So have you jumped in on the craze of coloring books for adults? I had read some articles about how coloring books are helping adults deal with stress and anxiety and a few weeks ago one book even made it to the NY Times Bestseller list.
Well, count me in. You know I love artsy/craftsy stuff and last Christmas my husband and mother-in-law gifted me a beautiful Faber Castell pencil set so why not join in the craze? So I recently got the book, Secret Garden by Johanna Brasford, and I love it!
I am a person who easily worries and I deal with a lot of stress being the caretaker of an elderly parent. I’m not going to tell you that this coloring book is a cure but I can say it really is relaxing. I love to get lost in filling in the patterns with beautiful, vibrant colors. Do the colors match, is it all within the lines? Who knows and who cares. This is all about freedom to be creative.
I’ve always said that I wish I could draw and I think this is also a good step for those of you who don’t feel confident enough drawing. Like stencils and rubber stamps, coloring books do half of the job for you. Not only can you color, but you can alter the shapes or create extra designs. I think it’s all about enjoying the moment and nurturing your creativity.
During our last bookstore visit I saw quite a bunch of new magazines that were strictly about coloring. Cloth Paper Scissors even has a special edition on Zen Doodle Workshop, which I actually received at my art journal retreat. This is more about how to make your own coloring templates so that’s neat.
Anyway, I think this weekend calls for some time spent reading and coloring. Hope you have a fabulous weekend and let me know if you have a coloring book to recommend!
I love colouring since I was a little girl. I remember saving up my allowances to buy colouring books featuring those beautiful Japanese girl characters in animations. I wish I’d kept those! I don’t think I’ve seen them around nowadays but I did see a few available in Kinokuniya but of course they aren’t the same from those of my childhood. Anyways…
Hope you’ve a great weekend, Iliana!
The coloring book trend is certainly becoming a big thing right now. And I do think it would be relaxing. When my daughter was little, I used to color along with her and loved it. It would be nice to have things to work with that weren’t Disney princesses or such. LOL
I used to color with my granddaughter, but she wouldn’t let me choose the colors. Or which parts I could color. Finally, all I could do was hand her the colors she requested. I think I need my own coloring book.
My sister loves to help her friend out by babysitting her three kids under 10 most because she has an excuse to do arts and crafts, especially coloring, so when the adult coloring books started appearing I sent her one for Christmas and she loved it. I’ve been thinking of getting one but haven’t decided yet. You are making me lean toward yes 🙂
I used to love to color–before it was cool to color as an adult, but it’s been so long since I last did it. You make me want to get back into it. 🙂 I suppose I kind of have when I color with my daughter.
My friend’s mother has dementia and would spend all day coloring if given the chance. It keeps her mind off her delusions.
The coloring looks great. Enjoy your weekend!
I loved coloring when I was a kid and coloring with my daughter when she was younger. It’s fun and relaxing. I like the idea of adult coloring books!
I’ve never enjoyed coloring as a kid – probably because I didn’t get to do much of it. But I have been seeing all the recent craze over coloring books and thinking that maybe I should give them a try.
I have one of those Zen doodle books–not very good at it but it is very cool and inspiring. I just recently discovered those coloring books–may have to indulge in one sometime–anything to help relieve stress! I am afraid I might start and enjoy it so much I spend half a night coloring! 🙂
So fun! I just put up a post with a coloring book artist, Wendy Piersall, who “writes” (draws?) Coloring Animal Mandalas. Her latest is Coloring Flower Mandalas, and she suggested Faber-Castell pencils, too, so I had to go out and buy a set. (They’re expensive!) But, this is such a wonderful, child-like, somehow pure experience. I love to think of us coloring, even though we’re states apart. xo