Karla's Korner

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

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!

Seed Sowers...

Have you ever thought of yourself as a seed sower? You are you know...
whether you've ever thought about it or not.

Take a moment to imagine yourself as a maidservant of the Lord.
He has given you a beautiful snow white apron with large deep
pockets and wherever you are and wherever you go...
with each prayer you offer, every act of kindness you render,
every word of blessing, encouragement or comfort you speak...
to your children, your husband, friends or total strangers...
you are, in a spiritual sense, reaching into the pockets of God's love
and sowing seeds of His goodness and grace into their lives.

Aware of it or not... you are sowing seeds... good or not so good..
through your words and your deeds throughout the day. 
So you can see why it's so important to put on God's love every
morning and have your pockets full of His goodness ready to give away?

...as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience....
and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together
in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

Lord bless the hands that scatter seeds of blessing today! Thank You
that Your seed never runs out and always yields a harvest of
eternal blessing... in Your time... in Your love and for Your glory...
xoxoxo
Karla

Monday Musings...

I love that my neighbors forget-me-nots are spilling through the fence and
into my yard! I am praising the Lord for the benefit of living next door
to a couple who love flowers... flowers that bring great joy to my soul!


How easily I forget stuff... people's names, where I put stuff, what I went
into the other room for... you know... the kinda stuff that makes me feel
like I'm losing my mind and getting old way too fast!

But there are some things that I forget that have nothing to do with my
age or my brain, but instead have everything to do with my heart...
the kinda stuff that makes me feel ungrateful and discontent... and
that's what happens when I forget the benefits and blessings of the Lord!


Today... oh my soul... take time to remember the benefits
of the Lord... and give Him the glory and praise!

Sitting Pretty Little Birdy...

Remember last Thursday I told you I was going to take a break from
cleaning and go meet with my art group? Well, I'm glad I went because we
had so much fun!

Above from left to right is Jaron, Michelle, Lani, Terri, Janene and me!

Paulette (top) came too... just a little late for the group photo.

Michelle hosted us at her fabulous studio and
taught us a new painting technique of layering pattern upon pattern
upon pattern... can you see it?  It really makes someone like me move out
beyond my comfort zone of wanting to color inside the lines. But since I love
pattern I found it to be so much fun... especially not having to be perfect!

The next step was to block out your image... so that the pattern showed only
where you wanted it to. I didn't realize at the time I was blocking in my bird
how the pattern I had painted so willy nilly would be perfect for her wings...
see... I told you it was fun! Even though I didn't have a plan for those three
circles at the top, they were just too cool to cover up so they stayed.
This is the stage I had to stop at when I left Michelle's.

So this is it finished...
I couldn't help myself... my heart was having such a good time I kept
painting at home into the night and then the next day and a little more the
next day until... she totally made me smile!

I love the vibrant colors and all the patterns intertwining...

I love that it's not perfect and yet perfectly beautiful...

It made me think of how much I try to have a perfectly manicured yard and yet
just beyond the yard is the woods in all it's glory... filled with winsome
wildflowers and whatsoever weeds, rambling bramble bushes and tall
majestic evergreens. patterns upon patterns upon patterns. planted oh so
willy nilly by the hand of nature. with God's clever creative touch.  So not
perfect and yet so perfectly beautiful!

                       

Thank You Lord for using the experiences of our lives as opportunities to teach
us and enlarge our vision. Thank You for the opportunities You give us
to express our creativity... the creativity we inherited from You, Father.
Thank You for the beauty of Your handiwork...
both in nature and in how You've created us... because even though we're
so far from perfect, we are perfectly beautiful in Your eyes.
May we reflect the beauty of Your love in our lives today... amen.

Behold the Color Purple

I have so been taken with the color purple lately!

My yard is dancing with a plethora of purple flowers...

I've been creating new designs with the purple painted Morning Glory Art...



and everywhere I look purple just seems to catch my eye... just last night
I drove by a house with purple window trim and a purple door... it was
quite stunning... just sorry I didn't have my camera!!

Purple always makes me think of royalty and royalty always makes me think
of Jesus... King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  He is the King of Glory!

I recently read that purple is associated with both nobility and spirituality...
not surprising.  But what fascinated me was thinking about how purple is a
balance of a warm red which is highly stimulating and often used to signify
power... and a cool blue which is calming and signifies peace and tranquility.
What spoke to my heart was how much that's true of the nature of God...
almighty, all powerful yet able to fill us a peace beyond understanding.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
       who alone does marvelous deeds.

Praise be to his glorious name forever;
       may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
       Amen and Amen.

Psalm 72:18,19

I wonder if you open your eyes to see purple, where you'll spot it?
Is it the color of your flowers, your clothes, a sign or building?
Do you ever write with purple ink or dip your brush in purple paint?
Next time your eyes behold the color purple... may it remind you
of the King of glory and all the marvelous deeds He's done for you!

hugs...
Karla

A Sweet Sunday Outing...

After a fabulous church service...
the worship was divine and the message hit home...
Michael and I headed off for a Sunday afternoon drive to downtown Camas.

My precious friend, Gwen, has a booth at Camas Antiques so that was our
first stop...


The front window display was phenomenal... set up by Joe and Jermonne
from the BARNHOUSE.


This is Gwen's space... very creative and fun...


and not only does Gwen LOVE vintage but she is an incredibly gifted artist...
she painted the sheep in her booth signage...


and the three roosters... you should see them close up!
And I love the birdcage on the wall! I have a similar one outside...
I'm now thinking I should hang it in my studio for a bit of whimsy!


Here they are a little closer up... they are soooo charming!


Those are her roosters in black & white... very elegant.


There was much to see and so much I would have liked to have brought home!


I love how the downtown area is embellished with such artistic features and...


spring flowers!


I'm not sure what made me look up... but I'm glad I did... isn't this clever?


And I love this shop... especially during the Christmas season.
We had to window peek since it wasn't open but it's filled with the most
gorgeous eye candy... and even though I can't afford anything in it...
I still enjoy the creativity and inspiration... such as...


this awesome pillow in the window display... is that so cool or what!!


We had lunch at the quaint little Natalia's Cafe
and then it was homeward bound to take advantage of the sunshine!!!

Thanks for coming along with me... and if you live close by... 
please go visit Gwen's booth at Camas Antiques...
and when you sign her book... tell her I sent you!

God love and big Hugs until next time... xoxoxo...
Karla

An Oldie but Goodie...

 

I continue to clean out closets and drawers and was surprised and blessed
to come across this print... and a few others from days gone by.
I decided to add this one to my Etsy store for your pleasure and blessing!

This image is from an original watercolor that I painted for my first book,
"Love In Every Room".  I have to wonder how many of you own that book??? 


I thought with this month's theme being about the home...
how appropriate the timing.

The blessing reads,
"Bless this Home as we come and go, Bless this Home as the children grow,
Bless this Home as we enter in, Bless this Home with love and friends."


And isn't that our hearts desire? We long for God's favor and blessing
on our homes, our families, and our friends. We long for our homes to be
filled with love and laughter and the joy of the Lord... a place where people
will know that they are loved, cherished and valued for who they are.


We work hard to create a spirit of peace within the walls of our homes...
a shelter from the storms of the world... a place where people can come to
and find rest for the souls and hope to keep on believing God for better days.

I am thankful that God has called me to be a "keeper of my home"... not
because I love to cook and clean... though I do love to decorate and make my
home pretty... but more importantly, I know my role, as keeper of my home,
is to love my family and my friends and all who enter in...
with the heart of God! To watch over and guard their spiritual well-being...
to nurture them with God's Word and pray for them with faith.

And I know that as I spend time with Him... allowing Him to continue the
work He's begun in me... transforming my mind and my life to His will and
purposes... the more I will be able to be His hands, His heart, and His voice
to influence those within my home... and beyond...
to know, love and follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

Father God... in Titus 2, You tell us to be "keepers at home" and I love how
that word keeper means guard or watchman... you call us to watch over our
home and families like a mother hen Lord!  Yes, You want us to be good
house keepers but, more importantly, to be good heart keepers... help us
to watch over the hearts of our brood Lord and always guide them to know,
love and trust You. Enable us and empower us to do this well...
for your glory. Amen

xoxoxo
Karla

Wonderful Woman of Influence

I almost didn't go. I had come home from church, changed clothes and snuggled up for a cozy restful afternoon. Then the reminder popped up from my computer calendar: Woman of Influence Meeting 1:00! Groan. Moan. Whine. Whimper. I didn't want to uncozy myself and travel all the way back into town.

Have you ever really not wanted to do something or go somewhere but you finally gave in to the nudgings (or sometimes downright shoving) of the Holy Spirit and then so glad you did? Well, that was me yesterday. So glad.

I don't think I heard anything I hadn't heard before about women influencing women. I know I'm a woman of influence. I know you are too. It's not a question of "if" but "what kind" and "how much." Sometimes we can simply forget just how much of a difference we can make in another woman's life when we're intentional about it... and how many opportunities to show God's love slip through the cracks because we're not. I can forget. I can get lazy. Side-tracked. Self focused. Fearful. I needed that reminder.

I want to be a better lover... lover of God and lover of souls. I want to love other women more than I'm afraid of them. I want to love them... love you... like God loves you... allowing His love to move in me and through me. Only His love can empower us to be Mighty Women of Influence. Sometimes we just need a reminder to say...

Here I am Lord, send me.
Isaiah 6:8

Heavenly Father... thank You for loving me and filling my heart with so much love that there's plenty to give away.  Show me who it is in my life who is lonely or hurting or needy for You.  Fill me, send me, use me...  so that the women in my life would see You through me. For Your glory... amen.

What I'm Reading...

Just had to tell you that I'm off to a good start on my "58 Things" List...
I've already begun on #6 with this little gem...

Have you read any of Robin's books?
I know this amazing woman personally and LOVE her
and so far... I LOVE this book!!
I know... it's been around for a LONG time... but this way I don't have
to wait for the next one in the series to come out... it's waiting for me!!
And just in case you haven't read it,
I've put a link on my sidebar so you can enjoy it with me.


Oh yes... I was gifted Max's book by my publisher so it will be next.

We all have fears so I'm sure I'll be encouraged by Max's insights
and scriptural exhortations.


And I've been savoring moments of inspiration in Blogging for Bliss.

This book is delightfully inspiring and just plain pretty!

So... have you read the SisterChicks series?
Do you think you'll read Fearless?
Have you been inspired by Blogging for Bliss?

I am so thankful that God has given us the ability to read
and learn and grow! And I love that He has given us each other
to learn from and be inspired by!

Above all may we always be learning more about and
growing in our love for Christ and for each other!
Be blessed my freinds...
xoxoxo
Karla

Monday Musings...Taste and See

What foods do you savor? Cupcakes? Chips? Fruits or veggies? Savory or sweet?

As I pondered Psalm 34:8,
"Taste and see that the Lord is good...",
I thought about some of the foods I love to taste... including chocolate!
But I also thought about how someone can place a piece of chocolate on a
plate before me and I can know it's chocolate... I can see it's chocolate...
I can even acknowledge out loud that it's chocolate.
But... if I don't purposely choose to pick it up and put it in my mouth,
I will never taste it's sweetness or savor it's flavor.

In the same respect, God doesn't want us to just acknowledge Him
from a distance. Instead, He wants us to experience Him intimately...
to taste His love and grace through His Word, His Spirit and His blessings.
His sweetness will beat out a cupcake any ol' day but we must choose
to eat from His banqueting table in order for our souls to be well fed!

I love Matthew 4:4 where Jesus says:
"Man does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
God wants us to eat His Word and with every bite, taste His goodness!
As we "chew and swallow" God's Word about who He is, who we are in Him,
and His great promises for us...  truly believing it for ourselves...
and as we respond to His Word  with faith and obedience...
the taste of His love lingers long in our hearts!

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for making Yourself
known to us... so much so that we can truly taste of your Presence and
savor the blessings we know come from Your hand. Lord you also know
how big the battle is to keep us away from Your banqueting table... help us
be overcomers so that we may eat well and find nourishment for our souls.
Amen

xoxoxo
Karla

Monday Musings... Cedar Springs Retreat!

I can't move into June without taking a few moments to reflect back on May and the beauty and bounty of God's blessings that I was not able to share with you along the way.

I was privileged to be the retreat speaker for a beautiful group of women from Family Bible Church of Whidby Island, WA the weekend of the 15th-17th. The retreat was held at Cedar Springs Retreat Center up near the Canadian border and the theme of the retreat was "Down a Garden Path" which could not have been more fitting for the beauty of our surroundings...

 
Just like the gardens of Cedar Springs are dedicated to the GLORY OF GOD,
we are to dedicate the gardens of our hearts and lives to HIS GLORY.


I was so taken with the beauty of the reflection of the trees in the lake...
I couldn't help but think about how we are to be reflections of Christ in the world.


Swans are so graceful... especially surrounded by such glorious color!
God is more concerned us being GRACE-FULL than graceful... good thing, eh?
He fills us with His grace when we surround ourselves with His glory!


Did you know that a baby swan is called a cygnet?
They are adorable and heart-warming?


That mama is watching over her babies like God watches over us!
Sweet!


There were paths everywhere... you could walk up the garden paths
and down the garden paths... to incredible places of love and joy!


And there were sitting places tucked quietly into the landscape... places to rest
and be still in the Presence of the Lord and the beauty of His creation!

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Won't you take some time today to be still? Lay aside your busyness and find a
quiet place to sit with God, whether it's in the garden
or in your favorite chair by the window.
Look into His Word... ponder His beauty and the depth of His love for you.
Dedicate yourself anew to His glory, and when you leave your quiet place,
the world will know you have been in the presence
of the Master Gardener of your heart!

Where is your favorite place to be still and sit with the Lord?
Please take a moment to let me know where and why it's so special to you.

Be blessed my friends... in His love and for His glory...
Karla
 

Creative Day #6... Monday Musings and Stool Makeover!

Saturday was actually creative day #6 but this is the first chance I've had to post.
I had bought this little stool for $1 at Goodwill a few weeks ago. No comment.


Bye, bye Christmas bear! Nothing personal.


Hello layers of new paint finished off with a crackle finish!
Sorry... I get so into the project I forget to snap pics along the way.


Voila! A beautiful new creation with new purpose and value!
The perfect compliment to this gorgeous and fragrant bouquet.
By the way, does anyone know what these flowers are?
They grow on a bush and smell heavenly!



I love taking an old piece of furniture and giving it new life.
It makes my heart glad to save something
that was headed for the trash and give it a second chance.

I’m sure if this little stool could talk, it would say, “Thank you.”
I know I would–or would I?
After a few weeks of settling into daily life
and having the compliments dwindle,
would I begin to take my new life for granted?
When people look more at the bouquet than me,
and after the flowers have faded and my purpose doesn't seem so clear,
would I become discontent with this new life?
Would I forget about my salvation from the trash heap?

Sometimes I’m afraid the routine of everyday life can have that effect on us.
We can forget that God, in His infinite mercy,
has saved us from the trash heap of eternal death and destruction.

The Bible tells us that we are new creations in Christ...
the old is gone and all things have become new.
But God didn’t use sandpaper and paint.
He used the death and resurrection of Jesus. Unconditional love.
Undeserved favor.

Father forgive me for taking my new life in Christ for granted so much of the time. Remind me of the trash heap you delivered from and the tremendous value I have to You even if my purpose doesn't seem as clear today and is did yesterday or the day before. Use me Lord to be the stool upon which the beauty and fragrance of Christ can be displayed for all to see... so that You would be glorified and not me. Amen.

A Pleasant Day of Painting... Creative Day #1

I promised I would post my progress on my just for fun 10x30 painting I started way back on February 26th and here it is... I finally picked up a brush and painted on it a few hours today and then didn't want to stop! It was very restful and relaxing.


I decided this morning to challenge myself with 30 Days of Creativity. I cannot promise I will post what I do every day but I am making the commitment to purposely be creative and make note of it! I believe we are all creative because we are made in the image of God and He has deposited His creativity into us and He has given us the opportunity to live creatively.

We use our creativity everyday without realizing it or acknowledging it as God's gift... whether it's painting, cooking, crafting, sewing, problem solving, or parenting... creativity is an avenue for God to express Himself to us and through us. And when we acknowledge Him as the Author of our creative endeavors, He gets the glory!

How was God's creativity expressed through you today?
Take a minute to let me know... and God will get the glory!

Monday Musings... and Off to Cannon Beach!

I'm heading out for the coast this morning for a quick overnight trip. I'm working on a new project that's all about kites and there's no place better to research kites and kite flyers then Cannon Beach, OR.  So just to get you thinking... what comes to your mind when you combine the visual image of a kite with the Word of God?  Can't tell you quite yet where I'm going with this theme but it should be fun for sure!

I thought I would also share with you my newest art just to see what you think. I'm loving playing with different styles and this is one of my favorites for sure!

Thank You Lord for speaking to us through such incredibly visual ways. Your Word is a treasure of imagery that moves our hearts toward You. Thank You Father for the gift of creativity that comes straight from You and the opportunity to use our creativity to bless and encourage one another! Amen.

Monday Musings... Bread of Life

Have you ever read the book of Ruth? It's a beautiful story of God's love and redemption even though God Himself is not mentioned even once. But you can see the impression of His hand and His heart through all four chapters.

In chapter one we see Elimelich packing up his family and moving from Bethlehem to Moab because there was a famine in Israel and the pastures looked greener over in Moab. What struck me was some background information. Did you know that Bethlehem means House of Bread? It does. But there was no bread to be found in the House of Bread so, rather than trusting in God's provision during this famine, fear of starvation and death drove this family out of the presence of their God and into a foreign land. Sadly, Elimelich and his two sons all died leaving Naomi a widow with two foreign born daughter-in-laws. What they feared the most happened. The grass was not greener on the other side of the fence!

I couldn't help but think of how Jesus is our Bread of Life. And it made me wonder how often our lack of faith... our fear of the unknown... drive us... drive me... out of the peace and presence of God and into the land of worry or self-reliance? There is an economic famine in our land... and with it comes the temptation to pack up and travel to the land of unbelief that leads to depression, despair and discontent. But there is never a famine in the Spirit... for Jesus is our Bread of Life and He bids us to come and eat that we might find our joy in Him despite our circumstances.

So... are you hungry for peace of mind? Are you starving for hope? Are you tired of looking for your sustenance in the things of the world or in trying to figure out how to fix things on your own?  Are you longing for a taste of eternity? God calls us to return to the Bread of Life... to taste His goodness and rest in His provision. Trust in His sovereignty and His goodness... remind yourself of His blessings... and enjoy the banquet!

"I am the bread of life."
John 6:48

"The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul."
Proverbs 13:25

Heavenly Father, we long to be women of faith... not women of fear. Search our hearts today and show us if there is any area of our lives where, like Elimelich, we have packed up and moved into the land of unbelief or self-reliance. Forgive us and lead us back to Your Presence... to the House of Bread... to the Bread of Life. We are hungry for You Lord. Fill us with renewed faith in You. In Jesus Name... Amen.