Tag Archives: pens

Art Nouveau Birds Coloring Book Review

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Tropical Travel Patterns Review and Giveaway

When I was a child my family had birds, and as I got older my extended family continued our family tradition of birds.I also live within a close proximity to a zoo and wild animal park, both of which have birds and I love the colors that birds possess as well as the combinations of colors.

Birds are a miracle of flight and, if you know it or not, engineering. From the speed of their wings, to the aerodynamic nature of their bodies. The are able to propel themselves higher than any human could ever wish and see things that humans are unable to see. Birds are quick, small and many have their own special personalities.

When I received the Art Nouveau Birds: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book by Maysa Sem, it allowed me to think of those pet bird that were in my life so many years before.

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Tropical Travel Patterns Coloring Book Review

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Tropical Travel Patterns Review and Giveaway

There are few things that are simultaneously gorgeous, colorful and tropical as actual tropical locations. When I think of tropical items, I think of things such as pineapples, pina coladas, and bright hammock with miles of ocean.

In 2003 I had the chance to travel to Jamaica and I will never forget the vest colors and the vast ocean. The colors were primary and bright, and the trees were a vivid green. When I received the Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Tropical Travel Patterns by Jaimie Horan, I was reminded of that trip and the colors so many years before.

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Whipped Coloring Book Review

Whipped: A Delectable Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

It is no secret that this is a sweet house – and at times a homemade sweet house. I love to bake and I dream of the day that I can decorate as wonderful as I see on Food Network. The intricacy of the cupcakes and cakes are nothing short of amazing and gorgeous!

Since I am unable to re-create these creations in my edible items, I like to express my creativity on paper. The best way to do this and is by coloring, and when I can color sweet treats it is even better. I was excited when I received the Whipped: A Delectable Adult Coloring Book by Rudy Fig, because it lets me create the combinations I am unable to in reality.

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Adult Coloring Books Review

Adult Coloring Books: The Ultimate 7-in-1 Collection Review and Giveaway

I have a confession – I love a new coloring book. There is something special about cracking open the first page of a coloring book, and perusing through the pictures. I like to imagine the colors I plan to use on each picture to help me make my decision of what I will be coloring. Sometimes I can get lost in the imagery and color.

There is also something else special about coloring and that is when you crack open a new box of crayons. The color and the smell of the wax fills your mind with the possibility of color and combination. The tips and the crayons new and full of options.

When you combine these two factors, what results is an experience of imagination and color combinations. I was thrilled when I received the Adult Coloring Books: The Ultimate 7-in1 Collection because it so happens I have a new crayon box to break in.

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Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Cats Review

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Cats Review and Giveaway

Often times when I am writing I hit a block – this can come suddenly and despite my best efforts becomes an immovable block. The one thing that tends to assist in removing the block are my cats and their rhythmic purring. I can place them on my lap and just listening to them purr is the antidote to writer’s block.

There is a calm and peace when a cat purrs and the most amazing part is that scientists are not even really sure where the purr comes from and why. I have my theory – I think when my Maggee or Murfee are really happy they like to express it to their humans and this is an automatic happiness reaction.

The one thing that can not be denied is that there is little as calming as a cat purring in your lap. If I was to think of one thing that is also relaxing, I would have to say coloring cats. Since my love of cats is universal, I was thrilled when I received the Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Cats.

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Yoga Kitties Review

Yoga Kitties: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

It is no secret that I am a fan of cats – furry, fur-less and all in between. There is an innocence and a peaceful nature that cats hold, that despite my best efforts, I can not resist. Currently we are a two cat household, Murfee and Maggee. We adopted our Murfee when he was only 9 weeks old and when his ears were larger than his head. Maggee was added about a year and half later when she was just under a year old. Not only are these two my review and constant companions, but they are unique in “purr-sonality”.

Murfee is our trouble maker and Maggee is our sweet cuddle bug. Murfee has always been our cat that looks for the exploit in any situation and then thinks nothing of it when he gets into trouble. Maggee on the flip side never looks for trouble and listens as well as most dogs. Both of our cats love being held and are always down for belly rubs. If I had to choose overall, I would say that my Maggee is my calm soul and Murfee is my chaotic soul.

I have been using my Maggee’s calm soul to calm my own soul so when I heard a yoga themed cat coloring book I had to investigate further as yoga can also calm the soul. The book Yoga Kitties: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book by Dawn Collins is a fun yoga and cat themed coloring book.

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Every Little Thing Review

Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I was in school there was a requirement to “wrap” our books. What this exercise entailed was gathering paper bags and cutting them to the size of the textbook, and with a couple strategic folds and little tape the book would be covered. What resulted was a black space, and a spine to create whatever I chose to think appropriate and thematic for that book.

The best part was the blank canvas and being able to create the cover of my dreams. This normally took longer than and usually detracted from the real purpose of the books. I always went for bright colors, and something inspiring and happy – think rainbows and butterflies.

There have been books throughout my life that I have thought could do well as an outline, and give the reader the ability to color. This long thought of mine has come to fruition with the release of Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book by Payton Cosell Turner.

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Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book Review

Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I was 16 I was introduced to a game called Dungeons and Dragons. I was introduced to this game from my male best friend at the time who happened to host a D&D game in his parents garage each weekend. Each week he would gather 5-8 of his closest friends and they would continue the ongoing adventure that he created in his head. When he would describe a dragon encounter I would laugh and think of the nicest dragons possible. While I would be listening to this unfold, I would sit and color – sometimes for 6 hours.

Flash forward 20 years and there are two surprises. The first is that I am now married to that Dungeon Master who created those multiple woven stories. The second surprise is that I have grown to really appreciate dragons and I have found they are a part of my life. There are dragons in my favorite game, in my favorite cartoon trilogy and now in my coloring books.

I learned today, after asking that Dungeon Master, that the colors dragons have can vary as much as the dragon itself. The reason I inquired about colors of dragons was because I was about to embark on a new coloring book review of an adult coloring book called Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book by Mark Coyle.

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Art Therapy Magazine Review

Art Therapy Magazine Review

About 5 years ago I went through a severe health scare and with that came many, many hours in waiting rooms and testing facilities. During those long days I wished I would have had a distraction to get me thinking about something other than the reason I was in the waiting rooms.

When you are stuck in the waiting rooms of medical facilities the options for amusement are limited and usually consist of using ones smart phone, bringing a book to read and if courageous enough, making small talk with the other medical waiters. Time takes forever and is fleeting all at once. I tried all these things to distract me, and despite my best attempts they never worked. It is nice to have something to start and have completed in a tumultuous time.

The newest trend making a roaring comeback into the 20-teens is Adult Coloring – which is not different then the coloring we did as a children other than the designs are more grown up. I was recently send 2 issues of Art Therapy Magazine for review, which is a coloring periodical.

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