Star Wars Terrarium at Powell’s Books for Cooks and Gardeners

Imagine my happiness when I was buying some books at my favorite Powell’s for Cooks and Gardeners (in SE Portland) on Tuesday, and saw this huge, super amazing Yoda-with-a-leashed-dinosaur terrarium in the shop window! Megan Walsh and her Powell’s co-workers made this Star Wars-meets-Land of the Lost world inside a large antiqued glass box with ferns and lots of other plants. It’s beautiful in person and they will even open the hinged doors so you can see the scene more closely!

I also got word that Megan has been working on a Star Trek: TNG terrarium (starring Captain Jean-Luc Picard, of course) and I’m sure hoping to see that one too… stay tuned.

An Early Christmas Gift: Star Trek Ornaments

Star Trek Christmas tree ornament Fresh on the heels of the announcement that J.J. Abrams has officially signed on to direct ‘Star Trek 2’, I bring you another gift – Star Trek ornaments, a la Katie at Punk Projects.

Star Trek Nativity scene Delightful in their simplicity, these Star Trek ornaments go together easy-peasy-quick. Which means you can put a significant dent in that stash of bottlecaps and Scrabble letter tiles that *some* scrapbookers might have laying about (not pointing any fingers, and certainly not at myself!)

Might I add how much I love that Katie has a whole Christmas tree dedicated to Star Trek, AND a peg people Nativity scene??

Chicago Comic Con 2011 – Review (with cosplay!)

For their birthdays, many women might ask for a day at the spa, or a shopping spree, or at least a fancy dinner. While I can have my girly-girl moments, I really wanted some time when I could bond with my family, and make some lasting memories, before my first-born heads off to college next fall. So I asked for what any good mother to a family of geeks would ask for – a trip to Comic Con.

Wizard World Comic Con - Chicago

Last weekend we took a road trip to Wizard World’s Comic Con in Chicago, held at Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, home primarily to all things comic book, but also sci-fi, fantasy, and generally geeky in nature.  The Con was a very decent size, and took us about 5 hours to get through. We could have spent longer, but that was all our trip itinerary would allow.

The view from the entrance was quite impressive and a little overwhelming.

Chicago Comic Con 2011 entrance

We decided to just go through each of the aisles, making note of interesting things, before attacking with our wallets.  And always considering our GeekCrafts readers, I put everyone on photo duty for all the interesting cosplay (costume-play) adventures. You’re welcome.

My husband has over 100 pics posted in a Google Album, but here is a sampling to whet your appetite [after the jump]. Continue reading Chicago Comic Con 2011 – Review (with cosplay!)

Star Trek laptop cozy

Star Trek laptop cozyLest you think I’m only all about Star Wars and Firefly, I thought I would feature some Star Trek love this week. And so I bring you a Laptop Cozy adorned with the Enterprise crew.

Katie at Punk Projects whipped this together as a home for her new laptop, where I believe it will be quite happy. Please note the apt name of her laptop – Voyager.

I wonder if she also installed a theme that speaks to her in Majel Barrett’s voice, a la the ship’s computer?
LINKS OF INTEREST:

Trek in the Park: Mirror, Mirror

For those in Portland (or anyone who can rapidly book a flight, drive, or teleport here), Adam + Amy Rosko of Atomic Arts are putting on another fabulous live Star Trek episode: Mirror, Mirror. The performances (which use all handmade costumes + sets) are July 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30-31 at 5pm at Woodlawn Park. They’re free, and I highly recommend boldly going at least an hour or two early if you want to be able to squeeze into the lawn amphitheater area with a picnic, and without binoculars!

 

Fascinating Quilt

I love quilting, but I tend to stick to more traditional patterns. But maybe it’s time to change that! Funthreads made this Spock quilt for the Spring 2011 online Blogger’s Quilt Festival?. It was intentionally made so the image is difficult to see up close. But step back and there’s Mr. Spock! Funthreads said she usually gives away or donates her quilts, but this one she made with her husband in mind. Nothing says “I love you” quite like Star Trek. She started with a pumpkin carving template, and designed the whole thing from there. It’s 58 x 82 inches, so I can only imagine how long this took. But it was obviously worth all the effort. She details the whole process on her blog and it’s…fascinating (Sorry! I couldn’t help myself!) Good luck with the festival!