Wednesday, February 7, Workantile will be offering a two hour design/manufacture how-to for 3D Printing. You'll be able to see how it works, learn how, and walk out with your own design in the same night! The class will be taught by David Erik Nelson, author of Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make With Your Kids, and the world-traveling Maker vagabonds Bilal and Alex. The group will be making iPhone cases, belt buckles, jewelry--or whatever else you can design together. Just bring an idea and a laptop and you're all set.
Interested? More information can be found here.
or by emailing Dave at dave@davidericknelson.com
Happy Making!

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.

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!

Wednesday December 7, 2011: 7 to 9 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch

Did you know that Etsy provides a great way to meet and work with folks who share your interests? Many Michigan artisans join teams to participate in discussion forums, share information, collaborate on projects, and more. One of the Michigan teams is called MICE, which stands for Michigan Indie Crafters of Etsy. MICE has 768 members and is lead by local Ann Arbor artisan, photographer, and business owner, Kate Kehoe. Kate owns Chicalookate and will provide a fun introduction to Etsy on Wednesday, December 7th.

Registration is not required to attend this class. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

See you in class!

Important Dates for the Week of October 2 to October 8

Sunday October 2 Phileas Fogg's Wager Day

Monday October 3 German Unity Day

Tuesday October 4 World Space Week begins on October 4 and runs through October 10. This year the celebration commemorates 50 Years of Human Spaceflight.

Wednesday October 5 Balloons Around the World Day. Make someone smile with balloon art.

Thursday October 6 Wear your best hat for Mad Hatter Day

Friday October 7 National Denim Day

Saturday October 8 National Pierogy Day

Always remember that every day is a celebration!

Last week Grace Bonney’s Design*Sponge At Home was finally released. Fans of the immensely popular Design*Sponge blog have been anxiously awaiting its release.

The photo-filled book features: Home tours of 70 real-life interiors featuring artists and designers, fifty DIY projects with detailed instructions for personalizing your space, step-by-step tutorials on everything from stripping and painting furniture to hanging wallpaper and doing your own upholstery, fifty Before & After makeovers submitted by readers of Design*Sponge – real people with limited time and realistic budgets, and essential tips on modern flower arranging.

Are you ready to be inspired?

What does your locker need to make it work for you? Maybe a set of homemade magnets to hang up schedules and pictures? DIY envelopes for keeping track of this and that, and even a small mirror? Jazz up your locker this Saturday, September 17!

Traverwood branch | 2:00 - 3:30 pm | Grades 6-12.

Sandra Betzina, international lecturer, writer, TV personality, and pattern designer, stars in this series of how-to sewing videos from her webTV show. Some also feature writer and designer Ron Collins.

Even if you’re a super sewer these are a great visual aid to hone your skills. If you’re looking to see how others get it done, these DVDs are also for you. I know it helps sometimes to have a visual aid when working on projects.

Power Sewing Skill DVDs to choose from include: Foolproof Buttonholes, Pant Fitting Pointers, Copy Ready-To-Wear, Anatomy of a Jacket, Jeans Couture, and Linings A to Z. Everything you need to figure out fly fronts, hems, sleeves, pockets, vests, alterations, and more.

DVDs in the new-to-AADL Power Sewing Master Series include: Fabrics, Needles and Presser Feet, Pattern Alterations and Interfacing, Details, Behind the Seams, and Home Décor.

Each show provides an in-depth instruction with close-up camera work and graphics. Whether you have been sewing for years, or just getting started, you will learn new methods that will inspire you.

Due to circumstances beyond our control the upcoming 826MI Robot Workshop for this Saturday, August 6 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown Library has been canceled. This event has been re-scheduled for Saturday, August 27 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown Library in the 4th Floor Meeting Room. This event is for kids in grades 4 & up and Teens in grades 6-12.

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

Have you done block printing before 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 Tuesday, July 26, from 6:30-8:30pm. See you there!