Sun Catchers and Tissue Paper Fish

The Summer Reading Game is in full swing, with the libraries offering many opportunities to enjoy performances and craft times. At the Niles library, the children enjoyed creating sun catchers. Many used the special paint, while others used sharpies to make their masterpieces. I loved the use of color and their imaginations! Librarian Sally amused us with her sea hat as well. At the Union City library, we made tissue paper fish. The children were excited to create their own fish. Some took only moments, others took awhile to finish. I enjoyed watching them use their creative minds and here are some of the results.

Upcoming Library Programs

The Summer Reading Game has started at your local library. I will be at the following libraries for the next few weeks doing an assortment of crafts. Every program is free, so come on out and enjoy an afternoon of creativity!

Sat., July 3rd Tissue Paper Fish 2pm Union City
Wed., July 7th Under the Sea Mobiles 2pm Irvington
Wed., July 14th Assortment of crafts 1 & 2:30 Dublin
Wed., July 21st Fish Catch Game 3pm Warm Springs Comm. Center
Thur., July 22nd Pinwheels 2pm Centerville
Wed., July 28th Assortment of crafts 2pm Fremont Main
Thurs., July 29th Tissue Paper Fish 2pm Albany

Wed., Aug 11th Japanese Fish Mobiles 3pm San Lorenzo
Mon., Aug 16th Sand Art 2pm Castro Valley

Go to www.aclibrary.org , click on branches and pick a branch to see if they have any requirements for you to attend.

Mother's Day Tote Bags

I so enjoy working with the seniors. They are happy to see me and I am delighted to reconnect and visit with each of them. Today, we made tote bags. I was thrilled to see the creativity flow. One woman made a gift for her granddaughter, the rest of the ladies made a tote for themselves. Each one was very different, and all were very colorful and beautiful. While we work on our projects we share stories and enjoy time together. I look forward to each and every visit!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 1st, 2o1o A Homeschool 101 Workshop from 10:30-12, at the Newark Library. Registration is required. www.aclibrary.org

Saturday, May 22nd from 11-12 I will be teaching Butterfly/Native Gardening at the Newark Library. This event is open to all. There will also be a craft for the children.

Saturday, June 12th at 2:00 we will be creating a sand art piece at the Newark Library. This is a drop-in, free event.

Tuesday, June 29th at 2:00 we will make suncatchers at the Niles Library.

Catci Gardening with the Seniors

I had seniors waiting for me to arrive for this program. One woman was so happy to be able to do some planting, like she used to do when she owned her home. I had a couple of men join in too. We had a marvelous time talking about gardens, favorite plants and flowers and how beautiful the catci gardens were that they were creating. We had a pleasant afternoon, and each participant took home two catci to take care of.

Christie's Critters Visits the Newark Library

An excited room filled with children and adults greeted me as I began the show. The animals and reptiles get very active and expressive as they wait their turn to meet the children. This year, we had only one little guy that was afraid of touching the snakes, but with careful coaxing-he did and was so proud of himself afterwards. Moms and Dads get so much useful information regarding pets for their children, and their questions are great. The kids just love petting, touching and holding the menagerie of friends. Sprite, the bunny, continues to be the most popular with Torch, the Bearded Dragon in second. This time, I had many new babies and everyone had a blast getting to know them.

Furry Friends Visit the Seniors

Sprite, Mica, Clover and Tidbit came with me to visit seniors at an assisted living facility. The animals were greeted with glee! What joy is brought to my heart to see the love and cuddling the seniors enjoyed as they took turns petting, holding or talking to each furry friend. Mica, my baby guinea pig won't come out from under his hide at home because he is so young and skitish. He sure loved all the attention he received from the folks, and it's obvious to me that he is going to enjoy performing. Sprite, my bunny was the most popular and got a great many kisses and nose snuggles! We placed the cages of Clover and Tidbit, two types of hamsters on the table for the ladies to enjoy watching. A new resident who hadn't spoken the entire week she lived there, livened up and spoke to me and Mica, so that was a rewarding experience. I enjoyed bringing a bit of friendship to the residents.

Seniors and Valentines

A delightful group of ladies came to my first program at an assisted living facility. I was told to expect 2 or 3, and was surprised to find 8 women waiting for me. I found out later that I had one woman who had never wanted to join craft time the entire 4 years she has lived there, so that was a treat too!

The women enjoyed all the craft supplies and cards I brought, and spent a good hour creating a few cards for their loved ones and friends. One sweet woman made a card for her husband of 67 years!

The cards were beautiful and we had a pleasant afternoon creating together.

Chinese New Year At Irvington Library

On Wednesday, February 10th at 3:30, we will be celebrating the arrival of Chinese New Year by making dancing dragons. You'll need a ticket to attend, so come by the library one half hour before to get your free ticket.

Christie's Critters Welcomes Sid

Our newest addition to Christie's Critters is Sid, the Leopard Gecko. Sid is a brand new baby and is so tiny! He eats mealworms and he holds the side of the carpet in his cage when he sleeps.

Bird Houses and Pine Cone Feeders

At the Newark Library, we had a packed house of children ready to make their bird house mobiles. I taught about our backyard birds and the different birds that live in our local state parks. I also invited parents to take their children to many of our parks to explore and see the many birds I spoke of. My example mobile had the birds realistically colored so the children would recognize these birds in their yards. They had a great time designing their own birds and then moved on to the next craft of making a pine cone bird feeder. I had teens come in just for that part of the program, and they had a great time. One little girl decided to see if the peanut butter and birdseed tasted good enough for the birds. Dad and Mom decided that she'd probably eaten worse! We had a wait time for the late comers to get a space to create. This program is very popular.

Let's Make Snow Mobiles

We had a great time at the Irvington Library making Snow Mobiles. I was impressed with the art work of many of the crafters, and loved their use of color and imagination. The children spent the hour decorating their four snowflakes and four snowmen before assembling their mobiles to take home.

Pre-school Craft Time

I was hired at Niles and Irvington libraries to do six mini craft programs for the pre-school reading time. What fun I had! I did 3 different programs at both libraries. We made Pop-Up Puppets, Winter Cards, and Mitten keepsakes. The parents were actively involved and seemed to have as much fun as the children did.