Already one of the millions who love scrapbooks? Try a new technique or discover some fiction authors who incorporate scrapbooking into their writing. Be invigorated by this fun hobby and love it all over again.

Try something new!

• Make a mini-album for an upcoming graduate or special event
• Add journaling to your scrapbook pages
• Incorporate different materials into your pages like lace, felt, fabric, buttons, ribbon and beads
• Create your own paper with inks and dyes
• Look at scraps in a different way – Recycle – Reinvent
• Think beyond the edge of the page
• Go 3-D and add dimension to your pages

Scrapbooking Fiction!

Take a break from your scrapbooks and do a little reading about scrapbooking instead!  The Kiki Lowenstein scrap-n-craft mystery series by Joanna Campbell-Slan is tons of fun.

Rebeca Seitz’s Sisters, Ink series weaves the love of sisters and the fun of scrapbooking into a set of touching books about four adopted sisters who see each other through life’s ups and downs (and scrapbooking parties).

A totally different take on scrapbooking fiction is Caroline Preston’s book The Scrapbook of Fannie Pratt whose story is illustrated with various memorabilia: vintage postcards, magazine ads, ticket stubs, fabric swatches, candy wrappers, menus, and more. Her personal tale of the 1920 might just make you think a little differently about what you put in your own scrapbooks.

Feel inspired? Do you have a scrapbooking tale to tell? Share it with us here!

Spinning pioneer Lexi Boeger, otherwise known as Pluckyfluff, has led the charge in changing the way we think about yarn. What’s allowed with this new perspective? ANYTHING! Really, anything? YES! Like feathers and thread and silk cocoons and fabric and chains and anything? YES! What if my yarn is over-twisted or bits stick out or it’s really fat and fuzzy?

One word. Awesome. That is art-yarn.

Lexi’s advice in her newest book Hand Spun: New Spins on Traditional Techniques is to connect with your fiber through all the stages of it’s life. Start with a fleece by getting to know your local alpaca, sheep and goat farmers. Clean it and card it yourself, get to know it intimately and find inspiration in the individuality of that animal. Dye it any color you want. Spin it thick or thin, crazy or serious. Each step has a hand in the creative process.

Beginners often make art-yarn by accident, but as they become more experienced their yarn often becomes more traditional and smooth in the process. Many times that’s the goal and it takes time and skill to make such lovely yarn. Art-yarn also takes time and skill, you must learn how to manipulate your fibers and your wheel to achieve your goal.

Be inspired. Try something new. Follow the rules, don’t follow the rules. Make new rules and teach them to others. Pluckyfluff had a vision and has enthusiastically shared it with the world. I thank her for that.

Read about Unwinding with a Drop Spindle on the Crafts Blog.

Download/print the one page pdf of this handout.

Think about this metaphor: We plant our lives like our gardens. We make plans, imagine possibilities in seed catalogs, get supplies, ready the ground, check the calendar, reflect on history and experience, plant, water, wait for germination, observe, let nature take its course, help with weeding and pest control, harvest the produce, clear the old growth, prepare the soil for the next planting.

Reflection

Think of a situation in your life that might fit this metaphor of growth and gardening. Do you consciously use your journal for personal growth? How do you accomplish that focus?

Purpose

Writing your thoughts in a journal helps you to become more aware of what you’re thinking and what’s important to you. Writing each day helps you track small goals and setback and to clarify where you are and where you want to be in the future. We learn about ourselves as we write. The act of writing engages us to learn about ourselves and to make conscious decisions about who we want to be.

Your journal is a safe place to express your thoughts, feelings, anxieties, ideas and questions about life. Getting the words out of your head and onto paper gives them shape and meaning. Whether journaling helps you make sense of your life, by giving immediate clarity, or because patterns emerge to show the bigger picture, honest life writing can bring personal growth.

Writing exercise

If you are hesitant to get started focusing on your thoughts and feelings for personal growth, try beginning with:

• How do I feel?
• What do I want?
• What’s happening in my life right now?
• What can I learn from this?
• How did I make a difference today?
• What would I do if I could do anything?

Reflection writing exercise

To increase the effectiveness of your journaling for personal growth, practice summarizing your journal entries to prompt yourself to read, reflect, look for emotional or behavioral patterns, see opportunities for improvement, notice what is and isn’t working. Try writing a summary of a recent entry. Try writing a summary of a section of previous entries. Then write about the experience—was it straightforward or difficult? What did you learn about yourself through this reflection?

Recommended books

• Writing as a way of healing: how telling our stories transforms our lives
• Writing begins with the breath: embodying your authentic voice
• Note to self: on keeping a journal and other dangerous pursuits  
• Storycatcher: making sense of our lives through the power and practice of story
• The journey from the center to the page: Yoga philosophies & practices as muse for authentic writing
• A voice of her own: women and the journal writing journey

The monthly workshop “journaling with words and images” meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 am at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

Photo credit:Some rights reserved by cmkalina: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmkalina/6790701733/sizes/l/in/photostream/

See if you can figure out which one of the books these projects came from:  Seed balls, Fused plastic tote, Coat hanger memories, Spa-to-go kit, Baby-jar chandelier, Raffia garlic dryer, Doily tablecloth, Sweet sweater birds, Scented bows, Six-pack screen (my favorite!), Washable soap gift tags, Thermos lamp base.

Curious now? Check out these craft books and more at Dewey number 745.5 and see what you can create!

Extra Yarn

Written by Mac Barnett
Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Annabelle brings color to a dreary, snowy and soot-filled town as she knits sweaters with a supply of yarn that never runs out. Annabelle knits sweaters for everyone and everything in her town until a greedy and fashion-conscious archduke decides he wants Annabelle’s yarn box for himself!

This children’s picture book will appeal to those adults with a yarn stash full of possibilities. Plus, the beautiful story of creating, sharing and brightening the town through colorful knitting will help introduce the joy of yarn-crafts to a younger generation.

Best line, and the theme of the book-  “And when Annabelle was done, she had some extra yarn.”

Personally – I brought this picture book home hoping to read it with my three year old daughter. I used to knit all the time before I had kids, and right now I struggle to make time for my own hobbies. I thought reading a book about yarn would be a fun way to introduce her to the joys of knitting. Of course, I underestimated the power of her own interests — when the archduke travels by ship and sends robbers to steal Annabelle’s yarn box, the only thing my currently-obsessed daughter remembered about this book was “Pirates!” (At least we both found something in the book to interest us?)

Fellow Crafters – What are other examples of children’s books about the crafts you enjoy?

Fellow Parents – Have you ever found a children’s book that helped you show your child about a hobby or interest of your own?

Download/print the one page PDF of this handout.

 Creative writing that describes your garden is a way to save your garden memories to enjoy later, as well as remind you to stop and enjoy it in the moment. Using a camera, sketching or watercolor painting can also capture your garden beautifully.

Writing about your garden

From a practical standpoint, you may want to include planting dates for seeds and plants, transplanting dates, source and cost for plants and seeds, weather details such as rainfall, storms or frost, plant characteristics, date of germination, date plants emerge in spring, appearance of blooms, date of vegetable harvest or flowers cut, any fertilizer or other chemicals applied.

Don’t forget to make some sensual observations including sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing — spend time ENJOYING your garden. Each week, note what is blooming. Write about what vegetables or herbs you are harvesting and how you are enjoying them. Describe the insects and wildlife you observe.

Templates for garden journals

http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/garden-journal (24 page pdf) http://www.gardensandcrafts.com/gardenjournals.html (variety of pages, plus thematic sets, pdf) http://www.hmk.on.ca/journal.html (text prompts of what to include in a garden journal)

Writing exercises

• Find a blooming or budding plant. Study it, smell it, touch it, enjoy it. Write about it. Be as descriptive as you can.
•  Imagine a wish-list garden—ignore the realities of your limited time and money, your small yard of untilled soil, the harsh Kansas climate. What fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, perennials, plants, architectural or water features, modern conveniences, would you include?

Image exercises

• Even if you don’t garden, add photos or drawings of your favorite plants or natural things to your journal and write about how these natural objects inspire you. Consider pressing a leaf or flower directly in the pages of your journal, or within tissue paper or waxed paper if needed.
• Gather a few fresh leaves, stems or flowers. Use the edge of an unwrapped crayon to create a leaf rubbing right in the pages of your journal. It will be difficult to write on the waxy crayon surface, add your writing to the page first, or write around the edges of the leaf rubbing.
• For gardeners, include drawings and photos of your garden as the seasons change, capture the flowering plants at peak bloom. Take pictures of before and after you planted your garden, and throughout the growing and harvest season. Include or collage seed packets, clippings from magazines or catalogs, a garden plan, or recipes for your garden harvest.

Recommended Books

• Artful journals: making and embellishing memory books, garden diaries & travel albums
• Garden greetings: cards, invitations, and stationery inspired by nature
• Dried flower crafts: capturing the best of your garden to decorate your home
• Making and keeping creative journals
• The literary garden: recreating literature’s most beautiful gardens in your own backyard  
• The field guide to photographing gardens
• Contemporary photography and the garden: deceits & fantasies  
• Photographing plants and gardens

The monthly workshop “journaling with words and images” meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 am at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

photo credit: Some rights reserved by Joana Roja – working long hours, mostly away: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cats_mom/2823492298/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Best in Show:

1st Runner-up:

Best Play on Words:

Most Likely to be Devoured:

Congratulations to the winners! You can see all the 2012 edible book entries on our Flickr page.

Thank you to all of our edible book artists, visitors, and voters. It’s audience participation that makes this event so much fun.

Also, a special thank you to Chef Mike Davis for his Thai Fruit Carving demonstration. If you didn’t get a chance to see him in action, check out this video taken by Jaime Meyers.

Want to participate next year? Mark your calendars for the 2013 Edible Book Festival on Friday, April 5, 2013.

Upcoming topics

• Apr 10: Growth & Gardens
• May 8: Art, Light & Illumination
• Jun 12: Travel & Exploration
• Jul 10: Focus on Nature
• Aug 14: Collages: Images & Words
• Sep 11: Doodles & Lists
• Oct 9: Capture the moment: Watercolor & Imagery
• Nov 13: Thanks, Giving & Gratitude
• Dec 11: Busy Lives & Reflection

 Knowledge Shared by Participants

• Writing letters, and writing thank you notes, is a form of shared journaling. The book 365 Thanks Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed my Life by John Kralik is particular instructive and inspiring on this topic.
• A newsy Christmas or holiday letter, saved each year, creates an annual history of a family
• Some people journal about family history in order to gift those memories to children or grandchildren
• Some people may journal for themselves only, labeling their personal journals “Burn this when I die” to differentiate that writing from anything meant to be shared
• Personal journaling may inspire you to do other things like letter writing, short story writing, or creating a family cookbook
• When you think about journaling specifically for someone else (example: a grandchild) it changes what you choose to write down
• Writing letters to people (example: grandchild) for them to receive at a date in the future can help focus your journaling for another person
• Writing down the cute things that a child said or did can be a wonderful gift for the future
• The challenge is to write things down when you think about them, don’t try to be perfect about it.
• You can mine your journals later for short story or painting or poetry ideas
• Labeling your photos is valuable; it still might be worth it to write the story of a old photo now, while you still remember it
• When you are having a very bad day, checking wikipedia.org for the “This Day in History” link can give you some perspective
• Practicing validation can be worthwhile and powerful in daily life

Recommended books

• Visual journaling : going deeper than words
• Writing from life : telling your soul’s story
• The new diary : how to use a journal for self-guidance and expanded creativity
• Real life journals : designing & using handmade books
• Note to self : on keeping a journal and other dangerous pursuits

The monthly workshop “journaling with words and images” meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 am at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

The Topeka Crochet Guild meets at the library twice a month and, besides having a great time, donates hundreds of items to local charities each year. Join the fun!

Need some inspiration?

Head over to 746.434 in the West Wing and discover a bevy of awesome crochet pattern books filled to the brim with ideas for all skill levels.

The Best of Interweave Crochet is a complete collection of top designs all in one easily accessible volume. Whether you’re picking up a hook for the first time or you’re a long-time crocheter, you’ll love these 20 unique and classic projects.

Expand your knit and crochet repertoire with the menagerie of miniature creatures in 75 Birds, Butterflies, & Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet. They can decorate your clothes as accessories or be awesome little gifts all by themselves. Crochet is perfect for unusual shapes like these.

Join the seamless revolution with Kristin Omdahl in Seamless Crochet. She has pioneered a new technique for crocheters of all skill levels to create motif-based patterns in one piece, eliminating seams, and leaving only two ends to weave in.

Crochet isn’t just for clothing and toys, you can make beautiful and unusual jewelry by crocheting with wire in French author Nancy Waille’s book Crochet Wire Jewelry.

Bonus Pattern

The green pillow cover above is one of Kristin Omdahl’s seamless crochet designs. The Medallion Pillow is available as a free pdf from Crochet Today. Try out her new technique today!

So tell me.  What have you crocheted this year?

Handout

Download/print the 1 page PDF of this handout.

Recording your own history

A daily journal can be a way to record your own story. People journal for many reasons. What do you hope to get back from your journaling? Do you journal primarily for yourself? Do you journal to leave a record of your life? Are you writing an autobiography? A memoir? What will you leave behind? And for whom?

An idea for brief entries: 5 year diary

Daily journaling is often focused on the day ahead or the day which has just passed. One way to make this kind of brief record more interesting and organized is to use a 5-year diary.

Each page of the diary is devoted to one day of the year, with space for a few lines a day, each year. As time goes by, you can read the previous entries as you are writing the new ones each day—both recording and reflecting on your own history.

You can purchase a 5 year diary, or make your own by buying a roller-date stamp and modifying a simple daily planner or notebook with at least 365 pages. Of course, this type of daily diary won’t work for the more sporadic or spontaneous writer. Gaps without writing will be quite obvious if you skip days or weeks.

An idea for reflecting back: Family history

Take time to write about your family of origin, your early life, and particularly to reflect on the ways your own personal history has influenced the person you are today.

Writing exercise

Write about each of your relatives. What have they taught you and what have you learned from their experiences. What are the “stories” about that person you remember most, and why? What stories would they remember about you?

Choose someone close to you, then repeat the exercise with a family friend or distant relative instead. Challenge yourself to choose an important place or event in your earlier life and describe those memories.

Recommended books

• Scrapbook storytelling: save family stories and memories with photos, journaling and your own creativity by Joanna Slan
• Real life journals: designing & using handmade books by Gwen Diehn

 The monthly workshop “journaling with words and images” meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 am at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.