Living an ART filled life…“Creativity is a God-given ability to take something ordinary and make it into something special. It is an openness to doing old things new ways…The creative spirit is part of our heritage as children of the One who created all things. And nurturing our creativity is part of our responsibility as stewards of God’s good gifts.” – Emilie Barnes, The Spirit of Loveline
I have been spending a bit of time, looking for projects you might enjoy. I found this cute bound journal and wanted to share it! Perfect for Spring!
The video tutorial I used for this WATERMELON JOURNAL is below. Jennifer, from “Sea Lemon” provides easy to follow videos on simple book binding. She is enjoyable to follow!
Click on the image for video
I think Jennifer does a great job with her step by steps! I will admit, the cut out wasn’t as easy for me, so I folded the cover directly and in half and cut it with scissors to straighten up my shape.
I also reinforced that edge by applying little pieces of torn washi tape. I like the way it looks, and it feels more finished and sturdy to me:)
I added washi to all the cover edges. Again, a little more sturdy.
The interior pages with print are cardstock. It’s all I had, and worked fine:)
It’s a fun one for 10-16 year olds who could do it solo:)
I loved this project and enjoy productive crafting during these times of quarantine.
A Quick flip through!Begin with an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paperFold the paper in half “lengthwise” Fold in half (short ends)Fold the same way againAfter creasing folds well, open up the sheet Fold in half by short ends
Cut on the center line from the fold to the edge of the last 2 sections
Stop your cut where the 4 rectangles come together
Open the paper. You should have a center hole the width of the 2 center rectangle sections
Open up the center “hole” and pull far corners together so that you have 7 interior pages
Label all the pages with pencil or washi so that when you open it back up you know which pages are which:) It’s easier to decorate the pages this way. I used washi, stamps, and cut outs using a “Gemi Mini” I found some scraps of paper that matched the washi I was using and went from there.
I did use a little tape to glue some of the “openings” shut
I’m going to fill it with HOPE…scripture for this time that we are in.
Hello! I hope that the pages I’ve created have been a help for some of you! It is my heart, to come alongside others to encourage and support!
I’m especially sensitive to young Mom’s because I believe the call God has placed on their lives is of the utmost importance!
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” -Deuteronomy 6:4-9
If you are new to my blog, please go HERE to catch up on what I’m providing through “DOODLE DEVOTIONS”
Click on the image above FOR THE VIDEO LESSON
God had a plan for His family all along. He knew that Adam and Eve would make some bad choices, which would separate them from their Holy Father. The thing is, God is all about love, and had a rescue plan in place from the very beginning. We are ALL made in God’s image, and through Christ, we are adopted as sons and daughters of the King. We are a Royal family.
Below are some pages for you to print and complete. Use the Doodle exercises to practice drawing people, and then add them to your Family Tree and “Snap Shot” page.
Note that the The family tree is not “Biblically complete!” I want your kids to know that from the time God created Adam and Eve, HE had THEM in mind, and one day, they would be born into God’s family.
Click on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to print (SNAPSHOT PAGE)
The next 3 pages are Challenge Worksheets for Scripture Study for ages 6 and above. I use this 3,2,1 Method of study myself, and often teach it to adult classes. It’s a great structure of studying God’s Word verse by verse.
Click on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to print
The next 3 files are Scripture Study Challenge pages for non-readers.
Click on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to print Click on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to print
Below is an Activity Page. It includes instructions for the paper “Floppy Ear Dog Project”, The Family Discovery Activity, and Encouragement Tag instructions.
Click on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to print *SEE A GREAT OPTION FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT CARDS WITH THE PRINTABLE
Below are step by step Photos of the Floppy Ear Dog Craft. Written instructions are on the activity page above.
Needed: Printed Dog page, scissors, glue stick
I initially watched the video below for this cute idea. It might help to watch it first, though it took me some time to figure out dimensions and how to make it work!It’s quick!
Dog demo starts at about the 0:24 mark
Choose to print in Black and White or Color. IF you print in Black and White you can color it in yourself!
Click on the image above for the pdf, then click on the title to print (it is best to print this on cardstock) Next, cut out each piece
If using the color printable, glue the 2 ear pieces, wrong sides together using a glue stick.
On the background square, Cut a slit where you see a grey line It’s easier to cut if you gently fold, but try not to create a crease lineGlue the tongue to the Ears like aboveI added this tan “body piece” in the wrong order. Do this first, then work on the dark brown face:)Apply some glue to the back of the face piece (stay above the area where the face lays on top of the slit. You only need about the width of your glue stick at the top.) 3/4 of the face remains “free and unglued.” Line up the top straight edge of the face with the top edge of the background square. The tab should be sticking up above that.
Flip pieces over
Add glue to the back of the tab
Fold over and press down
Glue on eyes and nose
Insert ear & tongue piece from the back with back facing you
Flip the pieces over (Ignore the fact that I forgot to glue on the eyes and nose here!
Fold ears t the front
Flip the whole thing over again and fold the outside edges of the background piece to the back. (About 1/4 inch) Once folded, the final back piece should line up to be the same size with the edges folded down.
Apply glue to the top of the folded edges only
Lay final back piece on top of the folded edges
Press into place.
Fold the ears down, gently pull tongue to make ears lift up. He is listening to God’s Word!
The Last craft activity on the “Activity Page-Do It” are the “Encouragement Cards.” If it weren’t for our current Covid 19 status, these would be perfect to leave hanging on a mailbox, left for a delivery person, or hanging on your neighbor’s door. Save those ideas for another day, and make them for your family, or whoever you are quarantined with!
OPTION 2:You could take a photo of a finished tag hanging in YOUR HOME for someone you can’t be with in person THEN TEXT the photo to them!!! That would surely brighten someone’s day:)
I LOVE MUSIC, AND I LOVE MUSIC MAE from Crossroads Community Church Kids Club. Each of my weekly post will include video lessons and songs from this FREE resource. KIDS, TRY THE CUP MOVESAND PLAY ALONG WITH THE VIDEO!
My goal for posting is EVERY FRIDAY, so that adults have a few days during the weekend to look over the material for the following week. Some of you may choose to pick a few activities/lessons for use on Sunday morning. I’d love to hear how YOU are using these resources! It would help me a great deal in making these better for you!
The material this week took me much longer than I expected, so I couldn’t get this post ready until today! It was fun for me, I hope you enjoy it with your kids!
1 sheet of cardstock (or cut the side of a used cereal/cracker box)
1 sheet of Decorative Paper (not card-stock) See free printables below!
Glue Gun, glue stick, scissors, pencil
I used the video below, though I do have a few suggestions you should read before you start this project. THANK YOU Origmi4ik!
Tap on the image above to watch
I used 4 sheets of paper for the interior pages. (You could use more, like the video, but it is a bit easier to work with fewer pages, especially for your first try at this)
Because you bind the interior pages with a glue gun, children should not attempt this alone. It is best to have an adult hot glue the interior pages together.
I used a paper cutter to speed up the process, though I did do a few books by hand. My paper cutter’s blade is dull, so the edges get a little rough at times and cutting by hand solves that problem.
4 sheets of paper cut, yield 60 interior pages.
A Few Tips learned the hard way 🤪
Messy folds and cuts yield wonky books. Take your time folding, creasing firmly and cutting as accurately as you can.
Use card stock for “cover pieces” but not for decorative final cover. It will be too thick to fold.
Crease the “binding area” (the box like space created with cover) once the decorative final cover has been glued on, before you insert the interior pages.
When glueing the interior pages to the finished cover, start with the back as seen in the video, then glue into place pushing down with the cover closed, making sure you have enough room to open the book fully. Then do the front the same way. (This one is hard to explain without going through the process! Hope my mentioning it helps!!)
Below are some FREE PRINTABLE PAPERS for you to use for covers! They are just the right size, though I do cut a little beyond the printed area for the “height” of the book to allow a little more room for folding and glueing.
Click on the image for pdf, then click on the title to print Click on the image for pdf, then click on the title to printClick on the image for pdf, then click on the title to print
Use your little mini book/journal for keeping notes, a gratitude list, food diary, etc.!
Beth Guckenberger has compiled forty life-changing messages to encourage a life of reckless faith. This devotional journey walks through the adventure and joy that follows a yes to Jesus. Through a unique approach of reflecting on experiences to create internal change and external action steps, each day tells personal stories of when she accepted a challenge to grow. Some stories take place on the mission field and some around her table, but all hold insight to inspire a life with Jesus, who longs to work in and through us all. This journey will help you: – Experience reckless faith adventures – Relate biblical truths to your daily life – Understand God’s heart for others
About Beth
Beth and her husband, Todd, live with their family in Cincinnati, Ohio where they serve as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries. After graduating from Indiana University, the Guckenbergers moved to Monterrey, Mexico where they lived for 15 years. Between biological, foster, and adopted children, they have raised ten children.
Beth is the author of eight books including adult and children’s titles. She travels and speaks regularly at conferences, youth gatherings and church services. Her style is based in story-telling and she draws from her vast field experience as a missionary, Bible teacher and parent for illustrations of biblical concepts.
Beth is an incredible story teller, and for this visual learner, she illuminates truth like no other. The Lord has blessed her with the ability to communicate spiritual truth with a humility and compassion that completely draws you to HIM. Through the power of the Holy Spirit you will be moved. She speaks from experience out in the trenches, doing God’s work…stumbling along the way, as she becomes more like Christ with each step. She invites you into her journey and you walk away friends:)
Today, I want to share my process for journaling this 40 day devotional with you. It can be used to journal any devotional or scripture study, but works perfectly with the way Beth sets up each daily entry in her book.
Above is my Journal. Baron Fig Confidant. (Slightly smaller than A5) There are definitely aspects about it that I don’t like. I fixed one issue by painting the front and back with acrylic paint. (It has a linen like cover that picks up dirt and grease, yuk!) The layout of the book and the size are certainly to my liking, but the pages are very thin, and don’t hold up well with any heavier applications of pen/marker or paint. I primarily use watercolor and microns, so I can manage, but below is my FAVORITE dot bullet journal that will take almost ANY product without bleed through! (And I love the wipeable cover!) Size/A5
Each of the 40 days in “Reckless Faith” contain: an Experience, a reflection Scripture, Probing Reflective Questions, and an Action step. Below is how I set up my spread to utilize these elements.
Click on the image above for the printable pdf
LEFT SIDE PAGE
I use the top left box (Date/March) to write the FACTS/TRUTHS I pull from the scripture highlighted(top right), using the 3,2,1 Method of Study.
In the “Action space” (left page top right space next to the Date/Truth box) I write my “Response” The ACTION God is calling me to take. I try to write this in the form of a plan that I can implement daily. Beth gives you a specific task to accomplish which is a great way to put what you’ve learned into DOING:)
RIGHT SIDE PAGE
In the top Right box I RE-WRITE the scripture. I find that the simple exercise of prayerfully re-writing scripture helps me meditate over it and remember it! Ask the Holy Spirit for direction and insight, He will teach you “the deep things of God that you do not know!” (1 Corinthians 2)
The vertical box on the lower left side of the right page is where I place a specific WORD that jumps out at me in the story Beth shares or a lesson point she makes. Sometimes, I write a phrase…it’s usually the main point for the day:)
On the lower Right Side (of the right page) I describe the Word box in more detail. Sometimes I add a visual using a drawing or photo.
I pre-cut thin, brown paper bags to use as a 3 x 4 background or I tear pieces of recycled bags and place “strategically” on any of the sections. I also pre-cut watercolor squares/rectangles to use for paintings/drawings. This way, you can create something outside your journal, and will get better results on watercolor paper. MANY TIMES, I cover up boo boos by adding paper! If I cannot correct an oops, I just grab paper, glue it in, and cover it up!
This is a COVER UP (left page bottom) over my notes section where I made a big boo boo!
Here are a few more of my daily pages.
I spend a big chunk of time each morning studying and creating my pages.(1-2 hours) I save time by drawing out the page layout structure, a week at a time, on the weekend. I typically do one, 2 page spread, 5 days a week and use the weekend to layout my pages so they are ready to fill in during the week.
THE PODCASTS ARE GREAT!
I’ve included a FREE printable that you can use to make your own stickers! You can find sticker paper on amazon HERE.
Click on the image to access printable / then click on the title that comes up to print
Hopefully I’ve given you some resources that will be useful to you as you spend precious time with the Lord.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Today is the first day of what I hope will be a weekly resource for many of you! I will post each page for the week, along with a brief description of how to use it. (The description follows the page image)
I will also include a video lesson/and or song to use in conjunction with the printable handouts. You can grab the weekly files by downloading the complete merged document or download them individually…choosing what works best for the ages of your kids.
You may decide to use these materials throughout the week, or utilize specific pages to support your Sunday worship experience!
Click on the image for printable, then click on the title
Above is a cover for you to use, should you choose to create bound pages or house in a binder. You can print this off and slip it into a binder with a clear front pocket. I bound my pages together with washi tape, and then punched holes and added ties:) Each week will have 5-10 pages.
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the title
The above image is a coloring page.
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the title
The above scripture worksheet is designed for readers. It’s a GREAT exercise for young readers to learn how to use the table of contents in their Bible and to practice finding scripture for themselves.
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the title
Young readers or non reader can color in the numbered days as an adult or older reader helps them to understand what happened on each day of creation. Young readers can label the numbers with the corresponding scripture found on the previous page.
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the titleClick on the image for printable file, then click on the title
Above is a “Doodle 101” This is a step by step instruction. Kids can use this and the following Doodle 101 to create their own CREATION picture story.
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the titleClick on the image for printable file, then click on the title
Above is a printable frame for your kids to create their own “mock Polaroid’ of the creation story, using the Step by Step Doodle 101 worksheets.
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the title
Above is a weekly activity sheet, to dig in a little deeper! We all connect to learning by doing! These activities are designed to reinforce the lesson and build tactile memories…seeds that will continue to grow! (Day 3 of the creation plates ground/grass is created with Cheerios dyed with food coloring)
Finally, for those of you who enjoy baking with your children, and are able to pick up the ingredients…you’ll find my “Pretty Famous Gingerbread Cookie Recipe” (one of my most requested recipes!)
You can use this activity to reinforce the creation story, especially the creation of man.
Encourage the children to talk about their differences as you cut out cookies and later decorate them.
Using one batch of Dough explain how God formed Adam from the dust of the Earth and how we are all made from the same matter, just as the Gingerbread character is made from the same batch of dough.
Then as the children cut the Gingerbread character out with a small cutter explain how we are all made the same way no matter what colour or ethnic group we come from and that God loves each of us the same. He created us, out of love…to LOVE US!
Once the Gingerbread characters are baked, you’ll find that no two Gingerbread characters are exactly the same, & reinforce that even if we are made of the same stuff we are also unique and special. No one is exactly like YOU!
Click on the image for printable file, then click on the title
*This dough is so AMAZING!!! You can roll it out right away, and after baking, the cookies stay fresh and moist for days! Don’t over bake. I usually don’t leave them in for a full 10 minutes, especially for smaller cut outs. The Cream Cheese icing really makes them special! Hope you try them!
Well, that’s is for week 1! I sure would love to hear from you!
1. How can I better serve specific ages?
2. What do you love? What could I add or tweak?
3. Would you enjoy being a part of a Facebook page, where we could encourage each other with photos of our family’s journey, comments, questions, and suggestions?!
4. Please respond in the comments! I would be grateful!
I’ve been prayerfully considering what I can do to help families who are house bound during this pandemic. My daughter is in Denver with 3 young children and my Son is close by with 2 of his own. I have many friends and relatives who are Mom’s of school age kids, and I know that it is extremely challenging to provide activities and learning opportunities all day…everyday!
Because I was once VERY LOST, and the Lord RESCUED me, I am daily grateful…so much so, that I desire to use ANY gifts He has blessed me with to bless others. This comes from a place of remembering where I have been, and thriving in the new life God has graciously extended to undeserving me. I want to use what I have to help! I have a background in Children’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, theater and art…I am a creative who LOVES God’s Word!
All that to say…I will be posting free Biblical lessons and activities for children, including step by step drawings with short topical devotionals. These posts will include links to fun teaching videos for kids that will deepen their understanding of God’s Word…His Story…THEIR story.
I will include free printable coloring pages, printable doodle 101 instructions and worksheets for kids who are able to read and write. The video links come from our local church CROSSROADS. These kid videos are SO well done, and will round out the lesson posts perfectly! Thank you CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH!
I’m not the most organized, but aim to create posts that follow the Bible chronologically, with a few “random” devotionals along the way 😜 These posts will have enough material for you to pick and choose for the specific ages of your children (Or grandchildren!) and can be used to supplement your weekday or weekend activities.
We’ll learn together as we go! I’m eager to hear back from you about what works and what you might need more of! I would LOVE to know how I can make what I do better for you! As parents, we are called to train up our children…they are really HIS KIDS.
Week One will be about CREATION. That Post is coming to you tomorrow! My hope is that you will look over the material, and use the weekend to decide how you can best utilize it for your family. (A little each day, one day a week, or a supplement for your Sunday Worship)
Hang in there Moms…God is sending His love and encouragement in so many ways…don’t forget to look up!
1Arthouse 