Raging Computer

A book of love letters to my wife

I wanted to make a collection of love letters for my wife. This is not something that comes easily to me, so I looked for examples. There are plenty of guides, but not as many actual examples. So I’m publishing what I gave my wife in the hopes it helps someone.

As is usual, it turns out I was overthinking it. I assume if you’re reading this, you already have romantic thoughts. Just write them down in your preferred notes app. Revisit as you have time. The letters don’t need to be long or elaborate, just heartfelt. 7 or 8 letters, typed or handwritten is plenty. Add in a few dozen pictures to make it visually appealing and more personal.

The benefits are more than just a book. This is essentially a gratitude journal that gets polished and gifted in the end.

Sinilink XY-WFUSB USB Switch ESPHome

There are some cool USB powered devices that are a lot of fun for a kid’s room… But it’s not always great to leave them on all the time. This WiFi USB Switch is a low-cost way to integrate such devices into Home Assistant. This is an extension of the Kids Room Light Remote Control project.

DIY Kids Room Light Remote Control using ESP32 with ESPHome and Home Assistant

Or: How ESPHome and Home Assistant Made Me the Coolest Dad Ever

Smart homes can be pretty dumb. Automation is the goal but so often it devolves into fancy remote control. This is fine for adults with a smartphone but fails for children. This is my kids home too, so one goal is to make the house accessible for them. This is where purpose built remotes really shine. I’ve done this before for my daughter.

Now that my son is old enough to have preferences for his room, we’re starting to decorate it for his tastes. Color changeable lights can be fun for an accent or nightlight. He asked me for a robot, I think we can make that happen.

Pumpkin Decorating Kit – Punpkin Push-in Pokers – SVG Files optimized for Glowforge Laser (Free Download)

3.0mm B/BB Baltic Birch OR any material with thickness from 2.75-3.25mm
Designed in Fusion360, cut on a Glowforge Basic

Kid Friendly: Designed with pointy parts detached until final assembly to make painting or coloring with markers much safer.

DIY CNC Quilting Machine with LinuxCNC

Converting a midarm frame for CNC control with LinuxCNC, generating gcode with Fusion 360

CNC Keypad / Custom USB Keyboard for LinuxCNC

Needed a controller for my LinuxCNC CNC Quilter machine. Made a custom keyboard with only the keys I needed. Emulates a USB keyboard to take advantage of axis keyboard shortcuts.

Designed in Fusion360, Cut on a Glowforge Basic, Key Cap Labels cut on a Cricut Explore Air 2.

Laptop Stand – SVG Files optimized for Glowforge Laser (Free Download)

Made for my wife’s laptop, a 13 inch MacBook Pro.

Designed in Fusion 360, cut from Glowforge Proofgrade Medium Walnut and 1/8in white cast acrylic

Tree House Dollhouse – SVG Files Optimized for Glowforge Laser

SVG Files optimized for Glowforge Laser. NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. Tree house dollhouse, great art project to put together and paint with your kid. Designed to fit within a Glowforge Basic working area.

Laser time approx 13 minutes, 3 sheets 3mm baltic birch or 3 sheets medium draftboard

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1138954474/tree-house-doll-house-laser-cut-svg

Quilt Design Wall – Flannel Layout Wall

My wife is really into quilting. When I had some time off work, I spent it redoing her office/sewing room. One of the major features she wanted was a design wall.

Tabletop Fire Pit – Indoor S’Mores – SVG Files optimized for Glowforge Laser (Free Download)

3.0mm B/BB Baltic Birch OR Glowforge Proofgrade Medium Draftboard
Designed in Fusion360, cut on a Glowforge Basic. Easily customized with Glowforge Premium.

It’s winter outside. Let’s bring all that fun inside and roast marshmallows. Who wants S’Mores?!