Need a gift for mom but don't have any cash? Teens in grades 7 through 12 can come decorate a vase and fill it with a bouquet for Mother’s Day on Saturday May 8th at 1:00PM. Registration is required!

We're celebrating Earth Day all week (April 18 - 23) and want you to join us! There will be events for adults, teens, tweens and children, including:

• Earth Week Mural Art Creation — Sunday, April 18, 1:00-3:00PM
• Recycled Crafts — Tuesday, April 20, 5:00-5:45PM
• How to Become a Master Gardener — Tuesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM
• A Michivore Life — Wednesday, April 21, 7:00-8:30PM
• Energy Alternatives — Thursday, April 22, 7:00-8:30PM
• Scrapbox Fun! — Friday, April 23, 10:00-11:00AM

Also, be sure to share your green tips and tricks with the community by posting on the Electronic Green Board.

Swedish knits : classic and modern designs in the Scandinavian tradition by Paula Hammerskog and Eva Wincent; photos by Rikard Westman
This book has the usual introduction to the basics of knitting, but also includes more detailed information on garment construction and a number of advanced techniques. It also has a great section on what to do when something goes wrong - your cable twists the wrong way, something turns out too large or too small, and other common problems. There is also quite a bit of info on interpreting patterns and on making your own. Finally, the sweater patterns are beautiful. This book is a treasure trove of information for knitters.

With a little ingenuity, some quality tools, and the right raw materials, you can create a noteworthy living/work space from scratch. Yes, you!

It seems like every blog out there has featured posts lately about making and/or hacking furniture and decorations. Here are some of the best:

• Dollar Store Crafts highlighted a wonderful $15 makeover of a renter's kitchen
• Unplggd has 5 Ways To Make Your Office Chair Suck A Little Less
• They also have a guide for How To Choose the Right TV Wall Mount
• ikea hacker has great new ideas all the time
• Lifehacker readers have been posting their workspaces to this Flickr pool
• wikiHow has an interesting page about

Re-bound : creating handmade books from recycled and repurposed materials by Jeannine Stein
Ever needed a notebook or journal for a specific purpose but couldn't find one the right size? Or one that looked cool? This book shows how to bind your own from a variety of everyday materials, like a hot water bottle, bathroom rug, or potato chip bag. You could also use a record album cover, an old sweater, or even a couple of used-up gift cards.

Photojojo! : insanely great photo projects and DIY Ideas by Amit Gupta with Kelly Jensen ; photography by Kelly Jensen

Besides featuring the cutest dog ever on the cover, this book is packed with ways to improve your photography skills, projects to make the most of your photos, and techniques for making the most of your camera. The projects and ideas range from beginner to more experienced photographer/crafter, so everyone should find something that appeals.

Vogue Knitting Shawls and Wraps

Vogue Knitting can always be counted on for stylish patterns. The shawls and wraps contained here run the gamut from those appropriate for a casual day at the beach to cuddling up with a book by the fireplace to a snazzy dress-up night out. The patterns are clear and concise and the fibers recommended range from those available at a local big box craft store to fancier yarns sold only at local shops or online.

Crazy Lace: An Artistic Approach to Creative Lace Knitting by Myra Wood

Ever get the urge to pick up some needles and yarn and just go wild? This book encourages just that and offers some helpful hints for ending up with a product you enjoy as much as the process. From totally random to knitted objects with a little more structure and/or design, this is a great guide to free-form lace knitting. If you're looking for folks to knit with, drop in to the next Knit Night on April 12.

Don't miss the single biggest annual scrapbooking event in the state! The Rock Financial Center in Novi will once again be the place to let your creativity take wing. Registration is now open for this event which takes place May 6-8, 2010. This popular destination features shopping, cropping & great opportunities to learn from industry experts. For more information visit the MegaMeet website.  Can't make it to the meet?   Draw inspiration from one of the many great books on this craft in our CPL collection

Fiber Gathering: Knit, Crochet, Spin, and Dye More Than 25 Projects Inspired by America's Festivals by Joanne Seiff

This book visits fiber festivals across the United States, including the Michigan Fiber Festival which is held annually at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. Included are patterns, recipes, techniques and information about all things fiber-related. Filled with vivid color photographs in addition to a wealth of information, this book is one to come back to. If you're looking for local yarn shops, check out the Craft Stores page on Cantonwiki.

American Quilts and Coverlets in the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Amelia Peck

Nothing can truly match the experience of seeing quilts of this caliber in person, but this gorgeously designed book comes close. Featured within are hundreds of works of art including appliqued and pieced quilts, wholecloth quilts, woven coverlets, and embroidered coverlets. The level of artistry and craftsmanship displayed in these quilts is stunning and certainly inspiring to contemporary handcrafters.

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger

These patterns are inspired by vintage styles and focus on wearability and ease of use; these garments are intended to become heirlooms. From hats to sweaters to adorable bunny rabbit stuffies, the designs included have a timeless quality that will certainly last many years and through generations. Also included is a detailed guide to selecting yarn to use when knitting for babies.

French Girl Knits: Innovative Techniques, Romantic Details and Feminine Designs by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes

The nearly twenty patterns in this book all have two things in common: they are fitted to a woman's curvy shape and they have subtle feminine details that make them special. Also included are detailed instructions for tailoring and achieving the kind of fitted looks seen in this book. These garments are beautiful and fit a variety of body types; despite the cover, the models inside vary in size and shape and all the garments accentuate one's positive aspects.

Hold me tight and tango me home : Maria Finn by Dominguez, Maria Finn — Maria Finn has written a memoir on how she cured her heartache of her husband leaving her by learning to dance the tango. A wedding in Buenos Aires has prompted her interest in learning this very complicated dance, however, she planned for her husband to accompany her on this journey. His departure to live with another woman has left her with the decision to learn alone.

Winnie the Pooh and You!

Children, ages 3-5 with a caregiver, can join us for a trip to the Hundred Acre Woods where all your favorite Pooh’s Corner friends hang out. Enjoy Pooh stories, crafts, games and snacks. We'll be heading over to the Hundred Acre Woods on Saturday March 20, 2010 from 1:00-1:45PM. Registration begins Saturday, March 6, 2010. See you there!

Felties: How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends by Nelly Pailloux

Felt is such a versatile and easy to work with material. It's perfect for small projects like these adorable felt figures. You only need some basic hand-sewing skills and you can whip up a passel of pals from felt and materials you probably have around the house.

The Knitter's Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber by Clara Parkes
Wool is one of the most-used fibers for knitting and this book contains all the info you could possibly want to know. There are dozens of varieties of wool outlined here, as well as advice for handling and use and twenty patterns that show off the beauty of this natural fiber.

Aware Knits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher by Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong
Many popular knitting patterns are designed to take advantage of and show off the myriad of man-made fibers available today, but a lot of crafters prefer to be more environmentally responsible. The patterns in this book are designed to highlight the beauty of natural fibers and even some creative materials like reused newspaper. These projects are not only eco-conscious, they are lovely and useful.

Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Summer on Blossom Street

Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street books have many fans and now you can knit and crochet ten projects inspired by the series. This book is designed with ease in mind - the print is large and you can easily refer back to the patterns without losing track of the stitches on your needles. The patterns are simple yet elegant and range from beginner to intermediate skill level.

Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain
What is art? Is knitting good for more than sweaters and scarves? This book takes a detailed look at the subversive movement of beautifying public spaces and objects with handmade art pieces. This book includes instructions, tips, and techniques, as well as patterns for traditional projects like sweaters and gloves. Teach yourself to knit and decorate your world.