DIY STEAMPUNK

I have been creating some items for the Steampunk display we are making for the library.  The theme for the teen summer reading program is "Beneath the Surface".  Below are a few items that will come in handy while Zombie hunting.  First is a Steampunk Journal.  It's made from an old book I had saved from a discard from the library.  The black hose is actually a plastic straw from a Six Flags cup.  I made the gauge from a Powerade bottle cap and a downloaded print.  I got the watch piece from my local jewelry store.  They were happy to give me old watch pieces and gears.  The larger gear I got from my local bicycle shop.  They also had a big box full of old and bent gears and were happy to get rid of them.  The other pieces I found in my mom's basement.

One of my co workers raided her son's stash of NERF guns.  Her son said I could use it if he could have it back after it had been transformed into a Steampunk gun.  I found the brass pieces at Goodwill (total $2.67) I made the gauge, and part of the plastic straw again.  The silver and gold color is Rub 'n Buff I found at Hobby Lobby.  

Another gun using and old tungsten tube, gear from the bicycle shop, and other bits and pieces I had around the house.  The small gears are from the Dollar Store and came in a spirograph package.

I knew these Tropicana tops would come in handy some day!  With a little Rub 'n Buff, a downloaded gauge photo and topcoat of varnish, I transformed it into a pretty cool gauge.

This is a 12" x 12" canvas I prepainted with green, cream and rust acrylic paint.  I used several sizes of gears from the bicycle shop, old watch parts from the jewelry store, curly cue plastic straw, springs, and a few buttons.  

I really like how the helmet turned out.  I found a yellow kid's construction helmut at Goodwill for 26 cents.  I spray painted it silver, added upholstery studs and a copper painted plastic straw on top. I bought the goggles from Home Depot for $2.00.  I just spray painted them and used a little Rub 'n Buff for the details.  With just a little imagination, found items around your house or the Goodwill, spray paint and some hot glue you can create all sorts of Steampunk items.

STEAMPUNK WATER PISTOL

Steampunk has become very popular especially in Adult and Young Adult fiction.  Our library's Young Adult Summer Reading Program's theme is Beneath the Surface.  I am planning a Steampunk library display for that area.  Below is a water pistol I made out of a Dollar Store water gun, curly straws, plastic bubble wands and a plastic compass from Walmart's party section.  I used Rub and Buff to get the gold and silver accents.  I'm planning on making some goggles and a few other things....so stay tuned.  Two of my co workers are also making some Steampunk articles for the display.  I will post some more photos when it is complete.  

GUESS WHERE 'LIL DIGGER WENT THIS WEEK?

'LIL DIGGER, THE WOODSTOCK LIBRARY'S SUMMER READING PROGRAM MASCOT, WAS SPOTTED IN TOWNE LAKE THIS WEEKEND.  CAN YOU GUESS WHERE HE IS?

MEET 'LIL DIGGER

'LIL DIGGER IS WOODSTOCK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S MASCOT FOR THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM, "DIG INTO READING".  OUR CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN AND HER HUSBAND TRANSFORMED OUR TRAIN INTO A FRONT END LOADER.  IT IS MADE OUT OF PLYWOOD, PAINTED YELLOW AND LOOKS AWESOME!  

I AM TAKING 'LIL DIGGER AROUND TOWN, TAKING PHOTOS OF HIM AT DESTINATIONS THAT THE CHILDREN WOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH, AND THEN WE WILL DISPLAY A PHOTO EVERY WEEK AND LET THE CHILDREN GUESS WHERE 'LIL DIGGER VISITED THAT WEEK.  THEY GET TO CHOOSE A LITTLE PRIZE.....A STICKER,  ERASER, ETC.  I WONDER WHERE 'LIL DIGGER WILL SHOW UP NEXT?

2013 SUMMER READING PROGRAM DISPLAYS

The Woodstock Public Library usually has a train in the children's area but this summer it has been transformed into a front end digger!  The theme of this year's summer reading program is Dig Into Reading.  Linda, the children's librarian and her husband Al built and transformed the train one weekend.  There are even books in the front loader.  The kids have loved it!!!

They also made the Jackhammer for the adult summer reading program theme of Groundbreaking Reads.  He made the jackhammer out of plywood and painted it silver, adding handles and rivets for a finishing touch.  And of course you need a hard hat to go along with it!  Come on out and join the adult summer reading program at the Woodstock Public Library!

SHRIMP TACO SALAD

I found this recipe for SHRIMP TACO SALAD in this month's Good Housekeeping magazine.  The magazine first attracted my attention because it only cost $1.49.  Where can you get a magazine for $1.49 these days?  Next, the pasta salad on the front cover looked so beautiful and when I made it the next day, it tasted even better than it looked.  I also wanted to try the salad above. It was just as delicious with such a nice blend of flavors and textures that just all seemed to align.  Included in this salad is fresh avocado, grilled zucchini, grilled corn, grilled shrimp, watermelon, Fritos, cilantro and a wonderful lime hot sauce dressing.

Ingredients

• 3 ear(s) fresh corn, shucked
• 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced on an angle 
  
• 1 pound(s) (large) shrimp, shelled, deveined 
  
• 1/4 cup(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoon(s) (from 2 limes) fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1 avocado, thinly sliced
• 2 cup(s) (about 12 ounces) watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 3/4 cup(s) corn chips (such as Fritos), crushed
• 1 cup(s) fresh cilantro leaves

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Directions

1. Prepare grill for direct grilling on medium.
2. Grill corn 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly charred, turning occasionally. Grill zucchini 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly charred and tender, turning over once halfway through. Grill shrimp 2 to 4 minutes or until opaque throughout, turning over once halfway through cooking.
3. In small bowl, whisk together oil, lime juice, pepper sauce, cumin, coriander, and salt.
4. Cut kernels off ears of corn. Arrange zucchini and avocado on platter. Top with corn, shrimp, and watermelon. Salad can be made ahead to this point and refrigerated, covered, up to 4 hours. To serve, sprinkle with corn chip crumbs and drizzle with dressing. Top with cilantro.

NOW THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK

If you liked THE HELP and DRIVING MISS DAISY, you will like this book.  I can't remember the last time I actually yelled out loud at a book and then cried at the end.  It tears at your heart how cruel and unjust some people and situations can be.  Check it out at your library and see if you like it as well.

SAIGE'S NEW TOP

This is a new top designed for Saige or any American Girl Doll.  I want to make the sleeves more flared and the lower part of the tunic a little wider to look more like a '70s top.  I made the white skinny jeans from a Liberty Jane pattern.