As a result, I’d like to push back a tiny bit by offering a few like-minded readers a free Support Stem Cell Research bumper sticker (10″ x 3″). If you would like one of these stickers, just be one of the first three people to comment below. I’ll follow-up privately with an email for your mailing address.

From wordle.net:
Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends.

For example, below is a wordle I just created in less than two minutes, using some of my favorite lyrics.

Facebook Fans…Free gift to the first Sproutreach FBF to provide the correct artist and song title (via FB comment).

Support Stem Cell Research Bumper Sticker

Available as a bumper sticker (10″ x 3″) or a T-shirt.

As the title of this blog entry suggests, I find type design to be fun. This particular use of typography might also be the most important design I’ve ever created.

A personal connection

Stem cell research has the potential to impact many diseases and injuries, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autoimmune disease, blood diseases, leukemia, severe burns, spinal injuries, and many more. In fact, it is estimated that stem cell research has the potential to help over 100 million Americans who suffer from these and other diseases and injuries.

Among those 100 million lives is the one that is at the center of my world. It is the life of Lisa —my beautiful wife and my hero— a life which includes Type 1 diabetes and its many complications. My support for stem cell research is rooted in my love for Lisa and my desire to help others avoid the endless struggles she bravely faces in her fight against this disease.

Want to learn more about stem cell research?

Stem cell research, while a controversial issue, is also one of today’s most misunderstood issues. Regardless of one’s position or beliefs, information, and the sharing of that information, is critical to improving understanding. A great place to start is tellmeaboutstemcells.org.

Above: The front of our fundraising postcard for our participation in this year’s Tour de Cure. (Hey, did you know they typically don’t remove the “old organs” when you receive an organ transplant? And did you know that plural of pancreas is pancreata?)

Background

Since 2000, Lisa and I have been cycling in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure fund-raising event. We’ve ridden in the MA and NH events, and this year we’re riding in 100 kilometer event in southern Maine for the first time.

We look forward to this annual event because it combines our efforts in the fight against diabetes with our love of cycling (and each other!). Each year, as we humbly request donations to the ADA as part of our participation in the event, we are also reminded of how fortunate we are to have so many supportive and generous friends and family members.

If you’d like to support our efforts this year, you can make a tax-deductible donation via our personal page on the event’s website. Or, just as appreciated, drop us a note via the comment link below with any well-wishes or good vibes. Thanks!

-Rob

Having never been very good at traditional gift wrapping, and looking for a unique way to package a gift for my wife, I turned to a DIY pillow box. Here are the simple directions, if you want to make your own:

1. Download this pillow box template (12K PDF) and print it on 8.5″x11″ card stock. (Note: I created this pattern to form a finished box size of approx. 6.5″x3″ (interior), but you could scale it up or down to make a larger or smaller box as needed.)

2. (Optional) Print custom design on reverse side. I created a typographic pattern designed to read the same both vertically and horizontally, but this is an area with endless possibilities where you can stretch your creativity. For another unique approach, check out this fun technique using photos to create boxes for party favors.

3. (Optional) You may elect to laminate the sheet for increased durability (I chose not to laminate, to allow for the box to be recycled).

3. Score along all inside lines of pattern.

4. Cut along perimeter, following outermost lines.

5. Fold along the center line, then fold flap in, then attach flap using double-sided tape or glue.

6. Fold sides…and you’re done!

Please share your ideas here, or pictures of your own pillow box creations if you give this pattern a try!