Need something fun for the kiddos to do at home while their schools are closed?  Join me on the Silly Bee's Chickadees Facebook Page today and next Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. CST for Story Time Live followed by a fun creative project!  Keep your eye on this post and look for the daily posting on the Facebook page with a description of the following day’s story reading and the list of art supplies that you’ll need for the project.  See you soon! 

Friday, March 20

• Book: Only One You by Linda Kranz
• Art Supplies:
• White paper (watercolor paper if you have it)
• Watercolors
• Paint Brush (a big floppy one is preferable)
• Table salt
• Crayons or washable markers (like Crayola markers)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Fish printable page- you’ll find that on the Silly Bee’s Chickadees page

Monday, March 23

• Book: Forky in Craft Buddy Day by Drew Daywalt
• Art Supplies:
• Construction paper (any color)
• White paper (printer paper is great)
• Cotton balls
• Floss or string
• glue
• Scissors
• Markers or Crayons

Lift Up Creative Worship Retreat 2019

Silly Bee’s Chickadees presents:

LIFT UP 2019

Christian Women’s Creative Retreat

Presented by: Melissa Garza

With: Karen Price, Lisa King, Lisa Stander, Michelle Bailey, 

and Tai Bender

September 12 – 15

Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast

Tuckaleechee Retreat Center

Townsend, Tennessee

Lift Up is a Christian women’s creative retreat dedicated to lift up hearts, minds, and praise to the Father.  During Lift Up, you’ll experience a Spirit-filled weekend of fellowship, worship, and creativity with Bible journaling, crafting, and evening devotionals. 

Tuckaleechee Retreat Center in the stunning hills of Tennessee is the home of Lift Up. We were blessed to be able to reserve the gorgeous Elk Lodge with more room for crafting, dining, and relaxing!

The fee is $200/person and the payment schedule is as follows:

November 1- $50

January 1- $50

February 1- $50

March 1- $50

Cancellations made by August 1, 2019, will receive full refunds. After August 2, partial refunds in the amount of $150 may be given.   Send your payments via PayPal friends and family option to avoid fees: mgaadpi@gmail.com. 

I can’t wait to welcome you to Lift Up in September!

Silly Bee’s On the Road!

Chickadees!  I am taking to the skies and landing at a retreat center near you!  Join me!

ANCHORED 2018
Presented by Silly Bee's Chickadees 
Oct. 4-7
Port O'Connor, TX
Retreat full.  See you next year!

FEARLESS 2018
Presented by
Sparkle with Sass and Silly Bee's Chickadees 
Nov. 8-11
Anadarko, OK
$300/person, $150 required to reserve space

Click here to send your payment via PayPal to: Courtney Starnes

GLITTER FOR BREAKFAST
Presented by Growing Meadows
Mar. 3-7
Marengo, OH
With Celeste Rodriguez and Silly Bee's Chickadees
$850, $250 required to reserve space

For more information, visit: Growing Meadows

LIFT UP 2019
Presented by Silly Bee's Chickadees
Sep. 12-15
Townsend, TN
$200/person, $50 required to reserve space

Click here to send your payment via PayPal to: Silly Bee's Chickadees

Bible Study Prayer

Melly's Hand Lettering Basics

It's a rainy day and I am all chored out!  I've been working relentlessly on etsy orders, preparing for the upcoming retreat this weekend in Oklahoma, and doing the domestic thing (which is not my thing at all, but necessary at this point.  No towels.)

So, it's time to take a breather and I thought I'd practice some lettering.  I'm headed to periscope to share this practice sheet with you and show you how it works.  I'll add the link to the scope on this post as soon as it's in the can.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and notes of encouragement!  Let's letter!

Click the arrow under the image below to download.

Lettering Practice Sheets by melgarza on Scribd

Lettering Script Basics by melgarza on Scribd

We Have This HOPE

Thank you for your prayers! Please accept this artwork as a gift and remember from where our hope comes.   Hebrews 6:19  (Click on the image below to download your copy.)

If you are able, please give your love offering to the United Way Relief Fund. Every dollar counts! Click the link to give and for more information on recovery efforts:  https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/flood

THANK YOU,
Melly

Click on the image to follow the link to scribe.com and download your copy.

(c)2017, Melissa Garza-Allen

For personal use only.  Commercial use prohibited.   

For commercial license information, please contact sillybeeschickadees@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE: AUGUST 27, 2017

UNITED WAY OF GREATER HOUSTON ESTABLISHES FLOOD RELIEF FUND AS HURRICANE HARVEY DEVASTATION GROWS

HOUSTON (Aug. 27,  2017) – Because of the devastating and widespread flooding already seen in the Greater Houston area from Hurricane Harvey, United Way of Greater Houston has established a Flood Relief Fund to help with the recovery needs of those most impacted. All monies raised by United Way’s Flood Relief Fund will be used to help with both immediate, basic needs and long-term recovery services such as case management and minor home repair.

“Our first priority will be safety, shelter and basic needs such as food and essentials for those affected,” said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “Once the community is stabilized, then United Way will focus on long-term recovery efforts. Since this situation is still unfolding, we realize the needs will be great.”

As a leading community resource in times of disaster, United Way invests in first response efforts through its partnerships with organizations such as American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Babin explained that United Way of Greater Houston maintains a disaster reserve fund, which will be tapped for this storm effort, however because of the widespread devastation already seen, the needs of those impacted will far exceed existing resources.

Babin added that, following disastrous storm events like Hurricane Harvey, United Way serves as the convening organization to bring together non-profit and community partners as well as civic and government stakeholders from throughout the Greater Houston area to coordinate recovery efforts, both assessing the needs and providing support where it is needed most.

In addition, United Way operates 2-1-1 Texas / United Way HELPLINE which is the community’s key information source before, during and after a storm.  United Way’s 2-1-1 is the one call for those impacted who don’t know where to call, providing the most updated information on shelters, basic needs assistance and,once the flood waters subside, long-term recovery support.

“We know that damage from a storm of Harvey’s magnitude can be a major setback for individuals and families, especially the most vulnerable,” said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “We also know that Houston is a very generous and caring community, so we are urging those who can help to please do so by contributing to the flood relief fund.”

To give to the United Way Flood Relief Fund, visit unitedwayhouston.org/flood or text UWFLOOD to 41444.

And a Weird-looking Green Spiky Plant!

Grab your devotional files here and join us on periscope! The artwork for the devotional can be purchased and downloaded from etsy:
cactus, succulents and wildflowers

Cactus Devo Cover by melgarza on Scribd

  Cactus Devo by melgarza on Scribd

Focus on 2017

Come on 2017!

Are you "planner prepared"?  I started early this year and wanted to share some printables with you...
Get ta plannin'!

Focus Word by melgarza on Scribd

Calendar Flags by melgarza on Scribd

The Celebrate Gratitude Giveaway.

Introducing the Celebrate Gratitude Giveaway!

It's time for me to show my gratitude for all you do to make our bandit* of chickadees so joyful.

This giveaway is a bit different from most.  I won't be publicizing it on IG and won't be asking you to follow people, or join groups.  I'll be sharing the link to this post on The Nest- Silly Bee's Chickadees and of course, on periscope.

The only requirement to enter is that you comment on this post about gratitude.   What does gratitude mean to you?  Do you have a special story?  Do you practice gratitude in a special way with your family during Thanksgiving?  Did you have a special person in your life who taught you about gratitude?  Your post can be just about anything.  If you and a friend were talking about gratitude, what would you say?

Everyone who comments will be entered in the giveaway and the two winners will be chosen with a random number generator and announced on Thanksgiving.  Your entry won't be based on what you shared, just that you did share.  The prizes are two fabulous goodie bags that you can see on periscope.  Just look for the Celebrate Gratitude Giveaway broadcast.  Deadline Thanksgiving Eve, midnight CST (Wednesday, the 23rd).

That's all.  Let's share- come back often to this post and read other responses.  Let's learn from each other.  Let's inspire each other.  Let's show gratitude.


Thank you, chickadees, and Happy Gratitudegiving!

*look it up!


Check out more Silly Bee's Thanksgiving posts!

Beatitudes Study Workshop V- Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful;
For they will be shown mercy.
-Matthew 5:7

Thank you to everyone who tunes in on periscope and those who are sharing their pages on social media.
You have brought me so much joy and encouragement! 


Click here for Part I- The Bible Study Matthew 5:7 Beatitude Study

Click here for Part II- Matthew 5:7 Creative Challenge 

Beatitudes Study Workshop IV- Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness;
For they will be filled.
-Matthew 5:6

Thank you to everyone who tunes in on periscope and those who are sharing their pages on social media.
You have brought me so much joy and encouragement! 


Click here for Part I- The Bible Study Matthew 5:6 Beatitude Study

Click here for Part II- Matthew 5:6 Creative Challenge 

Beatitudes Study Workshop III- Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek;
For they shall inherit the earth.
-Matthew 5:5







Thank you to everyone who tunes in on periscope and those who are sharing their pages on social media.
You have brought me so much joy and encouragement! 

Click here for Part I- Matthew 5:5 Beatitude Study

Click here for Part II- Matthew 5:5 Creative Challenge 

Beatitudes Study Workshop II- Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn;
For they shall be comforted.
-Matthew 5:4

 






Thank you to everyone who tunes in on periscope and those who are sharing their pages on social media.
You have brought me so much joy and encouragement! 

Watch the periscope workshop here.




SaveSave

Beatitudes Study Workshop I- Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit;
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
-Matthew 5:3

 



Our first workshop was amazing!
Thank you to everyone who participated.
You have brought me so much joy and encouragement! 

Watch the periscope workshop here.

Beatitudes Bible Challenge Worksheet

Download your worksheets for the Beatitudes Bible Journaling Challenge!

Silly Bee's Beatitudes Worksheet

June Journal of Faith Challenge- The Beatitudes

Introducing Silly Bee's Chickadees' Journals of Faith!  This month, we're studying The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount as written in the Gospel of Matthew.

We will examine Matthew 5:3-10 in terms of Biblical lexicon.  Specifically, dissecting their Greek roots, how they relate to each other contextually, and create visual representations of the whole in contemporary application.

Whoa.  That's a whole lot of "huh?"  Basically, we're going to break apart the sentence, define the words, stick them back together (with glitter glue), and make pretty pages.  Dig?  Seriously, I'm not a linguistic or Biblical scholar, but I love to swim.  So, we're not going to dive into the deep end, we're just going to dunk ourselves under water with our eyes open.  Bowkay?  Here's the fun part: you select the beatitude and one creative technique and jump in!


All you need to participate is a blank journal/ notebook.  You can use one you have, or you can create one using original artwork by me!  Simply purchase the digital file linked here, print out in color, add blank pages, bind and trim!  If you prefer to purchase the bound journal, there is a listing for that as well.

The nine workshops will be broadcast live on Periscope- @sillybeeschick.  Periscope promises they'll be saved indefinitely, so if you miss one you can replay it and work on your own time.

See you June 6th on Periscope for Introduction to The Beatitudes 101!

#SillyBeesBibleChallenge

#SillyBeesJournalsofFaith

Joy Jar Post-it Printables

Download the printables here!

Page 1

Page 2

Faith, Hope & Love bookmarks

Click on the file and right click to download your diy magnetic bookmarks!

I am a New Creation! - Krafty Kit Notebook

Hello, Chickadees!

The first Krafty Kit, the New Creation travelers journal broadcast was so fun! I really enjoyed the fellowship and creativity that came out of the afternoon of crafting.

If you purchased a kit and were unable to participate in the live workshop, you may now replay the scopes to complete your projects at your own time. If you are interested in purchasing a kit for this project, check back in April when I will list a few kits in my etsy store.

Enjoy!


PART I:





PART II:

Bible Journaling - Consider the Water Lilies

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
-Psalm 46:10

When I think of stillness, water lilies come to mind. Specifically, one particular pond in the middle of the city. There is a restaurant in Houston with an impressive water lily pond. It's a sight to see-- both mesmerizing and calming. Sometimes if I am in the area, I stop by just to stand at the rail and gaze at the stillness.

The jewels of the pond, as they are called, are rooted in rich muddy soil in very quiet water. They require lots of sunlight to thrive, opening in the morning and closing at night. I like to think that we are like the water lily, "rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17), with a peaceful countenance (Numbers 6:26) and unswerving, ultimate assurance (Hebrews 10:19-23), focused on the light (John 8:12).

Consider the water lily and be still.