The Story Behind The 'Beloved' Print

Words have a way of working their way into our hearts + minds - for better or worse. I know frequently it is the negative words, the comparison, and the doubts that are the loudest. So, as I was intentionally creating new designs for this year I sought to find words that could combat that negativity. 

The word that spoke the loudest was 'beloved'. The word beloved shows up frequently in scripture, and means 'dearly loved' or a 'much loved person'. I knew that this word needed a place in hearts and homes. 

For me personally I want this word to be a daily reminder that I am loved. I'm a worrier and so frequently my worries are talking the loudest. So when I need to be reminded that I am so much more than what I do, this word and its powerful meaning come to mind. 

The Beloved Print // Find it here mkolbodesignstudio.etsy.com

Friend, I made this print for you. To remind you that you are dearly loved, precious, adored, treasured and admired. So, when you don't feel like enough, or feel defeated by comparison, when worry is weighing you down, or are having a plain crummy day - remember you are beloved. 

This is such a beautiful reminder for the walls of your home. I hope this design can love and encourage you today. Make it a great one friends! 

 

3 Additional Ideas for a Successful Quiet Time

Back in January I posted about  3 Tips for a Successful Quiet Time. I posted this because I know how easily I can get distracted or discouraged with my own quiet time. We recently launched the men's version of the Dwell Deeply Journals. These journals are quiet time companion journals that help you to dwell on truth. So, I asked my husband, Alex, for three additional ideas he had for a successful quiet time. 

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Hey there, it's Alex. First, off I wanted to ditto what Machelle said in her previous quiet time blog post. Her three tips were to 'set the mood' or create a space to have a quiet time, ditch your phone (unless you need it for the Bible app), and leave your Bible and/or devotional material out. I thought these tips were very helpful, and wanted to contribute some of my own.

1. Leave Out Your To-Do List

This may sound very goofy to some of you, but hang with me! I am very easily distracted - let me repeat that - I am very easily distracted. Frequently when I sit down to do my quiet time I will read something that reminds me of something I need to do. It can be tempting to quick pay the bills before I forget, or quick reply to that email. So, as a solution I leave out my to-do list. That way if I remember something I need to do while I am trying to focus on the word, I can write it down instead of jumping to get it done. So, if you get distracted like me leave your to do list out to quickly jot down thoughts, to-do's, and ideas so you can get them out of your head and continue to concentrate. 

2. Be Okay With A Short Quiet Time

I love the days when I can spend an hour in the word. The reality is that usually only happens on Saturdays. It can be frustrating on weekday mornings when I run out of time for a "full quiet time". Here is what I have learned, it's okay to have a short quiet time. Being hard on yourself for not being able to have a lengthy quiet time every day can defeat the purpose and intent of letting the word be a part of your life. If you find during the week you only have ten minutes every morning - then embrace that! Taking that time to pray or read a devotional is so much more fruitful than being upset with yourself. Embrace those ten minutes, and embrace a short quiet time on occasion. 

Men's Dwell Deeply Journals // Quiet Time Companion Journals // mkolbodesignstudio.etsy.com

3. Use Your Time Creatively

I mentioned in the last post that I have learned to be okay with shorter quiet times on occasion. This tip goes along with that. I have learned to use my time in the morning while getting ready creatively. For example, every morning I wake up and go sit on the toilet. I know that this toilet pit-stop is going to take me ten-fifteen minutes. Instead of scrolling through social media while I sit on the pot, I now keep a devotional book in the bathroom. My phrase for this is "meeting God on the throne, while on the throne" (Machelle is going to hate this). My point is that there is probably time where you are standing around, sitting around or waiting on something (breakfast, coffee, etc.) where you could be reading the Bible, a devotional, or praying. Think creatively about how you can utilize your time, and create space to be in the word. 

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I hope these tips from Alex, and the previous tips I shared on the blog help you dive in and have a successful quiet time. If you don't know where to start or need some help along the way our Dwell Deeply Journals are a great resource. 

Have a great one friends! We are cheering you on!

 

Why You Should Check Out Our New Spring Designs

The new spring designs over in the Machelle Kolbo Design Studio Etsy Shop are a collection I am very excited about. I approached this collection knowing that I wanted a core group of products that were intentionally designed and created to complement the other items available. Read on to find out why I felt like this was important. 

One of the things I realized after one year of business was that I had gotten a little scattered in what I had available. I love all of what I created last year, but if I'm being real I don't know if it was all cohesive or a representation of the heart behind my business. I still love it all and believe in the quality of those designs. 

As I thought through my new designs I knew I wanted them to be intentional. My designs needed to encompass some elements of faith, as well as elements that would encourage and love customers. This also means I wanted to design items that would assist customers in loving and encouraging those around them.

What came out of that intentional design process is a collection of art prints, cards and journals that I am very proud of. It is my strong desire that these products in some small way can be an encouragement to you all. I love that I get the opportunity to enter your home and life through paper goods, design and lettering. 

Check out the photos below for a sampling of our new spring designs available over on Etsy! Don't forget if you are local and would like to arrange to pick up your items you can use the code LNKNE2016 at checkout to remove shipping costs.

Beloved Art Print // Hand Lettered Print + Watercolor Flowers

Hand Lettered 'Be Still and Know' Print // Inspired by Psalm 46:10

Watercolor Thank You Cards // Created to easily send thanks!

Sweet Floral Cards // Set of 8 cards with envelopes - perfect for snail mail!

There are also some great stories about the inspiration behind individual products. Check out these past posts for more of the heart behind specific products. 

• Story: Welcome Home My Love Print
• Men's Dwell Deeply Journals
• Dwell Deeply Journals

This spring collection is fairly small, but we are excited to add to it intentionally throughout the year! Enjoy!

INTRODUCING: MEN'S DWELL DEEPLY JOURNAL

We are excited to announce that we now offer a Men's Dwell Deeply Journal! After personally using the women's Dwell Deeply Journal, and letting my husband Alex use one as well (he tried to make it a little less feminine), it became apparent that there was a real need for a similar men's journal! 

So why did we think this was so important to create? Read on for some thoughts from Alex on the creation of the men's version. 

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Hey - Alex here - when Machelle launched the women's version of the Dwell Deeply journal it was exciting to watch women around her use these journals to process truth. I also loved watching how it was helping her process, and grow more consistent in quiet times and prayer. So, one day I asked if I could use one of the journals. So, I did. I loved it, but she designed them to be more feminine. I took the liberty to make some adjustments to the one I was using to give it cleaner lines and a more geometric feel.

The more I used the journal the more I saw how it was leading me to become more disciplined in my quiet time, but still giving me freedom to study anything. I also found that because I was writing things down and sketching them out they stuck in my mind more. This allowed me to recall things more easily and then share it with others. This recall was especially helpful for the areas of my life where I am leading others. 

Another cool thing was that Machelle and I were processing scripture, and writing prayer requests in a similar way. It gave us a great way to share truth and scripture with each other. Even though we would be studying different things we could encourage each other and share how we felt different scripture applied to our lives and specific situations. So, I wanted to create a men's version so that husbands and wives, or families could be processing scripture in a similar way. 

Most of all, I saw how this journal was helping Machelle with her quiet time, and I wanted that. Not only did I want it for myself, but for other men as well. So, we talked about the need for a men's journal, and I was enlisted to create the cover lettering, and inside lettering/graphics. 

Overall, the bones of the journal is the same. If you have used a women's journal all the sections are there. I just created graphics and different wording to make the journal less feminine and give a more gender neutral option for men. 

I hope you will take a look at the men's journal, and give it a try. My prayer is that this would help you be more disciplined in your quiet time, and ultimately help God's truth dwell in all areas of your life. 

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Like Alex said, we are super excited to have these Men's Dwell Deeply Journals available! It has been such a cool way for us to process and share with each other. We created because we know sometimes you need a way to process what you are reading, or don't know where to begin with a quiet time. Interested? Check them out HERE. 

The Story Behind the "Welcome Home My Love" Print

One of my goals for Machelle Kolbo Design Studio is to love and encourage people. Whether you read the blog, follow on Instagram, or stumble upon my Etsy shop, I want you in some small way to be encouraged. Many of the products I added this year were created with intentionality and have special meaning, or a fun story attached. So, today I will share with you the story behind our "Welcome Home My Love" Print. 

First, a little back story about me and my husband. When we were dating Alex, and I would frequently leave post - it notes hidden for each other with a funny message or encouragement. Leaving notes for each other was always something we did, and on occasion we still do. 

About a year into our marriage, I left on a trip or was gone for a couple days (I can't remember exactly what it was). When I returned home I found a note (pictured below) taped to the door lovingly drawn and lettered by my sweet husband. 

Since then, the note has been hanging in our kitchen where we both can see it. It is usually one of the first things I see when I walk in the door ( after greeting our golden retriever - of course). What I love about this note is how it welcomes and loves me. I'm always reminded of the love that lives in our home. 

So, when I was dreaming up a new line of prints for my Etsy shop I knew I wanted to bring Alex's handiwork to everyone. My vision is that this print can hang in your entry way, mudroom, or somewhere that will welcome your guests and family as soon as they step in the door. That way - even if you welcoming them home is less than awesome (let's be real it happens sometimes) this print can convey how you truly feel. 

My hope is that this print can love and encourage you, and whoever sees it when they enter your home. It is a small way to set the tone for how people are received, and welcomed. 

Interested in the "Welcome Home My Love" Print? Great! Click the button below. 

Stay tuned for more stories of the inspiration behind our prints + products.