June 17, 2011

little things link love: polaroid

Ghost Camera 1970 by Yellow Owl Workshop - click image to view more

On June 17, 1970, Edwin Land patented the first fully-automated pocket camera, the Polaroid SX-70, which was released in 1972.

The SX-70 was collapsable, allowing users to easily slip it into a pocket when not in use. Instant cameras had already been around for a few decades by that time. The first publicly-available version, the Polaroid Model 95, came onto the market in 1948.

With the dawn of technology and the popularity of digital photography, analog dinosaurs like Polaroid instants soon became endangered species in the mass market. Die-hard photographers and nostalgiaphiles still held a special place for Polaroids in their hearts. The imperfect lighting, blurriness, and that classic white border conjured up memories of youth. There is just something magical about the whirring sound the camera makes when it spits out your photo and the anticipation of watching the image develop right before your eyes.

In 2008, Polaroid announced it was shutting down production of instant film, which spawned much sadness and criticism from its analog fans. A year later, it was on its way back.

Here’s how you can get your Polaroid fix today:

  • Polaroid 300 – Polaroid came back from the near-ashes. The new model 300 looks more like a toy camera than its early-day predecessor and spits out smaller pictures (about the size of a business card), but you can still get your fix with the same trusty mechanics of the older versions.
  • Impossible film – If you still prefer the look and feel of the older models, you may be hard-pressed to find film for them. A little group called Impossible was started with 10 former Polaroid employees and saved the last remaining old-school film production plant from being shut down. They’ve used their knowledge and experience to re-create film compatible with the older models. Hooray!
  • The Polaroid Book – A beautiful curation of over 400 photographs is in this 300+ page homage to Polaroid. Perfect for photo junkies.
  • Magnetic Polaroid frames – Don’t have an instant camera? Give your digital photos some love with these magnetic frames that dress them up with the iconic white border. They come with a dry-erase marker to write on the tab, just like the real thing.
  • iPhone 4 Polaroid skin – Also from the folks at Photojojo, this decal gives your high-tech iPhone the look of a retro wonder.

What are your memories of old Polaroid instants?

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June 10, 2011

little things link love: paint by number

New York - State Bird Series Paint by Number Kit by Quaint by Number - click image to view more

The paint by number craze began in the 1950s when someone entered a completed kit in an amateur art competition… and took third place.

Max S. Klein and his Palmer Paint company, along with artist Dan Robbins, were responsible for introducing the do-it-yourself sets to the mass market in 1950. Many boxes were emblazoned with the phrase, “Every Man a Rembrandt!” – encouraging even the most novice stick-figure artist that they could produce a masterpiece. Some people loved the individual courage and newfound appreciation for art that emerged, while others dismissed it as basically a cop-out way of creating works that many had studied and struggled with as a profession. They were also seen as a negative representation of the growing commercialization of our culture.

Though they’re no longer the common hobby of choice as they were in the 50s and 60s, paint by number kits have continued to be around. More recently, they’ve shown up in the handmade realm in the form of inspirational prints by Jen Renninger, and the wooden U.S. cut-out art and jewelry of Something’s Hiding in Here.

Indulge your paint by number interest even further with these links:

  • Smithsonian education site – With the help of William Bird and other contributors, the Smithsonian offers an information site. It corresponded with a Smithsonian Museum display of some of the original archival items of Palmer Paint.
  • Paint by Number Museum – Online gallery and resource of kits, including work by co-creator and artist Dan Robbins.
  • Herrschners – Craft supply store offering numerous kits of all types that you can order online and paint for yourself.
  • Ebay – If old-school is more your thing, search online for vintage pre-painted and framed kits that are ready to grace your walls
  • Paintbynumberkit.com – Make it personal by submitting your own photos that are transformed into complete kits that have a little more meaning.

What image would you most like to paint by number?

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June 3, 2011

little things link love: it’s national doughnut day!

Doughnuts 4 by Roz Art - click image to view more

The first Friday in June is National Doughnut Day in the United States.

This is not some run-of-the-mill food holiday, my friends. National Doughnut Day was first celebrated in 1938 by the Salvation Army to honor the “lassies” of World War I and to raise funds, an observation and practice that still continues. These female volunteers worked in France at stationed social areas called “huts,” which where set up to provide coffee, baked goods, services for mail and sewing, and motherly comfort to our men in uniform. The huts near the front lines were not conducive to providing the traditional fresh baked goods, so it was decided to use doughnuts as offerings instead. They were an instant hit.

When the soldiers returned home, they brought their affinity and demand for doughnuts with them. Though hardly anyone in the states knew what they were, bakeries obliged, and the American obsession with doughnuts was born.

Today, National Doughnut Day offers everyone an excuse to hit up their favorite bakery. Here in Sacramento, there is not a single Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme within an hour of city limits, probably for good reason: Mom-and-pop and small chain bakeries are the obsession, and, in most cases, superior to the national brands. (My personal favorite is Marie’s Donuts, whose heavenly raspberry jelly-filled is my street-legal crack, with their apple fritter coming in second.) Whether you spell it doughnut or donut, here are a few suggestions to help you celebrate the occasion:

  • Krispy Kreme free doughnut – In the South, Krispy Kreme is King, especially in North Carolina where we used to live and where they were born. I do miss cruising by at night in the hopes of seeing the Hot Now sign glowing like a beacon, letting us know to stop and get an Original Glazed right off the line. Today only, you can visit your nearby retail shop to get a freebie on the house, no purchase necessary.
  • Dunkin’ Donuts free donut – Dunkin’ Donuts is also in on the freebie gig, though you do have to purchase a beverage first. They’ve become almost equally famous for their coffee; I recommend one of their joes with a little cinnamon kick.
  • Make your own doughnuts with a side of history – Test out your skills in the kitchen with the Salvation Army’s Doughboy Doughnut recipe and read all about how the lassies made these treats MacGyver-style with the limited supplies on hand.

What’s your favorite doughnut?

 

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May 27, 2011

little things link love: creatively bridging the gap between points a and b

Helix Bridge, Marina Bay, Singapore - click image to view more

May 27th marks the 74th anniversary of the day San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public.

Along with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the Golden Gate is one of America’s most recognizable icons. Not only serving a functional purpose, bridges have been and continue to be created as works of art and engineering marvels. Some other notable spans across the globe include Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Tower Bridge in London, and Harbour Bridge in Sydney.

Not all beautiful bridges are on a grand scale and not all are for cars. Here’s a sampling of some of the most amazing bridges aound the world that you might not know about:

  • Helix Bridge, Singapore: Inspired by the design of a double helix, it is the longest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. It offers viewing platforms, a gallery of children’s art, and is most impressive at night with a colorful light display enhancing the shiny, steel beams.
  • The Millau Viaduct, Southern France: If you’ve ever wanted to fly among the clouds but prefer to not have to leave your car to do it, the Millau Viaduct is for you. Standing taller than the Eiffel Tower at 1,122 feet (342 m), the tallest bridge in the world spans the River Tarn and is sometimes used for base jumping and rapelling… if you like to live all crazy-like.
  • Henderson Waves Bridge, Singapore: I’m detecting a streak of structural coolness about you, Singapore… This pedestrian bridge offers a serene, visual flow with its steel and wood construction. The warm light seeping out of the slatted ribs offer up a soothing glow during the nighttime hours.
  • Banpo Rainbow Fountain Bridge, Seoul, South Korea: Ever drive through a huge puddle of water and have that fountain effect splay out from the sides of your car? That’s what Banpo Bridge is like, but much cooler and with much less risk of hydroplaning. A wall of fountain jets run along the length of the bridge, putting on a dancing display set to music that is enhanced with a rainbow effect of color and light at night.
  • Magdeburg Water Bridge, Germany: The Magdeburg is touted as the longest navigable viaduct in the world. Boats traveling over other boats, people. It’s really kind of crazy, especially when you can walk along side of them on the overpass.
  • Leonardo’s Bridge, Akershus, Norway: So there’s this guy, Leonardo da Vinci. Heard of him? He was a bit of a designer and engineer who supposedly painted from time to time. Back in the day, the year 1502, to be precise, he came up with plans for a bridge that were presented to a sultan. It was never built… until 2001.

What amazing bridges have you traversed across?

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May 20, 2011

little things link love: ways to get a new view of your world… literally

Hawaiian Cityscape by Michelle Yap - click image to view more

A stagnant view leads to a stagnant perspective.

Changing our view of the world from time to time is a great way to shake up our brains. Staring at the same scenery every day, from the furniture arrangement in our homes to the people and places we pass on the street, limits our knowledge of and comfort with the larger world around us. As creative beings, there is so much we can add to our mental idea boards when we take time to expose our eyeballs to sights they’ve never seen.

Skydiving, parasailing, helicopter rides, and jet planes are just some ways to take to the sky. Other unique views can be had without going to such drastic heights, like rooftop tours, standing on a ladder, or even just standing on top of your bed. Whether you stay in your own town or are looking for something a little less traditional to do on your next vacation, take some time to research avenues for new visual stimuli, like these:

  • Hot air balloons – Lots of cities have their own hot air balloon tours available to the public, especially those in touristy, scenic areas like Napa Valley. It’s a perfect way to view the world at a zen-like, peaceful pace. One of my husband’s bucket list items is to partake in probably the most grand of them all, an African safari via hot air balloon. I still need to get over my fear of landing in a patch of cheetahs.
  • Ziplines – If you like a little adrenaline in your diet, try out a zipline some time. I went on one in Hawaii and immediately listed it as one of my favorite activities of all time. Don’t let age get in your way, either; the place I went to had a yearly visitor who, at the time, recently celebrated her 84th birthday. Ziplines can be found all over the world, but this directory of ziplines in the United States is pretty freaking extensive.
  • Ferris Wheels – Ferris wheels and similar contraptions have been around for centuries, though aren’t just for kids. Any amusement park worth its salt will have one, but some places have taken it upon themselves to put on their mega pants and monstrasize them. London’s Eye is pretty tall, but still ranks third on the list of the top ten tallest ferris wheels. Heading it off is the Singapore Flyer at 541 feet (165 meters) high, though hot on its heels are plans for the Bangkok Eye in Thailand, on the books to measure out at 577 feet (176 meters) tall.
  • Observation Decks – You won’t be suspended in mid-air, but you won’t necessarily have the ground underneath your feet on some of the world’s coolest observation decks. The ones where you step out on glass still wig me out a little.
  • Canopy Tours – Make like a monkey as you cross from limb to limb, high among the leaves of a treetop canopy tour. Find out what researchers and scientists have known for a long time about the power of this kind of eco-observation, especially in aiding awareness of environmental issues.

What heights have you gone to in order to see your world in a new way?

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