Bible Journaling Gift Idea

 My cousin's daughter loves art, and she's old enough now to really be able to get into more intricate work.
I always start my Christmas shopping in January to try to help with the pocket book.  As I think of ideas, I pick them ups, so gifts are ready to roll come December.  There are also a ton of birthdays in the fall, so this has kept me afloat.
This year I'm putting together a beginner Bible Journaling Kit.  I made her a personalized pencil pouch and got her the basic supplies (map pencils, water color, pens).

I also used a coupon at Hobby Lobby to pick up this bible journal bible.  It has some pages with pre-drawn pictures and words you color, and some are blank for creative interpretation.  My plan is to do a few with her to get her excited.  Now....on to the other 9,567 gifts.

Thanksgiving Bible Journal

I recently saw a tutorial using a napkin on bible pages.  I decided this Thanksgiving to use the napkins from our family dinner.  I cut out the portion of the picture I wanted to use...

     And then I peel off the back of the napkin so it was only one layer.  Sometimes napkins are three ply, so...just something to watch for with napkins.  I then used Gesso and spread it on the page and pressed the napkin down while it was wet and smoothed it out.  I took a paint brush and pressed it down some more.    If you try to apply it to the napkin it may tear the napkin, so this was an easier approach.  The nice thing is that if the napkin is a light enough color you can still see the words below the page.
     This time I journaled about a recent verse my pastor covered from 1 Peter 1:25.  The gist of the sermon was about the everlasting power for the gospel and the history of the bible and all the ways man has tried to destroy it, yet the words remain.  I started reflecting on the fact that a few hundred years ago I had ancestors that cross the ocean to America with these bibles.  Based on the timing of their voyage and what was going on in the countries they left it's highly likely they left for religious reasons.  I don't know all their names, or their stories, but they read these exact words once upon a journey and because of those decisions I sat down for Thanksgiving with my family....and my faith and the mystery and wonder of how God works and how He ties us all together with a bible that points to His son.  It's an overwhelming and comforting truth I can never truly understand or express on this side of heaven.

Bible Journaling Sheer Photos

 Bible Journaling was my New Year's resolution.  I LOVE it so much!  It fits my personality so well, and right now it's still authentic to me.  Creating is how I best express myself, so it makes sense that this works for the bible as well.  I knew nothing when I began, so...if anyone else is in that boat-here's is one more thing I recently learned.    I really wanted to journal a quote I heard recently, but I wanted to include a photo from a trip to Israel in 2016 of the garden tomb.  .

 I found out that several gals I follow use clear mailing labels to print their stickers etc from online onto.  I bought these and put four different photos I want to use over time from my travels.  I just slipped them through my printer.

 I cut one out of the garden tomb and stuck it down to the page over a section in Luke that talks about the death of Christ and his burial.  I love that the picture is sheer enough you can still use the words.

I wanted to splatter some purple and green paint on the page (I put some from the water colors on my brush and run my thumb over the brush to make it flick) before making some really messy (on purpose) purple flowers (that remind of the ones I saw growing near the tomb on my visit).  Side note-do any painting in advance of applying the sticker or it can wash away some of the color.  Once it dries, THEN apply the stickers so there is no smearing.

Bible Journal: Picture Transfer

I have been loving bible journaling this year.  I've tried out all sorts of techniques, but I decided to try out this picture transfer technique.  

 I printed the photo I wanted onto copy paper, and then taped a piece of wax paper over that area.

 I printed it again, and this time the ink rested on the wax paper.  Before it dries, take a credit card and place it face down onto whatever surface you want to transfer the picture on to....just keep in mind it will be the reverse image, so you can always flip it before printing.

 To make it darker you can use several sheets of wax paper and print it one or two more times, match it up and rub it on again until you have the depth of color you want.  I wanted it to be really light since it was going over words in my bible, so I did it twice.

Bible Journaling

One of my new adventures for the year is bible journaling.  My goal is to do at least one a month.  I may do more (knowing me) but I also don't want to rush the process or forget the reason behind the goal.  Every year I set some sort of goal for my faith journey, and this year was no exception.  I have been reading up on bible journaling over the last year and decided this was right up my alley.  I love anything artsy, and to be able to play around with that passion in the bible while I really marinate over verses is right up my alley.  My main hiccup is not to get lost in the criticism (my own).  This first page was a tough one b/c I struggled with criticizing my writing, playing around with pens, and second guessing where I wanted everything to be 'placed.'  I finally just made myself stop and go with what I had. 

I used some gems on this page.  My bible is actually the ESV version that uses the word jewels instead of rubies, but I chose the word rubies b/c it's my birthstone.  I think God and I are OK with that.  I washi taped a journaling card over the verse and wrote one of my quotes and a reminder....regardless of it all....I have a Father in heaven who things I'm precious and loves anything I offer up in His honor.  I won't make all of the pages this thick, but....I think this one needed a little bling.

This year I got a bible journal for Christmas.  My goal is to do at least 12 entries this year....so far I've done seven, so....I'd say I'm going to make that goal (I like to aim low :O)).  I've been loving getting to use on of my favorite hobbies (arts and crafts) to interpret some of the verses I love, or some of the lessons I'm learning each week.  I took a video walk through of the first five and the plan is to continue as I go along.  I also have been posting photos in realtime via instagram.
Here is a video walk through of the first five journal entries.