Nobody Said Coloring is Easy

Nobody said coloring is easy. Here are 10 tips to make your adult coloring book more enjoyable.

1. Get started: Sometimes it’s difficult to start something, such as running, new jobs, speeches, and even coloring. Set 10 minutes aside each day to color and unwind. Just go for it!  I’ve never heard anyone say they regretted coloring.
2. Don’t’ Fear the Judgement of Peers: Adults are often reluctant to take part in creativity because they fear the opinions of others. This is your book; you can choose to share your art with others or not.
3. Try New Things: Do not be afraid to try new things. Try different markers, crayons, colored pencils, and paints. If something does not go as planned, turn it in to a “happy mistake” or simply turn to the next page and try again.
4. Repeat Successes: When things do work out repeat them. I love using permanent makers because that’s what works for me. You can also look at other’s work and combine ideas that you like. Don’t worry about being 100% original.
5. Think Outside the Box: Color with crayons and then water color on top to give your art texture. Layer different colored pencils to create a new color. Have you ever seen a blue, green, purple, and pink flamingo? Use your imagination and color things how you want to color them. The great thing about art is that anything is possible.
6. Resort to Nature: Sometimes when I am stumped on what colors to use, I turn to nature. I will color the roses red and the peacock blue and green. Beauty is all around us in nature and you can use it for inspiration in your art.
7. Resort to color schemes: Warm colors, cool colors, neutral colors, complementary colors, analogous colors…. These are all great color schemes that can be incorporated into your art. I love turning to warm and cool color schemes. No need to reinvent the color wheel.
8. Mix Medias: Do not be afraid to mix art mediums. I enjoy using fine tip permanent markers for the small areas and water colors paints to fill in the large areas. It works for me and I’m sticking to it.
9. Have fun: It’s important for both adults and children to take part in creativity and play. Use your adult coloring book to have fun and unwind.
10. Share your success: Share your successes with others. Frame your drawing, use it as a card, give it to a friend, or post it on social media. This will not only make others happy, but it will make you happy.  I’d love to see your colorings and art. You can tag me on Instagram @PaisleyandHazel.

Best Wishes,
Anna N. Carey

Fresh Start... New Book

I know what school I will be teaching at next year, my Inkspriations Book will be printed soon, I just signed up for an adult wheel throwing ceramics class, and only 4 more Mondays of school :)

Things are starting to slow down and I have more free time to create my art. 

Today, I finally finished an adult coloring book I started in January.... yes January. Adult Coloring Book- Volume 3 (creative title, I know) is available on my Etsy Shop As of right now, it is only offered as a digital download. I will check out some places to see if I can get it printed at a reasonable price. Does anyone have any suggestions of places I could print it? I would like it to be printed on card stock and for it to be spiral bound so the pages lay flat while coloring. Let me know.

Also, in honor of things calming down, I am offering 10% off anything on my Etsy shop if you use the code Blogger10. I'm excited to have more free time to create more art/products. Here are some ideas I thought of:

1. Coloring book for weddings. I figured kids could enjoy them at the reception

2. Greeting cards

3. Another adult coloring book. I would like it to have a theme... hmmmm

Let me know if you have any suggestions! Hope you have a great week.

Best Wishes, 

Anna N. Carey

Ready to Leap

My book is almost complete, Yay! All my images have been turned in (fingers crossed) and the editor is working on the page order and quotes to be paired with each image. It's crazy to think how much time and effort has been put into this process. It has been a lot of work on both ends. From sketches to final drafts, the process has been long but it has been a great learning experience and the editor and art director have both been very helpful and patient with me.

So I thought I would share one of the pages colored. This image depicts how I feel at the moment. I'm ready to leap for joy, but at the same time I am just kind of hanging out because I might have to tweek or edit something.


I decided to use Tombow Dual Tip markers and Prang water colors to color my image. After coloring this page, I am more excited for the book to come out. I have always turned to Zentangling for stress relief and its nice to know that I have coloring as a backup.

Hope everyone had a great Monday!

Best Wishes,
Anna N. Carey

You Can't Use Up Creativity

When I was asked to write a "letter from the illustrator" for my Inkspirations Animal Kingdom Book I immediately groaned. I have never claimed to be a good writer. I find it easier to express myself through my art (no surprise). However, I did think it would be a good idea to share my thought process and my "letter from the illustrator" just in case anyone else is finds themselves in the same situation.

So where did I start?

I decided to break my letter into different sections. So I focused on things I believe are important to include. Such as:

1. A little personal history

2. Thank you

3. My vision

4. How I would approach my book as an outsider

5. Have fun

And this is what I came up with:

Whether it was creating a gift for a loved one, having a ceramics piece in a school art show, or posting a doodle on my Instagram account, I have always enjoyed creating and sharing my art with others. Thank you so much for allowing my art to come into your life.  I am so honored to share my illustrations with you.

As an illustrator, my vision is to combine beauty from nature and imagination to create hand drawn images that inspire others. I hope that my hand lettered quotes inspire you to live life to its fullest and I hope that the illustrations inspire you to unleash your creativity. The best thing about art is there are no rules and this book is full of endless coloring possibilities. The only thing that I ask you to do, is to have fun. So turn the page, get started, and let the creativity flow out of your markers, colored pencils, pens, and paint!

After I went through this process I couldn't help but think of my favorite quote by Maya Angelou; "You can't use up creativity. The more you use the more you have." Needless to say, I should probably practice creative writing more in order to improve. But until then, here is a hand drawn image of my favorite quote.

Have a great weekend!
Best wishes,
Anna N. Carey

Lucky in Love

Windows are open, birds are chirping, 15k St. Patrick's Day race, daylight saving time... Is it really already Mid-March? 

My heritage is primary Irish, yet my St. Patrick's Days are pretty low key; my husband cooks us Corned Beef and Cabbage for dinner and I always make sure to wear green (I don't want to get pinched by any students at school). Do you or your family have any unique St. Patrick's Day traditions? I'd love to hear about them.

In honor of  St. Patrick's Day I have attached a Free St. Patrick's Day Coloring Page. The coloring sheet is originally from my Coloring Book Calendar. Feel free download, print, and enjoy. I'd love to see your work, so if possible post to Instagram and tag me @paisleyandhazel. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and happy coloring!

Best wishes,

Anna N. Carey

Feeling Blessed

I'm not a big sharer, but I do have some BIG news.

Coming June 7th: available for pre-order on Amazon

On January 24th, I received a message on my Etsy Account. I've received messages before, but this one was different. An editor from HCI Books, best known as the original publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, messaged me. She informed me that HCI recently launched an adult coloring book line, Inkspirations, that is inspirational in nature. HCI was looking for artists to produce more books and asked if I was interested. I WAS SHOCKED! Me? An elementary art teacher, who lives in the middle of Missouri, who just opened an Etsy shop in late October? I remember reading the message to my husband, Josh, and saying "I think this is fake."

Long story short, I am officially an illustrator for Inkspirations Animal Kingdom. I am currently halfway finished with the illustrations. I try to work on  my illustrations every day after I get home from teaching. I have really enjoyed sharing ideas and collaborating with the editor and art director. It's a totally new experience for me and I am extremely blessed to have this amazing opportunity. 

I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me on my new art journey. Especially Josh for cooking dinner every evening so I can work on my illustrations. Lastly, I am excited to see what my future holds.

Best wishes,

Anna N. Carey

Paisley and Hazel Designs

Welcome to Paisley and Hazel Designs. Here are 10 quick facts about me:

1. Dog mom
2. Art teacher
3. Freelance artist
4. Married to middle school sweetheart
5. Enjoys shopping
6. Organizer
7. DYI enthusiast
8. Pet lover
9. Lifetime learner
10. There is always room for ice cream

Thank you so much for checking out my website.
Best Wishes,
Anna N. Carey