My Word with Douglas E. Welch

The history of the venerable Library of Congress demonstrates the vast importance that the founders of the U.S. accorded to reading and studying. It may be one of the country’s most durable institutions, “the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation,” it proclaims. While partisan rancor, war, and violence recur, the LoC has stolidly held an ever-increasingly diverse collection of artifacts sitting peacefully alongside each other on several hundred miles of shelves, a monument to the life of the mind that ought to get more attention.

I’ll be highlighting books that I am reading (or re-reading) on all sorts of topics this year — Douglas

Reading – Girl Code: Gaming, Going Viral, and Getting It Done by Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser – 15 in a series

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This is an amazing memoir of 2 amazing women who learned fairly early in life that girls do indeed code (or program). They found each other during a “Girls Who Code” program and together helped change the world in a unique way — not only showing the programming can be a talent and profession but also addressing a women’s issue (menstruation stigma) that they had faced directly.

Tampon Run is a small, side-scrolling game that they created during the workshop, but it soon took on its own energy and power and led to international exposure for both Andrea and Sophie.

Read this engaging story told from 2 unique perspectives and learn how early experiences can shape the life and career of anyone.

Play the game

Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser

** My version of this book was available from the Los Angeles Public Library in print and ebook versions.

From Amazon.com…

Perfect for aspiring coders everywhere, Girl Code is the story of two teenage tech phenoms who met at Girls Who Code summer camp, teamed up to create a viral video game, and ended up becoming world famous. The book also includes bonus content to help you start coding!

Fans of funny and inspiring books like Maya Van Wagenen’s Popular and Caroline Paul’s Gutsy Girl will love hearing about Andrea “Andy” Gonzales and Sophie Houser’s journey from average teens to powerhouses.

Through the success of their video game, Andy and Sophie got unprecedented access to some of the biggest start-ups and tech companies, and now they’re sharing what they’ve seen. Their video game and their commitment to inspiring young women have been covered by the Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, CNN, Teen Vogue, Jezebel, the Today show, and many more.

Get ready for an inside look at the tech industry, the true power of coding, and some of the amazing women who are shaping the world. Andy and Sophie reveal not only what they’ve learned about opportunities in science and technology but also the true value of discovering your own voice and creativity.

A Junior Library Guild selection

A Children’s Book Council Best STEM Trade Book for Students K-12

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* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library

Previously in (Re)Reading:

• The Old-Fashioned: The Story of the World’s First Classic Cocktail, with Recipes and Lore by Robert Simonson
• The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South by Michael W. Twitty
• Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies by by Andrew Degraff and A.D. Jameson
• The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies by by Jason Fagone
• The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Garden: 326 Fast, Easy, Affordable Ways to Transform Your Yard One Project at a Time by Sally Roth
• Raised Bed Revolution: Build It, Fill It, Plant It … Garden Anywhere by Tara Nolan
• Bread Is Gold by Massimo Bottura
• Mozart’s Starling by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
• Milk Street: The New Home Cooking by Christopher Kimble
• The Wildcrafted Cocktail: Make Your Own Foraged Syrups, Bitters, Infusions, and Garnishes by Ellen Zacho
• 3-Ingredient Cocktails: An Opinionated Guide to the Most Enduring Drinks in the Cocktail Canon by Robert Simonson
• Chemistry: A Novel by Weike Wong
• Back Pocket Pasta by Colu Henry
• Steal like an artist 10 things nobody told you about being creative by Austin Kleon

Fabric on Turn of the Century Loom

Stansborough LTD Woolen Mill, Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

This small and unique mill produced fabric for costumes for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Narnia and more. They raise their own unique sheep herd that produces naturally colored wool in a variety of shades from black to gray to white.

You can get an overview of what they do and see their turn of the century looms working on their factory tour.

Join me on Douglas E. Welch Photography on Facebook

You can get an overview of what they do and see their turn of the century looms working on their factory tour.

Learn more about New Zealand with these books

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!

Turn of the Century Loom

Stansborough LTD Woolen Mill, Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

This small and unique mill produced fabric for costumes for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Narnia and more. They raise their own unique sheep herd that produces naturally colored wool in a variety of shades from black to gray to white.

You can get an overview of what they do and see their turn of the century looms working on their factory tour.

Join me on Douglas E. Welch Photography on Facebook

You can get an overview of what they do and see their turn of the century looms working on their factory tour.

Learn more about New Zealand with these books

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!

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On our recent (August 2017) trip to New Zealand, we made a special point of visiting Stansborough LTD, maker of fine woolen fabrics used in the costumes for The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

This is slow motion video of one of their turn-of-the-century looms at work. What you can’t hear and feel is the vibration of the floor and the slamming of the shuttles from one side of the machine to the other. This is truly a beast of another age.

If you are in Wellington, New Zealand, I highly recommend you visit and take their tour. It is like stepping back into an earlier age.

Stansborough LTD Web Site

Creating artisan woollen treasures

Introducing the Stansborough collection of sustainable designer woollen textiles.

​100% New Zealand, pure, natural and chemical free.
Cocoon yourself in timeless, environmentally friendly heirloom treasures.

Breathable textiles that warm and protect, made with passion and integrity

Luxurious blankets, throws, rugs, babywear, accessories and Licensed Movie Costuming, traditionally created by artisan craftsmen, on historic 1890’s looms.

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!

This is an amazing example of cardboard crafting. The final look is absolutely wonderful and would please almost any cosplayer, big or small. — Douglas

Superdad and artist Warren King says on his Flickr page that he used mostly Amazon shipping boxes, storage and moving boxes, and packaging for the armor, then gloss spray paint on top. But, what’s even cooler than the finished product is actually seeing the work that’s underneath it. Looking at the steps taken to create this suit of armor, you can truly see the artistry with just the bare cardboard.

Read Get Inspired By This Jaw-Dropping Cardboard Armor For Kids via Geek & Sundry

Find more on cardboard crafting with these books from Amazon.com

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out! 

A great little leather working project that could be adapted to many uses. Take a look! — Douglas

Watch Sewing Awl Case | Barb Makes Things #66 on YouTube

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I have a Speedy Stitcher, which is very useful, but any time I bring it somewhere, it just pokes me constantly through whatever bag I’m carrying it in. Correction: it USED to poke me. Now it’s nicely contained and protected in this wood and leather case.

Watch YouTube: 15 Minute Arduino Project: OLED Ammeter INA219

Another Arduino sandwich – this time the INA219 current sensor module, an Arduino Pro Mini and a 128×32 OLED. Part of my 18650 current monitoring project.

Learn more about Arduino with these books

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out! 

I liked this video and think you might find it interesting, too!

It arrived very well packaged with thick protective foam, even the box was unscratched! The building process was enjoyable and is something I highly recommend to anyone as it is a great way to learn more about electronics!

It’s not perfect, it does need a couple of minor modifications. All of which is described in the video. You need a cooling nozzle, spool holder and a reinforced Z-motor mount. Obviously the settings inside your slicer impacts the result as well.

I was happy when I realised the bed could reach high enough temperature in order to print ABS filament. This was great news, as my Anet A8 is not capable of reaching higher than 70°C and ABS requires at least 95°C.

In conclusion the printer is amazing! Not only is the bed remarkable, but it’s way more quiet than my other 3D printers. The quality of the prints was absolutely stunning as well. Because of the bowden extruder it might have a hard time printing with flexible filament, but you will be able to print at very high speeds without compromising quality.

Watch YouTube: Best 3D Printer Under $200 – Tevo Tarantula Full Review

I liked this video and think you might find it interesting, too!

Use silver adhesive to make circuit boards on your laser printer

Watch YouTube: No-etch circuit boards with your laser printer

I liked this video and think you might find it interesting, too!