Keeping a Nature Journal

Keeping a Nature Journal – Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You
Written by Clare Walker Leslie & Charles E. Roth
Published at Storey Publishing

About the book

Experience the splendor of nature with fresh eyes! Featuring an inspiring portfolio from Clare Walker Leslie’s nature journals, this guide offers easy-to-learn techniques for capturing the world around you in pictures and words. Encouraging you to make journaling a part of your daily routine, Keeping a Nature Journal is full of engaging exercises and stimulating prompts that will help you hone your powers of observation and appreciate new aspects of nature’s endlessly varied beauty.

My Thoughts

I have been doing bible art journaling for a few years now and as time goes by I am always eager to learn new techniques on drawing.   I have been seeing this particular book numerous time through the years but never ended up getting it.   I got the opportunity to review it and I have learned quite a bit while reading and trying the techniques presented in the book.    This is the 2nd edition of the book and in includes 32 pages of color portfolio from Clare’s latest journals.   Most of the rest of the book is black and white drawings. 

This book will open up a whole new way to look what is going on around you.  Personally, I find it peaceful and relaxing to sit down with a sketch book and draw.   The book is divided into four parts.  Part One will guide you on how to get started.  And please do not give me the excuse that you are not skilled whatsoever in drawing.  I, myself, is the perfect example in how someone can develop the skills and draw better.  I remember when I was in high school and I disliked my art classes.   It was always difficult for me that year to get better….  But unbeknown  to be the genes in my body would blossoms when I would be in my…. wait for it….. FORTIES!   Yes you have read this right.  I have learned to enjoy drawing and painting in my forties and as I am at the edge of turning fifty next year, I am looking forward to see how this journey will develop itself in the years to come.

Part Two will provide plenty of tips and tricks to draw through the seasons – whether you decide to do an ongoing journal or specific season journals.  Part Three presents the new selection of pages from Clare’s journals this time in color.   Finally Part Four is giving you a lesson on how to enjoy and develop the skill of nature journaling.  You cannot miss the examples and techniques presented.  One thing I will tell you is that practice makes you better as time goes by.  So do not hesitate a minute and grab this book, a sketch book and pencils to practice drawing.

I was inspired by one of the examples found in the book.  The tree presented looked as though it was a spring or summer image.  However, I decided to change it a bit and create a more late fall/winter image.   I am quite pleased with the result.

Another thing that I think is great for this book is that at the end of the book you can have a suggested scale for teachers to assess nature journaling skills.   As a homeschooler I think it is fabulous to have guidance of this sort because it can be difficult to grade assignments.  

This book is definitively a great resource to have if you desire to develop a new skills, if you desire to be better at drawing, if you homeschool, or if you do bible art journaling (because like it or not nature is perfect to illustrate verses!).  

The book Keeping a Nature Journal is available to purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned book for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Scribe Bible

The journaling Bible community keeps growing every day.  What is a journaling Bible you might wonder?  Well essentially, it is a bible with margins on the side of the page where you can jolt notes, prayers, illustrate a scripture and much more.   The people who know me would testify that I am illustrating the scriptures in my bible but a journaling Bible can be more than that.   There are a wide variety of journaling Bible on the market – some with margins on one side, others with margins on both side, even an interleaved version where you get a full blank page for each page of the Bible.   You will find version with drawings that you can color in and other ones where you can let you creativity flow completely.    Today I would like to present you a new journaling Bible that has come on the market – the Scribe Bible which features The Message.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to review The Message Canvas Bible which contains illustration to color in as well as black areas for jolting down notes, prayers, or do your own “illumination” (illustration of a scripture). The Scribe Bible is different because there are no illustrations already included in it.  This one could stretch the artist in you in many ways as you are not limited with already printed illustrations.   However, for someone who do not desire to color in the Bible, you will have plenty of spaces to write your own thoughts, the impact that scriptures had on you, prayers for your loved ones and much more.

The Scribe Bible comes in two different format – the leather-look with brown linen weave and the hardcover dark walnut.   Both are great and it would only depend on your on what style you prefer.   

As I looked at the pages in these Bibles, I decided to compared them with my ESV Journaling Bible and a NIV Journaling Bible that I am working as a special project.  As you can see on the pictures below, the color of the pages are similar – light beige.   I have also measured the size of the margins and all three bibles are somewhat similar (about 2”).   As for the lines in the margins,  the ones in the Scribe Bible are a bit darker than the other two Bibles.  Nevertheless, I think there is a lot of potential for The Scribe Bible for journaling and/or illustrating.

Note that the top Bible with the girl holding the bow and arrow is the NIV journaling Bible, the middle one is The Scribe Bible, and the one below is the ESV journaling Bible.   As for the other picture the bottom one is The Scribe Bible.

On the back of the case where these bibles can be protected, a scripture has been written.   Exodus 17:14 says “God said to Moses, “Write this up as a reminder…”  I think this scripture is very true in many ways.  Since I started bible journaling I find I am able to recall scripture more easily and rapidly than before.  In a way illustrating scriptures helps me to memorize them and hide them in my heart.  

The Scribe Bible also comes with a guideline to help you to start a chain reaction that would affect all the areas in your life  marriage, parenting, friendships, workplace, and more.   First you are encouraged to read the contemporary version of the scripture.   After you have done this, you can record notes and prayers (and even illustrate if you want to) using the margins.   You can also pray as the Holy Spirit inspire you.   Finally, after you have done this, you will have the ability to remember God’s faithfulness in your life when you take the time to look through your notes and prayers in the months or years to come.

In the end, this bible can become a Legacy Bible for your family in the future as your children or grand-children have the possibility to see how God spoke to you and how you prayed for your loved ones.

The Scribe Bible would make a great gifts for anyone on your Christmas list – mom, dad, children, friends, … 

The Scribe Bible is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Tyndale for sending me the book for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

The Message Canvas Bible

I recently received a copy of the newest journaling bible on the market – The Message Canvas Bible.   I was wondering when The Message bible would jump in the whole journaling bible craze – well it is here.  This bible comes in an hard box in which the bible can be stored when you are not using it.  The bible possess a stunning hardcover binding which is art in itself – see below.  This is the Spring Palette edition – there is another one which possess a leather-look with gold leaf writing on the cover.

What is The Message edition?

The Message is a reading Bible translated from the original Greek and Hebrew Scriptures by scholar, pastor, author, and poet Eugene Peterson.   Peterson spent 10 years working on The Message after teaching in seminary and preaching in churches for more than 30 years.    To learn more about this edition please go to NavPress.

What is The Message Canvas Bible?

Center your heart and mind on the story of God with The Canvas Bible as you color nearly 300 hand-drawn illustrations, including 150 hand-lettered Bible verses.
Using The Message’s creative language and vivid metaphors, your imagination will be bursting with ideas for crafting, coloring, and drawing. Meditate on the very words of Scripture, and hear God’s voice speaking to your heart.

• Make this Bible one of a kind by adding your own beauty and style.
• Fill the extra space with your own illustrations and prayers.
• Immerse yourself in the words of Scripture.
• Decorate this Bible as a gift for someone you love.
• Slow down as you color and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

Let the story of God paint the canvas of your imagination!

My Thoughts

When I received the bible, I immediately flipped through its pages in order to discover it.  The “artist” in me  wanted to grasp all the possibilities of this bible.   The more I explored it, the more I realized that it is absolutely stunning in many ways.  It is perfect for people who enjoy drawing designed images for there are numerous designs included in this bible.  Also, all the first page of the books of the bible possess a fabulous design which also includes the title of the book.     I also noted that the chapter numbers are somewhat designed in such a way that you could color them as well.  When there isn’t images to color, you have the choice to either design your own image based on a verse that speaks to you or write note in the marge provided.  

 

I wouldn’t be honest if I told you that there isn’t anything that I dislike in this journaling bible.   There are a couple of things that I will mention.  First thickness of the  paper in this bible seem to be thinner that the pages of previous journaling bibles that I have encountered.   I am a bit concerned that if someone us the markers used to draw the images will bleed out on the reverse page.  Already the images incorporated in this bible can be seen at some extend on the reverse page – and these are pages that are printed at the publisher.   So drawing with markers might be difficult for this specific bible.   My other pet peeve would be that the verses are not numbered.   For many years, The Message bible never had numbered verses but I know of a recent edition of The Message that has some numbering in it.  So I am wondering why not including these as well in The Message Canvas.   It’s not a big deal but when a person is used to follow numbering, well it could be somewhat annoying…  However, it is easy to follow the text and you could work with a regular bible by your side as well.

Personally, I wish that The Message would have a journaling bible edition that does not includes pre-printed images to color.  I am the type of person who loves to design the scripture on my own.  Don’t take me wrong, you still can do this on all the pages that do not have a design to color.  I know that it is not everyone who would develop their artistic side.   I am please with the fact that there are plenty of blank pages for the reader to explore his/her creative heart or simply jolt down notes, impressions and prayers.  Having a journaling bible has definitively allowed me to grow closer to God and spend more time with Him on a daily basis – not to mention to develop my skills in lettering and drawing.   Nowadays, I draw tiny scripture doodles in an agenda by writing a scripture and illustrating it.   I also have journaling bibles for each of my four children that I am working on as well as a special project that is almost complete for my husband done in a little black notebook.    I would like to challenge my readers in exploring the possibilities of getting deeper in your relationship with God by getting a bible journaling – with or without images already drawn in it.  Be spontaneous and get creative!

You could win your own The Message Canvas Bible by coloring specific images offered on their website.  All you have to do is print the image that is the most current, color it, and submit it on social media sites and follow the instructions for submission.  Simply go to http://themessagecanvas.com/color-to-win/ in order to participate. In order to give you an idea of what it looks like when colored here’s an example that I have done.

The Message Canvas Bible is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Tyndale for sending me the book for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV Journal the Word Bible

It is no secret to people around me that I like to do art journaling on a regular basis.  I wish I could do more of it sometimes but if I feel low one day doing some bible art journaling has a way to lift up my spirit.   When I started doing bible art journaling I was doing it in a regular bible that had some small blank spaces in it because I couldn’t afford a journaling bible at that time.  Then I purchased a ESV journaling bible because a Christian book store was closing its door and there was a very good reduction on it.   Since then I never looked back.  The only thing that was a bit disappointing was that my journaling Bible was an ESV and not an NIV like I am use to read.

But recently I have receive the opportunity to blog about the new NIV Journal the Word Bible which is published at Zondervan.  Seeing that my ESV possess numerous drawings in it, I saw an opportunity to finally get my own NIV Journal the Word Bible.   I didn’t know what to expect.  I had seen the presentation of the jacket but I wasn’t sure what the bible would look like.

I AM SPEECHLESS.

This beautiful hardcover bible is wrapped into a material that is simply stunning.  The background is soft pink and a multitude of beautiful field flowers are designed on it.  The spine itself is purple color.

When you open the bible you will see that there are lined margins on the side for notes and reflections as well as for art journaling.    The paper is cream colored and semi-thick.   I say semi-thick because some specific types of pens/markers or other tools that people might use for bible journaling may bleed and mark the back of the page.   I would strongly suggest that you do your research before embarking in bible art journaling.   Personally I use Prismacolor, Derwent Inktense Blocks and Pencils, as well as Sakura Micron pens.   I had purchased the Koi Watercolor Brush pens but quickly learned that these were not the best for bible art journaling as it bled on the other side of the page in my ESV Journaling Bible.    So keep in mind that some products might cause issues.

Here’s an example of a drawing I have made for Joshua 1:9.   When I spend some time to do art journaling, I initially sketch my drawing in pencil softly and then I use a Sakura black pen to go over it.   Once it is inked, I take either my colored pencils or my Inktense products to add colors.  In this specific case I have use the Inktense Blocks with water and brush.   Note that the page will crinkle one it dries up because I like to let it dry from the air.   Some people would use a blow dryer to speed up the process.   And some will prep the page before painting of it.  The product to prep the page is somewhat expensive for me so I skip that part.  That’s why I like the Derwent Inktense products.  

Now if you notice I did indeed colored over the text but I always make sure that the text is not hidden and still can be read by whoever take the bible.   I do this because I want my bible to be an heirloom and passed down to other generation.   Other people doing this have taken the habit to paint over the words in order to highlight a specific scripture.  There is much debate about this and I do not want to pour gasoline on an already strong fire within the community.  Consequently I will say to you that if you sense that God is okay with whatever bible art journaling you do to simply continue doing what you do.   I just want to offer various options to whoever is considering doing bible art journaling.

Whether you are strong in art or just discovering it, I think that bible art journaling is something that is very powerful as it lift our spirits and help us to memorize and visualize the scripture better.   It would be a great way for young and old to spend time together.  In the various facebook groups dedicated to this style of art, you will see women – and a few men – who share their drawings.   People encourage each other and we are all inspired to pursue this form of art.  My own drawings are sometimes inspired by what I have stumbled upon on Pinterest, the facebook groups, as well as Instagram.   I have also designed my own art through the pages of my ESV.   With this new bible I can start afresh and do new design on pages I have already illustrated in my previous bible.   I find it exciting because already from the pages of my first journaling bible I can see a progress in my drawings.   They have become more sophisticated with time.

The NIV Journal the Word Bible would make a great gift for someone in your life this Christmas season.   It is a fabulous bible to jolt down notes and thoughts or to illustrate a specific verse that has touch you.  It comes with various covers – for those of you who would prefer a less flowery cover.  This bible is published by Zondervan.

The NIV Journal the Word Bible is available at your favorite Christian stores or bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

The bible is also available with other type of covers including a leather version.

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible
Published at Zondervan

About the Bible

The NIV Beautiful Word™ Coloring Bible employs the proven stress-relieving benefits of adult coloring to help quiet your soul, so you can reflect on the precious truths of Scripture. Perfect for all ages, the thick white paper with lightly ruled lines in the extra-wide margins, provides ample space for your own artistic expressions and journaling.

My Thoughts

With the popularity of bible journaling still keeping the steam, the new NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible will be probably find interest with Christian women who are not artistic in nature per say but desire to take up some color pencils and draw within the lines of a design already incorporated within the pages of a bible.   This is exactly what this bible offers to someone who cannot draw free hand but loves to color.   

Within the pages of this bible, you will find plenty of scriptures that have been designed in the margins in such a way that all you will have to do is grab some color pencils and let your creativity spark.  Some of the design are smaller than other and will leave space for you to jolt down some personal thoughts on the scripture.  You will also find numerous pages with journaling space for you to write prayers, expand your comfort zone when it comes to art, or simply take notes during the Sunday sermon at church.

I am a bible art journaler and I was curious about this bible.  I can see how it could speak to certain people who are not prone to doodle and be creative.  However, for me – even though I have seen some interesting design in it – I find that this type of bible (because they are other ones like this out there) limit the personalization of the journaling bible.  Mind you some might think that I over exaggerate on this since no everyone would use the same colors to express their creativity and this is true.  In some way your bible would express your own personal creativity.  

One other thing I have found with the pages of this bible is that they are thinner than the ones in a regular bible journaling.   Consequently, you will have to be extra careful in the type of crayons and/or pencils you will use in it because sometimes it can bleed on the other side.  I would suggest to select higher quality coloring pencil when working through it and to protect the pages under when adding color.  

The bible would make a perfect gift to someone who desire to color within the pages of a bible without being super creative and artistic.  I find this bible would make a perfect gift to a wife, a daughter (tween and up), a mother or a friend whom you think will benefit in having such a bible and can be uplifted by spending time in coloring specific verses.  

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is available for purchase at your favorite store, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product in pdf format for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Zenspirations

With the popularity of bible art journaling pouring through the internet whether on Pinterest or facebook groups dedicated to the trend, I have seen numerous people highly recommending the books of Zenspirations from Joanne Fink.  I was somewhat curious about them and decided to approach the publisher to see what was the fuss all about.  I have received two of the Zenspirations books to review.

Zenspirations Dangle Designs – Expanded Edition

http://www.d-originals.com/zenspirations-dangle-designs-expanded-workbook-edition

Zenspirations dangles are unique patterns that add interest and texture to any design. Although they may look complicated, they are actually quite easy to create! All you need is a pen, a piece of paper and your imagination. Gifted calligrapher and designer Joanne Fink shares her fun and relaxing techniques for adding dangle patterns to your drawings. Whether you like to journal, draw or doodle, you'll find intriguing ideas here for crafting, designing and decorating with dangle patterns. This expanded edition includes a bonus workbook section that gives you a place to play, experiment, and create new, exciting dangle designs. This is where you can practice drawing all the dangle design components, experiment with new techniques, and develop your own unique dangle style.

 

 

Zenspirations Letters & Patterning

http://www.d-originals.com/zenspirations 

Patterning is fun, easy and relaxing - and it is a great way to add interest and texture to any design. Joanne Fink presents creative monogram and pattern techniques, offering intriguing ideas for filling borders, edges and spaces with creative flourishes. These decorative borders, frames, shapes, and alphabet will appeal to a spectrum of tastes and styles. Use Joanne's techniques to create details, depth and beauty reminiscent of classical architecture, medieval block printing and manuscript calligraphy. Whether you like to journal, draw, doodle, design, or craft, you'll find a world of inspiration here.

 

My Thoughts

To be honest I am a bit disappointed with the size of the books.  Both are quite thin with respectively 34 and 50 pages.    Though I must admit that they would be light if you decide to bring them with you to appointments or on a trip.   The Dangle Designs book was the expanded version which allow the person to practice within the pages of the book.  Both books offer advice on how to construct a dangle and offer numerous ideas on how to do one by yourself.  In the Letters & Patterning book, the author will also offers advice on the tools and materials, pen techniques as well as watercolors to embellish the dangles.

Needless to say if you enjoy doing craft and enjoy bible art journaling, these books offer numerous ideas on how to decorate and/or journal.    However, I would strongly suggest that you be wise with your money and look for sales for these titles because honestly I couldn’t justify the amount suggested for them in my head.

If you are still on the lookout for something special for someone in your life who enjoy journaling then these two books are great to expand their drawing skills.

Zenspirations Dangle Designs and Zenspirations Letters & Patterning are both available at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Design Originals for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Bible Art Journaling

Since January I have discovered a new part of me…..   I am getting more and more confident with Bible Art Journaling as the days and weeks goes by.

 

I have started a few years ago… doing scripture journaling in a book. 

But to be honest with you it never occurred to me that I could do this in my Bible.   And just before New Year Day I discovered a website which would challenge Bible Art Journalers like me to expand their comfort zones and learn more at the same time.   So I embarked on a journey of drawing in my Bible.   I decided to use the Women of Faith NIV Bible Study to start as I didn’t want to spend more money on a new Bible.

During the first few months, I have expanded on my drawing capabilities…  Sometimes I was inspired by someone else’s drawing while other times I sensed that God wanted me to be more creative on my own.

Then the Christian bookstore in town was closing its doors and I decided to see if by any chances there would be a journaling bible left.  There was and I decided to purchased one – a beautiful ESV with brown cover imprinted with leaves. From that day forward I decided to go back and forth between the two Bibles.  Why?  Because I am on a mission to create keepsakes for my four kids.

I will admit that the ESV has a bit more space to play with.  Now my husband wishes that I had a NIV journaling Bible to draw in.  But eventually I am thinking I will have to purchase a new one to pursue this new personal craft time in order to have one bible for each of the kids.   Meanwhile, even my kids are getting interested in this new adventure and are asking if they could get such bible for their own.   I am trying to encourage them to draw on paper for now in order to get some practice.

But in all Bible Art Journaling is also helping me to study God’s Word on a different perspective and to learn Scripture by memorizing them at the same time.

How am I doing it?   Well, at first I use my pencils to do a draft of what I want to illustrate.  Once I am satisfied with it, I use my micron pens (I have a set of colors and a set of blacks in various sizes) and trace around the drawing.   Sometimes I play with the lettering as well to make it fancier.   Once I am done with that part, I decide on the colors. I usually use the Prismacolor Scholar but at time I also use the Staedler Watercolor pencils.    A few times I even was bold enough to include paint in the bible.  But to be honest, I am not the type of person who will cover the words in the Scripture.   Other people have no problem with that but personally I want to have a Bible that will be readable as well for my future grandkids.     Other tools that can be used while doing bible art journaling would be washi tapes, stamps, stickers and so on.   In a way it is a little bit like scrapbooking but within the Word of God.  

Some people asked me why I was doing it….   I do it to go deeper in the Word of God, to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to memorize Scriptures.   Like it or not by the time a drawing is done sometimes I have hidden the words in my heart and mind.  Besides, it helps me to relax and not worry about tomorrow.

Recently I finally found the courage to personalize the inside cover of the Bible I am using.  It isn’t quite finished just yet.   I haven’t had the time to using the watercolor pencils to color the birds and I still have to incorporate the Scripture in the parchment.    The six birds represent my own family – two adults and four kids – which are signing to the Lord.  

If you are interested in discovering what journaling and art in your bible is please come and join the following two groups on facebook: Journaling Bible Community  and  Bible Art Journaling Challenge.

Bright Ideas Journal

Bright Ideas Journal
Published at Chronicle Books

About the journal

This vibrant journal with colorful exposed binding will inspire the most brilliant ideas. With ten different colors of paper and plenty of room to record Rosy Outlooks, Evergreen Observations, Sunny Thoughts, and more, the sky's the limit!

My Thoughts

Recently, I discovered a marvelous journal that just popped in colors.   This small journal stumbled in my life as I was embarking on a journey in putting art in my bible.   I love the fact that it had colored sections which I find inspiring and would bring joy in my life.

Essentially this little journal is divided into ten bright colored sections.  Each of these sections has a special name: Red Hot Ideas, Blazing Breakthroughs, Rosy Outlooks, Twilight Insights, Silver Linings, Deep Reflections, Blue Sky Brainstorms, Evergreen Inspirations, Freshly Minted Inventions, and Sunny Thoughts.   

This little gem of a journal, which by the way can easily be slid into a purse, can help you jolt down anything that go through your mind.    If you are a writer, you can use it for keeping ideas on your next novel.   But for someone like me who enjoys bible art journaling I plan to use it to sketch ideas on scriptures before doing them in the Bible.   At the same time I could use it for memorization as I find it important to be able to know the scriptures by heart.   As soon as I received the little journal, I immediately sketched an idea I had in my head to see how it would look when I decide to do it in my journaling bible.

What I particularly like about it is the way it has been presented on the side of the journal.  I love seeing the bright colors when I look at it.   Also, as I mentioned before, it is easy to bring it with you to sketch ideas while waiting at appointments (like when I go for my oldest son’s orthodontics appointments).  Then I just need to bring a pencil and my iPad with me.    I was debating what to do when we go to a winter retreat because I didn’t feel like bringing two bibles with me.  So the best way to let my creativity express itself while at the retreat would to bring this bright colored journal with me.   Besides, with the colors of the rainbow tucked in my bag, I can remember God’s promise everywhere I go.

The Bright Ideas Journal is available at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Chronicle Books for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.