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I Spent My Summer Listening To Christmas Tunes To Create This Christmas-Themed Adult Coloring Book
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I Spent My Summer Listening To Christmas Tunes To Create This Christmas-Themed Adult Coloring Book

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It was a love for handmade Christmas gifts that lead me to pitch the idea behind Johanna’s Christmas to my publishers.  I think it’s so special to give or receive a present that has been crafted with love so I wanted to make a colouring book that would allow Colourists to make beautiful gifts from their coloured masterpieces that they could then share with friends and family.

The colouring community had been asking me for a while to do a single sided book with perforated pages and whilst that format just wasn’t right for my regular books, for Johanna’s Christmas it was perfect! I created a collection of illustrations inspired by my love of the holiday season; delicate tangles of holly, beautifully iced gingerbread houses, twinkling decorations and a happy little polar bear. Just as there were no gardeners in Secret Garden or Jungle explorers in Magical Jungle, you won’t find Santa or 3 Kings headed to Bethlehem in the pages of this book – instead there’s a collection of designs which I felt embodies the sprit and delight of the holiday season. Each page can be removed from the book once complete so you can frame the artwork or even use it in your Christmas Craft projects. I created this book in the height of summer, so to get me in the festive mood I wore knitted sweaters, listened to my Christmas playlist and ate lots of gingerbread men! I call this ‘immersion illustration’!

Unlike my regular books which all have a treasure hunt aspect to them, this book has a flock of 63 elusive little robins hidden within the pages for you to spot. So whether you need a little time out to de-stress amidst the chaos of cooking Christmas dinner or just fancy making someone a really special gift this year, Johanna’s Christmas might be the perfect addition to your wish list!

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More info: amazon.com | johannabasford.com

Image credits: Johanna Basford

Image credits: dreams.colors

Image credits: gulsahkrm

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Image credits: bragasacha

Image credits: Johanna Basford

Image credits: gulsahkrm

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Image credits: Johanna Basford

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Image credits: tpetina999

Image credits: gulsahkrm

My Top Christmas Colouring Tips:

1. It’s not all just about red and green! Consider some other festive colour palettes – maybe different shades of blue and silver to create a frosty effect or sumptuous warm berry reds and shades of plum?

2. Go Go Glitter! The best thing about single-sided printing is that it means you can use pens and techniques that are perhaps a bit too heavy for the regular books and may seep through the pages. Glitter and metallic gel pens can add a touch of shimmer without having to worry about running the image on the reverse.

3. Sparkle effects can be created with a white gel pen. Use it last to add small stars, dots and twinkle effects to your colouring creations.

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4. SHARE the love! Colouring is the most fun when you share your results. Why not upload your creations to my colouring gallery, share them on social media or even better, pop the masterpiece in a frame and give it to someone you love.

5. Customise and Colour! I’ve created 2 downloads, one of Christmas Decorations and the other of Gift Tags that you can download and print for free! Perfect for practicing your colouring skills or making something unique for your tree of gift wrapping!

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    You can get this and my other books on Amazon

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    Johanna Basford

    Johanna Basford

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Hell! I'm Johanna, an inky illustrator, colouring book maker and girl on a mission to inspire you all to put your phones down and be creative!

    Read less »
    Johanna Basford

    Johanna Basford

    Author, Community member

    Hell! I'm Johanna, an inky illustrator, colouring book maker and girl on a mission to inspire you all to put your phones down and be creative!

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    AcousticGString
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My absolute fave is the sleigh with gifts. I feel a Christmas-y looking at it! The gingerbread and candy one is my 2nd favorite. I just love all the vibrant colors.

    Beyza Bozanoglu
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spotify revealed some of its users habits.just saw the post on bored panda..check it out i think they're mentioning you:)) book looks great!

    Katinka Min
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think your book is on display at my nearest bookshop, in Berlin. :-) Very very pretty and Christmassy! (although it probably wouldn'T look so nice when I colour it :-D )

    Load More Comments
    AcousticGString
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My absolute fave is the sleigh with gifts. I feel a Christmas-y looking at it! The gingerbread and candy one is my 2nd favorite. I just love all the vibrant colors.

    Beyza Bozanoglu
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spotify revealed some of its users habits.just saw the post on bored panda..check it out i think they're mentioning you:)) book looks great!

    Katinka Min
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think your book is on display at my nearest bookshop, in Berlin. :-) Very very pretty and Christmassy! (although it probably wouldn'T look so nice when I colour it :-D )

    Load More Comments
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