Sew What? – Sweater/T-shirt Hats @ CLP Brookline

So in case you haven’t noticed (?!), it’s been pretty freaking cold outside lately – like for the past three or four months – and what better way to create a little friction than with creativity!  Solve all your shivering winter woes with a new sweater hat this Tuesday, February 26^th at CLP Brookline’s Teen Lounge!

Come make something new and awesome out of something old and blah!  Everything you’ll need (sweaters, material, pins, etc.) to get your DIY on will be provided – and I heard a rumor that Brookline’s sewing machine comes equipped with a Game Boy!  That’s right, a GAME BOY sewing machine!  Keeping it vintage and classy – how awesome is that???

AND!  If you happen to be allergic to late 80s 8-bit entertainment, or think you might end up sewing your hands together, don’t fret!  You can try your unstitched hand at Xbox and Kaijudo, or sharpen your Magic the Gathering skills for the Brookline Teen Gaming Advisory Council’s upcoming Magic the Gathering tournament showdown!

All this madness blasts off at 3:30 PM this Tuesday and runs until 5:00 PM at CLP Brookline!

do it! Do It! DO IT! :

               

Jon : Carrick

Celebrating Black History Month: African Americans and Film

February is Black History Month!  To mark the occasion, every Tuesday in February CLP Carrick’s Teen Thing (our weekly teen activity/chill out time) is going to focus on some remarkable contributions made in the areas of film and technology by African Americans.   Each week we’re going to explore a new pioneer, talk about why they’re important, and create with an art project related to that person!

February 5^th @ 4:30 PM

Duane Jones as Ben in ‘Night of the Living Dead’

On the first Tuesday of the month we’re going to spotlight Duane Jones.  If you’ve ever seen the 1968 local horror classic Night of the Living Dead, then you probably recognize Mr. Jones as Ben – the film’s hero.  What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that his portrayal of Ben was an important milestone in film history, as it marked the first time that an African-American was cast as the lead star in a horror movie.

In homage to Mr. Jones and his classic role, we’re going to be making mini stop-motion zombie movies on our iPads!  Once again, Ben will try and save the day from hordes of undead flesh eaters!  Will he live to tell the tale this time???

 

February 12^th @ 4:30 PM

<3

Frank Braxton is our subject in the second week of February!  Mr. Braxton is largely regarded as the first African-American animator to be offered a position with a major Hollywood studio, Warner Bros. Cartoons.  He drew for a number of classic animated movies and TV shows.  Some of his most enduring works include:  You’re in Love, Charlie Brown; A Boy Named Charlie Brown; and the Mister Magoo, Bullwinkle, and George of the Jungle TV shows of the 1960s.

Since love will be in the air this week, we’re going to watch some of Mr. Braxton’s work and flex our imaginations with some basic animation/flip book techniques!

 

February 19^th @ 4:30 PM

Valerie Thomas’ Illusion Transmitter

On February 19th, we’re going to focus on Valerie Thomas and 3D technology.  Ms. Thomas, a scientist and inventor who worked for NASA, is widely known for her Illusion Transmitter, a device she developed and patented in 1980.  The basic idea behind the Illusion Transmitter was to take the flat image from, say, a TV screen and have it projected into your room in 3D – almost like a hologram in a Sci-Fi movie!  Needless to say, the invention provided some serious upgrades for the existing 3D technology of the day, and is still currently used by NASA.

Look for some red and cyan action going down this week!

 

February  26^th @ 4:30 PM

To close out our month-long celebration, we’re going to have a special screening of an awesome documentary focusing on the vibrant cultural scene of Brooklyn in the 1980s and early 1990s, which launched a number of notable directors, musicians, artists, poets, and comedians.  Popcorn, anyone?

 

All of these events are free and open to anyone in grades 6-12.  Teen Thing is held every Tuesday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at CLP Carrick (1811 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh PA 15210).  Hope to see you there!

stuffs and stuffs:

              

Jon : Carrick

Altered Books

A cold, snowy winter’s day is a great time to get crafty and creative!

Sometimes books outlive their usefulness. Why not turn those 1970′s era Britannica Encyclopedias into a work of art?

Altered art or altered books refers to any artful repurposing/crafting/mixing/recycling of books. Best thing about altered books? NO RULES! You can let your creativity run wild: Turn old encyclopedias into bookshelves or a hardback book into a ring box. You don’t have to be an artist to turn an old book into something magical again. You just need unused books, instruction, art supplies and some creativity.

Designs can be simple or intricate. Below are some truly inspirational altered books.

source: andysowards.com

source: art-e-zine.co.uk

source: briandettmer.com

source: briandettmer.com

For the visual learner, there are tons of YouTube videos on how to get started! And, of course, the library has you covered too!

       

Michael @ Hazelwood

Black Friday, Every Friday

I dig.  I’m usually off on Fridays, so I dig then.  Heaps of discarded rubble and junk are, to me, familiar friends.  Other diggers are the ENEMY.  I’m talking about the battlefield that is thrift store excavation, where the competition is usually high and supply of any particular item is drastically limited and exceptionally unique.  Trust me, I’ve seen things get primal in ‘House Wares’ – we diggers are not to be denied our precious.

Luckily (and luck is the crucial element in the realm of second-hand shopping), the Pittsburgh area is blessed with a wealth of bargain-based institutions:  Goodwill(s), Red/White/Blue(s), Salvation Armies, and various independent establishments – all of which keep me well-stocked with trinkets high up on the random/bizarre spectrum and, I guess more importantly, keep me clothed.

Some favorite finds:

surgical clamp

First edition of ‘Confessions of an English Opium-Eater’ by Thomas De Quincey. Published in 1822. It’s a little beat-up, but the spine is intact.

iron vampire fangs

original Rubik’s Cube + box

pensive gargoyle

Black glass. The gold label reads: Glass from the Franklin Glass Factory where Lighthouse Single Parent Townhouses now stand.

So if you’ve never dug (?!) or you think you might get SARS or something (you won’t), you should definitely try unearthing some buried treasure to marvel at or to redesign into something else – I give my stamp of recommendation for a little thrift store hopping.  Come be my new enemy!

Redesign/Redefine:

            

Jon : Carrick

Movin’ Movin’

Being the frugal and loan burdened, post-graduate that I am, for the past few years I have been living at home with my parents in order to save money. An experience with which many of you, I’m sure, are singularly familiar.

Happily, my sister has just returned home to Pittsburgh after a few years away attending her own grad program and now we are moving into a place of our own!

With this momentous occasion comes not only the chance to be finally out of the house, but also new and various opportunities to decorate and organize our place the way we want it to be. And nothing has been as helpful for us as Pinterest.com. Previously, Amy mentioned using Pinterest as a great resource for DIY projects.

As DIY is a big part of decorating and organizing (on the cheap anyway) Pinterest has been a gold mine for neat ideas. For instance, I think I’m definitely going to do this, since I’m having a lot of trouble finding a night stand that I like:

Source: mediaserver-2.vuodatus.net via Malina on Pinterest

 

And my sister might do this with her closet doors:

Source: g-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com via Malina on Pinterest

 

Also, I think this is super snazzy and fun!

Source: houzz.com via Malina on Pinterest

 

If you’re moving into a dorm anytime in the next year or so, or even if you’re just looking for a new way to spruce up your bedroom at home, Pinterest and books like the ones shown below could be the source of your next decorating inspiration.

 

 

Countdown to Halloween

There’s 36 more days until Halloween!  Sure, Trick-or-Treating is mostly for younger kids, but Halloween is also the time for haunted houses and hayrides, costume parties, parades and dances.  Now is the time to plan and make costumes and decorations. 

• Glitter Pumpkins

Perfect for parties and dances, glitter pumpkins add some glamor to your decorations.  You can use real or fake pumpkins.

• Costumes

Make your costume out of duct tape!  The library has a lot of  books on how to make halloween costumes. 

• Duct Tape Mummy Pumpkin

No carving needed!  This Mummy Pumpkin is on page 33 of Stick or Treat by Patti Wallenfang.  Other duct tape pumpkins include the Eyeball pumpkin, the Witch pumpkin, The Rollin’ Pumpkin, the Diva Pumpkin, and  the De-bone-aire Pumpkin.

For more decorating ideas, check out Creative Costumes and Halloween Decor:  50 Projects to Sew and Craft.  Learn how to carve and decorate pumpkins and squashes, make a lighted swag, make a harvest wreath, make creepy mummy hands and more.

Let’s keep sharing ideas until the big day!

Marian

CLP–Mt. Washington

The Labs @ CLP: Teen Digital Media Labs

Hello, everyone,

Just a quick note from your friendly neighborhood librarian to let you know, one more time, about the launch  of a brand-new, exciting, ongoing teen library program–The Labs @ CLP.

So what is The Labs?It’s Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s teen digital media lab program. And what’s a digital media lab? Well, it’s a computer lab of sorts, but full of equipment and software specially designed to help you create.

We’re launching the program with a big party this Wednesday at CLP-Main and mini Launch events at the other three locations next week. (For in-depth information on the program as well as dates and times for each launch, go HERE.)

About the program: From iMacs to music production equipment (M-Audio Fast Track Pro and Apple’s GarageBand) to graphic design (the full Adobe Creative Suite) and filmmaking (HD Canon Vixia camcorders plus a green screen), plus plenty more, The Labs is your resource for getting creative in the library.

We’ll be offering weekly themed programming at all four Labs locations as well as open Labs time where you can explore and create with the help of Labs mentors–digital media artists and librarians who will be on-hand leading programs and acting as a resource for creation. Each month the theme will change. This October, for example, we’ll focus on filmmaking. Then, in November, we’ll focus on Audio/Music Production with podcasting and music recording. Check back for our ongoing schedule.

Why simply consume media when you can create it? You can use The Labs as a resource for creative multi-media school projects or as a place to do something completely separate from your school work–something based on your own personal interests. Work on a podcast with friends, film a scary movie scene (that’s what we’ll be doing this October!), or get help recording your music in the library. There are so many options!

And where are The Labs? There will be four digital media labs located throughout the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system. Here are their hours and a link to the first day of October’s program: The Scary Story Filmmaking Challenge.

CLP-Main, Teen Dept.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 3-7PM
Friday, 3-5PM
Workshops: Wednesday and Thursday 4-6PM starting in October
October Workshop: Scary Story Filmmaking Challenge 

CLP-Allegheny
Hours and Workshops: Monday, 4-7PM
October Workshop: Scary Story Filmmaking Challenge

CLP-South Side
Hours and Workshops: Tuesday, 4-7PM
October Workshop: Scary Story Filmmaking Challenge

CLP-East Liberty
Hours and Workshops: Wednesday, 4:30-7:30PM
October Workshop: Scary Story Filmmaking Challenge

That’s all for now; I have to run and get everything ready to go!

- Corey, Digital Learning Librarian

Go Crazy with Duct Tape

We just got this new book at the library, Go Crazy with Duct Tape by Patti Wallenfang and it made me go CRAZY for Duct tape.  Not only was I filled to the brim with duct tape crafting ideas, but I needed to know everything that I could about duct tape.  I know that I am not the only one that thought it was actually called DUCK Tape.  Lots of people called it that.

Duck Tape

As a matter of fact, ShurTech Brands, LLC, a company in Avon Ohio has trademarked the term.  So, you can call it duct tape, but if you call it Duck Tape®, don’t forget the registered trademark symbol.  Duct tape does have a long history.  According to Joe Wilson, author of Ductigami: The Art of the Tape, duct tape was developed by a division of Johnson and Johnson Co during World War II.  The military needed a strong mending material that was waterproof and tearable by hand.  Of course, this tape was drab olive-green in color.  The post-war housing boom brought a new use for the tape:  connective material for the ductwork in the new houses.   The color was changed to sheet-metal gray and the name duct tape was born. Now, duct tape has entered the fields of crafting and fashion, so color, lots of colors and patterns are in demand.

You can make things using duct tape:

• Book Bags
• Wallets
• Aprons
• Vests

You can decorate things using duct type.

• Boots
• Bracelets
• Computer Cases
• Sunglasses

Go Crazy with Duct Tape

You can find a ton of instructional videos on You Tube.  Here is a tutorial for making duct tape bracelets:

I can barely wait for Halloween.  Duct tape is the perfect material for making decorations and costumes.  More about that in my next post.

Marian

CLP–Mt. Washington

Steampunk’d

So, I don’t think it’s news anymore that Steampunk, a genre that incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction and involves a setting where steam power is widely used, is a thing.  It’s definitely a really cool thing, but it’s no surprise to anyone anymore.

There are more and more Steampunk releases coming to your library this year than ever before.  If you haven’t yet taken the time to check out this interesting genre mixture, here’s just a short list of fiction and non-fiction:

The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent

In the world of New London Vespa Nyx works at the Museum of Unnatural history cataloging unnatural creatures. She discovers she is the last surviving witch. Along with Syrus Reed, a member of the indigent Tinker clan they find themselves in a web of deception and intrigue. The fate of New London and the whole world just may be in the hands of the young people.

 

 Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

In 1901, on an alternate Earth, sixteen-year-old Noli rejoices when a mysterious man transports her from reform school to the Realm of Faerie. But soon, she learns his sinister reason.

 

 

 

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQueery

Eighteen-year-old Lena Mattacascar sets out for Scree, a weird place inhabited by Peculiars, seeking the father who left when she was young, but on the way she meets young librarian Jimson Quiggley and handsome marshall Thomas Saltre, who complicate her plans.

 

 

Railsea by China Mieville

On board the moletrain Medes, Sham Yes ap Soorap watches in awe as he witnesses his first moldywarpe hunt. But no matter how spectacular it is, Sham can’t shake the sense that there is more to life than traveling the endless rails of the railsea–even if his captain can think only of the hunt for the ivory-coloured mole she’s been chasing since it took her arm all those years ago.

 

Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant

A collection of fourteen fantasy stories by well-known authors, set in the age of steam engines and featuring automatons, clockworks, calculating machines, and other marvels that never existed.

 

 

Steampunk Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos: A Maker’s Guide to Creating Modern Artifacts by Thomas Willeford

Learn from Lord Featherstone as he distills his wealth of hard-learned skills, describes how to use the readily available tools of the modern mad scientist, and expounds on the art and philosophy of scavenging unique components and raw materials. The perfect companion for the hobbyist and advanced machinist alike, this inventive volume will guide you through the creation of your very own infernal devices.

 

Steampunk emporium : creating fantastical jewelry, devices and oddments from assorted cogs, gears and other curios / by Jema Hewitt

Whilst perusing the pages of Steampunk Emporium, the harrowing antics of Miss Emily Ladybird will engage you in the most enchanting of worlds. Join her as she records the adventures of intergalactic space pirates, undersea voyagers and Jurassic explorers — all the while, dabbling in the details of which baubles best benefit the venturesome class.

 

1,000 Steampunk Creations by Dr. Grimme with Barbe Saint John

Packed with 1,000 full-color photographs, 1,000 Steampunk Creations features a stunning and mind-boggling showcase of modified technology, art and sculpture, home décor, fashion and haberdashery, jewelry and accessories, and curious weapons, vehicles, and contraptions.

 

 

Personally, in literature I find Steampunk to be a fascinating mixture of genres and styles, but some people think the best thing about it is creating costumes and cool gadgets.  Which do you prefer?

Morgan, Main – Teen

D-I-Y Now!

According to Wikipedia, “Do it yourself (DIY) is building, modifying, or repairing something without the aid of experts or professionals. . .  In recent years, the term DIY has taken on a broader meaning that covers a wide range of skill sets.”  I love DIY.  I love making my own ice cream, modifying clothing to fit, even helping friends install hot water heaters (which might be less of a DIY project and more of a professional project).

I love learning new things, then showing off the cools things I’ve made with what I’ve learned.  I am also frugal (cheap), so doing certain things myself means that I save money and control the end product.  Doing DIY projects is a good cold weather activity for the times of the year you want to be inside.

I’ve learned, though, that DIY doesn’t mean do it yourself by figuring out how to do it from a blank slate without any help.  My most successful DIY projects have come from step-by-step illustrated guides or videos.  One source that I recommend is the “DIY & Crafts” section of Pinterest.  I also highly recommend using books as resource guides.  Check out some of these titles on how to make your own very cool things.