I had the most intriguing email last night asking if I would ever consider doing a Bible journaling class and then I could not go to sleep.  I woke Josh Kelley up around midnight because I could not sit alone with the idea any longer.  He recalls some of what we hashed out 🙂

So here I am because honestly I have no idea if anyone would even be interested in this kind of class.  I have been dying to get back to having craft nights/days, but they are so much work and life is crazy town for our family of 7 right now.  I love opening our home up to women.  I love teaching.  I love creativity.  I love God’s word.  And currently, God is wreaking all kinds of havoc with our hearts…in the best kind of way.  We cannot keep reading His words and not see He wants it all…not parts here and there, but our entires selves and lives.  Every last stitch and part.

The class would be limited to 20 due to our house size.  There would be a flat fee and all the money will go towards something good…not sure what that will be yet, but I think it all needs to be given back to God in some fashion.  This would not serve as an income for the Kelley household.  You would bring your own supplies and I would have a few available for back ups just in case.  I would tell you what I know and how I go about Bible journaling.  It would be you and your Bible and other woman for an allotted amount of time.  You could ask questions, we can talk supplies and fonts and techniques and scripture and we can pool our resources to do something amazing for His glory.

I know how vague this may sound.  It’s bizarre to be so crazy excited about a hypothetical event, but here I am and I would love feedback from all you locals.  Is this something you would be interested in?  Something you would even attend?  Do you have questions?  I would be so thankful and adore emails (pitterpatterart at gmail dot com) and/or comments if you would be interested in this possibility.

Happiest of Tuesdays!

**LATEST UPDATE:  You can find my online Bible journaling class HERE.  Current funds are going directly to help us fund our adoption of our son from China who has several complex heart defects.**

So I’ve been getting some emails and comments asking about information on my Bible journal…like where I got it, what kind of pens I use, supplies, etc.  I thought a quick post would be fun with some details.

I believe God creates everyone in really special, specific and purposeful ways.  He wires us differently.  Gives us different gifts and talents and loves.  And I think we all learn differently as well.  I know He created me with a creative bent…a love of color and creating and drawing with an artistic flare.  So I decided when I was really going to commit to read through the New Testament that I wanted to make sure I learned what I was reading.  And for me, adding an element of creativity would definitely enhance my ability to grasp what His words really mean…what all those parable are about…plus the added help from Google.

I ended up buying an ESV journal Bible from Amazon.  There are a lot of different options.  I loved the wide margins for notes, words, drawings, etc.  I wanted to pull out the things which really spoke to me.  I wanted to emphasize them and spend a longer amount of time looking at them.  The large margins had me at hello.

I draw, paint and color directly onto the pages and then sometimes I use plain white copy paper to work on, cut it out and then glue it to the pages.  I highlight and pull phrases and words that speak really loudly to me.  If I don’t understand something, I google it.  There are always 5 bazillion commentaries on what the passage means.  I read here and there and then make my own best judgment.  And move on.

Everyone is created so differently, but I’ve found this works for me.  I am retaining more and more information tapping into this quirk of mine.  I’m learning.  I’m remembering.  And I am enjoying spending time with His words.

Sometimes your fruit turns out looking more like a butt, but that’s okay.  It’s set in pen, so no erasing…I think God probably has an impeccable sense of humor though.

So here are the supplies I use.  There are tons and tons of options out there to work with.  These are just my choices…the ones I like to work with.

*ESV Journaling Bible

*Sharpie Highlighters

*Koi Watercolor Field Set (I bought this field set for Josh Kelley years ago on Amazon, but I’ve seen them at craft stores.)

*Pencils

*Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils (pretty much any where)

*Micron Pens (bought mine at Joanns, but I’m sure they’re at most craft stores.)

*Sharpie No Bleed Pen (also at Target) I love the medium tip.

*And an eraser

I still love Flair pens, but just didn’t dig them on this paper surface.

And I keep everything (minus the watercolor set) neatly in my Timbali zip pouch so I can grab it and go.

That’s it.  Super profesh right?!?!?!  You know, those Crayola twistables just scream “I’m an adult.”  Hahahahaha.

Hope this helps and answers some questions.  If you have any other questions just leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them as best I can.   And maybe you have a journaling supply item you love to use…feel free to share it with us.

Happy Wednesday.

**UPDATES**

I did a few updates within the post, but also added this area just in case you missed the main things I get asked a lot about.

I use the ESV Journaling Bible  I purchased mine on Amazon a while back.  It’s the plain black cover, but I painted it with acrylic paint and it’s held up well.

I now use the Timbali Costmetic Bag instead of their zip pouch to hold my supplies.  It’s bigger, but not too big and will hold all my supplies…even my watercolor set.  You can read about it HERE.

My watercolors are the Koi Watercolor Field Set (Hobby Lobby has them as well…use their 40% coupon)

I also teach Bible Journaling classes from our home once a month.  All the money from the classes goes towards doing some kind of good in the world.  I also will come to you and teach the class.  If you are interested you can message me HERE or email me at pitterpatterart at gmail dot com and I can get you all the details.

I’ve also started a Pinterest board with all my journaling pages.  You can check it out HERE.

*amazon affiliate links