WiseArts

This evening I attended the PhizzPop design challenge, sponsored nationally by Mircrosoft, and locally by mima. Five local design firms (Colle + McVoy, Hanson Inc., Moov Worldwide, Space 150, and Zeus Jones took on the challenge issued by Microsoft. Very basically, the challenge was to use Microsoft Expression Studio and Silverlight to create a multi-platform web application that integrates social media, services, and digital distribution, as well as integrating physical in-store and mobile interfaces to extend the experience. The point of this application is to create a kind of new, richer, shopping experience - one that enhances physical shopping scenarios, brand awareness and improves online promotion and traditional online browsing, selection and cross-sell scenarios, as well as building stronger relationships with online retailers. The title of the design brief was “Touching consumers: Thriving with online retailing and multichannel promotion.”

The concepts presented were incredible integrations of social media and online shopping. These were like Twitter, Facebook, Wists, Amazon, Google Maps, Yahoo Shopping, and lots more… all wrapped up into one neat shopping experience. In the basic essence, each design firm’s application was the same, as it needed to fulfill certain requirements of the challenge; however, each firm added unique features and design elements. There were concepts such as: creating a shopping list for a retail store and then generating an inside map of the store with notations on where your desired purchases are located, reserving a parking space online and having your in-store purchases ready for a quick pick-up, placing kiosks in retail stores where you could view product demos and comparisons to decide which products are right for you, lots more… Maybe not all of it was possible/practical, but very interesting ideas nonetheless. Each firm’s application had a slightly different twist on interface design. The two I liked the most were Space 150 and Zeus Jones’ designs. The name of this conceptual application was to be “Indigo”, and some of the firms really seemed to take the name to heart and make everything BLUE! Blue is nice, but when nearly everything on an interface is blue it seems so cold and austere. The designs by Space 150 and Zeus Jones were more colorful and also did some nice things with the Indigo logotype. In the end Zeus Jones was the people’s choice, and the judges’ choice to win the Minneapolis challenge and move on to the next stage of competition.

In addition to these nice presentations, there were free drinks, and trays of delicious hors d’oeuvres travelling about the room. The lighting and music created a fun, club-like atmosphere. There were a few prize drawings, and some Microsoft swag on the way out.

My only gripe about this event was that I would have like to have heard more about how the concepts were (or would be) implemented/programmed (and also some people in the back that wouldn’t shut up! Probably taking advantage of the free drinks!). I think the point of the event was really to showcase Microsoft’s interactive design products, so why not get into a little more detail there? In fact, I learned more about Silverlight from a nice guy that was sitting at my table than from the presentations. Overall though, a very fun and inspirational event.

Here’s what I’m making today!

I’ve been long intrigued by recycled plastic bag “yarn”, so I thought I’d make some and try out weaving with it. I was inspired by this inexpensive little Japanese craft book which features weaving, coiling, and knotting projects with hemp string.

For this project, we need: a plastic bag, some hemp or yarn, a piece of cardboard that is the length desired for your finished piece, scissors, masking tape and a large-eyed needle of some sort.

To get started, smooth the plastic bag out flat and cut off the handles and the bottom seam.

Starting at the top, cut your plastic yarn by spiraling down and around the bag. Just like peeling an apple! Keep the yarn width around 1/2 inch. If it gets too thin, it might not survive the weaving.

You’ll end up with more than you expect! One bag is quite a bit more than enough for this project.

Let’s get started on the weaving. You’ll need enough of your chosen yarn/string to wrap around the cardboard piece at least 8 times - doubled. You can add more wraps, just make sure it’s an even number. Tape one end with masking tape, and wrap the doubled yarn, keeping some space between the wraps. A centimeter or two works swell. Then tape down the loose end.

Flip to the front side and lightly add a length of masking tape to create a straight starting point that will allow room for fringe.

To keep the loose end from popping out, start your plastic yarn in the middle, weave to the end, turn and come back underneath the loose end.

Now you can turn and weave back across on top of the loose end. Then just keep on weavin’! Over and under, over and under… Make sure to keep pushing down the plastic yarn so it looks nice and tight. But be careful not to pull too tight while you’re weaving, this will pull the wrapped yarn closer together and make your final piece warped. Note that I’m using a delightful pink plastic children’s safety needle. I’m good at stabbing myself, so this is a great option for a project of this sort, where the needle doesn’t need to be stabby.

When you get towards the top, leave about the same amount of space that is at the bottom. To finish, turn and weave back halfway underneath the last full pass. It’s just like at the start, but in reverse.

Carefully peel off the long strip of tape. Turn over the board and cut the strands in half, then slowly pull off the tape on the back. Be careful not to pull on a strand too much, or you might pull it right out! That would suck.

This is one reason why you needed an even number of wraps… Now you tie square knots using the pairs.

Here’s what it looks like with the square knots. Now that the weaving is all tied down, you can cut off the loose plastic ends.

Now for some more knots to add a little more decoration! Looking at one of your square-knotted bunches, split up the groups taking one strand from the left and one from the right. Now you do an overhand knot on each new set. If you have trouble getting that knot into place, you can stick your needle in the loop and then use it to pull the knot into place as you tighten it up. Repeat the process on each group.

All done! Here it is being useful under a nice cold soda.

I’m excited by this use of plastic bags! Perhaps I’ll embark on a larger weaving project one of these days.

I found a cookbook at the thrift store called Crepe Cookery by Mable Hoffman. This book has several different crepe batter recipes and hundreds of lovely things you can make using your crepes for any course of a meal. They’re not just for breakfast!

For dinner this evening, I made a batch of the “All Purpose Crepe Batter I” (pg. 12). Also from the thrift store, I happen to have a Perfect Pancake pan that used to be sold on TV. I got mine for $2.99! Since I’m terrible at flipping and turning things over without losing them to the floor or ripping them to shreds, I decided it would be great to try out Perfect Pancake on my crepes.

I made the batter exactly as specified in the book. When it was ready, I heated up Perfect Pancake. The first few crepes I made were too thick, which makes them mushy in the middle. Surprisingly little crepe batter is needed to make them just the right thickness. I used this mixing spoon — a level spoonful was just the right amount to put in the Perfect Pancake.

I swirled the batter around to coat the pan like the book suggested, and then let it sit until the edges started to brown.

Then, the fun part! FLIP!

Because the first half of Perfect Pancake has a curve to keep the batter in, I found that the crepes needed to get flattened a little after flipping to cook as evenly as possible.

I wasn’t counting, but I think I got about 30 crepes out of the batch. I made a pizza crepe to eat tonight, and I’m freezing the rest to use later. (I put them in plastic freezer bags separated with freezer paper. According to Crepe Cookery they store for up to 4 months in the freezer and can be reheated by microwave.) For my pizza crepe, I layered on: sauce, zucchini, fresh tomato, sliced “baby bella” mushrooms, fresh basil, turkey pepperoni, and feta and mozzarella cheese. I put it in the oven at 350 for about 12 minutes. The crepe stays soft in the middle, so you can’t pick it up like a regular slice. Folding it N.Y. style worked well.

If you want to get a copy of the book, used copies can be gotten very cheaply on Amazon and eBay. I recommend it. It contains more than you’d ever want to know about cooking with crepes!