What should you do with the sheets that you colored? Let’s look beyond coloring and simple display to some more interesting takes on using coloring sheets.
Steps
1. Handmade books.
If you like the free sheets you find online or have old coloring books that you’ve held onto, you can take similar sized sheets and hand bind them into your own unique book. This is especially true if you already have a collection and you can add your own crafted item to it. Examples might be Disney characters, animals or even religious beliefs.
2. Card chop.
I like to take mandala designs and chop them up for the front of cards. Recently, I’ve seen postcards for sale that you can color. This might be cards you send to family and friends or a set you’ve made for a gift. Taking a design you’ve already colored and applying it to multiple cards allows the colors and designs to give your cards a feeling of being part of a group.
You might also choose to send out uncolored cards for your recipient to color as a gift.
3. Scrapbooking.
You can use your colored designs in part or whole on scrapbook pages. You’ll want to be more aware of the archival quality of your paper and coloring materials. From design elements to layering with photos, you can use these to add your own design to your memories.
4. Gift wrap.
Use your coloring sheet as gift wrapping paper or to fold into a gift bag / box. You can use it for a gift tag as well. Explore different ways to use your sheet as a way to wrap or decorate a gift.
5. Wall art.
Using your colored sheets, you can project the design onto your wall. Trace it and color it in . . . or perhaps just leave it a solid color. Why not? A huge mandala can be a great interior design element. Look at your color sheets. Can you picture any of them actually on your wall?
6. Framed art.
Okay, framing a mandala or putting it on canvas might not be as dramatic as actually putting it on the wall, but is another option for your home decor. You can put framed art on your walls, shelves or tables.=
7. Fridgies.
Refrigerator magnets with colored designs can be bright or subdued. They might include pictures, words or letters that kids can play with. Look at items on your refrigerator. Which ones could you see as your own hand-colored items.
8. Clothing.
You can color on just about any piece of clothing. Experimenting in a location where it’s hidden or using a similar piece is necessary before you create your final design. Like paper, different fabrics can affect how coloring materials look and act. Be sure to wash any fabric item you wish to color to ensure all dirt and chemicals are removed.
9. Street art.
You can place your colored sheets for street art or recreate them on-site. You can do this in part or in whole. You may also use your sheets for reference for color combinations, shape interaction and more. Explore how to incorporate your coloring into street art.
10. Rubber stamping and more.
When I was heavy into rubber stamping (coloring included), my favorite quote was about how stampers would stamp anything that stood still long enough to be stamped on. The same can be said of coloring. Look around you. What can you add your coloring style to? How can you incorporate coloring into other arts and crafts you do? How can you give yourself a coloring challenge?
Supplements
SUPP_CF Beyond_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2” round label, printable, 12 up
SUPP_CF Beyond_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
Sites to Explore
- www.cleverpedia.com
- www.cleverpedia.com/diy-ways-to-use-coloring-pages
- diycandy.com/2016/03/adult-coloring-page-keychains
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