Cute set of 36 color yourself cards, envelopes and stickers

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.