NEW "I'm Batty for You" Free Printable

Last October I offered this free printable...

{Click here to see the 3 different font versions you can choose from!}

This year, I've updated the design for ya...

{Hope you're as batty over it as I am!}

Try this printable framed {or stuck up with washi tape}, for a snail mail card, in a Project Life spread, gift tag, or whatever you wish!

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the design you like best.  Click on the image, then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open in a word document, resize if necessary, print, & share with someone you're batty over!

CONDITIONS OF USE FOR PRINTABLES: My printables are free for personal use only. Feel free to share them on Pinterest provided you credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag}. If you want to blog about these printables, or share a project you created using them, it would be fabulous, just be sure to credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag} (feel free to use 1 or 2 photos, but please don't share the actual printable on your site - just add a link to it). Thanks & enjoy!

Batty for You!

-Bess-

It's Sweatshirt Weather, Darling!

There is a certain unnameable nostalgia in wearing a sweatshirt.  It's as comforting as mac-n-cheese & carefree like Saturday morning cartoon fests.  This autumn take your pick from the traditional kiddie casual to the updated classier fare.  Whether cheering in the football stands or roasting marshmallows at a snazzy bonfire get-to-together, one can't go wrong with a sweatshirt, darling!

Sweatshirt Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: I think we need a new name for sweatshirts.  If you think about the current moniker, it doesn't sound overly appealing, does it?

Song Love {October}

"Greater" by MercyMe


"Here I Am Anyway" by Josh Wilson


"Jesus Loves Me" by Chris Tomlin

Musical Love,

-Bess-

"How Can It Be?"

Sometimes I find myself down the road I promised I wouldn't travel again.  I live out the verse, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing." {Romans 7:19}.  It is at these times, when I am weak & vulnerable to further attack, the evil one whispers that God can surely not love someone as I.  In fact, His love completely baffles my human mind in those dark moments of failure - of sin -  how can He still love me after what I've done?  How can He still use me for His powerful, wonderful purposes?  How can He still call me daughter?

Sometimes things can't really be learned in this life {we aren't fashioned to fully comprehend every mystery}.  Some things just have to be believed.  It takes a trip in a rocket to fully unearth the principle of gravity - down here on the ground, it just has to be believed - or not.  Our belief in its power doesn't change its realities, whether on this earthen sod or dusty lunar crater.  I think God's love is the same - we can't fully understand it, but it is so {& unchanging (which is rather mind blowing to a sinner's heart)}.  We can choose to believe it & experience it or not, but it does not change its eternal existence - &, although our mortal minds cannot grasp such love this side of eternity, one day we will.  What a glorious day that will be when sin & grief are no more & where we can dwell fully in His love without question or doubt of its unfathomable might.  It is that Love that loves me when I am unlovable & caught in sin.  It is that mysterious, unaltered Love that lifts my downcast face & calls me daughter.  It is that Love who leads me back to the right path & reminds me He has a good plan for my life.

If you do not know Jesus as your Lord & Savior, I encourage you to visit the "Good News" page found at the top of this blog.  Jesus died for your sins & He can cleanse you & give you the hope & promise of heaven!  How can this love be?  In a word: Jesus.

Love from this Sinner {Who is Loved by Jesus},

-Bess-

P.S.: Jesus loves you, too.

DIY Sharpie Mugs

It really is that simple!  Draw your design with any Sharpie permanent marker, bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, let cool, enjoy - oh, & hand-wash {the dishwasher isn't too friendly with these creations}. 

I've seen this DIY all over Pinterest / the Web, but had never given it a try.  It worked great - it's just a little tricky writing on the curved-ness of a mug.  I can't wait to try out making more!

DIY Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: What would you write &/or draw on your mug?

{Free!} October Quote Printable

Memories of watching the Anne of Green Gables movies on PBS when I was just a young thing are very vivid.  I grew up with Anne & she taught me things.  Oh, & Anne reciting "The Lady of Shalott" is such a piece of nostalgia for me {it's magic, really}.  It wasn't until I was older {by many years} that I actually read Lucy Maud Montgomery's beautiful story.  I cried when Matthew died {I was going to add that on to the previous sentence in parenthesis, but I felt it deserved its own space}.

In honor of October & L.M. Montgomery {she went by Maud (without an 'e'), by the way}, I whipped up a printable for you.  Yes, you... & because I can't decide which I like better, I'm giving you 2 to choose from.  

Happy October, Anne with an 'e,' you reside forever in the hearts & tomes of girlish youth - girlish youth, which blossom into strong bright women {who still have your book on their shelves}.

Love for the Printing,

-Bess-

INSTRUCTIONS: Click on the image above you like best & then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open in a word document, resize if necessary, print, enjoy - oh, & do tell your kindred spirits to pick one up, too!

CONDITIONS OF USE: My printables are free for personal use only.  Feel free to share them on Pinterest provided you credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag}.  If you want to blog about these printables, or share a project you created using them, it would be fabulous, just be sure to credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag} (feel free to use 1 or 2 of my photos, but please don't share the actual printable on your site - just add a link to it).  Thanks & enjoy!

Hello October!

I've been waiting for you.

For your crispness & color -

Oh, your color.

Spectacular.

How you invoke us to pull out chunky sweaters -

& stack firewood.

Your foggy mornings arise like ghost stories

& envelope the world in delicious mystique.

Hello, October.

Please stay awhile.

Love,
-Bess-