Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Pinterest?! You can literally find anything about anything. It’s like a crafter/DIYers paradise! Can I get an AMEN? I can spend hours just looking at all of the cool projects folks have created and shared. Lately, I have especially loved all of the Bible journal ideas and prompts. If you’re scared to dive in because you think that you can’t, just check out Pinterest. Take an idea and make it your own…or heck, if you like it that much just copy it in your Bible. There are TONS of free printables out there. (ScribblingGrace has quite a few for starters!)
While searching for Bible journaling ideas I kept seeing the cutest little campers. I wasn’t sure if I could actually draw it, so I printed one out that I liked and traced it. Yep…tracing is TOTALLY acceptable. You really DON’T have to be an artist to Bible journal!! I decided that I wanted to try out watercolor, so I watched a few tutorials online (Pinterest yet again!) and just went for it. I was so excited with how my first watercolor pages turned out. I actually used mixed media for this.
- Watercolor – I wasn’t sure if I would be any good at watercolor, so I decided to just pick up a $5 kit and brush from AC Moore. It ended up being really easy and believe it or not it takes quite a bit of water before you end up with any bleed through.
- Brush Pens – I found a small set at Barnes & Noble for about $13. They are double ended, so I’ve actually gotten quite a bit of use out of them. In fact, they are my daughter’s favorite when she’s coloring with me.
- Acrylic Paint – I have TONS around the house, so this was a “freebie.” And just like watercolor, the acrylic paint really doesn’t bleed through the pages.
- Washi Tape – Be careful with this one!! It’s addictive, because the selections out there are many and every one of them are a “must have.” A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! They are range in price, but just hit the sale bins and clearance aisle at your local craft store.
First, I traced the camper and did a little free hand with the trees, rug and stars. I just used a black fine tip pen that I use at work. They are my favorite pen/marker – felt tip. Next, I decided that I wanted to highlight the passages that resonated with me, so I covered them with washi tape. Washi tape is VERY forgiving and can be removed without ripping the page and the watercolor didn’t bleed through the tape. Certainly not like your regular tape!
Once my verses were covered it was time to attempt watercolor – YIKES! I have to admit that the black pen did bleed a little when the watercolor touched the lines, so I had to be really careful. (However, I think it’s OK.) Watercolor does take some time to dry, so I just pulled out my hairdryer and put that bad boy on hot and LOW! — be sure that you use the lowest setting so that the paint doesn’t get blown all over your pages. Once everything was nice and dry, I used my brush pens and markers to color the camper, rug and stars. I did have A LOT of bleeding from the marker on the moon, so that’s where the acrylic paint came in handy. I just covered that little mistake up. 🙂 Lastly was the lettering. I would love to be able to do the fancy lettering and calligraphy, but I’m not there yet and that’s OK, too.
At the end of the day, this is my Bible and I LOVE it! So, don’t be afraid to give it a try!
Yep, that’s right. I PAINT IN MY BIBLE…and I LOVE it! I know it’s not for everyone, but I L.O.V.E. it! I have always been an artsy kind of girl, but bible journaling takes it to a whole new level. This is a great way for me to grow closer to God, and to be perfectly honest, this has helped me dive into His word again. A must try for the visual learner…ME!
The thought: I’m letting my almost five year old color in MY Bible?!?! It was H.A.R.D. After explaining the importance of the Bible AND REALLY explaining that it wasn’t just an ordinary coloring book…I took a deep breath and let her go. (YIKES!) I have to say that she did an amazing job. Now she’s hooked like her momma and that makes my heart smile.
I have always 
Everyday Carly 