Friday, April 30, 2010

Something Special for Mother's Day

I'd like you to meet Myla Smith, a songwriter from Memphis, who wrote a song called "Lilttle Caleb" for her best friend's son after he was born. She's releasing it as a free download for Mother's Day, and you can catch it right here on her website. It's a very sweet song with clever, heartwarming lyrics. Myla's voice is pure and sweet and a joy to listen to.

This is a pic of Caleb with his mom, the inspirations for this song.



And here is Myla to tell you about the song in her own words.



So please head on over to Myla's place and give "Little Caleb" a listen, download it, and share it with friends! Thank you for the gift, Myla!

The Derby



If there's one big sports event I'd like to attend, it's the Kentucky Derby.

I want a hat.

I want a mint julep.

I want to see horsies that are not old at a state park.

Have you ever been?

She's just another Junk Girl!

Hello JunkFest readers! I'd like to introduce you to my latest WIP (work in progress). She's not quite finished yet, but I couldn't wait to share her with you! While dress forms are certainly not a new concept, the vintage forms with the wire cages seem to be quite popular and highly sought after. They are very hard to come by in our area, so when I saw this one at a tag sale, I literally lunged after her and held on for dear life! Not sure why, as I was the only one at the sale!


Many would have turned and walked away at the mere sight of her, but I knew she had great potential. I'm not sure about her history, but I do believe she's been around the block more than once! Or quite possibly in a cat fight or two? I'm fairly certain one previous owner tried to cover her flaws with spray paint, but aborted the mission halfway through.



After peeling off as much of the paint-hardened fabric that was left on the bodice, I used a spray adhesive and some quilt batting to re-shape her. Much better, don't you think?


I had several options for recovering the body, but I chose decoupaging with old book pages. I hate the thought of destroying or altering classic works, but since I had two copies of "A Romance of Two Worlds" I decided I could part with one.




I have not read this book, but I liked the title and the discoloration of the pages.




In between coats of Mod Podge, I decided to do a little online research about the story. I was quite surprised to find that it wasn't as "romantic" as the title led me to believe! If you've read the book, then you know what I mean...





Anywho, like I said before, she's a work in progress. I've got some more tricks up my sleeve for further adornment before she makes her debut at JunkFest.




Read here about my first dress form purchase, Marguerite. She's doing well, thank you.
I could use your help in naming this one. Perhaps we could all read the book and get a feel for "who she is?" Okay, gotta run...she's pretty, but not quite ready!

Linked to: SNS #28







Stolen Art Watch, Johnson's Defiant As They Send out "Fuck You" Message !!!


Johnsons crime clan ordered by judge to pay back just £1 from £30m raids


MEMBERS of the notorious Johnsons gang which stole £30 million of antiques from stately homes will have to pay back just £1 of their haul.

The nominal repayment for Richard 'Chad' Johnson and Albi Johnson was fixed after a judge found they had squandered the cash they made from selling the property.

Their father Ricky was told he need not repay anything because, in the court's view, he had not benefited from the raids.

Ricky's nephew Danny O'Loughlin was told he must hand over £113,200 within six months or face an additional 25 months in prison at the end of his 11-year sentence. Final gang member Michael Nicholls has to pay back £178, which the court heard was all the assets he had.

Yesterday, the travellers, who lived at Cleeve Prior Traveller's Site, in Evesham, and have strong family links to Cheltenham, stood before Judge Critchlow at Reading Crown Court for the conclusion of a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

After listening intently to his ruling, they gave a thumbs up from the dock and one of the family called out "It's better than a not guilty verdict".

The judge ordered the family to pay back the small sums because they did not have the means to pay more.

They could be required to pay back the larger sum in future if they ever amass a fortune. He said only 34-year-old O'Loughlin had made any realisable benefit from the raids.

The five-strong gang were convicted two years ago of stealing valuable silver, clocks, porcelain and china from some of the finest homes in the country.

Their biggest haul of £23 million was from 17th century Ramsbury Manor in Wiltshire, 2006, and their sentences ranged from eight to 11 years. Other raids during the same period included those on Warneford Place, in Swindon, and The Manor, in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire.

Police estimated the value of the thefts to be £30 million, but an independent valuation expert said this was because collectors often pay well over the odds. The figure he gave the court was £7 million, £4 million of which remains unrecovered.

After the lengthy and detailed confiscation hearing this week, it was deemed O'Loughlin had made £1,229,748,

Richard Johnson, 34, had made £135,768, Nicholls, 30, had made £155,978, Albi Johnson, 27, had made £25,602 and 55-year-old Ricky had not benefited.

The gang had argued they made just £15,200 each from the raid at Ramsbury Manor, but the judge said he found it "improbable" that O'Loughlin did not have further antiques stashed away.

In what is thought to be a criminal first, O'Loughlin had arranged for £643,000 of the items to be returned while he was behind bars in a bid to persuade the judge to be lenient.

Among the items stolen were a Thomas Tompion clock dating from 1675 and worth £240,000 and a Daniel Delander barometer worth £650,000.

Police found £2.3 million of the haul stuffed in a 10ft deep underground bunker – dubbed an Aladdin's Cave – on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Simon Burns, prosecuting, told the judge there was an "inescapable inference" to be drawn that the notorious family still had more of the antiques.

"That which has been recovered is of enormous significance in a case like this," he said. "The question is, is that all of the items or are there more?

"There may be some sort of ownership or control over any of the bits and pieces which remain unrecovered. I ask your honour to consider that these were professional burglars who knew what they were taking and the value. They took 300 items from Ramsbury Manor."

The defence counsel argued the gang had limited means because they sold the stolen goods for knock-down prices and used the profits to fund their "hand-to-mouth existence".

Judge Critchlow said: "Others on the site would have been involved in some of these team burglaries. This team did not always act by itself.

"The total value of the property stolen should not be laid at the door of each defendant. I am not satisfied that each participated in each burglary."

He added that he was convinced that some of the items stolen from Rambsury Manor remained stashed away – despite O'Loughlin's efforts to return them.

Stately home raider must pay back £113k

A TRAVELLER who played a key role in a series of stately home raids must pay back £113,200 in six months or face a longer sentence.

Danny O'Loughlin was part of the five-strong Johnsons gang which ransacked several properties making off with an estimated £30 million.

After a confiscation hearing at Reading Crown Court, the 32-year-old was told he will face another 25 months inside if he doesn't pay up as the judge believes he knows where some of the stolen goods are hidden.

In August 2008, Richard "Chad" Johnson, 33, and Daniel O'Loughlin, 32, were both jailed for 11 years, Michael Nicholls, 29, was given 10 years, Albi Johnson, 25, was jailed for nine years and 54-year-old Ricky Johnson was jailed for eight years.

Ricky Johnson is the father of Richard and Albi, and uncle of O'Loughlin, while Nicholls was the partner of his daughter.

They were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary between 8 April 2005 and 13 October 2006, following a month-long trial at Reading Crown Court.

The gang members, based at a travellers' caravan park in Evesham but with strong links to Cheltenham, they had only made £15,200 from the raids


Less than 12 hours after Danny Boy
O'Loughlin get a 25 month increase in his jail sentence, this happens:

Dawn raiders steal antique jewellery in Gloucestershire smash and grab

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Dawn-raiders-steal-antique-jewellery-Gloucestershire-smash-grab/article-2094181-detail/article.html

Smash and grab raiders launched a daring raid on a collection of valuable antiques today.

A haul of antiques are understood to have been taken from The Old Chapel in Culver Street, Newent at around 4.10am this morning.

The raiders apparently ripped off the doors of the building using their vehicle before entering and raiding the premises.

An eye witness reported seeing two offenders carrying property from the Old Chapel and driving away into the centre of Newent in a dark estate car.

It is believed antique jewellery was stolen from the property and police are currently on the scene conducting their investigation.

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or who has any information on the incident should call Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident 60 of April 30.

Art Hostage Comments:

The Antique Jewellery has been valued at, wait for it, £113,200 !!!!

A to Z Bible Story Lesson- Letter S







S- Samson


Objectives: The children will be able to
- retell the story of Samson
- discuss that Samson’s strength came, not from within himself, but from God



Review:
Prayer and questions from last week’s lesson.



Vocabulary Words:

Samson Word Wall- Word wall templates are large flash card printables that you can hang on the wall to aid children when they are learning or using new vocabulary words.



Plan:


Circle Time:


Read story: “Samson” from your own story book. Or while you are reading the story you can do cut outs (Snip-And-Tell Bible Stories by Karyn Henley, page 32 - 33) as the story unfolds.

Or read “Samson Had a Secret”

lambsongs.co.nz

Cover

Booklet



Then ask questions from below.

1. What did Samson’s parents do to him to show that he belonged to God? They never cut his hair.

2. What happened to Samson so he would loose his strength? His hair was cut.

3. What did the Philistines do to Samson after they captured him? They blinded him.

4. Later, what did the Philistines not notice about Samson? That his hair was growing.

5. Where did they chain Samson during a feast? Between two pillars.

6. What did Samson ask God to do? Give him back his strength.

7. How did Samson rescue the Israelites from their hated rulers, the Philistines? Samson pushed the two pillars over and the whole temple crashed down. Samson, all the Philistine rulers and thousands of people were killed.



Songs and/or Finger Plays:

Introduce songs and/or finger plays: What did Samson’s parents do to him to show that he belonged to God? They never cut his hair.

Playful Songs and Bible Stories for Preschoolers, by Group Publishing- Good Gifts (song) and Samson’s Special Gift (finger play), page 56.

thedowsschoolroom.com- Samson (song)

missionarlington.org- Samson Song (page 3)



Activities:

Introduce activities: What did Delilah do to Samson so he would lose his strength? Cut his hair.

hennypenny.ourjunction.com- Samson lesson

dltk-bible.com- Samson & Delilah lesson with memory verse, teacher's guide, puzzles, take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts, etc.

missionarlington.org- Samson (scroll down to Preschool Lesson)

missionarlington.org- Samson (scroll down to Preschool Lesson)

childrensministryvault.com- Preschool Instant Lesson: Samson the Strong Man
Activity: How Strong Are You?

baptist-church.suite.101.com- Samson and Delilah lesson with activities

childrensermons.com- Samson object lesson



Crafts:

Introduce craft: What did Delilah do to Samson to lose his strength? Cut his hair. We are going to help Samson grow back his hair.

Hair Growing Samson- Cute craft that students actually grow hair for Samson. (Crafts From Your Favorite Bible Stories by Kathy Ross, pages 26 & 27).

jas.familyfun.go.com- Plant Pals
Another cute grass growing craft that you can use for Samson.

sundayschoolcrafts.com- Strength of Samson


Introduce craft: Who is granted tremendous strength by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats that ordinary humans cannot do? (Samson)

newchurchvineyard.org- Lion Puppet

hennypenny.ourjunction.com- Samson is Born Story Wheel

Samson Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 25 & 26.)



Games:

Introduce game: What did Philistines do to Samson when they captured him? How do you think it is being blind? Discuss.


Samson, A Mighty Man

Need: Blindfold or paper bag that can fit over student’s head.

Directions: Student must guess whose face he is touching while blindfolded. Teacher might have to do hand-over-hand to keep the touching just on the head and face.


The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry by Group Publishing- Super Strength (God Gives Samson Strength)
This game will help your students realize that God gives us strength as they play tag and learn about Samson (page 41).







Samson- Answer questions about Samson as you work your way around the board. Try to be the first player to remove all of your pillar while other players attempt to add to it.



Snacks:

Introduce snack: To be strong like Samson you need energy. Let’s eat some energy snacks.

(Examples: veggies dipped in a ranch dressing, fruit dipped in a sweet creamy dip, protein shake, etc.)

hubpages.com- Simple Trail Mix Recipes

cooks.com- Trail Mix Recipes

foodfit.com- School House Snacks
Boost energy levels when they are flagging


Letter S Snacks-

Salad, Salami, Sandwich, Seafood, Sherbet, S’mores, Soup, Spaghetti, Spinach, Squash, Stew, Strawberries, String Beans, etc.



Coloring/Puzzles:

Prayers while students are doing worksheets and/or coloring.

sagaofsamuel.com- Samson (coloring) The Heroes of the Bible Coloring Pages: Great for your VBS, Sunday School or Homeschool activities.

stmax.org- Samson (coloring)

chrisitanpreschoolprintables.com- Samson (coloring)
Scroll down for this.

baptist-church.suite.101.com- Samson and Delilah Coloring Page (scroll down to this and click on it)


lambsongs.co.nz- “Samson Had A Secret” by Jill Kemp (booklet for the children to color)

Cover

Booklet


dltk-teach.com- What begins with S? (mini book)

Samson- (handwriting)

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Samson (handwriting)

kidzone.ws.- Hidden Letter Worksheet Letter S

dltk-bible.com- Samson and Delilah (maze)

More 365 Activities for Kids- (do any of the Samson puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot, spot the difference, etc. from April 25 - 30).

God Made Him Strong (maze) page 44, Samson (code to solve) page 45- Bible Story Puzzle ‘n’ Learn! PK-K





Stolen Art Watch, Clear Message Sent, No, Deals, No More Recoveries, Mexican Stand-Off !!


Antiques gang leader's sentence increased by judge
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8652317.stm

A man who played a key role in a series of burglaries at stately homes across the UK has had his sentence increased.

Danny O'Loughlin, 32, who was part of a gang, will serve another 25 months as the judge believes he knows where some of the stolen goods are hidden.

Four members of the Johnson family, from Gloucestershire, and O'Loughlin -the partner of a family member, were jailed for up to 11 years in 2008.

Just over £6m of antiques were taken in 2006, half of which are still missing.

In August 2008 Richard "Chad" Johnson, 33, and Daniel O'Loughlin, 32, were both jailed for 11 years, Michael Nicholls, 29, was given 10 years, Albi Johnson, 25, was jailed for nine years and 54-year-old Ricky Johnson was jailed for eight years.

Ricky Johnson is the father of Richard and Albi, and uncle of O'Loughlin, while Nicholls was the partner of his daughter.

'Asset recovery'

They were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary between 8 April 2005 and 13 October 2006, following a month-long trial at Reading Crown Court.

Then, police said the gang based at a travellers' caravan park in Evesham, Worcestershire, had been operating in the south of England for 20 years.

They would stake out targeted properties, sometimes for weeks, and raids would last just minutes, with the balaclava-clad gang escaping in stolen cars.

The raid on Ramsbury Manor, the home of property tycoon Harry Hyams near Marlborough, Wiltshire, is thought to be the most valuable domestic burglary ever committed in the UK.

Increasing O'Loughlin's sentence on Thursday, Judge Christopher Crithclow said items like a £250,000 clock and a unique barometer worth £650,000, were lost to the black market.

But he said he believed £566,000 of goods were still out there somewhere and their whereabouts were known to the gang.

He originally sentenced O'Loughlin, who he described as "probably the gang leader", to an extra 42 months, but on intervention of his defence reduced it to 25 months.

Judge Crithclow also ordered O'Loughlin to pay back £113,000 within six months.

Of the other four men, Ricky Johnson's case was dismissed as the judge felt he did not actively take part in the burglary.

The three others have to pay back less than £200 in total as it was deemed they have no assets.

But all the men will be liable for life to have any money they come into seized, to pay off the cost of the UK's biggest private burglary.

Speaking outside court Det Supt Mark Warwick, of Thames Valley Police, said: "I'm pleased that these people and similar criminals will understand that we will go after you for your assets.

"The West Midlands force and their asset-recovery team have done a stupendous job making this happen."

Welcome Bunny Hoppers!!

Hello Bo Bunny Hoppers!

I have to say I always smile when I see and say the word Bunny!

Kind of funny I know but it's my nickname my hubby calls me, I collect bunnies...and love Bunnies by the Bay bunnies, it's been apart of my email address oh since 1997 or earlier and ironically I work for a company with the word bunny in it's name.

Kind funny, odd, strange but cool isn't it?

Welcome to today's Bo Bunny blog hop!

I'll confess....I was really excited that this month's Guest Designer said yes! She's been on my radar for quite some time and I'm a HUGE fan of hers. I don't think she knows this....maybe good she doesn't!LOL She might think I'm silly if I go on and on about all her projects. I will say this...she has been published quite a bit in one of my favorite magazines. And if you're a good sleuth you will see that magazine here on my blog.

And and maybe if I channel my energy just right you will feel the vibe and know who she is....

is it working? Any ideas?

Well if not...you'll know soon and I hope you agree she's crazy talented! I think Mama-razzi was made just for her!

I've been working on some Mother's Day crafts. If you're looking for some ideas...I shared a favorite on my prior blog post. I love the altered Altoids tin with magnets. Great idea and easy to make and give! Here's a sneak of a project I have featured in this weekend's St. Louis Post!

Be sure to check back in here on Monday{possibly sooner!} for the full post and instructions on this fun and pretty Mom's Day craft! I know this one you'll love and most likely want to make for yourself!! More projects coming!!

Last weekend while watching the movie 500 Days of Summer, I set aside some of my Mother's Day projects to turn my attention to a layout I've been wanting to remake. I had made a project for the Bo Bunny booth and knew I wanted to recreate it for me.

When I started to work on it...the layout changed. The original layout didn't have a background paper and for some reason the layout looked lost without one. So I changed things on it just a bit.


I also used the cute tip that Michelle Lanning shared for adding the punched circles behind the scallop paper. I added the same color but inked them for a bit of dimension. Cute and easy!!

And I have to say I am tickled with how it turned out. It's made one of my favorite pictures of my hubby and I shine. I snapped this pic of the two of us while in Florida last summer. I drug him out onto the beach after we had eaten dinner. I knew it was getting dark and we were losing light but I took my chance...and it turned out to be one of my favorite photos! {except my hair looks silly...but that's how it works!lol}


The Bo Bunny Sophie line is one of my favorite releases from our last collection. For this layout I added some handmade flower stems, layered the chipboard flowers with a pretty Prima leaf and added touches of Stickles glitter to the chipboard flowers to give them some added sparkle.

And you know it wouldn't be a hop if I didn't offer something to you to enjoy! So how's this!!



Some Mama-razzi for you to play with! Along with some extra goodies to help complete some kickin layouts or project!

Want to win it? Then leave a comment! You can let me know what's on your Mother's Day wish list{mine is a Canon Rebel Digi..I'll keep wishing though!}, favorite gift you've received...anything goes. Or sign up to be my blog follower {which I hope you will do anyway!} I'll give you through Sunday, May 2nd to leave a comment and pick a winner on Monday!

Happy Hoppin....I'll send you now onto the fabulous Dee Gallimore-Perry


Thinking Ahead

My recent mis-patch corrected, I have the top for Meg and Ben's baby finished.  The more I look at those little trees, the more I love them.  I'd like to get this sandwiched and pin-basted so I can be handquilting or tying it when I go to see Amy and Andrew after Hambone's birth.  I don't have a name for this quilt yet and am certainly open to suggestions.

I noticed -- once again -- what a mess the sewing studio has become!  I so admire people who are neat by nature and automatically tidy everything up after a project is completed.  Of course, it doesn't help to always have at least three projects in the works the way I do.  So I took a little time and put the Baskets for Bill and the Farmer's Wife into project boxes.  I gathered up the caramel and indigo fabrics I have for another basket project and put them all together in one place.

Then I started cutting 2.5 inch strips to finish the wee little 9-patches for that swap.  As soon as those are finished, I have my FQ Shop mystery block to do -- I hope sometime this weekend -- and now another FQ BOM has begun:  I subscribed to Martinique in a moment of utter weakness.  So that will be next up.  And then I have a few gifts to make for this summer.  And a dress for Caroline.  And a couple of cute pillowcases for Sam and Caroline.

So many ideas.  So little time.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Children of the Revolution, part 2

A quick post, as I'm leaving town for the weekend. Hopefully I'll be back in time, otherwise it's going to be Monday Safari!

Vladimir Lebedev for Usatyj-polosatyi (The moustached-striped) by Samuil Marshak, 1930

Yevgeny Charushin for Scur (The hawfinch), 1930

Nikolaj Kuprejanov for Zverinec (The menagerie), 1930

Valentin Kurdov for Cavalry, 1931

Yuri Vasnetsov for Boloto (The bog) by Vitaly Bianki, 1931

Vasily Kobelev for Forest Scout , 1931

A. Borovskoi for V Taige, 1933

Evgenij Rachev for Zviri pivnichnykh moriv (Animals of the Northern seas), 1933

P.N. Riabova for Pro olenei i detei, pro sobak i pro guse, 1934

Ivan Efimov for Gde raki zimuiut (Where lobsters spend winter), 1935

Flashback Friday ~ The Prom




Linda is in the swing of spring over at Mocha with Linda's Flashback Friday meme. Here's the prompt:

Share your prom memories. Did your school have a junior prom or just a senior prom? What did you wear? Was there a party after the prom? Did you go with a date or with friends, and if it was a date, was it a one-time date or a boyfriend/girlfriend scenario? Did you go to more than one prom (like, being someone's date at another school or year.) Where was your senior prom held? Any particular songs come to mind when you think of prom? As always, pictures are great!

I brought a bunch of pics home from my mom's yesterday afternoon on a whim, came home, read the prompt and realized I have no prom pics in the bunch, so I had to scan one from the yearbook. But here's what I remember:

Sophomore year: Bought my first dress from a bridal store. I felt so grown up. Went to prom with Hatrick the boyfriend, who was a senior. I wore a buttery yellow dress with spaghetti straps. Do you see what was wrong with that choice for me? I'll tell you.

1. Yellow on someone with the coloring roughly the equivalent of buttermilk.
2. Spaghetti straps on someone built like an ironing board.

All night long, I stepped on the hem of my dress and yanked it up at the chest to keep from showing no chest at all. Ugh. Plus, he wanted to dance the entire night, and I hated dancing. He danced quite a bit with other people. I just wanted to go home. We both had acne. Not a good picture, so I'm glad I don't have it here to show you. Lucked out. The theme song was "I Like Dreamin'," but I just wanted to wake up from the nightmare. Seriously.

Junior year: Different boyfriend. White eyelet-like dress with ribbon spaghetti straps. Well, at least this dress fit better, but it was still a shade of white: White. What was wrong with me?? He wore a powder blue tux. Oh yes he did. I believe the song for the night was "Always and Forever."

In my junior year, I was a prom princess, on the court with other juniors, and a senior was the queen. I'm on the far right with my eyes half-closed, looking drunk, but I was not, I assure you. The beautiful girl to my left was my best friend, Kris, who was elected homecoming queen the next year.



Senior year: Same boyfriend. I went all crazy and chose a CREAM colored dress with tons of pleats in it. He wore a burgundy tux with cream shirt. Theme song: "Grand Illusion." That I chose that color of dress shows I had a "grand delusion" that my pale skin would actually look distinct from the dress itself.

End of story. But I did wear a black shirt with a silver metallic thread running through it afterward to go bowling in, which I thought was way cool.

Next weekend, my youngest daughter will be going to her high school prom. You can bet there will be pictures here!

Please go on over to Linda's and link up today; it's way more fun than dancing on your dress all night long and worrying about your frizzy hair and acne, I promise!

Wow. That is the lamest prom story ever. Just be glad you only read about it and didn't live it.

Oh, and Don't Piece When Tired, Either



Before and after






















Finally was able to get a couple of phots of my granddaughter Emily. My son took these with his camera phone and I snagged them off of Facebook. Well I was seeing lot's of orange and that needed to change so to work I went. The after pictures has way less orange and is much softer.

FREE Lessons Online






Need some ideas or activities for a certain lesson? Here are a few of my favorite links to find lesson plans for all ages.


hennypenny.ourjunction.com- lessons for ages 2 – 5

hubbardscupboard.org- lessons for ages 2 - 6

dltk-bible.com- Old and New Testament lesson for preschool through 3rd grade. Lessons include memory verse, teacher's guide, puzzles, take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts and activities, etc.

southfloridachurch.org- lessons for children ages 2 through pre teens

clclutheran.org- lessons for preschool through 8th grade (click on Lessons on the left side and then click on Old or New Testament Lessons)

missionarlilngton.org- lessons for preschool through adult

thereligionteacher.com- Scroll down for: “And With Your Spirit” Lesson Plan (New Roman Missal), Hocus Pocus! A New Roman Missal Lesson Plan, Genesis Creation Stories Lesson Plan, Post Confirmation Lesson Plan, Rite of Confirmation Lesson Plan, Feast of the Epiphany in the Modern Day- Lesson Plan Activities, Catholic Thanksgiving Day Lesson Plans on the Eucharist as “Thanksgiving”, Teaching the Mysteries of the Rosary to Elementary Students, etc.

engagingfaith.blogspot.com- Great lesson plans for older students that really get them involved and allows them to learn through activities that reinforce teachings of the Catholic Church.



Do you have some favorite links to share to find lesson plans online?





Love in black and white


Cat nap woodcut, 1979

Jacques Hnizdovsky (1915-1985) was a Ukrainian-American painter, printmaker, sculptor, and book illustrator.
After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and Zagreb, and struggling to find his path
 as an artist in postwar Europe, he moved to the United States in 1949. At first he settled in Saint Paul,
 Minnesota, where he found work as a designer. But a year later, when two of his artworks
 received awards at a Minneapolis Institute of Art print exhibition and the Minnesota State Fair,
 Hnizdovsky quit his job and headed to New York, decided to make a living as an independent artist.


Fish vase and Deer plate, 1950s

Pigeons linocut, 1952

The first years in New York were very difficult, both artistically and financially.
 Hnizdovsky soon finished his small savings, and had to move into an unheated apartment in the East Bronx
 where, having lost all self-confidence, he experimented with different media and styles
 with no satisfactory result. Then, "after several years of hopeless work, I began to find my way.
 I found it in my own room, in my corridor, on my sidewalk, and in the blade of grass growing
 between two blocks of concrete in front of the house I lived in. Everywhere I went,
 things became clearer and more visible to me. I had an insurmountable desire to paint it all.
 No longer was I concerned how to paint. The question of how, which for years was so important
 to me, suddenly became secondary."

Turtle woodcut, 1962

Caged eagle woodcut, 1964

The academically trained Hnizdovsky was very interested in the human figure, 
but in New York his isolation and lack of funds for a human model led him to find 
new subjects in the city's botanical gardens and at the Bronx Zoo. Gradually, 
in the quiet atmosphere of these places, he discovered the beauty of plants and animals
 and fell in love with them.

Andy from the Bronx Zoo woodcut, 1965

Andy, the orangutan living in the zoo's Ape House, was one of Hnizdovsky's 
favorite models. When Andy died, the Bronx Zoo purchased this woodcut 
in remembrance of him. 

Ram etching, 1979

Herd of sheep woodcut, 1979


Resting sheep linocut, 1983

Sheep and rams were another favorite model from the Zoo, and became one of his most popular subjects.

Jacobin pigeon linocut, 1973

Llama woodcut, 1972

Jerome woodcut, 1978

Hnizdovsky's carefully patterned and beautifully stylized woodcuts drew inspiration 
from the work of Albrecht DĂ¼rer, Ukrainian folk art, and Japanese woodblock artists. 
He produced over 375 prints, mostly woodcuts and linocuts, as well as paintings, ceramics,
ex libris and illustrated books. His works have been exhibited internationally and are 
in the permanent collections of numerous museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
which owns a large collection of his prints. In 1987 the catalogue raisonnĂ© Jacques Hnizdovsky
 Woodcuts and Etchings was published, including all of his woodcuts, linocuts and etchings.