I had heard about the coloring rage in this country and when I was in Walmart a few weeks ago I looked at the coloring books. I got hooked just looking at those books. I found a reasonably priced coloring book and was looking at the colored pencils. The pencils were really spendy so I went across the street to the dollar store and got them for 1 and 2 dollars compared to Walmarts 9 through 12 dollars.
I have found that it is what they said. It is relaxing and I do it when I watch TV. Sort of a no brainer that is said to do something to the chemicals in the brain related to relaxation/depression, etc. The pictures are so pretty when done and sure are an improvement over my grade school coloring adventures. Anyone else getting hooked on this hobby. It is probably one of the cheaper hobbies when all is said and done. Irish
At marscon in march we had a quite room with colored pencils and sci-fi themed coloring books.
I started coloring about 3 months ago and I'm deep into it!! I love it and yes, I do it when watching tv and it's so relaxing I don't like being interrupted. I have 3 coloring books and 3 or 4 sets of pencils. The best pencils in my opinion are the Crayola 50 pack you can get at Michaels. The beautiful colors call to me and I love putting them on paper, then having a bright self made picture to rest my eyes on. I'm so into it I always have a book and pencils spread out on my coffee table ready to continue whatever page I'm on. I sort of drift off and am in never never land when coloring. Good stuff for me and you.
My grown-up daughter does this and I have passed a few beautiful-looking adult coloring books.
I must try this. Anything that is artistic, relaxing, allows me to relax and escape from Sjogren's for awhile is a big win!!
Hey..I think I just got some Mother's Day gift ideas.
SjoDry
My daughter (23 yrs) and a friend are coloring.
I was looking at some of the designs for stencils.
Granddaughter still has her watercolors.
The Walmart in our town has a large display rack by the front door just full of coloring books. These books and pencils are expensive so they will make some good money off this hobby also. Irish
I smiled when I seen this post. My youngest sister who is in her middle 40's bought her one and the pencils, and she loves them. She works all the time at her job, and said it help her to relax some when she got home, and would do this while watching tv. She got dad one, but he just won't do things like he use to.
I would have already got me one, but I have those colored pencils from the dollar store I use to color a printed quilt block diagram the colors of fabric I pick out to work on a paper piecing technique I just learned. The coloring is a must to keep the colors of fabric where they need to go. So I get my coloring in.
We all need things like this I am convinced that gives us something to relax, and just plain enjoy. We can have those times to just enjoy our lives.
When it gets real hot this summer, I may get me some of those bubbles like I use to when a kid to blow them out side and see what my dogs do. lol.... One summer a few years back me and my husband both had a big water gun to go at each other in the yard during the real hot weather. We need to get us another one. ;D
Right now I have a wide pot on my front porch with lettuce growing in it.(leaf lettuce) Just another experiment to see if it would grow since I can't do a garden anymore.
I use to so enjoy working in my little flower/rock garden, and haven't been able to do that for about 3 years now, so yesterday I finally got my last house plant re-potted in a bigger pot and fresh soil.
These are just different little things that help me to relax, and do things I enjoy.
You girls keep up with those wonderful coloring books. They are advertised big time for adults. I have a beautiful painting my dad did for us when he was home with mom that he did by number. It was one of those he bought at Hobby Lobby or Michael's, I am not sure. Mom would tell me that he used his magnifying glass to see the numbers good as he would paint. He did a wonderful job on them with big nice paintings. So all of us kids have one that dad did for us.
Mom in the evenings when she was still here would do anything from a small lap sewing project, or cross stitching, crocheting, word searches, and reading books about the Amish.
They both found things they enjoyed and would do them while watching something on tv.
Hugs,
susanep :)
This 'adult coloring' is a form of meditation or mindfulness, say some who love them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/fashion/adult-coloring-books-relaxation.html
Time to try it, I guess!
Just ordered: Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book. From Amazon!
Hugs, Elaine
Well, that sounds interesting,Caroline!! Have fun at color time. Irish
I give up Caroline, tell me about your new coloring book when you get it. My curiosity is killing me!!!! Irish
Yes Irish I also have started coloring and love it, but I am a sucker for fancy pencils. Watch youtube on coloring, shading etc. very informative. I am going to try the Crayola brand pencils.
I have several different brands pencils and find the colors interesting. I am learning to use maybe 3 different colors when coloring one object. The shading and outlining can be very helpful and spices things up a lot. Have fun coloring. Irish
Great post! I've just started coloring recently- can't put it down to do housework!
I just took a Therapeutic Coloring Class here at the extended care facility my mom and I live at. Really enjoyed it. Even brought my page home to work on it here.
Also, ordered some colored pencils and several color by number coloring books for adults.
There really is something relaxing about coloring. It takes your attention off so many other things that are going on and that in itself is therapeutic. It is hard to find coloring books that are the ones that you like and that are under 8$. I find it horrific that the books are so spendy as are the pencils.
I am finding the coloring pencils at the dollar stores. Fun to buy for relatives too. I bought a book under 5$ and a 2$ box of coloring pencils for my DIL and granddaughter to share. They seemed excited to be able to try it. Good coloring to everyone. Irish
I do whatever I can do to keep sane. Coloring has been helping :)
My daughter (19 yrs old) and I really enjoy the "adult" coloring book. I have colored pencils and sharpies. We enjoy these as well. Especially helpful for me when I am experiencing incr. health issues and can't get out of the house much.
I'm with you about the coloring. I find myself coloring when I get bored and uneasy and before I know it I am so into it that I can't quit. Keeps me from eating so much also. Irish
I really wanted to start colouring and bought a book and some beautiful gel type pens.
Sadly, I only lasted about 5 mins. My poor arthritic wrists couldn't take the repetitive movements :(
Oh, that is too bad. I wonder what would happen if you used some type of wrist brace to prevent so much movement in the wrist. Such a simple thing to want to do and to have it spoiled.....shows us what our illness can do to spoil a good time. Hope you can find some other fun project. Irish.
aussie mom, maybe the tip below would help you out:
Have good-quality markers available for brighter coloring. Using pencils sometimes can cramp small or arthritic hands; markers require less pressure for a bright result.
Recommended pens: Staedtler gel pens, Gelly Roll gel pens
ideas.demco.chttps://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/coloring-world/om/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/03/UltimateGuideColoringPrograms.pdf
Other articcles for the coloring addicts like me:
Coloring Your World
rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/coloring-world/
OLORING FOR ADULTS 101: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE
August 24, 2015 by Amy 44 Comments
http:diycandy.com/2015/08/coloring-for-adults-101-your-complete-guide/
My coloring teacher, convinced me to enter one of my pages in our Art Exhibition coming up the end of this month. There will be special judges who will pick 13 pieces that will appear in a calendar.
Doing something like this is wonderful, and anything we can do for me anyway does help me to not eat as much. I really need that. ;)
Hugs,
susanep :)
Thanks for your suggestions irish and lighthouse.
Sadly, as my work is computer based, I had to make the choice not to aggravate my wrists any further, so no colouring for me.
My main hobby these days is photography. I love my superzoom camera - no extra lenses required so it's not too heavy :D
Too bad that you can't color but so glad that you are into photography. I have wanted to get into that for years but never have had the chance. Hope when the remodeling project is done I can get going on it. I want to take farm scenery--old silos, barns with the surrounding landscape, etc. Good luck. Irish
I'm a camera nut, too, and got a new DSRL last Christmas which I just love! I'm taking it a step further and combining my photography with "sort of" colouring, all on the computer, by editing and changing my photos to watercolours.
This is the before and after of one I snapped on the river:
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t309/smileyface131/100_0138-horz.jpg)
Digital photography has got to be one of my favourite inventions. You can take as many photos as you like and it costs nothing.
I'm with you Irish, I love scenery shots, sunsets and anything with water in it.
Love your "painting" Linda! I really need to look into getting some computer photography software.
aussie mom-there is an app that lets you use your phone or computer to color! just google it because there are several. This may be your solution
Hugs,
Lesley
That sure looks good, Linda. Good thing to have for a hobby as it makes one feel good to see the cool scenery and pictures. Irish
I started coloring about 6 months ago. Then I realized some of the pictures were just like the cartoon-type pictures and designs I make on my cakes. Well, I now begin with blank paper, a sharpie and color with water color pencils. A new hobby has been formed. Love it!
I just found two coloring books I am getting myself for Christmas. Grumpy Cat Hates Coloring and Grumpy Cat Vs. The World. There were also some Swearing books I might be interested in getting also.
Love your Christmas presents to yourself, Lighthouse. I just found a carton of 72 colored pencils at Walmart for about 6$. Havent used them yet as I have an old coloring book to finish before I open the new coloring book. Have to watch the prices on these things cause the prices sure do stay on the high side. Everybody enjoy your coloring. Irish
I have just become addicted to coloring on my tablet. That is, there is an app called recolor and it is amazing. It is digital. If you try it, they have a free version. If you have the paid version, they have live colors and gradient (pretty blended colors). I can hardly put it down.
I will add attachments to this post when I get to work tomorrow.
SjoDry
It's my new habit! Coloring helps take my mind off the pain. :)