God's Touch of Beauty

Some front yard beauties I wanted to share with you. One of my joy's is watching the plants peak through the earth's surface and slowly change until the blooms emerge.

Explosion Mini-Book

Here is the cover of a mini scrapbook I did for Yahoo Mini-books challenge. And if you'd like to know how to make it then go here.

Inside of book ready to be decorated or given as a gift.

Down the Garden Path

Jeff did this early spring (April 22nd) garden picture. I made the path from river rocks a couple years ago. I just love it and am making another. Now the flowers are much bigger and all different ones blooming. Pulling weeds and caring for the garden is definitely one of the places I meditate. It's just a little piece of heaven on earth. Someday, maybe God will allow me the privilege of being one of his gardeners.

Garden Delight

I know some of you might say "She's not a bad photographer," but I assure you when good ones happen it is purely the result of a decent camera, a good subject and the placement of the stars in the heavens. Still, it surely is evidence of God's miracle of creation. I often use the illustration when I am in the garden with others about how a plant grows. See how the top is red and also white and yellow? But notice that the stem and leaves are green. Yet, all those parts get the same water, the same minerals and nutrients from the ground. So what makes the different colors different? Why aren't they all the same color? That is the miracle of God's creation. It is awesome to consider how he did it.

Handmade Flower for Kid's Camp

Well it is not as beautiful as God makes the real thing, but it was fun and easy to do. Check out this site for easy directions, cut and paste: http://www.making-mini-scrapbooks.com/paperflowers.html I don't get much chance to play around like this so when I do it's usually because I'm preparing for a class or a kid's camp. We have camp coming in July and there is much to prepare. We usually start out with up to 100 kids and by the end of the week that can swell to 200. You can imagine we go through some craft materials with that many kids doing crafts 5 days a week. Our camp will be July 13 through the 18th. Our theme is friendship. We are blessed to be having a team from Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas led by Dan and Cindy Williams to participate in our camp and help with teaching and fun. Pray for them too as they prepare.

Back Yard Beauty

Thought you might enjoy this picture I took in the back yard. One lone tulip, yet such beauty. Truly a testimony of God's love for us that he so decorates our lives with such color and wonder.... a foretaste of heaven to come.

Another Freebie

Free is great right? Well here is a 27 page e-book on collage From Artella. Copy and paste for some fun: http://artellaland.com/giveaway-PeaceByPiece.html Then go to the body to download the book.

Free E-book for Mini-Scrapbooks

Here's something fun. Those who like to create, check out (copy and paste) this link: http://www.simplyhandmademag.blogspot.com/ to download a free e-book of mini-scrapbooks. I've already been all through it and there's lots of great ideas. Happy Scrapping, Coleen

Smile Cards

Just wanted to say thanks to all who have sent Smile Cards. All that I've received so far have gone to prison ministry and I'm sure they will make some folks happy. One lady who works in the prisons asked if she could give some to some men who work in the men's prisons. She said that often men and women like to pass on the cards to their children. I have put words of encouragement on the backs in their language. I've also been told that there are some Sunday schools in America that are doing smile cards. This is of course, exciting to me since what I have had so far is not a large number, but appreciated by each individual that receives them. Thanks again to all who have sent. They really are beautiful cards that I am proud to pass on to the prison workers.

Scrapbooking in Church?

Yesterday I presented the first class of a seminar I have been working on called "The Gratefulness Spot-365 Days of Gratitude." This is a scrapbook of the old time variety in which there is a spot to write down at least one thing we are grateful to God for and thankful about. We had a page dedicated to each week and prepared for a month of gratefulness. In addition they can decorate anyway they want and add photos. As they develop their scrapbook, they are also making a witnessing tool to show their friends. We had 13 ladies and followed our time with tea and cookies. It was a fun time of fellowship. Tomorrow I will do a similar class for the youth of our Bucha church called "Heritage of Faith." This class I've already done many times around Ukraine. It is a way of documenting your faith through the means of scrapbooking. They include their testimony, baptism, and life in the church, their walk of faith. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him..." Romans 15:13