UPDATE: This was my earliest foray into Bible journaling; since this time I have not only continued and developed as a Bible journaler, but wrote a book! See more on the book site.
I had been looking for just the right Bible to begin art journalling in….I wanted an NRSV (long story as to why!), and wanted wide margins with lines for writing notes and drawing. (Because I can’t write straight to save my life!) I could only find a “used” one for less than a gajillion dollars since it’s no longer being made – fortunately the only thing that made it “used” was a broken spine. Which I’m repairing in today’s video!
I started watching a bunch of YouTube videos first, and had searched for book repair, to see if there were ideas on how to fix the broken spine shown in the video. I came upon an artist, Laura Carson, who made some absolutely amazing books! (This dragon book is phenomenal!) Though I swapped out a bunch of supplies, the basic technique is the same; I asked a lot of my mixed media friends about adhesive, and they all said be sure to replace the adhesive with PPA. And I agree – it’s pretty phenomenal stuff!
Isn’t this texture just delicious!?! It would be perfect for whatever book you want to cover – an art journal, a sketch book…..I might be making a bunch of these for Christmas gifts!
I cut a hole in my Bible cover to insert my life verse, printed from my computer and distressed with inks. In the video I showed my Olfa blade – I once purchased a big pack of these for OWH, and love them; I had originally found one in a craft store and ordered a big case of them, but now the only place I found them is HERE. In reality any heavy duty knife will cut a book cover.
A few words about the pages inside the book….I’ve had people frantically asking me what kind of Bible to get, what kind has paper you can paint on, what doesn’t go through the back. If you are terribly upset about anything going through to the back of the page, or stress out over wrinkling paper, Bible journalling is not for you. Books are made of paper. Paper and water generally do not get along perfectly. Paper wrinkles. It bleeds. You will never find a book paper that does not do so at all. This is art, and is messy – and if you get upset easily by potentially ruining a page in a Bible, do not get started on journalling this way, or you’ll be very unhappy at some point along the way.
I have absolutely NO idea what will happen in your Bible, or what kind of Bible you should go get. Please please please don’t ask me that. Just get a Bible you feel comfortable making art in. And test it out. Try the index pages first, to see what mediums you like. Go to YouTube and do searches. I don’t plan to be making a ton of videos on Bible journalling – my blog and YT channel are about cardmaking, and Bible journalling is a VERY personal thing, so I will not be
Supplies
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Can you use Kleenexes instead of Tissue paper?
No the tissue paper won’t crumble as easily as kleenex. It’s real cheap though, you can get it in a grocery store 🙂
Hi: So, 4 years later, how did the cover stand up to daily/weekly wear for you? Did you have any separation problems, or failure areas? I would expect you would have had some wear spots do to the usage the book gets. Are you still glad you used the PPA glue rather than the Modge Podge? I am contemplating doing a new cover for a large old book of Nursery Rhymes based on the nice effect you got in your video and was wondering how well the cover stood up over time.
Thank you,
J.
Sandy, this book is so lovely. It will be a treasure for many, many years. I just wanted to give you a little pointer about using MicroGlaze. I’ve been using this product for a long time, way before Tim Holtz and Ranger took it over. It only takes a small amount to cover your surface. I think you are getting a greasy feel to the finish because you are using too much of the product. A tiny bit on the pad of your finger will go a long way. It works better if you apply a very light coat, let it set for just a minute or two, then buff with a soft cloth. If you want, you can then apply a second coat and repeat the process. This will give you a water repellent surface with a soft glow and will slightly intensify the underlying color of your project. There should not be any discernible residue or a sticky Vaseline feel. I hope this helps. I love MicroGlaze, but it can be little bit tricky to work with.
Thanks!
Great technique. I remember covering wine bottles with torn pieces of masking tape and then painting with brown shoe polish to get a faux leather look. TFS
Awesome! Thanks! For sharing
Really beautiful. I always cringe when I see people write in their bibles but I have to say you did a wonderful job on the cover and your watercolor painting on the inside is lovely. You gave an old bible new life. Thanks for sharing.
Love your video. Beautiful book cover, gorgeous colors.
It really looks great. I am one of those people that would have a hard time carving into a bible but really, its beautiful! Its not like you burnt it or anything. LOL It actually loos better than the original cover did!
sweet!!! how awesome your inspiration is… and your journey brings us all over the place! i am interested in seeing more of how you illustrate your faith book and i am starting a journal…. i compose all my inspirations and write them down in a book but i need to be brave and illustrate with pictures. how? do you jump off and be confident about it!.. i notice when i am not confident.that outcomes arent as impressive to me either..LoL merry christmas…and all the best in 2015 and wherever Lifes journey takes you… as a thanks for inspiring me so often sandy…,heres a quote i composed and want to share it.. The most sacred moments of Life that all of us share in common is the ability to look upwards when we feel down..
Excellent job Sandy! Don’t you love when you get all excited and super proud of what you made!!!!
Really great project!
Donna
Gorgeous!!
Beautiful!