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Introduction I’m a big fan of the library, but only recently gained a newfound appreciation for it. Growing up, the library was just a place to go when I needed to study or research. Lately, I’ve come to understand it as a regular part of life once I realized it is an institution with many valuable resources, and it provides a space for everyone, not just those with a school assignment…
Pi Day (March 14th) is a great day to have pie and experiment with π concepts. For previous Pi Days I’ve created JavaScript visualizations: Pi Outline Pi Chaos Game Pi Circle
Introduction Sourdough is one of my favorite breads. Before I started making it myself, I used to think it would take a lot of time, work, and ingredients to make a loaf. Once I realized flour, water, and salt were the only ingredients, I wanted to learn how to bake it myself. Looking at online guides was daunting. There are a lot of ways to get fancy and precise with the process. That can be fun…
Introduction When I first started creating embroidery patterns, I initially planned to create the designs by hand. I was imagining grid-based line art patterns, but I didn’t know of any applications that had the interface I wanted. Serendipitously, I recently got an Apple Pencil for my iPad and was enjoying drawing with it. So, I set out to create an application for drawing grid-based…
Before × Before For Christmas, I got a new shirt from a family member. I was thankful for the gift, and it had an interesting pattern, but the fit was not right for me. I like shirts that have a tapered fit, and instead of returning it or letting it sit in the back of a closet, I wanted to apply my sewing skills to make it fit.
Introduction I like trains, I like bikeshare , and since I like to bicycle around to explore new places when I’m traveling, I was curious to know which Amtrak stations I could visit and get a bicycle from a nearby bikeshare. Traveling by Amtrak is one of my favorite ways to get around; it’s great to watch the scenery and walk around the train during the trip. I’ve also been…
Introduction I enjoy experimenting with procedurally generated designs and geometric patterns. Using simple instructions to generate complex designs is a fun way to explore new ways of thinking about art and design. Squares Spiraled on a Grid A few years ago, I created a design by rotating squares with different angles while increasing their size. It was surprising to see how small changes in the…
Introduction When I started looking for my first sewing machine, I was excited to find machines that included an embroidery attachment. I didn’t know much about embroidery, but having that additional feature for crafting was a real selling point. I was intrigued by the machine embroidery process; it reminded me of how a plotter works. I tried out the built-in patterns and some open-source…
Introduction Divvy is the bikeshare system in Chicago, and I have been an enthusiastic member since the system started in 2013. Divvy has grown to be one of the largest bikeshare systems in the country, with hundreds of stations and thousands of bicycles. I own an electric bicycle, and I’m happy to keep the membership and use Divvy year-round. I like having the flexibility of leaving my…