Well-chosen words are the paintbrush of the heart.
This week’s image has three hidden hearts. Can you find them?
Hey everybody, welcome back! It looks like we get another weekend on the front porch after all. I know that sometimes 61° feels warmer in the spring than it does in the fall. I guess that’s just because temperatures are so much colder in the winter that 61° feels delightful in spring.
We’re going to make it feel just as delightful now. Grab a mug of that hot apple cider, have a seat, and get cozy with that lap blanket. Our pleasant conversation is sure to have you feeling toasty warm in no time. Let’s settle in now and share a bit about last week’s happenings.
Working on the first major edition to the Evergreen Yuletide website is both time-consuming and exhilarating. Building this new section of the website requires artwork that faithfully reflects my vision for Evergreen Valley.. This work revealed two important discoveries.
The first major revelation is that my artwork is not pure watercolor. A little over a year ago, my designs revolved around the phrase “an image in the Evergreen Yuletide, soft, warm, watercolor aesthetic”. Some of my earliest planning designs were watercolor. Bringing a new world to life often changes things in ways you don/t expect. Sometimes they happen so subtly you don’t even notice them.
🔮 Revelations
Working on the first major edition to the Evergreen Yuletide website is both time-consuming and exhilarating. Building this new section of the website requires artwork that faithfully reflects my vision for Evergreen Valley. This work revealed two important discoveries.
The first major revelation is that my artwork is not pure watercolor. A little over a year ago, my designs revolved around the phrase “an image in the Evergreen Yuletide, soft, warm, watercolor aesthetic”. Some of my earliest planning designs were watercolor. Bringing a new world to life often changes things in ways you don/t expect. Sometimes they happen so subtly you don’t even notice them.
Moving from outline to details deepened the image and development of Evergreen Valley. Subtle changes appeared with the turn of every calendar page. Creating images, for the blog post, gifts for the Secret Garden, and illustrations for The Dawn of Evergreen Valley has been a joyful experience. Soft details with definition gave life to my words and projects.
I’ve always tried to be open and transparent about my use of AI tools. When I can draw or paint something with my hands, I love to do so. Yet, I will be the first to say that I know my present artistic limitations. I only have so many hours in a day that I can dedicate to this work, and so I use them wisely. What I cannot create with my hands, I have learned to create with my words. The importance of my words is the second major revelation of my week.
🕵️♀️ Discovering My Process
Many prompt writers carefully craft detailed technical instructions to create beautiful scenes. While that approach works wonderfully for many artists, I discovered it wasn’t the best fit for me.
My strongest images appear when I begin with the story itself.
The local generator that I was testing was producing some technically accurate watercolor birds, but they did not share the same style as my blog post images, or most importantly, my story illustrations. The prompts did not work.
No matter how hard I tried to use the proper prompting terms, I was unable to produce the images that I needed. It was frustrating, but that experience guided me to an important observation. I am not a prompt writer.
Thinking about my usual process, I realized that when I need an image, I paint the picture with words first. The story creates the emotion, the color, and even the direction from which the scene is viewed. Those little stories place the heart inside the image, allowing the final illustration to become a visual expression of the story itself. Changing my approach became necessary and provided a clear solution.
Narrowing down a style name for my artwork became essential. Discovering that my style is eclectic and based on classic storybook and classic painterly illustrations with a slight leaning toward watercolor was foundational. Learning about my storytelling style and identifying the artistic aesthetic that complements it has a made a world of difference.
Speaking My Language
Once I understood that storytelling was the key, everything changed. Instead of fighting to write prompts in a way that felt unnatural to me, I began describing scenes the same way I would tell a story. That approach led me to a new tool called Qwen.
This generator resides on my computer and works with me as little or as often as I need its assistance. It has been consistently following my narrative descriptions. You will be seeing my work created with Qwen in YouTube shorts, Instagram reels, Facebook posts, and Pinterest. I’m also relatively confident that this new tool will work with me in creating illustrations for my future books.
If you would like to see the results of this week’s discoveries in action, I’ve shared a short video featuring Bernie taking a walk through Evergreen Valley. You can watch it here: Walking With Uncle Bernie
📰 The Dawn of Evergreen Valley News
While we are on the subject of Bernie’s adventures, I am pleased to announce that Bernie’s story continues to develop. It has gone through many stages and is heading toward the finish line. I will continue to work on its development in order to bring you this magical story.
Once the story is completed 100% to my satisfaction, then it will be assembled.It will truly be a boutique book. It is a 100% Evergreen Yuletide Studio project. Illustrations accompany the story on every page. There are also full-page illustrations along with beautiful artwork on the inside of the cover pages. The pages are printed on premium color print paper and the covers utilize a heavy-weight cream cover stock. Both front and back covers are protected by medium-weight acetate sheets.
Every book will be printed right here in the Evergreen Yuletide Studio, inspected for print quality, punched, and assembled with a flexible plastic comb binding. The test copy is formatted at 11″ x 8 1/2″. It is a beautiful spread that is comfortable to hold and lays flat nicely. Holding this test book in my hands brings so much joy, knowing that it all began with what I considered to be a failed project. It turns out that I was apparently planting the first seed in Evergreen Valley. Now, the valley is growing, and I am planning new ways to bring more of the valley to you. I will continue to bring Bernie’s story to life, and hope to be able to share it with you soon.
💻 Evergreen Valley Web Page
As we continue reflecting on the valley’s growth, I am also sharing with you that the Evergreen Valley web page has begun. Just as the concept of my valley grew one step at a time, so will the web page. Today, the gates of the valley are opening. It is an invitation for you to step inside this loving and peaceful world.
Today is a welcome, but with each new tomorrow, more is being added. The goal is to make this page an experience… a place that you can come home to. Won’t you join me on this journey, please? I am putting a link here to that page, but you will always be able to find it through the home page’s navigation menu. With every breath, new life is shining in the valley.
🧩 Puzzle Piece & Story Card
Speaking of new life, let’s warmly welcome this week’s lovable canine. His name is Shadow, a loyal Kuvasz puppy. He’s a wonderful example of a heart that chooses to watch out for others. In today’s puzzle piece, he is standing on one of his favorite hills. Overlooking the valley, every evening, he makes certain that all is well.
That puzzle piece image is clearly captured in this week’s story card. Knowing Shadow in my heart, just as I would if he were physically by my side, the verse for the card simply flowed. He even whispered the name of his favorite place, and now Lookout Hill, is part of the valley’s physical geography. I just love building this world and experiencing how much it inspires me.
I hope that you have been inspired to build the Evergreen Valley puzzle week by week. The waiting is over, the valley is officially open, and its first story is being revealed.
After opening your treasure chest for the new puzzle piece, turn the next page in your magical book so you can download your newest story card. Another puppy is arriving next week! After that, there is only one more to arrive.
⬅️ Tap here to open your treasure chest.
⬅️ Tap here to view your magical book.
Be sure to visit Inspiration Gallery as well. I’ve decided the gallery will now hold your completed coloring pages — whether they’re colored by you, your child, or another generation of your family. If the page comes from your Secret Garden, you’re welcome to share your finished gift here, adding your touch to the gallery’s growing collection.
📧 Stay in Touch and Claim Your Gifts
Do you have a need for a special product that you cannot find anywhere? My studio awaits your request! You can always send me an email at: paula@evergreenyuletide.com
⛲️ Newsletter and Your Garden Gifts
By signing up to receive my weekly newsletter, if you so choose, you will be given the password that opens Your Secret Garden. You can always access the garden by clicking on the golden key at the bottom of this post. Within that garden, you will find every gift that has been given since the inception of this blog. Nothing ever leaves—it is ready when you are.
Gently tapping the below images brings you to your treasure chest and magical book. The newest button takes you to Inspiration Gallery—a great place to view the work of your Creative Kindred Spirits. Don’t forget, you can always email me a photograph of something you’ve created with one of my products, or send in a colored coloring book page that was shared with you in the garden. I would love to feature it in the gallery.
🌞 Closing Reflection
Thank you so much for being with me here again this week. It is such a pleasure to spend time in your company, and to share my world as it unfolds. Life is very much like that puzzle. With each piece added, another piece of our journey is filled. I hope to see you again next week. Until then…
Have a wonderful week and thank you for joining me today.
PS – Don’t forget to look for the hidden hearts in this week’s blog illustration. This is our new tradition!
There is so much more waiting for you.
As a gentle reminder, subscribers have their own secret garden where, occasionally, gifts appear. A golden key opens the gate, and subscribers receive the monthly password in their welcome newsletter.
The golden key can be seen below. Tap it to step inside the garden.
I hope to see you again next week—
Same day, Sunday.
Same Adventure.
Another piece of the story waiting to be revealed.
With an open heart and a quiet corner saved just for you,
Paula
You are also invited to click the subscribe button at the end of this post. You will be transported to the home page, and at the bottom of that page is the subscribe form.
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