St. Patrick's Day Traceables

 

Bible Journaling: St. Patrick's Day Traceables
Hey Bible J-ers! Here are a couple of fun new traceables in time for St. Patrick's Day. You can find and download the file at the bottom of this post.

 

The first one is a shamrock design for 1 Corinthians 13:13. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

 

 

 

The second one is a pot of gold and rainbow design for Matthew 6:21. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 

 





 

In the interest of full disclosure, I did not actually color these in my Bible.... yet. Instead, I overlaid the images into photos of my Bible using Photoshop and then experimented with different looks. You can color them however you want. Be creative and use your own unique ideas for coloring your traceables.

 

Want more Bible J ideas?

Check out this post with 10 Bible Verses for Spring (and a free download).

 

To Download & Trace
To use these, print them out and follow the directions here for tracing them into your Bible. Easy peasy!

 

And when you're done, please share your ideas with me on Facebook.

Now, who's going to try these traceable designs in their journaling Bibles?

To download, click the image below to open. Then right click and save the file.

 

10 Bible Verses for Spring

 

Bible Journaling Ideas: Ten Bible Verses for Spring & Free Spring Doodles Download
I don't know about you, but after a loooong Iowa winter, I'm ready for spring! Here are some verses that you can use in your Bible journaling this spring, along with a few ideas of drawings you could do with each verse. (Free download at bottom of post.)

Song of Solomon 2:11-12
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
(flowers, birds singing, doves)

Zech 10:1
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.
(rain, clouds, lightning, a field of flowers, umbrella, watering can)

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
(a farmer, a field, a fence, rain, clouds, flowers, a sprout)

Psalm 85:11
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
(the word "faithfulness" coming up like a plant, "righteousness" as a sunbeam)

Psalm 104:12
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.
(birds, branches, clouds, trees)

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
(birds on a wire, birds flying over the ocean, a birdhouse, birds eating from a hand)

Matthew 6:28-29
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(lily flowers, a field of lilies, a girl wearing lilies)

Psalm 50:11
I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.
(fields, birds, hills, sunset with birds flying)

Matthew 13:32
It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.
(a sprout growing from a seed, a plant with birds and nests)

Eccles 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
(the four seasons, a swan, a heart with flowers, an hourglass with flowers)

Free Spring Doodles Download
And here are some spring doodles to inspire you. To download, click on the image below to open, then right click and save to your computer. To use these doodles, print and trace them into your Bible, or cut, color and paste them. You can also just use them as ideas and inspiration to draw your own doodles. Enjoy!

Want more ideas? Learn to draw simple flower doodles.

 

7 Simple Flowers You Can Draw Today

Bible Journaling: 7 Simple Flowers You Can Draw Today
Have you ever wanted to draw a flower, but you weren't sure how to begin? A simple, cute little doodly flower? Maybe as a focal point, but also maybe just as something small.... to accent another, larger drawing?

Well, here are a few easy flowers for you to sketch in just minutes! (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.

1. This first one is a set of three simple, round flowers with little dots in the center. Add some smaller twigs with dots on the ends, and finally some small leaves tucked into the crevices between the flowers. When you draw your circle, go around and around a few times. This hides the imperfections and gives it a cute, doodly quality.

2. This one is a simple, daisy-style flower. Start with a circle, going around a couple times. Then add your petal shapes. Again, trace them a few times to hide your imperfections. You can see I messed up a little, but once you go over it a couple times, you really don't notice as much.

3. Here are some simplified roses. Start with a swirl, then add a U shape under it. Next, I add some kind of banana-shaped calyx leaves. And finally, some jaggedy leaves on the stem. You can draw a single rose, or group them together like a little bouquet.

4. Here is a variation on roses. These are what they might look like from above, attached to the vine. Draw simple swirls, starting in the center and around and around. Add a couple more and then tuck the vines into the crevice/corner between the roses. Some simple, circular leaves attach to the vines. Add as many as you like to make it work for you.

5. For a dandelion-style flower, start with a stem. Draw over it a couple times, then add smaller stalks with little seeds on the ends. Scribble a halo around them to simulate the softness of a dandelion, then add long, jaggedy leaves. Finally, add a small line with a tiny halo of fluff to look like a seed floating away.

6. These are a kind of simplified lilac or hyacinth-style doodle. Start with a stem and add an upside-down tear drop to the end. Then add more teardrop shapes, getting bigger as you go down the stem.
Repeat this at the base of the flower, adding smaller stems and teardrops. Finally, add a few simple leaf-shapes.

7. Finally, this flower is a kind of mum or zinnia-style doodle. Begin with a circle. Again, draw over it a couple times to hide mistakes. Then, draw curly shapes around and around until the flower is as big as you want it. Your final like should attach to the one beneath it to complete the flower. Repeat this in smaller shapes next to the larger, central flower. Then tuck some leaves into the spaces between your blossoms.

 

 

Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment a little. To add color, you have lots of options! I like a splash of watercolor. Or you can try colored pencil or even crayons.

 

And there you have it! Seven easy-peasy flower doodles you can tuck into the corners of your Bible page designs. 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 With White Crayon

Bible Journaling With White Crayon
I fondly remember doing this in elementary school art class, and the first time I discovered I could write a secret letter, that my friend could reveal when she colored over the words, written in white. Now, I'm taking those childhood skills and putting them to use in my journaling Bible. Here are a few ways to use white crayon in your journaling.

Granted, some of them did not turn out so great, but I'm sharing those, too. Maybe they will give you new ideas. Or save you the trouble of ruining a perfectly good journal entry.

Use A Traceable
So, first, I used my traceable (available at the end of this post). Putting it under my paper, I traced over it with white crayon. Of course, you could just freehand something, but keeping track of white crayon on white paper is no easy task, so I like to follow a guide--in this case, my traceable "faith, hope, love."

Method 1: Gelatos
For my first experiment, I used Gelatos. If you haven't used these before, they are so beautiful and fun. I highly recommend them for any Bible J-er. You can read about my first experience using Gelatos here.

I colored Gelato over my white crayon and then smeared and blended it with a paper towel. I think the effect is very soft and pretty. And the crayon shows through nicely. Plus, I know from experience that Gelatos don't bleed through fragile Bible pages. Win!



Method 2: Brush Markers
Next, I tried coloring over my white crayon with my Tanmit brush markers. This worked very well, leaving a crisp outline. However, it's a fairly simple look. I wasn't able to do any blending. These brush pens also do not bleed through too badly as long as they are not too thickly applied to the page.

Method 3: Watercolor Paints
My third attempt was a watercolor, which I did over another printable of an umbrella (find it here). I simply dipped my brush in water, swirled it around in my watercolor paints and applied them over the crayon. I was surprised to find the watercolor did not work very well. The image looked faded. But I wasn't ready to give up on the watercolor look yet. I decided to try a trick I'd learned.

Method 4: Faux Watercolor with Markers
I colored on a plastic sandwich baggie with my Tanmit brush markers, using different shades of purple, pink and blue. Then I lightly misted the baggie with a water bottle and scrunched it up a little. I applied the wet colors to my paper, right over the top of the white crayon. I had to do this a few times, but it did leave a decent image... much more clear than traditional watercolor. However, I think this would most likely bleed through a Bible page.

Conclusion
Overall, the cleanest methods seemed to be the Gelatos and the straight-up marker. Which one are YOU going to try? Let me know in the comments and send me your pictures on Facebook.

To download this free traceable file (faith, hope, love arrows), click the image below to open, then right click to save.

Want more Bible J Ideas?Check out my post on Bible Journaling Supplies. 

Bible Journaling for Beginners

Bible Journaling For Beginners
You've seen the photos of beautiful, colorful Bible verses. And you've thought about whether you should take the plunge and buy a journaling Bible of your own. But it's all so intimidating. Which Bible should you choose? And what supplies will you need? Can you just pick up a pencil and draw in your Bible? Is drawing in a Bible even allowed?

Take a breath. And let's see what it takes to begin Bible journaling.

Can I draw in my Bible?
First, let's look at the question... can I draw in my Bible? Is it allowed?
To answer this, we need to take a look at God's word. In fact, let's look at the very beginning, the first five words of the Bible in Genesis  1:1. "In the beginning, God created..."
Did you catch that? God is a creator. It's the first thing we learn about him! In fact, the process of God creating is described in the entire first chapter of Genesis. He creates the earth, sky, sea, land, creatures and of course, you and me. Did you know God even created light BEFORE he created the sun, moon or stars?

I think it's safe to say creativity comes from God. And if you have a gift and desire to create, then it makes sense that that talent should be used to express your love for God's word. And share it! Now, you will likely want a journaling Bible that is separate from your study Bible. And that's okay! It gives you freedom to express artistically in your journaling Bible, while still being able to read God's word and reflect on it in your study Bible.

Choosing a Journaling Bible
Now that you know it's okay to color in your Bible, how do you go about finding a journaling Bible? This can be tricky and intimidating, but let's ask a couple basic questions.

1. Which translation works best for you? I've always liked NIV. I started reading reviews and found that this NIV journaling Bible made sense for me.

2. What do you want to do with your journaling Bible? Do you want pre-made designs that you can color? Or would you rather create your own art? If so, you'll want a Bible with plenty of blank space. If you want to write words in your Bible, you might choose one that has lines on the side of each page. You'll also want a Bible that lies flat when it's open.


Here are a few options for journaling Bibles:




The Process of Starting Your First Entry
Now that you have a Bible, it's time to put pen to paper! There is no right or wrong way to begin, but I know it can be hard. That blank page is so perfect. And what if you mess it up? Here are a few easy steps to get you started.

1. Finding a verse. What verse should you choose? There are a few options. One is to use a verse from your recent studies, something that jumped out at you. Another is to go on Pinterest. Take a look at what others are doing. It's okay to be inspired by each other. You can also search for a topic. Look up verses about joy, love, mountains, birds, whatever you think would make a good picture in your mind. Or just choose a verse that has special meaning to you.

2. Reflect on your verse. Think about what God is saying. What words jump out? Try sketching on a separate piece of paper as you reflect and see what ideas come to mind. I like to listen to music while I create, too. Make your time with God special!

3. Pictures & Words. Grab a pencil and sketch out your design. Again, you can start on a separate piece of paper. Or you can just write the words in your margin using pretty handwriting. Try combining straight letters and cursive to mix things up. Or you can draw a picture to go with the words. Be brave! Let your picture spill over the typed words of your Bible. And consider drawing a border around the verse you're working on to make it stand out.

4. Color. When you have a design you enjoy, consider outlining it. Micron pens work well and don't usually bleed through. Color in your design using colored pencils, crayons, paint, etc. You can read more about coloring and art supplies in my post: Bible Journaling Supplies for Beginners.

If this process is still too intimidating, try something simpler.

Traceables
Print out a design you like and trace it into your Bible. I have free designs here, or you can find this hot air balloon design in my Etsy shop, along with these traceable Bible verse bookmarks.

And you can read about how to transfer an image into your Bible in my post, Bible Journaling: Transferring An Image Into Your Bible.

You're ready! Just remember there is no right or wrong way to Bible-J, as long as you focus on God's word. And just to inspire you (and let you know you're not the world's worst artist, ha ha!), have a look at my very first Bible doodle here.

Bible Journaling Supplies For Beginners

Bible Journaling Supplies for Beginners
When I started Bible journaling, I had no idea where to begin. There was so much information out there. It was hard to know what items I actually needed. After a couple years of experimenting, failing, learning and growing, I've narrowed it down to a few must-haves art supplies to help get you started.

First, you need a journaling Bible. This is usually separate from your everyday study Bible. Not sure where to begin? Check out my post, Bible Journaling for Beginners.

Once you have your Bible, starting can be as easy as putting pencil to paper. But if you're wanting a little more than that, here are a few supplies to keep on hand.

Hand Lettering Books & Supplies
A good skill to learn for Bible journaling is hand-lettering. Unless you're like my mother-in-law who has beautiful handwriting, you'll likely have to work at it if you want the words in your Bible to look professional. Here are some supplies to help with hand-lettering:

Basic Art Supplies

Adding color to your Bible sketches opens a world of possibilities. Markers? Crayons? Colored pencils? Watercolor paints? Here are some basic supplies that are good for beginners to have on hand:

• Pencil & Eraser
• Micron pens (for outlining and writing without bleed-through)
• Colored pencils
• Watercolor paints
• Alphabet Stamps

Unusual Art Supplies
If you're ready to dive into more creative options, consider these art supplies:

Gelatos: These creamy art supplies are like painting with lip balm... but bright and pretty. Words show through them. Want to see what they look like? Read my post: Bible Journaling Using Gelatos.



Washi Tape: Great for marking special pages or attaching tabs to your Bible. Here are 7 ways you can use washi tape in Bible journaling.



White Ink Pen: Use these to write in white!



Gesso: If you prep your page with clear gesso, you can use heavier paints without bleed-through.

Bible Journaling Kits

Want something to help you get started? Try one of these journaling kits.



Stickers & Tabs
As a kid, I was in love with stickers! I collected them. And I still get a thrill of excitement opening a new pack of stickers. Yes, I'm easy to please! But can you blame me? You can instantly add beautiful color and artistic designs to a page with these little, sticky pieces of art. Also, add interest to your Bible and keep it organized with tabs to mark the different books.

You can find printable Bible tabs in my Etsy shop.

And here are a few stickers that go great with Bible journaling:

 

Traceables

If you still don't know how to draw a picture in your Bible, consider tracing a design. Get free traceables on my blog here. Or check out this traceable hot air balloon design in my Etsy shop.

Now you're ready to create!

Want more Bible J Ideas?

Check out my post on How To Draw 7 Simple Flowers.