From a Bible Art Journaling beginner...

     As a Bible journaling beginner, I just thought I would share with you what I use to study scriptures creatively right now.  I have been reading numerous blogs about the different supplies that people had purchased and the types of note-taking/wide margin Bibles bloggers were using.  There are so many brands and types of art supplies that look amazing! And I cannot wait until I can decide and get my hands on my own wide margin Bible...... but I'm so indecisive about what I want.

     I could not wait to start art journaling though! So, I'm using the Bible I already have and doodling like crazy!  I'm a bit more limited on what supplies I can use since I have no margins and everything I do goes over the words (or on the introduction pages of the books).  Along with my "regular" Bible, I also picked up a cheap journal from Ollie's to journal in.  For now, I have highlighters, colorful BIC pens, gel pens, a black ultra fine point Sharpie marker, and colored pencils....stuff I already had or found cheap at Walmart.  Colored pencils work perfectly over the words - the picture shows up great but the words can still be read easily. My favorite colored pencils, Prismacolor, were given to me as a gift. (Thanks, Helen!) Originally, they were to use in my sketchbooks....I had never even heard of Bible journaling at that point.  Thank goodness for these colored pencils though! They really are awesome for my Bible! :)

  
     But now I've done enough artwork in this Bible that it will be hard to move on to another one once I decide on the one I want...... I will though, and I'm sure I will love having the wide margins to use for notes or to draw using other forms of media, but I am loving the look and personalization of my current Bible. :)  And I'm sure once I have a different Bible, I will still randomly return to my old one. So, for anyone that has wanted to start Bible journaling but doesn't have a wide margin Bible, I say go for it anyway! Grab some colored pencils and get creative with the Bible you currently use!!

     What I've found out about Bible Art Journaling is that it keeps me focused, and it also helps me remember the references to meaningful verses in the Word.  It also helps me gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of many verses because I have to study them before I know what I want to draw.  I also find myself looking back through my artwork almost daily, which means I am reading the same verses over and over..... hopefully causing it to "stick" in my brain and in my heart. Plus, it's just plain fun!  You should give it a try. And, you don't have to have a ton of supplies to get started.......just use what you already have!

     I'd love to know if anyone reading this blog post does journaling.  Feel free to leave a comment.....what type of Bible do you have and what supplies do you just love?  I'd also love to hear from those of you who are just beginning like me! What did you start out with or what have you found that is totally amazing? I love sharing new ideas. :)

Thanks for reading!!