Take A Look Through My Journaling Bible

Bible Journaling Ideas: A Look At My Bible Doodles
This might be one of the toughest posts I've ever written. Why? I think for the same reason I don't like to walk around in tank tops and short shorts. It just reveals too much!

Bible journaling is kind of a personal thing. It's a me-and-God thing. But I also want to share it. Do you ever feel like that? When you make something? Like you want to share it, but you kind of don't at the same time? That's Bible J for me.

Part of the reason I started this blog was to help myself learn new journaling techniques... and then to share them with others.

• I knew it would be messy. 
• I knew I would make mistakes. 
• I knew I had so much to learn! 

But I also knew my mistakes might help others learn, too. So, in the spirit of making mistakes... and learning from them... here's an up-close and personal look into my journaling Bible... the good, the bad and the... aesthetically challenged. Ha ha! Don't judge me too harshly. I'm still learning.

And if you're out there thinking about starting your own journaling Bible, and you're saying, "I'm not an artist! What if I mess up? What if my page turns out messy and ugly and I can't do anything about it?" Just remember, you're in good company! It's okay to fail sometimes. And other times, you might just make something to be proud of!

Some of these are original designs, and others are inspired by things I've seen on Pinterest. Of course, mine never seem to turn out quite like the pretty pins, but that's okay, too.

Enjoy! (*Mistakes and all!)

 This was my first Bible doodle. You can read about it here.

When I was a kid, I memorized the 23rd Psalm. It always made pictures in my mind of a dark valley with a beautiful pasture and stream waiting beyond. I have a similar design for you to print and trace here.

This is my first double-page design. I think I'll do more!

This was done with a printable and washi tape. You can get the printable and read about washi tape here.

 This is me! If I were about 30 pounds lighter and wore dresses. Ha ha ha!

Stick to the margins?
For a long time, I was a stick-to-the-margins kind of girl. Can you tell? But eventually, I brought myself to color more and more on the page. I knew I wanted to, but for some reason it was hard, like maybe covering up the words wasn't okay? But I examined my motives and realized I wasn't trying to cover up God's word. Rather, I was highlighting something that really spoke to me! I still have a study Bible for reading, which gives me freedom to be artistic in my journaling Bible.

I have a lot of designs done with gelatos, but this was my first. You can read more about gelatos here. 

 I really loved this hot air balloon design. You can find it in my Etsy shop.

If you look sideways, you'll see the crown spells a word. :)

This last design is my FAVORITE! It is how I picture heaven... just me and Jesus sitting in a field of flowers and chatting together.

There you have it! I know they're not perfect, but I love being able to open myself up to what God is saying and reflect it back in art, even clumsy art.

Do YOU want to share your Bible J art? Post it on my Facebook page.

Want MORE Bible J Ideas?
Read about How to Draw Simple Flowers.

Bible Journaling: 6 Simple Arrows You Can Draw Today

Bible Journaling: 6 Simple Arrows You Can Draw Today
Arrows are very versatile. You can use them as dividers when you're writing Bible verses, to draw attention to something or just as cute little accents to your art. Most people can probably draw a simple arrow. But if you're looking to add a little flair, here are six arrows you can draw today!

(And if you like these, check out my post on how to draw wreaths & laurels.)

FYI, I'm using a micron pen here. They are great for Bible journaling as they do not bleed through thin pages, and they give a thin, but strong outline. For more Bible-J supplies, check out my post.

Whimsical Arrow
To start this arrow, draw a straight line. Don't worry if it's a tad askew... just go back and forth over it a couple times. To add the point, draw a sideways "v" shape. Then connect the ends back to the shaft. Next, add a kind of slinky shape with a couple dangling pieces. This should look like a string wrapped around the shaft. Next add your fletching to the other end by drawing a few angled lines and then connecting each one with a half-circle shape. Add a couple more dangly strings to the end and three circles on the shaft.

Tribal Arrow
For this arrow, begin with your straight line with the v-shape tip. Then make a smaller v-shape to connect it back to the shaft, so you end up with a kind of paper airplane shaped tip. Add another v inside the tip as shown. Draw three circular dots just below the arrow head on the shaft. Next add the coil shape to the shaft. And add your fletching on the end by drawing two angled lines and connecting them with a kind of zig-zaggy line. Add another coil with a couple dangly strings.

Boho Arrow

For this arrow, begin with your line and tip just like you did above. I also filled in the center of my arrow tip to make it more interesting. Draw two spiky shapes just below the tip and then add a few circles and a diamond shape as shown. For the end, start with two curls, kind of like a sideways "m". Next add a couple of wavy lines, kind of like a sideways letter "s". Add another, longer one and accent it with a few dots. Fill in with more curly shapes as shown.

Curvy Arrow

This next little arrow is a fun, curvy one. Start with a frowny-face shape and add your tip as shown. Next add three dots just below the tip. To make your fletching, draw oval shapes, larger at the end and smaller as you go up the shaft. Add a coil just below the fletching on the shaft. Finally, draw two dangly strings on the end.

Simple Arrow

This simple arrow is pretty self-explanatory. Just follow the steps as shown below.

Traditional Arrow

To draw, begin with your line and add two angled lines for the tip. Next, add the shaft lines, three and three, larger at the end and smaller toward the front. Add two little vertical lines next to the fletching and a coil to the shaft. You can also add a vertical line to the tip and fill it in if you like. Then finish with three circles near the tip.

Great Job!

Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment a little. Mix and match the designs. For color, you can outline your arrows in crayon or colored pencil. They also look pretty with just a watercolor or gelato background. You can read about gelatos here.

And there you have it! Six simple arrows to accent your next Bible Journaling project. Which ones will you try? Comment on your favorites below. or show off your doodles by connecting with Bible Journaling Ideas on Facebook.

Want more ideas? Check out my post to see what you can do with white crayon in your Bible.

Bible Journaling Traceable: Psalm 23

Bible Journaling Traceable: Psalm 23
Hey Bible J-ers! Today I have a traceable inspired by Psalm 23. As you can see, I drew a similar design in my own journaling Bible. It's not quite the same, but close. ;) You will find the printable at the bottom of this post.

This psalm was my favorite as a kid. I memorized it, and it just created such a clear picture in my mind of green pastures and still waters. And I always pictured the "valley of the shadow of death" as a dark canyon.

This was one of my first Bible doodles. The traceable is based on this design.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
    forever.[g]

How To Use Traceables
To use this traceable design, print it out and follow the directions here for tracing into your Bible. Easy peasy! If you'd like to know more about Bible journaling supplies, check out my post.

Download Psalm 23 Traceable
To download this traceable, click the image below to open. Then right click and save the file. (In order to fit into a Bible, the image is designed to print on half the page.) 

More Bible J Ideas
Want MORE Bible J Ideas? Check out these traceable designs for Isaiah.