Daily Archives: January 6, 2017

All You Need Is Love…and a Cat: Coloring Book (Doodle Art Alley Books) (Volume 12)

By: Samantha Snyder

Rating: 5 of 5

I am a huge fan of cat-related coloring books. This is one of the more fun ones that I have. Most of the designs include a cute and cartoon-like cat and all of the designs have a quote or saying on them. I am having a lot of fun coloring in this book and thinking about my various cats (all of whom have passed.) It brings back the good times I had with each of them and gives me a lot of joy.

This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
50 Cat/Quote designs with fun attitude
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. The designs have a framing line at the outer edges.
Glue Binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.
In addition to the copy of this book that I purchased on Amazon, the publisher provided me with an advance reader copy of this book.

Fantasia: Adult Coloring Book

By: Phoenix Amulet

Rating: 5 of 5

I did not know that there was a version of this coloring book published in Asia. I most assuredly would have purchased it had I known. I have now started looking and can’t find it so hopefully someone will post a link in the comments to where it can be purchased.

However, for those of us living outside of Asia, this is a beautiful book of designs but it is printed on the typical thin (and frankly bad quality) paper which is the only paper that CreateSpace makes available for self-published artists.
I wish that the company (which is owned by Amazon, by the way), would provide artists with a choice of better paper. They don’t and I accept the quality knowing that it is the only way currently to get access to so many wonderful independent artists. I know that many individuals end up scanning the designs in these books and printing them on better quality paper. Irritating but at least it is an option for some.
Having said all of that, I just noticed that this book is no longer available on Amazon. I hope that it returns, either in the CreateSpace quality paper or something better. This is an artist whose work needs to be seen.
The designs are a wonderful range of fantasy from fairies to terrifying creatures and even a flying elephant. The designs are detailed and some have intricate and small spaces to color. The only problem I have with the designs in the book is deciding which order to color them in. I want to color them all right away!
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
61 Imaginative and Beautifully hand-drawn Fantasy designs
Printed one side of the page
Paper is thin, rough, white and non-perforated the same paper that all CreateSpace books are printed on
Glue Binding
Designs merge into the binding area
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work fairly well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book with all forms of coloring medium. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.

The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: A Year of Celebrations

By: Nosy Crow

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really cute set of color it and make your own style cards. The designs are fun and have areas to color or write in on all sides of the note cards. I would have been happy with just the cards but the set also comes with fold it yourself coordinating envelopes and stickers to seal them with. My first projects will be the Valentine’s day cards for my grandchildren. I missed New Year’s this year but will be using it next year.

The designs are detailed and some have a few intricate areas to color. I don’t find them difficult to color but they may present issues for someone with vision or fine motor skill issues.
There are cards for all types of special occasions or themes. There are 36 cards and matching envelopes and stickers for the following times: New Year (1), Valentine’s Day (2), Easter (2), Mother’s Day (2), Father’s Day (2), Birthday (5) Baby (1), Congratulations/well done (2), Anniversary (1), Graduation (1), Thank You (4), Thanksgiving (1), Happy Holidays (not Christmas specifically)(4), Thinking of you (2), Love (1), Get Well (1), and decorated Blank (4).
The envelopes have areas to color and decorate as well and the inside of the envelope is done is a all-over design (which I won’t color but could present a fun challenge for someone so inclined. The envelopes are made to coordinate with the particular card it is to be used which (these go in the same order in the book, so it is easy to match which one goes with which.) The designs of the cards are really cute with all sorts of elements which pertain to the holiday, special occasion, or the general theme of the card.
The cards are printed on a medium weight card stock while the envelopes are printed on a heavy weight paper. All of the pages are perforated for easy removal from the book, however, you still need to cut certain parts of the page.
Each page of cards has two cards on it with a cutting line to separate them. I prefer using a paper cutter to get a sharp edge but a good pair of scissors and a steady hand works, too. I also trim the perforated side of the cards and the envelopes as it is slightly rough once it is removed from the book (there is a cutting line for this as well.)
The fold lines are lightly scored on both the cards and the envelopes. There are written instructions on the method of folding the envelopes as well as stickers at the back of the book that can be used to help seal the envelopes.
If you are going to mail them, be aware that they are an unusual size and will probably require additional postage. It has been suggested on either books of this type that you can place the envelope inside a standard envelope to utilize regular postage. I give mine out directly or as part of a gift box package, so mine don’t go through the regular post machines, etc.
My alcohol-based markers bled through both types of paper.
Water-based markers, gel pens and India ink pens did not bleed through or leave marks on the back of either types of paper. My India ink pens work really well with the designs. I get great coverage and the design elements still show through.
Colored pencils work well with the slight rough texture. I got good color with both oil and wax based pencils, especially when layering the same color for richer pigment. Layering multiple colors worked well, too. I was also able to blend well using a pencil style blender stick.