When I first started blogging over eight years ago, I had no idea if anyone would ever find me on the internet, let alone leave a comment. I really did feel like I was a speck in a vast wilderness. I did what was recommended; visit other blogs, leave a comment, and hope against hope that blogger would return the visit.
One of those bloggers did stop by. In fact, she was my very first blogging friend: Donna, of An Enchanted Cottage. Donna, a fellow Northeasterner, and I share many of the same loves, including nature, gardening, decorating and, above all, animals. We have stayed friends for over eight years and she has been steadfast and true. When Riley died, Donna made a beautiful framed piece based on a photo I had posted of Riley and Scout (my favorite photo) and moved both Don and me to tears. It hangs on my wall just outside my office.
Donna is very talented and is a working artist as well as a the owner of a successful Etsy shop. She has two daughters, both adults now (how did that happen so quickly?) and one of them, Amanda, is also an artist.
Which brings me to today’s post. Amanda has just had her first Coloring Book published by Pomegranate Press! Huzzah!
Bedrooms – A Coloring Book by Amanda Laurel Atkins.
Amanda and Donna graciously sent me a copy of Bedrooms. You know I love coloring books! I was floored when I first held it in my hands. First of all, it has a hard cover that opens flat. (I don’t see that out there in the coloring book world.) So much easier to color! Each page has a blank page as its back, so no worries about coloring on both sides of the sheet of paper. The quality and heft of the paper is perfect for coloring. And each page is laid out horizontally, rather than vertically, just as the cover indicates. The binding runs right alongside the edge above the title. It is beautifully done.
A sample page.
These photos don’t really show the crispness of the lines, but trust me, they are crisp and clear. They’re also not too thick. Personally, I have passed on purchasing certain coloring books out there because the lines are too thick, almost like you’d see in a child’s coloring book. This one is perfect.
Donna and Amanda shared some pages that they colored themselves:
The illustrations are full of books, paintings, animals, and nature, things that Amanda loves.
I often think about my childhood bedroom, which for a girl who needed a good chunk of alone time, was a refuge that was all mine. I could shut the door and be in a world that was entirely my own. That same feeling is evoked in these illustrations.
Amanda: Bravo! Such beautiful work!
By the way, here’s a bit of information about Amanda:
Amanda Laurel Atkins is an artist and illustrator living and working in Boston, MA. Her work is inspired by the 1950s, architecture, fashion, color, animals, and literature. While her paintings focus on portraits of fictional women, her illustrations span a vast array of subject matter, including the many rooms in Bedrooms. Amanda loves walking and exploring her city and spending time with her family, friends, and all the animals in her life. You can explore her work at AmandaAtkins.com.
You can purchase this delightful book in Amanda’s Etsy shop and at Pomegranate Press as well as on Amazon.
Exciting news! Amanda would like to share one copy of Bedrooms with one of my readers. Isn’t that wonderful?
Here are the rules: Leave a comment on this post before 8 pm on Monday August 8th and I will use Random (dot) org to pick a winner.
In your comment: Tell me what it is about your bedroom that you love.
Good luck! And thank you, Amanda and Donna.
Happy Monday.
I absolutely LOVE this new coloring book!!!! Out of the abundance offered out there everywhere you seem to turn these days, this one stands out FAR ABOVE!!!! If I should happen not to win it (haha), I will most definitely be ordering a copy. What do I love about my bedroom…the set of french doors I can close when I want to be by myself. It is a somewhat small room, but cozy all the same. It’s filled with picketey mix of vintage, antique, and other “rescued junque”.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the photos of your gorgeous flowers and the delightful little woodland creatures who drop by to visit, especially the groundhog. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Too funny – I thought I was the only one with French Doors to her bedroom! And I love to close them to get some peace and quiet and still have as much light as possible.
So nice to read about the author. Great giveaway – I have added it to my Coloring Giveaway listing.
Thank you so much, Jeannine! Good luck! <3
What a talented young woman! Many congratulations to Amanda on being published and every success for the future. I love the pastel portrait of my daughter aged four hanging in my bedroom. It was a gift from my mentor who sadly is no longer with us. The artist had my daughter sign her name as well (albeit in a four year old’s writing), so it really is a special piece. If I am eligible, I should love a copy of Amanda’s book.
Thank you so much Barbara! Good luck!
I love this! What a great idea for a coloring book, Amanda—good job! And the time is right for adult coloring books just now. I love the drawing style and the furnishings in her interiors. Am now feeling like such an underachiever for not having acted on my desire to do a coloring book years ago.
Thank you, Shanna! Good luck!
Oops! Should have mentioned my bedroom…the quirkiest corner has a gallery of paintings done by relatives, talented and not so much. There are paintings by my grandmother, great grandmother, father in law, sister in law, and husband’s grandmother. Different styles and sizes which go perfectly with the collection of mismatched antique and rescued furniture.
p.s. Just ordered a copy of the coloring book on Amazon…so you may take me out of the running for the giveaway.
Oh, Shanna, thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
How delightful to have talented artistic friends, Claudia. The coloring book pictures are inherently cozy. I love the different settings, and how the rooms reflect the “owner’s” varied interests. My bedroom holds all the needlework projects, books and supplies, as well as all my yarn. I love being surrounded by the crafts I love to do.
What a neat idea for a coloring book. I love to decorate & how fun would that be to color the bedrooms in whatever mood I’m feeling in.
I’ve been reading your blog for years but have never commented before, shame on me! Love your flowers. The flowers you mention in your garden have helped me to start my own. It’s pretty fun!
I would love that coloring book! In fact, if I don’t win one, I will most likely order one. What I most like about our bedroom is all the homemade quilts and afghans that I have there. Some were made by me, some by my mother and mother-in-law, and some by my grandmother. It gives the room a very homey and comfortable feeling……just what I like. Thanks for your blog, Claudia. It is the first one I read every morning. I enjoy reading about your life and I am right there with you on your political views!
What a lovely book! As a child, I dreamed of having my own bedroom. (Had to share one with my little brother.) At age 12, I finally had my own room. Ever since then, I have appreciated the peace and solitude a bedroom offers.
I love this coloring book! Bedrooms are so special to me since I think of them as my retreat from the world. My bedroom is a reflection of something I’ve wanted all my life…white furniture and lots of pink. I have a collection of pink pottery on shelves that never ceases to charm me.
hugs,
Linda
What a great idea for a coloring book. It looks like so much fun. I love our new duvet we just got for our bed. I feel like I’m in a cocoon.
My bedroom is filled with flowers in various forms and red, my favorite color. I don’t bother with what is “in style” in my bedroom. I fill it with my favorite things and that’s why I love spending time in it.
Your room sounds beautiful, Debra! Good luck!
What a fun giveaway and what a terrific coloring book! I’m back in the house where I had my first bedroom since I was two years old and that was a long, long, LONG time ago (full circle!). What I’ve always loved about the room, other than (yes, indeed) it being mine-all-mine in the growing-up years, is a large window that looks out over the back yard which has a hillside backing up to a historical property where the original owner, a world traveler and town pioneer, brought back plants and trees from wherever he roamed with which to beautify his two acres so that, today, over one hundred years later, the lot is abundant with foliage of all types and colors, conscientiously maintained by the current owner. With California’s rigid agricultural (import) rules, you’d never in this day & age be able to bring in foreign plants like that but, you know, that was then (with no harm caused!) and this is now. Anyway, that window saw me looking out of it in all the years when I was a teen daydreamer, wondering about the bigger world and where I fit in it. I’m so grateful to have grown up in a house where I could look at greenspace rather than asphalt and concrete. All the trees, of course, bring a lot of birds so, instead of traffic noise, you awake in the bedroom to birdsong, always. Another favorite thing of this bedroom at the moment is my beloved dog curled up in the pillows, making her nest to get in some extra shuteye this morning; she is my best room decor! Have you ever seen a dog who didn’t love a human bed?!!
Wow, I love your beautiful description of all the trees and flowers you grew up seeing! Good luck!
-Amanda
Wonderful talent. Thanks for this artistic and special feature and giveaway. My bedroom is my haven. It is soothing, tranquil and gives me a feeling of peace since it overlooks the lovely garden and backyard which I appreciate.
Thank you for your kind words, Anne. Good luck!
I love my bedroom because it offers me peace and comfort.
Claudia – Absolutely love this coloring book!! Love all of the detail and the bright colors she used in her colored pages. Would love to have this one!!
Have a great week!!
Judy
Thank you for the kind words, Judy! Good luck!
Oh, Claudia, I just love this post you shared on Amanda’s first coloring book! Thank you SO much. I hope you enjoy your book so much!
Wow, we really do go WAY back, don’t we! Amanda and I should go on another road trip to your neck of the woods to visit the animal sanctuary again. It would be incredible if we were able to get together with you and Don for lunch somewhere. Like you, Amanda is a vegetarian, so I know she’d love whatever restaurant you choose!
Thank you again, Claudia. I’m really enjoying hearing what everyone loves about their bedrooms!
Love and Hugs, Donna
Yeah, I too have a little fantasy that my long-awaited, first-time-ever trip to the Northeast will come true, sooner than later (I’m planning it for 2019, if not earlier)…and, along with all the sightseeing, I would so LOVE to meet Claudia and Don somewhere for lunch before we head for our next destination on the vacation!
I love you, Mommy! MUAH! xoxoxoxox
How exciting! Big congratulations to Amanda! And, thank you for the opportunity to win.
I know just what you mean about blogging friends. I have been blogging over ten years now, and I have met so many wonderful people that now hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you, Beverly! Good luck!!
This young artist is clearly very talented. The coloring book looks amazing. What I love about my bedroom is the two bookshelves which are full of some of my favorite books and family photos. Plus it’s where my husband and I are closest. After 42 years wed I still love knowing someone I love and who loves me is within touching distance.
Thank you, Janie! Good luck!
Tell Amanda that is the first coloring book I have seen that I really liked. My bedroom is a dark red which is very soothing to me. I painted picture frames glossy black and have illustrations of colorful parrots in them. Other family portraits decorate the pine furniture. My son calls it the bird room! I hope I get picked by “random”.
Thank you, Tracy! Good luck! I love the sound of the colorful parrot illustrations.
This is a very nice coloring book. I like the style of this artist and the quality of the pages sounds very nice. I love my bedroom because it has an eclectic mix of furniture…an old steamer trunk that my mom cleaned up and painted for me, the dressers that used to belong to my grandparents and an old blanket chest that my mom refinished for me. It has curved ceiling coving and a lovely wallpaper trim of old fashioned flowers. I gave up a walk in closet for a much smaller closet, but all of the details, including the solid wood doors and old decorative door knobs was definitely worth it.
Your room sounds lovely, Ranee. I love the combination of family treasures. Good luck!
I have an online friend I have known since 1999. We have been through most everything together never having met. I consider her one of my best friends.
I have been looking for a new coloring book. All of mine are all colored in. I never imagined coloring and yearning for a new book as an adult. Funny how things change. This new book is delightful. I am not going to wait for the drawing. I am going to order one. If I should happen to win the book I will share with a friend.
Thank you so much, Trudy! I hope you enjoy the book. <3
Such a beautiful book! I love grown up colouring books and have several, and you are right, sometimes the lines are just too thick aren’t they! Also there are only so many swirly patterns that I can take, I like the idea of real pictures and these are beautiful. I am rather spent out right now otherwise I would be hotfotting it over to buy one. A lovely book and a lovely giveaway. Enjoy colouring yours!
Thank you, Amy! Good luck!
I just ordered the book! Love the concept. I just read the Washington Post article about lies Hilary has been caught in, looks we have 2 candidates we can’t trust. Such a sad state we are in. You don’t have to ever defend commentary, we still have freedom of speech, use it!
What a unique idea for a giveaway! I’m crossing my fingers & toes. And what do I love about my bedroom? Everything. To start with, everything’s in my favorite color palette. White and shades of gray and sage green and rose [not pink – rose]. It has a great exposure too, facing east, so it gets morning sunshine but on hot humid days like we’ve been having, it’s nice & cool by the late afternoon. So cool I often find myself packing up my supper and going into the bedroom to eat and watch TV – it’s still far too bright & hot in my west-facing dining room at the dinner hour. It’s filled with furniture I had to wait a long time to buy too. Beautifully-made Amish oak furniture – a bed, two night stands, an armoire, a bookcase and a side table. And when I look around I can always happily remember how I paid so little to get such great quality. There’s also an uber-comfortable chair-and-a-half and storage ottoman, upholstered in “mushroom gray” faux suede, in which I regularly fall asleep. Wish I had a $1 for every time I’ve wakened in the wee hours there. One of the best purchases I ever made. One of my sisters LOVES my bedroom too. Whenever she visits, she stands in the doorway looking in and says, “I just love your bedroom…” It took a long time to get what I wanted but that’s also part of what makes so great. I can truly appreciate it because I had to wait. And it’s now just what I always dreamed a perfect bedroom would be. Quiet, restful, pretty, comfortable. Sigh – maybe it’s time for a wee nap… 🌛
Oh my goodness, I love this coloring book! This is the most unique and beautiful one I’ve ever seen. Not to mention it’s extra special since it’s designed by Donna’s daughter. I remember Donna…I loved her blog. I hope I win this book, but if not, I put it on my amazon wish list. :-)
Awww, thank you, Melanie, for your kind words! Good luck! <3
Oh my, this is a lovely, artistic , lady to put together such great pictures of bedrooms! I recently got into adult coloring books and I’m hooked!! My bedroom is my favorite room in my house! I have all my favorite things close by and it gives me comfort just resting there!. Thank you to both of you for a chance to win this lovely book!
Definitely (sp?) on my wish list too. Love this book. I love my amish quilt on our bed, bought it during visit to PA many years ago near dh’s hometown. It’s all peaches and greens in color, grandmother’s fan pattern. They even made me pillow shams to match in the same pattern and colors.
Thank you, Diana! Good luck!
Thank you, Francine!! Good luck!
I love the pictures, what a great concept! Congratulations Amanda on your book. It really does remind me of my childhood when I had all kinds of colors in my bedroom and did not want a single spot to remain empty. Now it’s the total contrast, soft white/cream colors and a minimum of objects, as it should be only about a calm and comfortable night’s sleep… Thank you for this fun giveaway!
Thank you, Susi! Good luck!
I just love coloring books and this one looks like a real treasure!
Being disabled I spend a lot of time in my bedroom so needed to make it a cozy and pleasant space. We just downsized last year to this little house and I had the pleasure of decorating it with only my most loved things. The rest was donated before we moved. Downsizing involves a lot of difficult decisions on which possessions to take or give away! I love my bedroom because of my vintage armoire, dresser and nightstand. Along with my comfy bed covered with soft blankets and a beautiful colorful quilt made by my daughter just for me. Soothing colors on the walls with two beautiful oil paintings and family photos. However, the best thing about my bedroom is my husband and three little dogs (all rescues) by my side. :)
I have never used an adult coloring book,I have plenty of kids ones around, ha ha!
This book looks to be right up my alley.
The thing I love best about my room is my… BED! -Judy A-
Ok you guys, Clean it up, I sleep Alone.
What creative friends you have! I love the morning sun pouring into our bedroom in the morning. And, I love the coziness at night by which to read myself to sleep! Besides…our bed is really comfortable! Thanks for the opportunity! ;)
Our bedroom is my most favorite sanctuary. The morning light streams through antique lace on long windows, and it feels like every morning heralds a good day to come. At night, in winter, the fireplace comforts me. Books everywhere offering escape and two sweet doggies (and have to have my TV too!) Love your blog, Claudia!
You do know the most talented people Claudia…Not only do I think this is one of the best coloring books I have seen..I believe this could give people some great ideas for bedroom decorating! I would love to color this book…Congratulations Amanda!!
I almost forgot! What I like best about my bedroom is my antique cast iron bed…and what I like best about that bed is that I got it at a yard sale for $25.00…
Thank you so much, Nancy! Good luck! And your bed sounds awesome. I love finds like that!
What a great coloring book and what a great give a way! I would love to win. I love the color blue I painted our bedroom and I love the whole Victorian look of it. Thanks for a chance to win this coloring book.
would love to win! my favourite part of my bedroom is my window that lets the sun shine in at the end of the day, gives me a view of my flowers out my back and a view of beautiful trees that change colour with the seasons and lets my cats enjoy the fresh air and excitement of watching birds hopping around on an adjacent rooftop!
What I love about my bedroom…
It is peaceful, has a lot of things that are important to me, and also serves as my sewing room, so if I get an idea I can pull supplies out without disturbing anyone else.
The coloring book looks very nice. I haven’t tried any of the books so far, but it looks like fun. I think that the book could also be used for ideas on ways to change the room around.
I love the book and I love my bedroom because it is restful, but still has some amazing treasures in it:) just not as many as in the coloring pages!
Thanks,
Terri
I love this coloring book! So much fun and lots of details. My bedroom is not ‘busy’-it’s a calming place.
I would say that my favorite thing about my bedroom is my vintage linens. My perfectly faded floral valances bought at a church sale so many years ago, a fun and ever growing collection of vintage sheets and pillowcases from the 60’s and 70’s, the embroidered dresser pieces done by unknown women long ago and my collection of quilts gathered from here and there. I certainly have a thing for soft and faded textiles that have stood the test of time.
Love this coloring book! And my favorite thing about my bedroom right now is the fact that my husband is there next to me every night. I am in the process of re-doing my room at this point so it’s a bit of a mess!
My most favorite thing about my bedroom is all my coloring pages wallpapering my walls.
What a lovely, relaxing coloring book. Donna, if you are reading this, please write a post about Baby; I have missed hearing about her and seeing her fluffy gorgeousness.
My favorite thing about my bedroom is: whatever book is on the nightstand.
Hi Nancy! I will pass the Baby message along to my mom. :)
I think this is my favorite coloring book yet. Love the theme of bedrooms. I used to spend hours in my bedroom reading as a child. I still have the same love of books. Such a talented young lady.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you for your kind words, Betsy! I love to read, too. :)
I love when my cat is sleeping on the bed. She is the best! This coloring book is nice! I have not seen one like this before. So relaxing !
My paint color is one of the favorite things I love about my bedroom. Depending on the time of day and light streaming through the window, the color changes from blue to gray and sometimes green. It is a very peaceful place, and best of all, screen free (i.e. television screen, computers, etc).
My grandma’ s chair in the corner. 💚
I adore adult coloring books. What I like about my bedroom is it is my quiet place. I can shut the door to the outside world and restore, refresh, and revive.
my bedroom is my safe place…..the quiet place where I rest and think and where I can cuddle with some of my favorite quilts that I have made.
LOVE the bedrooms in her book…..so many things to see and think about.
I’ve been noticing the very popular coloring books for grown-ups and frankly haven’t been very tempted to buy one but this one with actual rooms to color is right up my alley! I love my bedroom because almost all of the furniture in it was also in my beloved grandmothers bedroom. She and i were very close and having her things around me delights me and brings me comfort.
Wow, what an adorable book. Some of those bedrooms look incredibly inviting. And what a different take on a coloring book! We painted our room 2 colors (wedgewood blue and a milky brown on one wall), stenciled little birds on vines in platinum, and added mercury glass ball fairy lights, giving us a room that feels elegant and calm. We love it! Thanks Amanda for the lovely chance to win your book.
Ohh, your room sounds like a magical woodland forest! I love it!
Funny how this has become so popular of late!
I love following your blog. We have some similarities in our lives, losing our moms just a day apart, loving flowers and some family dysfunction. I have also found a love for the miniatures and hope to some day build a house with my granddaughter.
Thank you so much for commenting, Clover. And thank you so much for your kind words.
I love this coloring book!! What a wonderful artist, indeed! I have bought so many coloring books for retiring friends, but never one for myself. I need to check out buying this, unless I’m the lucky winner!!
Loved your post today about your Sunday drive. I want to come to NY someday and visit some of the quaint towns you write about – Chattauqua, for one and now Beacon is added to the list!!
This is different from most of the coloring books I’ve seen. Count me in for the drawing!
Please pyt my name into the pot for the coloring book giveaway. Looks like a nice one. Thanks.
Dear Claudia,
Thank you SO much for hosting this giveaway! I have loved reading all of the comments and everyone’s kind words, including yours. It’s so neat to hear about everyone’s homes and their favorite thing about their bedrooms. I’m also so grateful to everyone who purchased a copy of my book preemptively! Looking forward to seeing who the winner is tomorrow.
Thank you, thank you, thank you again for sharing my book with all of your readers. <3
xo,
Amanda