Bible Journaling Part 1

Since one of my 30 in 30 goals is to finish reading the whole Bible (ps. not gonna make it lol), I've ventured into the wonderful world of Bible journaling and Illustrated Faith. Yay!

Outside Cover. (Materials used: acrylic paint, 4x6 project life journaling card, dollar tree letter stickers)

At first I wanted to get an actual "journaling Bible" with the wide margin and fancy thick paper, but they carry quite a hefty price tag at $50.  Needless to say, that is way out of my budget for a new hobby/craft.  Instead, I went to my local goodwill and bought a paperback English Standard Version Bible for 99 cents ^.^

Inside Cover. (Materials used: watercolor pencils, watercolor paint, black precision pen)

As you can see, I created a cover for the front and water-colored a bit on the opening page.  That first 'entry' was the hardest.  I mean, as a child, I was taught NeVeR to write in the Bible unless you were highlighting scriptures.  So the idea of drawing in the Bible was a complete departure from anything I've ever done.

Genesis 1:31 (Materials used: gel matte medium, gelatos, acrylic paint, gold paint pen, black precision pen)

Now because I got a regular Bible, the pages are quite thin.  This problem let me to pick up a few mixed media supplies.  I purchased a bottle of gel matte medium from Michaels and that is perfect for coating the pages and preparing the for painting or whatever kind of media I decide to put on them.

Genesis 9:11-17 (Materials used:gel matte medium,acrylic paint, gold and silver paint pens, yellow marker)

I also got a pack of gelatos pigment sticks, a container texture paste and stencils, watercolor pencils, and various kinds of paints to use in my entries. 

Exodus 3:13-14 (Materials used:gel matte medium, gelatos, sharpie)

I've enjoyed using acrylic and watercolor paints on the different pages, depending on what "feel" I'm going for.  For instance, acrylic paints will cover the print on the pages completely while watercolors or gelatos stay transparent. 

Exodus 20:1-17 (Materials used: watercolor pencil, silver paint pen, black precision pen)

I will say, I'm not very good at using the watercolor pencils yet.  I'm having a hard time getting them to blend properly.  But no worries! There are plenty other scriptures to practice on and be inspired by.

Joshua 1:9 (Materials used: watercolor paint, sharpie, white acrylic paint, gold paint pen, washi tape)

My dream, when it comes to my Bible Journal, is to fill it up and keep it on our coffee table next to the family Bible Lamar and I got as a wedding gift.  That way whenever friends and family come to visit, they can see and explore it.  I think that will be awesome!

Wall-Staring and Thoughts: A How I'm Feeling Post

Recently I've been having a few up and down days.  They're more up than down, but the down bits are tending to be heavy.  What is happening is I'll be feeling productive and getting stuff done, and then randomly I feel like I'm dragging weights through a swimming pool and just want to sit or lie down.  A couple times I've literally caught myself staring blankly at the walls.  Who does that?!? Anywho, the whole reason I'm writing this right now is because I feel myself sliding into a wall-staring sesh. 

I think I'm having one of those moments where my desires to do something and do nothing are equal.  Making me feel... jittery.  Not fun. 

So... I don't think I have anything else to say.  I am going to do a Bible journal entry.  Oh! I finished reading Ecclesiastes this morning.  Hallelujah!!!!!  That book was rough.  The main idea I got, "Everything is meaningless because, good or bad, everyone will die.  Every day is a gift from God so enjoy your life and work because this life is all you get." 

Takes a bit of wind outta your sails huh?  By the time I got halfway through the book, I was just ready to skip the rest.  I'm glad I didn't because, chapter 10 picked up with more bits of wisdom (sorta like Proverbs).  Then I just powered through the rest, switching between the English Standard Version and Message Bible.  So I'm gonna go do some artsy Bible stuff now. 

It's interesting how my moods ebb and flow.  I think I've been writing on this for 30 mins or so and at the beginning I was quite blah... but now I feel a bit better.  Funny how that works.