 'tell the truth.' "In the interests of transparency, we've shopped the posters for this awards season's biggest movies so they're a little more honest about their content."

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I don't know what it is. Perhaps it's the obvious contrast between a childhood favorite meal and a very adult beverage, or just the pure curiousity of seeing whether a cocktail can not only taste like a savory food, but a complete meal, but I'm gonna do everything I can to make a grilled cheese and tomato soup martini.   … read more

Here's a quick mid-day pickmeup that'll make you smile: the clever minds at Slate have organized some classic, interestingly-hued cartoon characters into an interactive color wheel.   … read more

Sheridan Fire District

This month, IKEA and The Family Handyman magazine are hosting this worthy contest, The Rescue Remodel. Previously, 1000s of local firehouses were nominated to receive a complete kitchen remodel. The top five have been selected, and now it's your turn to vote! "The firehouse with the most votes will receive a truly heroic kitchen renovation valued at $25,000. And since it’s all from IKEA, it will be full of smart and innovative ideas to make their lives a little bit easier so they can better protect our communities."   … read more

If you don't know "bokeh" as a vocabulary word, you certainly know their effect: the attractive blurry, bubbley thing that happens to lights in photographs (and movies) with a shallow depth-of-field. In out-of-focus areas, each point of light takes on the shape of the aperture, most often a round disc. 

You can actually take advantage of this distortion, to produce these circles on purpose...which can look pretty great. … read more

There are few, if any, movies that I have seen more than The Big Lebowski. Seriously, it was basically played on a loop all four years I was in college. For me, it's really the defining film of my generation. Or at least my coming of age years.

Etsy seller Visual Etiquette has created an expansive series of prints based on quotes and scenes from the movie that will "really tie your room together".   … read more

Valentine's Day is a curious holiday. On the one hand, you don't wanna fall into feeling obligated to go for lots of red and lace and candy and baby's breath (unless your partner says you should feel obligated, in which case you most certainly should), but you don't wanna just ignore the holiday altogether. So this year, send something thats full of stuff that you're into...like good design.   

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If you go to any high-end kitchen shop and general goods discount store, you'll find any number of dedicated popcorn popping devices. Handle-cranked special pans, air poppers, campfire shakers, motorized stirrers, microwave options, and even tiny versions of carnival/movie theater style hopper poppers. (Isn't that fun to say?)

Turns out, their all unnecessary, and a waste of money and storage space. Cause the best way to pop corn at home, avoiding burning and popping every kernel, is likely already in your kitchen.   … read more

Core77 takes a in depth peek at tool rolls, that time-proven storage solution of craftsmen everywhere. The roll protects your tools, keeps them organized, and can be a safe and convenient way to store tools with sharp edges, such as carving or turning tools.   … read more