I've been working like mad for the past couple weeks, lurking here but not posting. I completed five rod-arm puppets, and one marionette, in addition to the busyness of the season. I had a request for a puppet show from a pastor friend, so I had to prepare for that. My youth group served as the puppeteers. The reception was very good at our first performance, and then we performed again the next morning at an assisted living home, and finally had a double header yesterday at the two churches where I am pastor.

At any rate, this morning I completed my final puppet for the Moscow trip. Karabas is the villain of our little drama. He is the one that I wanted to have a permanent scowl on his face. I ran out of time to experiment, so I went to one of my tried-and-true patterns, and focused on the eyes to keep him grumpy. I found that by manipulating his eyelids a little I could give him a meaner look, and I gave him small beady pupils which seemed meaner than big ones.

My inspiration comes from this storybook picture.

I finally completed the script this afternoon, tomorrow I begin recording the parts. If I can get that done in the morning, then assembling the completed soundtrack can be done on Christmas morning. (No kids, it is a very quiet morning in our home.) Then, start packing, I leave at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and peace and joy the whole year through!

You nailed the character Chris.  Job well done.  You should be very proud.  I'm praying that your trip to moscow will go very well.  In February I'll be going to Guatamala with a large team (yes we'll be taking puppets).

Awesome puppet

Nice puppet

Great job Chris !....................... and God Bless both of you on your trips.

Billy D.

Yes he is a villan and a good one! Very nice rendition. I could just imagine his voice.

What do they call puppets in Russia? Puppetrov?

Good work!  Keep it up.

What do they call puppets in Russia? Puppetrov?

If you remember Kukla, Fran and Ollie, you have your answer. Kukla is the Russian word for doll and for puppet.

God's blessings to you as you leave.  AND we will pray for God's blessings to be imparted on the children in Russia that you minister to.  Please take pictures and share with us when you get back!! Thanks for sharing the progress of this wonderful project!

If you remember Kukla, Fran and Ollie, you have your answer. Kukla is the Russian word for doll and for puppet.

My mother was good friends with Fran Allison. The show was sponsored by Oscar Meyer products and one time when I went to her house with my mother, she gave me a huge Weiner Mobile toy. I will never forget that.

Thank you for that answer. I guess I didnt speak Russian as a child...lol

Nostrovia!
Cosmonaut Sonny

My mother was good friends with Fran Allison.

How cool is that!!!