Karla's Korner

Walk With Me Wednesday... Signs of Spring!

I have sooooo missed buds, blossoms, and blooms!
Ahhh spring... I am loving you... and warmer weather... thank You Lord!
And thank you my neighbors for planting such pretties along my path.

We are so blessed to be able to enjoy the beauty of the Lord all around us...
whatever the colors, shapes, or patterns... close up or from afar!
Beautiful... absolutely beautiful!
So wherever you are... take a moment and savor some of God's beauty...
and give Him some well-deserved praise and glory!

xoxo
Karla

The Perfect Pets on My Kitchen Counter...

I've been wanting to share these two little guys with you for such a long
time!  They sit on my kitchen counter right behind the sink and I love them!

They are called Soap Spitters™ and are the whimsical creations of my
uber talented daughter Michelle. The dog, named Parker Dog after my
daughter's family pet, spits the perfect amount of hand-soap from his mouth
while the Black Cat spits out dish soap.


They're so fun and look so much better than having a bottle of brand name
hand soap on the counter and it sure beats having to pull out the dish soap
every time I want to use it. Plus  they color-coordinate perfectly with my
favorite red coffee cup... how much more could I ask for!

It's these kind of little treasures that make a house a home and gives it
personality, isn't it?   And I love that they make my heart smile!
Hope they brought a little smile to your heart too!

A merry heart does good like a medicine!
Proverbs 17:22

xoxo
Karla

Watercolor Coffee and Flowers...

I came across a Mother's Day card online the other day
and was inspired to play with creating one myself.

I decided to pull out my Koi traveling watercolor set and just have some fun.

Lotsa lovin', a good cup of coffee and a bouquet of flowers...
what more could a mom want to start her special day celebration?

Such cheerful colors!

So pretty... but not sure quite yet what I'm going to do with it!
I did use it to create a Mother's Day Card on Zazzle.
I'm thinking about offering it as a printable card design on Etsy.
And I was able to remove the "Love you Mom" sentiment in Photoshop
so I might even offer it as a print on Etsy.  So many choices.

But for right now...
I'm sending you a simple bouquet of cyber flowers to brighten your day...

and a big drink of LOVE... from me and from God!

Jesus said...
"whoever believes in me will never be thirsty"
so take some time today to quench your thirst...
sit with Jesus... drink from His Word, His love, His grace...
and let your soul be satisfied, blessed and refreshed in Him.

Love you!
Karla

A Fun Creative Learning Weekend...

I was blessed to be able to spend all day Saturday with some of my fabulous
and fun... uber creative friends at a workshop taught by Kim Poloson.


This is a great shot of Kim, Madeline and Jan... looking oh so cute!
The vintage look of this photo is quite accidental due to the poor lighting...
and the amateur photograher holding the camera... which would be me!

I was not able to get a good photo of my sweet friend Gwen... but together...
we all had a wonderful time of learning, sharing and encouraging one another!


These are two of the boards I created... one with vintage papers and the
other with layers of paint. It will be fun to see how these techniques wiggle
their way into my own work in the days to come!


And the place itself was so inspiring with all its artsy and vintage charm!
It's called Art Circus Studio... tucked away inside Main Street Vintage.

So I wonder what new things you've been learning? Anything fun and creative?

You know that old saying about how you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Well... it just isn't so, is it?  No matter how old or young you are... I do hope
you're challenging yourself to learn something new during this season of your
life... for you never know how God might want to use what you're learning
today to bring Him glory tomorrow!

Love and hugs...
Karla

Before and After...

Is this the most fun ultimate makeover or what?

I loved experimenting with the funky style of this girl's face... but she ended
up looking a bit too much like a flapper girl... but I was willing to live with it.
Until... a sweet friend boldly told me that she looked hung-over! Ouch! 
Well... I decided she was right... and so with paintbrush in hand...
I sobered her up and gave her a total makeover...


I like her sooooo much better now! I'm not sure I'm totally done with her yet...
but after so many years of painting only with non-forgiving watercolors,
I am sooooo thankful for acrylic paint and
the opportunity it gives you to cover over a multitude of mistakes!

Hmmmm... reminds me of what the Bible says in 1 Peter 4:8...
Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins.

So I got to thinking... our love is like acrylic paint! We can't erase or wash away
people's sins... only Christ can do that... but we can care about people so much
and love them so deeply that we can no longer see their sins but only the person
created in God's image and their captive heart that Jesus died to set free.

So girlfriends... pick up those paint brushes and
let's go paint our world with LOVE!
xoxo

Art Journal Page Beginnings...

No... I haven't finished the last art journal page I showed you yet...
but I couldn't resist starting a new one!

It began as a random smathering of teal, green gold and a buttery yellow...
topped with some yellow ochre stamped dots. I don't start all pages with a
coat of paint like this but I do love how it lays a foundation to flow from.

And then I just began to doodle. in this case, I started with the pattern
of that fir cone I picked up on my walk the other day... can you see it?

I love the girl... even though her footing is precarious... she looks confident
and ready to proclaim something pretty important to the world! I have no
idea yet what she wants to say but I'm sure it will be some wonderful
declaration of God's goodness or a word of affirmation or encouragement.

She reminds me of us... and how God says we are to encourage one another
daily. Every day... through our words and/or deeds we are to speak
hope or comfort or blessing into the life of at least one other person! And
what's so amazing is that when we do... it speaks that same word back into
our lives... and we are double blessed!

So today my sweet friends... be encouraged to keep looking up!
Keep your eyes on Jesus... not matter what struggles you may be facing...
remember that God is bigger than your problems... and He is on your side!

This I know: God is on my side!
I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
Psalm 56:9-11

So praise the Lord... pass it on...
and keep your eyes open to see who God wants you to encourage today!
Blessings and God-hugs...

By Request... Apple Recipe Pages!

Over the years I have received several emails asking about replacement
pages for the "God Bless Our Home" Recipe Binder that was sold primarily
in Costco and Sam's Club a few years ago.  I always had to reply with an
apology because there were no extra pages offered by the manufacturer.



Another version of the same binder was offered later... only with the saying:
"May the meals we share be sprinkled with love."

I've thought about creating filler pages before now... not sure why I haven't.
But I guess better late then never... eh?
The great thing about this design collection is that you don't have to own the
Recipe Binder to be able to use them! I've included several versions so you
can use them as recipe pages or as stationery... with or without lines! I also
offered full color designs, one option with a white border for printers that
don't print borderless, and two white centered options for using less ink!  I
kept thinking of other options... but decided I better quit or I'd never get
them finished!

So before I quit for today this collection of recipe pages will be is now
available in my Etsy shop as a digital download! 
Hope some of you who've been asking
for replacement pages will find them there and be blessed!

I also added them to my Zazzle store for those of you who cannot or do not
like to print yourself.  You can find them under the "Kitchen" tab.  And just
so you know, if you sign up for Zazzle's newsletter, they will let email you
with their sales which can be quite good sometimes!

So I hope at least a few of you are smiling right now.  I know I am.

Bless you my friends... and remember... you truly are
the Apple of God's Eye!

Walk With Me Wednesday...

I've just recently started walking again and even though I have to
argue with myself to get me out the door... I'm always happy I went!

For now... I've been walking 3 laps at the local grade school track...
not exciting or inspiring... at least not at first glance...


...but when you look a little closer... there's beauty galore all around!
Look at the incredible collection of God's handiwork that I came home with!


I absolutely LOVE pattern and texture in nature...
and this pine cone is such a great example!


And just look at the intricate detail in a single feather! I am in awe.

Not sure what kind of cone this is... but I love the unique shape of the scales!


What I loved about this ivy leaf was not just the exquisite veining but also
the fresh spring green color... a sure sign of new life and a new season!


And isn't this little cedar sprig remarkable with its graduated color palette,
repeat pattern and the fantastic texture it creates? I only wish my big camera
lens was working so I could have captured and even better close up

So I end my day, praising God for His awesome creativity... and thankful that
He has created us as part of it!

Oh my sweet friends... if you haven't taken a moment lately to delight in the
intricate details of God's creation... do it today! Whether you go for a walk
with your eyes open or take time to examine a house plant or your favorite
pet up close... let God bring a smile to your heart as you delight in Him and
in  His handiwork... and give Him praise!

Love you...
Karla

Journal Girl Page in Progress...

I haven't played in my journal for a while... it felt really good!

This is where she is now... but I hear lots of detail crying out to be added!


I did start adding detail to her hair. Can you tell I LOVE line... lotsa line.

A messy paint palette and some home made stamps... an artist's delight!


That pink background and light green leaves makes me think spring!
She looks rather carefree with a soft wind blowing gently through her hair,
don't you agree?

Well... I can hardly wait to see where she goes from here... so stay tuned.

xoxo
Karla

The Price You Pay For FREE!

It has recently come to my attention that something that is supposed to be a
a free service... actually comes with a price that could easily be
misinterpreted. I have been using Feedblitz as a subscription service since I
started my blog and am very pleased with how easy it is for you to subscribe.
In fact, I personally love waking up in the morning to several of my favorite
blogs... all delivered in one convenient Feedblitz email.

But... a friend recently emailed me to find out if I knew I was advertising
for something called "The Well Daily". She told me they were promising the
ultimate guide to health and wellness and if she signed up she could win a
free yoga mat!

Okay... just so you know... I know the well where Jesus met the Samaritan
woman... and The Well of Living Water Jesus offers us daily as we come
to Him... but I don't know "The Well Daily" and do not endorse them.

The reality is that the price I must pay for my "FREE" Feedblitz service is them
attaching advertising of their choice to my blog. If I don't want the advertising
I must pay a monthly fee, which to be honest, just doesn't fit in my budget.
So please... just ignore the ads... and be thankful for Feedblitz and the
blessing it is to bring us together... ads and all.


Oh yeah... and what does that have to do with the photo of the crocus?
Nothing really. They were a delight to my eyes on my walk yesterday and I
just wanted to share the blessing with you!

Love and God-hugs...
Karla

Thank You Gifts...

If you've ever shopped my Etsy store before, you probably know how I love
to tuck little goodies in with each order... as my way of saying "thank you"
and wanting to let you know how VERY special you are to me!!

Well.. this month I decided to do something a little different.
I purposely created a special little "Be Joyful" Bluebird gift collection that
includes a greeting card, a bookmark, and a fun little round gift tag...
especially for you!

I'll be including all three special gifts with every shippable order over
$10.00 during the month of March to let you know how much JOY you bring
into my life by choosing to shop with me.  I know the world is full of
amazingly talented artists so I am both humbled and grateful for every sale.

Oh yes... and just so you know... even if you buy less than ten dollars...
I'll still tuck in a little special something... just because I LOVE you!!

Have a gloriously great weekend in the Lord my friends...
in His love and for His glory...
Karla

White As Snow... on March 1st!

You know the old saying... in like a lion... out like a lamb?

Well... we woke up to a nice blanket of fresh snow this morning... and,
even though it doesn't look lion-like... it's still a far cry from spring flowers!

I started thinking about that "lion and the lamb" saying and couldn't help but
think about Jesus, who is both the strong triumphant Lion of Judah and God's
sacrificial Lamb... who died for our sins and and washed us white as snow.


While still pondering this mystery and miracle... I grabbed a pencil and
stepped out on the porch so as to share my thoughts with you in a fun way.
About half way through, I became aware that I was using the eraser end of
the pencil to etch this truth in the snow and it seemed almost profound in
the moment... because when we confess our sins and shortcomings to God,
He tells us that He not only makes us clean but He remembers our sin no
more. It's as if He erases them from our record and gives us a clean slate
and a new beginning.

To be honest, I've been carrying around some guilt and shame over something
I did't do several years ago that makes me really sad every time I think about
it.  I had asked God to forgive me every time it came to mind, but it
continued to haunt me and I carried the shame like a ball and chain.

The Lord really spoke to my heart recently and said it's okay if I feel sad
about it because I truly missed the mark... but the quilt and shame I was
feeling was because, even though I'd asked Him to forgive me, I'd never given
myself the time to sit with Him and really receive His forgiveness and to truly
thank Him and praise Him for it. I had never allowed the Lord the opportunity
to truly cleanse my heart and mind...  and set me free.

I can now say that I have... and it feels good to have a clear conscience
before the Lord. Oh yes... there have been other things He's brought to mind
since! And every day I'm so thankful for the Lion and the Lamb...who snows
His love and forgiveness into our hearts... on the 1st day of March and every
other day of the year as well!!

"How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:14

Heavenly Father... thank You so much for washing away our sins.
We're tired of carrying around dead works Lord...
things that only weigh us down and keep us from being a blessing to You.
Touch our hearts, like only You can...
to be able to receive Your forgiveness...
and set our hearts and minds free from guilt and shame...
for Your glory and praise
Amen!