ARTIST TRADING CARDS

Sharing a couple vintage themed ATCs I did in October. Do you like them? I do like vintage.

JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE

Did this back in August. Guess I'm a bit behind in posting things. Lots of classes I need to post too, but when it comes to doing or posting, I just think the "doing" has to take priority. Hope you all aren't too crazy with Christmas preparations in the west. Here in Ukraine that is all much more relaxed. No big rush of buying expensive "stuff." Remember, take time and breathe deep.

GLITZIN' IT UP

This fun piece was done for a sweet young gal who loves castles. It was fun to do, but long process of applying glitter and letting it dry, one section at a time. I don't usually do things like this, but sometimes the recipient is reason enough. Click on the picture to enlarge so you can see the sparkly detail.

THE DELIGHT OF CRAFTING

Many of you know that I have a ministry of teaching arts and crafts here in Ukraine. We have been here for 17 years, but I have only done this the past 13 or so years. It started with my sitting in church not fully understanding the Russian language yet, when the light bulb came on one day, I thought I could do crafts with the kids. I never have been good at sitting for long periods so this was perfect. Now I speak the language well enough to instruct them and communicate most of what I need. The shot below is some of the little ones with the proud pieces they will take home. I just love it when they are so happy about what they created. It is my joy to share this with them.

THE SOUND OF BIRDS BY CARLY SIMON

A little piece I did not too long ago. I love doing things with birds. One of God's marvelous creatures. This is a 3x5 inch "Skinny" as they call that size. The buttons are Mother-of-Pearl and the lace is vintage from my collection started back in the 60's. The little journal box says, "The sound of birds stops the noise in my mind" by Carly Simon. This little bird flew overseas.

CAROL OF THE BELLS, TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Sometimes missionary families are left feeling a bit "out-of-the-loop," in regard to their home culture. I mean, we are in our 18th year of living overseas so despite internet, some things just slip by. Only today I was visiting another blog and she had this musical piece by TSO. It brought back memories of our 2007/08 furlough when we were first introduced to this fab music. We were in a small Texas town going to our hotel room when we came upon this wonderful display of Christmas trees and what looked like something out of Disneyland with lots of figures and light up displays. As we marveled the trees and figures just pulsed in rotation to this wonderful music which we only later found out was TSO. We could have stayed for hours, but alas we had an early morning church visit. So enjoy.

GOD'S ART

Sharing some of the beauty of Ukraine. These shots were from out trip to the western mountainous region this fall. We were there on a prayer retreat where I also led craft classes. It was a blessed time.





Crystal clear water.



Riches of nature.

THE STORY OF TWO WOLVES

While I don't particularly believe in Indian mythology, there is an excellent analogy in this story of the battle we all face daily inside of us between good and evil. Share it with your children. Which one are you feeding? Don't leave it to chance.

ART JOURNALING WITH SAMANTHA KIRA HARDING

CREATED TO CREATE

And that doesn't necessarily mean art.

FALL IN UKRAINE

This is what the trees looked like two weeks ago, but in that time we've lost all the leaves, we've had a hard freeze and this past weekend we had snow. Am I ready for snow? This is the season that makes me very happy for a warm house and pot that makes me hot tea or coffee.

COFFEE IN UKRAINE

Having a coffee date out with my sweetheart in Ukraine. They do it up pretty here and oh so tasty.

Crackle Art

HOW TO CREATE A ZINE

Take a walk with me in my garden. This was shot in September. Now we've had many hard frosts so mostly the leaves are all on the ground. Nights are below freezing, days are in the 40's, sometimes close to 50(F) degrees, but that won't last long.






Sharing with you a heart I found in the garden. It was the inside of a fading rose and I thought it was so beautiful. I often notice as the roses start to fade and they lose their strength and their vibrancy, there still remains a beauty that catches the eye. I think that is how it should be in the Christian life. As we age, as we lose our youthful strength and energy, we have not the beauty we once had. Nonetheless,there should still remain a beauty from below the surface that catches people, that draws them to the Author of all beauty....a peace and a gentleness that shows we know Him and we are close to Him. I hope as I age, I will exhibit the beauty of the rose that shows others the love of our Creator. To Him be the glory.

Tim Coffey Video - Christmas Cards from Cardboard Box

I love how this guy recycles everything and saves me money.

ARTISTS IN BLOGLAND

This is an art journal page I've been working on for some time. These things go in stages of coming back to before one finally comes to a sense of completion. The story behind this page has to do with a trip to Israel we made in June. I saw so many of these ladies all covered up in 90 to 100 degree weather outside walking. It certainly was an experience of another culture. The eyes on the right page I drew in my travel journal while there. Click on the picture to enlarge for much more detail. The dried flowers are from Israel and the two cards are scenes from there.

This post is linked to "Artists in Blogland" so if you click on the title above you can go see lots more fine artistic endeavors by a variety of artists.

VINTAGE UKRAINE

Do we think of these rocks as vintage? We were in western Ukraine for a prayer retreat this past week led by my husband Jeff. We visited this lovely waterfall as one of our mini-excursions. The area is called the Carpathian Mountains, but I would liken them to foothills of say Arkansas. They are tall enough to ski, but not like the Rocky Mountains. It was beautiful with fall leaves of yellow, orange and even some red. We also got to experience our first snow storm of the season as we left the mountains on Saturday.




Vintage view looking down into a country village from a hilltop.



What a relic this was. The Ukrainians think nothing of this old motorcycle, but I thought it was so cool with it's sidecar revamped for hauling. The Ukrainians are the most practical and innovative people. I am often amazed.



This old bridge was rich with beautiful grain in the heavy boards and rusty framework.

You're going to love this technique and so very easy.

Kid's Klub in Bucha, Ukraine

For some months I've been talking to our Sunday School director about starting a Saturday kid's activity so we could bring in more children from our town who are not in church. We did our first Kid's Klub and had 13 children. It was a start and I know it will grow. We did songs and crafts, but starting next month we will also offer English classes so that will bring more out. You can see from these pictures we had a real range in age. Please be in prayer for this monthly children's ministry. My thanks to Marge Naperski who sent the lovely fish pictures for this project. The kids loved it. And send us your buttons and old jewelry for craft projects. Grateful for you, Coleen