His Timing Isn't Always Our Timing

When I started Bible Art Journaling...

more than a year ago, I jumped in 100%! I was all in and it filled all of my free time. It seemed to me that I had found my perfect marriage of my faith and my need to be creative. As I created more and more, I was asked to teach a class. I did and made it available online so that anyone could create keepsakes of their own cherished verses. 

The stamp line came about because one of the ladies in the class asked if there were stamps available instead of doing the hand lettering. At that time, there  weren't any in the market place. I began to research what it would take to make a stamp line designed specifically for the margin of a journaling Bible. Over several months I began to put together what is now Artsy Faith. I had a plan for 25 stamp sets. I had hoped to produce 5 in my first year. This is the first place where my initial plan did not work with God's plan. 

First it took many more months than I had planned to get that first stamp set out. I had to learn about how to produce artwork for stamp production. It was frustrating but it was part of the process. Doing this in my free time also delayed the process. Eventually, I produced my first set.

Next, I had to learn how to get my stamps seen. I don't have a marketing degree and I think this part is harder than the stamp production! I am still learning. Eventually, I started to see steady sales and was able to produce a second set.

This second set was not what I had planned to produce, but I listened to those who purchased, and set out to give them what they wanted.

The first set is nearly sold out and I am waiting on the manufacturer on my third set. So what happened in between? Why such a long time between sets? Well, during all of this time I was also doing volunteer work at my church.-creative work to help improve our branding, website, slides and that sort of thing. After returning from a trip abroad, I was offered a part-time position on staff at our church! I was humbled and elated to be able to continue doing what I was doing! So at this point my free time became nearly non-existent as I transitioned to working part-time. It has been a blessing and I think it will add to what I am doing with Artsy Faith. 

I have continued to create verses in my Journaling Bible, I just haven't had the time to keep up with the blog. I am hoping to change that during the summer months. What I have learned during this time is that I have to listen to the Lord and let Him guide me. So while I am not as far along in my Artsy Faith as I had planned, I have a job that I never dreamed of -or thought possible! I have been so blessed by both experiences. 

I wanted to share this to explain why everything slowed down. I am still here. A new set should be available in July, and another in late August. 

The next set will be a set that is made from this artwork:

The next release will be a set that is made from this artwork:

This set will have 4 stamps: the branch, the hive with the verse, a bee, and bee trail.

If there is something you would like to see in a stamp set, please let me know. 

If you are on my email list, you will get notification of the new stamp sets before they go on sale. 

I really do appreciate your support and hope that these sets will help you create meaningful verses in your own Journaling Bible.

I hope to be posting once a week. If there are topics or techniques you would like to see, please leave me a comment. 

This verse I did as a reminder of the forces that work against us. There was a time when I did not believe in an enemy. After I accepted Christ, I still wasn't sure about how the devil worked in my life. I ended up reading CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters and then it became clear how the enemy had been at work in my life. I wanted to do this verse to keep me grounded in truth and fully aware of the things that can't be seen.

I sketched it in pencil, used micron pen for the verse, and watercolor paint for the "force field" and darkness. I used a heat gun on a low setting to dry the paint and that allowed me to layer on a bit more paint to intensify it in some areas.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

2 Corinthians 10:4

I started out doing 2 Cor 10:5-6 and ended up instead with verse 4

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

I had a day of struggle... again. Friends, I am flawed and some days more flawed than others.

On the day I started this I was trying to get my emotions in check.

and this verse just really helped me put things in perspective.

I have a verse on the next page and I worried that the watercolor paint would soak through, but it didn't. I used watercolor and heat set it quickly. I added a layer of white watercolor paint and heat set. I used colored pencils to help define edges and add some golden colors. I had to go over my lettering again. 

Hope y'all are finding verses that are meaningful to you and are exploring your creative side with your faith! You don't have to be an "artist" to love your journaling Bible!

If you need a little help with your lettering or banners, Artsy Faith has two stamp sets available to help you Bible Art Journal CLICK HERE

Be encouraged my friends!

Psalm 51:10

This week I had a day where I was struggling with those around me.

I was super frustrated.

Some of it was my own condition and doing.

All I could do was reach for this Scripture.

I drew the verse and inked it and then wanted color like inviting water.

I inked it but didn't like the results. It looked like a muddy river and I wanted a sparkling pool.

I used some water color paints and it ended up closer to what I wanted.

I had to re ink the lettering.

Some days this is all I can pray.

And then I am thankful that I have these words to pray for strength and encouragement.

God knows each heart

and knows just how to reach and comfort each heart

Blows my mind

that He loves me like that!

I Belong to God | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I had a post written out for this one and it was lost.

I am having one of those days.

But at the end of the day, I belong to God!

I did this one to go with the 1st verse I did on our identity in Christ.

You can see the original post HERE

This one is on the left hand side of the page and the other verse is on the right hand side.

This was colored with colored pencils.

1 John 5:18 I am Born of God and the Evil One Cannot Touch Me

 My identity in Christ says,

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

I really like the way that one sounds!

This one is a bit messy. I don't remember what was going on but it was a bit chaotic in my house. I used Artsy Faith Banners & Pennants stamps (you can see HERE) and hand lettered the rest.

The messy coloring was with my crayola colored pencils.

It is a great message about who we are in Christ no matter how you color it!

Be blessed today and may you be a blessing to others! 

Genesis 46:3

Verse 10

Life threw me a curve ball or two this week. Which is why my last posts have been delayed. My husband injured himself (he is fine now, thank God!) but it required several days of doctor visits and me driving him. In other words, my time was no longer my own. In addition, my son had a film project which required filming in the evening so the "actors" were here for some time before dark. Long story short, my house has been filled with chaos. I think the enemy likes to use chaos to distract us.

I did this page a week ago. I wrote the above several days ago. Every time I have sat down to write this entry something has come up. It is funny that this lesson is about integrity. I get frustrated with myself when I set a goal and I miss it. I am not sure I can complete my remaining three entries by tomorrow evening. Which feels like a failure to me. I am reminding myself that my priorities have to be God, family, church, everything else... 

So I will post this without the lesson on the portion. I hope to get some time this weekend. We shall see. Thanks for understanding! 

Genesis 45:5

Verse/Lesson 9

Genesis 44:1-45:15

Today’s portion of Joseph’s story is about a final test for his brothers and the big reunion. The first time I really studied Joseph’s story was a little over two years ago. I remember when we got to this part of the study feeling a little put off by what Joseph does in this part of scripture. Why plant the cup and falsely accuse them –especially in light of the fact that Joseph knows what it is like to be falsely accused!

In case you didn’t have an opportunity to read the portion yet, Joseph has seen Benjamin, released Simeon, fed the brothers and filled their sacks with food and allowing them to return to their home. He instructed his steward to fill their sacks with as much food as they could. In addition to each man’s money returned to them, he ordered his own silver cup to be placed in Benjamin’s sack. He ordered his steward to follow them and overtake them with the accusation of the stolen cup. The steward was to ask them, “How could you repay kindness with evil?”

The steward did as he was instructed. When the steward accused the brothers of stealing the silver cup they reacted with disbelief and basically refute the accusation and add that if they did find the cup that brother would be a slave to Joseph!

They were not considering the option of the set-up, were they? Nope.

Of course the cup is found in Benjamin’s bag and they all load up and return to the city to have a chat with Joseph.

The Bible says their reaction was….

“…they tore their clothes.”

That is a level of frustration and sorrow I have never known. But in that moment they knew that past sins were coming back upon them. Look at verse 16

 And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.” ESV

Judah answered, "Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we explain this? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves--all of us, not just our brother who had your cup in his sack." NLT

"What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves--we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup." NIV

(Emphasis is mine) but look at the underlined portion of that verse. I didn’t catch it the first time but I think this line is a guilty conscience. Not for stealing the silver cup, but for what had been done to Joseph. I think, Judah had been living with the results of his hatred and jealousy of Joseph by having to see what his actions did to their father. He knew Jacob would not survive the loss of Benjamin too. All of the years of what they had done, Judah is now feeling the full weight of it. And this time Judah doesn’t think of himself but of his father and his brother.

I guess that is what Joseph wanted to see all along. Are they changed? Would they make a different choice given similar circumstances? Joseph needed to know.

The last part of chapter 44 reads like a re-cap on a tv show. Previously on ….

Judah recaps the events to try to show they wouldn’t do what they were accused of but then explains that he cannot hurt his father, Jacob, by leaving without Benjamin and pleads to be able to take his place for the sake of Jacob.

Upon hearing this, Joseph can’t keep his identity hidden any longer!

How I wish the Bible gave us a detailed description of what each brother’s face looked like upon hearing the news AND what thoughts were running through their heads! I also wonder over the twenty years since they last saw Joseph if they ever thought about him or thought they saw him out and about?

Not long after my dad died, maybe 9 months or so, I remember being in a bank parking lot and seeing a man that looked exactly like my dad. I was 16 and hadn’t spent a lot of time with my dad before he died but it stopped me in my tracks. The hair on my neck stood on end and I remember crying. I knew it wasn’t him but for a few moments it was him.

I wonder if they ever had moments like that.

My verse for today comes from the portion of scripture where Joseph is assuring his brothers that he is not angry with his brothers for he knows it was God at work, divinely placing him in a position to help many during the famine.

And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5 ESV

Can you hear the grace and mercy and forgiveness in Joseph's words?

I know I have said this before, but I think it bears repeating because it is repeated so often through Joseph's story. We are called to have a good attitude. Really our good attitude should be a natural outpouring of our faith in Jesus. We have to remember circumstances change, but Christ's love and the gift of the Holy Spirit never change. Because of that we should be able to find God's hand in our circumstances and be able to forgive, and extend grace and mercy.

Many years ago I worked in a position where I helped supervise a large group of customer service representatives. It was in a call center and one of my duties was to take over calls that were problematic or if they were requesting to speak to a supervisor. There was this one young woman in the group that didn't like me. The first time I took a call for her I remember she complained to my boss that I touched her keyboard. Which was funny because I have to plug into her system and computer in order to take the call. Anyway, I remember feeling really frustrated with the situation and not liking her very much for being so unreasonable! I was sharing with my mom about it and my mom suggested I try to lightly touch her when the opportunity presented itself. I did. And over the course of several months two things began to happen. She softened towards me....AND I softened towards her. I began to understand her a bit better and see how her circumstances made her react a certain way. I also learned that by extending her grace and kindness she was able to do the same. By the time I was leaving that job, that young lady had invited me to her wedding and help throw a going away party for me. She also gave me a very thoughtful gift that I had for the longest time. I kept it to serve as a reminder that MY attitude can make all the difference in other's attitudes.

Chuck Swindall says this about Joseph, "He was great because of his faith in God, which manifested itself in a magnanimous attitude toward others and his magnificent attitude toward difficulties. A strong faith leads to a good attitude. When those two essentials are in place, troubles become challenges to face not reasons to quit."

How great is that???? I rambled on and on, and Chuck said it perfectly!

The remainder of the portion is Joseph saying come and live with me... I will set you up ...famine is going for another 5 years....bring father...

I imagine there was a lot of excited energy in the air. The reunion with the brothers, helping them in the difficulty of the famine, the anticipation of being reunited with Jacob...exciting times!

The next portion of Joseph's story will be Genesis 45:16 -46:29

Sorry this post was late. It is a busy week in our household. My baby had a birthday and I am celebrating my anniversary with my hubby this week. He is home on vacation.

Genesis 43:14

Verse/Lesson 7

We are picking up today in Genesis 42:36-43:15.

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob…I feel ya. This part of the story is so very human. Jacob is in a panic. Clearly, he is not trusting in God here but very much reacting from his circumstance. When I read this passage it is easy to imagine myself in a rant with my own children. Granted, the circumstances are different but the behavior is the same.

Some of it is even cringe-worthy…read verse 38

But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.” ESV

Reuben must have been thinking, “um, hello, I am his brother and your son too…”

Jacob is acting as though he only has 2 children. Jacob is also really fretting and forgetting to trust in the Lord.

The rest of the portion of reading for today is the brothers trying to convince Jacob to let them return to Egypt with Benjamin so they can get Simeon and get more food because the famine still has a stronghold on the land.

On a side note, it mentions in 43:10 that had they acting in a timely manner that could have come and gone twice by now. Which led me to think about poor Simeon left behind in prison and seemingly forgotten by his brothers and Joseph. Knowing that they could have made the trip there and back twice in that span of time leaves Simeon wondering what on earth has happened and will he ever get out. The Bible doesn’t tell us anything about him during that time but I wonder.

In the end, Jacob agrees –reluctantly, and the brothers are going with Benjamin to see Joseph and hopefully retrieve Simeon as well. But before they go, Jacob has a list of how they should do it…

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man.       Genesis 43:11-13 ESV

Again, I could hear myself telling my children exactly how to do something. In my defense, my kids are 9, 13, & 15 and Jacob is probably a great grandfather at this point (maybe even a great-great grandfather) making his sons mature men who are grandfathers or great grandfathers themselves. They are not young children is the point. J And that brings us to my verse. 

Genesis 43:14

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”   ESV

Just in case they didn’t fully understand how Jacob was feeling in the matter, this verse is Jacob’s send off for the sons as they travel. What a heavy heart we can have when we fail to trust God and press into Him in difficult times. I feel Jacob’s sadness and desperation in this verse. It makes me sad. The good news is I know we don’t have to be in that place. I also know how this story ends so I don’t have to feel sad for Jacob for long.

If you are reading along, read Genesis 43:15-34 for next time.

Have a great weekend!

Genesis 39:23

LESSON/VERSE 3 OF 12

When we left off on Monday, Joseph was in a bad spot. Potiphar's wife was hot after Joseph and despite his refusal she wasn't taking no for an answer. So she cornered him and he ran. As he ran away from her advances, she had hold of his robe and it was left behind.

Poor Joseph!

Joseph did the right thing but circumstances are such that Mrs. Potiphar doesn't take rejection well and she cries rape, using Joseph's robe as proof that he was with her.

When Potiphar hears about the Mrs. accusations he throws Joseph in jail.

So once again Joseph finds himself in tossed away.

39:20  And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

I heard Chuck Swindall say that that word prison was from a Hebrew word that translates dungeon.

Dungeon reminds me of the pit his brothers threw him in- both cases he is thrown in unfairly but there it is.

Scripture tells us in the next verse

(21) But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

There it is again! The Lord was with Joseph! And that brings us to my verse for today:

 Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him.

I don’t know about you but this is hard for me to get my mind around. I really struggle with what is fair. Logically I know life isn’t fair, but I really want it to be (sort-of).

I know someone who was unjustly convicted of a crime and sent to prison. During this time I was so angry at the miscarriage of justice I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I wasn’t a believer at the time. This part of Joseph’s story reminds me of my friend.

It also brings to mind a documentary I saw some time back and I cannot shake this man’s story. Michael Morton was convicted of killing his wife and sent away for life. His story is heartbreaking and full of unexplainable hope. He spent 25 years in prison. Over those 25 years, he loses contact with his son, who was told his father killed his mother, and he grows bitter. Then he has an encounter with God while he is in prison that changes him.

So what is it that allowed Joseph to succeed in prison? What prevented the seeds of bitterness to take hold in my friend? And what changed Michael Morton after years of anger and bitterness?

The answer to all of those questions is twofold.

First they all either had a relationship with God or developed a relationship with God. Second, they all had an attitude that was free from victim mindset and bitterness.

The Bible tells us adversity will come.

Will we walk through it knowing God is with us?

Will we believe it and act accordingly?

Joseph did.

Can you put yourself in Joseph’s shoes and then ask yourself would you still behave like you are living in God’s promise for your life?

I don’t know about you, but this is so hard for me.

It is something I can’t stop thinking about.  

The remainder of the portion today (chapter 40) finds Joseph meeting with two guys who need their dream interpreted. Joseph tells the cupbearer that in 3 days he will be restored to his office. The news wasn’t as good for the baker. Joseph told him that in 3 days he will be hung on a tree. Joseph asked that the cupbearer remember him. Things happened just as Joseph said and the cupbearer did not remember him. Some commentaries speak of this as painting a picture of Jesus. They liken the cupbearer and baker to the two that were crucified with Jesus. I have the feeling I will study this over and over and discover something new each and every time.

For next time read Chapter 41:1-46

Artsy Faith Stamp Set is available while supplies last 

Artsy Faith Stamp Set

It has been an amazingly fun satisfying journey creating a stamp set to use with Bible Art Journaling. It started with a question from a friend and now it is here!

My hope is that it helps those who want the look of hand lettering in their Bible Journaling. 

Each of the five stamps in the set are in a different "font" and are designed to work in the 2" space of a journaling Bible.

For more information and how to purchase your own set 

CLICK HERE 

1 Corinthians 15:33

I am not sure what I had in mind when I started working on this verse. I stumbled upon some rub-ons from my scrapbooking days, and thought it might be fun to use them here.

The rub-ons are close to 10 years old and I didn't have enough of some of the letters. At the end of the day, it ended up looking like a ransom note. Maybe it wasn't planned but I do kind-of like the ransom note look for this strong warning.

I often tell my children that you become what you surround yourself with.

This verse is strong support for that sentiment.

Happy Monday to you!

Thank you for stopping by! 

Acts 8:26-39

We had a guest preacher a few weeks ago and he taught on Acts 8:29-39

and though I had studied the book of Acts before (this Summer as a matter of fact) I don't recall this story. 

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[a] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said,“How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”[b]38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Our friend went on to offer a simple reminder of this story:

Be Sensitive to the Spirit

Surrender to God's Call 

Sacrifice to God's Mission

Sensitive

Surrender

Sacrifice

What a great lesson for all of us. I had to ask myself, am I being sensitive to the Spirit?

Will I surrender to God's call? and Am I willing to sacrifice to God's mission?

Tough questions.

So instead of picking a single verse from the lesson I used the simple reminder in my Bible.

It isn't very fancy but it is BOLD which is exactly what I wanted. 

It is good to have a BOLD reminder to be obedient to the Spirit, Call, & Mission.

Psalm 130:5

Sorry it has been a week since I posted. I had this ready to go but just have been inside myself. 

Do you have times when you have something before you and you need to take some time and sit with it and make time for prayer and time to hear from God?

That is what I have been up to.

I have been waiting.

I really wasn't aware that this is the verse I had ready to go but I do think it fits perfectly.

God is dealing with me on some character issues. 

I am thankful that God only has dealt with one issue at a time with me.

He is a good good Father that way.

He knows that too much is overwhelming.

I heard something the other day that has really stayed with me...

we should read the Bible like we are dating not like a newspaper.

Meaning that we should be really interested in learning about who God is from his Word. We should read the Bible like we are learning about the person we are dating. Instead we often read it like a newspaper for facts we can regurgitate as if we are up to date and knowledgeable.

I hate to admit it but it sure rang true for me.

Not all the time but more time than I care to admit.

This past week, I have been reading it like someone I really want to know.

It makes a difference.

I will get back to creating again. 

I have a whole series of verses I want to do. I just have to find the time to do them!

Wishing you many blessings!

Exodus 15:2

I am a light sleeper. I wake up many times a night. On a good night I change positions and fall back asleep. On a bad night I start thinking of things I need to do and I am awake for hours.

I have noticed in the last 5 months or so, when I wake up I wake up singing. Not out loud but in my head I am singing to Jesus. It is such a sweet thing. I have been sleeping better.

I made this tag as a reminder of that sweetness.

I could have just as easily made one that says 

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you Psalm 55:22

or

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you 1 Peter 5:7

and I probably will.

The sweetness of singing in those moments when I am not fully in control brings me deep joy.

Now the trick is to do the same when I am fully awake and fretting about things.

It is just a work in progress!

Have a blessed Saturday.

Matthew 13:24-30

This was the first instance where I couldn't isolate just one verse but needed to include a passage. As it turns out it isn't the prettiest of pages, visually, but I love it.

I LOVE the parables of Jesus.

I love that they are simple and clear enough for everyone to understand.

I also love how they hurt my brain when I think about how deep and complicated they can be.

I am also reading CS Lewis's The Screwtape Letters so the mention of the Enemy planting seeds of weeds in the Master's fields, takes me right to the conversations I am reading in the book.

It brings me great joy to know that God called me. 

I have a contrast in my life's vision of what I thought, and who I was before God called me; and what I think, and who I am now. It is such a gift to be able to be in Christ!

The watercolor of wheat was inspired by another's painting. It was really the combination of colors that struck me. Mine did not really turn out they way I had envisioned but I learned a few things along the way.

I did a freehand sketch of the wheat using my pigma micron pen. I water colored the image and let it dry completely. I found that I had lost much of the detail in the picture. I went back over the image with colored pencil adding details that I had lost. 

The lesson: don't be afraid to use whatever you have to create the art you envision.

1 John 2:6

I just finished a 12 part study on James. 

There were many things that stood out in the study but the thing that resonated with me most was how our mouths reflect what is in our hearts. If our hearts are rooted in the world rather than in Christ, it is evident in the way we speak.

This verse echos that same sentiment.

If our identity is rooted in Christ, it will be evident in our lives - our walk, and talk.

I love using the negative space to create an image. I colored around the shoe prints using gray, silver, and black colored pencils. 

It is fun to take advantage of the large space provided at the end of a book. This image was perfect for the space.  

Bible Art Journaling 101 part 6

My local class was unable to meet yesterday so we haven't had our last lesson yet but I wanted to go ahead and post online for those of you that have been following along. 

If you click on the picture below you can download the last handout for Bible Art Journaling 101.

You can click on the picture above and download the 6th session PDF. I thought I would post the lesson here in the blog post as well.

Bible Art Journaling 101

Week Six

Since our last class you should have done the following to be prepared for this week’s lesson:

• Find a new verse and complete it from start to finish –sketch in pencil, outline with 005 pigma micron pen, erase your pencil lines, add weight to letters with a 03 pigma micron pen, and add color using one or more of the techniques learned.
• Continue to look for Bible Art Journaling examples and save for inspiration.
• Try a new coloring technique

This week we will use ink pads to color our verses. We will discuss the difference in using ink for coloring and stamping in your Bible.

In the example I will show you I used a stamp, hand lettering, and sponging ink on to color the image. Additionally I used post-it notes to mask areas of the verse to allow different colors used to color. I will go through the process step-by-step so let’s get started.

I am using the verse 2 Timothy 4:17. On that particular page in my Bible (page 997 in the Crossway ESV Journaling Bible) there is a large space that I utilized for this verse.

I started by drawing a 3” x 4” box to place my verse. I placed a line to mark where my stamped “Lord” would be placed and then I sketched the rest of the verse in pencil. I used my 005 pigma micron pen to ink in the pencil lines and then I erased the pencil lines.

I then used my 01 pigma micro pen to add weight to the letters. 

At this point the verse is finished but I wanted to add color to it. I wanted to use three different colors. I used Stampin’ Up Classic Ink pads: Baja Breeze (retired color), Pear Pizzazz, and So Saffron.  In order to do that I needed to mask off the area I didn’t want colored. I used post-it notes to mask the areas.

After masking, I used a wedge of sponge and an ink pad (Baja Breeze) and began adding ink to the outside corners leaving the center portion uninked so I could add the next color. I attempted to follow the 60-30-10 design rule and used mostly Baja Breeze, then Pear Pizzazz with just a touch of So Saffron.

I took a picture of the next page to show you the bleed through of the ink. I have found that sponging leaves no bleed through but stamping does. For the stamped “Lord” I used Memento Tuxedo Black. As a last touch I used my Stampin’ Up So Saffron Marker brush tip and added just a few shadow details on the banner.

I did one other verse in the same way except in addition to sponging the main area; I used an aquapainter (waterbrush) and a blender pen to add a touch of color. What I found was that the aquapainter didn’t bleed through in small areas, but if used in a larger area, it bleeds. I didn’t have any bleeding with the blender pen, but it wasn’t used in a large area.

The heart in “heartily” was done with a blender pen, all the other hearts were colored with an aquapainter.

This brings Bible Art Journaling 101 to a close. My hope is that you have learned some hand lettering techniques, and coloring with colored pencils, watercolor paints, and inks.

There are a ton of products and materials you can use in Bible Art Journaling. My goal was to show you that it doesn’t require a lot of materials. You could get a lot of bang for your buck by limiting your supplies and finding creative ways to use them.

I thank each one of you for allowing me to share this faith art with you. It has blessed me in many ways. I pray that as you progress in your own Bible Art Journaling you will find great joy in this creative form of worship!