Nonfiction

Designing with Duct Tape

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Duct tape is a marvel for emergency repairs to home, boat, shoes, and much more. However, this wonder has also found many more uses by those with too much time on their hands or a giant creative streak. These days some people are selling duct tape art work, clothing, accessories and more to help pay their bills. I have seen wallets, purses, hats, ties, dresses, jackets, and more created with just imagination and duct tape. The assorted colors and custom patterns that manufacturers are making duct tape with only help those looking to create rather than simply repair items with this study and versatile adhesive.

Would you like to try your hand at creating with duct tape, want to create a craft project to keep hands busy, or are just curious about the hows and whys of creating with duct tape? Well, have we got the books for you.

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Stick It!

Stick it! : 99 D.I.Y. Duct Tape Projects by T. L. Bonaddio is a great place to start. This book is geared towards young adults and adults complete with folders and detailed step-by-step directions to walk readers through 99 duct tape craft projects in a full range of difficulty levels. Some of the craft ideas included are bracelets, flip-flops, wallets, purses, and pillows. I highly suggest stocking up a variety of colored duct tapes before trying your hand at any of these projects.

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Kids; Guide to Duct Tape Projects

The Kids’ Guide to Duct Tape Projects by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt is a great place for the younger set to get started with duct tape creations. This book contains complete instructions for eight relatively easy duct tape projects in a step-by-step format along with safety tips and a craft glossary to help newcomers to crafting in general get started. Projects included here are a book cover, cell phone pouch, wallet, rose, picture frame, game board, and a couple of fashion items.

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The Duct Tape Book

For those not quite ready to jump in with both feet, but not so nervous that they want to go for the children’s book, I suggest starting in the middle with The Duct Tape Book : 25 Projects to Make with Duct Tape. This book, as the title promises, offers a selection instruction to 25 duct tape creations. With the help of this book you can create formal wear, puppets, purses, hats, picture frames, and more.

If this selection of duct tape books only wets your appetite and make you eager for more, simply stop in the library and we can help you find what you need to met your creative interests!

It’s Time to Get Your Lawn Healthy!

/ Linda / Leave a comment

wheel barrowFinally, the snow is gone!  Flowers and tree buds are starting to bloom and those nasty weeds are starting to show up on your lawn.  Here are a few of the books the Cheshire Public Library has to help you get your lawn in shape.

Lawn Gone! – low maintenance, sustainable, attractive alternatives for your yard

The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care

Ortho’s All About Lawns

Lawn Geek

The Organic Lawn Care Manual

Lawns 1-2-3

Scotts Lawns

The Lawn Bible

Tauton’s Lawn Guide

Better Homes and Gardens Step-By-Step Yard Care

Easy Lawns

Amanda Knox’s Memoir to be Released April 30, 2013

/ Linda / Leave a comment

amandaWhether you believe Amanda Knox is guilty or not guilty of killing her college roommate in Italy six years ago, her soon to be released memoir, Waiting To Be Heard, should answer some of the questions the public has.

On November 2, 2007, Amanda’s roommate, Meredith Kercher, was found with her throat slit in the villa they shared in Perugia, Italy.  Amanda, her boyfriend, and a third person were convicted of the murder.  Two years later, the conviction was overturned.  Just this past March, however, Italy’s higher court overturned the acquittal and has ordered a new trial.

Amanda has always maintained her innocence and admits contemplating suicide and fending off unwanted attention from her guards in the Italian prison.  She hopes Meredith’s family reads the book as it is all about “setting the record straight”.

Amanda is currently attending school in Seattle and dating an old friend who wrote her letters while she was in prison.

The Cheshire Public Library has the book on order and it should be arriving soon.  You may place a hold on it at this time.

Books for LEGO Lovers

/ Sharon Tyler / 1 Comment

Do you still love LEGOs? Does someone in your family love LEGOs? They are more then just a great toy, and a danger when walking barefoot. LEGOs can be used to make engineering marvels, works of art, and just about anything you can imagine as long as you have all the right pieces. There are many books that demonstrate the wide-spread love of LEGOs. Here are some of the books I recommend for LEGO fans for all age groups.

Amazing ABC

There are board books for the youngest fans. Some that can be used to help teach the ABC’s, like the Amazing ABC: an Alphabet Book of Lego Creations by Sean Kenney,while others just make all of us marvel at the effort the creators have put into creating the images used to illustrate the books.  There are also easy readers that show off some fabulous LEGO work, and use some favorite characters from books and television to capture the imagination. Cool Castles, books that feature Star Wars characters built from LEGOs, as well at the LEGO Ninjago series, which are popular for emerging readers.

The LEGO Book

Books can be found that simply feature the wide variety of pieces that LEGO creates, including ideas for things to build and encyclopedias that list and describe the specific LEGO pieces created around a specific book or movie series. The LEGO Book shares the history behind LEGO bricks. It includes a timeline which highlights key moments in LEGO history and includes new and updated information about LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Ninjago, LEGO Friends, and much more. There are also the Lego Harry Potter book,  LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, and many more to feed any mind eager to learn about the seemingly endless supply of LEGOs.

Simple Machines

For our builders that do not want to just look at all the amazing things others have done, but want some inspiration and instruction on how to expand their own building abilities, there are books for them as well!  You can study the step by step images and create your own Simple Machines, Wheeled Wonders, and Fantastic Contraptions.

If all this LEGO fun and wonder is not enough for you, then stop by the library and check out the creations the members of the Builder Brigade have built. This is a monthly program, for children ages 7 and up which allows children to work alone or in groups in order to use their creativity and design buildings, creatures, and more using Lego and Mega blocks. For more information, news, and photos take a look at the Builder’s Brigade Blog here.