Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Coloring Books


I have to say I'm a bit confused by all the coloring books I'm seeing on display in stores these days. I thought I was through coloring when I learned to color within the lines in first grade.

Adults are such suckers. Whoever thought this one up is making a ton of money. Supposedly coloring relieves stress. Not for me, choosing colors is very stressful.

I tried coloring when it first became the rage, but frankly I felt embarrassed to be seen at my age with a coloring book. What are you suppose to do with the pictures when you finish coloring them? I never was too much into paint by number pictures and this smacks of the same to me.

I relax knitting socks. At least I have something that keeps my feet warm to show for my work. A coloring book, not so much. If I worked a book of crossword puzzles or word games I'd be able so say I'd exercised my brain, but coloring books?

I've been hearing rumors the schools are talking about not teaching cursive handwriting anymore. Will coloring be the next to go out of school curriculum?

I'm wondering if this activity is considered politically correct in church? What about committee meetings? Funerals, perhaps in drab colors? Has anyone thought of passing these out to Congress? They aren't doing anything else, perhaps they would enjoy coloring.

I don't like to knit in the summer. I needed something to do with my hands that would keep me from falling asleep when I sit down. Walking through Target I picked up this book and pencils and will give coloring another chance. Perhaps I missed something the first time around.

Have you tried coloring books? Do they fill your artistic needs? What do you do with the pictures you've colored.

23 comments:

  1. Like you , I tried coloring in gr 1. I have no intentions of taking it up again and practice my failures by coloring outside the lines! That was ok in gr. one but not now.

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    1. I know things go in cycles but coloring books just seems odd. I don't ever remember a time when coloring books were popular with adults. Perhaps I've just forgotten.

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  2. I have been so tempted to buy one of those new coloring books. I love to color. When my granddaughter Madison was younger and spending a weekend we would color together. I can't find the time to cut out and sew aprons and bonnets as it is, so I sure don't need to buy a coloring book. I enjoyed your post!

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    1. Exactly, if I have extra time I feel like I should be doing something other than coloring. Secretly I have to admit it looks like fun.

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  3. I tried coloring which my granddaughter when she was little. I soon got bored. She now prefers drawing, creating her own pictures. I agree.

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    1. Drawing I can see, coloring, not so much. Some day I would like to take some drawing lessons.

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  4. I used to draw random lines that would look like tangled yarn and I would color the lines in different colors. I called them brains. It was very relaxing. I have seen the medallion coloring books and think they would be fun to do if my hands weren't so stiff.

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    1. I'm not sure how good I will be at coloring as I suffer now from Essential Tremors in my hands.

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  5. I'm not sure that would be for me either but a lot of people like it. I think using your hands allows your brain to relax some and that is why we like to have projects to do.

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    1. I tried a page last night and it was actually more relaxing than I expected. I'll press on and see what happens.

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  6. We bought some for our mother and she loves them now! It was a rocky start as some of the designs were so busy she slap the book closed! I found one I was going to use for the quads that had chalkboard black backgrounds with inspirational quotes! Mother saw it and loved it so I gave it to her. I'll buy another one next time I see it. A friend bought a Mary Englebreit one at Walmart so I may ask someone to get for me soon. Mother would enjoy a new one! I play a lot of Scrabble and Words With Friends on Facebook! Want to play a game or two with me?

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    1. It's good there are so many kinds available. I've never been a game player. Never played Scrabble in real life, let alone on the computer. We have a mentally challenged niece who wanted to play Words with Friends with me. I thought I could surely handle playing with her. She wiped my clock and I quit.

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  7. I purchased some beautiful designs in the form of note cards and post cards. The designs were things like garden scenes, humming birds, flowers, all things nature. Love them! I usually use the colored pencils versus the pens to color in the designs for a softer look. While we were in FL this winter, would send one or two every week to my mom, who loved them. I had fun using different colors to create each card. It brought out my (little used) artistic side.

    The large books are not my cup of tea. Take too long to do, and then what? The postcards and note cards are nice because you can share them with someone who would appreciate them.

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    1. I like the idea of notecards and post cards to be colored!

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    2. Coloring note cards a great idea, we are always looking for cards to send, I will have to look for these.

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    3. This notecard and postcard idea sounds splendid. I don't think I've seen those but then I haven't seriously looked at all the coloring options.

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    4. They can be found at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Garden-Notecards-Johanna-Basford/dp/1856699471

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  8. Coloring books don't interest me. Like you, I want something, a product, to show for the time I've spent on it. Knitting is the answer, as far as I'm concerned!

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    1. I used to try taking along my knitting to Bob's doctors appointments but found we usually got called back just about the time I got my needles out and made a stitch or two. Finally gave up on that. Coloring postcards and notecards might be an option. Usually I just work jigsaw puzzles on my iPhone.

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  9. I was just eyeing an adult coloring book at the checkout line in the grocery store yesterday. It had a nice cover and I noticed my impulse buying instinct kicking in. But I resisted (yay, victory!). There are worse things to do than color, and might even be better than sitting at the computer all day. Just speaking for myself, of course. :)

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    1. Coloring is indeed a good break from looking at a computer screen all day. Last night when I tried it I have to say I did find it relaxing, a nice space of escape. Also something to do while listening to audible books.

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  10. I did buy a couple books plus crayons and pencils quite a while ago but they are for when the power goes out for long periods and all other forms of entertainment are lost. So far, I haven't cracked a page but it is comforting to know it is there.

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    1. I only started yesterday but found I liked coloring in short blocks of time. It breaks up the time I spend starting at the computer screen. Can't see myself just coloring but I enjoyed doing it while listening to an audible book. Think it may be a good alternative to spending long amounts of time staring at any kind of screen.

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