Digital and printable files are such a great resource for any crafter, but especially for Bible journal enthusiasts! These files offer a great opportunity to incorporate all kinds of artwork into your journaling pages, and using printable files saves time and allows you to really dive into the Word that you are studying. But, how can you get the most out of your digital files? One way I really like to focus on is to layer my digital files in with physical devotional kits. This allows me to get some of the best of both worlds:
This week I combined Shawna Clingerman’s set, “Surrender”, with the physical devotional from Illustrated Faith, “Rooted”. Illustrated Faith’s Print and Pray shop does a fabulous job of releasing printables every month that stand on their own, but also coordinate nicely with that month’s physical devotional kit. The colors of Shawna’s set coordinate so well with Rooted!
In order to get the most out of your printables, you are going to want to consider a few things:
- Print on good quality paper – I generally use a bright white printer paper that is slightly lighter than cardstock. It does not create as much bulk in my Bible and still has a really nice print quality. Or, if a particular file has softer, more watercolor like edges, I print on clear sticker paper, so that it will really melt into the page nicely.
- Combine printed images – I rarely let a digital file stand on its own. I often matte or layer digital papers with other images. This gives them a more unique look. When all the Bible journaling world starts using the same files, pages can start to look similar. So, consider combining and layering images to create a personalized look.
- Adjust the size – This has got to be one of the most beneficial aspects of using a digital file! You can adjust the size of your images. Print two sheets to a page to make the images more apt to fit into the margins of your Bible. Or print them extra large to create a bold impact on your page. The possibilities are unlimited and truly customizable!
The page I created for this particular study in “Rooted” does not have any crazy new extended techniques. All I did was combine stamping, embossing, cutting, and layering to create a page that fit my personality and my personal take-aways from reading the lesson. As with most pages, I planned the background elements first, starting with a digital paper printed on clear sticker paper at the bottom of the page. I tore an additional digital paper to place in the upper left hand corner to serve as an abstract sky, layering it with a vellum piece that was included with the kit. Eventually, I balanced out the heavier “sky” paper at the top by adding a matching piece at the bottom.
For this particular entry, I played with the ideas of putting down roots here on earth, but also truly rooting yourself upward in Christ. Using a stamp from the kit, I embossed a plant image onto an additional digital paper, then fussy cut it out using precision scissors. I layered this piece with several elements including a chevron cluster on clear sticker paper and a typewritten verse card. Later I added the title using stickers from the kit and finished off the page with a flurry of mix and match pieces from both the digital kit and the physical kit.
Do you often combine your digital pieces with the physical kits you work through? Or do you like to use them as stand alone sets? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Keep it creative,
-The Scrappy Wife
Supplies: (Some of these are affiliate links…thanks in advance for supporting my channel!)
- Illustrating Bible
- Deckled edge scissors
- Roller date stamp
- Stone stencil from Tim Holtz
- Versafine Onyx Black Ink
- White embossing powder
- Clear embossing powder
- Detail scissors
- Ranger Heat-It Tool
- “Surrender” Printable Set
- “Surrender” Digital Papers
- “Rooted” devotional from Illustrated Faith
- HP Printer OfficeJet Pro 8025
- Epson Picturemate Printer
- HP Bright White Paper 32 lb.
- Neenah Bright White Cardstock
- Clear Label Paper