THE COLORING CRAZE

Have you heard about the Coloring Craze sweeping the nation?

Coloring Books for Adults are a huge trend now. Notice I didn’t write Adult Coloring Books which I fear someone might take the wrong way. 

I heard of the up and coming trend last spring after my friend Nancy shared this phenomenon. She suggested I needed a Far Outside the Ordinary coloring book. This was before it had become a whirlwind in almost every store in the country. Here are examples of awesome Coloring Books for Adults.

  

 The artist in me kept screaming….me, me, me, do it for me. It was July when I mentioned to my hubby I wanted a Far Outside the Ordinary coloring book. He ignored me (in a very nice way) and suggested I focus on finishing my second book. I ignored him and kept researching, sending him email after email about this trend. 

For the record, my husband is a computer nerd genius and has created multiple businesses and websites including mine. He is also a guru on SEO (search engine optimization) and other technical stuff most people know little about, and frankly care even less about. He offered to check it out in hopes I would get back to finishing my book.

Nanny-nanny-boo-boo! What do you think happened? 

“Prissy, okay, maybe we should do a coloring book.” He was standing at my studio door holding his Excel spreadsheet.

Oh Lordy….how this girl loves being right!  And so here we are with three Far Outside the Ordinary Coloring Books: Butterflies, Flowers and Circles. They were ready in December but my new website wasn’t.  She was getting a nip and tuck on her brand new face.

Now, finally, you can find them on the website: prissyelrod.com. If you’re not sure you would like coloring, on my website you can try coloring for free.  You can do this easily by clicking FIVE FREE Mandala Coloring Pages. 

 

Shop locally for these coloring books at the following Tallahassee stores: Sweet Patina, Hearth and Soul, Bedfellows, Weezie’s Cottage Living, My Favorite Things and The Bookshelf  in Thomasville, Georgia. Please support these marvelous shops overflowing with so many other beautiful treasures. 

Coloring Book Parties are a big rage. The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia had the first Far Outside the Ordinary Coloring Night. It was relaxing and tons of fun.  I have more in the next few weeks, including Hearth and Soul (March 10) and Bedfellows (April 11).  Gather your friends and ready yourself for this peaceful pleasure. I’ll be so relaxed after all these parties people will think I’m medicated.

Why not check out this great article on the health benefits of coloring: Three Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain

And for more on the subject—here is a great blog about coloring. This is another cool site:  National Coloring Association

                                   

You can also watch your favorite television show –perhaps binge watch The Housewives of Here, There and Yonder–while coloring. We Southerners call that multi-tasking. Personally, I think those housewives should indulge their senses, relax their minds and color their world outside of gray. They seem pretty high-maintenance to me.  

DAZE is what I’m in most of the time.

I know I’m not the only one. We all live in a fast-paced world, overscheduled, and hauling around our overloaded brains.  I can’t remember where I’m supposed to be half the time, probably because I’m using four different calendars. Trust me, I know how crazy that sounds. Garrett, the Type A daughter, has lectured me on this nonsensical behavior for two years.  My brain is just more creative than organized.  To be frank, I’m happy to have a brain. 

Just the other day I forgot I had a 50-minute radio interview until I answered the phone with a mouth full of hot tomato soup. It was live, syndicated and from a northerner.  Good thing I know how to run my mouth. 

Most days I feel like a squirrel on meth.  Just so you know– I watched Breaking Bad and got educated on that poison. Then, for whatever reason,  I wondered what would happen if a squirrel took it. I know, I’m way too weird.

MAZE is another word I wear.

I’m in three book clubs and always trying to remember when, where, and who is having it. Not to mention which book is selected for which club.  And yes, I get them all mixed up. We meet for food, fun and the dissection of the chosen book I better have read. I know any sane person would be in only one. But I love all three clubs, each filled with a diversified group of wonderful friends. Beside it’s like therapy, which, let’s face it — I probably need.

Deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Count your breath. One, Two, Three. Okay, I’m better now. I just took five minutes and used my meditation app. It keeps me from worrying about almost any ‘ole thing, especially some silly mixed up calendar. Small stuff — and this from someone who knows.

Over the last year I’ve had many friends and family requesting Far Outside the Ordinary koozies and other items showcasing the award winning butterly image on my book.  I listened to those requests and my pleasing gene kicked in.  You will now find Far Outside the Ordinary koozies and other products on my site, along with the requested audio version of Far Outside the Ordinary narrated by me.  Pour yourself a drink for that one. I sure did.

   

Everyone is asking when I will finish my new book.  I know I’m taking way too long.  I couldn’t agree more. I’m ashamed. Yet, nobody gave Harper Lee grief and she took decades.  I keep thinking what happened to her after the second book was finally released. Exactly!

 And the movie rumor? Look up. When you see the pigs flying…you will know.

Let’s enjoy this beautiful life and pray for world peace. The crazy people around the world scare me to death. They should all start coloring and de-stress their mean little selves, don’t you think?

Come on spring—get here already!

Don’t forget to sneak yourself a peak at my new and improved website