Sunday 18 January 2015

Craft Book Review - Adult Colouring Books


When those lovely folks at GMC offered me a chance to review some adult colouring books, I jumped at the chance!  I've been eyeing these up and wondering if it was something I'd enjoy doing and now I can have a go.

Before we go any further, the disclaimers.  I was sent the book for free to review but I was not told what to say and all opinions are 100% my own.  I didn't receive any monetary compensation.  

I received 2 books, the first I dug into was Creative Coloring Mandalas.


Each motif is full sized and on its own page.  On the reverse of each page is a quote so you can tear the designs out if you wanted to display them.  Not sure what hubs would say if he came home to find I'd stuck my colouring on the fridge...


At the front of the book are some examples of how you can colour the designs in and there is a bit of blurb about what kind of mediums you can use.  


The second book is Nature Mandalas.  A similar idea but with pictures of animals so you could colour them in naturally, or in whatever wild colours take your fancy.


This one has some information about doodling in the front and goes on to talk about colour.  I suppose you could use these books as a way of teaching yourself more about colour palettes and the kind of colour combinations you like and want to use in your crafts.


Yep, there's a page with bunnies.


So I bet you're wondering where the coloured in pictures are?  I didn't take any.  I have coloured in some of the mandalas in these books and it is an enjoyable thing to do in front of the TV when I'm too tired to do anything as strenuous as pull a threaded needle.  No, I'm not showing you because, quite frankly, you might mistake them for the work of your 6-year old niece.  

Of the two, I like the Creative Mandalas best (despite a lack of bunnies) as there is more detail which makes them more fun to colour.  There are several other titles in the series so if you look at the kids' colouring books with envy, get one of these and find your inner artist.




Disclaimer:

I was given a review copy of the book by GMC however this review and all opinions are 100% my own, I was not told what to say.  








16 comments:

Rachel said...

Bunnies! I'm sure you'll get to them soon if you haven't already!

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

It looks like fun. I had Doodle Art when I was young and loved it. I've seen someone else with a similar colouring book recently but can't remember the author now. I wasn't either of the ones you've got. Have fun!

Pam @Threading My Way said...

I love colouring in - always have, so when the little people ask me to colour in when them, I jump right in and have a ball. I do find it very therapeutic.

Anita said...

What great looking books and some wonderful ideas
in them.
Cheers, Anita.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Fun! I love coloring and I love those bunnies! :)

SuperMomNoCape said...

I love coloring mandalas! Last year, when I was working on finishing the first draft of my novel, I started almost every writing session by coloring part of a mandala. Hmmm... I need to get back to doing that.

Jane said...

I used to love colouring in. I'd draw lots of shapes, segment them, then get the pens out, lol. If only I knew then what it could have led to

Anonymous said...

I have a couple of adult colouring books ^^ and, like you, I find they are quite relaxing to do.

pennydog said...

I think Jenean Morrison has a series of colouring books too

Kris said...

I have looked at a few of these books. I think there is one with flowers and leaves in too. I was thinking it would be fun for applique or fmqing or even lately I have been seeing a few people do whole cloth quilts and color the fabric with ink tense watercolor pencils. Fun!

*Wisher* said...

how I can see of this book is maybe using the pattern as free-hand embroidery too.. ;) heehee.. just a thought..
and I don't really know why I'm a no-reply blogger.. cos I've used wordpress to sign in.. emm.. i'm trying with google+ now.. so maybe this helps..

Anna said...

I have to try one day...
Hug
Anna

Celtic Thistle said...

I have picked up these, or similar, books and flicked through them many times but never actually bought one. I am sure that your colouring wasn't that bad!

Southpaw Stitcher said...

These designs seem to be calling out to be transferred onto fabric and "colored in" with some surface embroidery stitches. Just sayin'...

Sarah in Stitches said...

Love this idea! These look like a lot of fun :D

Unknown said...

I think coloring is one of the most creative ways to unwind. Especially when you are not feeling quite well or just aren't up to the task of threading a needle. I suggest you show your colored mandalas... even if they look like something a child would have completed... because your friends in the blog world like to see anything and everything creative. :)