Live Loved: An Adult Coloring Book- REVIEW

This is a book review of an adult colouring book.

Do you colour? If you do, don't forget to check out my colouring pages: <Start Here>

Live Loved: An Adult Colouring BookCraft God’s Word Into Your Heart Through Creative Expression

By Margaret Feinberg

The concept of this colouring book is to help us understand the great love of God the Father towards us, His children. This book is a beautiful selection of scriptures to help you memorize, ponder, and mull over the knowledge of God's great love for us.  

I really like the concept and the idea behind this book, the journal aspect is very nice. It is laid out, (when you open your page), the left side of the book is the scripture, and a place to journal your thoughts. On the right side is that same scripture again, in a calligraphic font- outlined, surrounded by flora and fauna. The book has a very continuous flow, so if you’d like to frame a grouping of your final images it would look nice together.

Part of me feels like the artwork in this colouring book lacks passion and creativity. Being an artist myself, I felt like I was colouring generic artwork. I felt like the art was not necessarily reflective of the scriptures. There were lots of flowers and wreaths- which can be lovely, but I felt like the images looked more traced than created for colouring. Some of the pages had very small details which means you’ve got to keep those pencils very sharp, or just colour outside of the lines. 

Adult colouring books are all the rage, I’m a huge fan of adult colouring, it’s an amazing way to shut off your brain, tap into the quiet places of our soul, and just be. I do feel like this book accomplished its goal of a journal / colouring book. Do I think it is the most creative colouring book out there? No. Will I continue to use this book? Probably not. That is not to say this book is uninspiring, I feel this book is a good place to start your adult colouring journey. It is simple and elegant and will guide you into meditating on the scriptures and understanding how to Live Loved. 

I love the concept of 'living loved'... knowing you are loved, which enables you to live... really live. The scriptures in this book do just that, they lead and guide you into an understanding of just how loved you truly are. We live in a world that likes to tell us we need to lose weight, eat better, wear more makeup, wear less clothes, more clothes, wear this, buy that... we are assaulted on a daily bases with not being good enough. Marketing targets women, most of the time, to keep us insecure and doubting, maybe if i bought this mascara I'd look like her... therefore feel like her... therefore be beautiful, loved, successful... and the list goes on.

At the bottom of it all, you are fully loved, you, exactly as you are... YOU are loved... This colouring book is a fantastic compilation of scriptures that remind you that no matter what... you are totally and fully loved. Nothing you can do will make your Father in heaven love you anymore than He already does...

Share the love,
M.

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Grown Up Colouring Sheet: Sea Horse

It's MONDAY! That means it's the day I get everything done, because I take Sunday's off. This past week has been very busy- not in a bad way, in an awesome way!

But Monday's are new days, new weeks, and this is the first Monday in May... a whole new month.
Here are two versions of a Sea Horse for you to start your week off with.

Don't forget to donate to download- each and every dollar collected is going to our Living Life On Purpose Journey 2015 UGANDA! 

Share the love,
M.

I can tell it is MONDAY- for some reason my print is coming out blurry when printed- I'm sorry about that- I've re-saved and re-uploaded.
M.

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Grown Up Colouring : Rushing Wind.

This happened on Sunday. It's a Rushing Mighty Wind. It's simple, lots of space to colour in and add detail. I can't wait to colour it. 

I've been using my Staedtler Pencil crayons for colouring, I recently had the opportunity to try another brand and they were softer and easier to blend colour and get seamless coverage... I have them on my birthday wish list. 

What are you using to colour your grown up colouring sheets?

Share the love,

M.

Quick Question, would you be interested in a how to video or tutorial about making your own Grown Up Colouring Sheets?

Ps. Don't forget to upload your finished copies on Instagram and tag @LostBumblebee along with hashtag #grownupcoloringsheets #lostbumblebee

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Grown Up Colouring : Peacock

It's Monday, it's grey outside, it's tax time and I am overwhelmed :) I love owning my own business, but the business end of owning a business is well business-y, and I am in no way a business person. I just want to make pretty things :)  I need an agent/manager who takes care of everything business and just let's me make pretty things!

But amidst all the crazy stuff-  I did take the time, because I was procrastinating from doing my taxes (shh. don't tell my accountant) to create this beautiful Peacock.  When things are at their craziest, I find myself running to my art board, it feels like procrastination, but if I break it down, it is actually rejuvenation. I can do so much more in life, when I take time to create.

How do you rejuvenate? How to you make sure you don't get and stay overwhelmed?

Reminder, all graphics are free to download, but I am asking you to donate $1 per download to support the orphanage that we will be volunteering in  from September 27-November 3, 2015. Help us in this  Living Life ON Purpose Journey 2015.  You can do that -> using the donate button!

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN All "LostBumblebee Grown Up Colouring Pages" are designed, sketched/ drawn, inked and vectorized by Melissa Dawn Baker-Nguyen and all have the LostBumblebee Logo on them. 

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all starts with a sketch.

Now to Refine and Ink it.

What I'm using right now to colour-
loving both sets!

Choose Your Colours and let the
magic begin!

My Finished Product :) Can't wait to see yours-
upload it to Instagram and Tag @LostBumblebee in it!

Grown Up Colouring : Rhino

Good morning to you! How was your weekend? Mine was insane! I was selling my art and working at a conference for the past 10 days, I am ex-haus-ted (to say the least!).  I'm currently knee deep in coffee and work  -I'm not sure I'm going to make it! lol

I feel like my body is jet lagging and I haven't been on a plane.  I'm trying to finish up my list of things to do- that has been accumulating for the past few days - but I wanted to take a minute to remind you that you are amazing :) Created for a purpose and beautiful.

Happy Monday, take some time today to stop, realize, and accept that you were created with a destiny and purpose... and the fact that you are living on this earth, is evidence enough that You are amazing.

Be inspired. Share. and Love.
Share the love,
M.

Be sure to catch up with me on Facebook and Instagram to see my final piece.

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Grown Up Colouring : Let's Be Adventurers!

my version so far :)

I love the idea of adventuring all over the world and seeing new things... but what I love most is the people. I love watching the people, trying to communicate with the people. Seeing how they do what they do- Because we all do it differently. And it is awesome.

When we were in China last year, and the verbal communication between me and the people -whose paths I crossed every day -was basically non existent. Oh but communicate we could. I am slightly dramatic (or so I've been told) in conversation. I taught ESL for 10 years- so I got use to asking people to repeat themselves without feeling badly about it, I got used to deciphering gists of conversations- The one international symbol that I did notice is that if you smile at people, it warms their face. Things melt away, the stress, the frustration, the fear 'Oh my gooooodness! is she talking to me in English?' A smile can melt many hard emotions and bring peace to a situation.

As you know we are going to Uganda. (If you didn't know, you can check it out here). I look at the photos of the children from the Orphanage, their faces are lit up with these huge smiles... it makes me so excited to meet them. I am not stressed about meeting the children, their smiles give me hope, and peace. They will teach me so much more than I could ever offer or bring with me.

So to all of you who dream of being Adventurers... you can start in your own community, talking to those you don't know... loving on people, and radiating love- and move on from there. What was your favourite adventure from your travels, feel free to leave a comment here, or go to the Facebook page and leave it there :)

Share the love,
M.

Grown Up Colouring- Giraffes

I'm thinking of taking all of my designs and turning them into a colouring book. It would be a complete labour of love, because I don't know if I have the time to figure this out at the moment- I guess it would be the passion project that happens early in the morning, and in the wee hours of night, when I ought to be sleeping.

What are your thoughts about me creating a colouring book?

In the mean time, I hope you are finding peace and rest while colouring these pages. That is my hope and prayer for you <3

Share the love,
M.

Note: If these seem overwhelming, feel like they will never be done? Consider this : I consider my personal grown up colouring sheets like a puzzle. I colour all of the pages that I create, I don't necessarily sit and complete an entire image at one time, I do it in stages - take this one for instance... I have only coloured in a few of the top leaves... so don't be overwhelmed.... take your time, all the time you need... relax... enjoy... breathe.  M.

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It's Raining! But I'm not Complaining!

It's Raining!! I actually love rain. Snow-  I love too, but rain guys, RAIN- you know what that means, it means it is warm enough not to be snowing... and you know what that means? Spring is coming! Oh bring on the April Showers, because I'd really love some May Flowers :)

Here is another Grown Up Colouring Sheet for you to enjoy, if it's raining where you are, there is nothing better than a nice cup of hot coffee, tea, or cocoa, some bright colours and a mission. Enjoy this printable! Only a dollar to download, and you will be donating to the orphanage Duy and I will be volunteering in for the month of October. We are so excited! Thank you for supporting us!

Choose the version with the verse from Matthew: You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden... or choose the blank version and add your own quote, saying or verse! Be creative.
Share your finished copy on Instagram and tag @lostBumblebee

Share the love,
M.

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My Version so far.
- from sketch to computer it takes about 2-3 hours -
not to mention the colouring part :)

Grown Up Colouring Sheet- Elephant

Happy Wednesday!

Here she is... a beautiful Elephant ripe for the colouring. Price for download is $1 please click the donate button to the right and donate.

I wanted to create art that everyone can afford while all donations go directly to our Living Life On Purpose Journey 2015 UGANDA. It is coming fast (September 27- we fly away!) Please pray for peace in Uganda and surrounding areas, I am sure you have all heard about the precious lives taken in Kenya- heartbreaking.

If you'd like to download a bundle of my Grown up Colouring Pages, you can do that on my >> ETSY SHOP  << it's a great way to donate money directly to this journey and have all of the images download in one nice neat zip file :)

Continue praying for our journey, there is so much to do before we leave- please keep us in your thoughts! (if you live in the area- we are in the process of organizing a bizarre + Family Fun Day! this summer, garage sale (for you moms and dads)  bouncy house, face painting (to keep the kids occupied while you shop) and to finish it off a bbq ! We are so excited about all of the interesting ways we will be able to meet people along these journey to raising our funds. (date to be announced!)

I am in no way a fundraising queen, so if you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them!
Share the love,
M.

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my version 

a work of art in progress 

completed including my signature :)   I got a blister from this one :) 

Monday.

my incomplete versions of this hummingbird :)                  

Was your Easter Amazing?  Sometimes holidays are hard for me, especially my favourite holidays. I feel the older I get the harder it is to enjoy a holiday, I look forward to it so much, and then it falls flat, it doesn't live up to the expectations I have placed on it.  Easter is one of those holidays. I love the idea of a new beginning, of celebrating the resurrection, of spring in the air... a new dress, something that looks like a breath of fresh air... family photos in the sun, church together... dinner... conversation.  When we were little, Easter always happened at my Grandparent's house, I remember all of us cousins eating in layers sitting up the central stairs of their home, all dressed in our Easter outfits... with a 1 pound chocolate bunny waiting to be eaten. It was loud, still too cold to play outside, filled with smoke, and usually a race of some sort, or a sporting match was on the tv. My Uncles would turn up the volume, my Grandma would come in from the kitchen and turn it down, this was the routine of the day. Sneaking the volume back up, and out She'd come and turn it back down. The kids would just giggle and sit closer to the tv.

My own family is split all over the country, sure, my hubby's family is near, but they don't celebrate Easter and never have. I want so badly to create some traditions of our own, I try, it ends up not happening... No family photos, no new dress... no celebration. One thing that did salvage this Sunday was going out to dinner with a friend of ours, and her whole family- eight of us. It was awesome. Sure, it wasn't my family, but almost. It was probably the highlight of my weekend. Does it make me sad my family is not together on the holidays, yes... but can I go back to being eight years old when the world made sense? no...

Next year, I will have to write down my expectations, and try to create new traditions, and follow through... This past Christmas, I wrote out my expectations of Christmas, (what are you looking for, what is most important, what would you like to happen)... I wrote down exactly what I wanted to happen, I wrote out how I wanted to feel (calmness, joy, reflection), and what was most important (time with our families, a time of relaxation for my hubby, quiet time with my hubby)... and then made it happen, it was wonderful, the only thing we didn't do was our annual puzzle... But I was ok with that - I  had no lingering feelings of unhappiness, of incompleteness. I had no sadness when I went to sleep... I knew that my expectations were clearly written down, and they had happened.

Yesterday,  I was working on my print for today, a stylized humming bird... I see them floating and flitting around, I see them as beautiful and graceful darting about... but what I never see is their little wings flapping at over 50 times per second... I only see the beauty, I don't see the work. I have to remind myself of this when flipping through Instagram during the holidays- I see all of these perfect beautiful families, dressed up in new duds for Easter.... I have to remember that Momma is flapping her wings more than 50 times a second, holding back tears of her own, be it happy or sad, trying to create moments and memories for her family, creating traditions of her own... Her feelings are probably not far from my own...

The amazing thing about Easter, is it's a NEW DAY... a new beginning, a new time of year, filled with Hope, and expectation, and awesomeness... so today as I am up very early typing this... I feel a sense of peace, calmness and hope. Last night, not so much...but today. Yes.

How about you? How do you go through the holidays?
Have you ever written down our expectations? If so, did you find it made a difference?

Share the love,
M.


Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”  -C.G Jung

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a drop in the ocean...

Don't get confused by identifying yourself as just one of the billions of people who live in this world.
You carry greatness... because you were created with a purpose.

Share the love,
M.

3 versions to choose from:
Blank
You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in one drop. -rumi
Just Keep Swimming- famously said by Dory from Finding Nemo :)

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you are not a drop in the ocean,
you are the entire ocean in one drop- Rumi

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you are not a drop in the ocean,
you are the entire ocean in one drop- Rumi

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My Version- I made him a rainbow of awesomeness :)
Don't forget on the blank ones, add your favourite verse,
Lyric, Poem, make it truly yours! <3

Wild + Free

A beautiful reminder...
be wild + free.

I hope you have a beautiful Easter weekend...
remembering that freedom isn't free-
but what a beautiful thing it is!

Share the love,
M.

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Need a little Peace?

Here is the end result of my quiet time last night :) 

I actually lead a very peaceful life... our house butts up to a farmers field, we live in a sleepy little town, I work from home, the hubby has his own business  (2 actually and yes- he works 24/7- but we also have days when we can sneak away and go to a matinee- or visit his dad, or go for a drive and talk... it's really nice.)

But do I still need peace? Yes- because although our lives are pretty simple, our brains are not. My brain runs at 100 miles an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is hard to make it stop. I keep running lists of; ideas, thoughts, things I need to do, things I should have done... it never stops.

Do we lead a full life? Yes. Will I give into societies addiction to busy, as though busy makes one successful? no.  When I need peace in my mind, I meditate and pray. I think on the good things, true things, honest things, just things, pure things, and lovely things... I pray for my family, my friends and for you... it stills my heart, calms my mind and surrounds my home with peace.

Yesterday I needed to get out of my head, so picked up my pencil and I drew this big beautiful wave... I thought It was going to end with the sketch, but then I filled it in, turned it into a graphic, printed it, and coloured it. About a 3 hours ordeal... I sensed the stillness... the verses "Deep calls to deep", and "Peace be still" were running through my mind... So I've added those as well as a blank version if you prefer.

What do you do when you need to still your heart and mind? How to you calm yourself in this world that is constantly requiring more, making us feel like we just aren't enough, we need to do more, have more, be more- Let me tell you something... You are enough, You are good, You are loved, and you don't need to do anything more than what you are doing... give yourself a break- refuse the glorification of busy, and instead choose a more meaningful life. That might mean some quality time with your kids, your hubby, your best friend. A conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee is never wasted time... and don't let anyone ever tell you it is- refuse the glorification of busy, and live in the meaningful... and choose to live your life on purpose.

Share the love,
M.

Remember to get our a black pen after you colour this in and personalize it with your own version of patterns - you can really make it yours! No two will ever look the same! <3

>>For more Grown Up Colouring Sheets click here<<

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BE BRAVE...always.

Be Brave... always.

Sometime (most of the time) that is easier said than done. I think courage is a choice. You've just gotta do it. Sometimes it is really hard. (I mean really, really, really hard). I know for myself whenever I send work to a new client, I feel nauseous. I get nervous, I get a little panicky, it's hard. It's hard to send something off to someone that you've created -for the sole purpose of them to judge it. I guess I need to get thicker skin- but where do you buy that? Seriously, is there a pill you can take?

Usually it goes well, I get good reviews -so to speak, but still there is that little piece of me that panics, feels inadequate and pretty much just wants to hide. The blood drains from my face when the ding of my email goes off... But I do it anyway. Is it hard? YES. Do I have to overcome it every time I send work off to a client- yes. Is there a quick fix? No, I've been doing this for over 10 years and it hasn't gotten any easier yet... but I believe it will... so it will... and I'm anticipating that to happen tomorrow ;)

So in the spirit of bravery and courage and stepping out, here is a new Grown Up Colouring sheet for you :) It's a little different, it's a beautiful feather, I have mine all printed off, I haven't had a chance to colour it in yet... this one is hand drawn by me, for you. I hope you enjoy... and remember - Be Brave... always, even if you have to hide under the covers after, or your voice shakes, or you need to pee... just do it... you won't regret it...

Share the love,
M.

Please consider giving a donation to our Living Life On Purpose Journey- We are so encouraged by all of your support we really appreciate it! (D+M)

3 versions to choose from- 
Be Brave
Psalm 91:4
Psalm 91:4 complete verse

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Adventure.

Do you hear it? Does it call your name? Do you feel the need when the weather starts to warm up-  that need to get out, have an adventure? Somedays adventure for me is getting on a plane and flying to China solo to meet up with my husband. Other days it is walking to the mail box... This year our adventure is huge. Bigger than anything we've ever done.  But the biggest part of this adventure isn't the going to Uganda to volunteer for me, I have volunteered all of my life, the hardest part is the asking for help.  It's asking you to contribute to our journey. It's asking people to visit my Esty Shop and buy a family portrait, a painting, or a print. It is really hard to keep asking. But I will. It has caused me to grow in my creativity, find my voice and challenge myself to speak up. It's a huge adventure this growing up and into yourself thing. Huge.

What adventure is calling your name this year? What is pulling at your heart, begging you to reveal it, nurture it, achieve it?  If you aren't sure... Start with this questions, "what breaks my heart?" Once you answer that question, move on from there to discover if there is anything in your neighbourhood, community, city that you can do to help alleviate that sense of pain.

If animals are your thing, try volunteering in a shelter.
If children are your thing, try offering a free story time at your local library.
If Single Mom's are your thing, try offering a small group at your church to support them in their needs.
If missions is your thing, find an organization and donate, volunteer, host a garage sale to raise money, or plan a mission trip and go.

If real adventure is what you seek, look outside of yourself, and see the world in it's need and embark on an adventure that will change your life. Adventure to me is getting out of my comfort zone and doing something that changes me... which in turn changes my world.

Adventure awaits... in whatever form it looks like, embrace it.
Share the love,
M.

For more Grown up colouring sheets click here :) 

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8.5x11 this one is spaced differently to give you more surface area to colour, I did the above one, it turned out beautiful, but you need your pencil sharpener and reading glasses handy, it was slightly small. This one is slightly less complicated and a little larger :) 

BRAVE.

Brave. Bravery, Bravely. Boldly. Go.

This year is a big year for the hubby and I. We're so far out of our comfort zone it is amazing and very scary all at the same time.

This year, I've got to be brave. Brave. I've got to be Brave with my art work. I've got to just do it, get it up, share it, show it.

I've got to go to a new place I've never been where they have snakes the size of tree trunks, spiders the size of whales and insects that eat you. Ok, maybe I am going a little overboard with my anxieties about weird and wonderful creatures... but I've got to be brave. It's an unknown world out there for us to see.

I've got to be brave when talking to people, brave when asking people for help. I need to be brave. It is not easy.

So today I'm encouraging myself and hopefully you today, to be brave. BRAVE!

What situation are you in today that required bravery? It could be moving, buying a new house, working on a new project, sharing your story, speaking up when no one else will, going out of your comfort zone to start something new... or taking on snakes the size of tree trunks... Whatever it is, I pray that you will go boldly into that new journey and be brave... because you can do it, no matter what it is, you can do it!

Share the love today + and be Brave!
M.

For more Grown Up Colouring Sheets Click Here :) 

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Grown Up Colouring Sheets

I can't get enough of these colouring pages. I just keep creating them and colouring them in, I. am. addi

cted. In order to feed my own addiction, and hopefully your new passion pastime,  I am compiling a nice big list. I would love to have 1 day for an entire year. How incredible would that be to start each day creatively and meditating on an encouraging word?

But I need your help, because my vocabulary is limited to well, English, and I know lots of my friends and followers on the blog are French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Swedish (just to name a few :)

Let's compile a list of amazingly inspirational words that will keep us colouring, and concentrating on the good in life for a long time!

Share the love,
M.

>> For MORE Grown Up Colouring Sheets Click here <<

Even MORE here :) 

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My version of Chosen :)