Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

NEW Coloring Books For Water Colors – Giveaway!

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978-0-7643-5093-1 978-0-7643-5092-4 978-0-7643-5091-7

Coloring in books have just got more advanced with a whole new range or coloring in books for use with Water color paints!

I really love the idea of these books, cause whilst I enjoy being creative I also enjoy down time. Now as my work is craft, downtime for me is not crafting. These books allow me to just paint with out having to think of a design or plan a time to clear my mind. This book helps me to clear my mind by doing all the creative thinking for me. Love being able to just relax and paint….

These books have 25  sketches printed on  watercolor paper.  The author shares painting tips for each sketch and advice for discovering the artist within. Also included is a painting tutorial and handy color wheel. Each book is small enough to carry anywhere and simple to use. Creativity is an escape, and these books offer a delightful way to make art regardless of your artistic abilities. Check out the video below

Painterly Days books are available here at $24.99 each by Kristy Rice.

GIVEAWAY!!

We love this new range of books so much that we are giving a lucky reader the chance to win a set of these 3 titles.

For your chance to win comment below and tell us where you like to paint. Giveaway closes August 1st.

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Comments

  1. Gorgeous designs in these pretty coloring books! It would give me some practice with water colors! I like to paint while watching TV, so I would do that in my livingroom at the coffee table!

  3. I would love to win these wonderful books because it would give me the opportunity to practice watercolor painting. I like to paint in my studio when time permits. These books would make me want to create more time to paint!

  4. Watercolour is my absolute favourite and these colouring books would be perfect to practise a beautiful art. I paint and draw anywhere the mood strikes me!

  6. I love to paint with my group of fellow seniors. We encourage each other and laugh a lot.

  7. My painting skills are at best sad but coloring I am good at. I love to sit on my front porch.

  11. I’ve never really done any painting – but I do love a good colouring session!

  12. I usually paint at home, but with the new portable paint pens, I would paint anywhere!

  17. I like to paint outside, it is sooooo relaxing. These would be a great treat!

  18. I love watercolor and these designs are absolutely gorgeous. What a great gift to win!

  21. Watercoloring is a passion of mine and to be able to use my watercolors in these beautiful coloring books would be amazing! I am working on getting a bunch of coloring pages framed and making a wall that highlights them! Thanks for the chance to add these beautiful books to my wall display! Fingers crossed!

  23. I like to paint at what I call my Coloring Station. It’s in my living room, and my little table is set up for watercolor and coloring, complete with Ottlite and two cats! I was happy to see that someone made a book for watercolorists, and I can’t wait to try one of them.

  24. My daughter (15) is the artist when it comes to freehand drawing, painting, pastels anything really. Painting really helps with her anxiety and depression. She usually paints in her bedroom or at the dining room table but when she draws it’s usually near me wherever I happen to be sitting. I’m so grateful for arts and crafts of all kinds and how they help people. Thank you for offering this giveaway.

  25. I’m so excited to see these new books – Coloring is a fun pastime but watercolor really excites me and with these, I don’t have to find a scene or object to sketch first! Definitely adding these to my wishlist!

  26. Now that my daughter has moved out, I’m lucky enough to have a craft room where I knit, embroider, weave, make cards and paint. I always paint standing up.

  27. I have an open floor plan in my home and I love to paint in our dining area that lets in lots of natural light. I would love to give these books a try. Thanks for the opportunity.

  28. I like to paint near my flower garden, sitting in the shade of a tree. About 72 degrees, light breeze, glass of iced tea . . . heaven.

  29. How very beautiful! I love to color on my porch in the evening, and painting sounds even better. Thank you for this generous opportunity.

  30. I love to color wherever possible. I don’t watch tv, so I sit next to my husband and keep him company while I color. I took a watercolor class and I found it very relaxing. I would love to win these coloring books, they look amazing. Thanks for the chance!

    Carmen
    cal8007 at aol dot com

  38. These are gorgeous! I haven´t used my watercolours for years-these would be a great excuse to re-start. I do my acrylic painting in the study (as I don´t have a studio – yet!).

  41. I would love to learn to watercolor. I color at a small table that I have set up in my flower garden . Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to win these coloring books.

  45. I love to paint in my screened porch listening to the birds and enjoying all of my flowers.

  48. How lovely! I like to paint in my terrace. There is a nice quiet place overlooking the trees with birds singing all day….

  49. I love painting in front of my poodle Hershey’s picture! He was 16 yrs old
    when he passed away last year. I got into coloring and watercolor painting to help me through my grieving process. His passing opened my eyes to a new world!

  52. These books look fantastic! When I paint it’s usually at the kitchen table with the kids, but I love to paint outside too.

  53. Gosh, I haven’t painted in awhile. But when I took Watercolour Painting in College we would paint in the Rose Garden in the park across the street from my college. Thanks and God bless! ILuvTheEucharist (at) aol.com

  54. I paint at my dining room table – the light is perfect and we rarely eat at the dining table so is a good use of the table and it keeps me painting more often as my painting supplies as always out and convenient when inspiration strikes

  55. Would love to win these WC books on a budget always can’t have what I would love

Have you read?

Book Review: Crochet in a Day by Angie Bivins – Quick Crochet Patterns For Gifts, Blankets And Cozy Make

There is something very appealing about a crochet book that promises you can actually finish something in a day. Not “start it enthusiastically and then find it again in a basket six months later,” but properly finish it. Ends woven in, project usable, smug little cup of tea afterwards.

Crochet in a Day: 18 Easy Patterns for Cute Sweaters, Cozy Blankets, Stylish Shawls and More by Angie Bivins is built around exactly that idea. The patterns are designed to be quick, cozy and achievable, using thicker yarns and simpler stitches so you can make pieces that feel impressive without needing to block out a whole season of your life.

And honestly, that is the sort of crochet book I think a lot of us need on the shelf.

You can find the book here: Crochet in a Day by Angie Bivins

 

What Is Crochet in a Day About?

This book includes 18 quick crochet patterns for wearable pieces, home accessories and giftable projects. The focus is on projects that can be made in a short amount of time, including sweaters, blankets, shawls, cowls and cozy accessories.

The idea is not that every single crocheter will finish every project in exactly one day — because we all crochet at different speeds, and some of us are interrupted every 14 minutes by family, pets, dinner or the sudden need to reorganise a yarn drawer. But the patterns are designed to be fast-moving and approachable, which makes them especially appealing for crocheters who like visible progress.

If you enjoy quick crochet projects, you might also like browsing our free crochet patterns on CraftGossip or the beginner-friendly crochet patterns on CraftBits for smaller makes to keep in your project basket.

Why This Book Caught My Eye

The title alone is a bit irresistible. Crochet in a Day taps into that very real crafter feeling of wanting a satisfying project without adding another long-term work-in-progress to the pile.

I love big heirloom blankets as much as the next yarn lover, but sometimes you just want a project that gives you a win. Something you can start after lunch and be wearing, gifting or tossing over the couch by bedtime.

This book is especially nice for crocheters who enjoy making handmade gifts. Quick crochet patterns are brilliant for birthdays, teacher gifts, Christmas presents, winter warmers, charity makes and those “oh no, I forgot I needed something handmade by Friday” situations.

What Kind Of Projects Are Included?

The book includes a mix of crochet garments, accessories and home décor. Amazon’s listing highlights designs such as the Embrace Cardigan, Serene Throw, and a Cape Cowl and Hat Set, which gives you a good sense of the book’s cozy, practical direction.

This is not a tiny-amigurumi-and-keychain sort of book. It leans more toward wearable and useful pieces — the kind of crochet projects that feel substantial but still manageable.

Expect patterns that suit crocheters who like:

quick crochet sweaters
 cozy crochet blankets and throws
 shawls and wraps
 cowls and hats
 last-minute crochet gifts
 chunky yarn projects
 simple stitches with stylish results

If you already have a stash of bulky or chunky yarn waiting for the right project, this book may be dangerous in the best possible way.

For more gift-friendly inspiration, you could pair this review with a roundup like quick crochet gift ideas or link readers through to simple beginner makes such as a basic crochet granny square on CraftBits.

Who Is This Book Best For?

Crochet in a Day is a good fit for crocheters who want patterns that feel achievable rather than intimidating.

I would recommend it for confident beginners, intermediate crocheters and experienced crocheters who simply want faster projects. If you know the basic crochet stitches and are comfortable reading patterns, you should find plenty here to enjoy.

It is also a lovely option for crocheters who:

want quick crochet patterns for gifts
 prefer useful projects over decorative-only makes
 like modern, cozy crochet designs
 enjoy chunky yarn and fast progress
 need last-minute handmade gift ideas
 want crochet patterns that feel current but not overly complicated

If you are a total beginner who has never held a hook before, you may want to start with a smaller beginner project first, such as a simple dishcloth, scarf or granny square. Once your tension feels a bit more comfortable, this book would be a lovely next step.

What I Like About It

The biggest strength of this book is the promise of momentum. Crochet books can sometimes be beautiful but overwhelming, with projects that look gorgeous and then quietly scare you back into making another dishcloth.

This one feels more practical. The designs are intended to be made with speed in mind, but they still look like proper finished projects. That balance matters. Nobody wants a “quick” project that looks like it was made in a panic at midnight, even if, occasionally, it was.

I also like that the book includes a mix of garment and home projects. A cardigan, cowl, hat set or throw all feel useful, especially if you are making handmade gifts. There is something satisfying about giving someone a crochet piece they will actually wear or use.

And because the patterns use thicker yarns and simple stitches, it has that lovely “one more row” rhythm that makes crochet relaxing rather than fussy.

What To Keep In Mind Before Buying

The title is appealing, but I would still treat “in a day” as a friendly challenge rather than a strict guarantee. Your finish time will depend on your crochet speed, yarn choice, interruptions, and whether you are the sort of person who stops to make snacks every half hour.

Some of the larger projects, especially blankets or garments, may take longer if you crochet slowly or prefer to take your time with finishing. That is not a negative — it just means the book is better understood as a collection of fast crochet patterns rather than a stopwatch test.

You will also want to check yarn requirements before diving in. Quick crochet projects often rely on thicker yarns, so this could be a good excuse to use chunky yarn from your stash or shop for bulky yarn bundles from places like Amazon, Mary Maxim or your favourite yarn supplier.

Is Crochet in a Day Good For Gift Making?

Yes, this is where the book really shines.

If you make handmade gifts, this book would be very handy to keep nearby during the busiest crafting seasons. Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthdays, winter gifting and charity crochet drives all benefit from patterns that work up quickly.

A cowl and hat set makes a lovely cold-weather gift. A throw is perfect for someone who loves cozy home pieces. A shawl is one of those gifts that feels personal without needing exact sizing. And a cardigan, if you know the recipient’s style and measurements, can be a beautiful handmade present.

For readers who enjoy giftable crochet, this article could naturally sit alongside CraftGossip’s crochet gift roundups or even a seasonal post on quick handmade crochet gifts to make before Christmas.

Supplies You May Want With This Book

To get the most from Crochet in a Day, I would keep a few practical supplies nearby:

chunky or bulky yarn
 a comfortable ergonomic crochet hook set
 stitch markers
 a yarn needle for weaving in ends
 a tape measure for garments
 blocking mats or a blocking board for neater finishing

If you are buying the book as a gift, you could pair it with a soft bulky yarn, a hook set and a project bag. That would make a lovely crochet gift bundle for someone who already knows the basics.

My Review

Crochet in a Day is a warm, practical and very giftable crochet book for makers who want beautiful results without committing to a huge long-term project.

I like that it focuses on patterns that feel useful: sweaters, blankets, shawls, cowls and cozy accessories. These are not just “make it once and wonder what to do with it” patterns. They are the kind of projects that can be worn, gifted, displayed or used around the home.

The quick-project angle makes it especially appealing for busy crocheters. Many of us love crochet but do not always have weeks to spend on a single make. This book gives you that satisfying feeling of progress, which is sometimes exactly what you need to fall back in love with your yarn stash.

It would suit crocheters who want stylish, achievable patterns, especially those who like cozy makes and handmade gifts. It is also a good book to buy while it is on sale and tuck away for Christmas gifting, either for yourself or another crochet lover.

Because let’s be honest, buying a crochet book “for later” is not a bad habit. It is project planning.