The Naturalist's Notebook

 

About the book

Become a more attentive observer and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. The unique five-year calendar format of The Naturalist’s Notebook helps you create a long-term record and point of comparison for memorable events, such as the first songbird you hear in spring, your first monarch butterfly sighting of summer, or the appearance of the northern lights. Biologist Nathaniel T. Wheelwright and best-selling author Bernd Heinrich teach nature lovers of all ages what to look for outdoors no matter where you live, using Heinrich’s classic illustrations as inspiration. As you jot down one observation a day, year after year, your collected field notes will serve as a valuable record of your piece of the planet. This deluxe book, with a three-piece case, gilt edges, a burgundy ribbon bookmark, and a belly band with gold foil stamping, is a perfect gift for all nature lovers.

My Thoughts

This notebook is divided into two sections - one to teach you on how to become more observant and see what the nature can show us and the 5-year calendar journal.

The first portion of the book is composed of six chapters which will help you become more attentive to your surroundings and become an observant naturalist.   It will provide you with tips and tricks on how to observe the nature wherever you are and will give you some useful tools to have on hands.  One specific chapter provides some ways of learning through the seasons.   The first 95 pages will be instructive on how to become an observant naturalist.

Here are some examples of the pages found in the first section of the book.

The second portion of the book contains the 5-year calendar of observations.  The pages are presented like the example below.  You can use this notebook for a period of five years if you are dedicated in doing so every year or you could span it to every second year if you prefer to make it last longer.   One thing is for sure, you need to spend time outdoors to be able to fully use this book. This notebook will allow you to track the changes happening in the natural world around you.

In conclusion, if you enjoy the outdoors and take the time to stop and observe, you will enjoy having this notebook in your backpack to jolt down your observations.

This book can be found at your favorite bookstore.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen 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.

The Beautiful Word 365 Devotional

The Beautiful Word 365 Devotional – Bringing the Goodness of Scripture to Life in Your Heart
Published at Zondervan

About the devotional

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Your devotional time is precious as you draw near to the Lord and experience His love in your life. The Beautiful Word Devotional is the perfect companion to help you experience His goodness through His Word as beautifully lettered Scripture.

This devotional includes:

182 verses illustrated in full color Special places to write your own reflections Warm devotions for each day of the year Dive into 365 devotions to nurture your spirit and encourage your heart as God’s Word washes over you with its promises. With lovely devotions and inspiring images, The Beautiful Word Devotional will refresh your heart daily as you seek to enjoy God’s Word in a creative way.

My Thoughts

This beautiful devotional will uplift you every day of the year as you read it, ponder on the scripture and the words in the devotion as well as delight your eyes with beautiful art.   Every second page in the devotional possess a special illustration based on the scripture on its page.  The opposite page has some lines in it which allows you to journal a bit on what you have read or simply add your own drawings to the pages.

The devotions always start with a scripture followed by the devotion itself as well as a quick prayer in the end.   For example, for today’s devotion I had to read James 1: 3-4 which is about the testing of our faith producing perseverance.   The devotion that followed was about the reality that our spiritual growth is intimately linked to the trials and challenges that we might have experience in life.   Like it or not growth does not happens when we are going through “happy times”.    Finally, the devotion concludes when you read a simple prayer – quick and directly linked to the devotion.    Reading would take you maybe ten minutes or so but the words will impact you for the rest of the day.   Getting a reminder that growing in Christ happens mostly when we persevere in difficult circumstances was a great reminder for me as I go through some difficult emotions nowadays.

So far the devotions I have read touched me in ways I was not expecting it.   I am pleased to have this devotion in my hands so I can be blessed every single day.   

However, there are a few things that I would like to highlights that could be disappointing for some.  The first thing that bothers me as a left handed writer is the pages in this devotion have a glossy feeling which means not any kind of pen would work for writing in margins on the right side.   Mind you the feeling of it makes the book very special.  However depending of the type of pen you use, there are more chances for a left=handed writer like me to smudge the notes when writing as the side of the left hand goes over the writing.   Consequently, I would suggest that you use a pen that is more permanent than a regular pen.  Second, I would have liked to have a ribbon inserted in the book so that you can keep track of the place where you are reading.  Granted the devotions possess the dates at the top of the page but the ribbon would make finding your spot more rapidly.   

Oh and case you are wondering – February 29th is also included in the devotional so technically there are 366 devotions in the book.   I must applaud this decision because I have seen many other devotionals in the past that simply skipped that day when the book mentioned 365 on the cover.   So kuddos for the publisher for thinking of putting February 29th because that way you can read that page every four year!

This devotional is fabulous in many ways and will be a blessing for the reader.   The illustrations are inspiring and add a touch of color in the pages.  The devotions are straightforward and to the point.  You will also find some space in a margin to jolt down notes to personalize your devotion time.   This book is a great devotional to give to someone you care for whether a family member or a friend.

The Beautiful Word 365 Devotional is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, 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.

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.