Book Reviews :: Two New Inspire Bibles (Inspire Bible for Girls NLT and Inspire Catholic Bible NLT)

The Inspire Bible (New Living Translation) is a line of unique Bibles that are fantastic for those who love to be creative in their worship and study times. There are a lot of journaling Bible options out there, but one of the things that makes the Inspire Bible so unique is that it not only offers room for journaling and Bible art, but it is also like a built in coloring book. With over 400 illustrations throughout the different versions of the Inspire Bible, there is a lot to color in, but there is still plenty of room to do art & journaling of your own.

And now there are two new versions of the Inspire Bible - the Inspire Bible for Girls and the Inspire Catholic Bible:

First up - the Inspire Catholic Bible:

The leather-like cover of the Inspire Catholic Bible comes in rose gold with a rose gold foiled imprinted accents and a matching elastic strap for closure. The NLT text comes in 8.65 font size and is all black, printed in a single column. The pages have printed edges and a ribbon bookmark is included. The cover measures approximately 6 3/8" x 8 1/8" x 2" and the pages measure approximately 6" x 7 3/4" with a 2" margin (lightly lined where artwork is not included).

The Inspire Catholic Bible is much like the original Inspire Bible (including many of the same illustrations), but with the full biblical canon recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. For those, like me, who are unfamiliar with what this means, the following texts are included:

• Tobit and Judith - placed after Nehemiah
• 1 and 2 Maccabees - placed after Esther
• Wisdom and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) - placed after Song of Songs
• Baruch - placed after Lamentations

The above texts contain 48 new illustrations, making over 450 illustrations throughout.

And then there is the Inspire Bible for Girls, which has several new extras not available in other versions of the Inspire Bible:

The hard paperback cover on the Inspire Bible for Girls has some embossed dimension with foiled imprinted accents. This is not your typical paperback cover (like you would find on a novel) - these covers are sturdy, and there is a slip box for additional protection. The NLT text comes in 8.65 font size and is black with teal accents, chapter numbers, and headings. The text is printed in a single column. The cover measures approximately 6 1/8" x 7 7/8" x 1 1/2" and the pages are edge-to-edge with a 1 7/8" margin (lightly lined where artwork is not included). 

There are over 500 line art illustrations in the Inspire Bible for Girls - with teal accents included on the book key Scripture verse illustrations. Many of the illustrations are from the original Inspire Bible, but there are several (something in the range of 75 or so) new designs.

Where the Inspire Bible for Girls differs most from other versions of the Inspire Bible is in the additional devotionals, fun facts, and journaling prompts. There are over 300 (I think I counted 318) devotionals - meaning you can read one devotional six days out of the week and it will take you a year to get through them all.

For each book (with 2 & 3 John being included with 1 John), there are key verses and fun facts shared. Throughout the Inspire Bible for Girls there are also over 160 journaling prompts to get you thinking (& writing).

No matter what you are looking for in a journaling Bible, the Inspire Bible line is sure to have something for you.

Happy reading! (And coloring!)

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through their book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

New Releases from Ink Blot Shop, LLC!

There are EIGHT new stamp sets (available now!) from Ink Blot Shop, LLC!

First up...this is a fun one for decorating your envelopes - Envelope Mail Art:

And then there is this one...perfect for turning any card into a party invitation.

Meet Invitation Builder:

There are two new critter sets...

Billy Silly Goats:

  and Flopsy Forest Friends:

There's a new companion for Hello Lovely...meet - Hey Handsome:

 And a new one for Bible journaling - Margin Notes:

And last (but not least) two new backgrounds...

Leopard Print Background:

 and Wild Hatch Herringbone Background:

Happy shopping!

New releases from Ink Blot Shop, LLC!

Good news! There are four new stamp sets (available now!) from Ink Blot Shop, LLC!

First up - a great new alphabet...

Drop Shadow Alphabet:

This one creates the drop shadow effect for you. You can leave it as-is or color in the shadow area for a fun and funky look.

...and then there's something a little different. These stamp sets are designed especially for bullet journaling and planners. These three sets are all part of the "Calendar Builders" line - easy to mix and match to create a variety of custom looks.

Months & Days:

Date It:

Track It:

Here's a little peek at how you can use them in your bullet journaling:

Stay tuned for more projects using these new stamps, 

but in the meantime...

go shopping!

WINNER

Thanks to everyone who participated in my recent giveaway for the My Promise Bible!

ApplePecan Sews

Congratulations!

Please send me an e-mail with your US mailing address so I can get your prize out to you.
{You can find my e-mail address in my blog header or on my Blogger profile.}

The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with their information.
Due to shipping costs, giveaways are available to US mailing addresses only.
The winner was randomly chosen using Random.org.

Book Review :: My Promise Bible, KJV (with video flip-through) & a GIVEAWAY!

If you've been following along on my blog, you know that I love checking out all the journaling Bibles out there, so I was thrilled when KJVBibles sent me their new My Promise Bible to review. 

As with any journaling Bible (especially those with line art, like the My Promise Bible) it is best to actually see the interior pages. Here's a flip-through video I created to help you get a feel for it:

And, thanks to the generosity of the folks over at KJVBibles, I've got a My Promise Bible to give away!

To enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post. That's it!

If you would like additional chances to win you can do so in one (or all) of the following ways:
- Subscribe to my Ink Blots by TRD YouTube channel. {Please let me know you've done so by leaving an additional comment.}
- "Like" Ink Blots by TRD on Facebook. {Please let me know you've done so by leaving an additional comment.}
- Follow @InkBlotsbyTRD on Instagram. {Please let me know you've done so by leaving an additional comment.}
- Comment on any of my giveaway posts (associated with this particular giveaway) on Facebook or Instagram (@InkBlotsbyTRD).
- Share about and link back to this giveaway on your own blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or anywhere else. {Please let me know where you've shared/linked by leaving one additional comment.}

Rules of this giveaway:
Blog comments for the giveaway will close Sunday, February 4th @ 11:59pm (Eastern) and the winner will be announced Tuesday, February 6th here on my blog.
- The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with their information.
- Due to shipping costs, giveaways are available to US mailing addresses only.

Please remember to check back to see if you've won.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or Twitter.

Good luck in the giveaway!

FTC Declaration: KJVBibles.com has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

New Releases from Ink Blot Shop, LLC!

I'm SO excited to tell you about two new stamp sets (available now!) from Ink Blot Shop, LLC!

Introducing...

Arts & Crafts Icons:

(6x8 Clear Stamp Set)

 ...and Arts & Crafts Sentiments:

(6x6 Clear Stamp Set)

I think these sets are perfect for cards, of course, but I also can't wait to use them in my Bible journaling and bullet journaling, too!

Stay tuned for some cards and projects using these new stamps, 

but in the meantime...

go shopping!

Stamps: Ink Blot Shop (Arts & Crafts Icons, Arts & Crafts Sentiments);

2017 Year in Review (Top Ten Blog Hop 2017)

The Introduction:

If you are hopping along with us today: Welcome! You should have come here from Heather Leopard's blog.

If you aren't already following me, I'd love to have you follow me on my @InkBlotsbyTRD account on Instagram, Ink Blots by TRD page on Facebook, and here on my blog as well!

If you are one of my regular readers: Thanks for coming back! I love having you! Please feel free to join along in the hop.

The Year in Review - Top Fives:

Because I blog a variety of things here (crafts, cards, Bible art & journaling, book reviews, and more) I thought I would do a variation on the top ten idea, and share the top five from a few different categories. And, because I have been a bad blogger (I've had some gaps in my blogging where my projects only made it as far as Instagram or Facebook), not all of these have actually been given air time here on my blog this year.

Top Five Bible Journaling Entries of 2017:

These top five Bible journaling entries were chosen based on their popularity here on my blog (as well as over on my Instagram account). 

You can click each photo below to be taken to the original blog post (where I have a full supply list) or Instagram post...or just go ahead and view them here:

Top Five Cards of 2017:

A few of these top five cards were chosen because they are some of my personal favorites from the year. (And a couple were well loved on my Instagram account, but they didn't make it to the blog...oops!)

You can click each photo below to be taken to the original blog post (where I have a full supply list) or Instagram post...or just go ahead and view them here:

Top Five Bible Recommendations/Reviews 2017:

These top five Bible recommendations are my personal top recommendations from all the Bibles that I have had the pleasure of reviewing this year. 

Here they are with a little description for each:

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

The Beautiful Word Bible line came out with a "for Girls" coloring Bible version, but for me it is my personal favorite from the line (even though I am not the target age range). The updated images to color really are a step up from some of those in the earlier versions, and I love the added bonus of a cute cover and rounded page corners, all while keeping the original wide lined margins for Bible art & journaling.

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

The She Reads Truth Bible is a great option for Bible art & journaling, note taking, and more. The interior pages are beautifully designed, and this Bible has some great study helps. The She Reads Truth Bible is a journaling Bible on steroids. (All legal, of course.)

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

Okay, this isn't technically a Bible (since it is a storybook), but I snuck it into this category. If you don't already have The Jesus Storybook Bible, I recommend getting this version. Not only is there a gorgeous cover, but the pages are larger which results in larger artwork and larger text. Although this Bible storybook is definitely great for kids, it helped me as an adult, and I think anyone (at any age) would benefit from owning it.

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

The Kids' Quest Study Bible is a fantastic study Bible for kids. It covers some great study basics (who, what, where, when), but also has some informative practical application for kids that I think is wonderful.

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

The Kids' Devotional Bible is both a Bible and a year's worth of devotional readings for kids. And, as a fun bonus, there is some great line art that could make this a coloring Bible.

Top Five Book Recommendations/Reviews of 2017:

These top five book recommendations are my favorites from all the books that I have had the pleasure of reviewing this year. Most of them are for kids, but they are all well loved in our house.

So that you don't have to judge these books solely on their covers, I'll give a little description for each.

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

The Marvelous Mud House is...marvelous. It is beautifully written, incredibly illustrated, and has a wonderful message. It really is an incredible book and a peek at a different lifestyle for those of us with easy access to education, large homes, nice cars, and an abundance of toys. It is definitely worth buying...and buying several copies to share with other families.

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

When God Made You is a positive, uplifting book that celebrates uniqueness and diversity, all in the context of being created by God. It is a literary step above other children's books on the market, in my opinion. The illustrations just add to the incredible confidence-building text in this book and I can't recommend it enough.

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

Found is taken from The Jesus Storybook Bible, and our family loves owning both. The illustrations in this board book are beautifully done in calm colors and they help create a very peaceful feeling. Our littlest one loves to read Found - and he likes to read it often. It's definitely a keeper!

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

Noah, Noah, What Do You See? was an instant favorite in our house. It is co-written by Bill Martin Jr. - the author of classics like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (and other books in the Brown Bear and Friends line) as well as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (and other Chicka Chicka books). This book is cute and fun to read, definitely a must-have in our house!

{Read my original review here / Buy it here}

Portrait Revolution is all about inspiration (not instruction), but it definitely delivers on being inspirational! Portrait Revolution features portraits (faces from the shoulders up, so it's family friendly), and has sections dividing the art by media, style, theme, and artist. According to my 11 year old artist: "I like all the imaginative ways of making portraits. I like seeing different versions of the same person (subject). There are a lot of drawings with good style." I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to be inspired to create and/or wanting to check out different artistic styles.

The Giveaway:

Whew! We made it! 

(What a year!)

I am SO thankful that you did a little time traveling with me. As a way to say thanks, I'd like to give away some stamps from my stamp company,  Ink Blot Shop, LLC! 

I'll be sending these three stamp sets to one lucky winner:

{Stretched Sentiments}

{PEAS on Earth}

{Rainbow Promise}

To enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post. That's it!

If you would like additional chances to win you can do so in one (or all) of the following ways:
- "Like" Ink Blots by TRD on Facebook. {Please let me know you've done so by leaving an additional comment.}
- Comment on any of my giveaway posts (associated with this particular giveaway) on Facebook or Instagram (@InkBlotsbyTRD).
- Share about and link back to this giveaway on your own blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or anywhere else. {Please let me know where you've shared/linked by leaving one additional comment.}

Rules of this giveaway:
Blog comments for the giveaway will close Sunday, December 31st @ 11:59pm (Eastern) and the winner will be announced Tuesday, January 2nd here on my blog.
- The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with their information.
- Due to shipping costs, giveaways are available to US mailing addresses only.

Please remember to check back to see if you've won.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.

After leaving a comment, be sure to hop on over to Sue Eldred's site.

Thanks for stopping by today - and may the Lord bless you in the new year!

The full hop list:

Christine Meyer
Kathy Skou
Kathleen Graumüller
Teri Anderson
Susie Bentz
Janice Daquila-Pardo
Giorgia Rossini
Laurel Seabrook
Aimee Kidd
Mary Ann Jenkins
Keren Tamir
Lee-Anne Thornton
Heather Leopard
Tifany DeGough (You are here)
Sue Eldred
Melissa Elsner
Laura Whitaker
Anita Mulcahey
Ashley Smith
Simone Schermann
Shelly Kurth
Monique Liedtke
Suzanna Lee
Kat Benjamin
Wendy Antenucci
Marcia Dehn-Nix
Laura Cox
Irit Shalom
Nicole Martel
Carolyn Johnson
Tenia Nelson
Samantha Taylor
Rebecca Keppel
Judy Hayes
Isha Gupta
Traci Penrod
Tracy McLennon
Karen Hunter
Lyne Blodgett
Anna Sigga
Lisa Moen