I’ve long been an IKEA fan, and offered these IKEA Assembly Tips about a year ago. Ikea Hacker targets those who want to go beyond basic assembly to create their own customized items. Worth a look if you have even a modicum of skill with a hammer or a glue gun. Many of the hacks would also make great projects for older kids looking to add their own touch to their rooms.

It’s all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that’s a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.

Last year, 59,000 people participated and over 9700 completed their novels. The NaNoWriMo has more information on how to participate and have your novel counted. Finishers get an official “Winner” web icon and certificate. There are numerous support forums and resources, so you won’t feel like you’re going it alone. Lifehacker also offers useful advice in the comments on their announcement of the event.

All ages are welcome, and there’s even a special site for those 12 and under (who must get a parent’s permission to join). NaNoWriMo says children can gain fluency, confidence, creativity, and time management skills from the exercise, though they urge parents to ensure rest, ergonomics, and appropriate prioritzation in their writing progeny.

If any readers are participating, let me know if you’re putting excerpts online. I’ll post links to them so others can send you messages of encouragement. Write on!

I thought it might be interesting to those of you with a flair for these sorts of things, especially if you’re hoping to make a few extra pennies while staying at home with your kids. Their fees are at this point cheaper than E-Bay, though of course they don’t get the traffic that E-Bay does. If you don’t make things, but are looking for handmade gift ideas for the holidays, Etsy may be useful, too. (If you’re looking for non-handmade gifts, of course, check out the Mombian Marketplace.)

(Thanks to TechCrunch for the sighting.)

Artist Dave Cole has opened a new performance art piece at Mass MOCA, consisting of two construction excavators bearing 20-foot-long knitting needles. He will use them to knit an American flag over the course of the next several days.

For those of you struggling to find yummy summer recipes, check out Epicurious’ special “Serving Up Summer” section. From oven-free meals to ideas for picnics, entertaining, and eco-friendly cooking, there’s a lot here to whet your appetite.

It’s the season for gardens. Before you plant, get your soil tested. Many universities provide this service free of charge. Do a Google search for "soil testing name-of-your-nearby-university" (inserting the appropriate name) to find information.

For the butch/femme in all of us: Homemade Baby Wipes using large shop tools. (Thanks to MAKE for the original sighting.)