I recently had the opportunity to review three different Ellie Claire art journals. One ended up being my favorite (I knew it would) and one grabbed my husband’s attention. The other one is beautiful as well but not really our style. I’m going to review each one in little snippets below, a bit out of my usual post format for necessity’s sake.
Use this almost-lost art of illuminating letters to enhance your writing, Bible journaling, or sermon note-taking. Rich illustrated manuscripts in the Museum of the Bible’s collection inspired these gorgeous letters. Easy to follow instructions, practice pages, and encouragements guide you through the creation of amazing start letters, flourishes, and more.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Cloth spine opens 180º—takes lay-flat journaling to a new level
• Elastic pen loop on spine
• High-quality, non-bleed paper
• Uplifting, inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout
• Drawing guides, grid background practice pages, plus lined pages for journaling
• Ribbon marker, pocket, elastic band closure.
Bottom Line: The Illuminate Your Story journal was my husband’s favorite of the three journals. This doubles as a how-to guide for drawing illuminated letters as were popular in medieval art, and while there is space for journaling – complete with inspirational quotes – most of the little book is dedicated to demonstrating how to draw these intricate illuminated letters. For someone like me with absolutely no artistic ability, this is a bit intimidating but for my creative hubby it’s like Christmas morning. Which, incidentally, means this would be a great Christmas gift idea for the creative on your shopping list! Done in partnership with the Museum of the Bible, this is very well done as a whole – the cover feels great to hold and the cloth binding with the pen loop provides a great texture contrast as well, not to mention the high-quality pages inside.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
The Faith & Lettering Journal is designed to be a safe place to practice prompts, try your hand at different styles, and grow in your lettering skills. You’ll practice the basics of hand-lettering, Bible journaling, sermon sketch note-taking, and have space to write about how these techniques are deepening your walk with God.
Something special happens when you slow down and take time to focus on Scripture in a creative way!
Bottom Line: This is the one I was looking forward to, and as I suspected it was an instant favorite for me. I already have Krystal Whitten’s accompanying Faith & Lettering book so I was really excited to get the journal too. It’s bright and colorful on the outside with equally bright & colorful illustrated verses & quotes on the interior pages. Whitten also incorporates plenty of practice pages for different types of lettering as well as guided verse lettering and ‘doodle’ embellishments to enhance your artwork. The guided pages are done in various stages too so, unlike the Illuminate Your Story journal, this one seems very accessible to people like me who are all thumbs when it comes to drawing and making things look pretty. If you’ve drooled over the gorgeous Bible journaling that people post to IG and Pinterest, here’s your chance to make some pretty pages of your own.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
Just as medieval monks brought Scripture to life through intricate inked illustrations in handwritten manuscripts hundreds of years ago, you can now create your own stunning keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.
Copy Scripture as a spiritual exercise or record your own thoughts and prayers on the pages.
Bottom Line: The Illustrated Bible – also done in partnership with the Museum of the Bible – is more of a coloring journal than a how-to art guide like the other two art journals were. Appealing to the history geek in me, it’s full of line drawings (and full-color miniatures) recreated from ancient medieval ‘illuminated Bible’ manuscripts. However, while I think it’s a cool idea, I lose interest with this style of art fairly quickly so an entire coloring journal full of nothing but this style isn’t really for me. I do think, though, that there is definitely a subset of people who would really enjoy this journal so I wanted to make sure I reviewed it for y’all here too.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
What about you? Which of these journals interests you the most?
I like the one your hubby chose. They all look interesting. Thanks for the heads up on the last one. I do not enjoy adult coloring books!
I think that I would like the same one that you did, Carrie…the Faith and Lettering journal.
I’ve saved the link to this post for next Christmas!
They all look good, especially Faith and Lettering Journal! Thanks for the opportunity to read about these tools for ministry:)
I think I’d make the same choice as you, though the illuminations journal might tempt me as well.
I had the same favorite as you, Carrie. 🙂