Check It Out at the Library!

I've been really busy with work and online classes and haven't taken time to keep up with my blog. Now that school is out, I wanted to post some of the fun things I've done in the library. 

I love working in the library and enjoy using my creativity to get students to visit the library and, hopefully, inspire them to check out a book!

Read the Movie

This is a book-to-movie display I made. We have many students that aren't interested in reading, but have to check out a book for an English class. This is an easy way for them to find a book that they probably already know something about, whether they've seen the movie or not. A lot of students will choose to read the book of a favorite movie they've seen.

 

Blind Date with a Book

I saw this idea on Pinterest and knew I had to try it! It was a big hit and I had many students (mostly girls) who weren't big readers, but saw the display when they were in the library socializing during lunch.

I wrapped the books so they couldn't see the cover and made personal ads for each book that gave an idea of the genre and plot of the book. I really wanted them to read a book that they may not have normally chosen. I did have quite a few that brought back the book the next day because it didn't seem like something they'd like. I think the next time I do it, I will include some type of contest and require them to write a little book report of the book so that they'll have to read the book to be entered in the contest.

Note the fun book page wreath I made out of a book titled, I Think I Love You!

Peeps Diorama Contest

I used to love seeing the entries to the Peeps Diorama Contest in the newspaper that, I think, was started by the Washington Post. I saw on Pinterest that some of the public libraries had started doing their own diorama contest. I wanted to try it at the high school and thought it would be a lot of fun for the students to build a diorama using Peeps to recreate a scene from their favorite book.

I had a lot of students who weren't familiar with the Peeps Dioramas so I made the Moby Peep diorama to give them an example. Unfortunately, I scheduled the event close to Easter, which also coincided with STAAR testing, and I didn't have a lot of entries. Next time, I'll be sure to check my dates and advertise it a little more.

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

I made my snowman out of 3 paperbacks that I carved into half circles.

You have to leave the top and bottom edges of the book flat so that you can stack them. 

I made a half circle template of poster board for each book, sizing down for each. 

I removed the front and back covers for each book, and drew my template on the front page (remember to leave some of the top and bottom flat!) Using scissors, I cut about 6 or 7 pages at a time. Then I repeated drawing and cutting until I was finished with the book. You can cut more at a time with a craft knife, but I found I got jagged pages and it really dulls your blade quickly.  The pages sometimes didn't come out the same size because of how the book lays, so I would just trim to match the others as needed.

When you're finished cutting, fold the book back to bend the spine. First halfway, then each half to loosen up the spine. Then I used Scoretape (or any heavy duty double sided adhesive) to adhere the spine to itself when folded back. After that, glue the front and back pages together using a glue stick.

You'll need to "fluff" your book out by turning several pages and and running your hand down the crease like you do when your reading.

I didn't attach my books to each other for storage reasons, but it would be more stable if you hot glued them in the center at the spines. I hot glued some twigs for arms and added a hat and scarf!

Boo Box of Goodies

I made this box of goodies for the kids of a coworker. 

The box is a drink carrier from Sonic. I covered the bottom portion with paper and added some ribbon and other embellishments cut from the paper. I added gatorade with "poison" labels, microwave popcorn that I wrapped with paper, and cellophane tubes of "dehydrated newt eyes"(chocolate eyeballs) and "tooth of wolf" (candy corn). All the paper was from the Wicked Merchant collection by My Mind's Eye.

M&M matchbook

I made some Halloween matchbook treats for coworkers and my Lifegroup ladies. 

I was able to get 3 out of an 8 1/2' x 11" piece of cardstock. Cut the cardstock in strips measuring 2 7/8" x 8 1/2". Then score them at 3/4", 4 1/2" and 5 1/4". Fold up the 3/4" score and place the edge of the candy wrapper in and secure with a staple. Then fold along your other score lines and fold over and tuck in just above the staple to secure. You can decorate them with paper, ribbons, stickers or embellishments. 

I used the Batty for You set from Stampin' Up! to stamp my pumpkin stamp that says "You light up the place with that smile on your face". I then used my circle punches to punch out the stamped image, punch a bigger black circle for contrast, and layered them on an orange scallop circle that I placed over a strip of patterned paper.

Every time I see M&M's, I think about a funny story when I was working with kindergarten students. At the beginning of the year, I was testing the students to see which letters of the alphabet they knew. Sadly, one little girl didn't know any of the letters. But when I pointed to "m" she said "they're on M&M's!" I told her that indeed they were on "M" and "M's", so what letter did she think it was. She said, "I don't know. I just know they're on M&M's!"

Fall Leaves

I was in the mood to do a little crafting, so I made this leaf card. I don't seem to find the time to craft like I used to. I guess, like everybody, I've just got too much going on. It's always fun to steal a little time to be creative and it seems like it's easier to find time in the fall and winter. 

The stamps are from the Many Thanks set from Close to My Heart and the ink is Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor. It's been a long time since I used a spectrum pad. The colors blend better when you use a brayer to pick up from the ink pad and apply to your stamps, but I didn't bother with that. I placed my leaves on a swatch of burlap to add a little texture.

Oh, the HORROR!

I finally finished my Halloween Horror Book Library Display! I included the old dictionary that I cut the ghost face from. That was easy, but a little labor intensive.

I drew the face on card stock and cut it out to use as a stencil. I traced the pattern on the page I wanted (that had the entry for poltergeist) and cut through several pages of the book with a craft knife. After that, I glued the top 2 face pages together, then added my card stock stencil behind them (basically building a sandwich.) Then I added some thin, flexible wire to the card stock face and extending it down to where the neck of the face would be. That will give it the ability to stand on it's own, or you can fold it down for storage. After that, I glued the rest of my dictionary "face pages" to the back of my cardstock face to cover the back. The bottom, right of the page kept flipping up from the weight, so I added 3 mini staples right at the bottom of the face, above the "neck". That gave it the weight it needed and also helped secure my wire in place. Sorry, I didn't think to take pics as I was making it!

In addition to the dictionary, I included some books on Potions and Poisons and Curses and Spells. I found the printable book covers on Pinterest. Then I added some old spice bottles with labels from scrapbook paper that I had at home. 

I made an "Oh, the Horror" banner from some Halloween scrapbook paper and finished it off with some creepy cloth, spiderwebs, rats, birds, a skull, and this candelabra, which I added battery powered tea lights to. I think it came out great, and hopefully, it will entice some students to read a great horror story!

Pennant Birthday

This is a great way to use up paper scraps. I made several of these pennant cards to have on hand. 

You can also use washi tape to make the pennants. Just fold it over the bakers twine and cut into banners or pennants.