Karla's Korner

Bible Journaling Tutorial - Joshua 1 - Be Brave

 

 

Have I ever told you how I grew up being afraid of just about everything? Seriously. I know first hand... in so many ways... how fear can rob of us of the joy of living the life God created us to live! Fear of people. Fear of being hurt... physically and emotionally. Fear of heights. Fear of drowning. Fear of the unknown. And the list goes on. And then I met the Lord Jesus and He wouldn't let me stay hidden and defeated in my fear... and He still doesn't. Being brave... and overcoming our fears isn't a one time deal... but it is a one size fits all because it's all about trusting and believing that the One True God... in all His glory... is truly with us wherever we go... and big enough to handle whatever comes our way! Not saying it's easy... but with God's Promises and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit... oh so doable!

And that's why I loved Bible journaling Joshua 1:9... it's one of my favorite go-to verses... and want to share my process of it with you!

I gotta say... I love the versatility of the new Word Art and Washi Digital Collection... so fun! So the first thing I did was to print mine on full page sticker paper to make it easy to create with. (See supply list below for resources)

I then placed the "be brave" sticker right next to the verse... Joshua 1:9.

**STICKER TIP... if you have a hard time peeling off the backing try using your x-acto knife to score a line through the backing... taking care not to cut through the front paper. 

I used the blank heart sticker to write in the reason I can be brave... because God is with me wherever I go!

I added a little strip of flower sticker washi across the bottom of the page.

And for a creative touch... I cut a wiggle strip and triangle from the green dotted washi to make the arrow!

To finish off this step I added some line work and curly swirls with my micron 005 pen.

The page was calling for more of something across the top so I added some quick and easy circles with my micron pen and colored them with my Prismacolor pencil #PC917.

I used my red Prismacolor #PC923 to add some soft shading along the left of my circles which really makes them glow!

And lastly... I added a touch of color to JOSHUA with Prismacolor #PC9889 which pulls some of the green over from the wiggly arrow for a nice balance.

Perfect page for tucking my little "trust God" paperclip... and a great encouragement for us all today don't you agree?

So... whatever fear you're facing today hear the Lord speaking to your heart even now... "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

 

(Please note this post does contain affiliate links. Your cost is the same,
but your purchases via these links help support my work 
and allows me to keep offering FREEBIES!  Thank you for your support!)

•••Supplies & Resources•••

ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
Word Art & Washi Digital Collection
Avery Full Sheet Labels Ink Jet Sticker Paper
Sakura Micron 005 Pen
Prismacolor Premier Pencils

xoxo

Word Art Paper Clip Tutorial

I first saw a tutorial on how to make these adorable little paper clips...
perfect for Bible Journaling or Planners... over on Illustrated Faith.

It was love at first sight...
and I knew that one day I would have to make my own! 

Well... that day came right after I designed this sweet
Word Art and Washi Collection and realized... 

the small 1" squares are the PERFECT size for these little sweeties!
I not only LOVE how they look sticking out of the top of my Bible...
but more importantly I love how you can clip them to particular pages
with related verses! Makes it quick and easy to turn to the perfect verses
when you need an encouraging word!

I had so much fun making mine...
I wanted to share with you how you can make them for yourself...
or make them to give as gifts... they're really quite easy!

The supplies you'll need:

The smallest squares cut from my new Word Art Collection here.

A 1" circle punch... you can find one here if you don't have one.
1" Epoxy adhesive backed dots... if you can't find them local try here.
Paperclips... I already owned mine...from Office Max but similar to these 
or you could use the large gold ones here.
Scraps of colorful fun scrapbook paper
Avery Glue Stick Disappearing Color... got mine here.
And a glue gun... again if you don't own one you can always find one here.

You probably have some or most of these supplies already... yay!

 

1. Print and cut the strip of 1" squares from the center of the Word Art page.

2. Punch your design with the 1" punch...
center the design in the punch by removing the plastic holder from the bottom
and holding the punch upside-down so you can clearly see the design. 

3. Punch some fun colorful 1" circles from leftover scrapbook paper
or other decorative paper.

(FYI... only the last three fit the round format and will work for this project
using the circle cutter... sorry. But... I just ordered a 1" square punch
for the other three and I'm really excited about making them too so I'll
make sure to show them to you after it comes!)

4. When you're ready... peel the epoxy dot from the backing being careful
not to touch the adhesive. Don't remove the epoxy dot from the backing sheet
until you're ready to use it as they do pick up dust and dirt easily.  

I found it easiest to hold the punched paper in my left hand so I could center
the epoxy dot perfectly on top but you might find it
just as easy to do it on a flat work surface. Find out what works best for you.

Press the epoxy sticker firmly onto the paper working out any bubbles.

 5. Use just a dot of hot glue to adhere the paperclip to the back.

 

 6. Next glue the scrapbook paper circles to the backs so you're Word Art Clip
will look clean and fun from any direction!

I tried different glues and found the Avery Glue Stic worked the best for me.
I love that I can see it as I'm putting it down and any excess dries clear.

Make sure to hold the paper firmly against the back...
especially pressing firmly around the sides of the paperclip until it adheres.

7. Pick your favorite verses relating to these three Word Art phrases
and clip these cuties to your pages for a fun look and a quick reference!

So adorable... don't you agree?  If you do...
and you would like to win this set for yourself... or to give as a gift...
just leave a comment below and tell me two things:

1. Do you think you'll be making these yourself?

2. Which one is your favorite?

Next Monday morning I'll choose a random winner
and let you know who it is!! YAY!

xoxo... Karla

 

(Please note this post does contain affiliate links. Your cost is the same,
but your purchases via these links help support my work 
and allows me to keep offering FREEBIES!  Thank you for your support!)

 

 

Stars and Stripes Free Coloring Page and More...

 

 

Having company over for your Fourth of July celebration? Needing a little hands-on project for the kiddos... or maybe even for the grown-up girls?  Here's a little Stars and Stripes Coloring Page that will hopefully be a added blessing to your family and friends get together!

Download your FREE Coloring Page here.

This was a fun design to color but I must admit... I had to think it through because of using such a limited color selection.

The colors I chose were both Prismacolor Premiers and a few Faber-Castel Polychromos ... I love the quality and richness of their colors!

Red... PC923 Scarlet Lake
Browns... PC944 Terra Cotta (for shading the red and in her hair) and PC945 Sienna Brown
Yellows... FC9201-108 Dark Cadmium and PC1034 Goldenrod
Flesh... PC997 Beige
Blues... FC9201-149 Bluish Turquoise and FC9201-246 Prussian Blue

But seriously... the color palette is simple so play with whatever you have handy... including crayons... or print it on watercolor paper and play with paints!  Just have fun!!

I would love to see photos of your Stars and Stripes coloring... either your finished piece or a photo of the kids or girls around the table coloring... so please take a pic and tag it with #starsandstripescoloring and @karladornacher so I can check out your coloring fun!

 

I've been sharing a bit on FB and IG already this week about how much 4th of July means to me... not only only as a holiday but it always reminds of how thankful I am for how Jesus has set me free to be the woman He designed me to be... and it's also my youngest granddaughter's birthday! So... I just knew I needed to stop and create a Bible Journaling page around this theme!

I don't normally use stickers for my Bible Journalling but I must admit it was kinda fun... especially because I was playing with my newest digital collection "Set Free"... designed to celebrate the freedom we have living here in the USA and... even more importantly... the freedom we have in Christ.

Jesus tells us, as His disciples, that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free... and I know that personally in so many areas of my own life... and I'm guessing so do you! There is such a joy in knowing that we can live a life "set free" from the lies of the past... the lies of the enemy... and walk in the freedom Christ died to give us!

So I printed this little collection on sticker paper... cut out the pieces and placed them on my page... so easy! I chose the pinwheel simply because it reminds me of being a little girl and twirling around watching the pinwheel spin in the wind... a memory of being care-FREE and happy in the moment... a similar feeling to being care-FREE and happy in Jesus today!!

You can check out this new "Set Free" Collection in my shop here

Happy Fourth of July my friends!  
Celebrate... Give Thanks... and Party on!!  xoxo

(Please note this post does contain affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but your purchases via these links help support my work and allows me to keep offering FREEBIES!  Thank you for your support!)

Are You Seeing the Whole Picture?

I have always loved how God’s Word is so visual and leads the reader to not only hear it... but to see it as well. Some verses, of course, are more visual than others and Psalm 1 is a perfect example. We can all visualize a tree and we all know what leaves and fruit look like so we have a good place to start… but sometimes, as we take the time to meditate on a verse, God coaxes us to think outside the box… to “see" a little more than we did at first. I believe God often wants us to show us more than we're seeing and tell us more than we're hearing... if we will only take the time to hear His voice and see what He wants show us.

I love every time I have the opportunity to share with others about why my Psalm 1 illustration has been dubbed the “fruit cocktail” tree. In this Psalm God says we will bear fruit… and what came to mind as I pondered verse 3 was that we, as believers in Christ, bear the fruit of Spirit which we know is multi-faceted… love, peace, joy, and so much more. But we also bear the delightfully multi-colored fruit of our labor in respect to using our gifts, talents, and abilities for God’s glory. Because we are all created to be unique individuals, the fruit we bear through our good works will be as unique and varied as we are… therefore, a “fruit cocktail” tree.

Also, where this verse says "in everything we do, we prosper, I thought about what God’s perspective of prosperity might look like beyond financial gain or material blessing, and the imagery of the two birds and a nest came to mind. They symbolize the idea of our greatest prosperity being the spiritual heritage we pass down to our children, our neighbors, and so many others, through the fruit we bear and the lives we live.

So as you illustrate God's Word... whether in your Journaling Bible or a notebook... be encouraged to take the time to meditate on God’s Word and allow Him time to stir your heart and open your spiritual eyes to see more... and create outside the box.

And if drawing isn't your means of expression, I am delighted to share this Color-Your-Own Version of my Psalm One Tree in my Etsy shop here.

As you spend time coloring, allow your heart time to reflect on God's Word, the fruit of the Spirit, or your own fruitfulness. Consider how your talents, gifts, and abilities feed and nourish the people God has placed in your life and how their fruit feeds you as well.

Or... tuck a portion of the printed coloring sheet under a page in your Journaling Bible and use it as a Traceable! I'm already thinking of several verses it might work well with including Galatians 5:22... the fruit of the Spirit!

I hope this has been an encouragement to you... and may the Lord continue to bless you and coax you to think outside the box in your own creative worship time!

Four Easter Verses for Bible Journaling and New Bookmarks...

Can you believe Easter is only three weeks away? 
The most holy of our holidays is right around the corner and even though
I don't officially celebrate Lent, I do try to spend time preparing my heart.

I've been enjoying the last few weeks reading and Bible journaling through a
few of my favorite Easter passages. Grieved by the sorrow of Christ's suffering
and overwhelmed by the joy of His resurrection... once again... my heart
is filled with awe and wonder and a fresh sense of gratitude for the glorious.

I chose verses that specifically focused on Jesus and the Resurrection
because that's what Easter really is all about.
No bunnies in this collection... only the cross and joy of His resurrection. 

Spending time reading and Bible Journaling through these passages led me
through an array of emotions as my heart broke all over again watching Jesus
suffer and die for my sins, felt deep sorrow as I stood beside His mom not 
able to imagine her pain, and yet so amazingly joyful as I saw Him appear
to the women at the tomb, the two men on the Road to Emmaus and others!

Christ laid down His life so we could have a living hope through faith in Him...
faith in Who He is, what He's done for us, and who He has called us to be!  
So much to celebrate!

Our family celebration will be a relatively small one in numbers this year
but never small in gratitude for what the Lord has done for us
through His great mercy and love!

 There are other passages and verses you could choose but for me I chose...

   • Luke chapters 22-24... journaled verse 34
   • John chapter 11... journaled verse 25
   •1 Corinthians chapter 15.... journaled verses 3,4
   •1 Peter chapter 1... journaled verse 3 

With only 3 weeks before Easter, I hope you will take some time
to soak in His Word and worship Him through your life...
through music, art, journaling, praying, and giving...
through mothering, mentoring, working... loving and simply living!

I'm thrilled to let you know that the new Easter Bible Journaling designs
are now a new Easter Celebration Bookmark/Bible Journaling Tag Collection!
You can find them as an Instant Digital Download on Etsy here.

I hope you know how much it blesses me to be able to bless you in this way!

Because you can print as many as you like for personal or ministry use,
consider using them to:

• Tuck in an Easter Basket or lunchbox or snail mail.

• Glue in the margin of your own Journaling Bible or for scrapbooking.

• Give to your Women's Ministry, Sunday School Class, or Bible Study Group.

• Pass out at your local Retirement or Nursing for a special treat.

And last but not least...
the COLOR YOUR OWN version of the Easter Bible Bookmarks!

I am so excited to tell you that I recently realized you can use
the COLOR YOUR OWN Bible Bookmarks as Bible Journaling
TEMPLATE TRACERS! (I am so smiling right now!)
You may have already known that but I just recently discovered it for myself!

Just slip them under the page you want to journal and trace away!
The great thing is you can choose to trace as much or as little as you like!
Trace only a portion of the art or the whole thing! 
Use them to practice your own hand-lettering skills too!

You might think about using the COLOR YOUR OWN version to:

• Tuck in an Easter Basket along with a box of color crayons
or add to a lunchbox or snail mail.

• Color and glue in your own Journaling Bible or use as a Template Tracer
to slip under your Bible page... and simply trace and create.

• Do as a project for your Sunday School Class or Bible Study Group.

• Pass out at your local Retirement or Nursing along with some
candies and crayons for a special treat.

• Invite your friends for a COLOR YOUR OWN Party and then mail
your finished creations to someone in the military or other ministry.

You can find the COLOR YOUR OWN version here.

So whether you art journal or not...
my prayer is that the time you spend in the Word and with the Lord
this Easter season will draw you closer to Him and
fill your heart with overwhelming love, joy and hope eternal! 

xoxo
Karla

Bible Journaling Inspired Painting... and so much more

My studio has been a busy place and I'm LOVING it!

I have really been enjoying Bible Journaling these last few weeks and the designs that have flowed out of this creative and reflective time spent with the Lord have not only deeply spoken to my heart but also inspired me to transform one of these designs into a painting on canvas! 

The above Bible page was my inspiration...

and I LOVE how it turned out... including the scallops along the sides! 

The painting measures 8"x24" so will be a bit of challenge to offer as a frameable print but am hoping to have some mounted prints in the days to come if anyone is interested.

Valentine's Day is almost here!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays... nowhere near Christmas and Thanksgiving and Easter mind you... but I do love it. Not because I get showered with flowers and candy and gifts (my sweetheart is not a romantic)... but because of the imagery and the colors!  I love hearts. I love sweetness.  And above all... I love LOVE.

So to share the love... and help you share the love... I created this charming little collection of Valentine Friends Forever INSTANT DOWNLOAD Printables. So whether you wrap up some candies for the Sunday School kids, cut up some bookmarks for your Bible Study gals, or just use the art for scrapbooking or list making... these little birdies are sure to bring a sweet smile to your heart just in time for Valentine's Day!

NEW Scripture Bookmarks/Bible Journaling Tags

Bible Journaling my way through the book of Luke has been a spiritual treat!

As I read two open pages at a sitting, I ask the Lord to speak to me through one verse in particular and whichever one speaks loudest... that's the one I choose to journal.

The first set of Bible Journaling Bookmarks was a huge hit... but they were all very positive and uplifting so I can understand why. Most of the verses in this NEW Luke 6-9 Bookmarks collection however tend to be more convicting, teaching or admonishing rather than blessing so it will be interesting to see how popular they are... even though they all have such power to change one's life. 

I do think that Luke 7:50 would be perfect for giving to a new believer as a gift of affirmation and encouragement... and the others might be great for specific Bible study groups. But bottom line... my blessing is to hear from God and respond with worship and creativity. After that... I simply offer them up to the Lord and to others and He takes it from there!

By request... Core Values Bookmarks and Card Art...

I've always loved this art... such a fun and creative way to share the core values of godly living. I can't even tell you how many prints of this image I've sold to teachers but I'm blessed to know it's hanging on lots of walls in lots of schools... Christian and secular... around the country! 

I had already started the re-design into these Core Values Scripture Bookmarks when I got a request for them, so it was a no-brainer to stop and take the time to finish them up and make them available. I do hope they are a resource and blessing to some of you as well.

 
A few words to ponder...

Above all... put on love! Perfect verse for this month of love and romance!

But Valentine's Day can be so highly over rated... at least in my book. Like I said earlier... my sweetheart is not a romantic and for years it would momentarily break my heart on those Valentine's days when I did not get the flowers and chocolates other women got. 

And then one day while I was still working an office job, a huge bouquet of red roses was delivered to the front desk... my desk. But they weren't for me. They were for the young woman whose desk was nearby. My heart sunk. And then God reminded me of all the fights I had heard between this woman and her husband... the words of abuse they threw at each other... the infidelity... the lack of respect. In that moment I heard that gentle voice of the Lord asking me if I would choose chocolate and roses one day of the year over 365 of the kind of love that Michael and I have... the kind of love that is patient, kind, considerate, faithful and all the rest? Not hard to answer that one.

But of course... I wanted both. And these days I do get both. But after almost 44 years of marriage I am much more thankful for the kind of love that God has given us for one another... unconditional and everlasting.

Which is really good for me since I am the crazy artist kind who has the ability drive a man nuts without even trying!! Bless his heart.

So let's make this Valentine's day more about finding ways to share God's love in a way that lasts more than a day... but instead... letting His love for us so fill our hearts that it can't help but spill over... blessing others and bringing glory to the Lord all year long!

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY
with love...
From God... and me!

NEW Bible Journaling Bookmarks

Some of you who follow me on FB have requested I illustrate a Bible you can buy. Oh my... I love you my friends... but that request just makes me chuckle!  Do you know how many pages there are in just the New Testament? It would sure be a fun and creative project but I'm not sure I will live that long. LOL! 

But... you've also requested Bookmarks... and that one I can do... and did!! So here ya go... my first set of four Bible Journal Bookmarks and all from the book of Luke... available here!  You can print as many as you like for personal or ministry use. You can also adhere them to your own ESV Journal Bible for a perfect fit... or for scrapbooking or in your Documented Faith journal.

I've also redrawn them as "Color Your Own" Bookmarks for those of you who would like to add your own personal touch of color! Also great for the kiddos to color and reflect on God's Word as well... and maybe even give as gifts to their friends, family or teachers. You can find these here.

Hope you enjoy them... and God bless!

Catching Up... Again...

Sometimes I feel like that's what my life is all about... catching up!  But I'm believing better to catch up on ocassion than not stay in touch at all. Hope you agree!

I know it's not true for the entire country... but for us here in the Pacific Northwest... spring has sprung! Flowering trees just have a way of making the heart happy, don't they?  And there's just something about spring that makes me feel more creative... that sense of new life I'm sure!

And it's just not the trees that are blooming... but daffodils and pansies are too! I recently put this little collection of pansy art together as a digital download to celebrate spring and remind us that if we sow faith in God in whatever our circumstances, we are sure to reap the blessings of His goodness and grace! It's available here on Etsy as an instant download!

I thought this collection might be helpful for creating promotional materials or decorating for a spring tea or garden party... or for card making or scrapbooking too!

Part of the reason it's been challenging to keep up with all the many forms of social media is that the Portland Saturday Market re-opened the weekend of March 1st!  For the two months we have off I get the unwarranted sense that I can do everything. And then when it starts back up I realize how I've forgotten how much time it truly requires to do all that is necessary to be the best I can be there... and offer the best quality and variety that I can.

But... it's all worth it... especially when the first three weekends I was blessed more than you can imagine by FB friends who traveled from faraway places to come visit me at the Market!! Talk about some serious encouragement! Thank you again to each of these women who went out of their way to visit me... you know who you are... and God's richest blessings to you!

If you ever have reason to come to Portland, OR make sure you let me know so we can connect while you're here... either at the Market or somewhere else if need be... I'd love to meet you and give you a hug just for being you!

When I'm not at the Market or working on inventory for the Market, I'm mostly in my studio... either painting away or designing stuff with the art I paint!  I had so much fun designing this partyware collection as a mock up with the hopes that a partyware company will like it as much as I do and decide to make it in the real world!!  

I used to license a lot of art for products in days gone by... some of you might remember those days!! Well... I would like to do more licensing again... and would truly appreciate your prayers that God would open opportunities for me to do so. Wouldn't it be fun to see my art on fabric and journals and stationery and oh so much more? It's a different world now though... and I feel like I'm in a serious learning curve as I try to move forward. But I'm trusting God... so we'll see what lies ahead!

I haven't done a new Easter coloring page for this year... at least not yet... but wanted to make sure you knew this one is still available here if you'd like it!

And I'll leave you with this word from the Lord... a word of encouragement for us all..

We live by faith, not by sight... 
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 5:7 and 4:18

Let's keep our eyes on Jesus... and go find someone to encourage in His Word and with His love... today... and everyday!

xoxo...

 

Celebrating Life With A Free Download!

My studio has been the most fun place to be lately! Having two months off from being at Saturday Market has been so refreshing! My heart is doing the happy dance and I'm trying to savor every moment!  

I've also been pondering the word CELEBRATE a bit more... and created this little banner as a reminder to pause... look around... and rejoice in the everyday blessings of life. I love banners and buntings... they just say PARTY in the most fun way! To download your FREE CELEBRATE BANNER click here! You could hang it to celebrate a birthday or other special moment... or simply hang it, like me... to remind yourself to rejoice in those everyday moments of life that slip by so quickly!


The truth is that life is full of pain and suffering... we all have more than our share throught our lifetimes. We don't get to choose our struggles... but we do get to choose how we live with them and through them. And we do get to choose what... and WHO... we focus on in the midst of them. I am always so inspired by someone who goes through a devastating experience and still shines forth the love and joy of the Lord. I want to be like that... so my desire is to fill my heart and thoughts with what is God and godly... and I know that is your hearts desire too!  To think on... and truly celebrate what is... True. Noble. Right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. and Praiseworthy! (Phillipians 4:8)

When I hung my little banner here I had to stop and think about all the sweet memories tucked in and among this little vignette. There's one granddaughter's doll high chair that she has now outgrown. The sock monkey handmade by the other granddaughter. The brightly colored art in the background that I painted at a workshop taugth by my daughter. A little bird my niece gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Reminders of relationships I cherish... reminders to stop and thank God for each one of them... who they are and what they mean to me!


I can't help but smile as I'm typing this... thinking of all the blessings... great and small... sprinkled throughout the days of my life... blessings that far outnumber the struggles. Oh Lord... let me think on these things!

One of the blessings of this last week has been new art! I am so LOVING my studio time and celebrating every moment of it! I thought you might enjoy seeing a little bit of the process on this one!  I loved the brown paper doily in the lower right corner but felt I needed to leave the space lighter for the addition of words so I'm saving it for another day! 

At this stage I'm liking the red and white striped vase but...

... I knew I wanted to add the heart... so I traded in the bright red stripes for black and am happy with it. I love the line art in the lower corner in lieu of the doily. Line art has always been so much of who I am that I feel like it adds a special dimension of "me" to the painting. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else but it's like adding my signature touch to it and it feels good.

I posted this painting over on my Facebook Page with a request for your ideas and suggestions for what verse or words you saw as fitting with the art and the response has been absolutely delightful. It's so fun to see how we each can respond so differently and yet with the same heart.  The vote is still out.  With so many good suggestions I will have to ponder this one for awhile for sure!  If you'd like to leave your own suggestion in the comments below I'd love to hear from you!

And I leave you with this little doodle love to encourage your heart and lift up your soul! God is our shield and strength in times of trouble... He is the lifter of our heads... and that my friends is something to stop and ponder and CELEBRATE!

(And before you ask... yes... someday she will most likely become a coloring page!)

Bye for now... with love and God-hugs

 

Blessing Cards... A New Printable Digital Way to Share the Love!

In my last post I shared about a friend who was looking for the out-of-print
Blessing Box cards and I sadly had to turn her away empty-handed. Well...
no more. I spent a few days revamping some pages from some of your
favorite out-of-print books and created four delightful sets of
PRINTABLE BLESSING CARDS that are now available in my shop!


Each one includes four unique designs on a single page
as well as additional pages with six of each design.
With each colleciton, you are be able to print a variety 
or only the design you need with ease and convenience!


I could see the two "Garden" themed collections being
perfect as favors for a spring retreat or tea party.
All four collections include uplifting and encouraging
Bible verses or words of blessing, making them
great to tuck in lunch boxes, in with a card or letter,
or even leaving with your tip after a meal!


The "Friendship" collection is another favorite for women's groups
including Bible Studies and other church events... or to encourage the
women in your life who are going through struggles and just need to
know someone cares.


The great thing about being digital printables, including the
"Heart & Home" Collection, is that once you download them, you can print
as many times as you need and use them over and over again!

And there are so many ways you could use them... including  gift tags,
greeting cards, even printing them on full page sticker paper for your own
fun stickers... as well as for other scrapbooking and crafting fun!
You could even use them to help you or your kids memorize scripture!

You are why I do this sort of thing... hoping to help you share God's Word
in fun and inexpensive ways...
so I would truly love to hear your feedback...
including how you think you would use them yourself.

Love and blessings to you for a great weekend!

Be Glad in the Lord Color Page...

It's been a little while since I shared a new coloring page...
so I thought you might really enjoy this one...

I love that no matter what's going on in the world around us...
there's always a reason to be glad in the Lord, isn't there?

So my hope is that this coloring page will be a great reminder and
encouragement to you to take some time to count your blessings,
give God the glory... and do a little rejoicing!

You can download it here... and please... consider sharing this post with
others... friends, family, and even your church... so that together we can
bring a little more gladness into the world and mutuallly encourage one
another in the Lord!

Blessings and God-hugs...
Karla

Floral Cross For You to Print & Color!

I've been doing a lot of pen and ink drawings in my journal lately
and I wanted  to share this one with you as a little token of my appreciation
for your friendship... and for being such a sweet part of my life!

It's yours to download and color... so pull out those paints or colored pencils
and have some fun... on your own or with your kids or grandkids!



I thought you might be able to use it to make a few special greeting cards or
maybe even frame it as a gift.  Whatever you do... I'd love it if you'd come
back to this post and tell me about what you made or leave a link to your
blog post if you decide to share it with your world!

Just one note... this one is for personal or ministry use only...
thanks for understanding!

xoxo
Karla

Easter Weekend Celebration...

Sorry I went missing again! I've been in the middle of big project with a
deadline and, sad to say, but I had to temporarily become a hermit. 
Sad... because I've missed you my sweet friends...
but thankful for a new opportunity which I'll have to share with you later.

But for now however, I didn't want to miss the chance to say
"Happy Resurrection Day"
and send you my blessings for a  wonderful weekend of celebrating
our Risen Lord and His amazing love!


And I know it's late coming... but I also wanted to let you know that I do have
a few coloring pages you can print off for the kids or grandkids who will be
celebrating with you this weekend!  You can click here to download the one
above or go to my website to find a couple of other Easter choices.

However you celebrate... I do hope you'll take some time to reflect on what
Easter really means to those of us who have put their faith in Christ Jesus.
For what Mary discovered in that empty tomb is still true for us today...
Love overcame death...
Hope overpowered despair...
Peace overrode fear and...
Joy filled the hearts of all who put their faith in the Risen Savior!

Let us rejoice together and be glad!
Love and God-hugs...
Karla

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!

Looking Forward to Love...

One of the goals I have on my list for this year is to celebrate life more!
I want to use any and every reason. I want to celebrate ordinary days and
special days. Anniversaries. Birthdays. I'm Happy Days!
And I want to celebrate holidays... including Valentine's Day!

So I'm spending some time creating with Valentine's Day in mind... fun!
So I just finished this charming little digital collection of "Owl Always Love You"
Valentine Clip Art and listed in my Etsy Shop. If you love owls this might be
perfect for your Valentine cardmaking, tags, scrapbooking, and more.

What I love about this collection is the saying "Owl always love you" because
that's what God says to us. His love endures forever.  It never ends. He'll
never ever leave us or forsake us and because His love for us is unconditional,
there is nothing that can separate us from His love... nothing... ever!

Now if that's not a sweet Valentine message, I don't know what is!
God tells us He loves us always. Who needs to hear those words from you?

And you should know by now...

xoxo
Karla

Free Printable Christmas Tags...

I'm hoping to create some new Christmas Tags for you very soon...
but until then... I wanted to let you know these tags are still available!

Simply download these Free Printable Christmas Tags, print, cut and create!

Available now on my website www.karladornacher.com

You can use them for gift tags or scrapbooking...
for making greeting cards or even ornaments.
To get your creative juices going, check out this post from last year for
inspiration and ideas using these designs... and have fun!

With love and Christmas hugs...
Karla

Blessed Be His Name...

If November has prompted you to count your blessings even more than
normal... I would love to add a few more blessings for you to ponder...
in His Name! 

Over the years, many of us have studied out the Names of Jesus and how
they portray the character and essence of Who He is and how He
wants to relate to us.  What I love about how He has communicated this
to us is that He uses descriptions that are very visual... that we can
understand and relate to from our ordinary and everyday lives...
and even moreso during the Christmas season!

That's why I'm delighted to be able to offer this art to you as a digital art
collection on Etsy. This art was originally painted and designed for my book,
The Heart and Home of Christmas, to inspire and encourage women,
like you and me, to celebrate the season in His Name...
to help us stay focused on the One we worship by looking for
the symbolism of Who He is in the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

 I hope this design will inspire you and even be a help to you as share the
love of Jesus through your cardmaking, crafting and creating this year!

Or...  if you would prefer your "Blessed Be His Name" Christmas Cards
to be already printed and delivered to your door... you can find them
in my Zazzle Store in two different formats with the option to customize
if you like... with your own verse and/or name!  Check it out.

May we glorify His Name together...
today and every day... throughout the holiday season!
xoxo
Karla

Free Download... Prayer Changes Things... More Choices...

I've been playing with the "Prayer Changes Things" art print
and wanted to give you a couple of other design options to choose from
for your free download...



so you can choose black background with black lettering design or...


or the simple black on white background design.

But remember... only free until Saturday!

Blessings...
Karla

Prayer Changes Things... Free Download Three Days Only!

A few days ago, I was talking with a friend about how God had answered a
prayer she had prayed for me about three years ago. I was so surprised, and
sorry, to learn that I had never told her before. And had no idea how much
my telling her that day was an answer to her own recent prayers.

God's answer to her prayers for me was nothing short of a miracle.
He delivered me from a spiritual mental battle I had fought, off and on,
since childhood and was always too ashamed to tell anyone about it.
That day... three years ago... I finally confessed it and asked for prayer.
God heard the prayers of my friend... and my life was changed.

When I told my friend about this answer to prayer, I didn't know
she had recently been asking God to encourage her in her prayer life.
Hearing how God had heard and answered her prayers for me
was truly a gift of encouragement straight from the heart of the Father
to bless and build up the faith of His precious praying daughter.

May it be an encouragement to you as well...
to keep praying my friend and never give up on God!
Know that He hears your prayers.
And keep believing that He is able... more than able...
to do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine!

As a special gift to you... for THREE DAYS ONLY... you may download this
"Prayer Changes Things"
artwork for your own personal use or to share with your Bible Study Group
or as a coloring page for children's ministry. 
After three days I will make available im my Etsy Shop in b&w and color!

In His love and for His glory...
xoxoxo
Karla

By Special Request... Autumn Blessings Journal Cover...

Another special request from my new friend Jeanette... an art design she
could use to put on the front of inexpensive, already-made journal for
their women's fall retreat that would carry the same theme as the bookmarks.
So here it is... an "Autumn Blessings" Journal Cover Art Digital Download!
and I must say that being a resource for their women's ministry has brought
me great joy and hope to do more of this in the future!

The smaller design will fit the journals they already bought, but I also wanted
to do a larger size that fits the composition notebooks you can pick
up at the dollar store.  And just imagine all the other fun gifts and retreat
goodies you could make by simply resizing this art including magnets, tags,
greeting cards, stickers, framed prints, plaques, and more!


This is the one I made using the dollar store composition book...


but of course... I had to embellish mine a bit with lace, ribbon, glitter and
some little black jewels in the centers of some of the flowers... but even
without the extras it makes for a very pretty place to truly "Bless the Lord"
by jotting down some of those amazing Autumn Blessings God pours out
into your life... from the mundane to the marvelous!

I started writing in mine this morning and am so encouraged by what God
showed me in His Word to help stir up my praises... can hardly wait to share
it with you tomorrow! 

Love and God-hugs to you my friends...
in His love and for His glory...
Karla

Cooking Up Some Fun Stuff...

First of all I have to say... you girls were a HOOT about the toe nail polish...
I absolutely LOVED reading your comments!!  We are all SOOOOO much alike!
THANK YOU for having that conversation with me... you made me smile big!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I have been having such a great time cooking up some fabulous Chef Girl Fun!
First I designed a new digital Chef Girl Stationery Set for Etsy...
you can take a peek here.

And then I moved over to Zazzle.com... creating the two Business or Calling
Card Designs above. I think Little Miss Chef Girl is such a cutie.
And the fun thing about Zazzle is that you can personalize every item!
So instead of Emma's Custom Cakery... you can replace it with your own
name or the name of a friend or sister to make a great personal gift.

Something else I did on Zazzle was to create Little Miss Chef Girl with four
different hair colors so you will find her on Zazzle with black hair, red-orange
hair... and as a blonde and brunette.!  See I told you I was having fun!

I just kept imagining all the women I know who LOVE to cook.
And I wanted to tell you about these fun things now so you could think
ahead for birthdays and Christmas and have time to check out
the Zazzle Coupons... or watch for the Zazzle Sales so
you could get the best price.  We're all alike in that respect too!

Well.. thanks for looking... it's the next best thing to coming and
visiting me in my studio while I work... and I do love getting
feedback so please keep the conversations coming!!

So there you have it... that's what I've been up to!  How about you?
Been cooking up any summer fun or creative adventures? Do tell!!

Love and God-hugs... xoxoxo... Karla

By Special Request... Bella Flora List Papers & Matching Envelope

I love designing "by request" so I'm pleased to announce...
this one's for Beth Ann.... and for you of course...
a new collection of Bella Flora Digital List Pad size Papers with more room
for writing your grocery list or a longer note!

Plus... I included a fun matching envelope... just what you had hoped for!
I love the grid paper pattern on the front... so helpful to keep things straight!
And it's super easy peasy to print, cut and tape or glue together.

This new envelope also coordinates with the original Bella Flora
smaller note papers... they're a perfect fit.

And the best thing of all is that each one has a different scripture verse
perfect for adding that special touch of encouragement and blessing...
whether you write your grocery list or a note to a friend!

You know we all need a word of encouragement now and then, don't we?
So can I encourage you today to take a minute and write a quick note to
that person God has put on your heart... and just let them know you care!

Lord bless you my friends...
xoxoxo... Karla

By Special Request...

By request... I added this collection of five printable Bible Bookmarks
to my Etsy store.  The great thing about them is you can print as many as
you need and as many times as you need.


They would be perfect for Sunday School or Christian School classes.
They could also be used for crafting, scrapbooking or in cardmaking!
You could even write on the back and use them as gift tags.
Or simply give them as gifts...
gifts that keep on giving a word of blessing and encouragement.

I am so thankful God has given me the opportunity to use my talents
to create products as a blessing to you.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for future products
please feel free to leave a comment or email me...
anytime... I'd love to hear from you!

Thank You Father that You've given each one of us gifts, talents,
and abilities to use to bring You glory and be a blessing to others.
Continue to open doors and give us opportunities
to love and serve others with all that we are and all that
You've given us... and all for Your Glory! Amen.

Write it Down in Style...

I love to include a few goodies and a hand-written "Thank You" note with
every Etsy and Bookstore order... and for the longest time, I've wanted to
design my own scripture note paper to write my notes on...



so I finally did... and I love them!
And the greatest thing about them is that they're printables!!
That means I'll never run out... they will always be just a printer away!!
And I've made them available on Etsy so you never have to run out either!

There are four different designs each with their own verse...
the verses on the two above are Psalm 119:105 and Joshua 1:9...


and the verses on these two are Psalm 19:14 and Psalm 100:4.


So just remember... the next order you place will have a few goodies similar
to the ones above tucked in with a hand-written "THANK YOU" from lil' ol' me!

And... you might want to order some Bella Flora Note Papers for yourself...
because hand-written notes have not totally gone out of style...
and just think what a sweet and inexpensive gift these would make
for a teacher, a friend, or a woman who works in your church!

...you shine like stars in the universe
as you hold out the word of life...
Philippians 2:16

Heavenly Father... help us to shine as we look for opportunities to share
Your Word with others. I know how often You've spoken to my heart through
a Bible verse at the bottom of a note paper or inside a greeting card and I
pray that as these note papers go out into the world that You will use
Your Word to encourage and build up the giver and receiver both!

FREE Rest in the Lord Color Page...

Thank you for all the great comments on my first illustration Friday drawing!
Because of you... it's now available as a FREE Coloring Page DOWNLOAD!

I just want you to know that even though I don't have time to respond to
every comment... I do love them, read them, and take them to heart!
And just to prove it...

Thank you Tamara for suggesting "sweet dreams" and Jen for taking it a
step further to "tweet dreams"... love it!

Thank you Barbie and Evangeline for inspiring me to change the "Asleep"
to "Rest in Jesus" so I chose to quote Psalm 37:7... delightful!

Thank you Linda and Rebecca for encouraging me to offer it as a coloring
page... so here you go... download your "Rest in the Lord" color page HERE!

And as always... if you have friends, a mom, grandma, Sunday School or
Christian school teacher who might be blessed by this coloring page...
please feel free to post this... picture and all... on your blog
or somehow let them know it's here for them too!

And what Evangeline said is so true...
"How many times in life do we have to be reminded to do that... to rest in
the Lord... instead of constantly trying to do it all on our own?" Well, for me
it's a lot... and I think the same might be true for most of us.  So for today...
let's color our lives with faith... and put our trust in the Lord...
to take care of what concerns us today... and tomorrow...
for He knows our needs and He cares... He really does!

Love and God-hugs...
Karla

Pretty as a Pansy...

I love spring flowers and pansies are amongst my favorites! 

So it is my pleasure to let you know about a new digital download kit called
"Pretty as a Pansy" that's now in my Etsy store.

You know I'm all about saving a nickel and stretching a dollar...
well, hat's the heart behind this new Digital Art Collection.
The idea that you can buy it once and print it over and over again is
fabulous!  And it's not just for scrapbooking even though it's that too.

What's great is that if you have the gift of encouragement
and love to send cards... or you're in a ministry where you need to...
it's a greeting card that can be used for any occasion.

If you give handmade gifts... the kit includes tags and labels to add your own
personal touch to your package or container.

And f you're looking for an inexpensive gift...
it can easily be framed as a piece of art.


I made a card... forgive my photography... but I wanted you to see how I
cut the cup and seed packet and layered them... and, of course, added some
glitter which gave it a nice vintage card feel.  I love it!

You can check out the other tags that come in the kit here.

Blessings and God-hugs...
Karla

Easter Freebie Digital Downloads...

I was hoping to be able to create a new Easter Freebie for you
but there's just not been enough hours in a day lately!
So... since Easter is almost here, I wanted to go ahead and re-offer
these two little lovelies as my Easter Gift to You...

This Easter Basket/Gift Bag comes with printable rainbow handles or
you could use a wide ribbon in a coordinating color for the handles...
use it for giving a special Easter treat
or
cut out and use only the front for scrapbooking or cardmaking!!


And these cute little Easter Egg Holders would be just as happy
wrapped around your napkins for Easter brunch!

Both of these freebie gifts coordinate with these digital kits for
your creative pleasure...
                                 

Hallelujah Easter Cupcake Wrapper Set
Pastel Bright Papers and the
Easter Eggs by the Dozen.

Happy Crafting as you prepare to celebrate Easter...
in His Name and for His glory!

Thinking Ahead... Easter Craftiness...

With Easter right around the corner, I wanted to make sure I got some
goodies posted in time for your crafting pleasure...


This set of u-print downloadable Hallelujah Cupcake Wrappers with toppers
was so fun to put together and oh so cute! 


As I was designing them, I kept thinking about how cute they would be for
a children's classroom Easter Celebration as an added reminder of what
Easter is really all about! 


Or how about you and your kids baking up some sweet blessings and
taking a dozen or two to a nearby Nursing Home?  YUM!!!


I also created an updated collection of a Dozen Easter Eggs and a mix
and match pack of coordinatingd Pastel Bright Papers with the same theme
thinking they might be useful for decorating or scrapbooking or whatever!

In a few days I'll be posting a couple of Easter Freebies..
so stay tuned... and Happy Easter Crafting!

Father God... as we look forward to the Celebration of Easter...
help us to remember the real meaning of the season...
and may we always be looking for ways to share
the Love and Resurrection of Jesus with others
even in the midst of all the eggs and chicks and bunnies. 
Give us opportunities and prepare our hearts to be used by You...
for Your glory! Amen.

Free Download Today Only...

My new Valentine Squares Clip Art Collection promises
to have more creative uses than just for Valentines Day.
I think you will love them for tags, cupcake toppers, cardmaking,
scrapbooking and heart-filled crafting.

As my heartfelt blessing to you... FOR TODAY ONLY...
you can download it for FREE... HERE!
After today it will be available in my Etsy Store.

**UPDATE:  this free download was for Friday, Jan. 21st only
and is no longer available for free but you can find it in my shop.
Thank you!!


Now they won't work for the glass magnet idea...
which I don't recommend you try anyway... LOL...
but again, I think you'll find many uses for them in the days to come.

 


  
So... Happy Crafting my friends...
and I'd love to see what you make with these if you wouldn't mind sharing!
Love & Heartfelt Hugs...

Craftiness Gone Awry...

Sometimes things just don't go the way you want them to
and this craft was one of those!
I wanted to use the new Valentine Angel Clip Art to make something special
to give to a few of my friends who I know
don't eat chocolate... and since everyone can use another magnet..


when I saw these flattened glass pieces called clear glass gems...
along with a project sheet at one of my local craft stores...
I knew I had found what I was looking for. 
So once I glittered the angel's dress... all sparkly and cute... I was ready!


It sounded so easy peasy... just punch or cut out your picture...
use a dime size amount of Diamond Glaze on the front of your image...
place the gem on top of the glaze and picture...
let the glaze spread to the edges... easy peasy... NOT!!


What a mess I made!!  I couldn't get the glaze to spread to the edge of the
paper evenly so I tried pressing on it to fill the gaps, but of course that made
it ooze out the sides and onto the table, my fingers and then onto the glass...
and it still left pockets of no glaze around the edges here and there.  I kept
adjusting the amount of glaze and how I applied it, thinking by the time I got
to #7...  that's how many I needed... I would have it figured out and could
tell you how fun it was... but NOT... I just got messier with each try... YIKES!! 
(So if there's a trick and you know it... PLEASE tell me!)


Okay... it was a frustrating experience... and they're not perfect...
but they are CUTE! 
I finished them off by adhering a magnet to the back with E6000 glue...
and I know my friends will love love love them!!
Especially after I use the printed patterned paper from the Valentine Angel
Clip Art Kit to sew a simple fold-over envelope and finish it off with a
strip of ribbon and scalloped punched circle of the PRECIOUS ONE angel.
She just looks so sweet... just like my precious friends... SWEET!

Something to ponder:
When we try something new, it will not necessarily be successful.
But if we never try, we'll never know if it will be successful or not.
So... is there something you've been wanting to try but have been afraid
you won't be good at it or it might turn out to be messy?
How will you know if you don't try?
Maybe it's a new craft but maybe it's something way more important
like joining a Bible study or reaching out to a neighbor
or starting a new business or ministry.
If God is tugging at your heart... today could be your day to take a risk...
to step out in faith... and at least give it a try!




Oh yes... and I wanted to let you know in advance that I will be offering a

**ONE DAY ONLY**
**FREE DOWNLOAD**
this Friday

Here's a sneak peak...


so TWEET you'll want to make sure and stop by...

Love and hugs...