Holiday Gift Guide- Color your way down memory lane in the TOTALLY 90s COLORING BOOK.

 

It’s the perfect time of year to decompress with a coloring book! Illustrator Christina Haberkern’s, TOTALLY 90s COLORING BOOK, is the newest necessary addition to every adult coloring book collection.

From the ever-popular fashion accessories like scrunchies and fanny packs, to outdated but lovable tech like the Walkman and VCRs, this coloring book is the perfect memento for ‘90s kids. It's also a fun time capsule for artists of any age. Christina has put together her favorite 90s throwback songs for you to listen to while you color your way down memory lane. You can find this playlist on Spotify under the title, "Totally 90s". 

My Thoughts:

Being born in the beginning of the era, I feel like I got the full 90s kid experience! I was so excited when I heard about the Totally 90s coloring book. Coloring is a relaxation tool I embrace in my life even as an adult. It feels very meditative. This was the perfect coloring book to use to take a trip down memory lane and connect with my inner child. 

My favorite aspect of the Totally 90s coloring book is how detailed the pages are. They all have multiple 90s designs in the background and plenty of famous celebrities, activities, and accesssories throughout. I laughed so hard when I saw the photo of, The Rock, in his fanny packs. That's probably my favorite page out of all of them!

If you're looking for the perfect relaxation activity or a fun holiday gift, I can't recommend the Totally 90s coloring book enough! You won't be disappointed. 

Connect with Christina Haberkern:

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Diamond Art the Amazing New Craft

Seeing your child’s inner artist come out is so special as a parent. But with computer and phone screens everywhere you look it can be difficult to pull your kid away from their devices, especially when kids tire of coloring and painting as they age.  

Lucky for us parents, diamond painting is the new creative hobby that’s taking the arts and crafts world by storm. If you’re interested, I’d love to send you a Diamond Art Kit for review for inclusion in a gift guide or roundup.  

Diamond Art Kits are the perfect gift for the crafty kids in your life. As they place the diamonds one-by-one, the hours fly by as they channel their creativity into a stunning finished masterpiece. 

 

With designs ranging from movie characters, to nature scenes to portraits, there are hundreds of beautiful templates to work off of. 

My Thoughts 

This is amazing as it sounds. So relaxing and zen like. I am a very neurotic person that overthinks and worries about everything. I love things that make me zone out and I don't think about anything for awhile. Things like painting, puzzles, projects all are like therapy for me. This is definitely a fun project to put into that category now. When you unbox it you get ALL of diamonds in little individually wrapped packages with a number letter combo. Beautiful brightly colored jewels in tons of shades. I definitely recommend when you unwrap the canvas for the project that you put it on a table flat and put some heavy books to flatten it out. It is a little creased from being rolled up in the box.  It is definitely nice, soft canvas material. No paper here. Feels like good quality.
You can see a watermarked copy of your image in the background and you can see all the symbols and letters of the coordinating jewel that is supposed to go there. There is a symbol chart on the side of the canvas so you can match up the symbol with the jewel. It also has a protective plastic covering. I recommend only peeling that back for the section you are working on so you can recover it easily. I don't know if you are like me but I have so much dog hair in my house that I can be gone for two weeks and find it on myself before I even come back. Work from the edges into the middle. It comes with an applicator, wax pad, diamond tray, an applicator grip, some plastic baggies if you don't finish a color gem before you call it for the night. Pour some, not all, of the jewels into the tray. Trust me, if these suckers spill, you are going to be sorry. You take the little heart wax pad and dip your applicator into it. Than pick up a gem so the flat side is down and press it onto all of the coordinating symbols. You can do as much or as little as you want. Then whatever you do not finish you can pour into one of the baggies for the next time. Do one color at a time. There is only one tray and only a few baggies included. You don't want to try and do multiple colors or start a new one before you finish. Overall, this is good for teens, older kids, or adults. Crafters all over the world will love this, and you are left with a really fun project when you are done.

Connect with Diamond Art Club 

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Relax and Unwind with a New Scratch & Create Book from The Quarto Group!

Scratch and create is the newest form of art therapy for adults! Reconnect with your creativity, reduce stress, and unwind form a long day by scratching your artistic itch with Enchanted Animals.

With the included stylus, you can embark immediately on your scratch and create journey with this book. When your meditation is complete, you will have charming work of art to display and share—and each page is perforated for easy removal.

My Thoughts:

One of my favorite activities growing up has been coloring and scratch art! When adult coloring books became the latest in meditative practices and stress relief, I was certainly excited to rekindle my love for the projects! Scratch & Draw Enchanted Animals by Marisa Redondo was right up my alley with these designs! I adore animals, nature, as well as abstract designs that have a little magic and mysticism to them. I couldn't wait to create with this book! 

As the description states:

Scratch & Draw Enchanted Animals

by Marisa Redondo

Paperback, 20 pages

US $19.99, CAN $25.99

9781631595110

Rockport Publishers

Scuff, scrape, and scratch dark metallic coating away to create inspirational and decorative illustrations of rabbits and dandelions, raccoons, owls, foxes, and a whole forest of enchanting wildlife.

Here is the rough draft of one of the projects I've been working on in the book! I found the creative designs to be fun, easy to follow, and extremely unique. Each scratch page has a different color and they're easy to draw on with the stylus included. Hours of fun for everyone, adults and children alike! I'm excited to bring this book into my classroom for my art students to try! I know they'll love it as much as I do!

Connect with The Quarto Group:

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Color For Calm 2018 Calendar Review - Add color every day!

Coloring is so relaxing. There is something special about filling in spaces with color. I have been coloring since a child, but nothing like the detailed coloring books that are available these days. I find myself coloring something each day.


The Color For Calm 2018 Calendar is perfect for a quick and easy coloring project, daily. This box style calendar features a new design for every single day. The sheets can be torn off for coloring or left on the stand. I personally would leave the page on the stand then when it is time to change the date, then I would color the previous day that I am removing.

The Color For Calm coloring calendar is filled with patterns, florals, animals, abstracts and fun designs. There are so many to choose from! It makes it exciting to see what the next day coloring pattern is!  I like the variety of images. There are plenty of Mandalas and other intricate designs. I am not too fond of flowers, but the images included are worth coloring.

Besides being a daily calendar, coloring a page a day, does provide a few moments of calm. They have included coloring pencils which are attached to the back of the stand.

One of the enjoyable aspects of this calendar, the daily pages tear out and are one sided! I like to remove them to work on.  The variety from picture to picture includes small very detailed sections to flowing swirls and more! There are seasonal designs within each month too. This book has definitely kept my coloring attention.

It comes with 5 double sided colored pencils, providing 10 colors to work with. The pencils provide the basic colors. They are not the greatest of coloring quality pencils but having them handy is a coloring plus!


I am thrilled to have this Color For Calm Calendar and am looking forward to each day!  This would make an ideal gift for any coloring enthusiast.

Look for Color For Calm at your favorite book store or order online at many book sellers.

Color for Calm All Year Long 2018 by Carrie Stephens

Box Calendar with Colored Pencils attached to Base

Author: Carrie Stephens
Format: Calendar, 316 Pages
ISBN: 9781631063510
Publisher: Rock Point Gift & Stationery
 
Many thanks to Quarto for providing the review product.
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was offered or accepted for this post. Gratis product was received in order to write my honest and unbiased review. The opinions above are my own and were not influenced in any way. Others experience may vary.

Creative Haven Celtic Mandalas Coloring Book

The spirals and swirls of traditional Celtic patterns combine with natural motifs in this collection of 31 original mandala designs. The circular illustrations feature interwoven images of animals, birds, flowers, and vines that will provide countless hours of relaxing and meditative coloring. Illustrations are printed on perforated pages for easy removal and display. Specially designed for experienced colorists, Celtic Mandalas and other Creative Haven® adult coloring books offer an escape to a world of inspiration and artistic fulfillment. Each title is also an effective and fun-filled way to relax and reduce stress.

My Thoughts

Coloring Books have become hugely popular, and while I don't use them as much as I would like (too many things get in the way), they are still fun to open up when you need that occasional visit with your inner child.  This coloring book, Celtic Mandalas, was no exception. The intricate designs allow the adult inside to enjoy the book as much as the inner child. 

This is actually my favorite coloring book I have tried (or seen)so far. I think it's because the designs are so unique. Each picture has a lovely Celtic theme, which appeals to me on a spiritual level as a follow a Celtic path. I also like that the pages are perforated so they can be taken out of the book and displayed. The book will also last for months because it takes a few days for me to color just one picture since there is so much detail in each design. Once complete, they make great focal points for meditations as well as lovely decor.

 I am definitely going to be using this one more than any other I have (at least until I run out of pages!), and I highly recommend it for any grown-up coloring enthusiasts. 

FINALLY! A Coloring Book for Metalheads & Cat Lovers!

For all of us who ONLY want to color outside of the lines: rock out on kitties and headbangers!

Skulls and Siamese. Corpse paint and Persians. Baphomet, pentagrams, blood, and tabbies!



Metal Cats Coloring Book combines two juxtaposed and amazing subjects: the extreme personalities of the true metal music scene and their adorable kitties. Based on the photographs of the book Metal Cats, these incredibly cute and fluffy felines appear side by side with their loving owners from bands like Black Goat, Thrones, Isis, Lightning Swords of Death, Book of Black Earth, Skarp, Harassor, Akimbo, Aldebaran, Atriarch, Oak, Ghoul, Ludicra, Holy Grail, Xasthur, Cattle Decapitation, Murder Construct, Exhumed, Morbid Angel, Municipal Waste, Skeletonwitch, Gypsyhawk, Nausea, Phobia, and Napalm Death, along with many other metalheads.



Featuring 30 original drawings, it's now your turn to get in on the action. Pull out your Crayolas and markers and help everyone look most evil by adding your own vibrant colors to these amazing and hilarious pairings. Fun for ages 1-666.

Alexandra Crockett, a musician, zinester and jewelry designer, has been present and active in the metal community since age 15 and is currently finishing up a doctoral degree in the Bay Area. Beginning her idea for the book by doing promotional photos for bands and friends she would cat-sit for, she found an interesting dynamic between men in the metal scene and their cats. The idea formed around giving accolades to local musicians and artists in the metal scene, while also bringing attention to no-kill shelters and their importance for animal rights.

Coloring Book / Cats / Heavy Metal

Paperback, 8 x 10.375 inches, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-57687-845-3, $9.99 US/CAN.

My Thoughts: 

Words cannot describe how much I LOVE this coloring book. I was raised on metal throughout my life. As a little girl my dad was always blasting Dio, Judas Priest, and Metallica. Into my teenage years my second home was music venues supporting my local rock and metal scenes. On top of helping bands, I also frequented any music festivals I could find. Metal has and always will have a special place in my heart. Not only was it a way for my dad and to make memories and bond, it was where I felt a sense of belonging and community for many years. 

As an animal lover as well, this coloring book was ideal for me. It is true that many metalheads do indeed love their cats! I know quite musicians that are fellow animal loves and adore supporting animal charities. When I heard that not only does this coloring book have amazing art, but brings awareness to animal rights and no-kill shelters, my heart was won. 

For any music and animal lovers, this is a must have in your collection! Fun and laughs for hours on end are to be had. With unique pictures, detailed layouts, adorable cats, and a true metal feel, you will be head banging and coloring the night away!  

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Mythologica: Beasts to Color

This gorgeously illustrated, intricately designed collection of mythical beasts to color offers hours of relaxing, absorbing fun to coloring book fans and fantasy fans alike. It features custom-made artwork from two internationally acclaimed illustrators and includes everything from a majestic dragon, flying phoenix, and a soaring Pegasus to a fire-breathing dragon, incredible kraken, beautiful unicorn, and beyond. Every single page allows coloring fans to take their time, concentrate, and create something exquisite and unforgettable. Each striking design is printed on perforated paper, so it is easily pulled out and readily available for display once you’re done. Long-time coloring book fans and beginners alike will be delighted as they create an alternate world filled with mythical creatures in Mythologica.

My Thoughts

Coloring is a favorite pastime of kids everywhere. We all spent hours during our childhoods filling page after page with color. We had fun, and it fulfilled our creative sides. Somewhere along the way, most of us grow up and feel that coloring books are a thing that we have to set aside as we take on adult responsibilities However,. I am steadily racking up my stock of adult coloring books. I absolutely love them. They take you straight back to your childhood, and give you a relaxing outlet. As a kid I would color for hours with music playing in the background and it is still something I do today. They are much better than the kids coloring books that I play with with my kids. Now they can use their age appropriate books perfect for adults.

The Mythologica: Beasts to Color Book is my favorites from Barron so far because I love fantasy themed artwork. There are beautiful pictures of dragons, phoenixes, centaurs, and various types of  mythological creatures throughout the book.  I like to use colored pencils and skinny markers. The markers don't bleed through the pages, but even if they do they're blank on the back of each page. Plus, the pages are  perforated which is great because the pictures are so pretty, I want to take some of them out and frame them!

 Mythologica: Beasts to Color book is definitely quirky and unique. My daughter loves this book as much as I do, and had a great time working on the beautiful unicorn page.  Each page is different and it feels like the characters could step right out of the pages.  The designs are challenging to color, but still a lot of fun. The artwork in each of this book is stunning. With so many options, there really is something for everyone.

Zen Dreams (Pads of Color)

Take your coloring along wherever you go! This uniquely formatted adult coloring book resembles a notepad in shape and size, and lets you do your coloring at home or on the go. Perfect for those moments when you just need a break or crave a moment of inspiration. In Zen Dreams you will let your creativity run free with these enchanting Zen designs. Color, relax, and recharge as you create decorative art to share and enjoy. Each book in the Pads of Color series features an attractive foil cover, while inside, there are 80 pages of one-sided illustrations, so there is no ink bleeding through and ruining your next design. Each completed piece makes a wonderful gift.

My Thoughts

I have a whole collection of adult coloring books, but I think this is my favorite book from Barron's so far. This book has a beautiful Zen theme, and the pictures include illustrations of Buddha, dragons, lotus flowers, and so much more. Coloring is always a relaxing treat, but this book's stunning designs are a magical experience as soon as you turn the page. My daughter and I usually spend at least a few hours a week creating these masterpieces. Even though she's only seven, she really enjoyed the challenge of coloring in the adult books. These pictures are very detailed and you can really create something magical with them, After you're finished coloring, they also make great focal points for mediation as well.

If you haven't jumped on board the adult coloring bandwagon yet, this would be a great book to start with. With Zen imagery suitable for framing, you're getting more than just coloring book. You're getting a little big of zen magic. 

Hue Colorful Relaxation Subscription Box

I am steadily racking up my stock of adult coloring books. I absolutely love them. They take you straight back to your childhood, at least for me. As a kid I would color for hours with music playing in the background and it is still something I do today. They are much better than the kids coloring books that I play with with my children. Now they can use their age appropriate books and I can use mine! Being that I love adult coloring books, I was super excited to discover a subscription box that is all about getting in the mood to color. Hue Monthly not only provides the book, they also give you a whole kit for a complete relaxation experience. Here is a little about all the items in the October box.

Under the Sea Theme Coloring Book -  I love sea life and nature themed items. This book doesn't just have mandalas in it like most books. There are beautiful pictures of sea creatures of various types throughout the book as well. These are easy to color, with big enough spaces to fit markers and crayons. I like to use colored pencils and skinny markers. The markers don't bleed through the pages.  Plus, they are perforated, so I can take some of them out and frame them! This book is a great addition to my collection.

Prang Pencil Crayons- This box of crayons includes 12 pencils in bright and vibrant colors. They are non-toxic, come pre-sharpened, and help to make your coloring pages frame worthy.

Tega Organic Camomile Citrus Tea- This is a light herbal tea with a citrus kick that will leave your taste buds singing but won't keep you up all night.

Sea Mist Hand Poured Soy Candle- I live at the Jersey Shore, so I know what the ocean smells like. This candle captures all it's purity and strength. The aroma takes you straight to the beach while the light glow of the candle can guide your hand as you work.

Dead Sea Mud Soap - This soap will leave your skin feeling soft and exfoliated. It's made using actual dead sea mud which is known for it's healing qualities.

I really loved everything in this box. Not only did I get my coloring fix, I also got to indulge in some other relaxing treats. They are all little things, but as a single mom with four kids, I rarely get to give myself this type of "me" time.  I also loved the ocean theme and how all the products were related to that theme in some way. With summer behind us, this was a nice reminder that the ocean is always there to soothe  us.

To learn more at about  Hue Monthly box and all it has to offer, be sure to visit their website or follow them on social media.

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