Kath, You must be itching to get started. Let us know how you like it and post a picture too!

Murraysmom, no talent needed. My artistic ability is to stay inside the lines most of the time, but it's still fun and I'm most often happy with what I've done. I think that's why it's so popular. It's easy to do and satisfying too.

I am, Socks! I used to be crafty, crocheting, ceramics, needlework but haven't done any of those things in years. I would love to find something to do to relax other than playing stupid computer games, which is what I do now.

The coloring is stimulating, and I agree not a lot of talent involved other than being able to choose colors and stay in the lines. I just finished one I really like it reminds me of stained glass.

Get those pens and get started! Congratulations on your new hobby. I bought a book and a set of the big lot gels for my sisters for their Christmas package. They may never do anything with it but who knows.

I have the Enchanted Forest book but have only colored the first scene. I find the book too big and it's not comfortable to color on the left hand page. The pictures are beautiful but I'd prefer them to be printed on only one side of the page. I am currently coloring in the Outlander coloring book and I'm really enjoying it.

I've got everything but still haven't done much with it. I love just looking for the pages more then the coloring itself.

Lindy my Mandala book is printed on both sides which is not a good idea because most colors bleed through. So I went to Walmart and bought a big package of extra heavy duty printing paper, similar to card stock. I printed out the pictures from the book and using a clip board can enjoy coloring in comfort. I don't do any of mine in the book but my other books are printed on one side and are perforated for removal. I bought a box of clear document protectors and keep them all in a 3 ring binder. Works great. And I can redo a drawing if I mess something up, just print it again. I am only using it for myself.

My one Angie Grace book is not perforated I wish it was and the paper is not very heavy so I will do the same with it. The books from Creative Haven are on very heavy paper and all perforated. I bought the Entangled coloring book by them for my sisters. I won't knowingly buy any more books that are printed on both sides.

Creative Haven's are my favorite. I have completed the Owls one, most of the Cats & just received Entangled the other day. I buy my gel pens on Amazon, very inexpensive & they work beautifully!

Raven, I have used that heavy paper to print some pages from the internet. When I used marker I always put a piece of paper behind the page I'm working on so It doesn't bleed through. I prefer colored pencil though.

My DGD wanted to color a page from my Outlander book and it didn't copy right. I suspect it had some ink in parts of each page to prevent copying.

What do you mean when you say "it had some ink in parts of each page"? Wouldn't it copy exactly what you were seeing? Sorry that I'm confused on that, but I'm concerned because the book that I'm considering getting (it would be my 1st!) is printed on both sides so I'd probably like to make separate copies.

Humm no idea, mine copied just fine. I always have a few blank sheets of paper under the one I am coloring to catch bleeding, some people use wax paper or foil. I like the feel of the extra paper. Plus I can use those when a pen is not flowing properly.

Okay you got my curiosity on this....so I went and checked them out......and bought myself one along with some markers.

But I have a question I'd like some feedback on.....A young lady friend of mine (late 20's or early 30's) was just diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer yesterday. I thought that one of these books (whether she colors or not) would be a welcome respite from all she may be going to go through, so I purchased one along with some markers to gift her with. I would like to add a little note in the card but am not sure if I should include a personal note, like is that okay etiquette? If so, any ideas? The card I purchased is a 'thinking about you" sort of sentiment.

I think I have about 15 books, gel pens, prismacolor pencils, derwent intense pencils, staedtler fineliners..... I'm a little hooked.

I think a personal note would be appreciated and appropriate. It will be a good gift to help distract her.

Oh yeah I am officially addicted, we may need a coloring anonymous!

Just Linda, a note would be very nice. It's thoughtful, and a thoughtful gift too.

I went to Michaels on Thursday and picked up two more. One of them a perferated, one-sided book. Lauren came home last night and she was thrilled with the gel pen set I got (the one from Big Lots that someone mentioned before) but not so much about the intricate coloring pages. She's going to try it out though. My first page was pretty awful, started out pretty but I used to many colors and it got ugly quickly.

Noting the title ... I wonder: do these things carry an "R" rating??

Justlinda ... I think that something like, "thinking of you" is fine, and if you are rather close friends (maybe even if not quite), probably something more personal would be appreciated - this is a time when linkages with friends is important to many in her shoes ... and she'll find out who her real friends are ... for some run like frightened deer at the mention of that blasted "C" word!

ole joyful

Would like to thank everyone who offered suggestions. Much appreciated.