Rose of Sharon Jewelry

I’ve got 64 ways to be creative today. A colorful box of Crayola® Crayons! Coloring isn’t only for kids – it’s also a great way to unwind.  Today I want you to color – inside or outside the lines!

The treasured 64-count box with the built-in sharpener is a beloved memory. Introduced in 1958, I was so happy to be “big enough” for my own box when I was in 2nd grade.

The Power of Memory on Play

I’m sure many of you have these same childhood memories so this playtime has extra special meaning.

Even if you have crayons in the house for kids or grandkids, I highly recommend going out and getting your very own box. You might even want to splurge on the new 120 count box. Perhaps those extra colors will inspire you! Besides Mom isn’t there to say, “But the teacher’s list says. . .”

Today’s Crayola brand crayons (Don’t waste your money on anything but the authentic Crayola.) have some color changes – no longer will you find Maize or Raw Umber, for example. If you were born after 1972, your color box would have included 8 new fluorescent ones like Hot Magenta. Crayola even has a color history chart.

What to Color

The crayons are the easy part of this process. Now what do you want to color?

Inside the Lines?

Are you an “inside the lines” person? Then you should buy a few coloring books to get you started. You’ll be surprised at how costly they are so to get started perhaps you’d rather download some color pages. To find a printable coloring page on any subject, simply use your search engine. There are literally thousands of possible choices.

• Crayola coloring pages
• Coloring pages for adults and artists
• Flower coloring pages
• Coloring fun for adults – lots of links here

Outside the Lines?

If you want to stretch your imagination and “color outside the lines” – simply start with some copy/printer paper. You can move up to better suited paper with a trip to any craft store. Select a matte fiber-based paper for best results.

Professional colorers (or colorists?) choose quality paper to transform prints into hand colored works of art. Why not explore the art of hand coloring?

Your Coloring Session

If you’re coloring for pure joy, color any where you want (with kids or without.) Coloring for relaxation and exploration is best achieved in a quiet area with appropriate natural light (daylight bulbs work, too). The proper lighting will show the “true” color without any lighting influence.

The key is to relax your shoulders and wrists. Crayons don’t   require the death-grip many of us use at work or while paying bills.

Coloring for Inspiration

1. Try different methods – like color around the outside lines then fill in the blanks or lightly color one direction then blend in from another angle.
2. Go outside your comfort zone – pick colors that aren’t your first choice. Combine colors which feel like they clash.
3. Try shading with a darker or lighter version.
4. Include white as a color to break things up visually.
5. Select colors from a favorite painting and use those to start your creation.
6. Have someone randomly select 4 colors then create something using them.

The most important rule is:

• Throw away all the rules.

I hope you’ll explore coloring soon. During some turbulent times in my life, I found serenity when I just sat silently and colored.

For some color related fun take the “What Color Crayon Are You?” Quiz.

Let’s focus on ways to corral your stress and create more mellow days. My brain has been spinning from computer problems and changes.

When you’re blood is boiling, your head is pounding and you think you’re going to explode at the next person or pet who crosses your path, you need to have a quick release valve.

Here are 5 ways to quickly add some mellow to your day.

1. Breathe! When you are stressed you tend to take shallower and quicker breathes. This leaves your brain with inadequate oxygen.
   1. Sit or stand straight.
   2. Breathe in through your nose to the count of 5.
   3. Slowly exhale through your mouth to the count of 8.
   4. Repeat as necessary.
2. Jump into a comfy pair of walking shoes and walk briskly around the block. Add the deep breathing techniques above to amplify the positive effects.
3. Put on some favorite upbeat tunes and dance around the room. Grab your toddler and swirl around until both of you are laughing.
4. Smell something soothing. Soothing scents such as lavender are calming. Other scents such as cinnamon or peach which bring back great memories can lower your stress levels.
5. Put on a sad movie and have a good cry. Crying releases stress-related hormones. Women especially respond to a “good” cry.

A BONUS Relaxation Tip

Put on some dirt-digging clothes, grab a trowel, bend down and pull a weed or two or  three until your garden is tidy and your body feels a that good sense of fatigue gardeners enjoy!

May you experience days that aren’t mellow. Remember a life lived on a single plane (either all up or all down) is either totally chaotic or totally depressing.