Swords and Wands at Newark Library

Come join us at the Newark Library on Saturday, November 14th at 2:00 to make a sword or wand to take home. We will also be making crowns and tiaras. For directions go to www.aclibrary.org and click on branches to find Newark's website.

Cars Are A Smash Hit at Fremont Library

What a crowd. 53 plus children and so many parents gathered around cloth covered tables to design two race cars. The kids had a great time! They worked very hard on their designs and enjoyed racing them across the tables when they were finished. This program was very popular and parents were asking when the next program would be. To finish off the day, the kids each took home a race themed tattoo.

Cars, Cars and More Cars

Register now for the upcoming Design Your Own Cars program at the Fremont Main Library. Each child will design two cars to take home. Registration is open now and classes fill quickly. Go to www.aclibrary.org and click on Fremont Main and their calendar of events to sign your child up. The class is Saturday, November 7th from 11:30-12:30.

Family Scrapbooking at Fremont Main

More than 50 men, women and children arrived for a beginners class on scrapbooking. I had 8 tables covered with supplies. We had dad's and their children along with mom's and their kids too. Only one mom, and 2 children had ever scrapbooked-so I had some major teaching to do. I explained the "rules" of scrapbooking and let them dive in. They enjoyed rummaging through all the different, unique supplies and asked for help with using the different products, cutters etc. It was awesome to see a dad enjoying creating his first scrapbook page. He did a great page! I wandered the room answering questions, showing techniques and ooohing and ahhhhing their pages.
When everyone was finished, they brought their pages to show me. Great work was accomplished! I love creating a safe place for people to be creative. Children and adults alike made wonderful memory pages. As many left, they asked when the next class would be. I was very impressed too, that the majority cleaned their tables and returned all the supplies to the work tables. It was a very good day!

Time Correction for November 14th

Swords and Wands at Newark Library has been changed to 2:00-2:45 on Saturday, November 14th. Please make a note of the new time and join us for some creative fun!

Calendar of Upcoming Programs

Saturday, October 24th 11:30-1 Family Scrapbooking Day @ Fremont Main Library
Registration is required for this event www.aclibrary.org

Saturday, November 7th 11:30-12:30 Cars, Cars, Cars @ Fremont Main Library
Registration is required for this event www.aclibrary.org

Saturday, November 14th 1:00-1:45 Design Your Own Wands and Swords @ Newark Library
This is a drop in event

Come join us for great fun, art and creativity!

Thanking The Teen Volunteers at Newark

I am again amazed at the creativity that teens have when given freedom to use their minds. Kat had me bring in a lot of supplies for the teens to create Scrapbook Mobiles as a reward for their volunteer work in the Summer Reading Game. I was concerned that I had misjudged what they'd like when Kat informed me that one of the volunteers didn't want to come because he didn't want to do the "craft". As everyone showed up, we invited them to get some pizza and visit for a bit. I invited the teens to get up and start creating, with little response. I started walking around the supply table commenting on the paper choices, what I'd use and how etc and soon I had an excited group of teens digging through paper choices, adhesives, cutters and the like. I also personally went over to invite the young man that didn't want to be there. He said no, so I left him alone for awhile. I approached him again and asked if he hated crafting. " No", he said," but I don't know what to do." I told him of some ideas I had and offered to help him get started. The top picture is his work in progress. Not only did he get very creative, we stayed late so that he could finish as much as possible. The other teens stayed later too, so they could finish. Extra supplies went home with everyone, and they commented on how they didn't think they'd really enjoy this, but they had a great time and thanked us. I have found that teens may not neccassarily know what they want, but given a "pile of stuff", they really do enjoy being creative. A little guidance goes a long way, and this program was definite hit. The teen who didn't want to be there, asked what we would do for crafts next year. Yes-a good day!

Bird Mobiles at Niles Library

I had a delightful time teaching Birding to a good size group of young ones at the Niles Library. While they colored 8 birds, I explained what species the different birds were and what they eat etc. The children spent a good deal of time coloring their birds-some as close to the likeness as they could, others using their imaginations to the fullest. After coloring all 8 birds, the children then attached them to the birdhouse part of the mobile. Everyone left with smiles on their faces. I even had 2 adult women also ask if they could do the craft, even though they did not have children. Thanks Sally for a fun day of creating!

Critter Pics

Christie's Critters has a new addition to the family-A Ball Python whose name is Sinbad. He is very sweet and gentle. You'll also notice an updated photo of Torch, the Bearded Dragon. She is now about 10 inches long, and I'll admit-my favorite. Her personality is amazing. Checkers, the Corn Snake is over 2 foot long now and is also very sweet and gentle. If you haven't already booked a Pet Program, you really should. Parents and children alike love the show and the educational benefits are a plus. I also do birthday parties with these facinating creatures.

Next Program is at Niles Library

On Tuesday, August 4th at 2pm, we will be creating Bird House Mobiles to take home. Come join us for a fun-filled hour of birding at the Niles Library. www.aclibrary.org click on branches, then Niles.

A Bunch of Animals in Benicia

A cool breeze came in just as we began the animal program in Benicia. Cool Fuzzy Frames to color, and animal bookmarks to make. All ages enjoyed this activity. I had toddlers all the way up to teen boys and dads busy creating their masterpieces! I asked one dad where his son went and he answered, "Outside to play with the chalk". I then asked if he was enjoying coloring the frame and he answered with an excited "Yes!". The children finished off the evening enjoying chalk art outdoors.

Swimming Good Time in Newark

A hot summer day is the perfect time to create a fish and visor at the Newark Library. The kids spent a good deal of time creating their idea of the prettiest fish, then made themselves a visor to ward off the summer sun. Toddlers to tweens-they all had a swimming good time!

Sand Art at Irvington

What a fantastic time we had at Irvington Library! 70 kids plus parents making sand art pictures. The children were very creative and certainly enjoyed playing with the sand. The parents were just as enthusiastic and tried to "help" their little ones. We were wall to wall full of fun!!

July Programs

Here are my upcoming performances for July. Come join in the fun!

Wed., July 8th at 2pm - Irvington Library - Sandart

Sat., July 11th at 2pm - Newark Library - Create a fish

Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30pm - Benicia - Animals

Thursday, July 16th at 2pm - Centerville - Origami

Next Program is at Newark Library

My next program will be at the Newark Library on Saturday, July 11th beginning at 2:00 pm. We will be having a "Swimmin' Good Time", creating a beautiful fish with an array of wonderful decorations. This project is best suited for 5 and older. I will have a smaller craft for the toddlers available as well. See you in July!

Beautiful Butterflies

I love butterflies! To be able to share that love with others-is wonderful! At the Newark Library, we had a Butterfly Gardening Program and Butterfly Crafts. The parents learned how to create a butterfly garden at home, while the kids planted a Milkweed seed of their own. The children loved creating their butterflies, and they were beautiful!

At Dublin Library, we created 3-D Butterflies and added jewels. Absolutely beautiful. One little girl added about 2 pounds of jewels to hers. The colors were gorgeous and the children enjoyed creating, while visiting with their friends. We had a number of boys enjoy this craft as well.

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! I taught at Fremont Main and at Newark on one afternoon. We had a great time. The kids at Fremont enjoyed learning what Cinco de Mayo was about, and did a great job creating their drums and maracas. A newspaper man covered this event. As you can see from the pictures-all had a great time. At Newark, every young person chose to decorate a drum. They created very colorful drums, then we had a parade around the library. A great day of celebrating.

Dia de los Ninos at San Lorenzo Library

What fun we had today at the San Lorenzo Library. The children made Domroo Drums and Maracas. Their use of color was awesome, and they created beautiful instruments. The age range was 4-12, with a variety of skill levels. A young blind girl with Cerebral Palsy had fun making maracas with her mother as well. The kids were delighted with the "music" they were able to make when the craft time was done.

Upcoming Programs

Because my website doesn't update properly, I will continue to add new programs here.

4/29 Dia de los Ninos at San Lorenzo Library 2:30
5/2 Cinco de Mayo at Fremont Main Library 11-12 (registration is required)
5/2 Cinco de Mayo at Newark Library 1-2 We will make Domroo drums and Maracas
5/9 Butterfly Gardening & Craft at Newark Library 12:30-2
5/11 Butterfly Craft at Dublin Library 4-5
5/27 Cooking with Tweens at San Lorenzo 3:00 (registration is required)

You can find the information for registration at www.aclibrary.org click on branch

I have many creative programs available for the Summer Reading Game, if you haven't already booked. I am also available for programs for your teen volunteers.

Write A Book Contest

I am in the creativity business, yet I still am constantly amazed by the creativity these youngsters have! Today at Newark Library, I gave each child a book, and tons of goodies to work with. They each created a book that was outstanding. A 2 year old wrote letters and numbers, while a 5 year old wrote 15 pages of story telling that was fantastic. I don't have a first place ribbon for everyone, but I would say at least half of them fell into that category. Judging was difficult to say the least! This is a fabulous program for your libraries. It will need an hour and 1/2 to give them that extra time to finish up. We advertised 6-13, and ended up with a 5 year old that could write his own, so he was welcomed. The 2 year old "wrote" his own too, so he'll get a superstar award. I helped a couple of reluctant boys come up with a story line, but other than that and a little spelling help, the kids worked independently. I was also very proud of parents and grandparents for not being too helpful! Librarian Kat was very impressed with the quality of her littlest patron's works.

Multicultural Day at Newark Library

What a great time we had at Newark Library today making Multicultural Paper People. Each child picked his or her skintone color, decorative ethnic paper to create clothes, yarn for hair, and ribbons, markers etc to accent themselves. They were all so creative. A father and his young daughter had good bonding time, while a big brother helped his little sister create her doll. The imaginations were impressive and as you can see by the pictures, the results were fantastic. I was surprised to find that most of the Asian young girls chose to have yellow hair. Thanks Kat, for another fine program opportunity!

Upcoming Programs

My website is having difficulties, so I will post upcoming programs here until I can get the problem resolved.

March 7th at Newark Library We will celebrate our diversity by making self-image paper people. That will begin at 1:00.

April 18th at Newark Library We are having a "Write a Book" contest for school-age children. Come write a book, and win a prize from the judges. This programs begin at 1:00pm.

Summer is fast approaching, and filling fast, so book now to get the date you prefer for your program or party!

Valentine's Day

At the Niles Library last week, the children enjoyed making twirly heart mobiles. Their creativity flowed, as they decorated their heart with foam heart stickers, markers and their own thoughts. Many made a present for their teacher, or parent, and one young lady made her heart into a box of chocolates.
The next day at Irvington, the children designed their own gorilla mobiles, by decorating 3 hearts and 3 bananas each with many colorful stickers and markers. They then used ribbon to hang the decorated items to the bottom of the mobile. Everyone had a wonderful time, and they were all very creative.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

For those of you unfamiliar, that means Congratulations, and may you be prosperous in the new year. We celebrated Chinese New Year at Dublin Library today. What fun! A room filled with tables covered in red cloths, and colorful dragons everywhere. More than 80 children and adults enjoyed creating their very own dancing dragons. What talented crafters there are in Dublin. My husband, Bob, was amazed when he came back in the room, to see the beautifully designed dragons. We even had a few dragons receive names from their crafters. One very beautiful purple dragon ended up with the name Violet. Many received the name of their designer. Grandmothers, Moms, Dads and Children enjoyed an hour visiting together, creating and showing their beautiful art work to one another. We even had a group of special needs children come enjoy making many very unique, delightful dragons of their own. One that especially caught my eye seemed to be made of candy corns. What imaginations! Everyone including Susan, Monica and myself had a wonderful time.

Website Up and Running!

After many hours of work and frustration, my website is finally published. I encountered a rare problem, and that is why I couldn't easily upload my site. That is all resolved now, so go to christiescreativecupboard.com and you'll be able to see what is available, and upcoming programs. Please let me know what you think.

New addition to our Herp Family

We have a new addition to Christie's Critters reptile family. She is a Uromastyx Lizard, also known as a spiny tail lizard. She's about 9 inches long and is orange with black patches. We rescued her from a family that had tired of her. Her name is Mali due to her species name of Mali Uromastyx. She eats collard greens, peas, dandelion greens and gets all of her water from the vegetation. Welcome Mali!!

No-Cook Recipes from Cooking With Tweens

We had 3 recipes for the tweens to learn. Here are the ingredients and instructions.

Christie's Crunchy Munch

Ingredients
Pretzels Stick or wrapped are fine
Goldfish Crackers
Mini Marshmallows
M&M's

In a large bowl combine any amount of the listed ingredients that suits your tastebuds. Mix and serve. Store in airtight container.


Spiral Sandwiches

1 package flour tortillas
1 package spinach flour tortillas
1/4 pound lunchmeat thinly sliced omit for vegetarian style sandwich
1/4 pound sliced cheese we used American Cheese
Mustard, Mayo or any other spread, you can also serve plain


Place one flour tortilla on a plate, place spinach tortilla on top of flour tortilla. Spread a small amount of desired spread on tortilla, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around tortilla.
Tear cheese into strips, place around tortilla leaving the 1/2 border. Add lunchmeat in a circular pattern around the tortilla, overlapping as you go.
Take one edge of tortillas and start rolling into a log. Remember, roll fairly tightly, so ingredients don't fall out of your sandwich. You may eat whole, cut in half, or cut into small circular wedges.

Banana Dogs

Medium Banana
Hot Dog bun
Peanut Butter
Honey
Marshmallow Creme

Place peeled banana into hot dog bun. Top with desired ingredients from list, and enjoy. Remember, no honey for children under 1 year of age.

Upcoming Programs

In February, I will be at the following locations:

2nd Dublin Library 4:00 Chinese New Year Craft
10th Niles Library 3:30 Valentine Craft
11th Irvington 3:30 Valentine Craft

If you're in the area, come on by and enjoy crafting with us.

On The Web!

I've finally created a website! It wasn't as hard as I thought. By the end of next week, you'll be able to find my site at christiescreativecupboard.com. As my business grows, I will have more growing to do myself.
Thanks for dropping in, and check back soon.

Happy New Year

Well, Christmas has come and gone. I had 4 programs at various libraries, with Dublin being added to my list. The new year is here. I had a Christie's Critters Pet Program at the Newark Library today. We had approximately 55 people, and the animals performed well. Sprite (bunny), was the favorite, again. Torch (Bearded Dragon), was very popular. This was her first show, and at 6 months she did really well. The gecko didn't enjoy the company at all! Parents and children asked many good questions, and I'm pretty sure one young lady will be receiving a bunny for her birthday. If you'd like to have my pets come visit your library or birthday party, just send me an email, and we'll get it arranged.