At this hands-on workshop you’ll get a chance to pull your own screen printed tea towel to take home. We’ll also get you caught up on all things related to printing up stylish towels. Hand printed tea towels are a great way to add a bit of whimsy to one’s kitchen, as they’re both colorful and creative!

We’ll also have linoleum blocks carved and ready for you to use to stamp a design onto a fat quarter of fabric. You can then do what you will with the fabric! You can use it in a plethora of handmade projects, including: A throw pillow, a bag, a placemat, for appliques, and more. It’s up to you. You’ll leave the workshop with a tea towel and a fat quarter, ready to add some sparkle to your abode.

To expand upon the joy of printing on fabric, here are some crafty books to get you going.

This DIY event is for grade 6 – Adult, and takes place at Pittsfield on Tuesday, February 7, from 7-8:30pm.

Roses are red, valentines are, too. Come to the Pittsfield Branch on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. to make some valentines for those special people in your life.
We'll also be making large tissue paper flowers. All supplies will be provided. This is for preschool - grade 5.

For books and movies about the holiday, click here.

For Valentine's Day coloring sheets or other projects to try at home, click here.

Collect up your photos, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia to create a scrapbook from cereal boxes. We will provide cereal boxes for cool covers and other scrapbooking supplies. Click here for more books from the library to get some ideas. Hope to see you at the Pittsfield branch on Thursday, December 29 from 2 - 3:30 pm. Grades 4-8.

Have you ever tried making paper beads? It's a great way to reuse old magazines, and along with a few basic supplies, you'll end up with a necklace that you can wear on the spot. Supplies will be provided. You can find inspiration from these titles Paper Jewelry Book or Art of Jewelry. Join us at the Traverwood branch December 28, Wednesday, from 2-3:30pm.

Have you ever considered making your own board game? What would it look like? What would it do?

Come to the Pittsfield Branch Library on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and make your own board game. Will it have a path? Will it have dragons blocking the way? What will be the reward for finishing?

This is for children preschool through 5th grade. Supplies and boards will be provided. For a start to planning your game, look at this.

Get ready to ring in 2012! Come to the Pittsfield Branch Library on Friday, Dec. 30 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and create some hats and noisemakers to help you bring in the new year.

This is for preschool through 5th grade children. All supplies will be provided. For more about this holiday, click here.

At this block printing workshop you will create a design, carve the design into a linoleum block with the proper tools, and then print the image onto paper and/or note cards. This is your chance to create wall art, or perhaps design a card.

Did you attend a past workshop at AADL and are looking for more instruction, ideas and practice? Or are you a first timer wondering what block printing is all about? This workshop is for you.

We will supply all the tools necessary, you supply the creativity! If you have something you’d like to print on, or have your own tools, feel free to bring them.

Don't forget to check out some of AADL’s books on block printing for a spark of ideas.

This DIY event is for Grades 6- Adult, and takes place at Pittsfield on Wednesday, December 14, from 6:30-8:30pm. See you there!

EtsyWednesday November 9, 2011 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Downtown Library, 3rd Floor Training Center

Are you curious about how folks sell their handmade goods on the internet? Looking for craft supplies or vintage items? Come to the Etsy class to learn about the online marketplace from a local Ann Arbor artisan, photographer, and business owner, Kate Kehoe. Kate owns Chicalookate, and has been in business on Etsy for over 5 years.

Check out the book, Craft, Inc, to learn more about making your hobby your business.

Registration is not required. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For a complete class schedule, click here. See you in class!

Come to the Pittsfield Branch on Monday, October 31, 2011 from 4 - 6 p.m. for some creative Halloween fun. We'll have some crafts to do; goggles, spider webs, pumpkins and more! We'll also have cider and donuts. Join us for Halloween fun!!!!
All supplies will be provided. For preschool through grade 5.

For some stories about Halloween, click here.