Hi Everyone,
This week I was blessed to rediscover the importance of doing what calls to your soul; of making time for the things which bring creative and spiritual satisfaction. After several months of focusing on the new book, it was a true pleasure to be able to create some art this week just because I wanted to! I didn’t have time to design and mail holiday cards, but I did make one that I posted on Facebook & Instagram:
While I was on Facebook, I noticed Kristen Zeitler’s post:
11 year old Aliyah has been a continual source of inspiration to me all year… and I was so moved by what she wrote that (despite my preference for only lettering scripture or words I’ve written myself) I felt called to bring Aliyah’s meaningful message to life:
Thank you, Aliyah, for your wisdom and kind heart. You are a light in the world!
My main design project for this week was our 2017 Word of the Year:
I wanted to include as many techniques as I could, in hopes that you’ll incorporate them into your personal Word of the Year design. Although the group voted on HOPE as our Zenspirations® Community word for 2017, there were so many other inspiring suggestions that I thought it would be cool to incorporate them into a frame design. The frame words, as well as the script ‘hope’, were originally lettered with a Pigma® Micron® 01. Knowing how popular Zenspirations Dangle Designs are, I decided to use Dangle Numerals for 2017. I wanted the year to stand out, and made it pop by placing the white numerals on top of an ombre wash I painted with Sakura’s Koi® Coloring Brushes. The letters in ‘Word of the Year’ were originally written with a broad-edge pen (Pigma® Calligrapher), and then I assembled the design in PhotoShop. Click here to download a FREE PDF to print: zenspirations_by_joanne_fink_blog_2017_word_of_the_year_full_color.
Here is a version you can use to create a design featuring your personal word for 2017:
Click here to download a FREE PDF to print: zenspirations_by_joanne_fink_blog_2017_word_of_the_year_fill_in.
Remember last week when I said “if you leave a comment with your word for 2017 I may surprise you and include it in next week’s blog!”? I think I was the one surprised because only a few people shared their word. (Of course, this may be because most of you, like me, haven’t finalized your word yet… so I’m repeating the offer). Of the words which were shared, I was inspired by Elizabeth Motyka’s choice, and had a totally delightful evening making this piece:
Complete Guide to Bible Journaling: Creative Techniques to Express Your Faith, by the end of January! Amazon won’t be shipping the book until March 7th, but if you’d like to get a copy sooner, you can pre-order it in my website store. I will sign copies for the first 100 people who order the book. If you want it inscribed, please use the note section to let me know what name you’d like me to write, and what color you’d like me to use. The books should ship out the first week in February. Here is a sneak peek at the table of contents:
Below is a sample spread from the Tools & Techniques section, which I chose because it features the awesome work of Gail Beck, Milagros Rivera, Samantha Trattner, and my co-author Regina Yoder, who each created images using my Inspired Journaling Stencils from The Crafter’s Workshop.
Each of the eleven artists in the Artist Profile section have at least four pages showcasing their work. Here is Krista Hamrick’s opening spread:
The bonus section has 8 pages of vellum illustrations, 8 pages of stickers, and 8 pages on paper. Here is a sneak peek at the first spread in the Bonus Section:
I did the washes for the section openers and cover designs with the Koi Coloring Brushes. Here’s what will be on the back cover:
And in case you haven’t seen the front cover, here it is:
I used a Pigma Micron 01 to letter Psalm 92, and then added color with Sakura’s Koi water color field sketch set. I am SO HAPPY that the book is at the printer, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!
I love sharing information about the tools I use to create my art, so let me know if you have any questions. Other than my INSPIRED JOURNALING STENCILS, I don’t sell supplies, but I have put together links to my favorite tools on Amazon, which you can find in the SHOP section of my website under Bible Journaling Tools. (I use the same tools on most of my projects, so even if you aren’t interested in Bible Journaling, that’s where you’ll find links to the supplies I recommend.) Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and Amazon gives me a small percentage of whatever you buy if you get to Amazon via my website. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, and helps pay for the art supplies I use to create the designs I share in the blog. If you are an Amazon shopper, I’d consider it a personal favor if you would hit the Amazon button on the home page of my website to get to Amazon when you are planning to make a purchase, especially a major purchase, because I will get a percentage of anything you buy (not just a percentage of the tools I share links to in the shop section).
As always, I welcome your comments, and look forward to finding out everyone’s word of the year. Please post your designs in the Zenspirations Create, Color, Pattern, Play Facebook Group.
Make your last week of 2016 sensational– take time to create!
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
Comments are closed.
Awesome blog Joanne. The book is wonderful. Kudos to you and Gina.
My 2017 word of the year is STRENGTH. I’ve needed lots of strength to get through the past 10 months since my husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. I can feel his strength helping me make it through, and of course, I lean on the strength of God as well.
Now I wish that I hadn’t ordered my book from Amazon but at least I have ordered it. Can’t wait to get it and I’m ready to start next year’s class. I love your work and hope I will learn something.
Your book looks amazing Joanne!! I am so happy for you!! Blessings to you in the New Year, and many thanks for your continued support and care…
I LOVE THIS Joanne! Looking forward to the new release. My word for 2017 is “Grow” <3
I guess I will have to go with the two I have narrowed it down to so far….
ANTICIPATE- I look forward to and expect great things
and probably my favorite one:
BEHOLD-Take time to smell the roses, survey the tiny insects going about their business, look and see the details in a painting and so much more. BEHOLD, the Lord has blessed us with a remarkable word and all the things in it to observe.
Regarding the Bible…..I noticed a large blank area to decorate. Is it a special type of Bible or is the wording covered up somehow? I have a study Bible with a wide margin for notes but it’s not that large of a blank space. Thanks
Oh Joanne,, thank you so much for making that piece of artwork with the word Align! I lost my Mom on Friday and the family has been in such a state of upset and confusion. Seeing that artwork helped me re Align with my higher self. This group is just such a resource of creativity and healing. Thank you
Your new book looks great!
This weeks word of the year for me I
Journey
My sister chose my word for me: selah
I realize there is much speculation about just what the true translation of this word may be, but I chose to go with “pause” as the meaning. Being still and knowing that He is God is sometimes a difficult thing to do when you are a “fixer”! He has taught me much about my inadequacy and His sufficiency over the past 7 years. PAUSING to rest in Him is my goal for 2017.❤
Joanne, the book looks AMAZING! I pre-ordered mine from amazon, so hopefully will be receiving it real soon.
Not sure of My word of the year yet, but I am looking forward to the New Year, as this one just seemed out to get me.
It didn’t though!
I wish you & your family the best of everything & want to Thank You for being the wonderful friend you are.
You are so special to so many, but there’s obviously a reason for it,,,
Cuz You Rule!
With so much love,
Jamie
INTENTIONAL
May I live 2017 with deliberate thought- being INTENTIONAL in my relationships, with my time and my talents.
I like the word Align. It so need to align myself withGod.
I pre-ordered the amazing book!!! I failed to find WHERE to leave a note for you! If I’m among the first 100, your signature would be awesome!! If you do inscribe it, I’d love the word SELAH in purple, but I failed to put that on my order! WHATEVER…I’m just tickled to receive the book! Thank you for blessing so many with all of your art❤
My word is beyond.
Reaching beyond the obvious will let your mind, your heart, and your soul grow.
Unfortunately, I already pre-ordered from Amazon. 🙁 I was so anxious to get this book that as soon as it was on Amazon, I picked it up!!! Great post today – as always! Happy New Year!
So happy to finally be able to order two copies for now… more for later. This is such a beautiful and gracious book (like all things zenspirations) and I cannot wait to gift friends with this one. Of course I’m keeping the first copy all for myself (I’m not THAT nice of a friend! lol.) Congrats Regina and Joanne!
First, let me say Congratulations on your new book coming out soon. I’m very excited and looking forward to reading it, and I am preordering. Second, I love the way that you lettered the saying by Aliyah. It’s beautiful. Third, I don’t know my “word for the year” yet. I’m planning on a study, through the year, of the names of God; what they are, what they mean and how they apply to my life experiences, etc. Now if I can think of a word that encompasses that idea, that would be great. I would appreciate suggestions, if anyone thinks of something along those lines.I love the idea of the word “hope” for the group because everyone needs hope, especially with the times that we’re in. Also, thank you for the download.
Linda E.
My word is Health. I want to continue to stay healthy and medicine-free.
I’m 76 years old and not too many people can say they aren’t on a lot
of medicine.
I’m off to order your book. Have been bible journaling for about a
year and love it.
thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year
You raise your kids to be independent and self-sufficient then find it is harder to let go than you realized LOL. My word is TRUST and my verse is PS 56.3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Congratulations on finishing the book, Joanne!
Hi Joanne. I just pre-ordered your book earlier today. It says the books won’t be going out until February. I don’t know If I made it within the first 100 people, but if I did, please write my name, Linda, in any shades of blue in my book. Thanks. After some more thinking, I might not take on the names of God this year, yet. And I think my word for the year will be “healing” – I’m thinking of looking into healing as far as how God can heal my body through proper eating, exercise, etc., also healing in response to prayer, how the world can be healed, etc. Anyway, that’s my thoughts for now…..Linda E.
My word for 2017 is “trust.” Your new book looks amazing! Thanks for giving us a sneak peak!
I know I’m late to the game, but I have had a hard time at the end of this year with the passing of my aunt. However, I can hear her talking to me to continue my path that I have started in the change of looking at my life in a new way. So in honor of her, because I learned so much during her 10 month battle with lung and brain cancer, my word is CONFIDENCE. Thank you Auntie Mariko for the strength you have given me! Joanne, I love your work and I’m excited about your new book and I’m going to preorder it now. I know I probably way pass the 100, but, just in case, can you please write my name, Donna, in any shade of purple. Thank you so much for all of your beautiful inspirations! I wish you a very happy new year!
I’m new to this. I have your book. I want to put the bible book tabs in my Bible. Do I moisten the back to adhere them?