Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

“Here, where the Daisies fit my Head // ‘Tis easiest to lie…”

So I was trying to come up with a clever headline relating to basket weaving (being a basket case, weave a good time…blerg) but my creative juices just aren’t flowing today.  So I’m just going to go ahead and say it.  You’ve got less than 48 hours (until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 13) to sign up for the Library’s Creation Studio program on basket weaving.  Tracy Welch, from Basketwerks in Long Grove, will teach us the basics of basket weaving. You’ll get hands-on experience and learn basic skills, sources for training and materials, and approximate start-up costs.  No cost to you, thanks to the sponsorship of the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.  Call 563-344-4175 or click here to register.

The Civil Rights Song Fest on February 17th was attended by some 170 people, meaning standing-room-only.  There was a wonderful line-up of talent from the Quad-Cities community and I do stress the word “community” because by the time we finished singing “We Shall Overcome” together, the smiles, laughter, and appreciation for each other were palpable.  Special thanks go to Bill Campbell from St. Ambrose University for suggesting the Civil Rights Songwriting Competition in the first place (as part of the Library’s Civil Rights Project), for devising the songwriting competition guidelines, and for judging the entries (along with Barbara Kuttler and Dwayne Hodges).  Photos & 2 minute video (“We Shall Overcome”) by Michael Hustedde  from the Civil Rights Song Fest:

OK, how cute is this purse?  One of the participants in January’s Crazy Quilting Creation Studio fashioned it out of the square that she made that night.  One evening, one quilt square, a little know-how and you’ve got a fabulous purse.  Can’t you just see that slung over your shoulder as you’re on your way to a holiday party wearing your best little black dress?

If you’re not familiar with the Creation Studio program series, here’s a little background.  I love arts and crafts of all types, but I am timid.  I see all sorts of cool things I want to try and then I talk myself out of it because I don’t know how to do it, I don’t know how much it will cost, I don’t know how much time will be involved, I don’t know who can teach me.  (Obviously, I don’t know a lot!) In my life, it’s all about having less stuff and finding more time; trying every new craft that piques my interest does not fit into that framework.

So I came up with Creation Studio.  It’s a one-night workshop designed to give the participants a foundation in different arts and crafts.  Accomplished teachers give us some background, show us the basic tools, tell us where to get more training and how much it will cost to get started.  Whenever possible, we have a small hands-on project so you can really get a feel for whether or not you want to pursue it.

To date, thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library, all of the Creation Studio classes have been free to participants.  (Thanks, Friends!  You’re the best!)  We’re taking a break in February, but come back strong on March 24 with knitting, taught by members of the Quad City SnB club.  They meet in Dewey’s Cafe, and a more knowledgeable, fun-loving group of knitters you’ll never find.  Sign up starts on February 28, so mark your calendar to call us at 563-344-4175 or register through our online Calendar of Events at www.bettendorflibrary.com.

We still have spaces open for this Wednesday’s (November 10) Creation Studio on Paper Arts.  Vida Luth, senior demonstrator for Stamping Up, will showcase a variety of techniques and projects that can be done with stamping, punching, folding and other methods for embellishing paper. You’ll get hands-on experience and learn basic skills, sources for training and materials, and approximate start-up costs. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.  Click here to sign up!