The ever-creative blog Skip to My Lou is hosting a Craft Camp for the month of June advertised as "30 days, 30 bloggers, 30 crafts."  There are lots of projects--some new, some traditional--including:

*making puffy paint and playdough

*juice box boats

*rainsticks

*marshmallow shooters from PVC pipe

*and much more!

Plan a visit soon!

Below:  Juice Box Boats

Need some fingerplays quick?  Here are a handful of web resources to the rescue!

Preschool Fingerplays, Action Poems, Nursery Rhymes and Songs
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-rhymes.htm

NNCC Fingerplays Plus
http://www.nncc.org/Literacy/fingplus.html
Includes some activities and book references.

Fingerplays – Natural Learning
http://www.naturallearning.com/fingerplays.html
Fingerplays from A to Z.

Fingerplays
http://www.childcarelounge.com/Caregivers/fingerplays.htm
Indexed by theme – animals, food and seasons.

Fingerplays for Kids
http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/fingerplays-for-kids.cfm
Indexed alphabetically.

Computer Interactive Devices

 The keyboard and mouse that we are all used to hasn’t changed a lot, but there are enough new products worth mentioning here that can make you and your patrons computer use much more enjoyable.

• Keyboards:

  • Natural keyboards

  • Keyboard covers

  • “indestructible” keyboard--DEMO

  • Optical Pen—ePen DEMO--see info about ePen below!
    

  • Trackball

  • Air mouse

Mice:

Above: The Indestructible Keyboard in glow-in-the-dark mode!

The ePen by eZonics

 Tired of using the traditional mouse? Have carpal tunnel? Want something you can use on a surface other than the desktop to control your mouse? Here’s the solution – the e-Pen by eZonics.

 What is this thing?

The e-Pen is a mouse. No, it does not look like your typical mouse; you don’t “palm” an e-Pen like you do a regular mouse, but the e-Pen does the exact thing a mouse does – it moves the cursor around on your computer screen and allows you co left or right click on any buttons or menus just like any other mouse.

The e-Pen feels similar to holding a large ink pen. Due to the shape and form factor (design), the feel is somewhat different than a pen, and you do have to hold it slightly differently to perfect your mousing skills, but in essence, your using a pen, and the motion you are using is NOT doing anything like moving a traditional mouse.

There are two versions of this mouse – wireless and wired. The wired version goes for around $30 on Amazon while the wireless version sells for about $50. Due to the balance of the e-Pen (you expect to feel like your holding a pen when you use this thing), from what I have read on other reviews and from my experience with the wireless version, I suspect the wired version would cause the e-Pen to “pull” in the direction of the cord. I have on occasion needed to charge the pen while using it (the e-Pem does have a pretty good battery life, but yeah, I forget to charge it sometimes), and though the charging cable has almost no weight to it, even that little wire tugs a bit on the pen. My recommendation: get the wireless version. It’s only $20 more than the wired one, and since you likely use your mouse / e-Pen more than your microwave, TV remote, steering wheel, and video game controllers combined, go with the wireless version.

 How will this help me in my daily life?

I spent a great deal of time looking for something to relieve my ever increasing wrist pain, and finally, I found it in the e-Pen. It took me 2-3 days to get used to the pen, and yeah, you do use a slightly different set of muscles, but I noticed almost no wrist pain while using the e-Pen.

 Is there anything the e-pen cannot do?

There are digital pads (Wacom) that are good for drawing, drafting, and other graphics applications. The e-Pen does do a decent job of allowing you to do some very basic image editing, but the overall shape of the pen and the software that makes the pen work with your computer do not provide the same control or accuracy as a digital tablet. SEE DIGITAL TABLETS FOR MORE INFORMATION. However, I have used the e-Pen with fairly good success for quick image edits.

 What do I find annoying about the e-Pen?

OK, I think It has been well established that I love this thing, but one thing I would change on it is to make it more stable when not in use. When I set the pen down (to type on the keyboard, answer the phone, cruise e-bay while my boss is out of the office), the pen sometimes falls over. I don’t know if eZonics could somehow add a little weight (more plastic a metal base???) to the base of the pen, but it would be nice if something could be done to keep this thing from falling over all the time.

 How will this help my patrons?

This is a tough question to answer. I have read some reviews where people hate the e-Pen, so don’t go replacing all the mice on your patron computers. To start out with, add the e-Pen to a few computers. Even though I recommend the wireless version (see above), you may want to consider installing the wired version so your mice don’t hitch a ride home with your users. You may also want to consider offering the e-Pen if you have patrons that mention having carpal tunnel or any other mobility issues. You could offer the e-Pen as an alternatives or additions to digitized tablets and mice on graphics computers. You can have multiple mice attached to one computers, so you could even offer two or three “mouse” devices (trackball, traditional mouse digitized tabled, and the e-Pen) to your users.

 How will this help my staff?

The type of mouse you use is such a personal thing, I’d recommend mentioning the e-Pen as an option to those experiencing any wrist pain. Pick up one or two from an electronics store and let them try it for a few days. If they like it, let them keep it; if not, try something else.

Above: the eZonics ePen Optical pen/mouse

CAUTION, NOTE, BEWARE!!!:

Do NOT confuse e-Zonics e-Pen – a mouse that looks like pen – with what are generically called Digital Pen, Digital Scribes, or Pen Top computers.

These devices (Digital Pen, Digital Scribe, and Pen Top computers) are used to capture natural handwriting from any surface, usually as people write on a paper notebook and store that information (drawings, handwritten notes,…) for future use. Once connected to a computer, users can then view the captured handwritten text and drawings directly on the computer screen. Please see our general discussion of Digital Pens, Digital Computers, and Pen top computers for a more detailed description of their uses.

So, again, the e-Pen is a mouse – used just like the sort of round thing used to move the cursor around on your desktop, while a Digital Pen, Digital Scribe, or a Pen Top computer is used to capture notes.

POWER!!!

Power, we need more power:

 
Regardless of what gadget you use, you’ll need all the power you can get. You’ll need it on the road and at home.

• Portable Power / Battery Backups:

  • Portable battery backups

  • Regardless of what anyone tells you, you will NEVER get the fully listed run time out of any battery backup.

• Battery chargers and battery testers:

  • Purchasing a new set of batteries every time one set runs out is a quick way to declare bankruptcy.

  • Rechargeable batteries are much more cost effective in the long run

  • Rechargeable batteries are much better for the environment than regular single-use batteries

  • There are multiple types of batteries (Lithium Ion, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride), so make sure you know which ones your device uses.

  • Make sure you know what type of batteries your charger can use and make sure to use the correct batteries in that charger.

• Electrical monitoring

  • Think you’re saving power every time you turn off a computer or a TV? Think again. Most modern day electronic devices continue to use electricity even when they’re turned off.

  • Use an electrical monitoring device to track down energy guzzlers. This will help save your tax dollars and the environment.

  • More information: http://www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html

Above: The Kill A Watt electric usage meter

Data travels from your web browser to the internet and back via the following path:

Storage Media Capacities

Storage Media Formats

Commonly Used Keyboard Shortcuts

Can or Bottle Holders: EZ Crochet Pattern

What I used for this project:

*worsted weight yarn–cotton, acrylic or blend.  For the samples pictured I used bits of Sugar n Cream yarn
*hook the size to get you 3 hdc per inch–I crochet very loosely, so I use a G hook, but you might need to bump that up to an H or so
*stitch marker or a piece of yarn to mark rounds
sc–single crochet
hdc–half double crochet

Method:
Rnd 1:  Using the magic loop method (explained very well here on the Crochet Me site), 6 sc into magic loop
Rnd 2:  2 sc into each stich around–12 sc–do not join rounds, place marker to indicate beginning of rounds
Rnd 3:  *2sc into first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch*, repeat between ** around–18 sc
Rnd 4:  *2sc into first stitch, sc into each of next 2 stitches*, repeat between ** around–24 sc
Rnd 5:  Sc in each stitch around–24 sc
Rnd 6:  Sc in back loop only of each stitch–24 sc
Here the bottom of the holder is complete and from Rnd 7 on, you will be using hdc stitches
Rnd 7:   Hdc in each stitch around
Rnd 8 : Repeat Rnd 7 until piece is as tall as you want it; slip stitch to close and fasten off.

I made the bottle holders with handles a couple different ways.  I either crocheted a handle before ending off (instead of slip stitching to close, make a chain as long as you want, attach to opposite side of holder and then crochet in each stitch coming back and then slip stitch and fasten off).  Or, I did a last hdc round where I did a ch 2 instead of the beginning hdc and then a ch 2 instead of a hdc on the opposite side of the holder.  Then I made a separate cord by knitting an i-cord that could be slipped through the ch 2 spaces and then knotted to stay in place.  This cord could then be unfastened and removed.
I made these to fit the smaller size Aquafina bottles that my mom uses, but I found that they are stretchy enough to go around cans, larger bottles and even a few of my travel coffee cups.  I found the ones with handles nice to carry the travel mugs out to the car with!

Have fun with the holders or any other projects and keep crocheting!

Curly Whirly Worm Bookmark Pattern

Previously published on Librarynation.com, moved here for your crafting enjoyment!

Curly Whirly Worm Bookmark

What you need:

*Sm. Amount of dk or thin worsted weight yarn (examples were done in cotton)
*F hook
*Wiggly eyes of choice (optional-or use yarn or felt for worm eyes)
*Glue for wiggly eyes

NOTE:

This project uses the double base chain, which I think this is one of the best crochet tricks ever! If you are not familiar with this stitch, here is a video tutorial to assist you:
Art of Crochet Video Stitch Gude:
https://s.p9.hostingprod.com/@iamintheloop.com/artofcrochet/ssl/videos/dbch.php
****If you are uncomfortable doing the double base chain, just do a regular chain stitch instead!****

Abbreviations used:

ch–chain
st or sts–stitch or stitches
sc–single crochet
hdc–half double crochet

What you do:

1. Make 20 double base chain sts (or, a regular chain of 20 sts.)
2. Working back along the chain, work 2 hdc into third ch from hook (this is the tail of the worm)
3. Continue by working 2sc into each ch until the end of the row
4. Work 2sc into the loop at the end of the chain (this is the head part) and into the next 3 sts as you go around the worm; end with a slip st in the next st; break off and weave in ends
5. All that is left is to glue the eyes in place (or attach alternate eyes as you wish)
***If you want a longer worm, just make more starting double base chains. When I was working around the chains doing the head stitches, I worked over the end of the yarn, which is optional, but can make it look at little neater.

Totally EZ photo frame craft, or what to do with Facebook photos

The middle one was painted with craft paint and decorated with a pre-painted wooden word.  The left and right frames were covered with scrapbook paper.  The wooden frames are $1 or $2 dollars depending on size and were purchased at Michaels as was the wooden "Joy" which probably cost less than 50 cents.  Instructions for covering wooden frames with scrapbook paper can be found on the Team DIY blog.