Monthly Archives: April 2016

Fairly Easy to make small quilt projects

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Iiiireader

24-Hour Quilting Projects (Dover Quilting)

By: Rita Weiss

Rating: 4.5 of 5

24hourquiltThis book is a reprint of the same book from 2005. Because of this, it will be highly improbably for you to find the same exact fabrics as shown in the book. I’ve found that quilt fabrics go out of production fairly rapidly, so I am always happy to just use the fabric in photographs as a general guide rather than a specific one.

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45 Beautiful Coloring Designs from the world of Debbie Macomber – printed on one side of the non-perforated page

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Iiiireader

The World of Debbie Macomber: Come Home to Color: An Adult Coloring Book

By: Debbie Macomber

Rating: 5 of 5

debbiemaccoloring

I am a real fan of Debbie Macomber and have enjoyed her books, movies, and television series over the years. Purchasing this book was a must for me – even without any idea of what the designs would include. This coloring book depicts a number of scenes from various books, including: “Starting Now”, “The Inn at Rose Harbor”, “Love Letters”, “The World of Debbie Macomber”, Blossom Street Brides”, “Silver Linings”, and “Rose Harbor in Bloom”.

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20 Harry Potter Postcards based on “Harry Potter Coloring Book” – printed on one side of heavyweight card stock

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Iiiireader

Harry Potter Postcard Coloring Book

By: Scholastic

Rating: 5 of 5

harrypotterpostcards

I enjoy coloring postcards with their fine details and tiny elements. Harry Potter Postcards also add a bit of fun into the mix. The artwork is based on the first Scholastic Harry Potter book for adults “Harry Potter Coloring Book” and I appreciate that it is for pulls its artwork from only one book (unlike the poster coloring book which is a combination of two books.)

While I might have preferred a different mix of designs, the ones includes are good and I will enjoy coloring them and sending them to just the right family and friends. The designs are sized down and include many small details. I find that a mix of ultra-fine markers, small nib gel pens and sharp pointed pencils work best for my coloring.

Here is a brief overview of what I found in this set of postcards:

20 Different Harry Potter Postcards with artwork from “Harry Potter Coloring Book”

Printed on one side of heavy weight, slick, white card stock

Address and stamp areas are defined and printed on the back of the card

Postcards are glue bound but can easily be removed from the booklet without design loss

Alcohol-based markers do not bleed through this card. I tried several applications of each type and could not get a drop through.

Water-based markers, India ink and gel pens do not bleed through the page.
Gel pens take a much longer time to dry but have beautifully intense color.

Coloring pencils are mixed. The colors go on dark and solid but blending is not good for any soft lead that I have though the wax pencils work the best. Layering is good. Hard lead pencils make good clear marks and don’t dent the back of the page.

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31 Beautifully Drawn and Decorated Horse Designs printed on one side of the page

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Iiiireader

The Wonderful World of Horses – Horse Adult Coloring / Colouring Book: Beautiful Horses to Color

By: Simone Phillips

Rating: 5 of 5

I really enjoy coloring horse designs, especially those with extra doodles included for coloring fun. The Wonderful World of Horses is one of the best of this style horse coloring books I have. There are thumbnails of 30 of the designs at the front of the book. According to the product description, there are supposed to be 30 designs in the book but I count 31, so that adds a bonus page over what I expected in this book.

The 31 designs are originals drawings by artist Simone Phillips. Her designs have a flowing look to them even though the horse(s) may be at a standstill. A few of the designs also feature a young woman along with her horse. The designs are detailed with some small areas but not to the point of tiny spaces to color.

I enjoyed coloring both of my first two projects and did both of them with a variety of alcohol-based markers. In one, I decided to utilize the white space to be the color of the horse to make the floral designs in its coat stand out. In the other, I colored the horse with brown but had a lot of fun giving it a mane full of color.

This is what I found in coloring and testing this coloring book:

31 Horse Designs with Floral Embellishments
30 Thumbnail designs
Printed on one side of thin, white, slightly rough non-perforated paper
Glue Bound
Designs do not merge into the binding area
Most designs have a framing line around the outside and those that don’t have the line have all elements finished within the design
I can get the book to open fairly flat by breaking the spine
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through the paper
Gel Pens and India ink pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the page
Coloring pencils work well with this paper. I can put color down with a light touch for a softer, grainy look or by pressing harder or applying several coats, I can get a good solid pigment look. Soft lead pencils blend and layer well. Hard lead pencils leave dents on the back of the page.
I recommend using a blotter of card stock or heavyweight paper beneath your working page to keep the rest of the book in good condition. You can also cut pages out without any loss of design.

I was provided a free copy of this coloring book for test and review purposes.

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23 Pages of Hand-drawn Designs along with accompanying fun and silly poems printed on one side of the page

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Iiiireader

I Climbed Aboard a London Bus: A Poetry and Colouring Adventure by Squidoodle

By: Ben Riley

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a coloring book aimed at children. It includes some silly poems which should strike the funny bone of a child just right. The poems are original as is the artwork. I found that some of the words and concepts were definitely more geared towards the British rather than the US but was able to explain a bit to the child I read them to. Once he understood what was going on, he thought it was hugely funny.

I usually test coloring books with my coloring medium but this time I also added in some of the types my grandson uses (namely crayons and crayon brand washable markers.) Those worked as expected with the crayons giving a decent coverage and the markers bleeding through.

This is an overview of what I found in this coloring book:

23 Pages of Hand-drawn designs with cute poems
Printed on one side of CreateSpace white, thin, slightly rough, non-perforated paper
Glue Binding
Designs do not merge into the binding area and you will not lose portions of the designs if you cut pages out of the book
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through this paper
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page.
Coloring pencils work well with this paper. Soft lead goes on well though I find that to get heavier pigment, I have to layer color on in thin coats. Hard lead pencils dent the back of the page.
Crayons covered as expected (kind of grainy) but definitely acceptable for a child’s coloring project.
I recommend a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper be used beneath your working page to keep ink and dents from marring the pages below.

I received a free sample of this coloring book for test and review purposes.

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16 Hand-drawn Imaginative Designs by Stephen Turner printed on one side of the page

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Iiiireader

Squidoodle’s Adventures in Coloring and Doodling

By: Steve Turner

Rating: 5 of 5

There are 16 hand-drawn designs in this coloring book. The product description mentions 19 but I count 16 so perhaps there has been a revision to the book. The designs are eclectic and imaginative. They range the gamut from hot air balloons to owls. There is a nice level of detail but the elements are not too small and don’t require special ultra fine nibs in order to color.

I chose a dragon for my first project. I colored it in a variety of alcohol-based markers. I find that alcohol-based work better for me with this paper and designs, so that is how I will probably continue with the book.

This is an overview of what I found in this coloring book:

16 Hand-drawn designs
Printed on one side of CreateSpace white, thin, slightly rough, non-perforated paper
Glue Binding
Designs do not merge into the binding area and you will not lose portions of the designs if you cut pages out of the book
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through this paper
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page.
Coloring pencils work well with this paper. Soft lead goes on well though I find that to get heavier pigment, I have to layer color on in thin coats. Hard lead pencils dent the back of the page.
I recommend a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper be used beneath your working page to keep ink and dents from marring the pages below.

I received a free sample of this coloring book for test and review purposes.

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20 Harry Potter Designs in a large format coloring poster book – printed on one side of medium weight card stock

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Iiiireader

Harry Potter Poster Coloring Book

By: Scholastic

Rating: 5 of 5

harrypotterposter

This is the first Harry Potter Poster coloring book. There have now been three regular coloring books in this line and the poster book is based on the first two books “Harry Potter Coloring Book” and “Harry Potter Magical Creatures Coloring Book”. I feel that each of the books could have merited their own poster books, such as the ones that have been done for “Secret Garden” and “Enchanted Forest.”

A few of my favorite designs from both books are included; however, I feel that they included a few too many “wallpaper” repeating designs rather than putting in some of the more iconic scenes that were spread across two pages in the original books. There are so many designs I would have preferred but that is only my taste in the artwork. While I was a little disappointed, I won’t detract a star in my rating as the artwork that was included was done extremely well.

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38 Enchanted Fantasy Art Grayscale Designs plus 4 bonus preview pages printed on one side of the page

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Iiiireader

Enchanted Art Grayscale Coloring Book: For Grown-Ups, Adult Relaxation

By: Cheryl Casey

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really beautiful grayscale coloring book. It features the artwork of Alena Lazareva and is the first book I have by this artist. I do have another quality book by the same design group, Wingfeather Books and have really enjoyed that one as well (Spirit Animals) which was the second grayscale book I had purchased. I’m very impressed by the beautiful of the artwork. Within minutes of receiving my copy, I ordered additional ones for some family members who want to try grayscale coloring.

There are 38 designs in this book plus four preview pages from Mermaids, Fairies & Fantasy giving you a total of 42 pages to color. I think that is a huge bargain considering both the price and the quality of the artwork.

I generally use just coloring pencils on my grayscale (and I am fairly inexperienced at it in general) and recently have done some in just alcohol-based markers. For my first project in this book, I wanted to use both. I used the markers as a basecoat and then went over the entire design with pencils. What was fun about doing it that way was that I could get the coverage I wanted with the markers and then still make pencil stroke marks in the hair like I do with regularly coloring. It was fun and maybe not as successful as it good be but I will keep trying until I learn the technique properly!

This is what I found while coloring and testing this coloring book:

38 Enchanted Fantasy Designs plus 4 bonus pages
Printed on one side of the page.
Paper is typical CreateSpace which is thin, white, slightly rough and non-perforated.
Glue Bound
Designs stop before the binding area
Book can easily open to fairly flat position for coloring
Pages can be cut out without loss of design
Alcohol and water based markers seep through this paper
Gel pens and India ink pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the page.
Coloring pencils work well with the paper. Soft lead can be put on thin or heavy, they blend and layer well. Hard lead dents the back of the page.
I recommend a blotter page under your working page to keep ink and dents from messing up the pages below.

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