Karla's Korner

Taking a Much Needed Break from Packing...

We're heading north to Canada for Michael's annual fishing trip...
and a time of resting and refreshing for me...
truly a much needed break from the move!

Most of our furniture is out and he house is all clean and ready
for the appraisal in the morning... trusting the Lord for the outcome!

So we'll head home in about two weeks to finish moving out and
see where we go from there.

You're going to love this...
ecause we won't have landline phones after we move and our internet
is part of our phone service, we bought a MiFi... which is a like a WiFi
card which is allowing me to write and send this blog to you while
we're driving north on I-5... I LOVE it!!

I won't be using it in Canada though... too spendy but I think the store
there has internet so I'll catch up with you there!

Blessings and hugs...

Karla

We Sold Our House!!!!

If you missed me it's because WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!
So... we've been busy rejoicing in the Lord...


packing boxes...

 
and moving our stuff to a local storage unit.

We are thanking God for His absolutely perfect timing...
it hasn't been raining and Michael has had a break in his non-stop workload!

We're praising God for His perfect choice in buyers...
everyone kept saying our place would be perfect for empty nesters like us,
but I kept thinking about how much our granddaughters love running and playing
in the yard and how much this property yearned for a family.
Well... our buyers are a precious family from Arizona with 3 children still at
home.... and they LOVE everything about the place which blesses our hearts!

We also want to thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!
You're the best!

And then there's God's sense of humor... our closing date is August 23rd and we
leave for Canada this coming Wednesday for two weeks... so we have 3 days left
before we leave and 8 days after we get back!!  Yikes!  But I can just see Him up
there grinning... because He knows how much I love a good challenge!


Oh yes... and then there's the garage...  and my shipping department.
That funnel looking gizmo is my packing peanut dispenser which will be
coming down very soon. I had wanted to give you earlier notice but I just
couldn't get around to it so I'm sorry to say that as of today I will be closing
my webstore and limiting my Etsy to only digital products for the time being.

I am thinking... instead of storing some miscellaneous product... things like
lace hangings, bookmarks, cross-stitch, greeting cards, odds and ends of
ceramics and resin, picture frames and framed pictures, etc... that I would
offer them as grab boxes for just a little more than the cost of shipping...
what do you think?  I'm sending a box or two to Margo for her women's ministry
in Texas so I thought maybe you'd like one to.

I'll let you know for sure in the next day or two!

Heavenly Father... we do thank You and praise You for Your perfect and
sovereign will and timing.  To us 9 months (or more) seemed like eternity
at times but to You it was only a blink of the eye... if that. Thank You for
taking care of us... all of us... even in the waiting and we look forward to
what You have planned for us in the days to come as You unfold them one
day at a time.  Amen.

Goody Giveaway...

Handmade by me... Children's Plaque Giveaway Contest!



I decided to give away both little plaques I just made!
So who would you want to give one to?  Your son, your daughter,
your grandchild, a neighbor, or perhaps for a baby shower gift?



My blessing to you...

2 Chances to WIN...  2 Ways to ENTER

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me who you want it for
or
2. Tell your friends by promoting the giveaway on your blog
Feel free to pull these images to use on your blog
and don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you did.

Hugs... Karla

Contest will close Friday, July 16th at midnight

Crafting with Kids Prints...

The other day I had the urge to play and be crafty so I pulled out some of
the little kids prints from yesteryear along with a sheet of foam board...

and color coordinated craft supplies...

It was a quick and easy project to do... simply trimming the print and
distressing the edges...

I then measured the foam board giving a 1/4" border around the print.
Have you ever used foam board?  I found mine in the art dept. of Jo-Ann's.
What I like about it is that it's so light weight and can easily be cut with
an exacto knife and ruler... so no waiting on my hubby.
Make sure to use the black core foam board so it's black on the sides too.

I used Mod Podge to glue it to the board...

cut and twisted some wire around the end of a paintbrush for the hanger...

added some glitter to the little lambs body... didn't realize how much pink
was in that glitter but I still love it!

threaded some beads onto the wire and inserted them into the foam board
with some white glue.  That's another nice thing about foam board plaques...
no need to pull out the drill.  Just so you know though... don't try to use
super glue to hold the wire in... it melts the foam board!! Oops!

Oh so cute!

And then I had to make one in pink so I used the little girl angel.
This time I layered two pieces of foamboard... the bottom one with the pink
stripe and the angel with glittered wings on the top.

And instead of wire I just poked holes in the corners and threaded with twine...
pulled the twine back through the beads and tied them off... oh so easy...
and oh so sweet!  Handmade with love... the best kind of gift there is!

I hope you were inspired to get out a few craft supplies and create away...
or drop by your local arts and crafts store and pick up a sheet of foam board
and try something new!

Whatever you do... including crafting... do it as unto the Lord
with all your heart... and be blessed!
(from Colossians 3:23,24)

xoxoxo
Karla

At the Cross

The meaning of the cross will never change,
the message of His love remains the same...

a love poured out on Calvary
a love that flowed to set us free
a love that knows us each by name
a love that covers  sin and shame

 
and where can this love be found?
but as we kneel upon the ground
at the foot of the cross we come
to Jesus our Savior, God's only Son

Jesus loves you this I know
for the Bible tells me so
He's with you always to the end
your Lord, your King, and your Friend

Taking Creativity On The Road...

Before we left to go camping last weekend, I just had a desire to take
something creative to work on that I wouldn’t normally do at home...
and so I did... 

Can you quess why this pen and ink drawing might be so different than all
my others?  Oh just wait til you see it fully... so much fun!

This is as much as I have done so far so I think I’ll leave you wondering!! 
If you think you know though you should leave me comment...
we’ll see if you’re right!

This verse... "happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" is one of my
favorites.  I think because it reminds me that when we stop for a moment to
consider who our God really is... to really know Him... and reflect on all He's
done for us and what He has planned for us... the things of this earth will
grow strangely dim... and we can't help but be happy.  Do you agree?

And do you remember my traveling art bag?  I love it!!  And... I never leave
home without it now... at least if I'm going in the camper. So once we
settled in... out came the paints and this is what I worked on...

I love the colors and the sweetness of it...

And here you can see where I started adding some yellow ochre shading.
I'm almost done and plan on sharing the finished cross with you tomorrow!

Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Psalm 139:23

xoxoxo
Karla

A Weekend of Discovery and Delight...

I hope you had a wonderful fourth of July weekend!  We usually have a family
gathering to celebrate the fourth and our granddaughter Jessica’s birthday
but this year the family went in all different directions so Michael and I
took the opportunity to go our own little adventure!

We left last Saturday with boat in tow and headed to Potholes Reservoir north
of Pasco, WA to enjoy our fourth of July weekend.  The sun was shining but
the winds never died so we gave up Monday morning and headed south...

and so glad we did as we found this place... Skootenay Reservoir... beautiful.
Michael caught a few perch and one walleye and I got to enjoy this view from
the lawn chair while he was out fishing!

Okay... are you ready for this? Well... we weren’t sure if we were or not...
but we took Abigail with us! Oh me oh my!  Since we're planning some longer
trips in the days ahead we needed to know how she how she would fair. Let's
just say she spent a lot of time "down under"... not in Australia but under the
seat, under the blankets, under anywhere she could find!  But at the end of
our days away... we're convinced she’ll make a fine traveling cat after all!

I checked off another one of my “58 Things” before we left Potholes Resevoir...
the sunsets there were absolutely stunning and filled my heart with such awe
of and appreciation for the God of the heavens and earth!

Isn't He the most incredible Painter of Color you've ever known!!
All the fireworks in the world could not compete with the brilliant iridescent
colors that lit up the sky for God’s personal fourth of July party...
and we were blessed to be invited!!

And of course... with camera in hand... I kept my eyes open to new and
delightful discoveries to share with you!  Aren't these seedpods incredible?

I loved seeing this black bird sitting in the very top of the tree... it was
as if he was posing for me... so much fun!

And I had never seen a pelican in real life before and you know how excited
I can get over new discoveries so can you imagine my glee at this moment?
Truly a little gift from the Lord!

Michael actually got to see one come down and swoop up a fish out of the
water... right near his boat... I probably would have been so excited I would
have fallen right out of the boat!

And then later in the day... two pelicans came to visit overhead and I was
astounded that I could get the camera to focus on them... thank You Lord! 
You cannot see the black on the underside of their wings unless they fly!

Jeremiah was a bullfrog... okay... not sure this was Jeremiah but isn't this
little guy cute?  Okay... he wasn't that little but since I had not seen one
before it was a treat... especially in this murky water.


Seagulls are always a delight...

and this was the view on the way home... exquisite!

Thank you so much again for allowing me to share our journey and the beauty
of the Lord wherever we are and wherever we go!

Tomorrow I'll share the artsy part of my trip... more fun and creativity!

By Wisdom a House Is Built...

You're going to love the symbolism that is woven throughout this painting...
it's one of the Classic "Oldie but Goodies" that I recently added to my Etsy
store and I just can't resist telling you the "story" behind it...

In this illustration each frame of the shadowbox represents a different
aspect of you and I being keepers of our home.

 
The verse is an encouragement to us to know that no matter what our age
or marital status, the more we grow in  the wisdom, understanding,
and knowledge of God, the more He can use us to fill your home
with the rare and beautiful treasures of His love and blessings.

The teddy bear represents the softness that a woman brings into the home
through her loving and nurturing nature.

As we meditate on the Word of God, Psalm 1 says we will be like trees
planted by rivers of water bearing much fruit... fruit that will nourish the
souls and spirits of both those who dwell in our homes and those who visit.

I love this one...
the sewing supplies speak of mending... because as women we
are called to mend many things... from scraped knees
and broken toys to broken dreams and wounded hearts.



The flowers simply portray life and the joy of the Lord in our lives.

The patchwork heart is a wonderful reminder of the many personalities
that make up a family and how the love of the Lord
can unite them together as one.



Jesus is the Candle of the world and we are called to be His light in the
darkness. The red color of the candle depicts the blood He shed so we could
know Him, love Him and shine like Him in this world.

The house is not only a dwelling place but a safe haven of for refreshing the
soul. It is a place of joy and laughter, tears and sorrow, teaching and learning,
victory and failure, confidence and fear, and caring and sharing. It is a
place for all to come and find love and acceptance...
family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike.


The church is a place for the whole family to worship and praise the King of
Kings... to grow together in the truth and knowledge of who His and to have
our hearts united as one... as a family and with other believers.



The car represents the busyness of life... running here and there, errands,
ministry, school, sports, work, go, go, go... rest!  It's important for us
commit our running to the Lord and let Him establish our thoughts and
our lives so we can take time to find rest and restoration
for our own souls in order to be all that God has called us to be.

The saw and hammer imply building in all respects... the building of our
house, the building of relationships, the building of character with Jesus
as our foundation.

The separate hearts represent the different personalities within a family
and the need they have to be nurtured to become the unique individuals
God has created them to be.

The open Bible, the Word of God is the foundation of all we are and all we
seek to do. The other books there remind us to study and share His Word with
those around us.

The laundry represents all the mundane chores that must be done, day after
day after day. These are the elements of keeping house that truly bring
stability and a sense of order to all who live there. God tells us to commit
all our work to Him, including the laundry!


The pie is a sweet example of being fed within the family... but all the food
we serve, whether for the body, the mind or the spirit needs to be healthy
and nourishing... causing us to grow strong and mature physically, mentally,
and spiritually in the Lord.

My dear friends...
Thanks for letting me share this with you and... may the rare and beautiful
treasures of the Lord fill your heart and home today!!
xoxoxo
Karla

Oh yes... in case you've been blessed and encouraged by this art and all it's
spiritual symbolism and would like to own a copy for yourself or to give as a
wedding or housewarming or just because I love you gift...
you can find it in my Etsy shop and there's also a square
version of it... with fewer frames... in my Love In Every Room book.

Love you and have a glorious weekend in the Lord!

Free Fourth of July Coloring Page...

If you're having a family gathering for the 4th of July, you might want to download this FREE coloring page that includes a Bible verse to remind the kids... and us... that true freedom in our country, and in our lives personally is a gift from the Lord!

So please feel free to download and print it as many times as you need to for your own kids, grandkids, or neighborhood kids who are coming to your house for BBQ on the 4th... or for your classroom or Sunday School.  And if you know of anyone who might benefit from this, please pass it on or link to this post on your blog.

Like you, I'm sure, I am so thankful to live in our great nation. Even with all its impurities and imperfections... I can think of no other place I'd rather live until I go home to be the Lord... that is unless of course, God sent me!! LOL!

Bless you all and have a wonderful 4th of July celebration!