2020 Holiday Gift Guide Kickoff – Giveaway Time!

Let’s get ready for the holidays with a giveaway!

It is a “bit” early, but this has been an odd year….so why not kick off the holiday season, and the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide, early and with a huge giveaway?

I have partnered with Home Jobs by Mom to bring you a giveaway for a $250 Amazon Gift Card! Imagine all the gifts you could buy for friends and family! Or the coloring books, pens, markers, colored pencils and accessories you could get for yourself!

Don’t Throw Away Your Pencil Stubs!

The Stub of It All

Growing up, we filled the kitchen junk drawer with all the usual suspects: rubber bands, used baggies, expired coupons, dried up pens….. and lots and lots of pencil stubs. Whenever my mother blessed us (!) with the opportunity to clean the junk drawer, these pencils and stubs would end up in the garbage can.

These days I try to minimize my carbon footprint, including putting as little into the trash (and therefore landfill) as I can. That definitely includes pencil stubs! As well, colored pencils can be expensive, so I want to maximize how much I can use them (some great tips here) before they get too short to put ina sharpener. And there are some great ways to use colored pencil stubs, including giving them a new purpose in life.

Coloring Book Review: Millie Marotta’s Woodland Wild

If you have been coloring for a while, you are probably familiar with Millie Marotta: she designs intricate nature based illustrations that you see in her coloring books and art projects. Her work is primarily focused on helping everyone appreciate the nature that surrounds us:

10 Scream-Worthy Halloween Items to Get You in the Spooky Coloring Spirit

It is October once again, so pandemic or no, it is time to get in the Halloween spirit!

Here at Adult Coloring 101, we have compiled a Halloween guide to suit all of your coloring – and other – needs. So whether you want to create some décor to set the mood for your coloring sessions or something as specific as a Halloween bag for toting your books and supplies, our guide has it all!

What We’ve Been Coloring

I love seeing what all of you have been coloring: not only the quality, but the thought and soul put into each design. Without exception, all of the pieces I’ve seen over the last several months are beautiful in many ways; I guess the pandemic has brought out the creativity in us.

So I decided to share a few of my own recent pieces with you. I am in no way as talented as as many of you, but I do love the pastime. Here are a few of my completed designs:

Awesome Deals on Markers & Pens!

I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for some good deals, and found some amazing, but limited-time, sales at Amazon.com.

Check these out:

Tomaxis Watercolor Dual-tip Markers, 0.4-2mm, Set of 24

$5.59 until September 26

203 Reviews: 4.3 /5.0

New Coloring Books – September 2020

If you are in the mood for some new coloring books, the publishers are on a roll in September! Whether you are warming up for the holidays (really!), focusing on your mindfulness practice, or even looking forward to Halloween, I’ve gone through the new publications to give you some ideas – even ones that will expand your skills from coloring to drawing!

Adaxi Alcohol-Based Markers : REVIEW

I purchased these markers with my own money. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while using these tools. This post does contain affiliate links.

I recently admitted to myself that my BIC Markits and Sharpies have served me well but have run out of ink. And I would love to have more than 24 or 36 colors. Therefore – woo hoo! Time for a new set of alcohol-based markers!

But which ones?

“In the Garden” Color & Frame Coloring Book : Review

I purchased this coloring book with my own money. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while using this book. This post does contain affiliate links.

Since I have been struggling with increased arthritis pain in my hands, I have had to make some temporary adjustments to my coloring “habits.” I have put away my very-loved, but very detailed, Johanna Basford and Kerby Rosanes coloring books for the time being and have been looking for coloring books that are a bit easier on my hands.

After reading a lot of reviews, I bought a copy of Simple 1-2-3 ™ In the Garden Color & Frame coloring book featuring the art of Lily Ashbury.

5 Ways Coloring Can Make You Feel Better During the Pandemic

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we can use all the help we can get to deal with the inevitable stresses. And coloring may be just the solution!

But exactly how, and why?

Many consider coloring to be a form of therapy, although not quite as regimented as the art therapy that professional therapists use. Coloring can make you feel better in many ways by allowing you time to switch off the noise of the world around you and focus on your creativity while relaxing.