Let me just start with the fact that I really like my Kindle. But using it in public in New York City can sometimes be rather uncomfortable. Usually, my rare burst of “free reading” time gets sucked up by some curious passerby asking me if I like my Kindle. I’d like to reply, “Yes, I like my Kindle. As you can see, I’m using it quite actively right this moment.” But I don’t. I end up talking about the pros and cons of the little reader and having a conversation with some total stranger instead of finishing another breezy, if overwrought, chapter of The Lost Symbol.

Then there are the nasty looks. The embittered and recently unemployed NY publishing establishment (authors/editors/publishers) who seem to think that I’m single-handedly responsible for destroying the economics of their industry.

And there’s the older generation who roll their eyes, throw up their arms, and demand, “What, you don’t like books?” I try to answer in the nicest possible way, “I do. That is why I have a Kindle.”

And of course there’s the conspicuous consumption thing. Carrying a Kindle is like advertsing the fact that you have $259 of disposable income. Not exactly a recession-friendly message.

So I came up with a recession-friendly solution: A homemade $1 Kindle case that not only protects the device from the elements, but also its reader from the hazards of using it in public.  Here’s how I made it:

I drew an outline of the Kindle into Chapter 2, and used a straightedge to cut to what I thought was roughly the correct depth. I placed a piece of cardboard at the bottom to avoid cutting into the back pages.

I then ran some glue along the inside to hold all the pages together.

Thanks Von Miklos. Something tells me that you when you lovingly wrote Make-It Yourself in 1956 you didn’t think that some guy in 2009 would hack it up to stick an electronic reading device into it.  Sorry.

I tried to purchase your book through the Kindle store, but it was not one of the 360,000 titles currently available. But wouldn’t that have been an awesome meta-moment?  Reading an electronic copy of a embedded into the carved out paper pages of its out-of-print edition.

Don’t fret book collectors. This copy has enough water damage for The Strand (and they  know how to value books) to stick it on their $1 book shelf. I consider the nostalgia-inducing musty old book smell as a bonus. Sometimes, I get a whiff of it and think that I’m actually reading a book that was printed on paper. Those were the days.

Of course, it can be easily customized with different book covers, especially if you don’t want people to always thing that you are reading a crafty DIY book from the 50’s. But that depends on the type of people who want to attract (or repel).  And, no, mine’s not for sale. You’re going to have to Make-It Yourself.

Where’d it go? From the outside, it looks like an ordinary hardcover book (about crafts). And now, I can finally read in peace.

Fwis • Readymech Series 002.

This set is made of biodegradable and recycled carton. You can decorate them, then use them to store the mess you just made. From the good folks at minor details. 

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I tested out Crayola’s 3D sidewalk chalk this weekend with the kids. Turned a small patio into fish and shark infested waters. Got the teeth to really pop out. Surprised by how well it worked. Then took it to the sidewalk and lent the glasses to passers by, who were also impressed. Mostly bummed that the 3D chalk didn’t exist when they were kids.

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Marshmallows + PVC pipe + ingenious plans = a tasty little toy gun.

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This how-to from Mad Maggie Designs shows how simple it is to make your own sidewalk chalk. Can you guess how she gets that perfect round shape? Yep, toilet paper rolls. One of our favorite building materials over here.

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Great blog post from mental_floss about five times Crayola had to rename or retire colors.

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RC Nerf Tank. By travis7s  
   
While not for the beginning tinkerer, this instructable details the creation of  a badass Nerf gun mounted remote control tank. Now, if you could just add a live video feed, it might be the ultimate weapon in a Nerf war. 

Remote Remote Control. By Code128 
 
Tired of the short range on most remote control baby devices, Code128 has outlined a way to extend their range making it even easier to be a remote remote control dad. Why get up when you can just click?

The Silence of the Toys. By kelseymh  
 
The only thing more annoying than a loud electronic toy is one that doesn’t have a volume (or even a mute) switch. I’m sure that many of these devices were designed to torture parents. Thanks to kelseymh for coming up with this great hack. 

T-Shirt Folding Machine. By 246guy  
 
This one gets the simplicity award. It’s just a cardboard box with some strategic flaps. Nothing like making a game of a chore. 

How to Make Your Own Decomposable Baby Wipes. By lilybee 
 
Not only are store bought wipes expensive, but most of them are made with polyester. Easy to follow instructions for making your own wipes.

Cool root beer making kit from Uncrate. Because I really don’t want to wait until my kids are 13 before teaching them how to make a tasty home brew!

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