If I have said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, Bible journaling is for EVERYONE at EVERY skill level. There are no requirements. There are no prerequisites to worshiping God creatively. With that said, one of my goals for His Palette is to introduce Bible journaling / faith art to any person looking for new ways to praise the Lord and study His Word.
Even though you are here, reading a blog about faith art (which includes Bible journaling), that doesn’t mean you’re ready to get out your paints and brush them across your Bible pages. You may never be “ready” to do that. And that is perfectly all right.
As I’ve stated from the very start of His Palette, faith art is 100% customizable. Each person will create in their own unique way. Whether you choose to create things directly in your Bible or you decide to work in a separate notebook or on canvas, faith art should fit YOU and what YOU’RE comfortable with.
Another Way…
I like to have options. And here is just one of the many options we can choose when we’re interested in creating faith art.
Bookmarks…
Bible bookmarks!
Before we get into the tips of making Bible bookmarks, I want to share with you that these bookmarks are not only great for saving your place in your Bible (or any book for that matter), but I’ve found it surprisingly helpful for verse memorization. If you add a verse to your bookmark, every time you go to the Word, you’ll find that verse tucked between the pages. Personally, I’ve found myself slipping these bookmarks in to my purse as well, which allows me to glance over the words as I go about my day.
For those who have not jumped into the deep end of Bible journaling yet, or for anyone with the desire to create, but that doesn’t want to create directly in their Bible; Bible bookmarks are just another way to worship Him creatively.
The Basics
Just like with Bible journaling, there are an array of possibilities when creating Bible bookmarks. My go-to mediums, when making my own bookmarks, are oversized tags or blank index cards. However, I suggest using whatever you have at home. That way you aren’t spending money and you use up material you already have.
Once you decide what the base of your bookmark will be, start thinking about what verse you want to illustrate (unless, of course, this is a previously chosen memory verse). Remember, your bookmark can be a biblical thought, just an illustration, or you can write out the words to a specific verse.
Embellishments
On this first Bible bookmark, I used Tim Holtz distress ink on the edges of the tag. I also purposed my die-cutting machine, a doily, a second smaller tag, alphabet stickers, a floral button, and ribbon. The large tag reads, “I have overcome the world,” based on John 16:33 and the smaller dangling tag has the word “overcomer” on it.
For the bookmark I created using a 4X6 index card, I made a bunch of mistakes along the way. I had a challenging time figuring out what I wanted the bookmark design to be, but in the end was able to hide those boo-boos and still utilize the index card. Note: For those that don’t know me, it drives me insane to waste art supplies (and food), and if at all possible, I keep everything that I can use again in some sort of way. LOL.
I painted the index card with gold watercolor and added a layer of gold glitter acrylic paint. I used more distress ink on the edges of the small verse card (John 16:33), as I did on the letters for courage. Gold pattern washi tape and another doily tied it all together for me.
More Ideas
Though washi tape and alphabet stickers are great ways to embellish your Bible bookmarks, there are plenty of other supplies you can use to design your project. Here is a (very limited) list of items you might choose to use when creating your own bookmark:
- die-cuts and ephemera
- fabric
- gelatos
- spray ink
- stencils
- stamps
- image stickers
- craft paper
- lace
- embossing powder
- glitter (I can’t believe I almost forgot glitter. LOL.)
- enamel dots
- or anything else you can come up with!
Finishing Touch…
Summer is only a couple of weeks away (officially). Some of you have already gotten your picnicking and vacays on. This season is filled with outdoor activities, but on those especially hot days, when we’re forced to spend a little time indoors, take a moment to work on your creative worship. So next time you’re reading by the pool, you’ll have a rad faith-based bookmark to save your place and a reminder of God’s promises. Let’s be real here. We can never have enough of those reminders.
Got thoughts? Ideas? Advice? Encouragement? Let us know in the comments below...