Karla's Korner

He Turns Our Sorrows Into Joy

Do you need a little encouragement today? This is for you.

Two days ago a serious thunderstorm roared through Grace Acres with a vengeance. As we stood at the kitchen door, we could hear branches crackling as powerful winds bent and broke a few along its path. I never gave thought to my beautiful peony bush protected only by a sweet picket fence in the garden.

This was its most beautiful year ever with humongous buds full of promise and potential. Michael had staked it up for me one day when I wasn't home because the buds were so heavy, their weight pulling them toward the earth below. I thought the staking would insure the longest and most spectacular display of pink flowers this bush had ever seen.

I was busy when the buds began to open and barely noticed them from my car as I drove in and out of the driveway several times... that is, until the morning after the storm. The careful staking had not braced them against the fury of the winds and rain. They had not bowed down on their own but most were bent or broken, most touching the muddy soil with their exquisite beauty. My heart broke as I gazed with sorrow from afar.

Last night, with a slight mist of rain filling the air, I donned my rubber boots and headed for the garden on a rescue mission... to seek and save what had been lost... if at all possible. As I lifted their heads, weighted down with water and mud, I was filled with hope that not all was lost. I gathered up more than twenty stems laden with blossoms and buds and brought them into the house. After spraying the mud from their petals, my sorrow was turned to joy to discover that none were lost but instead I was able to fill two large vases with beautiful bouquets... one to love and enjoy... the other to give away.

God used this experience, as He often does, to remind me of the beauty and blessings He promises to us. Oftentimes the fury of the winds and rain of this world leave us broken and bent over with great heaviness and sorrow. Our eyes become downcast, our heads... our minds become muddied with thoughts of despair, depression, or discontentment and we lose hope as we are not able to lift ourselves up and out of the pit we're in. But there is hope... there is always hope as we call out to our Savior God. When we put our hope back in Him, as the Lover of our souls and the Master Gardener of our hearts and lives, He reaches down from heaven and gently, lovingly lifts up our heads, washes us with His Holy Spirit and Truth, and He carefully places us in a vase with other broken people... church bouquets... for our own blessing and to be given away... giving ourselves to the world who needs to see what great things God has done for us... in His love and for His glory!

Thanks for letting me share this with you... it truly ministered to my heart and I hope it has for you as well.

God says...
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

Thank You Father for being the Lifter of our heads... for turning our mourning into gladness... and our sorrow into joy... the joy of knowing, loving and trusting You. And thank You for using my broken peonies to paint such a beautiful picture for us to see. Amen.

Monday Musings... Cedar Springs Retreat!

I can't move into June without taking a few moments to reflect back on May and the beauty and bounty of God's blessings that I was not able to share with you along the way.

I was privileged to be the retreat speaker for a beautiful group of women from Family Bible Church of Whidby Island, WA the weekend of the 15th-17th. The retreat was held at Cedar Springs Retreat Center up near the Canadian border and the theme of the retreat was "Down a Garden Path" which could not have been more fitting for the beauty of our surroundings...

 
Just like the gardens of Cedar Springs are dedicated to the GLORY OF GOD,
we are to dedicate the gardens of our hearts and lives to HIS GLORY.


I was so taken with the beauty of the reflection of the trees in the lake...
I couldn't help but think about how we are to be reflections of Christ in the world.


Swans are so graceful... especially surrounded by such glorious color!
God is more concerned us being GRACE-FULL than graceful... good thing, eh?
He fills us with His grace when we surround ourselves with His glory!


Did you know that a baby swan is called a cygnet?
They are adorable and heart-warming?


That mama is watching over her babies like God watches over us!
Sweet!


There were paths everywhere... you could walk up the garden paths
and down the garden paths... to incredible places of love and joy!


And there were sitting places tucked quietly into the landscape... places to rest
and be still in the Presence of the Lord and the beauty of His creation!

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Won't you take some time today to be still? Lay aside your busyness and find a
quiet place to sit with God, whether it's in the garden
or in your favorite chair by the window.
Look into His Word... ponder His beauty and the depth of His love for you.
Dedicate yourself anew to His glory, and when you leave your quiet place,
the world will know you have been in the presence
of the Master Gardener of your heart!

Where is your favorite place to be still and sit with the Lord?
Please take a moment to let me know where and why it's so special to you.

Be blessed my friends... in His love and for His glory...
Karla
 

We Have a Winner! Yeah!

I'm sorry I'm a day late on choosing the winner. I would love to share with you a peek into what my week so far and my yesterday looked like but that would take way too much time so let's just get down to the business at hand... who is the winner of this wonderful basket of goodies? Who... oh... who could it be?

Oh wait... before I tell you... I must first say, I am so THANKFUL for all of you! Your comments, your prayers, your blessings lift me up into heavenly places!  You are God's gift to me and this truly is a...

Okay... now I can tell you who the wonderful winner is...

Lori from EncouragementFromMyHeart.blogspot!!! 
Congratulations Lori!!!
Please go visit Lori's blog... she truly is a woman after God's heart!
As soon as I receive Lori's mailing address, I'll be sending her this months goodies!



You may not have one this month's contest but never forget that you have won God's heart and His affections and the treasures that He gives us every day far exceed the sweet treats of any earthly giveaway... including mine.

So may I encourage you to be on the lookout today for the goodies God is sending your way... and He doesn't even have to use the Post Office or UPS!!!  If you will just watch for it to arrive... He is sending you a package today full of the blessings of His love, the comfort of His encouragement, the truth that transforms as you read His Word, His provision,protection... okay... you get the picture! Take some time today to be count your blessings and be thankful for all His goodness in your life and rejoice!!

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,
and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High;
to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
and Your faithfulness every night.
Psalm 92:1-2

Creative Day #10... Frugal Friday... Gift Basket Filler

I am leaving shortly to drive up to the Canadian border to speak for a wonderful group of ladies from Family Bible Church in Oak Harbor... it will be a five hour drive but most definitely worth it!  Of course... you're prayers would be appreciated... thank you! 

But I really wanted to share this great idea with you before I head out...
let me know if you think and if it's something you might find useful!

Okay... have you ever wanted to create a gift basket and not anything to use for a filler just to make it look pretty and more bountiful. I have a bunch of times and usually don't have anything on hand. So... the other day when I was creating my Gift Basket to give at the last church I was speaking at, I had the same dilemma and I was just about to scrunch up a bunch of colored tissue in my basket... which I don't like the look of... when I had this GRAND IDEA! 

I simply cut 1/4" to 3/8" strips off the end of my folded tissue paper and separated them into a fun fluffy filler.

(I did find that licking my fingers helped the layers to come apart much easier!) But because comes with several layers... two slices gave me plenty to pretty up my gift basket and one slice filled this little box with beautiful color and look of whimsy. (Also to note is that I did scrunch a white plastic grocery bag in the bottom to fill the space and lift the gifts up for better eye appeal.)  Love it!

The great thing about doing this is that it's very inexpensive (you can buy colorful tissue at the Dollar Store), there are a great variety of colors available, and you can still use the leftover pieces of tissue to poke into a gift bag if you need to.

I also wanted to share with you another Faith Block... isn't it SWEET?
These will be available in my Webstore soon... they make a sweet gift at a sweet price.
I'll let you know when they arrive in the store.

Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17

Lord God...  thank You for giving us the creativity to make the most of the money You allot us...even in these trying times. Help  us all to be more frugal and yet more giving at the same time... to bless and encourage others through the work of our hearts and hands like you have us. Love You Lord. Amen.

Love is in the Air...

Today I am reflecting back on last Sunday...

and how thankful I am to be mom to Michelle
and grandma to Lex and Jess... I am blessed!


And I am so thankful to have Cindy as, not only my sister-in-law, but also a friend...
and thankful that she and my niece, Monica, decided to join us
for a wonderful day of craftiness at Michelle's to celebrate Mom's Day!

I am also thankful for the creativity God has given Lex and Jess...
and that they are just so much fun to hang out with!
Check out the shoes Lex is painting!  They were light blue!
And Jess painted that picture as her Mother's Day gift to her mom! Sweet!

Sorry I can't show you the dolls that Michelle and I made...
mine is still not finished
 and hers is a gift for someone so it needs to be a suprise for now!



Most of all, I am thankful that God has poured out His love into our hearts
and given us a love for one another that is so much more than I could have
ever hoped for.  Thank You Lord.

It's a Miracle!

I just had to share my lilacs with you!  It seems like a miracle to beholding this beautiful lilac arrangement because this is the first year our lilacs have bloomed even though we've had one of the bushes for six years.

Every year, even though we would spray it... sometimes too late... with a fungicide, it would bud real pretty and then before it could bloom the flowers would just turn brown and droop over and die. Every year I would come so close to tears. At first people told us they just got frosted. Others said it was too much rain... duh... we live in the Northwest!  So we've been spraying for the past four years and this is the first year any of them have bloomed and now they are ALL BLOOMING!! 

Thank You Jesus!

And thank you for letting me share my joy with you!

Creative Day #9... Paper Flowers

I first want to say THANK YOU for the wonderful response I've gotten from all of you who have commented to win the Goody GiveAway Gift Basket!  Your kindness always makes my heart smile!

I was inspired to create these cute paper flowers after seeing this post...
on Pam Garrison's blog... who saw this post... thanks Janice!
I love how we inspire and encourage one another!


For my version these are the supplies I started with...

an old book... with damaged or discolored pages

a piece of slightly heavier weight green paper for the back side of the flower

a scalloped edged circle paper cutter... mine is Fiskars
(you can also cut your flowers freehand with scissors... they're very cute freehand)

I used felt for the centers... you could use other contrasting paper or fabric

a tool to poke a hole... I used a metal skewer... you could use a big needle

glue stick... I love the kind that shows up purple

and stems... okay... I picked mine up at a yard sale
 but you can find a similar fabric wrapped wire at Joann's or on a roll at CreateForLess.


Simply cut out the flower shape with the punch or scissors.
If you cut it out freehand you will want to cut the back and front at the same time
and keep them together to make sure they will match.


Poke a hole in the center of the back with the needle or skewer.
Thread the wire through the hole and bend over sharply at the end.


Cover the back side of the flower with glue... including under the bent stem.


Pull the stem back out to the bend and press the flower top on firmly.

 
Cut a circle out of your felt and glue in the center.
Gently apply color around the outside of the flower and then darken the edge.


I used this ColorBox fluid chalk for my pink color.

 
On this freehand flower I used a color pencil. but you could also use
distressing ink, chalks, or even your kids color crayons.
In fact, this is an easy enough project to make with your kids!


Make a bunch for a bouquet or a few to decorate your next gift package.
And be creative... try different kinds of papers... different shaped punches...
or simple circles...
and wouldn't buttons for the centers be oh so sweet!
I want to make more just thinking about it!

I'd love to know if this little tutorial was helpful to you...
and if you make any paper flowers I'd love to see them!

Don't forget to post a comment for the CONTEST...
and if you win I'll be sending you some of mine!

Lord bless you with a creative day and a heart lifted up to Him!
xoxoxo
Karla

Creative Day #8... and a Mother's Day Goody GiveAway!

I'm almost out the door to go speak for the Mother's Day Brunch at Westside Community Church in Beaverton but I have a few minutes and wanted to share with you the Gift Basket that I will be giving away at the end of my message. I always give away several books but this will be the Grand Prize!

It turned out so lovely... I want to giveaway the same gift to one of you!!!  All you have to do is leave a comment on any post between now and May 20th at 4 pm and you will be entered to win this scrumptious selection of goodies! If you'd like to share about this GiveAway on your blog... leave a comment to let me know and you'll be entered twice... so spread the word and double your chances to win!

What you will win includes everything in the basket... except the basket.


There's a Down a Garden Path book...
A brand new collection of "Spring" greeting cards in a cute folder box...
Four Gift Tags...
and a Bookmark...


A brand new HeartLifter Magnet...
and a "To Mom, with Love" book...


A Faith Block... which is another new item I have...


And just for fun... a bag of Strawberry Whoppers...
in a bag tied off with ribbon and a beautiful vintage button!
 

Oh yes... and I can't forget these sweet flowers that decorate the basket...
aren't they cute? 
I will be showing you how I made these one day next week.
Also I learned I great trick for adding filler to my basket... I'll share that too.

Gotta run... Savor some moments of joy today...
and give God the glory!
Don't forget to enter the contest... and God bless you!
Love you...
Karla

Creative Day #7...

Okay... I skipped a few days of blogging...
good thing I didn't say 30 consecutive days of creativity!! LOL!

But I have been very creative... with much to share but little time to share it.
I did create this Thankful Thursday Banner
and you are very welcome to use it on your own blog if you'd like...
(let me know if you do so I can come visit you!)
 the more we all share our thankflul hearts the more we are mutually encouraged!


I am always thankful for my granddaughters... this one loves to make you laugh! 


I am thankful for my daughter who ran the Eugene marathon last Sunday
and her time qualified her to run in the Boston Marathon next spring.
Her post about running is very inspiring!

And I am thankful for the gift of creativity...
to play with shapes, lines, textures and patterns just for the fun of it. ..
to reflect on the blessings of God in the secret places of my heart
and imagination... and then be able to share them with you!

I am speaking at Mother's Day Brunch Saturday morning so I doubt I'll be posting tomorrow but would
appreciate your prayers for God to speak blessing and encouragement to the hearts of the women there and that if any of them do not know Christ as the Source of all Joy, they might be drawn to Him there.

Love you all... bless you and all you put your hand to...
In His love and for His glory...
Karla

Creative Day #6... Monday Musings and Stool Makeover!

Saturday was actually creative day #6 but this is the first chance I've had to post.
I had bought this little stool for $1 at Goodwill a few weeks ago. No comment.


Bye, bye Christmas bear! Nothing personal.


Hello layers of new paint finished off with a crackle finish!
Sorry... I get so into the project I forget to snap pics along the way.


Voila! A beautiful new creation with new purpose and value!
The perfect compliment to this gorgeous and fragrant bouquet.
By the way, does anyone know what these flowers are?
They grow on a bush and smell heavenly!



I love taking an old piece of furniture and giving it new life.
It makes my heart glad to save something
that was headed for the trash and give it a second chance.

I’m sure if this little stool could talk, it would say, “Thank you.”
I know I would–or would I?
After a few weeks of settling into daily life
and having the compliments dwindle,
would I begin to take my new life for granted?
When people look more at the bouquet than me,
and after the flowers have faded and my purpose doesn't seem so clear,
would I become discontent with this new life?
Would I forget about my salvation from the trash heap?

Sometimes I’m afraid the routine of everyday life can have that effect on us.
We can forget that God, in His infinite mercy,
has saved us from the trash heap of eternal death and destruction.

The Bible tells us that we are new creations in Christ...
the old is gone and all things have become new.
But God didn’t use sandpaper and paint.
He used the death and resurrection of Jesus. Unconditional love.
Undeserved favor.

Father forgive me for taking my new life in Christ for granted so much of the time. Remind me of the trash heap you delivered from and the tremendous value I have to You even if my purpose doesn't seem as clear today and is did yesterday or the day before. Use me Lord to be the stool upon which the beauty and fragrance of Christ can be displayed for all to see... so that You would be glorified and not me. Amen.

Frugal Friday Finds - Creative Day #5

Spring is the best time of year for garage saling and garage sales are a fabulous resource for being creative on a budget! Today's Creative Day was about going saling with an eye for possibility... the potential to turn someone else's trash into treasure. I went with my daughter and we had great fun together and came home with a few frugal finds.

 

I am guessing the wire holder is either for eggs or votive candles... really not sure and not totally sure what I'll use it for but it was too fun to pass up for a buck. And then I found the green balls at another sale... they are like miniature bowling balls... and have no idea what they were for originally but they look fun in the wire holder for now! I have a creative idea for the little wreath and the small stool will be perfect for displaying some finished artistic endeavor some day.

I want to use the pretty plates for a girls luncheon, the vintage book covers to create hand-bound journals, and I have a great idea for turning the crocheted bed pillow shams into cute throw pillows for my sofa... I can hardly wait to show you what I'm envisioning.

Creativity begins with the seed of a vision,
planted in the soil of the imagination,
and watered with the love of expression.

Today was all about the seeds.

**For you artists out there...
check out Michelle's blog for an sweet trick to stretch your art supply budget!! 
She is such a clever girl!

Hugs to you for a wonderful weekend.
May the Lord bless you and keep you...
In His love and for His glory!

Needing a Little More... Creative Day #4

I don't know about you, but when I stood back and looked at my new art on the wall, I could hear the mantle crying out for something short to sit on it!  But what???  I honestly don't have a lot of stuff but I went on the search anyway and came up with nothing. But wait... one definition of creativity is making something from nothing so this time I went on the search for nothing to make something from and I found these...

Yep... little wood boxes I bought at JoAnn's for a granddaughter project that never happened... but they were the right height... a good starting point!  With a little paint layering, they morphed into entirely new creatures...

And made a perfect addition to the mantle...

Okay, my husband did warn me that since I set the candles directly on top of the wooden boxes... if I light those candles and walk away I could potentially burn down the house... not so good.  Leave it to a husband for such wonderful wisdom! So... they need one more piece to finish them and I have the perfect idea. I'm not sure if my idea will work or not, but am sure it will have to wait for another Creative Day.

Lord bless you all and the creative work of your hearts and hands...
Karla

Problem Solving... Creative Day #3

I knew when I started the painting I've been showing you that the canvas was warped but, since I'm new at painting this style, I honestly didn't think I'd end up liking it anyway so it was no biggy. No biggy until I did end up liking it so what was I to do about the rock and roll warp? "Aha", said I, as I looked at my dilemma through creative eyes. A backer board would do it. 

So my precious and talented husband built me a board just 1.25 inches larger on all sides than my canvas.  I painted it layer upon layer upon layer until I got the look I wanted. Once screwed to the board, (as you can see he had lots of help!) my canvas had no choice but to straighten up and the result was fantastic!

When faced with a problem we can see it through the eyes of defeat or we have the opportunity to view it through the lens of faith and creativity and see beyond what is to what can be. This principle is true in every aspect of life. Consider what the Apostle Paul says...

"Therefore we do not lose heart. 
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:16 & 18

Heavenly Father, help us to look at the problems we face in our lives here on earth through eyes of faith and creativity. Give us wisdom to solve, resolve and overcome the things we can and the faith to trust You with those things that are beyond our control. Remind us to look beyond the border of this earthly dwelling and look toward eternity in Your Presence with utter delight and abandon. Love You Lord! Amen.

Floral Painting... Creative Day #2

Yesterday...


Today...


Yesterday...


Today...


And...


I love the earthy texture it has now.
Tomorrow I hope to mount it and hang it on the wall!

How were you creative today?

A Pleasant Day of Painting... Creative Day #1

I promised I would post my progress on my just for fun 10x30 painting I started way back on February 26th and here it is... I finally picked up a brush and painted on it a few hours today and then didn't want to stop! It was very restful and relaxing.


I decided this morning to challenge myself with 30 Days of Creativity. I cannot promise I will post what I do every day but I am making the commitment to purposely be creative and make note of it! I believe we are all creative because we are made in the image of God and He has deposited His creativity into us and He has given us the opportunity to live creatively.

We use our creativity everyday without realizing it or acknowledging it as God's gift... whether it's painting, cooking, crafting, sewing, problem solving, or parenting... creativity is an avenue for God to express Himself to us and through us. And when we acknowledge Him as the Author of our creative endeavors, He gets the glory!

How was God's creativity expressed through you today?
Take a minute to let me know... and God will get the glory!

Catch the Wind and...

Don't you love it when God goes above and beyond your own expectations?

A few days ago I went to the beach to do some research on kites and kite flying for a new digital art kit I'm creating and, even more importantly, to seek the Lord for insight into the spiritual implications of this theme. I had a start in my heart but knew He had more to show me. He did not disappoint me!  I think I came away with enough insight and inspiration to write a book... seriously!  And... He truly used this kite theme to speak deeply to my own heart so I am confident He will yours as well! 

I want you to envision your heart as a kite...
colorfully painted with a rainbow of all your hopes, dreams, plans and purposes.
Now imagine yourself standing in a field holding the string to your heart.
How high is your heart flying? Is it soaring with the wind of the Holy Spirit,
or is it earthly bound, being held back by the tension of earthy circumstances
or a fear of the unknown?

While I was at the coast, God showed me a particular fear in my own heart that keeps me from trusting Him... keeps me from letting go of a length of my own heartstring that holds my heart back from something I know He's been tugging at me to do for a long time... and He's still tugging... and He'll keep tugging until I loosen my grip and let Him have His way. I know that about God.

I also know that the Lord  is tugging at all our heartstrings, calling us to catch the wind of His Spirit and fly higher and more freely than we could ever have imagined.

He tells us in Isaiah 40...
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles."

O Lord... we are so thankful that You created us to soar and oh how we long to. But as we look at this verse it seems that our ability to soar is dependent on our willingness to put our hope in You. Father, show us where we have been putting our hope in places and people other than in You and keep tugging us toward You. May we soar to Your glory! In the glorious Name of Jesus... amen.

Monday Musings... and Off to Cannon Beach!

I'm heading out for the coast this morning for a quick overnight trip. I'm working on a new project that's all about kites and there's no place better to research kites and kite flyers then Cannon Beach, OR.  So just to get you thinking... what comes to your mind when you combine the visual image of a kite with the Word of God?  Can't tell you quite yet where I'm going with this theme but it should be fun for sure!

I thought I would also share with you my newest art just to see what you think. I'm loving playing with different styles and this is one of my favorites for sure!

Thank You Lord for speaking to us through such incredibly visual ways. Your Word is a treasure of imagery that moves our hearts toward You. Thank You Father for the gift of creativity that comes straight from You and the opportunity to use our creativity to bless and encourage one another! Amen.

He's Alive!

May your heart and mind be renewed with a sense of hope and peace
this Easter, knowing that our Savior lives!
And because He lives we truly can face tomorrow with hope,
trusting the One who holds our futures in His nail scarred hands.

He gave His life so that we could have a new and abundant life...
a life filled with the joy and blessing of knowing, loving and trusting Jesus
with every moment of every day. May it be so in your life and mine.

Rejoicing with you... in His love and for His glory!
Karla