I love coloring. It’s kinda my thing. So when Random House Publishing sent me a copy of The Time Garden by Daria Song, I was not only super stoked but also decided that a coloring party needed to happen STAT. When I first found out that this magical book was on it’s way to me, I thought that I would simply rip (GASP) some pages out and let my friends color them. I WAS SO WRONG. When I opened the envelope and pulled this guy out, I knew then I could not: A) rip anything from anywhere inside this beautiful book and B) allow anyone else to touch it. Ever.
Just look it! It’s soooo pretty and amazing. The pages are thick and wonderful to color on, whether you’re using colored pencils or gel pens! Do you know how hard that is to find?!
(owls are kind of a thing inside the book so I had to sneak this guy in)
It even has a dust cover y’all. A DUST COVER!
Even though the precious book wasn’t in attendance, the coloring party was AMAZING and much fun was had. We had dranks and foods and fun. The perfect trifecta for any party.
Turns out my friend Kimberly who claimed to “dabble” at coloring is a total liar and is an artist. Look at that shading. Jerk.
Samantha claimed to not be seven and therefore had no interest in coloring. She went for the mandala, by far the most ambitious of all the coloring that happened that night. After several “counseling” sessions in which we had to talk her off the ledge, she concluded that she might have to get a coloring book and colored pencils. #WINNING ! Cathryn, my coloring sister from another mister totally understands the need to color on the regular. She’s a 911 operator. Her job title ensures that she is under high levels of stress all day/night long. I got her a coloring book a few months ago. Now pretty much everyone on her shift is coloring. I feel like I did the world a small favor.
After pulling my husband away from the Xbox, he colored for a while and then asked when the real food was coming out. I had made some easy to snack on and still color at the same time foods; my always popular Buffalo Chicken Dip in the crock pot (with freshly made and toasted baguette slices) and a nice Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad with a Balsamic Glaze. I even made a sangria. A SANGRIA! Apparently, in man speak, that wasn’t “real” enough to be considered food. He ordered a pizza, claimed his coloring was finished and went back down to his man cave to fulfill his destiny, on Destiny. #ByeFelicia
The coloring party was so much fun, I can see why New York Times bestselling author Johanna Basford has put together a coloring party kit: LOST OCEAN: An Inky Adventure & Coloring Book & Coloring Club Kit. The kit includes fun recipes and even some questions to help break the ice and get everyone really stoked to be coloring! I love the idea of a coloring club kit. There is even a suggestion for a playlist. Because I am a giant music nerd and firmly believe that every moment of my life should have a proper playlist for it, I had already made my own Ultimate Coloring Playlist.
You can pre-order it LOST OCEAN here!
I will happily admit that I didn’t bring out The Time Garden for my friends to even LOOK at while they were at my house. I hoarded that book away like it was gold and I was a fierce dragon. But seriously you guys, LOOK AT IT!
Yup, there really is a Ghirardelli shop inside the coloring book. I told you it was a magical book. Now one of my favorite things about this book is in the last couple of pages, it shows a breakdown of all the pages together. When you have a story line about a little girl finding her way into a magical cuckoo clock and chasing around a fairy, I find that it helps to see the whole story kind of laid out in front of you.
Bottom line, coloring is a wonderful stress reliever and can also be greatly enjoyed by a group of friends with a large container of Sangria. If you like really small detailed coloring that tells a story, pick up a copy of The Time Garden by Daria Song. You won’t be disappointed. Also, keep a look out for Johanna Basford’s LOST OCEAN: An Inky Adventure & Coloring Book Coloring Club Kit. Release date is set for October 27th.
Have you ever been to a Coloring Party for Adults?
Don’t miss the awesome Coloring Party (or Wednesday afternoon at your desk party) Spotify Playlist here
