The Abide Bible (NET) ~ let creativity bless your quiet times (a review & giveaway, CLOSED)

**Congratulations to Rebecca G, the giveaway winner!**

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I’m blessed to get to share my favorite Bible with you today–and, you’ll also have a chance to win your own copy! Momentum Influencer Network provided a boxed copy of the gorgeous Abide Bible (NET) for me. It is the most beautiful way to engage with Scripture. Let me share my thoughts, and keep an eye out for the giveaway!

About the Abide Bible

The Abide Bible was created by Bible Gateway and Taylor University’s Center for Scriptural Engagement to enable readers to draw closer to God, via 5 creative practices: Praying Scripture; Picture It (imagine yourself a bystander to Bible passages); Journaling; Engage Through Art; Contemplate (read, meditate on, pray, and contemplate Bible passages). These practices are detailed throughout each Bible book and keyed to verse segments, with easy-to-follow directions.

The Abide Bible is available in the New English Translation, which is very readable. This cover is the Leathersoft Stone version. The binding allows the Bible to lay open and stay open for reading or study. There are two satin ribbon bookmarks and golden edging on the pages. Each Bible book has a wonderful introduction that includes the historical and literary context (detailing the book’s key verses), as well as defining what the reader can do for heart preparation before reading. There’s also a 365-day Bible reading plan.

From the publisher:

“Transform your personal Bible devotions into intimate, ongoing conversations with God with various Scripture engagement approaches that keep Bible reading fresh and new…”

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:4, The Holy Bible (NIV)

“…Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ.”

My experiences with Abide

Have you ever had the experience when you were given the perfect gift–except it was one you didn’t know you needed or wanted?

That has been the Abide Bible for me. It is TRULY my favorite. I love how works of paintings, sculpture, and photography are placed alongside Bible verses that they give some illustration to.

For example, the painting above, “Landscape with a Sunlit Stream,” is paired with Jeremiah 17:7-8, which talks about how the Lord blesses those who trust in Him. These verses tells readers how He will make them like a tree planted near a stream, with roots spread toward the water, which never has to fear in time of drought and will never stop bearing fruit. The “Engage Through Art” in the footer below the verses gives a description of the painting itself, then what the painter hoped to accomplish through his art and style. Then, it gives some gentle direction for the Bible reader on the verses. The result for me is a wonderful meditative experience. This use of art alongside Scripture provided a brand-new way for me to think on and absorb the Bible.

Another creative practice I enjoy in the Abide Bible is the Journaling exercise, which offers readers a Bible passage, then questions for reflection and writing. These are not surface-level questions or ideas, yet they’re ones that Bible readers both experienced and new will be able to take in.

I enjoy the Praying Scripture portions as well. I love praying Bible verses already and have really enjoyed how the Abide Bible expands this practice for me. These exercises tell us a little more about the Bible books and verses, plus more about what the God-inspired writers were facing in their cultures and times. All of these provide more insight and depth for my prayer times and my God experiences and connections. And the Contemplate exercises, which have as a practice faithfully stood the test of time for believers, can help those who don’t feel that they understand how to utilize meditation as a Christian exercise. Last but not least, the Picture It portions allow us as believers to think upon and to imagine what it might have been like to be an eyewitness to the events recorded in Scripture. All of these together can help us all, in our busy, schedule-driven lives, to stop and actually, intentionally, *be* with the Lord.

I need that, so deeply. What about you?

The Abide Experience: 21 Days in John (free!)

You can also sign up for a free devotional video series featuring the general editor of the Abide Bible, Dr. Phil Collins. When you sign up, you’ll receive daily video devotions via email. You’ll also be able to download free the Abide Bible’s book of John for the study! These will be centered around the five methods of Scripture engagement utilized in this Bible.

The Abide Experience: 21 Days in John

Enter to win the Abide Bible

One reader of the FINCHNWREN blog can enter to win a copy of the fantastic Abide Bible. To enter this giveaway, simply click on the link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on 12/4/22. One winner will be selected to win (US entrants only). Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Bibles for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

“Coloring God’s Love for Me: 100 Devotions to Inspire Young Hearts” ~ a JustRead Bookstagram & Review Tour (& giveaway, ends 6/13/22)

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I’d love to invite you to learn more about Janae Dueck’s wonderful coloring book and devotional for children! Right now, you can even enter a giveaway to win a copy on Instagram (keep reading for more info on how to enter). First, let me tell you some book details about Coloring God’s Love for Me!

About Coloring God’s Love for Me

⇒ Book Name Coloring God’s Love for Me: 100 Devotions to Inspire Young Hearts

⇒ Author Janae Dueck

⇒ Publisher Tommy Nelson

⇒ Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3GEnlBh #ad

Release Date: June 13, 2022
Genre: Children’s, Devotional, Journal, Coloring Book

Hold on to the Bible’s promises of God’s love, care, and protection with this coloring book devotional for kids. Each devotion includes Scripture, a reflection on the verse using kid-friendly examples, and a coloring page that illustrates the promise.

This activity book for kids ages 6 to 9 features

• 100 promises based on God’s Word that encourage children to trust the Lord no matter what–through exciting adventures, new experiences, anxieties, challenges, and sad times
• devotions that guide children toward a better understanding of who God is and His loving plans for them
• illustrations to color on every page that represent the biblical truths in fun, creative ways

Enjoy hours of coloring God’s promises with

• sturdy paper perfect for markers, gel pens, crayons, or colored pencils
• short readings great for family and homeschool devotions, kids’ quiet times, or Sunday School lessons
• notebook-sized pages that fit just right in a backpack or car seat pocket

Kids will love personalizing this keepsake devotional as they color their way through each promise and reflect on God’s goodness. Coloring God’s Love for Me is a hands-on devotional for kids that makes an encouraging gift for summer vacation, birthdays, Christmas, and Easter.

Giveaway

⇒ Giveaway – (2) winners will receive a print copy of the book via this giveaway–head over to Instagram to enter, following the directions below.

⇒  To Enter, LIKE and SAVE this post, FOLLOW these Instagram accounts: @janae.dueck @tommynelsonbooks @justreadtours, and let us know you did in a COMMENT. Add up to 3 friend TAGS in that comment for BONUS entries.

⇒ VISIT each hosted post of this tour for more entries. Schedule at @justreadtours. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on June 13, 2022.)

My thoughts about Coloring God’s Love for Me

What an incredibly lovely coloring and devotional journal! And I mean that, not only by the coloring pages in the book, but just as important, with the devotional thoughts and Scriptures that this book is organized around. I am a fan of the Bible journaling and coloring trend that’s been popular for years now; and Janae Dueck takes this trend and makes it accessible and wonderful for younger readers. This book is aimed at the 6-9 year-old age range, but I would say that older readers who enjoy Bible journaling will also enjoy it. (After all–I am a mom, and I loved it!)

In each of the 100 devotions, Dueck begins with a promise, like “Promise 12: God Carries My Worries.” She then offers a Scripture, which is printed on the page under the promise. Then, a devotional expanding on the verse and promise appears on the left side and a line drawing connected to them is on the right side.

The promises touch on many parts of the lives of Christians. Here are some precious promises that kids will love learning:

• God Keeps His Promises
• God Heals My Heart
• I Can Discover Wisdom
• God Brightens My Life
• I Can Find Joy in God
• and lots more!

The coloring pages range from parts of verses (like the book’s last page, modeled on Philippians 4: 19), to simple drawings of animals, to more intricate line drawings with lots of detail. Many times, the theme is echoed on the devotional page, so that coloring can happen on both sides. Children can read and color these devotional drawings on their own, or coloring and reading could easily become part of a parent-child craft and Bible time. Crayons, colored pencils, gel pens, and many markers can be used in this book (although you’ll want to test some markers on unobtrusive pages, just to ensure that you won’t be getting bleed-through).

I am so blessed and encouraged to see that authors, artists, and publishers are creating materials for children to use as they grow in their own faith. I loved the way that Janae Dueck presents ideas and Bible verses for kids, in language and in art form that little minds can comprehend and remember. I recommend Coloring God’s Love for Me for you and your family–especially if you have little ones who love to color and create art. What a beautiful way to weave Scripture into creative moments. Wonderful!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Kids Faith Krate ~ fun, faith, and family togetherness in a box! (a review)

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Recently, FrontGate Media and the Kids Faith Krate ladies sent me a wonderful subscription box that’s perfect for families with little ones! While I love subscription boxes already, I found this one to be unique, well-designed, and something that families will love. Let me tell you more!

What is Kids Faith Krate?

Kids Faith Krate is a monthly subscription box program that’s designed for families to enjoy with their children aged 4-10. Imagined and created by founder Lynsey, who is a former teacher herself, each box contains 4 weeks’ worth of activities (one per week) for parents and children to enjoy together; and learn about God as they do so.

Lynsey understood that parents may not always know how to teach children about God, faith, and the particulars of Christian discipleship. She developed Kids Faith Krate as a means for families to experience God and the Bible together, with Bible readings, Q&As, and a wonderful variety of activities designed to help children learn the life of faith.

Each month, the Kids Faith Krate boxes include (the photo above is an example of what a Kids Faith Krate can include):

• Four weekly fun and interesting Bible lessons for parents and kids to do together
• Four crafts which go along with each week’s lessons
• A new stamp for kids to add to their Kids Faith Krate Stamp Collection as they complete Bible verse memorization

The subscription boxes are designed to contain activities for 1-3 children (if you have additional kids, you can add them to your subscription for just a slightly higher price).

Each month, the contents of the subscription box will have a different theme connected to faith and discipleship. They are Bible-based but not connected to any particular denomination.

My thoughts

Did you ever love attending Vacation Bible School as a child yourself? Kids Faith Krate reminded me of the best and most beautiful aspects of that–except that here, you get the joy of doing the discipleship activities with your own child, instead of someone else getting to do them!

The Bible teachings are fantastic. Although there is a main verse that connects each week’s activities, the Bible lessons cover specific stories in the Bible, or here, as in the last week, some of its instructive verses. The accompanying booklet is like a lesson plan for the whole month as well as for each week. The first page of the booklet provides an instruction manual (even though it’s only two pages long) that tells the parent how to use the Bible lessons and the activities. Most important, it encourages families to read the Bible together, talk about God’s Word, and to pray together. What wonderful habits for us to develop!

I loved the variety of the activities too. The box I received contained: a cooking activity (with a cool craft that all ages will love doing); a coloring and sort of “mystery” activity that will bring to life one of Jesus’s miracles; a blanket craft for little hands to tie together; and a stickers-and-cardboard ornament. Each of these is something that parents can do with the children or that kids can do on their own. (A parent will need to provide ingredients for the cooking activity, but they’re all items that can be found already in most pantries.) Other than that, everything is included in the box. (You’ll need your own Bibles, however!)

I absolutely loved the Kids Faith Krate that we received. The activities, the Bible lessons, and the conversation and prayer ideas were wonderful and so encouraging. Even if parents wouldn’t consider themselves to be Bible teachers, the box’s contents and plan will enable anyone to follow these faith-building activities. And, to thoroughly enjoy them with their children!

How to subscribe to Kids Faith Krate

You can purchase a subscription and learn more about this wonderful company by clicking on this link:

Kids Faith Krate

Kids Faith Krate offers a variety of plans (monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and yearly) that are great for families. And, Kids Faith Krate has a special offer for you…below!

Here’s a coupon for $10 off your first box!

You can receive $10 off your first Kids Faith Krate box! Just use the code campinabox when you purchase your subscription.

Thanks for letting me share with you about this lovely, faith- and fun-building subscription service. What fun for families!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a Kids Faith Krate subscription box from FrontGate Media. All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones.

Perfect family-fun book review: “100 Days of Adventure”

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I received the awesome 100 Days of Adventure: Nature Activities, Creative Projects, and Field Trips for Every Season from FrontGate Media. It is definitely a book that is worth your while if you’re interested in creating fun and memorable adventures for your family and little ones (or bigger kids for that matter!).

About 100 Days of Adventure

From the publisher: Second-generation homeschooling mom Greta Eskridge shares 100 hands-on, learning activities for kids that will connect and enrich your family through adventures, small and big. Turn off the screen and turn on the creativity, curiosity, and love of nature as you have a meteor slumber party, attend a symphony concert, take a hike in the rain, preserve colorful fall leaves, make nettle pesto, and venture into the great, wide, real world.

Greta’s beautifully-illustrated, chock-full-of-ideas book will thrill your family as it offers you 100 adventure-filled activities for your family to do together! Each season’s section contains 25 activities that will engage young minds, hearts, and bodies–and bring your family connectedness as you immerse yourself in memory-making fun and adventure. Designed for families with kids aged 6-10 (but certainly will be fun for ages just under or over those), this book can provide the perfect idea guide for families who want to do something FUN, whether it’s fall, winter, spring, or fall.

And what kinds of activities will you find in 100 Days of Adventure? There are ideas and plans for cooking, outdoors experiences, art, writing, camping, volunteering, observing animals and insects, and lots more. There are even more “formal”-type activities like visiting an art museum, attending a symphony concert or ballet, and heading to a national park. It is so full of exciting and creative activities. In fact, here are some of the ones you’ll see in the book!

• Start Seeds (in eggshells!)
• Snow-White Canvas (painting on snow)
• Knead and Bake Bread
• Take a (Forest) Bath
• Stand Tall on Homemade Stilts
• Meteor Slumber Party
• and so much more!

Each activity contains an introduction, illustrations, and a “What To Do” instructions list. Some (like the Create a Collection activity) even includes more ideas for kids to explore on their own.

This is a wonderful, joyfully-created idea book that will provide years of amazing activities for you and your kiddos to do.

My thoughts

One of my favorite homeschool memories includes the year that we had a homeschool group that met several times per month for enrichment activities. One week, we’d do an art project; the second week, we’d take a field trip; and the third week we’d do a local hike to a nature area. It was so enjoyable, and provided ways for kids and parents to experience art, nature, and more formal museum-type visits with a group of peers. It was a truly wonderful experience for us and parents still talk about it (or find older art projects from those days).

Greta Erskine’s book embraces the idea that adventures and amazing family activities can happen on the regular. She provides these beautiful and creative projects that touch on many wonderful things kids can learn in our wonderful world, whether they are in the categories of art, cooking, creating, insects and animals or the larger world of nature. Even if you consider yourself a creative person, there are ideas and plans in this book that you’ll love seeing and using yourself. (And maybe they’ll provide jumping-off points for new ideas for you as well!)

One idea that I love that was included here was creating your own adventure group. Whether you’re a homeschooler or not, I know that you and your children know other families you love getting together with. What a fantastic guidebook this can be for your own family, or for a group! I believe you’ll love this book and you’ll so appreciate Greta’s beautiful approach to family connections, growth, and activities.

Where you can purchase

You can purchase Greta Eskridge’s wonderful book by clicking on the link below!

Purchase 100 Days of Adventure here

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FrontGate Media. All opinions and thoughts written here are my own honest ones.

“Farm to Film” ~ a lovely ABC book for early readers (review & giveaway, ends 12/3/21)

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The BlogAbout Blogger Network recently sent me two of the most beautiful books! Farm to Film, written and illustrated by Hannah Miles Pierrou, is a lovely, gentle ABC book for early readers. Let me tell you more about it…and then, you’ll be able to enter a giveaway to win a wrapped copy for your family!

About the author

Hannah Miles Pierrou is a long-time lifestyle photographer, designer, and artist. Hannah recently launched Treehouse Storyteller where she plans to write, illustrate, and publish many books in the future with Farm to Film as the debut book. 

Leaning into her experience as an artist, she is brings her readers into various design elements such as detail, contrast, movement, composition, shape, and rhythm so that they can feel like they are in the scenes with her characters. She hopes to inspire readers to take time to unplug and see the beauty in our lives. 

Hannah and her husband are raising their family in the countryside of the Colorado foothills.

Hannah’s desire for her children and generations to come, is to see nature, animals, and a homestead lifestyle not only a rewarding way to live, but a beautiful one at that….Her hope is for her little readers to unplug, get back to nature, and find peace in the life on the farm.

Hannah Miles Pierrou, Farm to Film, Dedication

About Farm to Film

Farm to Film is a lovely ABC book for early readers, written and illustrated by Hannah Miles Pierrou. It tells the gentle story of a child who goes to her grandparents’ (Pop and Gram) farm. Told in first person, Farm to Film allows the reader to see the child’s day on the farm, and everything she engages with and photographs with Pop’s vintage camera, from A to Z. And there is a lot to see!

Each letter receives two facing pages in which the child tells about what she sees and what she is taking a photo of. She sees animals (both farm and wild), insects, flowers, vehicles (including the most awesome vintage pickup truck), buildings, food, and objects. The speed of the story is calm and placid, where the reader is able to meander along and take the time to gather and absorb the text and the artwork. While this book is perfect for early readers, it would also be an excellent choice for a read-aloud. In fact, I believe that educator Charlotte Mason, who delighted in bringing children outside to nature and giving them time to explore their senses outdoors, would have loved this book!

The art style is clean and carefully-drawn. Miles Pierrou loves to use geometric shapes, especially for her animals, which not only are breathtaking to view but also provide the reader and parent opportunities for a little art observation (“Can you find a triangle? Or a diamond? What colors and shapes do you see?”). The pale backgrounds draw the reader’s eye directly to the focus of each page. The illustrations are also quite restful to observe. Yet the narrative, where we see from a child’s point of view, helps us to skip along to the next page, propelling us to continue with her to see everything she sees on the farm.

Farm to Film is a peaceful and delightful excursion to a lovely day on the farm, away from the busyness and stress of a day in the city. It is a joy to read and to experience, and I’m so impressed that the author found such rich and full items to use up every letter in the alphabet! Personally, I loved reading it. The illustrations, especially those on the flyleaves, captured my heart and reminded me of a beloved book from my own childhood. I loved looking at the artwork; such appreciation and nostalgia it created in me!

This would be a wonderful gift for children or new parents, for homeschooling families, or even grandparents who love to read to their grandkids. And, The BlogAbout Blogger Network provided a copy of this lovely book to give away to a reader!

How you can enter to win Farm to Film

Simply click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes 12/3/21. One winner will be selected to win the beautifully-wrapped copy of Farm to Film. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Where you can purchase Farm to Film

Farm to Film is available on Amazon. Just click on the highlighted title!

Thank you for letting me share this beautiful book with you.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

Enter to Win a Journal & Fun Pens in the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop (CLOSED)

**CONGRATULATIONS to Abigail B, the journal & pens winner!**

Hi there!

I’m joining with MamatheFox and tons of other fun bloggers for a neat spring giveaway hop! Keep reading for more info on how to visit the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop page and enter the giveaways, as well as the FINCHNWREN giveaway!

25 bloggers are giving away fun prizes in the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop. To enter, click on the blue InLinkz button below. That will take you to the giveaway page, where you’ll be able to see all the giveaways and click to visit them.

And now, for the FINCHNWREN giveaway!

The FINCHNWREN blog is giving away a beautiful softcover spiral-bound lined journal from Fringe Studios. It has a blurred image of succulents on the cover along with the golden-embossed words, COLLECT BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES. In addition, we’re giving away two Sharpies; a bright pink Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker plus a Sharpie Calligraphic Pen with water-based purple ink. Because a journal should always come with fun pens!

How to enter the FINCHNWREN giveaway

To enter the giveaway for the journal and pens, simply click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on 4/15/21. One winner will be selected to win all three items. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Enter to win a Crayola Art Pack in the “Let’s Get Lucky Giveaway Hop” (CLOSED)

**CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the Crayola Art Pack, Emily B!**

Hi everyone! And happy March!

I have a fun and colorful way for you to forget all the snow, cold, and crazy weather we’ve been having lately.

I’m joining with The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It blogs–and tons of others too!–for the Let’s Get Lucky Giveaway Hop! You’ll find over 45 amazing giveaways in this giveaway hop, including mine! This giveaway hop runs from March 2-16, 2021.

To head over to the giveaway hop page, click on the blue Inlinkz button below (the one with the frog):

That will take you to the Let’s Get Lucky Giveaway Hop page, which will have links to all the blogs who are hosting giveaways. You’ll be able to access all the giveaways and enter to your heart’s delight!

And now, for the FINCHNWREN blog’s giveaway!

The FINCHNWREN blog is giving away a Crayola Art Pack to one reader! Most of them are in some shade of green (because St. Patrick’s Day). The set includes:

• #Crayoligraphy: A Beginner’s Guide to Hand-Lettering softcover workbook
• A composition book with a confetti-look cover
• Alphabet sticker set in glossy green shades (72 stickers)
• Crayola Washable Color Glue in green
• Crayola Project Poster Markers (set of 2)
• Crayola Pearl Crayons (8-pack)
• Jolly Rancher Grape Flavored Lip Balm
• Crayola Take Note! Felt Tip Pens (in Electric Blush and My Valentine)
• Crayola Take Note! Felt Tip Pens (in Surf’s Up and Sea the Change)
• Crayola zippered marker pouch in lime green

**Please note, all craft supplies are designed for ages 3 or 36 months and up. Oddly enough, the Jolly Rancher lip balm is designed for age 8 and up.**

How to enter the giveaway for the Crayola Art Pack

To enter to win the Crayola Art Pack giveaway, simply click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. One winner will be selected to win all items in the gift back. Giveaway closes 3/16/21. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

DISCLOSURE: The FINCHNWREN blog is only responsible for its own prize giveaway, as are all other blogs in the giveaway hop.

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls: Gorgeous! (a review)

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I have a wonderful Bible to tell you about today! FlyBy/Propeller Promotions, HCCP, and Telling Ministries LLC sent me the most amazing coloring Bible that is perfect for girls and young women. It’s called the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible and its name describes it perfectly. Let me show you what I mean!

 

 

 

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is designed for girls who are 8-12 years of age. It comes in a sturdy, lovely cardboard box which holds the Bible plus extra goodies! The Bible itself is hardback covered with a debossed, screenprinted cover, in the New International Version of the entire Bible.

 

 

The gift box contains the Bible plus 4 twist-up colored pencils (in purple, blue, red, and yellow) which write easily on the Bible pages. Also, there are 6 sheets of stickers to use in the Bible while journaling. The stickers can be colored and have artsy phrases and verses on them.

Each page of the Bible has wide margins for doodling and journaling. And, there are over 600 line drawings (whole page, and inside the margins) of Bible verses, designs, and decorations to color. The Bible has an attached blue satin ribbon for bookmarking pages.

 

 

The pages are not too thin (but not too thick either). It’s very easy to draw or journal on the pages with either colored pencils or markers, although I would recommend testing markers on one of the back blank pages before using them to draw. Mine did not bleed through although there were sometimes hints of color on the back sides of the pages when I colored.

 

 

 

I also really liked the font the Bible is typeset in. It’s very easy on the eyes, easy to read, and has a fun look to it.

 

 

 

 

What I loved about this Bible

So much! I loved the gift box; it is so beautiful it makes you want to open it to see what is inside. The Bible itself is lovely (and I’m particularly partial to the blues shades on the cover). It has a nice heft and the pages don’t try to close while you’re reading or coloring, whether it’s on your lap or on the table.

The illustrations and lettered Bible verses couldn’t be more beautiful. The art style is varied but incredibly inviting. The illustrations are not overly intricate; I felt as though tweens and teens would enjoy them but not be overwhelmed as they colored and journaled. I often had several verses/illustrations that I wanted to color at the same time. With over 600 of them, I don’t think that I’ll run out for awhile!

Perhaps more importantly, I found myself drawn into the meaning of each verse as I colored it. As I spent time creating, I was able to consider and think on what the Scripture was saying, and what it was saying to me. This was a wonderful way to spend my devotional Bible reading times and the entire experience (coloring, creating, and pondering) was rich and satisfying.

 

 

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible would be perfect for:

• A tween or early teen girl who enjoys creativity
• A young woman who’d like to have rich devotional reading times in the Bible
• A girl who’d like to grow in her faith
• Those who enjoy visual learning OR kinesthetic experiences
• A birthday gift
• A Christmas gift

 

 

In closing

I am not necessarily the target audience for the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible, since I am a grown-up girl instead of an eight- to twelve-year-old girl! However, I have loved Bible journaling since I first discovered it. And I found that this coloring Bible is now among my favorites. It’s comfortable to use, delightful to create in, and lovely both inside and out.

I am happy to recommend it to you!

Where to purchase

You can find NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible at these retailers:

Zondervan

Christianbook

 

And, a few surprises for you!

TellingMinistries LLC and HCCP have a couple of goodies for you! Both of these are downloadable freebies.

Beautiful Word Bible For Girls Gift Set Sampler

Beautiful Word Bible For Girls Coloring Sheets

And, I have a goodie for you as well! Next week, I will be giving away a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls! Keep an eye out for that giveaway.

 

Enjoy! –Wren

 

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):

Many thanks to Telling Ministries LLC and HCCP for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Create Your Own Collage Giveaway! (Part of the Summer Vibes Giveaway Hop, ends 7/31/20)

 

**Congrats to Dana R, the giveaway winner!**

 

Hi everyone!

I know that probably everyone is suffering from coronavirus fatigue. So today, I’m giving away something that I hope will bring one giveaway winner joy, something that can be enjoyed at home! Along with lots of other amazing bloggers, I’m joining in the Summer Vibes Giveaway Hop hosted by Chatty Patty’s Place and The Review Wire. So you’ll also be able to check all those out.

 

 

I personally love doing arts and crafts at home. But have you ever experienced that moment when you WANT to do something artsy, but you can’t quite come up with a project? Artist Lizzie Lees has come up with the perfect book for those moments!

Create Your Own Collage is a lovely, vivid, color- and project-packed book for you to make your very own. This book contains gorgeous pages for you to write, paint, draw, and color on; add stickers to (and she’s even included 4 pages of beautiful stickers for you to use); and even some fold-out  pages to make huge collages with!

Here are some examples of the beautiful pages you’ll find to create with. There are city pages that you can personalize and enhance, like New York, London, and Paris. There are pages that you can create greeting cards with. And as I mentioned before, charming stickers! All of these pages have cool graphics and backgrounds that are just waiting for the you to jump into. It’s truly wonderful.

 

 

And, I’m also enclosing a pack of Cray-Pas Junior Artist Student Quality Oil Pastels! It’s a 12-pack, and small enough that it’s easy to carry around.

 

How to enter:

Simply click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on 7/31/20. One winner will be selected to win both the book and the oil pastels. Best wishes!

Enter here!

 

 

And now, for the Summer Vibes Giveaway Hop!

 

 

You can enter to win lots of other neat giveaways in this giveaway hop, by clicking on the blue InLinkz button below. That will take you to the main giveaway linkup, and you can see more and enter to win!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=9c9b10dbdecdfb9300b0

 

Enjoy! –Wren

Knitting over the Last Few Months

Hey everyone!

I have been wanting to update you on my favorite new craft! I have FINALLY learned how to knit, thanks to a knitting class at our homeschool coop (for students and adults) last fall. I am still very much a beginner knitter, but I love it. It is the most restful, enjoyable activity…plus you have something soft and lovely to show for it when you’re finished!

 

I’ve gotten to knit several projects over the last few months. Here’s what I’ve been doing!

 

Circular Needles

One of my friends just had a baby! So I bought a set of bamboo circular knitting needles on Amazon, and picked up some Bernat Baby Blanket yarn. It’s sort of fleecy (and is actually the same yarn that we used in the library knitting loom project) and feels wonderfully soft to the touch. Warm too!

This was my first project with circular needles. You knit the same way; the difference is that the needles are connected by a plastic line to one another instead of two needles that you hold in each hand. That line (I think mine are 36″ or so) allows you to make a wider line of stitches than you could on regular knitting needles. So these are great for larger projects.

 

 

I just did a plain knit stitch (K) for this. It has taken 4 skeins of yarn; the yarn is bulky so probably there’s not as much on a skein of this as there would be with a finer, thinner yarn. I have finished the blanket itself and just need to add the finishing touches: weaving in the yarn from the spots I added new skeins, and sewing a blanket stitch border around the edges.

 

 

The Knitting Loom

Back in November, Mom and I went to a fun library program on loom knitting. I had never used knitting looms before. In this program, we were all loaned some of the library’s looms to make stocking caps for children who were undergoing chemotherapy. I loved that idea; I’ve wanted to make caps for patients undergoing chemotherapy ever since I received some that had been made for patients during my own journey a couple of years ago.

 

 

Loom knitting is a bit different than regular knitting in that you use a loom instead of needles. You wrap the yarn in loops around the pegs on the loom, then pull the bottom loop over the top loop. Once you’ve done that, you have a stitch. As you make more, you create a knitted yarn funnel that you close by threading yarn through the last loops and pulling. Ta-da…a cap!

 

And…still working on the lap blanket from the fall!

So the lap blanket I was working on in the fall is still….in progress! I got the squares just over halfway done in the fall but then, with the holidays, my work tapered off. This semester, I’m thrilled to be TAing for the same teacher that taught me in the fall. So, I’ve picked it back up. I  learned a stripes stitch that was throwing me earlier so that’s what I’m working on now.

Here’s another new square that I completed this spring for the blanket: it’s a plain garter square with a small knitted pocket on top of it, with a heart. Fun!

 

 

And one other thing…

I can’t close this post without showing you the neatest gift my friend J. gave me for Christmas! We have a mutual friend who’s an incredibly gifted potter. She made this lovely knitting bowl…which then became my Christmas gift! It keeps your ball of yarn from rolling across the room while you’re knitting. There’s a line you thread your yarn through plus two holes to place your knitting needles in when you’re finished. Plus a cute mousie perched on the side! It makes me smile.

 

 

I’m just enjoying this so much. Knitting can be a great thing to do in the evening while watching movies together or chatting. (If I don’t have to do a lot of switching back and forth between different stitches, anyway! Then I have to count!)

 

Are you working on any fun hobbies or crafts?

 

Enjoy!  –Wren