Tolstoy and Scrapbooking

I am having the great pleasure of participating in a round-robin challenge. That was where we each came up with our own theme, made our book and then sent it to the next member on the list for them to do a page on "my theme." This person's challenge was to do a lay-out on classic literature so I chose the book "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy. I just thought it appropriate to do something from this part of the world.

Inner flaps that open for a surprise underneath.

Butterflies

This was a fun accident. I hit the wrong button on the copier and I got black and white instead of color copies on my butterflies. Well, they were pretty so I decided not to trash them. Later on I did a black and white fat book challenge and came across the butterflies as I was looking for something to do. Perfect, I thought, since I hate to throw anything away that's pretty. Fat book means it is 4"x4" and it has some sort of 3-D embellishment, thus the name "fat book," as after you have not even too many together in a book it becomes very fat. Such fun. Click on the "Butterfly" title above to go to the Yahoo mini-scrapbooks group home page.

Easter Children's Play

I am so often amazed at the talent and spirit with which children are so freely creative. Of course, a play like this takes a lot of work and is a credit to the people who work with them. This was the story about the risen Christ from the tomb and we even had a cardboard tomb. The gold soldier costumes were made by one of the teachers and myself from poster board one church so graciously sent us. My thanks to all those who sacrifice to send us materials for the work with children. It certainly adds to their joy and ours.

Bethany Church, Bucha, Ukraine

These cute little bags were sent to us by dear ladies at First Baptist Church at Carthage, Texas. We filled them with candies and some small trinkets to give to the children in five Sunday school classes for an Easter treat. Just a small expression of the true gift of the risen Christ. Thank you ladies for you love and generosity.

Inchies

I would like to show you how I have displayed the "inchies" we did this past winter. They run along and decorate the top of my bulletin board. Inchies are 1" x 1" squares that you decorate in any way and then trade with other artist. These are the inchies I received from all over the world, ie. U.S., Europe and Haiti. Great fun swapping with these talented ladies.

Our Little Old Man

This is Samson, our little old man, age 14. He is one of the reasons we went to Nikolaevka last month so we could bring him back home. His litter mate, sister, Delilah passed away this past winter. Sam is showing his age, but just still as bouncy as ever. We bought them in the Crimea when they were palm size the second year after we arrived in Ukraine. My how time flies.

A Love Gift for Family

If you look closely you will see a heart of Crocus' in the grass. I planted these last fall as a spring surprise for my family. Of course, the first year they are pretty sparse, but they will thicken up each year. I may just have to hide another heart in the grass each year. They are so beautiful.

A close-up of God's beautiful creation.

Leah's Book Done for Julia

This is a scrapbook Leah did for our granddaughter Julia who is soon to be 6 years old. She did this in a board book so it would be heavy duty for Julia to play with and show around.

Julia and her beautiful mother Sarah. Notice any resemblance?

All three grandchildren, Julia, baby Tripp and Jordan.

The whole family at Christmas time 2008, L-R,Jordan, Sarah, Tripp, Jaime and Julia.

Jordan and Julia, ages 3 and 5 here.

Last Page

Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Leah

Pretties

These little pretties are called "Inchies" because they are an inch in diameter and were done for a challenge at Handmade Mini-books Group. They are being sent to someone in America who will distribute them to several places around the world. I will in turn receive back that many from other artist from those same places. Just having fun.

Leah's Work

This is some art work done by Leah a while back. She really is quite the creative one when she wants to be. I think there is a budding artist in there trying to get out, but it doesn't have much chance since she is such a busy bee. She is in the youth choir at church and she works with youth in our church plant at Yablonka. She also has a small group or two she attends. Lastly, she works in Kiev with a mission helping in the office. We don't see her a lot, but that is how it is with a soon to be 22 year old. She is a happy kid and fun to be around.

Easter Preparations - Costumes

Easter in Ukraine happens a week after Easter in America, but I can tell you that the pastors are already speaking about it in church. And they will continue for some time after the actual holiday.

Today I had the privilege of helping prepare costumes for two little solders from the children's choir. They will do their play Easter morning. We made armor from gold colored poster board. I will try to get pictures to show you later. Easter is still two weeks off for us. They turned out well and the boys wanted to start sparing with their swords. It was fun.

Skeletons of Summers Past

Just wanted to share with you this shot Jeff took looking out at the Black Sea on our last night before leaving Nikolaevka. The structures you are seeing are summer slides into the sea for one and another into a big water tub that, of course, is not there right now. As quiet as this village is in winter, it comes alive in summer with vacationers from all over Ukraine and Russia as well.