3/2/16

Coloring_Not Just for Kids

Hey everyone!  I truly hope your week is perfectly perfect so far.  Last week I wrote a post about multitasking, and I have concluded that most of us do that to at least a certain degree.  Now, if you are like me, multitasking comes in certain combinations.  For example, I love to listen to audio-books, and often combine that with home-keeping....mopping, scrubbing the bathroom, or ironing.  At night, while watching tv with The Man, I will generally crochet or hop around on IG.  Lately though, I have discovered something new (to me) that is so much fun and definitely keeps my hands busy....Coloring for Adults!  Do you remember coloring with your children, and how much fun that was?  Well, yes it was fun, but crayons are kind of messy and too thick to actually stay inside the lines....come on, does staying in the lines really surprise you about me? 

I would buy these beautiful big boxes of crayons in the hopes that I might get to use them before my kiddos discovered them and determined that they should all be in at least two pieces & the paper torn off!  

Well, you can certainly imagine my excitement when the Adult Coloring phase took off, and I discovered I could have these.......


Big beautiful books filled with lovely, intricate designs in black and white on high-grade smooth paper!  And, I could use colored pencils & pens!

       
I had quite an assortment of colored pencils already, but I ordered the pens from Amazon.  I did some research before I purchased this set, and I am so happy with them.  The colors are brilliant and they do not bleed through the page....unless I press down super-hard.


Nothing personal, Strawberry Shortcake, but this Nana has her own coloring book now!  You will always have a home in the "Activities Drawer," however, for whenever the youngest Grands are here!

Adult coloring professes to be meditative and calming, and I must agree with that.  It actually lowers my blood pressure, even when watching the political nonsense news.  How's that for an endorsement...HA!

My first two efforts, using some pens I already had but didn't like the result....they bled through the paper very badly.


The more pages I do, the more experimenting I do with colors and blending.  There is absolutely no wrong or right way....you just do your own thing!


I think as you go along, you develop your own techniques.  When I look at a fresh new page, I typically decide what colors I want to use and generally put them aside from the rest or simply hold them in my hand.  I have even mastered coloring with Abby on my lap!


Some of the coloring books can be a bit spendy and usually don't qualify for store coupons.  So if you aren't sure you will enjoy this craft, there are plenty of FREE downloads....go to Pinterest & do a search for Free Adult Coloring Pages.  All of the above are from Pinterest, but I'm sorry, I do not remember the site.  I may just frame a few of these to hang in my craft room.  Aren't they cute?

I would love to know if any of you have taken up this craft and what you think about it.  If not this, what do you do (if anything) while watching tv?  If my hands aren't busy, I will fall asleep....total "bobble-head!"  Keeping my hands busy does not deter me from tv snacking, but I'm sure there are plenty who do find it a great deterrent.

I hope you are enjoying some Spring weather wherever you are.  We may just skip Spring and jump right into Summer here in AZ.  It's been 90 the last couple of days!  I'm just going to stay inside, because I've heard there are bunnies around here, and they may want to play!  Thanks for stopping by.
I often party with these lovely bloggers:

Monday
Dee at Meatloaf and Melodrama for Merry Monday
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Tuesday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Wednesday
Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Thursday
Jemma at  At Home With Jemma for Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

19 comments:

  1. I'm definitely a multitasker, and I cannot watch TV without reading or even working on the laptop. But, I have never had the patience for coloring an entire page -- sad. And, my kids can color better than me! ;)

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  2. I have been amazed at the various coloring books for adults available out there. I have not jumped the wagon yet, because I know I will spend a lot of time on it, and right now, my time is just not enough for everyone! LOL! Love all your completed works so far Carol!

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  3. My mom & mother in law have both started coloring. They found some inexpensive books at Walgreens on the "as seen on TV" aisle. I normally look at FB & IG while watching TV. If Dean's watching something I'm not interested in I read. I have no problem tuning out whatever it is he's watching - usually National News - which is why I thought running the Jerusalem Half Marathon was a good idea, but that's a story for another day. Your pictures are GORGEOUS!!

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  4. My daughter loves the Adult Coloring Books! Your "works of art" are very pretty! :) ~Rhonda

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  5. My daughter is a huge coloring fan. Some of the work is so small and intricate, I am amazed at her precision. I haven't ventured into this hobby yet, although I have always enjoyed coloring. At this point though, I think Strawberry Shortcake may be more my speed!! ;)

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  6. You did a wonderful job on all your pictures!!! I sat one afternoon with my daughter and three granddaughters and we all 'colored' the day away. She got home brush/pens at Barnes & Noble. I have not seen anything like them. The look like a pen but are a watercolor brush...they don't bleed through and you have marvelous control with them. They seemed to last a long time, too.
    I do think it is calming. xo Diana

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  7. My girls were just talking over the weekend about these new coloring books. I think it won't be long before they appear in our home. The pages you colored are beautiful.

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  8. Those coloring books for adults have become so popular lately, and I can see why. I can't draw a single thing...I still do stick figures ~ ha! But I do love to color. Sometimes while watching tv, I'll do some weights or sit ups, but more likely, I'm just sitting there with a cup of coffee. :)

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  9. Oh Strawberry Shortcake, you have been replaced by a grown up coloring book! Oh well, there is a season for everything and these "adult," coloring books look like such a wonderful creative outlet!
    Thank you so much for sharing and supporting our Thoughts Of Home On Thursday!
    Hugs,
    Jemma

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  10. I have loved coloring since I was a little girl. Now that it is "cool" for adults to color, I have taken my color books and crayons out of hiding. I have splurged on a fancy color book but I also like to print coloring pages off the internet. I agree... it is relaxing and reduces me stress levels.

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  11. Carol, I was just looking at these at Michael's yesterday. I decided to go back when I have a coupon. I'm totally on board with this trend. :)

    Happy TOHOT! :)

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  12. I have always loved to color and keep looking at the adult coloring books. :) Such fun! Thank you ever so much for linking up at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Your presence adds such a ray of sunshine!

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  13. I have several adult coloring books sitting right here next to me with plenty of colored pens and pencils. I even had a 'coloring play date' with my boss a couple weeks ago. It is so much fun and definitely relaxing! Enjoy, see you soon! Blessings Cindy xo

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  14. I have not yet tried the adult coloring books but they look awesome! They are on my to do list! lol! Thanks for linking up at Merry Monday!

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  15. You pages are beautiful. You definitely know how to stay in the lines Carol!!! I have three friends that do this but I have to confess I just can't sit still long enough to color. I guess it's my A.D.D. kicking in....although if you put a TV in front of me I can be asleep in 10 minutes.

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  16. Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan! I'm having so much fun doing this, and it's very relaxing, too!

      Warm hugs,
      Carol

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  17. I don't know what it is about coloring, but it's so relaxing sometimes! Beautiful job!

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  18. Hi Carol.I love your blog .you have a new follower
    angelica

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol