Build a Solar Charger For iPhones In 30 Minutes Images via Joshua Zimmerman of BrownDogGadgets Earlier this year, Joshua Zimmerman brought us the super easy DIY solar charger made from an Altoids tin. We loved the project, however, he noted that "Apple doesn't let its products play nice with generic USB chargers." The parts include: Charging Circuit2x AA Battery Holder2x Rechargeable Batteries1N914 Blocking DiodeSolar Cell greater than 4VStranded WireTapeAnd of course, the trusty Altoids Tin that is the mark of all things small, gadgety and DIY. You can get an entire kit of all these parts at BrownDogGadgets, Joshua's website. The steps are straightforward. After the charging circuit comes the batteries. "We need to use rechargeable batteries for this project. And of course, we need the solar panel component. Joshua's Instrucable gives the detailed step-by-step, but the short of it is first stripping the ends of your wires, and wrapping them around and soldering them to your solar cell: And Voila!
$3 Emergency Solar-Powered Radio Made With an Altoids Tin Joshua Zimmerman has a great project up on Instructables for turning an Altoids tin into a compact solar radio. All said, the entire project cost a whole $3. It seems like a project coming at a time when everyone is ultra aware of emergency situations, so it is both a fun and practical weekend tinkering project. It even comes complete with plug-in headphones. And he's right. With a project time of just under an hour, it's ideal for testing out your DIY skills on a weekend. Joshua lists parts and tools as:an FM Radio, two Solar Garden Lights, 1 Diode ($1 for 100 of them online, or take one out of any random junk pile), and a few basic tools like a soldering iron, drill, some wire and wire strippers, a headset or the speakers from a set of earbuds, and of course, the Altoids tin. The full instructions are on Instructables, so you can get the details for putting this together yourself -- the steps don't look daunting, and it's a great learning project.
Make A Cheap & Easy Solar USB Charger With An Altoids Tin Photos by Joshua Zimmerman The craftster behind the very popular $3 solar-powered emergency radio is back with a new awesome project: a cheap solar battery charger with a USB plug. Zimmerman wrote, saying that he saw a lot of small solar powered chargers being talked about over Earth Day, but there was a big problem: "They're all quite nice, but also quite expensive. I don't think I've seen any for less than $60, and I've not seen one that really suits my style." So, he came up with his own, using one of our favorite reusable items -- the ever wonderful Altoids tin. In looking for the cheapest way to accomplish the task, Zimmerman found that he could build a USB solar charger for under $30 (or $10 if be buys parts in bulk, though it's not likely you'll be buying bulk solar cells and DC-to-USB converter circuits). Zimmerman states, "The central brain of our project is a DC to USB converter circuit.
Electronic Mail Services Take a wooden matchstick and slice a thin sliver from one side. Then cut the remaining stick in two, lengthwise. Make sure you leave a little of the red tip intact for effect. Make the aircraft by glueing the sliver of wood - the wing - across the remaining part of the matchstick - the fuselage. Catch a bunch of flies. Meanwhile, put a tiny drop of rubber cement at each place along the wing where you want an engine. Take the flies out of the freezer. Breathe life into the flies. Launch the aircraft.
Pokeball, Go! I have a gift for all of you Pokemon lovers (or parents of Pokemon lovers out there) in Cyberspace.But first, a little back story: My two oldest children are ever-so-slightly obsessed with Pokemon. They are also obsessed with throwing things at each other while yelling "Charizard, use Flamethrower!", or "Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Needless to say, I got sick of the younger one screeching about being hit in the forehead with a plastic Pokeball so I decided to make a slightly softer version. Below, after the little story (made with my oldest son's help as well as a loan of some of his toys), you'll find a super-easy pattern for making your own Pokeball! It was early in the morning, and Ash and Pikachu were preparing to enter the Safari Zone, when suddenly the spotted a Chansey! Ash sent Pikachu out to prepare to battle in the hopes that he could weaken Chansey enough to catch him with his Pokeball. "Pikachu, use thunderbolt!" Phew! Crocheted Pokeball Pattern Materials: G hook Scissors Yarn needle
Wooper | Kiwiyarns Knits Many of you dear readers will know by now that my little boy is a great fan of knitted soft toys (plushies). Especially ones that have anything to do with Pokémon. So imagine my delight when researching Pokémon toys on Ravelry to stumble across the wonderful Alyssa, who creates amazing amigurumi knitting and crochet patterns! And this is what Eric chose and asked me to knit at speed: It’s a free pattern, and written in a very innovative way – you almost need to do no sewing up at all as it’s pretty much knitted in one. I’ve been used to having to knit all the pieces and then sew them up one by one… it’s rather painstaking. I am afraid I did not do a perfect job with the duplicate stitch on the tummy, but he doesn’t seem to mind, and Wooper was duly taken to school today for a show-and-tell. Knitted in The Wool Company‘s 100% Perendale 8 ply yarn in Aqua and Cyclamen. Thanks once again, Alyssa! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Ampharos I hope you'll forgive the fact that pictures aren't really all that great, but the weather has been really crummy outside, so we took the pics inside. Ampharos is another of the lesser known pokemon I'm really quite fond of. The pattern is a bit complicated in that there are quite a few parts to him, and lots of color changes. Other than that though, he's not very difficult to make. I used a yellow color called cornmeal, it was the closest color I could find to the color of Ampharos in the show and on its cards, but you can use any color that's close. As always, if you find a problem in the pattern, or if you just need help leave a message and I'll get back at ya as soon as I can. :) Ampharos WW yarn in Yellow, black, white and red G Hook Fiberfill Small amount of black and white felt (for the eyes) Yarn Needle Although I generally join all my rounds, working this doll in the continuous round method will be just as effective. Using yellow Using yellow: Using black Using white: Using white
Bonsai Care and Types of Trees in Your Guide to Everything Bonsai The art of bonsai care and training requires time, patience, and most of all, careful practice. Craftsmen labor for years to produce a single tree, which may last a hundred years or longer. Mention the word "Art", and most will think of painting or sculpture. There is a kind of sculpture though, that takes as its raw material not stone, or wood, but a living tree. That is the art of bonsai. The trees are then often passed down from generation to generation... each successive artist adding his or her own distinctive style. As the tree is lovingly molded according to the personal aesthetic of each caretaker, past efforts are venerated and learned from. There are a select number of bonsai producers and growers who specialize in providing high quality bonsai trees and supplies for the budding artist. These trees are lightly shaped and well established, and provide an excellent point to begin this artistic journey. Sit back and take some time to explore the world of this Living Art.
Montreal: Des jardins sur les toits | Alternatives Depuis 2003, Alternatives promeut la récupération des espaces inutilisés comme les toits, les terrasses et les balcons pour développer de nouveaux espaces verts et productifs. Le but est de créer de nouveaux modèles de production alimentaire simples, abordables, écologiques et participatifs. Cette nouvelle technologie se veut facilement transférable au Sud comme au Nord. Elle permet de faire face à l’urbanisation croissante, la pollution et à l’appauvrissement des populations urbaines. C’est un mariage entre culture hydroponique, permaculture et agriculture biologique dans une approche de jardinage collectif. Concrètement Notre technique consiste à cultiver des fruits et des légumes dans des bacs à réserve d’eau. Victoires Grâce à ces projets, nous les citoyens : Partenaires À l'international, les partenaires d’Alternatives à Port-au-Prince, à Cuba, au Mali, et en Afrique du Sud appliquent la même technique avec notre appui. Un programme primé !! Jardins Chez Soi Jardins Entre-Mamans
Mimosa pudica Mimosa pudica (from Latin: pudica "shy, bashful or shrinking"; also called sensitive plant, sleepy plant and the touch-me-not), is a creeping annual or perennial herb often grown for its curiosity value: the compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken, to protect them from predators, re-opening minutes later. The species is native to South America and Central America, but is now a pantropical weed. It grows mostly in shady areas, under trees or shrubs. Description[edit] Flower Mimosa pudica folding leaflets inward. Mimosa pudica seeds Mimosa pudica with mature seed pods on plant The stem is erect in young plants, but becomes creeping or trailing with age. Plant movement[edit] Video clip showing leaves closing after being touched Mimosa pudica is well known for its rapid plant movement. Taxonomy and nomenclature[edit] Common names[edit] The species is known by numerous common names including In South Asia many unrelated names are also common. Distribution[edit] Cultivation[edit]