I shared a little on my FB Page about how I used my own Color-Your-Own Bookmarks as Traceables or tracers in my Bible Journaling and wanted to follow up on that here and give this information a more permanent home.
Sometimes I enjoy creating my Scripture art in my journal or graph paper notebook or even on scraps of paper rather than directly in my Bible as it gives me the opportunity to play with the words and art without worrying about messing it up. Once I’m happy with the design, there are times I will simply translate my sketch right onto the page of my Bible in pencil, but I have also found I like being able to ink my design first and then use it as a TEMPLATE or TRACEABLE instead.
At first I wasn’t sure I liked how thin the pages were in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling Bible but now I love that they are thin enough to trace through! You can see in the photo above, I simply placed the printed bookmark under the page and used a tiny touch of washi tape to hold it in place. If you look closely you can see the faint outline of a flower just to the left of the little birdies beak.
During different times of the day, I’ve also found that’s it’s helpful to slip my light pad under the page to help these poor old eyes see even better and easier… so you might want to give it a try if you need to. I personally have a Artograph 930 Light Pad 
The great thing about using the bookmarks for tracing is that you can leave out as much detail as you like… or add in more of your own personal touches as I did here. I loved being able to add the extra lines and leaves on this one… allowing the design to dance out into the open spaces… dancing to the music of verse! In fact, you can easily use art elements… such as hearts and flowers… from one bookmark design with a totally different verse and have fun with it!
However you choose to Bible Journal… whether using Traceables, freehand it, or paint with a mixed media scrapbook style… the point is to spend time with the Lord… not only to be creative but to pray and meditate on God’s Word and allow it to speak to our souls as we hide it in our hearts… and I’m sure you agree! In this case… my Bible Journaling of this verse was a sweet time of being reminded that God’s banner over me… and over us… is truly one of everlasting and unconditional love.
Here is my finished page. Colored with Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
So have you used this technique yourself? If not, you might want to give it a try. It’s a great way to work on developing your own artistic and lettering style! And the bookmarks… once you’ve done your tracing… make great encouraging gifts to pass along to your family and friends… or use for your Sunday School or Bible Study Group!
This particular Bible Journaling Bookmark came from the “His Banner Over Me” Printable Art Collection. This collection also includes a full size 8×10 print, cards in two sizes, and the banner for you to clip… color… and find a fun place to hang!
Thank You Lord for loving us… and giving us Your Word to teach us, lead us, and encourage our hearts today and always… in Your Name and for Your glory! xoxo
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission on any purchases you make using these links which helps support my art and the freebies I love to give you!
Hi Karla, glad yo see you blog. So far I am just coloring the printed bookmarks and putting them in my Bible. My eyes are not good and so I have not tried the tracing. But I might. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you so much Karla, for blogging about this. I asked how to on FB and you explained to me, but now having this easily accessible on your blog is a great help. Being new to Bible Journaling, every scrap of information helps me get over the fear of using my bible for art!
Warm hugs
This is AWESOME! I’m not an artist… even my stick people are so bad 🙂 This is what I was hoping to find!
Thank you!
What a beautiful way to Bible journal for those of us that don’t have the artist ability to draw it in ourselves! Love your art!
My dear longtime friend – I lost you for a while – had computer troubles – changed e mail – and you found me! Now on staff here at Sun City Naz – music and people – title is Parish Life Coordinator – truly amazing what God has done in my life. I am walking out His calling from birth I truly believe. Would love to visit. Have bad experiences with FB and so seldom on there. But always e mail – which you have. Also will try sending you separate message and will send tele. Same but you may not have it. love and blessings – so love all my stuff from your precious hands. Hands play – paint – help – they are from God!
Thank you for such a lovely idea, and for your beautiful art work it is truly inspirational. God Bless you.
Thank you so much for up dating your blog. I always love your beautiful book marks or
Traceables. They always inspire me to do my bible journaling. Great to have you back
On the blog.
Welcome back! You were missed. In a world filled with bloggers, your voice stands out and is valued and appreciated.
I love all the bookmarks, especially the sets I have downloaded from Etsy or your shop. I am making the “Lord is my Shepherd” one for all the women next month that will be a luncheon when I speak. I like to print them on white cardstock and put another piece of colored cardstock behind for a border and put a small piece of magnet strip on the top so it can also be used on the “kitchen bulletin board” (AKA refrigerator 😉 as a daily reminder. So glad you’re back, thought I had fallen off your list. Blessings on you as you continue this valuable ministry to women everywhere!
So glad to see that you are blogging again, Karla!! I thought maybe you had given it up in favor of Facebook, and I don’t go to Facebook very often. Welcome back!!!
I know it’s been a long time but I’m truly going to try to blog more often now. Thank you for your encouragement… and I think coloring and putting them in your Bible is wonderful!! It’s being in His Word that counts! Bless you Susan!
I felt the same way Moz… about having it in a permanent place where I would know where it was and could share it more easilly. Thanks for being here and Lord bless you in your Bible Journaling time with Him! Love and hugs… Karla
Oh Marilyn… it is my blessing to share and encourage and inspire you in your Bible Journaling journey! It’s like we’re sitting at the table doing it together this way! Sending hugs… Karla
Like I told Marilyn… it truly is my blessing to be able to share my gifts with you and to come alongside you in your own Bible Journaling journey! Lord bless you as you spend time with Him in His Word! xoxo Karla
Hello Sue!! So good to hear from you my sweet friend! And so happy to hear about God’s blessings in your life! I can hear your heart smiling in your words!! I did not get a separate message if you sent one… did you email or message another way? We were planning on being in Phoenix in April but Michael is having some serious back problems so it may not happen now but if we are able to come I’ll figure out a way to let you know! Love and hugs to you my friend!!
Thank you Patty… it’s just one of the wonderful creative ways to spend time in the Word. Glad you enjoyed the inspiration! Blessings… Karla
Thank you Judy for your sweet words of encouragement… it’s good to be back. I’m hoping I’ll have more time to blog more often this year… only time will tell but hopefully. I am blessed more than you know to hear that my art inspires you to be in God’s Word and do your own Bible journaling!! Love and hugs to you… Karla
Oh Beth… your kind words truly brought a smile to my heart… thank you! And I hope I will be able to blog more often this year… it is nice to know I was missed!
Oh Carolyn… I love the idea of putting the magnetic strip on the backs of the bookmarks… very clever! It will perfect for Easter! Thank you for your love my friend… xoxo!
I must admit Betty that FB is much easier but I believe I’ve felt the Lord nudging me back to blogging so if it’s really Him I’m believing I’ll find time to do it more often!! 🙂 Thank you for your love and encouragement! Karla
Hi Karla!!! I’ll add my “Welcome Back to Blogging” words of encouragement to you along with the rest of your friends! Good to see a post pop up from you in my reader. I don’t have Facebook so thought we had lost touch, but I still didn’t delete you from my list…”just in case.” 🙂
I always enjoy your blog and artwork. Keep up the good work and witness to the blogging world!
Thank you Deb… it’s good to be back… and hopefully more often as I truly have missed you and my other sweet blogging friends! Bless you!
Fun ideas to help those of us that are not as talented as you are. Hugs!
More wonderful inspiration – you are such a blessing to me, thank you!
karla,
I am enjoying browsing and reading your many delightful posts on your new site.
I’m not a very creative person so I appreciate that I can trace yours! And then I can thank God for your ministry whenever I come across one of your “bookmarks” I have traced in my Bible! Thank you!
Your choice of colors are fabulous. It really brought it to life
Hello Karla,
Thank you for all your beautiful art. A friend gave me and another girlfriend one of your coloring books for Christmas. We love getting together and coloring. We sometimes give our finished product to friends to cheer them up or encourage them in some way.
Thanks so much and may God continue to inspire all you do!
Happy Birthday Karla and thank you for all your hard work in putting this new website together for all of us to come visit for encouragement and/or inspiration! I have always enjoyed the whimsical style of your artwork and these traceable are just what I need b/c although, I’m not an Artist, I do love to create! These will be so fun to add to my journal and perhaps begin some fresh new projects!
Blessings,
Nancy
Great tip on using a tablet as a light table for tracing. Hadn’t thought of that and I love the idea.
Love this idea if I was journaling in a Bible . I doubt it would work in my notebook though — the pages are quite thick.