Creative Applications turned me on to this gorgeous app. Simple yet challenging, it’s what the Eames would devise if they ever tackled apps. I’m digging on it.

It’s decidedly un-digital but irresistible nonetheless. I bought these Shapemaker blocks as a gift to the family for Christmas and we’re just now digging into them. My eight-year-old and I tackle a new image or two each night. The 30 or so faces the guide shows are beautiful, and the blocks themselves are so good to the touch. Our three-year-old is too young to puzzle through building the faces, but he loves stacking the blocks. We snagged ours at Domy Books.

Remember those cool videos of Mr. Rogers touring manufacturing plants to see how things like peanut butter are made?  Well, this video has no Fred Rogers, but it does show how vinyl records are made.  Too cool! 

And here’s another look at the same process, this time from Studio One Jamaica:

For the last eight years, the Austin game industry has donned silly costumes and tilted pins to raise nearly $100,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Ricochet Labs, my new company, and Total Immersion are the first two teams to register for this year’s event on Feb 26.  If you’re in the game or digital media industry, please join us.  It’s fun, easy and all for a wonderful cause.

Gamers for Kids’ Sake Bowl 2010

Friday, Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m.

Highland Lanes, 8909 Burnet Road

via Gamer’s Bowl