Category

Crafts




  • Competition, Crafts, Happenings, Library Serf

    Mix & Mash 2013

    19.02.13 | Permalink | Comment?

    The Great New Zealand Remix and Mashup Competition

    “Organised by Creative Commons Aotearoa New Zealand, DigitalNZ and the National Library of New Zealand and enabled by Mix & Mash Sponsors and Partners, Mix & Mash 2013 will promote and celebrate the creative reuse of New Zealand’s common cultural heritage.

    “Mix & Mash wants all New Zealanders, young and old, to tell new stories by adapting and remixing Public Domain and Creative Commons licensed content.” (more here)

    Mixed and mashed entries on the theme “Stories about the Past” will be showcased in May, and there will be prizes! If you feel virtually crafty and you’re interested, visit the Mix & Mash website for dates, rules, definitions, ideas and sources of (legal-to-use) images, music, video and other data. (Note: work produced for school assessments is accepted!)


  • Crafts, Movies, Violet Beauregarde

    Robert Pattinson’s face

    28.10.09 | Permalink | 6 Comments

    You can make Robert Pattinson’s face through the gentle art of cross-stitch, thanks to the Guardian online. Here are some books in the library on cross-stitch so that you can learn how to make your own fabric Edward. A good Christmas gift in these lean times. I’m hoping for a cross-stitched Taylor Lautner, as he’d make a great cushion.


  • Crafts, DVDs, Simon, Top 10

    Top 10 : Japan (トップ 10 : 日本)

    10.07.09 | Permalink | Comment?

    Tomorrow (the 11th of July, from 1pm at the Town Hall) is the Japanese Festival (as mentioned here) and, with that in mind, here’s our Top Ten Japanese-related material (mostly) in the YA area. In no particular order.

    1. Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children (ファイナルファンタジーVII アドベントチルドレン) – This is based on the highly-regarded console game, and although it might be a little incomprehensible if you’re not familiar with Final Fantasy it’s still a spectacular CGI film. (Website.)

    2. Kino No Tabi (or Kino’s Journey : The Beautiful World, キノの旅), by Keiichi Shigusawa – This is the first in a series of novels about Kino, who travels through many unique lands with her talking motorcycle. That might sound a little twee, but the story looks at some pretty profound themes. We’ve only the first book, for now (sadly).

    3. Anything by Studio Ghibli Inc. (株式会社スタジオジブリ) – The films produced by Studio Ghibli are some of the best out there. Most people have seen Spirited Away (the first anime to win an Academy Award), but Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle are definitely worth the 50c rental fee. And Ponyo (trailer) is at this year’s Wellington Film Festival (on the 17th and 19th of July).

    4. Tekkon Kinkreet (鉄コン筋クリート) – Another anime that I highly recommend; it’s stylistic and lush to look at (the backgrounds are works of art). The story – about two orphans who take on the yakuza – is multi-layered and moving. (Trailer.)

    5. Usagi Yojimbo : Volumes 1- (兎用心棒), by Stan Sakai - This epic comic series is about Usagi, a samurai who happens to be a rabbit (everyone is some sort of animal). He’s modelled on the real-life samurai/swordsman/writer/philosopher, Miyamoto Musashi, whose life truly was epic. The 23rd volume is due out later this month.

    6. Number9Dream, by David Mitchell – Grimm recommended this book, about 19-year-old Japanese student, Eiji, who has come to Tokyo to search for his father. There’s an excerpt to read here. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2001.

    7. Naruto : Volumes 1- (ナルト) – Naruto Uzumaki is a young ninja-in-training. He also has the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox within him, which means that if he can control it he can be a pretty powerful ninja. There are at least 45 in the series (held at the library, anyway) so there’s a lot to keep you going. Failing that, there is …

    8. all the other manga we have. Which is loads.

    9. Aranzi Aronzo’s books, Cute Stuff and The Cute Book. Aranzi Aronzo is a Japanese company that specialise in ‘cute, strange, cool, silly, a little bit horrible, stupid and comfortable’ design, and these two books show you how to make some very, very cute (kawaii, or Japanese cute) felt toys. Cute! They have a website.

    10. Sushi for Dummies, by Judi Strata – Knowing how to make sushi (寿司) is one of those skills that everyone should know, as it’s a) delicious and b) healthy as anything, and c) pretty easy to make. This book isn’t in the YA area but we must include it in this list anyway.


  • Books, Crafts, New, Simon

    Latest, Newest, Shiniest books

    29.01.09 | Permalink | Comment?

    Hello again. Here is this week’s (and last week’s) shipment of new books. Hopefully some will interest you!

    Sam Stern’s Student Cookbook, by Sam Stern and Susan Stern (266 pages) – This is young Sam’s fourth cookbook. His first few books were written for teens who wanted to cook food that wasn’t too challenging, but not too basic as well. This book is for teens and students have have left home and need to fend for themselves, and who don’t want to eat spag bol every night for three years, like I did.

    Runescape : The Official Handbook (110 pages) - Runescape is a free online adventure game that boasts more players than World of Warcraft. Which is pretty impressive, although it is free and you don’t need to buy a game to play it. This book has maps, guides, and all that kind of thing to help both new players and old players.

    The Book of Big Excuses, by Tracey Turner (156 pages) – This non-fiction book looks at famous and funny excuses for lateness, accidents, mistakes, and bad behaviour. It also suggests excuses that the reader may want to utilise should the occasion present itself. (There aren’t any that might explain an overdue library book, unfortunately.)

    Somebody’s Crying, by Maureen McCarthy (371 pages) – Three years ago Alice’s mother was murdered, and the killer was never found. Alice, her cousin and his friend, are drawn together by mystery – but what are they hiding?

    First sentence: ‘Hearing his voice after so long was weird to say the least.‘

    Exposure, by Mal Peet (439 pages) – This is the third novel about Peter Faustino, South America’s top football journalist. It is also a rework of Shakespeare’s Othello; South American football hero Otello marries Desmeralda, pop-star daughter of a right-wing politician.

    First sentence: ‘The boy with all the dreadlocks had two lines of business: cars and the patio trade.‘

    In Too Deep : An Elite Novel, by Jennifer Banash (246 pages) – This is the second book in a series about a group of affluent teens living in New York’s Upper East Side. (The Upper East Side is a borough in Manhattan.) There is a website for the series.

    First sentence: ‘Madison Macallister straightened the silken sleeve of her floral-patterned black and crimson wrap dress, and stabbed her fork into the desiccated remains of her smoked salmon salad, bringing a mouthful of baby greens up to her matte ruby-red lips.‘

    Stolen Car, by Patrick Jones (229 pages) – Danielle lives in a trailer park with her clueless mother. She meets up with Reid, whose life seems to revolved around fast cars, parties, and his sleazy friends. Danielle’s best friend Ashley is determined to rescue her from this increasingly out-of-control life …

    First sentence: ‘I’m fifteen years old and I’m driving a stolen car.‘

    Spanking Shakespeare, by Jake Wizner (287 pages) – Shakespeare Shapiro hopes that his writing project – a memoir – will bring him ‘respect, admiration, and a girlfriend … or at least a prom date.’ He hates his name, his family is eccentric, and he’s pretty socially inept. Very funny, according to reviews.

    First sentence: ‘It’s hard to imagine what my parents were thinking when they decided to name me Shakespeare.‘

    The Fledging of Az Gabrielson : The Clouded World Book 1, by Jay Amory (347 pages) – Az is one of the Airborn, a race with wings who live high above the ground. Az, alas, has no wings and so can’t fly. He’s asked to go beneath the clouds to see what’s happening with the lifts that are supposed to carry the goods the Airborn need to survive, and which have been failing.

    First sentence:’The airbus touched down outside the Museum of Arts, Sciences and History and opened its door to let out thirty students from High Haven senior school.‘

    The Fatal Child, by John Dickinson (547 pages) – The sequel to The Cup of the World and The Widow and the King.
    Cruisin’, by Brian Caswell (149 pages)
    Ocean Pearl, by J. C. Burke (331 pages) – The second ‘Starfish Sisters’ book.


  • Crafts, Happenings, Library, Simon

    Zinefest ‘08

    14.11.08 | Permalink | Comment?

    The library has a massive collection of local and international zines*. Check out the library’s zine page for more information. The annual Zinefest is tomorrow; here are the details!

    * Independently and inexpensively produced magazines, usually with a fairly limited circulation.

    The 2nd annual Wellington Zinefest is returning this Saturday November the 15th. The Wellington City Libraries’ Zine Collection will be there, along with your favourite zine librarians, so even if you have empty pockets, you can still come along and browse our diverse range of zines. There will also be heaps of other ziney stalls, workshops and talks to get you into the DIY spirit. Oh and food, there will be tasty treats too!

    Be there!

    Wellington Zinefest 2008
    Wesley Church Hall (map)
    11am – 3pm, 15th November
    More info on the Zinefest MySpace page.

    And if you’re keen on zines, look for this book in the library: Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine? : The Art of Making Zines and Mini Comics, by Mark Todd. A great place to start, especially if you can’t make it to the Zinefest.


  • Crafts, Happenings, Prudence

    Southeast Asia Night Market

    12.08.08 | Permalink | Comment?

    This Saturday, the 16 of August, the Southeast Asia Night Market will be held at the TSB Arena from 2pm to 10pm.  There will be delicious Southeast Asian snacks; non-stop entertainment; dance and music; martial arts demonstrations from Thailand, the Philippines and Viet Nam; Indonesian and Malaysian Batik demonstrations; Indonesian puppets (Wayang Kulit); and traditional games of Southeast Asia.

    Directions may be found here.


  • Crafts, Internet, New, Prudence

    Make it work

    06.08.08 | Permalink | Comment?

    Fashion 101 : A Crash Course in Clothing, by Erika  Stalder – This mighty fine book contains over 300 illustrated wardrobe items in alphabetical order, from a-line dresses, clam diggers and palazzo pants to pouchettes, riding boots and madras shorts. Each entry explains the item’s history, its place in fashion, and even provides an illustration on what the item of clothing should look worn. Fabrics, patterns, cuffs and sleeves and many sartorial terms are all explained in detail. An excerpt is available online.

    See also these items held by the library:
    Tease : 50 Inspired T-shirt Transformations by Superstars of Art, Craft & Design
    I Wanna Make My Own Clothes, by Clea Hantman
    Teen Vogue magazine (website)
    Design, Cut and Shape, by Hazel King

    More info about NZ fashion can be found at the Runway Reporter website.


  • Competition, Crafts, Edna Welthorpe, Subtext

    SubText08 …. again

    09.07.08 | Permalink | 2 Comments

    Don’t forget that registration for SubText08 is open! You will need to have registered to win prizes – these are drawn weekly once it begins.

    Also! The Get off Yer Art! competition at Kilbirnie library is already taking entries. You’re on holiday now and it’s cold outside; what better time to explore your inner artiste?

    More details about SubText08 are available at this here.


  • Books, Crafts, Edna Welthorpe

    Cook it, just cook it

    05.03.08 | Permalink | Comment?

    Sam Stern has written three cookbooks for teens – and he is only 17. His recipes are fairly easy to make, and (if the photos in his books are any indication) are always delicious. We have all three books in the library: Cooking Up A Storm – The Teen Survival Cookbook; Real Food, Real Fast; and Get Cooking. His website is full of recipes from his books, new recipes, and even video recipes. 

    Another handy site for recipes, by the way, is Cuisine magazine’s recipe finder. Enter in up to four ingredients and it will recommend something delicious and extravagant to cook.


  • Books, Crafts, cute animals awww

    Cute things (b^_^)b

    08.01.08 | Permalink | Comment?

    The Cute Book, by Aranzi Aronzo, is full of very cool – and very cute – felt critters and instructions on how to make them. So cute! You are never to old to enjoy cute things.

      Read more…