New Write the Word Journals and Creative Ideas for Using Them

Last year, when I wrote about and did a review of 2020 Write the Word Journals, I noted that this blog was mostly about planning. What a difference a few months makes!

While I have been journaling for several years now (thanks to having journaling on my habit tracker- it’s a daily habit now), I didn’t think much of writing about the different journals I used. But, since last year’s post, I have been more excited to share my journaling experiences with my readers.

This year, as each before it, I ordered all of my Write the Word (WTW) journals from Cultivate What Matters (CWM) and have loved each journal and accessory that arrived. As I noted last year, these journals are a fantastic way to get into reading the bible, and learning about scripture by writing it out in our own handwriting.

The journals have space for gratitude, writing out scripture, journaling, and choosing word of the day. They are also beautiful books with nice, thick paper.

Since the paper is so sturdy, I had included some ideas in last year’s review for using the journaling section for more than just jotting down thoughts that are in our minds. The books are actually a great place to do some creative journaling as there’s usually plenty of room in the space for writing scripture as well as doing some mixed media expressions of faith.

In this article, I’ll review the 2021 additions to the CMW WTW journal lineup, including the new Write the Word for Kids Adventure journal! And, to make sure you know just how versatile these books are, I have included some additional ideas and resources for making these books into a creative outlet as you ponder the word.

Write the Word Journal Reviews

These journals are sold on the Cultivate What Matters website under their Faith tab. You can check out the full collection here.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Cultivate What Matters and received no compensation for this review. I am just a happy customer and like to share information about products I enjoy!

Write the Word Journals for Adults

For more information on how these journals work, please check out last year’s article and review here. But, as a brief summary, these journals have two-page journaling spreads with space to write down the day, a gratitude, and a bible passage with lined space on one page and a second page with lined space for noting what is “on my heart today” and a blank space for the word for the day.

The beauty of these books is that they allow you to work on one short passage at a time, you can use whatever bible translation you prefer, and with just two pages, you can fill out the prompts in very little time. Of course, if you decide you want to get more creative, the books have plenty of space for doing some art journaling.

This year, CWM launched two new WTW Journals: Wisdom and Refresh Your Mind. The Wisdom book contains 143 pages and the Refresh Your Mind has 139 pages.

These two new journals are very similar in format to the journals launched last year, which had a slightly different format from the original WTW Journals.

As with last year, the two-page spreads start with a left-sided page and end with a right-sided page. Throughout the book there are a few pages with scripture passages with a Today Is, I’m Grateful For and a journaling prompt in place of a suggested bible verse.

Finally, the material of the books, from the vegan leather covers to the gold foiling on the pages, all appear to be the same.

There are a few differences from previous formats:

The books did not come with a paper sash indicating the book’s title on the front. This is probably a good idea as those sashes although pretty, probably wasted a lot of paper.

The covers have the Write the Word logo and name of the journal in a decorative box, similar last year’s version- “Choose Your Own Scripture Journal” (a blank journal where you could choose your own scripture), except that the box is gold foiled.

The books no longer have the words “Cultivate” on the cover prior to the name of journal. This was a big one. So, instead of Cultivate Faith or Cultivate Worship, these only list the theme of the journal.

Although the books have an intro page with instructions at the beginning, these newer books are not signed by Lara Casey, but are instead from “Team Cultivate.”

Aside from these changes, the books are very similar to ones in the past and just seem to get better each year.

Write the Word Kids For Kids Journals

Last year, CWM did not have a new kids WTW journal, so I was excited to see they had launched a new one this year- Write the Word for Kids: Adventure. I reviewed both the original Write the Words for Kids and the Fruit of the Spirit version in last year’s post (LINK).

This year’s book is very similar to the ones that were released before. They all have a bible bingo page, instruction pages, coloring pages, page ribbon marker and space to write what day it is, a mood tracker, lined area for writing out the suggested bible passage, a large area to create “Today’s Masterpiece,” a space to write about a favorite for the day and another space to write out a gratitude.

The theme for this year’s WTW for Kids Journal is “Adventure,” so the entire book has pictures of different outdoor scenery and animals. There is also an About Me page with various prompts and a page for kids to write down their 5 goals.

The book also has the same soft, quilted cover and includes a pocket filled with 4 sticker sheets. I think the journal is really cute and functional, but I thought a kid’s opinion might help.

A Kid’s Perspective on WTW Journal for Kids

Here are some observations from my 12 year old daughter, who loves all of her WTW Kids Journals.

“The covers are really cute– I love the stitched design!” She likes how the cover really showcases the adventure theme.

She also loves the ribbon page marker in the book.

She also likes that there is more room to write than in prior versions and the stickers in the pocket of the back cover has all the cute images on the cover.

There are two sheets of emotion face stickers and she especially loved the camping-themed stickers, which are perfect for the adventure theme. She also loves that they incorporate the them in the other two sticker sheets.

New Sticker Set

Although the CWM shop always has sticker books with multiple pages of stickers, lately, they have been selling smaller sets of sticker sheets. Since I purchased my books as a bundle, I was able to choose my journals and an accessory.

As I already have their Faith Stickers book (no longer in their shop), I decided to try their new Faith Sticker Pack. This set came with four sticker sheets (about 8.25 x 5.25”). Here’s what they have: (Bullets)

• The first sheet has words – Amen, Love, Grace, Seek First, My Rock, My Redeemer, Thank You Lord, and circle stickers with “Oh Happy Day” and arrows.
• The second sheet has small pointing flag stickers for Remember This, Grateful for the This, Answered Prayer, and Trust in Him. Half point to the right and the other half point left.
• The third sheet has hand-lettered, decorative faith phases, circle stickers with hearts, and two-handed praises stickers.
• The final sheet has color-coding flag stickers.

All of the stickers are really cute and come on cardstock sticker sheets, so they are very sturdy. They are also packaged with a card that has a bible phrase on it.

Even More Ideas for Using Your WTW Journal Creatively

In the article I published last year, I provided some ideas for using a Write the Word Journal. This was before I was regularly using my creative journals to play with mixed media effects.

Because the CWM journals have such sturdy paper, they can stand up to mixed media (as long as you properly prepare the pages). My first recommendation is to prime the page with some Gesso– clear, white, or even black will do. (#AD) These will allow you to add paints and other wet media onto the page without ruining the paper.

After you have prepped the page, you can use all manner of mixed media supplies. Here are some ideas along with products I recommend for each idea:

Sticker your journal. Stickers are a great way to add decoration and reinforce certain themes on your page. Definitely start with the CWM Faith Stickers. There are other faith-themed stickers that can also add to the fun and aesthetic of stickering your journal such as these from The Happy Planner (I’ve bought this book twice because the stickers are so perfect for faith journaling!). (#AD)

Add Washi Tape. Washi tape is basically a thin, decorative masking tape. There are so many sizes and styles of washi tape, and they are perfect for adding quick and easy colorful decorations to a journal page. Here is a set with a rainbow of color, and you can write on them as well! (#AD)

Tip in a Journaling Card. “Tip ins” and journaling cards are basically small cards that can be added to a page using washi tape or to a paper pocket created on the page. It gives you extra room to write on with the option of keeping what you wrote private if you use a pocket to tuck in the card. Here are some with a faith theme that have decorated backs with room to write. (#AD)

Try Distress Inks and Oxides. Some of the more enjoyable journaling and mixed media supplies are ones that “distress” or create different colors and textures on the page. The Tim Holtz Ranger line of stamp pads make it easy to create pages and decorative paper elements that have beautiful colors and can look aged or distressed. They react with water and other mixed media elements in different ways, so the possibilities are endless.

Distress inks (dye inks) now come in smaller sizes so you can get more for less money (#AD):

Distress oxides (pigment and dye) are a little brighter in color and react differently in water compared to distress inks:

Add Texture Pastes and Mediums. Once your page is gessoed, you can add other types of media to create rough or raised textures.

I really like using Extra Heavy Molding Paste to create texture on my page (#AD).

Other media include Gloss Gel Medium (#AD),

and Texture Pastes (#AD).

Use Mixed Media Stencils. If you have texture pastes or mediums, you’ll get more use out of them with mixed media stencils. These stencils hold up to being used with heavy pastes and will create really neat designs on your page that you can highlight with paints and other color media. Or, you can use the ink from stamp pads or distress inks and oxides over the stencil to create a colored pattern on your paper. Faber-Castell has a set that is specifically for faith journaling. (#AD)

Try Faith-Themed Stamps. Stamping has come a long way from the time folks used them primarily for making greeting cards. They can add a really interesting element to the page. Ones with a faith theme can also enhance your journaling. Here are a couple that are specifically faith-themed. (#AD)

Give Gelatos a Try. These lipstick-like pigment crayons have a smooth texture and are water-soluble, so you can blend them onto a page with your finger, apply them directly for a stronger color effect, or activate them with water and paint with them like watercolors. This set is specifically made for bible journaling and comes with stickers, pens, gelatos, and stencils. (#AD)

Seal With Mod Podge. Do you remember this stuff from decoupaging in art class? This product comes in so many varieties now- matte, gloss, glitter, etc. It is really helpful to make sure that your colors and media stay put on the page. (#AD).

All of these products, while fun to use, are a great way to take some time to think about the word. As you decide on colors, textures, and techniques, let your mind linger on the bible passage, its context, and its potential application to your life. Mixing art with faith is a way to bring joy and meditation to our spiritual lives.

I hope you will not just get into the word using these journals but will find creative ways to express what’s on your mind as you read and write out the bible passages suggested in the CWM books. It can be a fun and meaningful way to explore scripture and your faith.

Are you a Write the Word fan? Do you use mixed media in your journals or bible? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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** Image on header graphic courtesy of Canva.com. Images of bible, child with bible, and mixed media image found on Pixabay.

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