June 30

Flickr Pool: Royal Tenenbaums Pillows

Royal Tenenbaums PillowsGrab your goggles, because Geek Crafts is taking a dip in the pool…the Flickr Pool!  Each week we’ll be showcasing some of the awesome geek creations made by our Flickr group members.

There are a lot of great crafts floating around the pool right now, and it was tough picking just one to kick off the series. As both an embroiderer and a film nerd, though, I was instantly drawn to Ellen Schinderman’s stitched submission.

This trio of pillows features the lovable losers from Wes Anderson’s film The Royal Tenenbaums, complete with quotes from the narrator. Drop by Ellen’s blog, Schindermania, to check out the backs of the pillows, too, which have fabric correlating to each Tenenbaum child’s personality (you can already see the fuzz from the fur coat backing for Margo’s).

Royal Tenenbaums Pillow MargoIf you want to see the pillows  in person, they’ll be part of the fifth annual “Crazy 4 Cult”  gallery show in Los Angeles, July 8-30. Congratulations, Ellen!

Category: Craft, Geek, Movies | 2 Comments on Flickr Pool: Royal Tenenbaums Pillows
June 29

Portal Hoops

This is such a cool idea! I wish I had thought of this. TroubleT made these for her husband as part of his Father’s Day present (apparently she spoiled him big time–she also stitched him a Binary Man). This is so simple yet SO brilliant…I’m still kicking myself about not thinking to paint hoops as portals!

Category: Craft, Games, Geek, Video Games | 5 Comments on Portal Hoops
June 29

READER SUBMISSION: River Song Plushie

Dr. River SongI love Doctor Who, I love classic Who, new Who, I love Number Ten, and I LOVE Eleven. But the character that has been making the last few seasons spectacular, in my humblest of opinions, is Dr. River Song. She is just hot in all the right ways and cool in all the right ways–and now that we know who she is, I can’t wait to see how things play out.

Rain submitted this awesome River Song Plushie from her MoonyCouture Etsy Shop. They can make you a plushie of ANY human character on the show (and I even spotted a Weeping Angel in there)! They are really cool, and I don’t know how anyone could stand to pick just one!

Category: Craft, Geek, Girly, Sci-Fi, Toys | 2 Comments on READER SUBMISSION: River Song Plushie
June 29

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!

 

Category: Craft, Geek, TV | 2 Comments on Trek in the Park: Mirror, Mirror
June 28

An Evening with Neil Gaiman

Sketch of Neil Gaiman and Adam SavageLast night, I had the extraordinary pleasure of attending “An Evening with Neil Gaiman,” in Berkeley, CA.

Not only was the audience graced with the company of the author himself, but the surprise addition of Mythbusters host Adam Savage as moderator made the night even more extraordinary.

Though the initial focus of the program was the 10th anniversary of American Gods, the conversation meandered through topics ranging from the pitfalls of publishing to Neil’s unabashed fanboy love for Dr. Who.

The night held a beautiful congruence of numerous energies, from the deliciously geeky to the downright mystical (hearing Neil read a passage from American Gods in a historic church made my scalp tingle).

If you ever have the chance to hear Mr. Gaiman speak, do yourself a favor and go. Between his dry sense of humor, his amazing storytelling abilities, and his easygoing manner, he’s remarkably fun to listen to.

Neil Gaiman quote letterpressIn honor this wonderful night, I found this simple, yet lovely letterpress print of a Neil Gaiman quote. It’s available from Fate Hope Destiny Luck Machine, an Etsy shop “operated by a circus artist and printmaker out of Portland, OR.” How friggin’ cool is that?

These may not be Neil’s exact words from last night, but the quote definitely captures the spirit.

[Sketch via Neil Gaiman’s WhoSay.]

 

Category: Books, Craft, Geek, Myths & Urban Legends | 2 Comments on An Evening with Neil Gaiman
June 28

Tutorial Tuesday: Dr Who Gloves!

Via Crafty Tardis.

Yep, Fez mitts are cool.

Don’t know about everywhere else in the world, but in the UK we’re suffering from Dr Who withdrawal now that the season’s over.

The great thing about this free mitten pattern from Nyss from Pixelated Mushroom that they are flip-top, so you can still make use of them in the summer. I’m thinking about British summer here, of course. Or if you’re like me, if you start to knit now you may just finish them in time for the winter.

Gotta love that bow tie.

Category: Craft, Geek, Sci-Fi | 1 Comment on Tutorial Tuesday: Dr Who Gloves!