Karla's Korner

"Christmas... in Jesus' Name"

 

Christmas is right around the corner, can you believe it?  And I thought for any of you who might be working on your Christmas cards, crafts or gift list early, this "Christmas... in Jesus' Name" Clip Art Collection might be just what you're looking for.

In the midst of Christmas chaos, it's nice to be reminded that Jesus is the Reason for the Season and that's what this Christmas Clip Art Collection is all about!  To help you stay focused on Jesus throughout the holiday season and celebrate Christmas... in Jesus' Name, this kit includes visual images to remind you of nine glorious Names of Jesus.  He is the Light of the World, the Lamb of God, the Living Word, the Bread of Life, God with Us, the Gift, the Door, the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace... amen and hallelujah!! 

This Kit could be a great resource to help your kids... at home and in Sunday School... to learn more about who Christ is during the Christmas season!  Or you might want to use these cheerful, yet meaningful, images to dress up your Women's Ministry Gathering, the church bulletin or a Christmas tea.

You can purchase or learn more about this kit at Karla's Korner Shoppe You can find more inspiration for celebrating Christmas... in Jesus' Name in my book, "The Heart & Home of Christmas."  Also... if you know of any Sunday School teacher or Women's Ministry Leader who might benefit from this kit, please let them know about it... and may we all celebrate this Christmas... in Jesus' Name!

Heavenly Father,
I want to thank You for the day I discovered that Jesus is more than the porcelain figurine in the manger on the mantel... but instead... He is the Son of God born into humanity in order to reveal Your glory and the greatness of Your love for us.  Lord Jesus... I pray that even now You would begin to prepare our hearts to celebrate this holiday season in Your Name and for Your glory!  We love You Lord! Amen and amen.

Thankful for the Name of Jesus!

I recently received a devotional that told how a roomful of elderly men and women in a dementia and Alzheimer's nursing home care unit had responded to a well known song. Only a few voices had been heard during the earlier singing, as would be expected in such a place, but when the closing song began, a most remarkable thing happened... the voices in the room got louder... and those who had not sung earlier began to sing along. The song?  "Jesus loves me, this I know". Jesus... there's just something about that Name!

Reading this reminded me of a letter I received a few years ago about a similar experience... as you read it, may your heart be encouraged... in the Name of Jesus...

Dear Ms. Dornacher,
Three years ago my mother was severely depressed at age 79 and attempted suicide. Knowing that God's best is the only solution, I flew up as soon as I was allowed to see her and brought along your book (Down a Garden Path). My mom was a wonderful gardener as we grew up, and I thought your book would be a beautiful, simple but comforting way to lead her mind back to peace and joy that only the Lord can bring.

I just loved on her while visiting her in that horrible place and she told me she had had a nightmare the night before about a black gate. As we sat in a parlor and I read the book to her, a woman wandered around the room with a blank stare, not speaking and apparently had not spoken in the 3 months she had been there.

The moment I read the word "Jesus", the woman came over and touched the book, and spoke the word "JESUS!!!" My mother looked up at her and smiled (!) and said, "Yes, Jesus! He loves you and He loves me!" With that the woman sat down next to my mother, and my MOTHER began to read the rest of the book to her!

The next morning when I went to visit my mother, she told me she had had a dream about a white picket fence, and that my father was standing there waiting for here. (He had died 15 years earlier.)

I was humbled and blessed to know God used my book as a way to make Himself known in that place, but it was the Name of Jesus that fanned the smoldering ember in the fading hearts of these women and brought His healing touch of peace and joy to the mother of the woman who wrote me this letter... a remarkable testimony of God's great grace! The mother lived another year and was at peace with the Lord.

Thank You Father God for Jesus and His Mighty Name!  One day every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord... and there is no other Name by which we can be saved! May we bow our hearts and our knee today to the Blessed Name of Jesus.. and speak His Name boldly that others may hear and be touched in a way only possible through the power of Your Holy Spirit!  We love You Lord Jesus... in YOUR PRECIOUS NAME we pray... Amen.

"Apple of God's Eye" Printables Now in the Shoppe!

I just finished the "Apple of God's Eye" Printables Kit... it's a wonderful theme for a Girlfriend Gathering and perfect for September!! You can see more photos, find out more about what's included in the Kit and get some gift-giving ideas over at Karla's Korner Shoppe!  Enjoy!

Good Friends!

I have been accused of being a workaholic... and sometimes that description fits. But I just love what I do! However... since what I do requires me being alone at my computer or drawing table or reading or dreaming... I have to purpose to set aside time to just be with friends. And I've been having a good time doing it recently!

So I thought I would introduce you to a couple of my dear friends, Beth and Sandi.  We all used to be in the same church years ago and involved in women's ministry together.  Today we live in different worlds... different churches, different parts of town, different schedules, different ministries... but one heart... a heart for God and a heart to see women grow in the Lord. So about every three to six months we get together to catch up and encourage one another.  The other day we had breakfast together and it was a joy to hear our laughter waft through the restaurant like the fragrance of a beautiful bouquet.  It has not always been so as we've each gone through our seasons of sorrows and struggles but that day was a blessing because we all agreed... we were all in a sweet place... and it was good to rejoice in the Lord together and be glad.

And Joan is another precious friend... she and I met just a few days ago for coffee. Can you guess where? (Sorry I stood right in front of the display!) Joan and I have been in the same Home Group together for most of the past 5 years. She is a hospice care giver and one of the most compassionate and giving women I've ever met. I am so thankful to God for bringing her into my life and using her to stretch me and bless me in His ways. We just had such a good time sharing and encouraging one another... and the coffee was good too!

Encourage one another daily...
Hebrews 3:13

Who have you encouraged lately?  We need each other even more so, in this busy chaotic culture we live in. Call someone and invite them to coffee or to take a walk or to just come sit in your kitchen for a good visit!  Make it your purpose to encourage someone today and as you do... it will come back to you!

 

Thankful Thursday!

 

You know... when God tells us that giving thanks is a good thing, He's not kidding! He knows the benefits and blessings that come from cultivating a grateful heart and He longs for us to experience these benefits in our daily lives.

God knows the world you and I live in... He lived here. And He knows that it can be a very difficult and painful place.  He knows there are seasons when giving thanks can be a challenge as our blessings are overshadowed by our burdens. He also knows how we can so easily take our blessings for granted and fall into a bad habit of murmuring and complaining. Is anyone else guilty of this besides me?

The good news is that as we make God the focus of our thanksgiving, we become increasingly more aware of His presence... in the pleasant, as well as the painful, circumstances of our lives... and the more we become aware of God in our everyday lives, the more we are blessed... and thanksgiving becomes not just something we do but a lifestyle we live that brings glory to the Lord.

I believe God is calling us to make thanksgiving a habit, and as it is with developing any habit and having it become a way of life, it will require practice and encouragement. So every week on Thankful Thursday, I look forward to sharing more about what God has to say about thanksgiving to encourage you, as well as myself, to give thanks to the Lord every day... in all things... and in God's way. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
Psalm 92:1

Heavenly Father... It is a good thing to give You thanks.  Over and over again I have seen the benefits of giving thanks in my own life Lord and I know it's only by Your grace. Thank You for reminding us over and over again in Your Word to give You thanks and thank You for not giving up on us in the weakness of our humanity. Forgive us for taking so many of the blessings in our lives for granted and open our eyes to see You and Your Presence at work in a greater way in the coming days. Inhabit the praises of Your people Lord and be glorified! Amen.

Son-Flower Coloring Page

I just want you to know I get the greatest joy from using my artwork to encourage you and your children and your children's children in the Word and in the Ways of the Lord!!  And these coloring pages are just another opportunity to do just that!

If you are a mom, grandma, or teacher this little Son-Flower Coloring Page is perfect for encouraging the children in your life to want to grow in the Lord because as we let our roots grow deep down into God's love, we can't help but to grow in the grace and knowledge of who He is and who we are in Him.  And as we grow, we'll just keep looking more and more like His Son... flowering in the beauty of His blessings!

This coloring page is only available here... so if you know of another mom, grandma, Sunday School or Christian School teacher who might be blessed to use this coloring page with their kids please take a moment to email them and let them know about it or consider posting a link from your blog to this post just so they'll know. If you don't tell them, how will they know?

"...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord..."
2 Peter 3:18

Father God, pour out Your Spirit on our children and our children's children... show them Your ways, teach them Your paths, lead them in Your truth... and grow them up in You.  Amen.

Autumn Sun Freebie... Show Me Your Ways

"Show Me Your Ways" is my free gift to you this month. Created with art from the "Autumn Sun" Clip Art Collection... it can be printed for your home or office or for giving as a gift. I formatted it to fit a standard 5x7 frame but you can also reduce the size to create a magnet for your fridge or file cabinet... or for the front of a greeting card.  A great gift to give the women in your Bible study group as you start the new fall season or for your children's teacher as she starts the new school year. Ask God, I'm sure He'll show you who in your life would be blessed by such a gift.

O Lord... show me... teach me... lead me!  I pondered this verse as I was creating this gift for you and  thought... in order for God to show us His ways, we have to have eyes willing to see.  And for God to teach us His paths, we have to have ears willing to hear. And for Him to lead us in His truth, we have to have hearts willing to follow. God is faithful and always willing and ready to answer this prayer... but we need to be willing to do our part... to look for Him in the scriptures and in the midst of our everyday lives... to listen for His voice teaching through His Word, through the wisdom of others, and in the stillness of our hearts... and to be more than just hearers of His Word but doers also... following His truth and letting it transform our lives.

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths;
lead me in Your truth and teach me.
Psalm 25:4

Thank You Father, for Your willingness to show me Your ways... teach me Your paths... and lead me in Your truth. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart willing to follow You all the days of my life so that others may see more and more of You in me.... for Your glory... Amen.

August Contest... Apples Galore!

With September right around the corner, it seemed fitting to do an
APPLES GALORE GIVEAWAY!!! 

Included in this giveaway is everything APPLE... my "An Apple a Day" devotional, computer stationery, a cross-stitch kit, a matted ready-to-frame print, a sachet, a pass-a-long card with a small apple lapel pin, a bookmark, and a ceramic refrigerator magnet!  Oh yes... and the image where the writing is backwards is a professional puff transfer to dress up a t-shirt or tote bag! Something for you... some things to give as gifts!

You can enter the August "Apples Galore" Giveaway 3 ways:

1. Comment on this post and tell me what your favorite apple recipe is.  Is it pie? apple pork chops? apple sauce? You can even leave the recipe if you'd like.

2. If you have a blog and tell your readers about this contest with a link from your blog to mine... you'll be entered twice. (Just leave a comment here with a link to your blog to let me know)

3. Refer a friend... have your friend include your name when she comments and you will both be entered.... so for every friend you refer you'll get an extra entry.

The drawing will take place on Friday, August 29th at 2:00 pm... just in time to get in the mail to you that day!

And remember... you truly are the Apple of God's Eye!

Just So You Know...

I know some of you have been waiting patiently for me to make up my mind about the angel policy with the use of my digital art kits.  Well, I finally decided in favor of the angels... angels being YOU!  The Angel Policy is designed to allow you to use my art to create crafts and projects, not only for your own personal use and gift giving, but also for selling in limited quantities and with certain requirements.  I posted my Terms of Use over at Karla's Korner Shoppe, so if you'd like to use my art to make some crafts to sell at your church's Christmas bazaar or even on your own personal blog or website, you'll want to read it first.

I can still remember selling my crafts, especially at Christmas, to make a little extra money when I was a young stay at home mom and I'm blessed to be able share my art with you to help you do the same.

Also... I am pleased to now offer a CD Burning Service for those of you who want to use my digital art collections but are still on dial up. I know how it is... been there... done that!  I know that to download some of these size files would take days... and in most cases, you would disconnect before it ever finished. So now you can just add in the service and I'll put the files on a CD and pop in it in the mail to you... sweet!

And the third thing I wanted you to know was that my sweet friend Audrey of Audrey Jeanne's Expressions has opened her own Blogstore. She is so talented... just look at this scrumptious looking chocolate collection... YUM!!! I just updated her link in my sidebar so you can once again go visit her from here and be blessed by her life and her art!

Thanks for stopping by and I'm working on three things to share in the next few days... a new contest... a new coloring book page... and a freebie download!  Not sure in which order yet but they're all coming your way to encourage your heart in the things of the Lord!  Bless the Lord and bless you my friends... in His love and for His glory... Karla 

The Timeline for My New Book

Hattie wrote...  "Is your new "Thanksgiving" book gonna be out this fall?  I can hardly wait!"

 

I wrote back to Hattie, thanking her for asking and then thought I'd share the answer and a little about the process of getting a book to market with all of you... just in case you had the same question!

Well, first off... the answer is "no"... the book is not coming out this fall but next fall 2009.  That sounds so far off but when you write a book or license your art there's always a process... from conception... to print... into the marketplace... and then finally what it's all about... is for you to have and hold.  It's kinda like having a baby when you think about it.  So the due date is September 1st, 2009 and in order to have the book come out in the fall, my deadline to have my part... the writing and the art... complete and to my publisher Jack Countryman at Thomas Nelson is March 1st. The rule of thumb for all my books has been six months from the time I'm finished with my part for the editing, printing, shipping on a slow boat from somewhere... usually China, marketing, selling, and shipping to the stores with a delivery date of... in this case... September 1st 2009.  When you think about it... that's a whole lot of stuff to have happen in just six months even with some of it happening simultaneously.

So my part all happens between now and March 1st... just a little less than 6 months. To some of you that may seem like a long time, to others... not so long. To me... I have to trust God that it's the perfect amount of time!  I know God has put this book on my heart and I do have scriptures and notes and passion and sketches... but I still have lots of questions about style of format and style of art... that will determine how I move forward from here.  So it's a process... and I'm sure you'll be hearing about it more as time goes on!  In fact, I'm sure I'll be asking for your input... so be ready!

And Hattie... again... your excitement encourages my heart and makes me want to stop everything and go write!!  Thanking God for you... all of you!

Inspiring Designs!

Okay... how cute is this kitchen collection designed by my new friend, Linda Hitt using my "Apple of God's Eye" Clip Art Collection. And what makes this collection even sweeter, is that she created it as a gift for her mom who owns some of my "Apple of God's Eye" stoneware from a few years ago. What a great addition to her mom's kitchen decor! Linda also sent a set to her secret sister who is not so secret anymore... this was the "revealing" gift!

Linda created this collection by covering a tin for Recipes, making matching recipe cards, a few magnets, a recipe card holder and a notepad/shopping list. Gorgeous... thank you for sharing your creativity with us!  Are you inspired yet?  I am!

Linda said, "It is so hard to find Christian related clipart so I was very excited when I saw on your blog that you were planning on doing some.  I do a couple of craft shows with my mother in November and I will be getting more of your graphics to use for cards or ornaments for my shows."

This is why I do what I do. Thank you Linda and God bless you and your mom and the work of your hearts and hands for His Name Sake.

PS... I'd love to be inspired your creativity... send me a photo of what you've made using my Digital Clip Art Kits and let us encourage one another.

 

Autumn Sun Collection is in the Shoppe!

 
This new "Autumn Sun" Clip Art Kit was inspired by my story in "Down a Garden Path" about uninvited sunflower seeds and how God used them to add a bit of whimsy to my life and to my garden... read and enjoy... and oh yes... have fun using the art!! I would love to see what you create!



Excerpt from "Down a Garden Path" ©Karla Dornacher

Some Serious Solitude & A Grateful Heart

I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need to get away to recharge and refocus. Sometimes a getaway can be as easy as closing the door to my studio or taking a walk... shutting out the world in order to have an hour or so of quiet time alone with God. But sometimes, when I have a big decision to make or am moving in a new direction, I feel compelled to seek out some serious solitude in order to just sit and wait on the Lord for wisdom and direction.  With that said... if you missed me... that's where I've been these last few days... hanging out with God in a little cabin on the coast... seeking affirmation and direction as I begin my newest journey into writing and designing my next book on the topic of THANKSGIVING! And I'm blessed to say... I'm off to a great start. It's definitely just a beginning but I have a sense of direction and that's a good thing! Thank You Lord!

If you've been visiting my blog for any amount of time, you already know the value I place on giving God thanks... simply because He is God and He is good.  But God is calling me to a deeper place of thanksgiving and I have a feeling He's going to be doing some things in my life... some challenging and some glorious... as I walk out the message He is writing on my heart even now.  I'll keep you posted.

Oh yes... and when I say I thank God for you... I mean it! Thank you all for allowing me to speak into your lives as well as many of you, I know, partner with me through my books and products to share the Good News of Christ with the world... THANK YOU!!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:3

Father God... thank You so much for each and every woman who comes to visit here. I may not know their hearts but I know You live in them and You are more powerful than the roaring ocean waves. And I may not know their circumstances but You do and I ask today that You would bless them in the midst of whatever is going on in their lives... that they would be able to sense Your Omnipotent Presence and thanksgiving would rise in their hearts just to know You dwell in them and with them... for Your glory... amen.