Karla's Korner

You Are Loved!

It's oh so true... you are loved!

I know there can be days when we don't feel loved or loveable... and there can be days when we might not love or even like ourselves... but feelings lie and we know it. So don't listen to them... listen to God whisper to your heart right now... you are loved! Because that's the Truth!

Sometimes listening to the lies can be so easy. Oftentimes it's because some of us have been programmed by our past to believe things about ourselves that just aren't true and we become trapped by the recordings that play over and over in our brains. The only way to break that cycle is to replace the lies with the Truth of who God is... what He says about who we are... and the promises He's made to us and for our futures. When I'm feeling unloved or unloveable... one of my favorite verses to draw my heart away from harrassing thoughts and back to the goodness of God is Jeremiah 31:3...

 “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

And He still does!  It was God's Word that transformed my life from the first day we met... the Truth that He loved me unconditionally with a Father's love. It was the first time I had ever known or experienced unconditional love and was life-changing! And that Truth continues to mold and shape me even today. God's Truth is my Strength and Shield against the lies... and my Strong Deliverer when I've let them creep back in. I can only hope He is the same for you.

And speaking of the future and all that is possible for us in the Lord...
I finally was able to get the Butterfly scanned in and just listed it in Etsy.
You can find it there ready to pop into either a standard size 8x10 or 11x14
frame! My hope is that this butterfly art will encourage you to keep your eyes
on Jesus with whom all things are possible... and spread your wings and fly
into the future God has for you with faith!

And speaking of faith... I shared this oldie but goodie over on FaceBook a
few days ago.  I was thinking about how butterflies have been in so many
of my paintings including this one... only this verse isn't about soaring with
the wind beneath your wings... or flying high in the sky of expectations...
but this one is about abiding... resting... dwelling.  It's about allowing faith,
hope and love to so settle into the depths of our hearts so much so that it is
the catalyst for all we do... including the ocassional spreading of the wings!

Until next week my friends... Love and God-hugs.

New Year Blessing 2013 Coloring Page...

I am excited to see what God has in store for us in the days ahead.  He has
been reminding me of Jeremiah 29:11... that His plans for us are good...
that His desire is to give us hope and a future... a future full of promise and
blessing as we trust in Him and follow Him into this new year ahead!

I want you to have this "New Year Blessing Art" as a FREE
downloadable coloring page... my new year's blessing to you.  I've formatted
it in two sizes... 4"x5"... which is the size of the original and might be a fun
addition to your art journal or scrapbook or even as a greeting card front!  I
don't think it's too late to send a New Year's Blessing to your friends or family!


You can also download it as an 8"x10" and use it as a springboard with your
kids to talk about not only the blessings God has in store for us, but also
the blessing-givers He's called us to be to others in the coming year!

And speaking of BLESSING... that is the ONE WORD the Lord has given
me for 2013. I want it to be the foundation for all I do and all I am to be in
the days ahead... both in becoming more aware of and acknowledging the
blessings God pours out on me... and also becoming more aware of how every
moment of my life... including the everyday chores and challenges.. are
potentially God-given opportunities for me to be a blessing to the Lord...
and a blessing to others! I have a feeling that this perspective could be
a real attitude changer and heart motivater!!

So that's my desire for 2013..to be more of a BLESSING giver and receiver! 
How about you? What's your greatest desire for the new year?

A Merry Belated Christmas 2012...

You have no idea how often I've missed you and longed for our visits but... balancing everyday life with being a Portland Saturday Market vendor proved to be more challenging than I imagined... thus my disappearance from blogging for more than a month! I thank God for the opportunity He gave me to be there but I am oh so thankful that the Market is closed until March 1st... a truly welcome break!

The Market closed on Christmas Eve at 3:30. We packed up our product, tore down the tent and headed home with just enough time to empty the truck and repack for our trip up to Mt. Hood where the kids have a cabin and the perfect setting for a seriously white Christmas... and the perfect back-drop my first-ever experience snow-shoeing!  I was apprehensive at first, but as you can tell my photo... I loved it! It was a great family time... snowball fights and all!

Every year the girls in the family do a handmade gift exchange which is always a highlight of our time together. This year proved to be a little more difficult for me because of being at the Market... so here I am finishing up Michelle's granny square pillow cover Christmas afternoon. We could only laugh as she opened her first box with the finished pillow front and pillow form... and a second box full of yarn and crochet hook ready to finish the back! I'm pleased to say I got it done for her before we left!!

Michelle was also kind enough to loan us the video series of Downton Abbey Season 2 to take home with us after we came back from the mountain. It was a nice way to kick back and enjoy some much needed R&R. Have you seen it?  Did you love it as much as I did?  If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to rent it or watch the first 2 seasons on Netflix.  I'm already anticipating season 3 starting on PBS January 6th!

I've been spending some time the last couple of days praying about the coming year... seeking God's will and direction for the days ahead... and asking Him for my personal One Word for 2013.. a word that resonates with my heart and helps me focus on all that God wants to do in me and through me in the new year. I'm not sure what it is yet... but I'll let you know when I do... hopefully soon!

Do you have a WORD for 2013?  I'd love to know what it is, if you do!!

Inspired To Keep On Keeping On...

in·spire/inˈspī(ə)r/

1. Fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: "his enthusiasm inspired them".
2. Create (a feeling, esp. a positive one) in a person: "inspire confidence".

Thank you my sweet friends... for all the love, kindness and blessings you
shared with me last week through your comments, emails and even snail
mail. You brought a smile to my heart and tears to my eyes... bless you!
You are all so amazing!

God used your words to INSPIRE and encourage me to keep blogging. You
reminded of why I love sharing with you... we mutually bless and
encourage one another... even if I can't write as often as I would like to!

Words are so important, aren't they? Both the ones you give and the ones you
receive. Did you know the Bible tells us that our words hold within them the
power of life and death? We definitely want to be women who use our words
to INSPIRE and encourage others, don't we? To build up and never tear down.


You know I love words... so I had a fun time recently creating this series
of small canvases and plaks (plaques) with a focus on inspiring words.
They are simple in design but each word or phrase holds within itself the
power to influence or impact one's life... little nuggets of truth to remind us
to live our lives as a blessing to God and to others.

So today's word is...



We inspire others mostly through how we live our lives... often times
without even realizing it!  I immediately think of and am thankful for
those people who have inspired me to be who I am today by their love
for God and faith in His Word. Others by their incredible creativity and
love for color. Some by their love and compassion toward others. One
woman in particular inspires me by her thoughtful gift giving... I want
to be more like her.

We can also inspire others by our words. By encouraging them in their
strengths and cheering them on in their endeavors. By letting them know
how important they are to us and that the world is a better place
because of them!

I wonder who you will you inspire today?



Thank You Lord for being our greatest inspiration. Thank You for Your Word
that inspires us and Your Spirit that enables and empowers us to become the
women You designed us to be. Continue to use us Lord to inspire others by
living our lives in such a way as to bring glory to You and blessing to those
You place along our paths. Amen.

{ps... I hope to have the plaks on Etsy soon!}

A Happy Heart in Hard Times...

Sometimes life's struggles can steal the peace and joy of the Lord from
our hearts so quickly, can't they?  Even in the midst of all the blessings, we can
become so focused on the struggles that we lose sight of the Lord!
That happened to me recently and God had to get my attention and remind
me, once again, to be thankful in the midst of hard times!

He started bringing songs to my mind...
and there's just something about singing out our praise and thanksgiving to
the Lord that brings a peace and a joy to our hearts and reminds us that He
truly is big enough to handle whatever concerns us! And... when we are
trusting Him... our hearts ARE happy, aren't they?  Do I hear an amen?

So what, you may wonder, has been stealing my joy?  The biggest thing has
been my sweet husband's health. He was really sick for over a week which...
leaving out all the details has resulted in him having to go in for surgery
either this coming week or the week following. It's not life-threatening at
the moment but will become so if untreated.

Thankfully we have insurance, but with him being self-employed, his not being
able to work for several weeks was also stealing the joy from my heart!
But... since God got my attention...
I've been singing an old chorus... "Jehovah Jireh, my Provider...
His grace is  sufficient for me... for me... for me.
Jehovah Jireh, my Provider... His grace is sufficient for me!"
And it is... for me... and for you too... no matter what you''re facing!

I've also been putting off tellling you that the book proposal I mentioned a
couple of weeks ago was rejected. I wasn't totally surprised but I was
disappointed and knew many of you would be too. I am believing it is the
Lord and confident that if He wants it published it will happen in His time.


I have been painting up a storm though... and having some serious FUN doing
it! And as you can tell by this new owl painting... HOPE is a constant theme
throughout my art. Hmmm... I wonder why?  Can you imagine what living in
this world without hope in Christ would be like? Actually,  I still have memories
of those days... and it's not fun... no... not fun at all.

So though we go through various trials and tribulations...
because we are in Christ... we can count it all joy...
as long as our confidence is in Him and not in ourselves or in the world.
( from James 1:1)
So together, let's keep singing and making music to the Lord...
and let hope make our hearts happy!

xoxo
Karla

Owl Painting in Progress...

I thought you might enjoy a sneak peak at my newest painting in progress!
If you remember, I have a couple of owl art prints done in pen and ink but
I've never painted one on canvas before and I'm having so much fun with it!

 It's looking like spring time, don't you think?
I'm really liking it so far... especially the colors and textures...
but it still has a long way to go!

Poor owl... he's missing his tail feathers! Soon little owl... very soon you will
have your tail feathers... and the flowers will have color and the whole canvas
will come to life with delightful details and greater depth!

I gotta say... it made me think about how we are also a work in progress!
You see, our God is the Master Creator Artist and we are His paintings...
His masterpieces... and praise Jesus...  He's not finished with us yet...
Hallelujah!

But can you imagine when we get to heaven and walk through God's Majestic
Gallery of Glory and Grace and behold all the finished masterpieces
that will fill the Halls of Heaven? Including you and me!! Oh what glory
will be His and what blessings will be ours just to be among them!

Isn't it comforting to know that this life is not all there is? That one day all
our tears will be wiped away and sorrow will be no more... and we will have
all our tail feathers... and we'll be whole and complete in Jesus! Amen.

xoxo
Karla

Love Like Crazy!

One of my goals right now is to finish up some of the paintings I've had
started for a while and this is one of them... Love Like Crazy!


I love this photo of Abigail helping me as I add the finishing touches
of color and detail. She's such an encourager!


You can't tell I love detail, can you? 


Especially when I can weave a story into it...
a picture to remind you that God's banner over you is love!

...or how the taste of His love is sweeter than a cupcake!


God's love for us can unlock the prison doors of our hearts and set us free...
and our love and prayers for others can sometimes do the same thing!


And this Crazy Love of God flows down from the cross and fills our lives to
overflowing... so that we, in turn, can love others like He loves us!

O Lord...I want to be a woman who loves like crazy...
so that others will know that I belong to You and You will get all the glory!

May it be so for all of us!
xoxo
Karla

Holding Onto Hope!

I finished this piece just last night...
and I love the spiritual symbolism tucked into the details!
Now I don't know if you need encouragement or not,
but there are definitely days when I need to be reminded...

that even when the struggles of life seem overwhelming ...
I can still hold onto hope! 


Not just hope for the sake of hoping...
but a living hope found in the promises of God.

A confidence in the One who is able to transform our sorrows into joy...

and Who gives us wisdom as we seek His heart and wait on His timing.

It is a hope in Christ... the One with Whom all things are possible.

So my prayer for you, my friend, is that whatever you may be facing today...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

xoxo
Karla

What's New?

I was thinking about new beginnings this  morning... about how Jesus died
on the cross and rose from the grave to give new life and the hope of new
beginnings... to those of us who put our faith in Him.

I personally love new beginnings. Maybe that's because I get bored easily...
I don't know. But it did get me thinking about some of the new things in
my life lately...

1. I have a new art agent, Cruise Creative, who will hopefully open new
doors for my artwork to find new product homes.


2. I've started more than one new painting, including this one...


and I'm loving the detail that's happening in the background!

3. I joined the Firstenburg Community Center and am taking a Zumba Gold
class and water aerobics... both new to me and so much fun!
My granddaughter, Alexis, even decided to join me for Zumba!

4. I have a couple of new craft projects I've started...

repainting an old welcome sign...

and a flag banner I'm making from vintage Bingo cards.

5. We've been going to a new church for the past few weeks and loving it.

6. I got my nose pierced!!  It's tiny... but I just had to do it!I

7. And I submitted a new book proposal to  my publisher... a book designed to
encourage your heart to trust in the new mercies God gives us each new day!

I am so thankful that Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly...
and I love living the NEW life He gave me which includes being creative and
trying NEW things!

So how about you? What's new? What are you learning? What step of faith
have you taken recently? What new thing have you tried? Sometimes it
takes courage to make a change or try something new... so I pray you
will find your courage in Christ and take the step!

Lord God, thank You for coming and giving us life... not a boring life...
but a life full of adventure with You... a creative life designed not only to
meet the challenges we face but also, to celebrate the beauty and bounty of
the blessings You've given us. Open our hearts and minds to always be
willing to learn, grow, and experience new things... for your glory!

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...

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!

My Heart Leaps For Joy...

Does the little girl in you ever jump up and down for joy?
Okay... maybe not outwardly... but how about your heart?


Do you ever become so overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord
in your life that you can hardly contain the joy that wells up within you?

I have had a few moments like that lately when God...
...answered prayers for a friend whose test results revealed no cancer.
...revealed and healed a place in my heart I didn't even know was hurt.
...gave me the strength to endure a physically painful circumstance.
...put a song in my heart before I even opened my eyes in the morning.
...gave me the creativity to design Mr. Froggy who makes me smile...
and then brought Psalm 28:7 to mind so he could point my heart to Jesus.
And the list goes on.

So how about you? Has your heart leaped for joy lately?
Would you be willing to share it in just one sentence or two?
I love hearing what God is doing in your lives...
and rejoicing in Him with you... in His love and grace!

xoxo
Karla

Goal Setting...

Like some of you , I am a goal setter.  Working for myself requires me to be.
Setting goals and writing lists, not just at the beginning of the New Year, but
at the beginning of every new day, helps me to stay focused on my priorities...
and to live my life more intentionaly... with purpose and direction.


And that is what I want for myself for 2012... to live life more intentionally!

Oh yes... my goals include the traditional things like eating better and losing
weight... but I want more than that.  I want God to live and love more fully
in me and through me... and I'm excited to see what that's going to look like!

How about you? Are you ready to live and love more intentionally?
Are you ready to see God glorified and exalted in your life in greater ways?
Are you ready to ask God to fill you up and then use you to pour out His love
and blessings whenever and wherever He so chooses?  I hope so!

We have no idea where this new year will take any of us.  The path before
us is uncharted territory but one thing we know for certain is that we don't
walk it alone. We know God is with us... and we have each other. Yay!
Oh my... I almost feel like shouting, "let the journey begin!" 

Love and God-hugs my sweet friends...

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...
Hebrews 10:24

Heavenly Father... we are so grateful for your grace and for new beginnings. 
Knowing your mercies are new every morning gives us hope for another chance
and another opportunity to live for You. We pray for Your Kingdom to come
and Your will to be done... in us and through us... and we look forward,
with expectation,to seeing how You will answer our prayers. Amen.

Traditional Thanksgiving?

This year Thanksgiving will be very different for us. It will be at our house...
and I'll be fixing the traditional turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy...
but that's where traditional will end.

Mike's sister Cindy and her husband Kerry are now "snowbirds" and have gone
south for the winter... and Gary, our son-in-love, will be in Nevada with our
youngest granddaughter for a soccer tournament!  My heart is sad.

But life changes, doesn't it?  People we love leave our lives... some only for
a season but some forever... and they leave empty chairs at the table and
empty holes in our hearts. But gratitude is a sweet taste of grace that can
help fill that emptiness... with memories of holidays past and the blessings of
today. And it is true that an attitude of gratitude helps chase the blues away!

So I'm giving thanks with a grateful heart. The turkey is in the refrigerator...
Michelle and Alexis and our niece...Cindy's daughter Monica.. will be coming.
And I've been asking God if there's someone else who needs a family to
celebrate with... maybe a man so poor Michael won't be so outnumbered!

But what about you? Traditional Thanksgiving holiday this year or is it a new
season for you too?  Whichever way... let's give thanks to God together!

with love and God-hugs...
Karla

Do You Ever Talk To Yourself?

We all talk to ourselves, don't we?
I know I do... and so did David the psalmist.

Psalm 103 is one of my absolute favorites, where, in essence, David does
a little self-talk to help him refocus on the things in life that really matter.

He basically says to himself...
"Now listen self... hear me my soul. Despite what's going on in the world,
stop right now... and bless the Lord. Don't forget all He's done for you,
my soul. Think about those things and give Him glory!"

David goes on to count his blessings, naming them one by one.

So next time your soul is downcast, try this:
tell your soul to take a break from the pain, the frustration, the worries
and woes... and consider the good that is in your life, and
bless the Lord... let all that is within you, bless His holy name!

love and God-hugs...
Karla

Sweet As Apple Pie...

Many of you, over the years, have asked about my "An Apple A Day" book
and with great sadness, I have had to tell you that it was out of print.
So... it is with great joy that I present to you today... "Sweet As Apple Pie!"


"Sweet As Apple Pie" is a remake of "An Apple A Day" with a brand new
beautiful cover design, a some new devotionals and a few new recipes all
served to you in the same heartwarming homespun style of sweetness
and created to inspire healthy and fruitful living for the Lord!

It includes 31 devotionals with "Today's Apple" being a tasty bite
of God's Word. You'll be invited to "Chew On It" through an inspirational
story designed to nourish your soul... and to "Savor the Flavor" by praying
along with me to help the flavor linger in your heart long after you close the
book!  Also included are a few journal pages, fruitful quotes and verses, as
well as some fun apple facts.

You can take a peek at a couple of the inside pages and purchase a signed
copy here on my website.  Thanks for looking!!

Lord, help me to remember that every act of love and kindness is an
opportunity to offer Your life-giving fruit to those who do not know You.
Let my branches stretch out in new ways today... for Your glory... amen.

Giving Thanks...

Sometimes we can take our bodies so for granted can't we?  I know I can.
But when something goes awry... you instantly become more aware of how
fearfully and wonderfully and intricately our bodies really are made!

Recently my sweet husband had some problems that led us to visit the doctor
and if you know my dear man... that means it must be serious.
After a few tests and poking and prodding... the problem was found.
When we asked the doctor what caused it... he said... old age and ornryness!
Boy... did he have my husband pegged!!

Well... today I am givng God much praise and thanksgiving that the problem
was not as serious as it could have been... and is treatable with diet!
Totally God's grace... and we're giving Him the glory!  Yay God!

Thank You Father... for creating our amazingly incredible bodies!  We know
they are only temporary dwelling places while we're here Lord... but we also
know we need to learn to take better care of them so that we can live the
lives You've called us to. Thank You Jesus for hearing our prayers and saving
Michael from what could have been so much worse! We give you all the glory! 
Amen.

Tis the Season...

My first two bazaars of the season... I must confess.... have been fun!

I prayed before going... asking God to use me to be a blessing to others...
  And I went trusting Him for the sales...
especially since I can't make anyone buy anything anyway!  Duh!

The greatest blessing of all was having the opportunity to see a lot of women
I haven't seen in a very long time... some from Crossroads Church
where I used to go years ago... some from past speaking events
and others who had just lost touch with!

Let's just say... there was an abundance of hugs and lovin' at both bazaars.
It did my heart good... and I was blessed beyond measure.

You see... I grew up in a home where hugs were not given.
The first hug I remember getting (other than from boys) was from Mike's mom...
I was 18 years old.
It seemed so odd... so uncomfortable... I wasn't even sure how to respond.

With tears in my eyes and a heart filled with thanksgiving...
I prasie God that He has made me a hugger... and a cheek kisser!
I am so thankful for how He has so loved me...
that I have enough left over to give away. I am blessed!

So... I'm sorry if you weren't able to make it to one of the bazaars to get
your own personal Karla hug and kiss...
but even better... I'm sending you God-hugs and lotsa love!

Let us be thankful together!
Amen

Enter His Gates...

I've been reading through "Give Thanks" and wanted to share one of the
my favorite stories with you. I know it's a little longer read... but the
symbolism of the painting is shared in the last paragraph...
so don't quit reading to early... and may your hearts be filled with praise!

Have you ever thought about what an incredible privilege it is for ordinary
people, folks like you and me, to enter into the presence of Almighty God?
Humbling to consider, to say the least.

Almighty God is holy… sinless, perfect, pure.
There’s absolutely no dirt hiding in the corners or under the carpet.
We, on the other hand, are... sinful, imperfect, and impure...
from carrying our sin nature in our hearts and rubbing shoulders with the world.

Yet, because God loves us and longs for relationship with us,
He invites us to come to Him just as we are.
We are not required to clean ourselves up or dust ourselves off.
We are not obligated to attain some of level of spiritual success
or perfection in order to gain access to the King.
We are told simply to enter with thanksgiving. How can this be?

This invitation is almost inconceivable until you draw near
and see the bloodstains on the gate
and remember who went before you to prepare your way.
The gate is open wide, and the crimson stains call out the price that was paid
on the cross so that you could gain entrance into God’s throne room.
You can do nothing to earn your entrance or to open the gates any wider.
You can only say ‘Yes’ to God’s invitation, accept Christ’s payment by faith,
and enter His gates with thanksgiving.

Thank God today for the blood of Jesus,
for it is only by His blood that we are able enter into His presence.
Love and hugs...
Karla

Princess Love-A-Lot

I first wrote about Princess Love-A-Lot back in February and she's been
in my heart ever since. I recently gave her a new look
and just added hersweetness to my Etsy shop...


She made me think about all the little girls... and big girls too... who fancy
themselves as princesses  and I thought maybe this little princess could help
moms share the truth of not only the blessings of being a princess but the
huge responsibility that comes along with wearing the crown. So I've decided
to include a copy of the original story {that I've also added below}
with every print order because...

If we truly belong to the King of Kings... yes...  that makes us a Princess!
But not the kind of princess that sits on pedestal... expecting to be served.
And it's not a title we boast of.. or a position we brag about.
Oh no no... not in God's Kingdom!


In the Kingdom of Love-A-Lot, we are called to do just that...
LOVE A LOT!!
That's the crown we wear... that's what's supposed to set us apart.
Loving others like God loves us... yessirreee...
loving... caring... serving... forgiving... self-sacrificing.

But sometimes our crowns slip, don't they?  Maybe even fall off?  Mine does.
Sometimes I'm too preoccupied with my own life to care about others.
Sometimes I let someone else's attitude or behavior change my own...
and my crown tumbles to the ground.
Sometimes my own self-righteousness knocks it off without me realizing it.


But that's not who I am... I am Princess Love-A-Lot.
So once again... I must humble myself. And asking the King's forgiveness,
I reach down to lift it up, and I realize it's not really even my crown...
it's His.

You see, that's why our crowns keeps slipping and falling off.
God's love is soooo much greater than our love!
This crown we wear in His Name is too big for us!
But as He looks at His little girls... He smiles.
He is confident we will grow into it.
So once again... we don our crowns as Princess Love-A-Lot
and we seek to be more like our Savior... loving like He does...
so others might see Him through us.


Remember... we dwell in the Kingdom of Love-A-Lot...
so check your crown once in a while to make sure it's sitting pretty...
in His Name and for His glory.

Love and God-hugs...

Art Journal Growing in Grace...

If you looked back through my art journal, you'd see all kinds of artsiness...
oodles of doodles, collage and layering, painting and colored penciling...
but right now my love is for simple line drawings...


I'm guessing this little cutie will be getting some color some day soon...
maybe even become the catalyst for a canvas painting. But for today
it's simple... clean and crisp... a combination of line, shape and patterns.


The fun thing about creating in a journal is that you are able to give yourself
the freedom to let your page or doodle or design just becomes whatever
it becomes. There is no pre-planning. No end goal. But sometimes
you like it enough to want to share it... other times... not so much!


I did have to stop and ponder a bit when I added the words to the image...
they were just so fitting. And I thought about how... having just turned 60...
I still have so much room to grow... so many opportunities in my life to both
receive God's grace and to givie it away! We all do, don't we?


And the flowerpot reminded me to let my roots grow deeper in God's love...
because the more firmly we're rooted in Him... the stronger we grow in every
way... in love, hope, and faith... and the more we have to give away!


Did you notice the pencil sketch on the opposite page?  I'm so ready to
start inking her. But should I paint this one first?  Should I offer it on Etsy?
Should I offer it as a line drawing or wait and offer it as a painting. Or both?
What do you think?


But for now my friends... my prayer is that we might all continue to...

"...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
2 Pet. 3:17-18

Love and God-hugs...
Karla

Celebrating the Big 6-0...

Yesterday, I officially entered a new era... and celebrated my 60th birthday!
It's funny... it just seems so fitting... like I've been waiting to get here.
That does sound kinda strange, doesn't it? 
I don't understand it... but it's true... I am 60...  and I'm so okay with it!!


I told a friend... it's like my age has finally caught up with my hair! LOL!

My darling husband took me out to a very nice dinner and my sweet daughter
hosted a gathering of a few of my dearest friends to help me celebrate!
But I'm not done yet... I have a few other friend dates lined up so as to
draw out this special birthday celebration as long as possible!! 

I do have to tell you about this game we played though...
I love games so I was tickled to play a new one called telephone pictionary?
Have you ever played?  It was easy and, at times, hilarious!  I found these
instructions online but we didn't use a booklet... we each had the same number
of small pieces of paper as there were ladies.  The fun part is how different
the ending phrase can be from the original... kinda like what happens to gossip,
come to think of it... only this form is not harmful.

I also wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all my wondeful FB friends who
so kindly left their Birthday Blessings... you made my heart smile big!!

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered--how fleeting my life is.
Psalm 39:4 NLT

Thank Lord for the life you've given me... all 60 years of it!  I know that
apart from knowing You, I might not even be alive and if I had never met
You, I dread to think what my life would have been like.  Thank You
for my family and friends and all the love You've poured out on me
through them.  Father... bless them in return today...with Your love!

Walk With Me Wednesday...

I had to do a double take when I saw this sign! I don't know if I have ever
noticed a speed "hump" sign before and it made me chuckle!
And if youre like me, you may be wondering... what's the difference?


Well, I couldn't help myself... I had to come home and look it up! I discovered
that speed humps are simply shorter in height and longer in distance so they
slow you down slower and with less impact than hitting a huge speed bump.

But what really intriqued me was to learn that traffic engineers
refer to installing these bumps and humps as "traffic calming" measures. 
How very interesting.

Have you encountered any speed bumps or humps in your life lately?
Something tht was out of your control that forced you to slow down?
Do you think God might install a bump or hump along our spiritual path on
occasion to "calm" us down?  To slow our pace so we are forced to refocus,
maybe even enjoy the journey, or, most importantly, to take notice of the
One who's walking it with us?

Just food for thought.  What do you think?

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

The Symbolism of the Pavilion...

 I remember when I first started meditating and praying about this verse...
visualizing it in my heart for the painting...

I initially saw two chairs in the pavilion with a little table between them...

but God clearly showed me that it was to be a loveseat instead...
with nothing between us... a place where we could draw close to Him...
lay our head on His shoulder... safe in His embrace...


wrapped in a quilt of many colors, like Joseph's coat of many colors,
showing us our Father's love and favor.


He welcomes to bring our troubles to Him and when we open our
hearts and pour out our burdens, it's as though He lifts them from
us and sets them outside the pavilion, covering them with His care
and giving us a time of rest and peace.


The Holy Spirit, shown here as a dove, comes to us to bring
comfort, encouragement, and hope.


The Lord invites us into His Presence... into a place of worship...
where our hearts can sing to Him and He can sing over us.


And it is a place of sweet communion...
a quiet place to listen as He whispers to our souls and remind us
of what He has already done for us on the cross.



And as we leave... we know that our spirit has been refreshed
and our souls have been watered... in His love and for His glory!

xoxoxo
Karla

Oldie but Goodie...

This is a painting from one of my earlier books... can you guess which one?

Want to know something very few know?
There was a framed print company that wanted to sell this art in their line
but they insisted I take out the words "In the time of trouble..."! 
I couldn't do it.

They said people don't want to put things that are negative
on their walls. I said... but we all have troubles in our lives... and God
wants us to know that in the midst of whatever storm you may be facing...
we can always come to Him for His comfort, protection, and care.

I stood my ground. They eventually changed their minds and published
the print with the scripture in its entirety... I'm sure God was pleased.
I was.

There is a lot of symbolism woven into this painting? Can you find it?
Leave a comment if you think you see some of it!
Hint... some of it can be found in the book in it's in.
I'll be back tomorrow to show you!

Until then... may you enter into His pavilion... and find rest for your soul.
xoxoxo
Karla

Walk With Me Wednesday...

I am so thankful for sunshine and warm weather... it makes for happy walking!

I loved how so many orange flowers caught my eye... it's looking a lot like fall!

This lily is so dramatic, isn't it?  Gotta love God's creativity and eye for design!


And this little guy is just so bright and cheerful.  He reminded me
of the reality that you may see yourself as smaller or less showy or dramatic
than other flowers but you can still bring a huge smile to someone's heart
by just being the flower God created you to be and blossoming for His glory!


I wanted to share that verse from yesterday but it's going to have to wait.
I gotta run or I'm going to be late for my own party!! 
I'll tell you more about that later...

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

Encouraging Creativity in Children...

I am blessed to be a full-time artist and to have written and illustrated
nineteen books and licensed my art to many different manufacturers.
Today I work mostly in watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media but
in the beginning my medium was color crayons.

My mom taught me at an early age to keep the crayons sharpened and to color
inside the lines. I took great pride in those early works of coloring book art.

Fast-forward twenty-one years and, just like my mom, I taught my daughter,
Michelle, how to color inside the lines as well… passing down this much loved
tradition from one generation to the next.

Michelle was five years old when I heard a woman from the community college
give a talk on encouraging artistic creativity in children.
The words of wisdom she shared that day would be instrumental
in shaping the future of my daughter forever.

You can read the rest of this story here...


Let the creativity begin!
Blessings and God-hugs...
Karla