Author Archives: Erin Lewis

75 Minutes with Mark Twain – Virtual Program

Seventy-Five Minutes with Mark Twain, with Bill Thierfelder

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

7:00—8:15 PM

Register online!

Mark Twain, 1906. [New York: publisher not transcribed] Photograph.

Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain (1835–1910) was a humorist, journalist, lecturer, and novelist who garnered international fame for his travel narratives, including The Innocents Abroad (1869), Roughing It (1872), and Life on the Mississippi (1883), as well as for his adventure stories of boyhood, most especially The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), a book often considered the quintessential “great American novel”. A gifted raconteur and irascible moralist, he transcended the apparent limitations of his humble Missouri origins to become one of America’s best and most beloved writers.

About Bill Thierfelder: Dr. Bill Thierfelder holds a Ph.D. in English with minors in theater, art history, and music history. After teaching Second Grade for four years and High School seniors for six months as a replacement substitute, he spent the next 32 years teaching a variety of Arts and Humanities courses at several New York and Long Island universities and colleges, including St. John’s University, Hofstra University, and Dowling College. He is currently docent emeritus from the American Museum of Natural History where he continues to give both Zoom and in-person presentations, work on special editing projects, and give tours. He also lectures regularly for libraries and educational organizations across the country via Zoom. His classroom, library, and Museum vocations have shown him quite clearly that life is all about “making wings,” hence, the name of his website: Making Wings.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

This program is made possible by the Groton Public Library Endowment Trust and in part by many public libraries.

The Art of Storytelling — What Does The Art On Your Walls Say About You?

The Art of Storytelling — What Does The Art On Your Walls Say About You?

Thursday, December 5, 2024

10:30-11:30 AM via Zoom

Register Online!

What does the art on your walls say about you? It can mirror who you are, your personal experiences, goals, and values. During this workshop, you’ll learn a 5-step storytelling framework and use it to create a short story for fun or work. Have a piece of art on hand to use as the inspiration for your story.

Led by Jackie Davis, a marketing consultant, award-winning interior designer, and masterful storyteller. For 10 years, she appeared on the HGTV program “Decorating Cents,” where she provided one-day room makeovers. Jackie is also an engaging speaker with a playful sense of humor who captivates audiences with wit and wisdom. She recently presented personal stories during the program “Stories From the Stage,” which aired on World Channel and social media platforms.

Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and partnership with a multitude of additional MA & NH Libraries to bring this program to our communities.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Fun on Creativebug

December Creativebug Fun!

Whether you are looking to create handmade treasures or simply enjoy the season, these classes will help you make memorable moments this December! See what is new this month in Creativebug!

Using your library card and PIN, create your own account for FREE and nurture your creative side with 1000+ video classes in painting, knitting, crafting, sewing & more!

Playing with Image Transfers: A Daily Practice – December 1

The art of image transfers is ethereal, subtle, and surprising—lingering between painterly and photographic, yet completely distinct. Author and artist, Courtney Cerruti leads you through experimentation with various transfer techniques on paper and fabric, layering them onto a foundational cloth to create a unique piece. Inspired by a theme and driven by curiosity, you’ll blend language and imagery to craft a story, adding embellishments with found objects and threads. Gather images, words, and phrases from literature or any sources that inspire you, then select materials that resonate with your creative vision. Without a strict plan, the process unfolds organically, with each piece surprising and delighting in its own way.

Want to learn more image transfer techniques? Check out Courtney’s other Image Transfers and Color Image Transfers on Wood classes! 

CB Mixtape: Happy Hanukkah – December 1

Celebrate Hanukkah with five sweet projects from Creativebug artists. Faith Hale guides you through folding a Star of David origami, taken from her Hanukkah Origami class. The Celebrate the Holidays Daily Practice from Maria Carluccio is a watercolor themed class and you’ll see her Hanukkah cat here*. Make watercolor gift tag with Courtney Cerruti, rolled beeswax candles with Cobrina, and a magical unicorn menorah with Suzy Ultman. 
*Please note that there is mistake in the Watercolor Cat Menorah segment: a menorah has eight daily candles, not six as depicted. When you make your sketch and painting, please allow for seven candles on your cat’s back. 

Woven Fabric Star Ornament – December 4

The most fun puzzle you’ll construct all holiday season, these cute ornaments are made out of scraps of fabric or even bias tape. Artist and ornament enthusiast Faith Hale talks you through preparing your fabric for folding, constructing the woven star, and then adding a tie for hanging. They’re irresistible to make and cute as can be and you’ll want to make a dozen.

Make a Paper Maché Tray – December 11

Papier-mâché has a long history of being used for decorative objects, and people have been making paper maché trays since the 18th Century. Corrie Beth Hogg is a multi-media maker and author, and she teaches you how to make your own paper maché tray. This is a kid-friendly craft, easy to make, and great to gift, plus a fun opportunity to upcycle cardboard and paper. Corrie provides a template and teaches you how to cut and score a flat piece of cardboard and turn it into a three-dimensional tray. Learn Corrie’s tips for preparing paper strips, her favorite paper maché paste, and her method of applying paper maché. When you’re ready to decorate your project, Corrie teaches you how to transfer a design template onto your tray and how to create your designs with paint pens. These paper maché trays are long lasting, and you can put them in your entryway, on your bedside table, or hang them on the wall.

Create Needle Books with Jody Alexander – FREE Live Event December 12, 2024 @ 4PM – Register online once you have created and signed into your account!

Needle books are a great way to keep track of your needles and pins while traveling, at workshops, or around the house. Create a needle book out of scrap fabric that you have on hand that will be perfect to keep or give as a gift to your favorite sewist.

Hand Darning Techniques – December 18

Darning is an artful technique that goes far beyond simple mending. Heidi Parkes, a skilled fiber artist from Milwaukee, often uses darning to embellish her beautiful and unique quilts. She adds texture to her creations by weaving threads in neat, straight lines or manipulating the warp and weft to form intricate, decorative shapes. With just a needle and thread, Heidi demonstrates how darning can be a quick and effective way to add dimension to any textile art, or even just a piece of clothing.

Printable Project – Holiday Mitten Garland

Instead of a store-bought holiday garland, whip up a set of these hand-knitted mini mittens.
This pattern is also available as a class here.

Printable Project – Homemade Marshmallows

Forego the store-bought marshmallows and whip up a batch of these light, fluffy, and flavorful treats. Not only are they the perfect topper for your mug of cocoa, but they also toast up perfectly over open flame.
This recipe is also available as a class: Click here for step-by-step video instructions.

Take & Make for Adults

Book Page Snowmen for Adults – Take & Make Kit

Calling all adults! Get your crafting on this season and create some whimsical book page snowmen to decorate your home!

Starting Friday, December 13, kits will be available for pickup without reservation as long as supplies last. Kits are geared to our adult patrons; one per household.  Each kit contains instructions and materials to make up to 5 paper snowmen.

Mass Center for the Book 2024 Reading Challenge

How the challenge works:

  • Choose a book that fits the monthly challenge.
  • After you read, fill out this form to tell Mass Center for the Book about the book you choose.
    • Using the Mass Center for the Book submission manager, you will be able to log in and access the entries you’ve logged throughout the year.
    • Dedicated readers will be invited to a year-end celebration hosted by Mass Center for the Book.
    • If you read a book in each of the 12 months, you will be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 2 totes filled with books.
    • Mass Center for the Book will be drawing two names on the last day of each month to win a free book! Make sure you get those entries in before the end of the month.

December Challenge:

Armchair Travel To Paris – A LIVE Walk Highlighting Christmas In Paris

Armchair Travel To Paris – A LIVE Walk Highlighting Christmas In Paris

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

11:30 AM -12:30 PM via Zoom

Register Online!

French tour guide Patrick Herpe will give viewers a live tour of Paris! He’ll be walking while ZOOMing with us to show live video of Paris decorated for Christmas. He will visit the Galeries Lafayette Department Store to show us their famous animated window displays. If weather permits, Patrick will take us up on their roof terrace to see Paris from above, where we’ll get a view of the dome of the galleries and the city’s big Christmas tree.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Corning Community Impact & Investment and a partnership with a multitude of additional MA & NH Libraries to bring this program to our communities.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

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