BlogCadre - diy

Beauto, a DIY Roomba Alternative

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:48:41 -0500

Beauto is a Roomba alternative that you building yourself. It runs on 4 AAA batteries and can be hacked to become battle-bots or moving display cases for your favorite stuffed animal. Product page (Japanese)

Howto: Make a pop-up photograph

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:10:31 -0500

Last holiday season I was trying to think of a way to create a pop-up card, but figured it would just more work than I actually wanted to deal with. I came across this howto on making pop-ups out of your very own photographs which seems easy enough. I just might give it a try.

Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:55:20 -0500

My little family is addicted to root beer. I, personally, don't like ice cream in my drinks, however, I never pass up the opportunity for a frosty mug of 1919, IBC or A&W.

In case you are a root beer float fanatic, you might want to whip up a batch of root beer float cupcakes. I have no idea if these are good or not, but it's worth trying out. [via BoingBoing]

Howto: Make glowing tomatoes

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:42:04 -0500

Here is a simple howto on how to make your very own glowing tomatoes.

Howto: Using Furoshiki

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:39:11 -0500

Furoshiki is the Japanese technique of wrapping cloth used to transport clothes, gifts or other goods. Over at Japan's Ministry of the Environment website they have provided a complete howto on how to use the different wraps in furoshiki. [via digg]

Broccoli Ocarina

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:39:50 -0500

A Japanese man made an ocarina out of broccoli. The video is in Japanese so you'll miss out on some commentary, but he does play 'Angels We Have Heard On High' on the ocarina, which is pretty amazing given that it's a big head of broccoli.

Previously:
a cardboard box upright bass

Coca-Cola Tuxedo Coat

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:11:27 -0500

This guy made his very own Coca-Cola can tuxedo coat and corsage for some special event. Check out the photo series of the Coke tux in the making here.

Chill your soda in 2 minutes

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:51:49 -0500

Here is a nifty trick on cooling down room temperature soda pop within 2 minutes. All you need is a large bowl, ice, water and a hand full of salt. Place the soda cans into the bowl full of ingredients and let sit for 2 minutes. Your soda will instantly be 40 degrees cooler.

Mario birthday cake

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:24:00 -0500

After two weeks of brainstorming and three days actually making the cake, university student, Su-Yin, baked this amazing Mario cake for a friend's birthday. More pictures here.

[via Neatorama]

Previous cake madness:
Nintendo! It's a cereal... and a wedding cake?, Mac Mini Birthday Cake, iPhone Birthday Cake

Mr. Woo's Homemade Robots

Thu, 31 May 2007 19:23:07 -0500

Mr. Woo is a man who lives with his wife and kids an hour outside of Beijing in rural China. Having no formal education or training, Mr. Woo creates amazing homemade robots out of rubbish he finds from scrap heaps.

There is some danger involved, especially when he managed to burn his entire house down while creating one of his robots. He has since built a new home, but his wife isn't too happy with his choice of hobbies.

Burning down houses aside, Mr. Woo has built quite extraordinary robots. He has even built a robot rickshaw which brings him and his wife to the market. Now how can his wife stay mad at him after building a robot rickshaw.

[via meshly]

Crabfu Steamworks, I-Wei Huang

Tue, 22 May 2007 01:37:04 -0500

Roboticist extraordinaire I-Wei Huang (Crabfu Steamworks) was at the Faire showing off his remote-controlled, steam-powered robots and vehicles. Here is a link to an album of photos I took of I-Wei and the robots he brought to the Faire.

Previously:
Howto: Draw Steampunk Machines

Maker Faire: Tim Hunkin, homemade arcade machines and simulators

Sun, 20 May 2007 13:43:01 -0500

Tim Hunkin put together an entertaining presentation yesterday about his arcade full of simulators and other hilarious coin-operated machines that he modded from old arcade machines and exercise equipment.

Hunkin highlighted these simulators:
Microbreak - "Simply sit on the chair and the carpet tips and rocks as you watch a TV animation of your flight and coach transfer, ending up on a tropical beach. At this point the TV lamp swings up, shining a heat lamp in your face. After soaking in the heat, you’re whisked home again, the whole experience lasting less than 3 minutes."

Quickfit - "Simply watch the animation of Jane Fonda’s aerobics workout video while the couch does the exercises for you - moving every part of your body in time with Jane and her celebrity team. This educational simulator shows the dangers of exercise, with everyone, including Osama Bin Laden and Madonna, disintegrating through over-exertion in the finale."

Rent-a-Dog - "Simply stand on the treadmill, hold the dog’s lead, and go for a walk, watching the route on the TV in front of you. The dog has his own TV and obviously has his own perspective of the walk."

Mobility Masterclass - Choose your expert level -- 80, 90 or 100 years old -- and try to cross the various lanes of traffic with your walker.

All of the simulators were amazingly creative and inventive, but my personal favorites were the Rent-a-Dog and Microbreak because the video footage viewed on the simulator are of models Hunkin created from photos he had of buildings and people around London.

Here is a short video of Tim Hunkin showing us how arcade machines work. [via Makezine]

Flying to England to see his beach-side arcade alone would definitely be worth a trip.

Previously:
Electric Giraffe

Orikaso Picnic/Dinner Set, foldable dishes

Thu, 10 May 2007 12:52:16 -0500

This Orikaso Picnic/Dinner Set is genius! If you like to travel light, especially when camping or going on day hikes, this set is perfect for you. The dishes are a flat heavy-duty plastic that you fold into dishes, cups, and bowls when you are ready to eat. They are easy to assemble and won't leak.

You can view a video on how easy it is to assemble the cup here.

[via Random Good Stuff]

Spider Car

Tue, 01 May 2007 22:58:58 -0500

After 3 months of designing, 6 months of building, and $15,000 in the hole, the Spider was built in the name of art.

It may not be stealth like a real spider, but it does move quick for a homemade contraption.

LwL: St. Patrick's Day Edition

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:56:36 -0500

This Saturday, March 17, 2007 is St. Patrick's Day. Here are some St. Pattie's Day links to celebrate this fine occassion.

Orange County, FL residents, watch out for the speed trap in the area of University Boulevard and state Road 417. You can't miss it -- It's a "Deputy Leprachaun" equipped with a laser speed-detection gun and a sign which reads, "Watch your speed or it will cost you your pot of gold." [via Weird Daily]

I couldn't find a recipe for green beer so this green beer t-shirt over at ThinkGeek will have to do.

Want to know what parades and events are going on in your area? Check out this site. You may also want to read up on who St. Patrick is while you are there.

Need something green to settle your stomach after a weekend of celebrating? Here is a howto on making Mylanta mint chocolate chip ice cream. [via Make]

Happy St. Pattie's Day, Cadre!

[Photo of my niece, Siena. 2007]