Ohhh, love the shells. All the blue is perfect too!

I just finished this owl. My neighbor gave me the picture. I wish the glitter pens showed up better, the feathers shimmer. I really like it, glad she brought it to me.

All of your pictures are beautiful - thanks for sharing them with us!!!

Yes, the pictures are beautiful. Love seeing them. Socks, what are you using to color with?

Socks, I can understand why those animals take a lot of time to do. My first picture was one of the Menhdi designs and it took forever, as I don't spend a lot of time coloring during the day. I should have picked something a bit less intimidating for the first one. I'm now working on one from a book of Kaleidoscope designs. I'm going crazy with all the intersecting shapes knowing what color to use where. It's hard enough to decide which colors to use in a regular design, let alone where they should go on such a complicated one. But that's the fun part of it, and there are no right answers. It IS a lot a fun.

I've got this book but I haven't started it yet.....I bought it in July! Just haven't had the time.

Yes, Maxmom, it does involve some brainwork! Casey, that looks very good, Animal Kingdom. I find I like to color "things" rather than designs. But I'm sure I'll do some designs at some point for variety.

Carabubble, I use the gel pens for the tiny places, that $10 set in the metal box from Big Lots and I also have some called Stabilo fine point which I got from an art store (sold individually and not too expensive). My colored markers are from a Prang set (cannot remember where I got them). I use all and any for each page, don't just stick to one kind.

Carabubble, are you coloring too?

Raven is correct, the markers can make your hand tired if you stick to them exclusively. But they are perfect for larger areas and for shading.

I use a clip board so I can color while sitting in my recliner, so I can watch TV and color. I would not like it as much if I had to go to a specific place to color like at the table.

Here's one more from Whimsical Gardens (not quite done). While I like many of their images, some have a lot of boring work like those stepping stones.

Thanks for answering my question, Socks. I'll give you a long answer back to yours.

When my sister and I were kids our grandmother gave each of us one of those mandala books. That was around 50 years ago! I only found out about these new coloring books about a month or so ago. I've picked one up that I'm going to send to my sister along with a pack of colored pencils. I guess I'm wondering if I should also pick up gel pens too. We both are avid gardeners so I bought the Secret Garden for her. I'll be a surprise - hope she still likes coloring!

As for me? I love looking everyone's pictures here. I just might go pick up the Enchanted Forest and a pack of pencils for myself.

The gel pens are much easier on the hands and wrist. I prefer them. Pencils take a lot more wrist action and more pressure from the fingers. I started doing this to hopefully help loosen my arthritic joints in my hands. I can really tell a difference when I have gone several days with out coloring. I stiffen up. But with pencils you have the ability to do shading and shadows and other neat stuff. I just picked up 2 of the nice sets at big Lots, they are in a really nice metal case that latches closed and has a carry handle, 36 pens for $10. They are mixed, neon, glitter, metallic. I need to find a couple of books for them. I have Crazy Paisley which is a Creative Haven book, they make a very good weight and quality book, I paid $5.99 at hobby lobby they have several online I saw some on Amazon.

It definitely does take some brain work some are almost like a puzzle.

One from yesterday and one from tonight.

Thanks, picked up a package of the gel pens from Big Lots today. For those of you who may also want them, they are not hanging with the pens and pencils, but rather laying down because the package is so big. I almost missed them.

Yes me too! When I got mine they were on a lower shelf and you could see them pretty good but yesterday they were up on a high shelf in the school supplies area laying flat and I missed them I only saw them on my second look down that aisle. I saw the metal edge of the container stacked up high. My husband had to reach up to get them. So I had him put one face out in front of the stack. I will try to post a picture of what they look like.

The metal case is hinged in the middle where the pink label is. It locks shut and has a carry handle. I saw some very good buys on amazon yesterday too. I was looking at the coloring pencils. I may get some of the watercolor pencils to try. I ordered the Entangled coloring book for my sisters and myself.

Raven, don't you just feel like a professional when you open that set up?! I do!

I really like your pictures.

My favorite pens are the fine tip markers. They leave little demarcation and blend well.

I received another coloring book! It is the Mandala one. My daughter Terri and Granddaughter Mandy and Great grandson Alex gave it to me this afternoon. They said they bought it at the Five Below store. I told them I don't know when I am going to get to color but I want to. They don't know I have the gel pens for them and plan on getting coloring books for them for Christmas. I just wanted to share the news with you.

Sue

Sue, you are super-busy all the time. I never cease to be impressed with what you accomplish in a day in addition to caring for your DH. I think if you could find even half an hour a day to color, you would enjoy it. Maybe before bed, to relax. You don't have to have a long period of time to work on a project. Sound like this will be the "Coloring Christmas" for your family.

When I go to bed at night, which is pretty early I try to do some embroidery on the kitchen towels I am making for all the girls in our family for Christmas so I don't feel I can take the time yet to color. I do take my embroidery with me when I go with the girls, so when I wait I can work on things.

Sue

I've got the set from Big Lots, the water color colored pencils, and the brush tipped gels from Hobby Lobby, which I really like. They flow so easily, but are not good for tiny areas. Each time Hobby Lobby gets a new shipment I buy them all for myself as extras and for friends. Eighteen colors for $4.99. I haven't finished many pieces as the detail work does a number on my eyes, so can't work for every long at one time. it is sure fun, though.

marilyn_sue - What lovely gifts you're working on! If we just had time to indulge in all crafts,eh?

Maxmom I have never seen the brush tip gels before. I will definitely have to look for those next time I am at hobby lobby. Where are they located in the store? Are they with the art supplies where the Copic colors and prismacolor pencils are?

I tend to work pretty quickly. Usually if I start a piece while watching TV in the evening I will finish it before bedtime. Now some shows I have to color less and pay attention more. Some shows I can color right through them and not miss much.

I tried another one last night with the crayola color pencils I just don't have the strength in my hands for those which is why I thought maybe the watercolor pencils would be easier for me.

We want to see pictures of your embroidery! That's a wonderful craft. I have never done it but my mom and grandma did some beautiful work. Mom did a lot of the ribbon work and French knots. I wish I had learned from her.

My latest work. I really like it, reminds me of stained glass.

That's beautiful. Which pens did you use? I am curious about that row, the second one from the outside where you changed colors a bit as you went around, sometimes pale yellow, sometimes other muted colors. What made you think to do it that way, and I wonder if that's part of what makes it look line stained glass with sun coming through in certain places. Very nice.

""adult""colorbooks are the thing right now. They are all over I picked up a nice one on Amazon. The thing to watch out for is to make sure your pens you use don't soak thru the paper. There is a wide area of colors and assortments of color pencils, pens, brushes et.c and the best thing is you can start and stop any time with each picture

I used only gel pens from the Costco set. Most were the metallics a few in the center "flower" are gel glitters. The herringbone patterns in the drawing brought me to doing it that way. I wanted variation in color but wanted it more muted.

It's so much prettier with light shining on it, the metallics really stand out. I may frame this one.

Here it is with some light.

Two new ones. I found the Mardi Gras masks online. The other one is from my new Entangled book.

Ravencajun, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The brush tipped gel pens are located with the other art supplies: the pastels, colored pencils, etc. In my store it's right across from the framing department. I imagine all the stores are laid out the same. Yesterday my son brought me the large 100 pen set from Costco, and now I think I'm set for pens and pencils "till the cows come home" as my father used to say. I told my daughter-in-law that I'd have a ton to leave to her in my will.

I wish I could work for longer periods of time on mine, but if I do my eyes pay for it the next day. I do color while I 'listen' to TV but I find even then my mind wanders and I never remember what I saw. I'd also never, ever be able to finish a picture in 3 or 4 hours, even if I could keep at it that long.

When I first saw some of your finished designs my thought was that they would make beautiful stained glass-type ornaments. I keep wondering how you could use a lightweight, see-through paper to overlay the design, color on that and then put a frame around it to make a sort of window hanging that the light would come through. I certainly haven't thought of trying it myself, as I'm not a crafty person, but wouldn't some of them be beautiful?

Interesting idea, Maxmom. I recall a translucent paper called vellum (from my days of duplicating blueprints). IF a coloring page could be duplicated on vellum AND if markers/pencils/gel pens would work on the vellum, that could be a very pretty stained glass look.

Interesting idea. I bet you could print on the vellum, I have a laser printer. I just don't know if the gels would stay with out smearing. I have a problem with smearing and smudges with gels, as I color one place my hand touching a place that's not totally dry. The side of my right hand gets wet gel on it and I track it. I keep a towel to keep wiping my hand on. It's very frustrating.

I will be looking for the brush tips. I want to get a couple of copics since everyone raves about them on the coloring forum but they are expensive.

What's the coloring forum ?

I meant the Angie Grace one on the Facebook group. I am not registered or have Facebook but I do like to read and see the pictures of their work. On Angie Grace website she has a link to it. I haven't been in a while.

Here's a link

BTW, since my leg is broke, and I'm not going anywhere, Wednesday I just ordered two or three books, some pencils and gel pens from Amazon for amusement! Can't wait till they arrive!

Thanks for the idea, folks! Coloring isn't just for kids anymore, I guess!

Oh that's great, NOT the broken leg ouch! But the coloring will be a good distraction and it's fun.

I have several new pieces I have done but not taken pictures of yet.

Be sure to show us your work.

If you go through my Flickr photostream, you can see some of the pages that I'm working on and even a couple that I finished. I really enjoy "Enchanted Forest", "The Secret Garden" and "Lost Ocean" by Johanna Brasford. A few others are by various other people.

My Flickr Photostream

Debby you have some really beautiful work there. I saw you had a nice selection of copics, how do you like them are they worth the price? And where did you get that beautiful Fleur-de-lis picture you are working on in there? I collect Fleur-de-lis so would love some to color.

The Copic markers are great, but not if your page has a picture on both sides. The ink will bleed through. I usually only use them for small areas. TheFleur-de-lis is from a FB group called Ornation Creation. And thank you for the compliments!

Socks, can you tell me where you found the spiral-bound book with the animals?

I found it in a store in Washington state, Port Angeles actually.

Here are two links, one to the artist's website and one to her books on Amazon.

http://www.earthartinternational.com/coloringbooksupdate.html

http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Sue+Coccia

Looks like Amazon is the better deal if you have prime or can get free shipping. I would be interested to know what you get, if you get one.

Thank you! I think it would be perfect for my grown sons :)

I just went to the 5 below store and got some new coloring books. Two are huge I don't know how many pages but at least double or more the others I have. Both are by Calm waters studios Flower Power and Feel Good Patterns it says triumphbooks.com on the back these are regularly $15 but $5 there. I got a Jungle Wonders color art by leisurearts.com it was $4 and a small book that is more like a hard back, very good pictures but printed on both sides so I will have to print each side. It was $5 it is called Relaxation coloring book by Piccadillyinc.com. The only colors I saw were a few loose gel pens at 2 for a dollar and some prang pencils.

I am ready to start coloring something new.

Here's links to some of the books.

Relaxation coloring book

Jungle wonders

I have several I just took pictures of. These are the latest ones I finished.

Raven, that Breathe book and one other (can't remember name) from that collection is on my list. Your pics are beautiful.

Here's my very first one from Design Originals Flower Mandalas.

That's great! You did some really nice shading. What were you using? You know I never think about using my black pens, you got a nice effect there.

Well I just finished this one of flowers.