Calling all crafty librarians! Here are some new books to help make your programming more creative: 150 ALL-TIME FAVORITE CROCHET BLOCKS by Sarah Hazell This gorgeous collection of classic crochet blocks highlights several patterns (including the iconic granny square in many variations), and provides tips on how to select yarn and color combinations. Each block Know More » […]
Tag: crafting
Calling all Crafty Crafting Librarians!
Jump start your homemade holiday gifts with these 3 titles: 100 COLORFUL RIPPLE STITCHES TO CROCHET: 50 Original Stitches & 50 Fabulous Colorways for Blankets and Throws by Leonie Morgan In this wonderfully illustrated and easy-to-use guide with simple to advanced patterns, making and using ripple stitches in delightful and inspiring colors and textures has Know More » […]
Get Crafty!
Calling all crafty librarians! We've got new books to inspire your latest arts & crafts projects:
GAME DAY: 50 Fun Spirit Fleece Projects to Sew by Cindy Cummins
This fun guide gives you advice on the tools and different kinds of fleece to work with, as well as tips for easy sewing and serging techniques in addition to the projects designed for Tailgating, Game Time, Men & Women, Kids & Baby, Man's Best Friend, and even some No-Sew projects.
FLORAL KNITS: 25 Contemporary Flower-Inspired Designs by Martin Storey
Inspired by lush garden flowers, the book includes 25 gorgeous knitted garments (sweaters, shrugs, scarves, etc.) and accessories (cushions, throws, etc.) from top Rowan Yarns designer Martin Storey.
LOOM KNITTING AFGHANS: 20 Simple & Snuggly No-Needle Designs for All Loom Knitters by Isela Phelps
Loom knitting maven Isela Phelps' latest book shows off clear, easy-to-follow instructions and new patterns for afghans, throws, and blankets for beginner knitters up to advanced levels.
THE UPHOLSTERER'S HANDBOOK: A Complete Reference with Step-by-Step Techniques by Alex Law
Whether you're re-covering some simple dining chairs or restoring a family heirloom, this book contains all the guidance and techniques—both traditional and modern—you'll need to complete your upholstery project in an easy-to-use format.
Happy crafting!
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Cooking & Crafting 2013 – Pie Pops
Looking for something fun to bring to your next holiday potluck gathering? How about pie pops?
They're easy to make thanks to pre-made pie crusts and will get you tons of compliments, both for flavor and presentation–seriously, they're adorable. Andrea Smetona's EASY AS PIE POPS has tons of recipes perfect for the season, including Peppermint Pudding, Mint Fudge, and Pumpkin Cheesecake, not to mention brunch-inspired savory pops such as Breakfast Casserole and Hot Ham & Cheese.
Anne whipped up a batch of Honeyed Fig pie pops to bring to a white elephant party last weekend and they were a huge hit. Read on for the how-to and don't forget that this Sunday, December 15 is the last day to enter to win a copy of EASY AS PIE POPS and other cooking and crafting books (details after the break).
INGREDIENTS:
1 recipe Homemade Pie Pop Crust (p. 13 in the book) or 4 unbaked store-bought or homemade 9" diameter pie crusts
For filling:
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened (Anne used Neufchatel)
1/2 cup whipping cream (Anne substituted Half and Half)
1 large egg, plus the white of another for basting
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey
5 cups brown or black figs, chopped small
Olive oil, for garnish
Fresh rosemary, for garnish
Other tools needed:
Basting brush (silicone is recommended)
Cookie sticks
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a large baking sheet, or line with parchment paper (Anne's note: wax paper and parchment paper are not the same! Wax paper will melt, so make sure you're using the correct one).
Prepare the filling by mixing together the cream cheese, cream, egg, brown sugar, flour, salt and honey. Toss in the chopped figs and stir. Pour into a 9" diameter pie dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature before using in pie pops.
Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
Flour both sides of the pie crusts you're using, then roll flat with a rolling pin. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out 24 rounds from the dough–12 for the bottom and 12 for the top. Get creative with your shapes! Anne used a star cutter.Lay out the 12 bottom crusts on the prepared baking sheet. Using a basting brush, coat each bottom crust with egg white. Press the cookie stick firmly into the center of each bottom crust.
Dollop a 1-1/2 inch bit of the cooled fig mixture in the center of each bottom crust. Place a top crust over the filling and press firmly around the sides to seal the pie pop, making sure to start by firmly crimping the edges around the cookie stick to ensure it stays in place.
After all the pops are sealed and pressed, brush olive oil on each top crust and sprinkle with fresh rosemary.
Bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes, until the crust is nice and golden. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Try your best not to eat all the pie pops before you get to the party/brunch/potluck (Anne highly recommends eating one or two for quality control purposes).
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Cooking & Crafting 2013 – WRAPAGAMI
Who's going shopping this weekend? We are, too. If you don't have a good hiding spot for your gifts, why not wrap them right away? Better yet, wrap them creatively without paper or tape! In WRAPAGAMI, Jennifer Playford shows you how to wrap boxes, bottles and even odd-shaped items like dishes and cookie tins (Anne's excited about that one). It's eco-friendly and depending on the fabric you use, can serve as two gifts in one (ex: a scarf wrapped around a jewelry box).
Today, Anne's going to demonstrate a wrap that most of us should find very useful: the Single Book Wrap. She didn't have extra fabric lying around the house but found that a dish towel worked perfectly well for this example (Gift idea: kitchen gadgets wrapped in a dish towel! See how easy that two-in-one idea is?).
Read on for the step-by-step instructions and don't forget that you can enter for a chance to win WRAPAGAMI and other crafting and cookbooks!
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Cooking & Crafting 2013 – Hanukkah Eats
While many people are preparing for Thanksgiving this week, others are ready to celebrate Hanukkah, which starts this Wednesday. To celebrate, Anne made Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Latkes and Cider-Glazed Root Vegetables from THE NEW JEWISH TABLE by Todd Gray and Ellen Kassoff Gray to share with all of you.
Enjoy! And don't forget that you can enter to win a copy of THE NEW JEWISH TABLE and other cooking and crafting books (see details after the recipes).
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Cooking & Crafting 2013 – MONSTER KNITS!
Calling all crafty librarians! You know who you are. This one's for experienced knitters who want to make adorable winter wear for their little ones. We are in looove with MONSTER KNITS FOR LITTLE MONSTERS by Nuriya Khegay--just look at the precious little Yoda-like guy on the cover!
Unfortunately, Anne doesn't know how to knit, so she can't demonstrate this one for you. (She's more of a counted cross-stitch kind of gal.) But if you do, you'll find a treasure trove of goodies here: an adorable monster hat, gloves, and socks with little claws! 
Click here to download a PDF of the "little monster" hat, mitten & bootie project.
If someone knits these for us in a grown-up size we'll be your best friends forever. Remember, Anne can trade for cookies.
Happy crafting and don't forget that from now through December 15 you can enter to win MONSTER KNITS and a bundle of other cooking and crafting books! Read on for more info.
UPDATE 12/16: Congratulations to our winners, Sarah Bourg of Hamilton North Public Library in Cicero, IN and Pam Aghababian of Ashland Public Library in Ashland, MA!
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Cooking & Crafting 2013 – ULTIMATE NACHOS!
Did you know that Wednesday, November 6 was National Nacho Day?
Anne did and it gave her a perfect excuse to test one of the recipes in ULTIMATE NACHOS as part of our recently launched Cooking & Crafing series. (Not that she needs much excuse to make anything Southwestern, being from Tucson...)
From the 84 recipes for salsa, guacamole, cheese sauces, nachos (both savory AND sweet!), and drinks (Margaritas! Horchata!), Anne chose to make BBQ Chicken Nachos to eat during Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, she was in such a rush to get the chow ready for kickoff that she forgot to take step-by-step photos of the magical chip/chicken/cheese creation! There is one of the finished product, just before she added sour cream, avocado and cilantro to individual portions.
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Click here to download a PDF of the recipe
Did you know that you can win a copy of ULTIMATE NACHOS and other cooking and crafting books? We're giving away two bundles of cookbooks and craft books, just in time for the holidays. To enter the giveaway, simply email Library@MacmillanUSA.com from your professional/library-issued e-mail address (subject: Cooking & Crafts) and your library’s mailing address. Submit your entry by Sunday, December 15th to be placed in the random drawing. Read on for the rules & regulations.
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2013 Cooking & Crafting Series + FREE Books for your Library!
November and December bring some of our favorite holidays. While we like to focus on giving you great news about our books, awards, conference information, and all things cuddly and small, we also think it's the perfect time to share our cooking and craft books with you.
Periodically throughout November and December, we'll feature a recipe or a craft from one of our many titles, in the hope that you might find it useful to share with your patrons, or get ideas for yourself, whether you're entertaining, hosting, or gift-giving.
One other delightful bonus: FREE BOOKS! Just in time for the December holidays, we'll be giving away two bundles of cookbooks and craft books featured in the posts to a pair of lucky winners!
To enter the giveaway, simply email Library@MacmillanUSA.com from your professional/library-issued e-mail address (subject: Cooking & Crafts) and your library’s mailing address. Submit your entry by Sunday, December 16th to be placed in the random drawing. (Make sure to check the rules & regulations after the recipe.)
UPDATE 12/16: Congratulations to our winners, Sarah Bourg of Hamilton North Public Library in Cicero, IN and Pam Aghababian of Ashland Public Library in Ashland, MA!
Our first featured recipe is from KEEPERS: Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion.
Anne was happy to fire up the oven in her kitchen on a cold Sunday to cook this Sausage and White Bean Gratin casserole made with sausage (duh), white beans (double duh), spinach, wine (mmm!), and a butter/breadcrumb topping (double mmm!).
Click here to download a PDF of the Sausage and White Bean Gratin recipe.
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