Explore your favorite parts of the U.S. Army in this custom-designed, officially-licensed coloring book. Within these pages are some of the most-loved values, symbols, and institutions of your or your loved one’s uniformed service. Lend your personal artistic touch to our images to create your own unique and meaningful pieces of art.
“I sent this to an Army Veteran. Her response....”I just got your gift!!! I LOVE IT!!! Tell the artist it's amazing!!!” … What more can I say? Thank you. It was the perfect gift.”“My SIL loved this! She's currently home with 2 little ones while my brother is deployed overseas. She said the book is gorgeous and coloring in it is very relaxing. Thanks.”“Oh! Come on NOW! This is awesome and AMAZING! YAY! Beautiful work, printed upon nice paper with one side only so I’m NOT ruining the coloring page on the back! If it sounds too good to be true, then LISTEN up! It is wonderful. Such a great coloring book. THE best to gift … Buy it! Buy it now!”
Writing Letters
Like baking bread and knitting sweaters, writing letters is back in fashion as all sorts of old-fashioned traditions and hobbies are coming back due to COVID. These days, we often can’t meet even our local friends and family in person, and visiting anyone who lives far away is essentially a complete no-go. This situation is going to get harder and harder to take as the holidays approach, so a heartfelt, hand-written note or letter is the perfect pandemic-approved way to reach out.
Zoom Parties/Happy Hours/Family Reunions
One of the few bright spots of COVID times is that even technophobes have mostly had to learn how to get connected via video chat. And it’s given us the perfect excuse to “get together” with people we don’t often see — during Coronavirus, a virtual Happy Hour with your downstairs neighbor is equally as possible as one with your college roommate in Hawaii or your grandmother in Poland, so we are suddenly free to “visit” with them all! My extended family on my dad’s side has hosted two Zoom reunions this year, and we’ve all had a fabulous time connecting and learning about each other. I’ve spoken with a cousin I haven’t seen since I was twelve and an aunt and uncle who still imagine me with pigtails. My kids have gotten to bond over Doctor Who and Star Wars with relatives who they only vaguely sort of knew about before. I highly recommend setting this up!
(As an added note for Zoom/Google Meet/FaceTime … how many of us have kids at home doing "distance learning"? We know a few parents who have been using coloring books/pages to help keep their kids busy and focused during online learning. For some kids, this would be a distraction, but for some, a little creativity and movement can really help to keep the boredom and distraction at bay.)
Virtual Game Night
If you’re craving some structured social time (or maybe you’re just competitive) setting up a virtual game night could be the answer! Pam’s husband meets up with his college friends every week for Bridge, and I’m planning to set up an online playdate with my kids and their preschool cousins to play Chutes and Ladders. Everyone plays together and follows along with the game play, and no one catches COVID! Win-win! (And if you actually win the game, I guess it’s win-win-win?)
Movie Watch Party
Did you know that there’s a Netflix browser extension on Google Chrome that lets you watch movies along with friends for a socially distanced movie night? Neither did I, but I can’t wait to see a movie “with” friends again! Bonus: no sticky floors (actually, that’s a lie) and the popcorn is both cheaper and better.
Custom Coloring Page for Your Community
Coloring has the benefit of creativity, stress relief, and either being social or solo, depending on what you need in the moment. Have an idea for something to color “together” with family, friends, or colleagues? Want to have a piece of art that uniquely reflects your company, your neighborhood, your family, or your sewing circle? Just ask, and we’ll put together a printable coloring page just for you!
Bonus: Pick Up the Phone
Sort of like writing a letter, making an actual phone call to an actual person can seem like a relic of a bygone era. Seriously, I sort of freak out when my “phone” actually RINGS. But don’t we all want to hear someone’s voice right now? Wouldn’t it he nice to laugh and chat with another human? Pick up your phone and give it a try (but you might want to give the other person a heads up via text first so they don’t think you’ve been arrested or are in the hospital)!]]>
Whether you’re wishing for some self-care time (i.e., some coffee or wine time), or you you’re more of a craft and color type (who might go for a printable coloring page instead), we’ve got some inspirations for what to ask for so that they can get you the PERFECT gift this Mother’s Day!
What they think we want for Mother’s Day: flowers, chocolates, coffee mug, brunch. What we really want: flowers with wine, chocolates with wine, mug full of wine, brunch with mimosas (hey — we’re not savages). Oh, and a card decorated by the kids (we’re COMPLETE suckers for those). Plus wine.
Ask your hubby to get the kids to color this card (super sentimental)! It will also remind him to buy the wine (did we mention we love him?)! It’s a total wine … er, win!
If you’re a mom and you don’t feel like swearing at least a few times each day … what’s your secret?!? But if you’re like me (and probably most of us) you’re probably muttering SOMETHING into your coffee or other beverage of choice (see above) at some point each day. Why not stimulate your intellect while satiating your desire to get out those internal linguistic demons? (I’m not really sure what I’m talking about, either, but stick with me here …) Take a few minutes of downtime with your aforementioned coffee (or whatever) and get in some coloring therapy while increasing your off-color vocabulary with our Swearing with Shakespeare Coloring Book!
Nothing is sweeter than a heartfelt, handwritten note … unless it’s one of these super-sweet personalized donut coloring note cards! Send a tasty treat to your favorite sweetie, personalized with your name or a favorite message! Hand-decorate each card with your favorite colors or a special design crafted just for the recipient. The secret ingredient is the care you put into it!
If you’re like me, and you enjoy having plants … but you struggle with KEEPING plants, then this might be just the perfect thing for your windowsill! (That’s where plants are supposed to live, right?) You can customize it with who it’s being gifted from, and it’s so adorable that you might just remember to water the plant this time. And if it doesn’t work out … you can always put the next leafy victim in there in the future!
For moms that travel with their families, you know it’s inevitable that you’ll be the one stuck carrying everyone’s documents throughout the journey. During our years of travel, we’ve come up with more and less graceful ways of keeping track of everything on our trips. I’m always trying super hard not to lose our passports, visas, boarding passes, etc. (and don’t even get me started on the snacks). It would be so much simpler with one of these gorgeous family-sized travel wallets or passport holders. Choose the one that fits your aesthetic and logistical style the best, and bon voyage!
For those of us trying to get organized (is anyone NOT on this list?) an inspiring, personalized bullet journal can be just the tool to help us focus and get our creative and organizational juices flowing. But taking a journal from empty to empowering takes time, inspiration, and energy … and we don’t always have a lot extra of those things on hand. Fear not! You can have a bullet journal hand-crafted uniquely for YOU, ready to motivate and inspire!
There’s not a much more classic Mother’s Day gift than a spa gift set. If you love the classics, but want something a lot more special than what they’d get at the mall, check out these personalized, plant-based, all-natural gift sets filled with candles, bath bombs, soap, lip balms, and more! I love how many types of sets there are — it’s easy to choose one that best reflects your own personality!
These quilled paper accessories and keepsakes stand out among the Mother’s Day crowd. The handcrafted paper designs yield completely unique creations perfect for the craft or paper enthusiast. Whether you’d love a special decor piece, or a piece of jewelry created specifically for you, these pieces of quilled paper art are not to be missed.
For a Mother’s Day gift that is heavy on sentiment and certain to be meaningful, a custom watercolor portrait of YOUR home simply cannot be beat. Own a gorgeous piece of custom art that forever captures the family home, and is sure to hold a special place in your heart.
Or maybe you want to go with a different type of Mother’s Day classic? Something “from the kids” that (let’s be honest) you might actually get to use on days OTHER than Mother’s Day? Check out these fabulous sparkly custom Mom t-shirts, which are personalized to include your kids’ names!
If you’re more of a coffee mom than a wine mom (or maybe you’re both, which we totally relate to!) then why not make a suggestion that you know might already be on their list? Ask for this lovely mug that will definitely remind you of Mother’s Day throughout the year, but which you’ll be able to use in every season.
What will you be asking/hinting/shopping for this Mother’s Day? Do you have something great in mind we should share? Have you gotten something in the past that was just THE BEST THING to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! And join our Facebook group for first access to a Mother’s Day freebie for all the moms out there! We’d love to hear what’s inspiring you this Mother’s Day!
]]>As part of our new venture, we’re embracing a new color palette that defines the new “us.” They’re colors that fill us with excitement and motivation. They speak to who we are and who we want to become. They inspire us to create and to share our love of crafting and coloring with YOU!
The last of our new color palette is a warm, vibrant, peachy coral that transports us to a beach in the tropics or the hearth on a winter night.
Coral is summer. It is warmth, vibrancy, comfort. It’s an embrace, a tropical breeze, a bite into a ripe and juicy peach. Coral makes us feel open, excited, ready for what’s next. It is a “pop” of creativity, a flash of inspiration, a rush of energy.
Coral is a burst of bright contrast in the blue of a cool ocean. It is life and rebirth in the tropical sea. It is the glow of a sunset, the lush fragrance of a tropical blossom, and the spark from a campfire against the night sky.
(Coral is also SO on trend right now! Truthfully, though, rebrands take a ton of time, and this was one of our colors even BEFORE Pantone picked a nearly identical shade to be Color of the Year for 2019! Go us! We’re ahead of the times!)
We are so excited to share this next chapter of the College Coloring Books story with you! We hope you feel as inspired as we do to grow and create! Join our mailing list for printable coloring pages, exclusive discount codes, and preview access to our newest products!
]]>As part of our new venture, we’re embracing a new color palette that defines the new “us”. They’re colors that fill us with excitement and motivation. They speak to who we are and who we want to become. They inspire us to create and to share our love of crafting and coloring with YOU!
The next color in our new collection is teal, a tranquil blue-green that makes us feel warm, breezy, and totally relaxed. Teal is quiet, introspective, and calming. Teal is a color of self-care. It is relief — the calm after the storm. It is peace and serenity, relaxation and rejuvenation. Teal is the sea under a tropical sun, and it’s the pre-dawn sky in summer. Teal is vacation, lazing in a hammock, listening to the ocean. It is refreshing, clean, and invigorating. Teal is a cool color that feels warm, a relaxing color that energizes. Teal tells you to take a break and to not take yourself too seriously — rest up, but then jump back in with both feet!
We love the peace and centeredness that teal brings to our new palette, and we hope that it brings you calm and fresh inspiration! Join our mailing list for printable coloring pages, exclusive discount codes, and preview access to our newest products!
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As part of our new venture, we’re embracing a new color palette that defines the new “us”. They’re colors that fill us with excitement and motivation. They speak to who we are and who we want to become. They inspire us to create and to share our love of crafting and coloring with YOU!
A vibrant and energetic addition to our new color collection, magenta is a bright, rosy, vivid pink that makes us think of summer and girl power! Magenta is fun-filled and flirty, feminine and free. Magenta is playful, sassy and strong. It will always be noticed and is ready to take center stage. Magenta is the color of candy and flowers, of Valentine’s Day and date nights. Magenta is undeniably powerful, feisty, and inspiring.
We’re totally smitten with magenta, and we hope you love the energy is brings to our new color palette! Join our mailing list for printable coloring pages, exclusive discount codes, and preview access to our newest products!
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In case you hadn’t yet heard, we launched our new evolution, Craft and Color Co, last week! We’re expanding how we bring community and connection to your world, by thinking beyond the campus.
As part of our new venture, we’re embracing a new color palette that defines the new “us”. They’re colors that fill us with excitement and motivation. They speak to who we are and who we want to become. They inspire us to create and to share our love of crafting and coloring with YOU!
The first in our new set of signature colors is a bright, citrusy yellow with just a hint of green undertone. It’s the color of sunshine, of tropical drinks, of blossoming daffodils, or the center of a daisy. This is the color of squeals of delight, of a burst of energy, of warmth and laughter and silliness. It’s the color of summer, of bees and fireflies and lemonade.
It’s fresh, youthful, and vibrant, and we hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired us! Join our mailing list for printable coloring pages, exclusive discount codes, and preview access to our newest products!
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A year ago, I would have rolled my eyes and told you that there’s no such thing as growing too big, too fast; heck, my mantra for 2018 was THINK BIGGER.
And boy, did I ever.
I ended the year with two options: shut down or regroup. As I sifted through the remains of 2018, two things became clear:
As a sole proprietor, I could not create meaningful artwork when working with more than a dozen schools at the same time. It was unfair to them…and to me.
I had reached a point where the name “College Coloring Books” no longer fit; secondary-education schools and non-education organizations wanted their own custom coloring books, too! And, we now create so many unique and personalized items: coloring notecards, printable coloring pages, coloring posters. We're not just coloring books anymore!
To solve the first problem, I hired two part-time staff; Emily Calle and Melanie Stoppler have been instrumental in helping me to regroup and redefine the mission, vision, and values behind College Coloring Books. (They’ve also taken over social media so it actually…um, gets done.)
As for the second…
♥ ♥ ♥
College Coloring Books began as a love letter to Sweet Briar College. I intended for this little company to head out into the higher ed world and help other small colleges share their own artful love letters within their close-knit communities.
It became so much more than that and I have been honored to work with large universities, local private schools, small businesses, and the U.S. Army.
So today, I am excited to announce the expansion of College Coloring Books into …
♥ ♥ ♥
Craft and Color Co brings you the same spirit, the same creative spark, and the same sense of connection and community…for more of your passions.
With growing pains come growing gains (is that a saying? I’m making it a saying) and I’m so excited to share this journey with you.
♥ ♥ ♥
When you start a coloring book company, there are things you expect. You expect to learn about different types of paper. It’s not a surprise when you become totally proficient at PhotoShop. You also expect to meet other fabulous people — from coloring enthusiasts to marketing folks to other small business owners. You might even expect to learn about the best coloring tools out there. All of this is part of the process.
Then there are the things you DON’T expect. You’re surprised to find how much of creating a coloring books company has nothing at all to do with coloring or books at all (hello, tax laws!). You certainly don’t expect to suddenly find yourself sorting through military licensing agreements (WHAT?!?). And you are TOTALLY unprepared for the amount of free stuff that people send you!
But I am not complaining. (NOT AT ALL.) Free stuff is as awesome as it sounds. And, EVEN BETTER … most of it is free COLORING stuff! We get piles of free pencils, boxes of free markers, envelopes full of paper samples, and tons of free pens. And we get to try them ALL.
But the best part? The best part is that between the (many, many, MANY) coloring supplies we’ve bought ourselves, and the oodles of stuff we’ve gotten to try out, we have gotten the chance to try A LOT of coloring supplies. And we’ve got opinions on which are the best coloring tools out there.
And so, we want to share with you our VERY FAVORITE coloring tools! (Fair notice: some of these have been supplied to us for free to try. Some we purchased. ALL of the opinions are entirely our own and not influenced by the generosity of the companies. We won’t steer you wrong.)
Now, every colorist has a favorite medium. I get that. Some of you love gel pens. Some are crazy for glitter. I’m not going to get into a pencil versus marker debate here. I’ll leave you each to your favorite genre of coloring tools, but within each type, we’ve highlighted the ones that we think are the best coloring tools.
Let’s get started!
These brush markers and perfect for easy blending and shading. Our favorite thing about these markers is that you can vary the shade of the marker by touching the points together in the mixing tube. (Go back and read that again! How cool is that?!?) These (like most markers) are not great for use on detailed, intricate designs, because they have a wider tip. And, it’s important to remember that markers will bleed, so make sure to use them on coloring books with thick, single-sided pages (like ours!) with a sheet of paper in between the pages to prevent accidental marks on following pages.
Confession: I am a gel pen addict. Every time I see a pack on sale, I think “I should try those!” (This is why I have over a dozen packs on my shelf … they’re all for research, I swear! Don’t judge!) Honestly, I’ve tried a ton, and nearly all brands are mostly the same in terms of quality, ease of use, ink flow, and the number of colors in each set. What sets the Pilot G-2s apart is how smooth they are. The fact that they’re retractable is also handy because it means there’s no cap to lose (which I’ve done), so the pens don’t dry out. Bonus: the pens are refillable, so you don’t waste money constantly throwing out pen barrels. (Also, less stuff going in the landfills, so that’s a bonus.)
Linc Metallic Glitter Gel Pens
I love these pens so much that I’m considering becoming a retailer. These are by far the smoothest glitter gel pens I’ve ever used. And, they are surprisingly inexpensive — glitter gel pens (of any quality) are generally significantly more expensive, and for really great ones (like these!) I would expect to pay two to three times as much. For the purpose of planning your palettes, keep in mind that the colors are a bit darker than the tops would have you believe; they’re more like jewel tones than pastels. Also, I will say that these take longer to dry than regular gel pens, but they are SO worth it.
Step away from your old colored pencils. These are sooooooo smooth. I know, giant shocker: Prismacolor makes awesome colored pencils (I think they’re probably on every list of “best coloring tools” out there). But SERIOUSLY — if you aren’t using these yet, you need to be! Their soft core means that you don’t have to press hard to lay down color, and it gives you control of your shading. These are also great for blending.
Ok, so not everyone is prepared to drop major cash on Prismacolor. (I get it.) Though these aren’t as smooth as the Prismacolors, they’re also (at the moment of writing this) less than 1/3 of the price. (Though not to say these are cheapo pencils, either. These are actually rebranded Marco Raffine pencils. I’d call them mid- to high- end.) These are the ones I take with me when I travel.
Koh-I-Noor Tri Tone Colored Pencils
These are so unique and fun to use that I had to include them. Each pencil is made up of three complementary colors — which gives your artwork an immediate and effortless depth. And, it makes for easy blending and shading. (This set is listed as having 24 pencils, but it actually has 23 colored pencils and one blender pencil.)
With so many fun colors to choose from, my Passion Planner looks like it’s been hit by a rainbow! These pens don’t bleed through to the back of the page, which makes them perfect for journals, datebooks, and calendars. These pens have very slender tips, which also makes them great for coloring intricate designs.
So now that we’ve shared OUR favorites … what are yours? Which are the best coloring tools in your experience? Which markers, pencils, or pens belong on our next list? Let us know by email, Facebook post, tweet, Instagram post, or comment, and we might include YOUR idea in a future list!
Oh, and one more thing … would you like to *WIN one of our favorites?!? We’re hosting a coloring contest in our Facebook group — the Craft and Color Club. Come join us to learn more! (And, if you’re reading this long after the contest is over — come and see what we’re up to now! It’ll be good, I promise!) And speaking of free stuff -- join our email list to get free printable coloring pages, discount codes, coloring tips, and exclusive early access to our new products!
]]>What do you do when you have some downtime? I don’t mean just-dropped-the-kids-off-at-
Because I hate being bored! Besides, having to stare at the wall or twiddle my thumbs or listen to the weather on the car radio are all a GIANT waste of my time. I want to do something FUN!
And since we think this problem probably faces just about everyone from time to time, we thought we’d create this gift guide and share our favorite boredom busters to give you ideas for something fun and/or fulfilling and/or giggle inducing to fill your time that might otherwise be spent trying to flip coffee creamers into the closest trash can.
We love this stick-in-your-purse size tic-tac-toe set! Even cuter that you can have it personalized (for your kids, or for yourself)! Those moments when your phone has been drained by too much Minecraft have never looked so fun!
Ok, so no surprise here — we’re fans of printable coloring pages! We particularly love this one because it combines two of the best stress-relievers we can think of: coloring and nature! Check out the detail on these pages: I’m 99% sure you’ll find your favorite critter hidden in there!
Yep, guilty: we’re obviously coloring fans! And we are swooning over these (printable!) literary coloring pages! With quotes from some of our favorite classics (HP counts as a classic by now, right?) and gorgeous illustrations to keep your mind and hands busy, you’ll love whiling away the moments with the coloring pages!
If you’re anything like me, you have to feel inspired by a jigsaw puzzle to get wrapped up in completing it. Creating the beautiful image really only gets me going if it’s something I *want* to see, you know? Enter this Personalized Photo Jigsaw Puzzle! Have any favorite photo memory turned into a 1000 piece puzzle, and create a special memory or truly personal gift.
This is SUCH a cool idea to give a great gift that is personal and fun: a Personalized Connect 4 Game! This would be great to commemorate a special event, or just as a special family gift. What fun!
… we’d be crazy if we didn’t mention a good old-fashioned coloring book featuring something meaningful to you in our gift guide … like maybe your college or sorority!
Whatever you choose to beat your boredom, let us know! Did our gift guide inspire you? Or do you have something even better that could inspire us? Send us an email, leave a comment, tag us on Facebook,Twitter, or Instagram, or join the fabulous Craft and Color Club on Facebook to share your favorite ideas! We love to hear from you!
]]>There is one school that combines a deep love for history, an appreciation for nature, a foodie’s paradise, a rigorous academic environment, a thriving sports culture, AND your average college frat party experience.
Which school is it?
Well, if you’re a Hoo-4-life you already know which school we’re talking about, the incomparable University of Virginia.
What makes UVA so exceptional? Well, quite a few things, as it turns out.
So, how’d we do? What’s YOUR favorite thing about being a Hoo? Have you seen our University of Virginia Coloring Book, or any of our UVA printable coloring pages? Let us know (by email, Facebook,Twitter, Instagram or just comment below) and we’ll share it with our followers!
]]>Depending on where she goes to school, your daughter’s bid day might be right around the corner! (Or, it might be in 6 months, but hey, we’ll re-post this again in the winter to remind you.) For a young woman who has had her heart set on a particular sorority — maybe she’s a legacy, or maybe wanting to join THAT sorority is what made her choose the school she goes to — or a young woman who got to college and felt an instant “click” of affinity and belonging with a certain group of girls — bid day might be the biggest day of her collegiate life (so far, anyway).
And so, you want to celebrate her! The best way to celebrate is with a fantastic, personalized, unique and AWESOME bid day basket that reflects her, her choice, and her AMAZING new sisterhood!
New to the whole Greek life thing? No prob. Here’s a primer:
During “rush”, girls visit a variety of sororities, meet the girls who are already members, learn about what makes each sorority tick, and starts to sort out which one works best for her. On the last night of rush, she makes a list of the sororities she would be interested in joining. Then, the next day, the sororities give a “bid” to each girl they’d like to have join their house. Hopefully, it’s a match made in heaven!
Now, back to celebrating with a bid day basket!
Oh, wait … what’s a bid day basket? It’s a celebratory collection of fun and/or useful sorority-themed gifts to commemorate the big day when she becomes a new member of her sorority. It’s stuff to decorate with, stuff to wear, stuff to use — anything and everything from cups to hats to notepads to sweatshirts to stickers … and it ALL has her new letters on it!
Ok, so now we’re good!
We’re big believers that being unique is always a plus, and we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite items for a totally special, utterly fabulous bid day basket for YOUR new sorority girl!
Who doesn’t love stickers? They can go on everything from notebooks to cards to books to … well, literally anything that’s a got a solid surface! Our favorites are these from Sorority Shop. They’re themed and colored uniquely to each sorority, and they’re totally gorgeous!
We adore the note cards from Original Greek Design featuring illustrations of the actual sorority houses from campuses around the country! (Of course, we’ve also got our own line of note cards as well!)
If you’re looking for something you KNOW she’ll use, and you want something to really help her show off her letters, we are super in love with these fabulous water bottles from A-list Greek! These are practical and gorgeous and so much fun!
A bag that carries all of her essentials for getting ready, or everything she needs for a night out if she uses it as a small purse — AND it’s got her new house letters on it?!? Seriously, how cute is this bag?!?
Here’s another one that definitely goes in the “will absolutely get used” pile: these gorgeous tumblers from The Sorority Spot! They’re in the sorority colors, and uniquely decorated for each sisterhood!
I am absolutely in love with these sorority cuff bracelets from Katy Ryan Designs! Our favorite part? You can add a secret line of text to the inside of the bracelet for extra inspiration!
To top off your basket, you’ll want to enclose a note to tell her how happy and proud you are of her (and so she knows who to thank)! We’d love to suggest a card from Greekings! (Keep their page handy, because she’ll want to order from them again for future events and milestones!)
(You knew we were going to get here, right?) We are definitely of the opinion that there’s nothing better for a unique and memorable bid day basket than a College Coloring Book featuring her new sorority! We create beautiful, sophisticated coloring books tailored to each sorority (and made specifically for adults who need to unwind or find a creative outlet to blow off some steam). They’re the perfect combination of fun and functional, and a truly unique item that her new sisters will want to share! (Coloring party!!!)
If you’re going to go with a coloring book (and OF COURSE you are), then we’d also suggest some coloring supplies to go along with it. Our favorite choices to round out her basket are these printable coloring pages, colored pencils, glitter gel pens, and/or a large pack of gel pens.
If all of this “assembling your own basket” isn’t for you, you can always buy one of the many lovely and carefully created bid day baskets that come pre-made. Like, perhaps, this one from Brown Bag Etc… featuring a very familiar set of sorority coloring books that you might just recognize … wink, wink! (Now, go check it out!)
So, with that, you’ve got a pretty great collection of items to celebrate your daughter and her new sisters! These items are sure to come together to make a bid day basket as special and unique as she is!
But we also want to hear from YOU! What are you wishing for in your bid day basket? Or, what was the best thing you found in yours on your big day? Comment, email, message, Tweet or Instagram us to let us know which of these ideas inspired you! We love to hear (and share) your ideas!
]]>So, to celebrate just a few of the schools that have new books coming up for you this summer, we’re highlighting three of them, and opening up pre-orders on these new College Coloring Books TODAY!* We are SO EXCITED to share these new books with all of you! (OMG!!!! Ok, then maybe less coffee.)
So, let’s see who we’ve got joining the flock!
Welcome Generals!
Washington & Lee has a long and rich history. (Like getting special presents from none other than good old George Washington himself. And, is it true that your school was seriously founded before America was even a thing? That's pretty impressive.) Also, we’ll be among the first to admit — as a student at W&L, you’ll find yourself in one of the most beautiful places ever to go to college! (It's not that we're biased, it's just that we went to school just on the other side of the mountain …) But W&L is so much more than a lasting history and a gorgeous setting -- it's also a totally great school.
In the spirit of long tradition and general impressiveness (see what I did there?), we are so excited to share your College Coloring Book with you! In it, you will see:
Hey there Spartans!
At Michigan State, you've got A LOT going for you. For starters, piles of National Championships for football, basketball, and ice hockey (to name just a few). Plus, you're one of the largest (and seriously, one of the most impressive) universities in the US, with strengths in science, arts, academics and athletics. And, Michigan State is a big place -- there are truly a TON of Spartans out there!
For such a huge school with a vast community of students and alumni, we get that it isn't possible for Michigan State to be just one thing to everyone. It's a little different for each person who passes through there. It means something a little different to each one. For your College Coloring Book, we've tried to give you that feeling of community and shared experience that can bring you all together. We've included:
Hello Fighting Hawks!
As a student at the University of North Dakota, you've got a passion for a great education and an enthusiasm for becoming a great leader. Plus, you probably also enjoy a great hockey game! Your school is known for its strong community and a vibrant Greek life. (If you're a member of a Greek life organization, be sure to also check out our line of Sorority and Fraternity products!) Well, we specialize in celebrating collegiate communities, and we're honored to help you share the community you've created at UND. It's a community made up not only of your friends, but also one that connects you through the decades to those who came before and those who will come after.
We are so excited to have created a custom College Coloring Books JUST FOR the students, alumni and parents of UND. You book includes:
We can't wait to show you all what we've created for you! We are so excited and honored to welcome you all to the College Coloring Books family! Pre-order your books today, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, or by joining our mailing list so that you don't miss a single thing about this colorful, exciting new adventure!
* W&L -- Your book is exclusively available through your campus book shop!
As we’ve been saying, the coloring trend isn’t ending, it’s evolving! We just read in the Wall Street Journal (which is not exactly a coloring industry publication!) about this cool new idea of introducing coloring into the real estate market, and we’re so thrilled! Who could have seen real estate coloring books becoming a thing? (If anyone was going to, it would have been US!) In fact, we’re feeling super inspired! So we’ll be launching a line of printable coloring pages of our favorite pieces of (collegiate!) architecture.
And … we have a few other new surprises up our sleeves! We’ll post again here on the blog as things develop, so make sure you’re following us through our mailing list, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and/or Facebook page for all of our latest news! You don't want to miss out!
We can’t wait to show you how we’ll be bringing all of our extensive experience in the architectural coloring realm into the real estate market!
]]>The end!
Or ....
It's true that I never stopped coloring. Throughout middle school, high school, and later, when I went to college (at Sweet Briar College -- this will be an important part of the story in a minute), I colored – with crayons and kids’ coloring books – as a stress reliever. When the adult coloring craze hit in 2014, I was in heaven. Suddenly, there were hundreds of books to choose from. By 2016, there were thousands of adult coloring books on the market. I bought more than my fair share, but it was just a hobby. I don't know if I even would have called it that -- it was something I did in my free time to relax, unwind, and de-stress. Just something fun I did without thinking about it.
photo by Aaron MahlerThinking that one probably already existed, I took a look online. Nope. Then I thought that there must be a company out there that would take photos and turn them into coloring pages. So, I turned to Google. Surprisingly, I found not a single company dedicated to turning pictures into coloring books. (Though that has since changed.) There are instructions online to convert your photos to coloring pages, but the results are grainy and NOT what I had in mind; I wanted something professional-looking.
Once I completed my (unsuccessful) Google search, I realized that I had just found an untapped market: adult coloring books targeted directly to college students and alumni. Now, I never expected to find an untapped market in anything. I was happy working for “The Man” and doing some freelance design work. I had no desire to start a business – like, ever! – but I couldn’t deny that I was excited about the idea of making custom coloring books for colleges … and filling a need in the market. My heart was racing, my hands were shaking, and I was breathing really fast as I hurried to register the URL and file the paperwork to start the business: College Coloring Books.
Photo by Aaron MahlerIn the spring of 2015, I was absolutely rocked by the sudden, unexpected, out of the blue announcement that my dear Sweet Briar College was closing. (I'm telling you, we did not see this coming.) I was shocked. I was horrified. And I was moved to action. (Very long story short -- you can read more about it here -- the circumstances around the announced closure were hella sketchy.)
I had known that I wanted to go to Sweet Briar the moment I stepped foot on – er, drove up the driveway to – campus. It was an immediate feeling of “home." I could wax poetic about the beauty of campus, but Sweet Briar is more than just a pretty location. Sweet Briar helped me find my voice. I was a painfully shy middle- and high-school student. I rarely answered any questions in class, even if I had the right answer. At Sweet Briar, I wasn’t a nameless, faceless student in a hall with hundreds of other students; most of my classes had fewer than 10 students. My largest class – Intro to Psych – was super-crowded … with 21 whole students. Because the class sizes were so small, I had nowhere to hide! My professors encouraged me to not only speak, but to explain and defend my answers.
Being part of such a small school – approximately 600 students – was amazing; I knew almost everyone. Being in a rural location meant that I stayed on campus most nights, attending events, hanging out with my friends, and – oh, yeah – studying.
photo by Aaron MahlerI spent my time there surrounded by other smart, curious, brave young women. We built our community together, based on a long tradition of the outstanding women who had come before us. To describe it as a profound or pivotal experience doesn't do it justice. It was the place where I became who I am now; it shaped who I have become as a woman. It is precious to me, and to all of us who have been lucky enough to have lived there.
So, in the spring of 2015, when the closure was first announced, the people who wanted the school closed truly did not know what hit them. After four months, three lawsuits, a trip to the Supreme Court of Virginia, and a payment of $12.5 million, we saved the school!
The attempted closure did a lot of damage, though. Our efforts weren't successful until June of that year, and many students (and staff!) had already opted to go elsewhere. Our freshman class the following fall was only 19 students. And – three years later – we still get a lot of “oh, Sweet Briar closed” comments from people who don't know better. Enrollment numbers are climbing, but it will take some time to reach capacity; the social damage to the Sweet Briar reputation was enormous.
After saving the school, I felt more connected to the campus, the students & staff, and fellow alumnae than ever before. (Which is saying something. As you can probably tell if you're still reading this.) Not even when I was a student did I feel such love for Sweet Briar. There were numerous fundraisers during the Saving Sweet Briar movement: t-shirts, mugs, totes, hats, flags, get-togethers … even cookie sales! I wasn’t the only one who needed to feel that continued connection to Sweet Briar. In fact, I had already begun secretly working on the Sweet Briar coloring book when several people in our Facebook group started talking about wanting one of their own; I officially announced College Coloring Books that day.
photo by Aaron MahlerAs of this writing, the class of 2018, the class of freshman at the time of the attempted closure, have walked across the stage in their caps and gowns and collected their degrees. Our work is not done yet, though, and I am still involved in the fundraising efforts. 10% of the profits from all Sweet Briar coloring products by College Coloring Books, from coloring books to notecards to printable coloring pages, are donated back to the school on a monthly basis. I also hold special sales where I donate half or all proceeds to the school’s annual fund. (And we're currently running a fundraiser for reunion this year -- contact me for more details!)
So, the battle to save Sweet Briar College, my alma mater, was the absolute inspiration for College Coloring Books. I learned so much during the Saving Sweet Briar campaign. I was heavily involved in the grassroots PR efforts to save the school: letters to the editor, live-tweeting the court proceedings, speaking with reporters, stalking harassing petitioning our elected representatives, and conducting research into the backgrounds of the individual board members. (Plus, I learned a whole lot about one particular legal statute and realized that I never ever ever want to be a lawyer -- but I'm really grateful that Sweet Briar has turned out some awesome ones!)
::insert swooning over Rosie the Riveter here::
I didn’t have legal experience – or really any interest in the law – but I was able to pick up the information I needed. I had never before written a letter to the editor, and I learned how to make mine stand out. My only political experience was at the voting booth, yet I crafted one of the most effective campaigns in our movement to Save Sweet Briar. If I could do any – all! – of those, I could do anything! (Especially with the help of my Vixen sisters. You probably won't be surprised to learn that much of the College Coloring Books team is made up of my classmates from Sweet Briar, as well!)
Starting a business is easy: you come up with an idea, register for a business license, and start working. Maintaining a business is a WHOLE lot harder! There are so (so so so so so so) many things I hadn’t thought of before: sales tax, inventory, balance sheets, product photography. Ugh. Running College Coloring Books has been a huge learning experience; one that I likely wouldn’t have had were it not for the Saving Sweet Briar movement. (Throw that life experience on the pile of things I owe to Sweet Briar.)
photo by Aaron MahlerThe Saving Sweet Briar movement gave me a new passion and perspective on the college that shaped me. It reignited my enthusiasm for Sweet Briar as an institution. And it illuminated a set of skills, and a level of capability in myself that I had never known before.
And so it was natural to extend that. What I had created for myself, and for my Sweet Briar sisters with the Sweet Briar College Coloring Book, I wanted to share with others. That passion, that fire, that sentiment that I had for MY college, was something that others felt for their schools too (though, of course, I believe Sweet Briar is truly special). I want my customers to feel that connection to their schools and communities that I feel when I open my Sweet Briar College book. Every page in every book holds meaning: from strawberries, to sphynxes, to a set of stairs.
Your experience as a student is unique to you, but the love you have for your school or sorority is shared with many.
It is that unique, individual experience that we take with us. It is that shared community that we leave behind to share with the next class, the next generation, and beyond. My hope is that a College Coloring Book can tap into that emotion for everyone who opens one. It's been an intensely personal journey for me, and I'm so happy to be able to share it with all of you.
]]>So, since to me, the answer to any question is pretty much “Hamilton!,” it doesn’t seem too shocking that I think it’s perfect to welcome the imminent beginning of summer vacation using the world-shifting lyrics of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s epic musical.
Before we get too excited, don't forget about your pre-vacation exam and paper hell at the end of the year.
Because I thought it was such a good idea to take all of these classes and credits and I procrastinated and went to too many parties and and and just because, so get off my back, Burr!
And now you’ve got that nervous feeling while you’re waiting for your grades, wondering if you’ve done enough, because we all know that
So you cross your fingers and hope.
Finals and exams are over, and then we get that feeling like
and
At least not until next fall. But let’s not focus on that just yet …
You wake up that first morning of summer vacation feeling all
Almost immediately followed by that overwhelming feeling of
Because there are just too many options.
Eek!
So then you’re stuck on your couch -- or in bed under the covers -- and things are not at all shaping up the way you imagined, but you keep telling yourself
Which makes you feel a little bit better, until you realize you’ve been sitting around the house for a week, and the dishes and laundry are starting to pile up, and you’re going to have to do something about it soon, but the truth is
And then, just as you’re about to have to start tidying up, a friend calls and says
You make yourself presentable, show up, and
Which is pretty awesome, even though your friend is saying
Ugh.
You convince her to stay and before you know it, it’s all
Which inevitably leads to
and
Which, let's face it, is just a classier version of “I love you, man!”
From there, the nights start to blend together. Some of them are more
While others
Heh. Oops!
Before you know it, it’s August, (we have no idea how that happened, either) and you’re thinking more about packing and roommates than you are about summer fun. That is until your BFF calls you up and says
It's the last night of hanging out; you say goodbye
You pack up and head back to school.
le sigh
But thanks to Hamilton, you can tell your story of the most epic summer vacation ever!
Aaaaaand scene
Thanks for checking out our compilation of Hamilton memes!
Learn more about how adult coloring (yes, coloring!) is a great hobby and a fantastic stress reliever; browse the rest of our site and join our mailing list below for free printable coloring pages and other bonuses!
Join our VIP list for exclusive freebies & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>Ok, so weddings don’t technically have a season — you can get married any old time. But we typically get more wedding invitations in the spring than any other time of the year. So we thought the warmer weather and bursts of fresh flowers in the garden made it the perfect time to share some excellent ways you could incorporate coloring into your next wedding celebration. And we've got ideas for you whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest.
If you’re looking for great ways you can include coloring in your own wedding … first of all congratulations! Mostly on your upcoming nuptials, of course. But also for being clever and creative enough to gather ideas about how to make your unique wedding even more colorful!
Ok, so you’re getting married, and you love to color. Or maybe you're super artsy. Or maybe you’re just looking for some unique decor or a sentimental piece of artwork to create and commemorate your day. We've got you covered.
If you're a major coloring enthusiast, or if a member or two of your bridal party is, a coloring gift is a lovely way to personalize your gift to your closest girlfriends. A coloring book that reflects your shared interests, or an inside joke, makes a fantastic gift. And you can make it even better by adding in some coloring supplies, such as elegant pens or fun markers! And even better: if your bridesmaids went to college with you, or are your sorority sisters, a College Coloring Books Gift Set makes an awesome and truly individual present!
Gift Sets are available by special order only — so we can truly make them just for you! Contact us for more information.
A thank you note is an absolute must for a thoughtful wedding gift. (Yes, we are old school on this; a thank you note is totally non-negotiable.) To make the process way more fun and much more personal, consider coloring Thank You notecards. When you personalize each one, your guests will know that you took the extra time to create something just for them. This idea would also work with coloring invitations or save-the-date cards! Though you might find that your pre-wedding schedule is already packed, you might also find the coloring process to be relaxing and therapeutic while you prepare for your big day!
You want to do something unique for your guests at the reception and guarantee that they will get to know each other, right? Set up each table with a coloring book (or a coloring poster, or printable coloring pages) and coloring supplies, and give each table its own theme: sports at one table, botanical at another, and a book featuring high-brow Shakespearean insults at another! Seat sorority sisters at one table and provide Greek life coloring pages. Or, seat guests who attended two rival schools together and invite them to out-color each other between the salad and entrée courses! Everyone will have something to talk about and something to do if they don’t feel like hitting the dance floor.
Bonus: this works even if you’re seating your fiancé’s rugby buddies with your great-aunt Mildred.
My absolute favorite idea for including coloring in your wedding day is to replace a traditional guest book with a coloring poster. Guests can color in a bit of the artwork and add a note of good wishes in the margins. The result is a completely unique, heartfelt gift, just for the two of you.
Check out some of these other alternative guest book ideas from our favorite Etsy sellers; you can't go wrong with any of them!
Generally, we tend to focus on adult coloring pages and books here at College Coloring Books, but we can't help but point out that coloring for kids is a great idea at a wedding, too. Want to keep the kids’ table busy during the toasts, or keep them from trying to figure out which one of the side-dishes is the most aerodynamic in a food fight? Then providing them with some printable kid-friendly coloring pages and some crayons is a smart way to go.
We don’t need to tell you that planning a wedding is like taking on another job. And most likely on top of whatever job you were already doing. It can go on for a while, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Remember that coloring has been proven to be an excellent stress reliever and mood enhancer! When the deadlines and pressure start piling up, don’t forget to make a little time for yourself. Coloring is just the thing to make you feel grounded, focused and ready to go (again!).
Last summer, we shared some great ideas for coloring and travel. Whether you want some fun supplies to stick in your purse while you wait between appointments, or if you’re looking for something (else) fun to do on your honeymoon, check out some of our fun travel coloring inspirations.
No, I'm serious! Off you go!
Hi ladies! Now that the brides are gone (they ARE gone, right???), we can share our idea for celebrating the bride! If your bestie is getting married, and she loves coloring, why not include coloring in her bridal shower? A shared coloring project — like a coloring poster — is a great get-to-know-you activity for the guests, and it will leave the bride with a one-of-a-kind memory made by all of her favorite people! A college- or sorority-themed coloring poster is a special way for everyone to connect to something dear to the bride, even if they aren't your official sisters. If your BFF prefers laid-back events, grab a coloring poster or some printable coloring pages, a few bottles of wine, and her favorite movies for a totally chilled-out bachelorette party.
If you’re a guest, you don’t have to plan anything; you get to show up and enjoy yourself! And give a gift to the happy couple, of course. If the bride is a colorist, a coloring-themed gift is creative, heartfelt, and unique. If she's your sorority sister or college classmate, we suggest the above-mentioned custom College Coloring Book Gift Set, which can include everything she needs for a trip down memory lane.
So, whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest at an upcoming wedding, we hope we’ve inspired some coloring-based creativity in your plans. Let us know which of these ideas got your attention and how they worked out. Have a different idea? Share it in the comments below. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or drop us an email and tell us how you included coloring in your wedding celebration!
As always, thanks for being part of our coloring community!
Join our VIP list for free coloring pages to print, exclusive discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>You spent four years (more or less) with the best friends you've ever made. You learned more about who you are in those years than during any other short span of time in your life. If you’re as lucky as all of us here at College Coloring Books, you spent those years in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. (Seriously. Sweet Briar College. Look it up.)
During those years, you became more of a grown up (probably). You learned, you loved, you grew as a person. You made the sweetest memories and the strongest ties. And ... you’ve been away for far too long!
But it’s time to come back to your heart’s home -- it’s time for reunion!
Reunion is the time to remember, to reminisce, and to reconnect with your dearest friends. It’s also the time to introduce your amazing college or sorority friends to your family and it's time to introduce your family to the place you’re truly from. Plus, it’s time to join together with your sisters to strengthen and reaffirm your commitment to your alma mater or to your sorority!
But ... it’s also time to celebrate! It's time to party!
If you can’t tell, we are feeling both sentimental and SUPER excited about our college reunion this year! More so because it’s a big one for several of us here at College Coloring Books (it ends in a 0 and starts with a … mumble, mumble …). And we're having all the feels even more so because just a few short years ago, it looked like our college might not even be here for us to celebrate any longer.
But that’s a whole 'nother story, and we just realized we need to share THAT story here sometime, too. It’s a great story! Seriously, there will probably be a movie one day. So, we'll get right on that.
(Update: we did.)
But, as it turns out, our college is still going strong, and we are so excited to be heading back to campus! We are thrilled to see our sisters again. And are overjoyed to be heading back to the most beautiful campus we’ve ever seen; and we’re not the only ones. All over the country, people are getting ready to go back "home." They can't wait to catch up with their friends and to see what's new in their schools. But also to celebrate their friendships and to create fabulous new memories, too!
For us, of course, part of the excitement is how we can incorporate coloring into our reunion celebration! Read on for five fun ideas for including your favorite hobby in your own reunion.
There are so many fabulous ways to include a College Coloring Book in your reunion celebration that we can barely stand it!
Whether you’re celebrating a BIG reunion at your school, meeting up with former classmates over a glass of wine, or joining your sorority sisters for your annual convention, spring and summer are the perfect time to reconnect with your college friends and celebrate your amazing friendships! And whatever shape those gatherings might take, we know that the connection, fun, and relaxation of coloring together can help build truly special shared memories.
We can’t WAIT to show you how we use coloring at our reunion celebration next month! (Oh yes, there WILL be pictures!) And we want you to share your inspirations and your beautiful creations with us! Tag us on Instagram, post to our Facebook page, include us in your Twitter post, or send us an email with your pictures or ideas! We can’t wait to see them and share our favorites with you!
Enjoy your reunions this spring! May they be as colorful and as festive as you are! And, as always, thanks for reading!
Join our VIP list for exclusive freebies & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>In many parts of the country, the snow is not yet finished melting and spring flowers are just beginning to think about poking up through the soil to bloom. But before you know it, we will have already arrived at an event that has been on the horizon for so long that it seemed like it would never actually arrive: Graduation! Yes, it's time to talk about FREEDOM!
Although they are the exciting finale to years of hard work, graduations are also intensely bittersweet. They are a joyous celebration of a profound accomplishment. They are an exciting new beginning. But they are also a goodbye. They are the ending to our time together with our college friends, whether we are the ones graduating, or a close friend (or a "Big"!) is moving on to the next chapter in her life.
Don’t get me wrong: for most people, your college friends -- or your sorority sisters -- are truly your friends for life. (The College Coloring Book staff included — just ask how many of us graduated together <redacted> years ago!) But graduation is the finale for the day-to-day time we spend together. And that can make graduations as sad as they are exciting.
Now that I’ve got everyone totally bummed out (you're welcome), let’s focus on the best part of graduation: celebrating! Because finishing this chapter in your education is freaking amazing and is an incredible accomplishment! So take a bow! (Take two; they're free!) Enjoy a round of applause! Party with your friends! Throw a party! Celebrate by coloring together! (You knew we were going there, right?)
There are so many fun ways to incorporate coloring into your graduation celebrations! A College Coloring Book of your school or sorority is a great parting gift for a friend who is leaving (or for someone who is staying behind). A coloring poster is a fantastic present for a roommate or other friend who is still in school.
A College Coloring Book is also a great way to thank a parent with a college-themed gift that will totally work within your it-just-occurred-to-me-I’m-going-to-have-to-start-paying-off-my-student-loans-soon budget. (Welcome to the club; we feel you.) And a pack of College Coloring Books note cards lets you leave a lovely note for a special teacher or mentor before you go.
But a coloring gift is better than just a “thing”. Don't just give the gift -- color together! By coloring together with your besties/sisters/Big/Little/parents/mentor/favorite teacher, you create memories and shared experiences that go so far beyond the actual gift. Sure, give a College Coloring Book to someone you care about, but even better, set aside TIME to spend together -- making art and making memories -- before this chapter comes to a close. Create something you can share. Make something you can take with you to remember your very best times with your very best friends.
Now that I’ve gotten you all excited and wistful about the end of the school year, I want to remind you of one tiny little thing between you and that finish line.
Exams.
Yep, I hate to be the bearer of stressful news, but nobody’s going anywhere until the exams have been passed! But don’t worry; you’ve got this! You’ll be fine!
But just in case you’re finding the idea of yet ANOTHER set of exams vaguely panic-inducing (do we REALLY have to do this twice a year, people?!?), we’re here to help. All of those great graduation gift ideas and bonding opportunities totally do double duty as pre-exam-stress-reducers! Woo hoo! Coloring is a proven stress reducer. Score! Coloring with your friends before exams reduces stress and gives you a fun break from your hard work. It's something you can all do together to blow off some steam (with an extra bonus of no hangover!). Grab a couple of coloring pages to print, and get to "work" with your friends!
You’re almost there! You can do this! Go crush those exams! Fondly ponder your collegiate memories! Hug your friends! Toss your cap! Wipe away a tear!
And share with us what got YOU through graduation season!We can’t wait to see what you used to reduce your pre-exam stress, or to bond with your besties before graduation! Post to our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or send us an email with what inspired you! We’ll share our favorites in the future. Thanks for reading...and congrats again to the Class of 2018!
Join our VIP list for exclusive freebies & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>In our Quick Guide to Beating the Winter Blues, we shared ways to pull yourself out of a funk. Now let’s talk about what to do when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. And yes, it involves our gorgeous feathered friend.
We do what we have to in order to reduce the effects of stress in our lives. Some of us like a glass of wine with dinner, or a piece of chocolate in the afternoon. For others, the best solution is a relaxing bath, or an evening out with friends. Or, you can always pack up your emotional support peacock when it’s time to fly to LAX.
Wait … you don’t have your own emotional support peacock? Get your very own peacock (printable coloring page) right now!
In all seriousness, we live in a stressful time. And we need strategies to help us reduce that stress. So if you and your emotional support peacock just got booted by an airline, or if you’re finding that your daily yoga and meditation are helpful but just aren’t cutting it, we’ve got some suggestions for taking the edge off of the stress of dealing with the world that (probably) won’t get you kicked off your next flight.
If you’re searching the internet for ideas on stress reduction, there are almost certainly a few ideas you’ve already heard. But … I’m going to mention them anyway, just in case. Meditation, focused breathing, exercise, sound sleep, balanced nutrition, and time with a good circle of friends are all reliable stress reducers. Listening to music can take the edge off the stress, too.
And, when it comes to stress, laughter really IS good medicine — enjoying something fun and lighthearted can do wonders for your mood and your mentality. Bring on the cat videos! Lookit the cute little snuggly face on Indiana University-Bloomington’s Lil Bub.
But you’re in the mood for something other than what you’d find on Web MD’s top 10 list of stress reducers, right? We’ve got you covered, friend …
Taking your emotional support peacock on your flight may end up being more stress than relaxation. But there is a lot of benefit to spending time with animals. Caring for an animal can shift your focus from the stress of your daily life to the immediate, concrete needs of your pet. Being able to focus on something simple, like a walk with the dog, or refilling your cat’s water dish, or even cleaning out your pet snake’s bachelor pad can be incredibly grounding. And, of course, there’s always the prospect of fluffy snuggles. Maybe not so much with your snake, though.
Don’t have a pet of your own? Offer to walk a friend’s dog, or care for a neighbor’s pet while they’re out of town. Many animal shelters are in need of volunteers, as well. My dog thinks I am the best person in the whole world. And it’s hard to feel overly stressed or down when someone thinks the world revolves around you just because you’re the Queen of the Dog Biscuits.Which is how you may all address me from now on.
Maybe all of this zen, quiet, meditative yoga isn’t doing it for you. If trying to calm the beast inside isn’t working, try letting it out instead! Though it may not make you very popular with your dorm-mates, venting your stress, anxiety, or frustration with a good old primal scream may do you some good. In college, we had a Scream Night during exam prep, and it worked pretty well! Sore throats notwithstanding.
Learning a new skill can force us to focus on what we’re actually doing in the moment. It can also distract us from other stressful things in our lives. For best results, this should be something you do just for fun, and something with relatively low-stakes. Trying a new sport — or learning how to play a card game you’ve never tried before — are fun ways to change your focus.
Taking up a new hobby like baking, painting, or pottery can also provide a great distraction, and they all yield a tangible result at the end. But, please, make sure you’re not going to take it too seriously. Turning on our perfectionism while we’re learning something new can create more stress, rather than less, so judge for yourself whether this is a good idea for you.
If you’ve read this blog EVER before you are going to be exactly 0% surprised that we’re going to remind you that, in addition to the other fabulous ideas we’ve listed here, COLORING is an amazing source of stress relief! And that’s not just our idea — science agrees! Coloring has been shown to help people relax, focus, and alleviate their stress. And coloring with a friend (or a group of friends!) offers the added benefit of building strong social interactions.
Don’t wait to get started! Download our special emotional support peacock printable coloring page (for free!) and make a few copies for your friends … or maybe your seatmates on your next flight! No one gets kicked off the plane, and everyone arrives a little less stressed — it’s a win-win!
So, now that you’re feeling a little less stressed and a little more zen, show us what you’ve got! Color in your best emotional support peacock, and share it with us (email it, post it on our Facebook page, tag us on Instagram or Twitter) and we’ll share our favorite creations! We always love to see what inspires you!
If you really do take him — or her! — on your next journey, share with us where you went, and let us know if it was less stressful to travel with your coloring page and a pack of pencils than it would have been to try to talk your way on board with a real peacock.
Thanks for being part of our coloring community!
]]>If you love color, you've almost certainly already heard that Pantone -- the modern day authority in color trends -- has named Ultraviolet the Color of 2018.
Every year, Pantone holds two secret meetings (I am not even making this up) where an international group of color experts convenes and decides on the color that best sums up the spirit of the times.
That's a for real thing that really happens!
The group tries to predict the trends in industries from fashion to technology to interior design (to coloring! woo hoo!) in the coming year.
Their choice reflects what the company -- and its group of international secret ninja color agents -- thinks will capture the spirit of the year.
Ultraviolet is a deep, bold, vibrant purple shade that inspires both calm and creativity. It feels exciting, yet also spiritual and relaxing. And it offers so many different ideas for inspiration and self-expression, which is really what we are all about.
Right now, as a coloring enthusiast -- or heck, just as a purple enthusiast -- there are SO MANY ways to be inspired by the Color of the Year for 2018!
There are sunsets! And night skies! Plus tropical flowers! And mountains in twilight! Also, snowy evenings!
Ultraviolet has so many fantastic ways to ignite your inspirations (and, um, make me dream of my next vacation)!
Now we want to showcase some of the ways in which the colleges and Greek life organizations in our product catalog already incorporate this inspiring shade. In each case, the sisterhoods that include Ultraviolet as part of their symbolism use it to reflect their own profound, nurturing connections to one another, and the bonds that strengthen them.
Hello Unicorns! I'm guessing you are already all over this, but Ultraviolet totally fits in with your colors! Ultraviolet is a deep, rich color, perfect to represent the long history of your sisterhood. Also, it's pretty much perfect for coloring irises (and awesome for unicorns)! Also, purple is the official color of one of your philanthropies: the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. So, Ultraviolet is a solid Delta Phi Epsilon color!
Hey there Sigma Kappas! Ok, so Ultraviolet isn't quite lavender, but we can definitely work with it. As a Sigma Kappa, Ultraviolet is a pretty perfect color for you. It absolutely works for, say, coloring an actual violet (coloring page). Or for representing Alzheimer's awareness (which is such a great cause)! Plus, I think you could definitely work it in to some dove or heart artwork, as well! Score!
Ultraviolet is also a perfect color for TriSigmas! You also have the violet as your symbolic flower, which makes it perfect for any floral artwork you might be inspired to create. And it would also go pretty well with any sailing-themed work! Purple is also the official color of the March of Dimes awareness campaign, which is one of your important philanthropies. So hooray for Sigma Sigma Sigma and Ultraviolet!
Do we have any coloring enthusiasts out there from Agnes Scott? What about Wesleyan? Or Converse College?
We would LOVE to help you celebrate your Ultraviolet collegiate experience with your sisters! (Call me! ;-))
But, seriously, whether you're a TriSigma, a Deepher, a Sigma Kappa, or none of the above -- what inspires YOU?
Is it your sisterhood? An experience in your life? Is it a place, a person, a memory? What does Ultraviolet mean to you? How does it make you feel? What have you been moved to create by this gorgeous color?
Show us!
Tag us on your Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook posts; we'll share our favorites!
Thanks again for reading, and for sharing your own ideas and inspirations with us!
(And seriously, Wesleyan -- call me! :-* )
Join our VIP list for exclusive free printable coloring pages & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>People who suffer from SAD find themselves fighting low energy, lack of enthusiasm, and depressed mood during the winter months when sunlight is minimal. (If your financial and vacation budgets allow, it can be great to take a week or a weekend and get away to someplace tropical.) Pssst...a quick trip isn't really a solution to the problem, awesome as it may be. And even if that is in your plan for the coldest months of the year, you can also get some relief just from picking up a coloring book or a few printable coloring pages and a pack of your favorite markers. Oh, hey! I know where you can get some of those!
She's totally over winter, tooThe most typical treatment for SAD is light exposure therapy. Many people find that exposure to extra sunlight--or a special solar lamp--each day makes them feel a lot better. Even better than that: combining light therapy with color therapy can enhance those positive effects. Woo hoo! Jazz hands!
That is NOT going to be enough sun for me todayThe study of how color affects mood is nothing new. Chances are that you don't need to look any further than your own experiences to see that the colors you surround yourself with can impact how you feel. Have you ever felt happier or more uplifted walking into a room furnished in cheery yellow? Or calm and peaceful snuggled up in a bedroom with blue walls? We associate red with the fire of anger or love, green with the quiet of nature, orange with the zest of energy. And there's science behind these feelings and observations, too. As an avid coloring enthusiast, you channel those emotions when you create a composition--whether you know it or not. (Go back and take a look at your work at times you know you felt energetic or calm. Do you see any kind of pattern in the color palettes you chose? Surprise!)
Remember our weekend getaway idea? Take us with you, kthxbai.What about you? Do you suffer from SAD or the Winter Blues? Have you found coloring to help with the symptoms? Which colors or subjects work best for you? Send us your favorite ideas and inspirations!
Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter with #collegecoloringbooks, comment below, or send us an email; we'll include our favorite ideas in a future blog post. We can't wait to hear from you!
Just call me Little Miss SunshineBaking, decorating the house, visiting loved ones, exchanging gifts, sharing a big meal (or two, or three, or ...), a warm holiday spirit, gatherings of friends and family, and ... crafting? It's the most wonderful time of the year, and yes, Virginia, there's more than one way to incorporate your favorite hobbies into your holiday plans. Here at Craft and Color Co, we're going to show you exactly how to get started with holiday coloring and crafting! You're excited. (We can tell.)
The saddest, unbubbliest champagne everYeah, we get it. If I said, "Make a list of your favorite holiday traditions," you probably wouldn't come up with crafting or coloring. But it's not really as out of the box as it might seem: decorating the house is, after all, a fundamental part of all holiday celebrations. And any handmade, customized decor is always the most special! So, making anything that is personal and by hand really does fit into a holiday celebration.
But coloring is an even more perfect choice -- because coloring isn't just making something pretty (although, it's also definitely that). Coloring is also a fantastic way to relax and de-stress. And, when you do it together with your friends or family, it becomes not only therapeutic, but a joyful, centering activity that also creates something you can keep as a memory and use as a decoration the following years. So, when you consider that pretty much everyone could make a point to slow down and take a moment to relax over the holidays -- and that it always sounds like a great idea to make a beautiful memory during holiday times -- coloring starts to make a lot of sense.
This is the best -- and easiest -- part! There's more than one way to bring crafting and coloring into your holiday traditions.
First, the internet is full of free, holiday-themed printable coloring pages. Here are some of our favorite choices, perfect for both children and adults:
Parents Magazine: Printable Holiday Coloring Pages. Ten fabulous designs from mice to reindeer, cookies to carolers.
Super Coloring: Christmas Coloring Pages. If you could measure the number of printable coloring pages in metric tons, Super Coloring would weigh approximately 185678205798389 pounds.
Crayola: Christmas Coloring Pages I particularly like the idea of making cookies and coloring them at the same time! Nom nom nom.
Another great way to create holiday spirit is literally to craft it (see what I did there?)! There are so many fun holiday craft kits available on places like Etsy. The artisans behind them make things so easy -- all you have to do is pick out what you like best and wait for it to arrive!
This DIY Christmas Countdown Craft provides everything but paint, and you and your family get the satisfaction of "making" it together, without having to figure out how to cut tiny pieces of wood into adorable blocks!
These DIY Holiday Gift and Ornament Kits provide everything you need (including instructions) to create a lovely, one of a kind ornament. You can customize your kit with favorite colors, styles, or almost anything else you can think of (just ask)!
Next is one of my favorite ideas: to send out holiday cards that you can color before sending! Rather than sending a generic -- though certainly lovely -- card, you can send friends and family a unique piece of art that you made specifically for them. What a personal and lovely gift to share!
Moms and Crafters: Free Printable Holiday Cards Adult Coloring Pages. Christmas and Hanukkah represent! You guys have no idea how hard it was to tear myself away from all of the coloring pages to print on this site! You're welcome.
Mr. Printables: Christmas Cards to Color In. These are so beautiful! Am I swooning? I'm swooning.
Oriental Trading Company: Adult Coloring Christmas Cards. I can neither confirm nor deny that I spend too much money on necessities from OTC. Yes, necessities.
suziQ creations: Feel Good Cards to Color. We can't get enough of suziQ's Ornamentals coloring pages!
Art-Eclect: Christmas Cards for Coloring by Adults and Children. Amazon's Choice for Christmas coloring cards
College Coloring Books: Coloring Notecards with Wrapped Gift Design. This looks like a totally awesome company!
Or what about color-in wrapping paper?!?
Pickle Bums: Colour Your Own Wrapping Paper. Check out their other printables, too!
We Are Scout: Christmas Wrapping Paper and Gift Tags. Sign me up for the Christmas Cactus!
Sarah Renae Clark: Printable Christmas Wrapping Paper. 8 gorgeous patterns!
And then, of course, there's the option to give coloring books or supplies as a holiday gift! Our previous blog post is totally full of good ideas for coloring supplies, and some of our favorite books, as well.
But my absolute favorite idea is to exchange meaningful coloring books with each other anytime during the holiday season, and then spend some time coloring in those books together! For this, the best choice is something that will be truly meaningful to the recipient: something beautiful; something connected to their hobby or passion; or an important part of their history or future plans (like, say, a College Coloring Book or a U.S. Army Coloring Book). This way, it isn't just a gift for the holidays, but one that can be brought back and enjoyed throughout the year.
So now that you've decided to incorporate coloring into your holiday plans, please share what you've created! We would love to see the way that you've included coloring in your holiday celebration. Send us an email, post on our Facebook page, or tag us in an Instagram post to show us your holiday coloring spirit! We'll share our favorite submissions in a future blog post.
Happy holidays to you, from everyone here at College Coloring Books!
Join our VIP list for exclusive freebies & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>Stockings by the fire, cookies, hot cocoa, carols, family gatherings and crazy sweaters — it’s finally the holiday season! It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again, but here we are.
It’s never too early to get started on building your own coloring holiday wish list or to shop for a gift for your favorite colorist, and here at College Coloring Books, we’ve got you covered! We’ve scoured the entire internet* to find our favorite gifts for the coloring enthusiast in your life. Plus, to be even MORE helpful, we’ve tried to group our gift ideas by price point and likely recipient (more or less). So let’s get started!
*By “the entire internet,” we mostly mean Etsy, because nothing is better than finding the perfect holiday gift AND supporting a small business at the same time!
Even if you’re an overachiever, and you’ve gotten most of your Christmas shopping done already, you know there are always those few little things that you need to have around either to fill up a stocking, or just stick in your purse for that awkward I-didn’t-think-we-were-exchanging-gifts-this-year moments. So snag some of these lovely items to keep on hand for just such an occasion!
If you’re like me, you always want to get something lovely and thoughtful for so many important people in your life … but the list in this category can get kinda long, so it’s good to be able to find heartfelt gifts without spending a ton on each one. Check out these creative ideas to let them know you care without breaking the bank.
Because I love my friends, finding just the right gift for each person is such a great feeling. If you know someone who is a coloring fan, but you’re not exactly sure what they already have, start here for some functional but creative gift ideas that are a little more out-of-the-box.
If your bestie loves to color, then you want to find something for her that will really make her day. These gift ideas are tons of fun, and they’re perfect as a gift because they’re definitely in that she’s-probably-not-going-to-buy-it-for-herself price range.
If your sweetie is a colorist, then you if know she’s already got all of the basics under control. But finding her something special that she might NOT already have is a great way to make her holiday even more special.
If you’re looking for something for ME . . . or, maybe shopping for something for YOURSELF (or adding something to your own coloring holiday wish list) while also doing the whole Santa’s Elf thing, here are some great ideas for a splurge!
Thanks so much for checking out our list of the best items to add to your favorite colorist’s holiday list this year (even if that person is you)! But next, we’d love to hear from you if you choose one of these to give as a gift, or if you’ve found something you like even BETTER for your coloring holiday wish list! Drop us an email, leave a comment, or tag us on Instagram or Facebook!
Happy Holidays from all of us at College Coloring Books!
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So, you’ve done it! The first few months of school have whirled by in a flurry of new friends, busy schedules, and major life adjustments. No time passes more quickly than those first few weeks of a new year of college! When you moved in, it was still summer, hot and sticky (and likely without air conditioning–UGH!). But now, the leaves are changing and beginning to fall. Or maybe they’re not — maybe you’re now in a new part of the country and you’re adjusting to the fact that the seasons don’t really change at all, or at least not in the way you’ve been used to.
But now that things are calming down and becoming more routine, you’re starting to miss home. Maybe you’ve never been gone from home this long, or perhaps this isn’t your first year and you’ve become used to this autumnal feeling of nostalgia. Either way, the rush of the beginning of the year is behind you, and Thanksgiving and Christmas still feel really far away. You’re missing home, and you’re ready for a connection.
Or maybe …
… you’ve done it! You’ve sent your child off to college! Those first few months have passed by agonizingly slooooowly. The usual September whirlwind of new schedules, adjusting back to the routine, remembering all the details of new sports practices or drama rehearsals or after school work schedules have been shockingly absent. The house is quiet. Life is undeniably different. You’ve heard updates about what’s happening at school, but not as many as you’d like. Is she adjusting? Is he eating well? What kinds of friends is she making? Does he feel like he’s in the right place?
From what you’ve heard, things have been going well, and you generally take the lack of more communication as a pretty decent sign. If they were miserable, you’d probably get more calls and messages, right? But either way, it’s been a big adjustment for you, too. You’re accepting the change, but there isn’t a day that isn’t tough in one way or another. You’d love to find a way to be more connected (without being overbearing).
Back when I was in college, the fall was always a major time for care packages, and with good reason: students were always starting to run low on the stockpiles of supplies they’d brought with them when school started in August, and the homesickness and distance always felt the most acute once the big crush of adjustment from the beginning of the school year started to subside. I remember stalking the campus Book Shop in October, finding cards and little gifts to send home, and always being so excited when I’d get a notification in my mailbox that I had a package from home waiting for me!
So, in the spirit of the season, we’ve come up with 8 great ideas for making your own care packages, either to send home or to send to a student eagerly awaiting one at college!
After scouring the web (and our own memories), we’ve found some fantastic ideas for packing a memorable care package from home to send to a college student (who is likely more homesick than they’re letting on):
Check out these sites with some of our favorite ideas (most include links where you can buy items directly) for more inspiration:
But a care package isn’t only something a parent can send to a child who is far from home. When I was in college, I often sent packages home as well, sometimes for my whole family, or specifically for one family member or another when I found something that really made me think of them. It can be great to pack up a few little things from the campus Book Shop, or from the local area to send home to let your family know you’re thinking of them. Little things like:
These small items make really sweet mementos for friends and family back home.
(Ok, you knew we were getting around to that, right?) What could possibly be better to include in a care package than a College Coloring Book?!? (Answer: nothing!) This works perfectly whether you’re a student or a parent or a friend!
Your mom will love to receive a coloring book illustrating the places and traditions that are shaping your life as a college student. And your daughter will be thrilled to receive a gift that details all of these new aspects of her life at school! Or EVEN BETTER — get one for yourself and send the other one along in the care package so you can share in coloring this new life chapter together! Printable coloring pages are a great (and inexpensive!) way of being creative and staying connected. As a student, you can send a poster of your favorite spot on campus. Or, as a parent, you could send along a box of personalized note cards. (Bonus! It encourages them to write back to you!)
What’s the best thing YOU have ever sent or received in a care package? We’ll share our favorite ideas in a future post.
And if you put together a care package with a College Coloring Books product in it, post a picture on Instagram and tag us (@college_coloring_books)!
We can’t wait to see what inspires you!
]]>For a lot of people, their first college dorm room is their first opportunity to make a space their own.
Sure, your school will have rules and guidelines, but these are more along the lines of “no holes in the wall” and less like “navy blue is mom’s favorite color, so that’s what we’re using.” This is your chance to define your space, to create a haven or a party spot, a study zone or a place to hang out … or whatever makes you feel at home!
But, like every great opportunity, dorm decorating can feel a bit daunting when you’re just starting. Relax; we’re here to help! Here are some things to keep in mind on the way, and some inspiration to get you started.
Look online or in magazines, use Instagram and Pinterest, and find what appeals to you.
What inspires you? The great outdoors? Your favorite hobby? The colors of home? School spirit? Find the ideas that excite you and add your own spin on things. We found some great ideas, tips, and inspirations. If you decide to go the extra mile in dorm room decor, check out these fabulous rooms from Texas State, Ole Miss, and Alabama A&M (I sense that the south is leading in the dorm decorating game)!
This doesn’t have to mean you use the same patterns, the same theme, or even the same colors, but talk to each other and find some common ground. The more harmonious your ideas are, the more comfortable your space will feel at the end of each day. Speaking of RoomMates, check out their collection of wall coverings. Fun, easy, versatile, and easily changeable when the mood strikes!
Whatever stuff you adorn your room with — bedding, floor coverings, knick-knacks, lights, window treatments — you will have to clean it at some point. Things that are difficult to clean will end up feeling like a pain no matter how cute they are, so take a moment before you pick up that delicate lace bedskirt (a mistake I made myself once) and think about how much fun that thing will be to hand wash (answer: zero fun).
Nearly everyone I know came out of their first year of college a bit different from how they went in. You grow up, you try new stuff, your tastes change. No matter how much you love fluffy unicorns or your favorite band in August, keep in mind you might feel differently by February. Don’t decorate in any way that won’t allow you to adjust.
Speaking of paint (see above!) — put down the brush! Before you make any permanent or semi-permanent changes, check to see what your dorm (or apartment) rules are. Many places don’t allow holes in the walls or any new paint colors. A little homework in this area can save you a lot of cash when it comes time to get your deposit back. Tapestries are popular in dorm rooms for a reason. We are simply obsessed with this one!
Before you fall in love with that standard sheet set or awesome area rug, check how big the beds and room will be (note: a lot of college beds are extra-long). You might save yourself some trouble and money by double checking your space before you buy. While you’re at it, toss in a couple of throw pillows: they’re super-duper versatile.
Reflect your personality, your hobbies, your friendships, and your passions. Include things that are unique and important to you.
For colorists, this almost certainly includes printable coloring pages and posters! Order your coloring poster, and use it to make your room totally unique and full of school or sorority spirit! Then have a coloring party with your friends, your team, or your new dorm-mates. Something so uniquely yours will be a perfect touch to help your room reflect something personal about you. Remember that the friends you make your first year of college will probably be friends for life; creating something together is a great way to commemorate your first year together!
Now that your room is decorated and personalized, we’d love to see it (especially if you’ve included some coloring in your decor)! And if you’ve found any other favorite ideas or inspirations for dorm decorating, we’d love to know about those too! Once you’ve got your room decorated, post a picture on Instagram and tag us! We can’t wait to showcase your inspired creations!
]]>I’ll never forget the night I sat down to pack for college. My new school had sent me a suggested list of items, but even with that guidance, it was so overwhelming. Each part of my mind offered a different idea on where to start.
The practical part of me wanted to consider clothes and school supplies, but what would I need, and how many of each thing? The sentimental part agonized over which comforts from home I would bring, and which might be too babyish for this new, grown up world. My ego wanted to make sure I packed the right things to fit in with my new friends, while my organizational self wanted to bring as little as possible so I could keep things tidy. I felt lost and overwhelmed, and it made what should have been a really fun and exciting time a bit sad and scary for me.
Looking back, it’s almost funny that I had so much trouble. I’ve become a masterful packer; I’ve moved many times including once to a new continent. But that first solo move was a big one, and I needed all the help I could get. I was lucky, because just when I was feeling the most lost in terms of how to start, a friend called and asked if I needed anything. I told her how much trouble I was having with packing for school, and she came over and helped. If not for that, I’d probably still be sitting in my childhood bedroom, staring at empty suitcases. (Or maybe not; that was years ago!)
The point is, packing for your first semester at college might be exciting, stressful, scary, sad, or a combination of all of those at the same time. Regardless, it’s a big job, and we want to help make it just a little easier for you. So, we’ve done our homework (extra credit and definitely handed in early!) — and we’ve found a couple of the best lists of suggestions of what to pack for that first year of school. (Use these alongside the list your school will probably provide, which will have information unique to your college.) Some of the lists out there are pretty awful and very dated; most people really don’t need to bring an alarm clock or a futon the first year of college.
My favorite find is this one with great advice and a well-planned list, with a lot of focus on things you might not have thought of.
I also found that this list, though very minimal, is practical, and well thought out — a great place to start!
Bonus points to both of these lists for including a What NOT to Pack for College section — that’s really important, too! But there’s one thing neither of these lists — nor the other two dozen or so I read through — included.
Can you guess what it is???
It’s stress relief, relaxation, downtime, and fun! In other words — don’t forget your coloring supplies!
If you’re getting some of your college packing advice from us, the benefits of coloring probably aren’t new to you. You already know how therapeutic it can be to color a page or two when you need some me time. You can imagine how important it will be to sometimes take a break from the pressures and deadlines of college. So, you were probably already going to pack your favorite (college!) coloring books, pencils, and markers (right????).
But that’s just where to begin — we’ve got some new ideas for your packing list, too!
Coloring is wonderful for stress relief and relaxation, but it isn’t ONLY for that. Coloring, as a hobby, is an outlet for artistic and creative expression. It’s a great, personal way to connect with our friends and family. And it’s a way to use a shared hobby to build connections and community. Have you thought about using printable coloring pages or posters to personalize your dorm space? What about coloring note cards to send home to say thank you, or to use as thinking of you cards for friends who are now spread around the country at their new schools?
My first semester of college, one of the hardest things was leaving my younger sister behind. She’s four years younger than I am, and when we were younger, we mostly drove each other crazy. We grew closer in the years before I started college — just in time for me to leave. I missed her so much that I spent more time shopping for cards in the Book Shop for her than for anyone else! It was great to stay connected with her through cards and letters. But I have even more ideas for staying in touch now than I did then! I would have loved to have shared a project with her — something we could have done together, even though we were far apart.
What if we’d had a coloring book that she and I could have shared?! We could have shared one single book that we could have taken turns coloring in, and mailed back and forth. Or, we could have had two identical books that we could have colored in “together,” and compared notes and ideas. (Actually, that’s not a bad idea, even now!) Having a College Coloring Book would have been even more perfect: I could have shown her the places and traditions of my new school — and she would have been able to have been included, just a bit, in what I was seeing and doing in this new place. This isn’t just for sisters, either — it would also be a great idea to be shared between a mother and daughter who are apart for the first time, or for a close friend from before our college days.
And these ideas are not only for our real sisters, but also those “sisters” we create in our lives! Even while we’re all starting a new chapter in our lives, our high school friends remain dear and important to us. Why not host a going away party for your group of friends before you all leave for college? Join our VIP list and print out our free printable coloring page (one for each of you!) and color in a bit of each others’ posters. Customize them with notes, jokes, and messages, and take them along with you to school. It would make a beautiful, unique, and personal piece of art for your room. And it would be a great way to feel connected to all of your friends, no matter how far apart you may be. Plus, it doesn’t take up nearly the space of a yearbook or a pile of knickknacks!
Whichever pieces of your coloring collection you pack for college, do what you can to make it fun and easy. Remember to plan for rough days as well as good ones. Pack the things that will help you feel centered in times of stress. Bring stuff that will help you connect with people you miss when you’re feeling far away from home. Packing for college is hard, and it’s a really big deal. But also remember that you don’t have to get it exactly right — they have shops where you’re going, and you can always bring stuff you forgot during your first trip home (or have your parents put it in the mail).
We’d love to hear which of these packing ideas you used! And we’d love (even more!) to know what creative ways you’ve incorporated coloring into your time at college! Drop us a line, leave us a comment, or tag #collegecoloringbooks or #craftandcolorco on Instagram to show off what you’re doing.
]]>Comedian Adam Carolla explains why college students don't need coloring books (and other stuff that we won't cover here) in The Hill. And what does he have against dogs?
"Instead of fostering the development of young adults, colleges are providing coloring books, play-doh, puppies and stuffed animals. It’s basically your four-year-old daughter’s bedroom where one can shut out the challenges, facts and outside world. Providing this bubble-wrapped type of education does not prepare the next generation for the challenges of life. It prepares them for failure." - Adam Carolla
Mr. Carolla,
How do you feel about students playing frisbee, reading, or going to parties? Like coloring, they are activities that allow anyone -- not just those currently in school -- to blow off steam, relax, and refocus their thoughts. Knitting, running, hanging out with friends, attending a show. All of these are "safe spaces" where a person can unwind.
Coloring books have been around -- even in college dorms -- for decades. With the popularity of adult coloring -- and the noted benefits thereof -- many organizations have added programs and services that are low-cost, accessible, and provide much-needed stress relief.
When I was in college, my dorm room was the place to be when my fellow students needed coloring books & crayons. Somehow, I still managed to have a very successful career in IT (customer service, even!) for over 15 years.
Have you tried adult coloring, Mr. Carolla? I'd be happy to send you a free coloring page to print. It's not for everyone, to be sure, but it's not so different than any other hobby, artistic or otherwise.
Full disclosure: I am a coloring book author, specializing in higher ed. My company creates custom coloring books and printable coloring pages for colleges, universities, sororities, and other organizations.
Pamela Auble Owner and Founder College Coloring Books
Will Mr. Carolla take us up on our offer? We'll let you know!!
Your turn! Have you talked back to someone who dismissed your hobby as irrelevant? Let us know in the comments!
Join our VIP list for exclusive freebies & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>Standard-Speaker letter-writer declares that coloring books have no place in college.
"Why have many universities adopted a childish approach in which college coloring books are becoming a sad sign of the times? This is a fruit of years of liberal academia that purposely ignored the need to form mature morally upright students to assume responsibility in society." - Walter Camier
It sounds ridiculous when you imagine 20-year-olds with Disney pages and crayons, doesn't it? That's all we had until a few years ago when the adult coloring market exploded onto the scene. The designs you find in adult coloring pages and books are generally intricate, full of details that would leave your average toddler hollering and running amuck. (Though let's be honest, toddlers holler and run amuck for pretty much anything.)
Coloring is but one of many hobbies that helps you clear your mind, much like prayer. It's a way to remove worry from the forefront of your mind and focus on something else for a little while. Runners run. Knitters knit. Golfers golf. Colorists color. :) There are many genres, including Christian devotionals, Scripture passages, and Church architecture.
We at College Coloring Books do more than create and promote these fun-tastic stress relievers; we customize our books to the specific learning institution. We help you share your college's story, your university's values, your organization's lifeblood.
Have you taken the opportunity to try any of the printable adult coloring pages? We'd be happy to share one of our favorite images -- a chapel -- with you and your readers. :)
Best, Pamela Auble Founder, College Coloring Books
We have yet to receive a response from Mr. Camier; we'll let you know if we do!
Your turn! Have you heard that coloring is a "liberal" activity? Let us know in the comments!
Join our VIP list for exclusive freebies & discounts, coloring tips, and fun surprises!
]]>Here’s how my summer trip will probably go:
This has happened, EXACTLY like this, more than I care to admit. Which is why I feel silly that it’s just now occurring to me — I COULD BE COLORING.
I mean, why the heck not?!?
Since my kids were little, I’ve faithfully packed crayons, markers, and pencils–plus coloring and/or activity books–on every.single.trip we’ve ever taken. (They have an honored place on my list alongside paper towels and Ziploc bags – things we never travel without.)
In all honesty, the books and pencils don’t get a ton of attention from the kids. (Unless the phones run out of charge. Or we’ve been in the car sooooo long that they’ve watched every episode of Paw Patrol on the iPad.) But for ME? This is a FANTASTIC idea! While the kids are watching videos or catapulting birds into pigs, I can do something for ME: something relaxing, fun, and therapeutic.
Because who doesn’t need a little therapy during a travel day with the kiddos!?
When I had this idea, I stopped by my local art/school/office supply shop and perused the offerings. They had a variety of pencils, markers, and crayons for coloring; a few sets were specifically for travel. But they were generally bulky, and with very limited color variety. They were exactly like the travel sets I’ve bought over the years … for my kids.
But none of them really spoke to me. I was surprised, given the explosion of adult coloring, that there wasn’t a single product available for me to take on my travels! There MUST be something, somewhere to fill this need!
I turned to the interwebz, did some googlies, and found some fabulous items on Etsy. I am so excited about these fantastic supplies for traveling with all of my coloring goodies! (I can neither confirm nor deny that some of these are already on the way to my house in anticipation of my summer trip.)
As a fox fan (and a Sweet Briar Vixen!) this set was one of the first to catch my eye! It’s an elasticized case to carry pencils or markers with you on your next trip.
Here’s one with a variety of fabric choices (foxes included!) that ALSO includes pencils.
I love these elegant colored pencil sets.
Want something to carry your pencils/markers AND your current book? Check out these tote options:
For an absolute splurge (or maybe a gift idea)? Check out these gorgeous Prismacolors!
I’m seriously excited to have found these things, and I will be packing my favorite Sweet Briar College coloring book for my next trip, along with some new travel pencils!
Now it’s your turn! Which of these items is your favorite? Have you found other travel supplies you love? Have you taken a look at our printable coloring pages? Or joined our mailing list (so you can print some free coloring pages)? Share your ideas or completed artwork with us, and we’ll pass your ideas on in a future post!
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