LilyPad Layout

http://www.openprocessing.org/visuals/?visualID=5475

Drag components to explore potential circuit layout for the LilyPad Arduino (and related components). Make connections between components by clicking on a hole in a circuit board and dragging to a hole in another board.

LilyPad w/servo motor

So it's not a wearable, but in seeking how servo motors functions, puppets popped up, which could be a wearable. So with that in mind, take a peak at what this LilyPad design looks like and could function as.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFUr6n18Lng

Magnetic Source

Leah recommends ordering magnets from: http://www.kjmagnetics.com/categories.asp

Ring magnets can be used with fabric. These can also be sewn or riveted in fabric or bolted or screwed into a solid material. Another form of magnet attachment includes sewing conductive fabric into a pouch then drop a magnet into that pouch. A clasp magnet (like used in jewelry) is another type that could be attached by sewing onto fabric.
Note: K&J magnets are extremely strong.

Build your own Loopin

Hannah told us about this great kit to build a Happy or Grumpy Loopin:

The educational textile electronics toy developed for ZippyKit includes everything you need to build your own 'Loopin'.

The finished creature's eyes light up when their smart soft ears are touched together, or to the ears of another Loopin. The kit can be configured in one of two ways, so that you can have two characters in one! Make the happy or the grumpy Loopin as many times as you wish while learning the circuitry.
Loopin provides a fun and accessible introduction to electronics, for both boys and girls, and is also a great, hands-on craft project, to be enjoyed by all the family.

Comes in a variety of colours, and you can also choose your own.
http://www.lostvalues.com/boutique/loopin-by-zippykit.html

Free Online Circuit Simulation Software

Nichole Pinkard of DePaul University in Chicago has begun to use a set of fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET project at the University of Colorado with her students to investigate electrical circuits.

Check it out at:
http://phet.colorado.edu/index.php

New Fashion Design kits for kids -- Harumika Style!

I recently came across the "Harumika Runway Showstopper Set". The website says it

"makes fashion design easy and fun with the included pink dress form, stylus design tool, chic signature fabrics, fashion accessories and two Harumika charms, which unlock special features on the Harumika website!

All girls have to do is pick the fabric, wrap it around the dress form, and then secure it using the stylus in the exclusive Style Lock System on the back of the dress form - the design possibilities are endless!

With the included Harumika camera, girls can take pictures of their favorite designs and upload them to the Harumika website to join a fashion show and feature the styles in their very own online 'Look Book'."

Yasmin, sounds like someone else was interested in the Barbie Fashion Designer Kit TNG :) For more info, see the bandai.com website at http://www.harumika.com/

Podcasts on iTunes / YouTube links

Diane Glosson writes,
"Google alerts led me to http://www.webmarries.com/index.php/2009/08/23/craft-video-lilypad-arduino-blinking-bike-patch-blog/ which then led me to two podcasts on the CRAFT podcast site in iTunes. If you go to iTunes, then podcasts, then on the right hand side under iTunes PICKS click on Crafters. On the crafters page, sort by name and select CRAFT: Craft Podcast, you will find two podcasts #25 (Getting Started-simple circuit 14:31) and #23 (blinking bike patch 12:06)." The files are downloadable.

The files are also viewable on YouTube along with several others on the LilyPad Arduino:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cRKdzIhbZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj639_ez6TM

Communicating Between LilyPads

Leah says:
"You can physically attach 2 LilyPads to each other so that they can communicate. To do this you would attach the TX petal of one to the RX petal of another & vice versa. To do wireless communication you would need to use the LilyPad XBee (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8937)."

Getting Started Resources

Ordering Toolkits:
To order the LilyPad Arduino kits are available from SparkFun electronics. Leah suggests ordering the following as a starter kit:

1 LilyPad Pro kit: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8873
1 spool of 4ply conductive thread: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8549
5 LEDs: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8873
1 light sensor: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8464
1 RGB LED: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8467

NOTE: Each spool of thread can be shared with 3 or so people & you may not need the mini USB cables that are part of the pro kit.

Download the Arduino software for Mac or PC:
www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Getting Started Guides:
http://web.media.mit.edu/~leah/LilyPad/
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoLilyPad

Welcome! Feel free to shoot me an email with comments/ suggestions as this blogspot grows:

burkew@dolphin.upenn.edu