Yerevan, Armenia

Above are some of the gardens and sculpture we saw in Yerevan. This week Jeff, my hubby, was presented with an honorary doctorate for all his years of work in Armenia. Though he has been coming here since 1997, it is my first time. It has been so interesting to see some of the country and to meet the people he has worked with for so long. I will post some more on this later. They have some very interesting cemetery art in this country.

2010 Life Path Challenge

If you are new to this blog then I would like to invite you to come and play along with our weekly questions. You can make them into a journal, a scrapbook, mini-book, altered book or as I'm doing, a tag book. You can make it as creative as you like or just write them out. The best part is that you will deal with some questions you might never have asked yourself and you will end up with a treasure when it is all compiled. Nothing to sign up for, just jump in and do it.
Question:
WHAT FILM(S) HAS/HAVE CHANGED YOU?
I have one that I saw 25 years ago and well remember not just the film, but the effect it had on me and my husband. Of course, being on our honey moon might have had some influence.

Paper Flowers Tutorial

So simple to make. These lovelies can be done by the kids. Just try it.

New Tags.wmv

By now most of you know I love making tags. Found these around the internet and thought you'd enjoy seeing them.

The Garden

I have a few poppies this year that are "volunteer" in my garden. Most of the volunteers are usually very small and uninteresting, but this one was quite tall and lovely in all its minute detail. have you ever stopped to think about how a flower grows? It gets sustenance from the roots and it gets water. The same nutrients and the same water goes to all parts of that flower. What always amazes me....if that is the case...how come parts of the flower are green and parts are colored. Who created this miracle of chemistry that most of us simply take for granted?

Summer Camp, Bethany Baptist Church

A stairwell full of kids attending a one week camp that was held at the Village of Hope Orphange. They were in here because of rain the first day, but we had sunny skies for the rest of the camp.
Our youth team leading the children in songs which included college students from Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas.
Leadership team met daily during the children's rest hour.

Jeff helping by translating for leadership team.

And Then Came the Lilies

Lilies and roses run a tough competition as to which I like better. I have lots of roses in my garden of all colors, but after I discovered lilies it's been an ongoing love affair with more bulbs bought each year. Now some of the single bulbs I planted several years ago have turned into what looks like bushes because they've grown so many new bulbs. I am thinking I need to create either an altered book or a scrapbook with the theme being my summer garden. It would be a nice memory when we no longer live here. Hope you enjoy the pictures too.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Today is lovey, rich and green in Ukraine, but an unseasonably hot day...32C. must be about upper 80's F. I know, some of you laugh, but it is all what you are used to and generally it is not that hot here. This is swimming weather for sure.

I've heard from some of you who are writing and I am pleased that you are enjoying this challenge. I would like to encourage more to join in and be creative with us and post to the Flickr site which is in the banner at the top of the blog.
Question:
WHAT MUSIC MOVES YOU?

Vintage Magnets

I had fun making these for a swap on Swap-bot.com. The upper two are locations in Ukraine showing the lovely architecture here. The lower two were from a lovely business card I picked up from a restaurant. Each swap allows me a challenge for something new to try and gives me experience I can share in my classes here in Ukraine.

Rich Color

I love this peony for it's deep rich color. No wonder artists want to mix colors and experiment to get just the right shade of something they've seen in nature. Man often wants to recreate what the Creator himself has done. And who but the Creator Himself has put that desire in our hearts. What a joy!

Art

These doors are located in the capital city of Kiev, Ukraine. It's art as expressed in architecture. Kiev has some lovely architecture. Just wanted to share them with you.

2010 Life Path Challenge

In our lives there often are certain things that have impacted us in a way that was lasting.... that somehow changed us. This week we are focusing on one of those things.
Question:
WHAT BOOK OR BOOKS HAVE HAD AN IMPACT IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS?

We all have them so dig back and think about it because some day this journal, writing or art you are doing is going to be shared with someone. Wouldn't it be nice for them to understand some of those things that made a difference in our lives.

Wild Poppies

This is just one of the tons of wild poppies that grow along the roadsides and in the fields of Ukraine. They have such a lovely intense color. One year, long ago, I gave our daughter Leah some cake plates with a poppy pattern as I thought that would be a fond memory of her childhood in Ukraine. Then another birthday or Christmas and I picked up a cake platter with serving knife. Anyway, what was started simply as a one-time gift is turning into a whole wedding set of poppy plates. Funny how things turn out sometimes and all from a younger years memory.

Vintage Pictures and Pretty Papers

This was sent to my friend Shallale in Haiti not long ago as part of a swap done in the group Mini-books on Yahoo. You can find them here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mini-books/. I've been enjoying developing the style of working with vintage pictures. I just love the old pictures and doing projects on this site has helped me to learn and grow. Then I take what I learn and teach people here in Ukraine.

A Crown In Heaven

I swapped this little crown I made recently. The Bible says there will be a crown in heaven for those who believe. I'm sure this is quite a humble example of anything the Lord might give, but it was fun to make. I may take another try at such in the future.

Craft: Feather Wreath

Craft: Feather Wreath If you have birds like this artist, then making this lovely wreath would be easier, but I"m sure they could be bought as well. Just start attaching them to any wreath form. What a beauty.

2010 Life Path Challenge

The month of June brings us around to the half way point of the year. Can you believe it? Already we are halfway through 2010. If you are a crafter then it is time to start projects for Christmas. I know, I know, no one wants to hear that. It is just a reminder of how precious life is and how fast it goes.

Question:
Lives you have impacted....who and how?

Iris R ules for the Moment

In my garden...the delicate wonder.

Using Rubber Stamps Without Ink Pads

Using Rubber Stamps Without Ink Pads
This is an interesting article that will give you several alternatives to the typical stamp pad.

Redhead

My grandson when he was here in May. Is he a cutie or what?

Women In Art