The studio continues to design new products, create new graphic illustrations, and bring the world of Evergreen Valley closer to you. The first story is written, the illustrations are bringing it to life, and more of the mystery is unfolding. Speaking of mysteries, searching for the best possible design studio that can live on my computer — and not be subject to subscriptions — has been quite a journey. But I am glad to say I have found my tool. Let’s begin!

🌿 Opening Reflections: The Pace of Time

Happy August! I have had this thought for as long as I can remember: Where did July go? As a child, I remember anticipating the arrival of summer with such excitement. School would end sometime in June, and suddenly all of July and August belonged entirely to us. Back then, two months felt wonderfully long — the real good old days. Time didn’t rush by at triple speed. We filled each day with so many different adventures, and every moment felt like a blessing.

A lot of people refer to retirement as the golden years, but I believe our childhood holds the real golden years. During those early seasons of life, most children don’t stress about anything more than choosing an ice cream flavor or deciding which toys to play with. Rain or shine, the weather didn’t matter. Creativity was endless, and joy was easy.

For some reason, we let time dim that golden light — but it is never too late to reclaim it. As we grow into adulthood, responsibilities multiply. Some we choose; others choose us. Yet the happiest people I’ve met are those who still make space for the things they enjoy. The skill of finding joy lies in noticing it in the smallest moments. Over the past year and a half, I’ve recognized my own need to balance responsibility with creativity. Sometimes, just fifteen minutes spent doing something we love can bring balance to an entire day. It turns out it’s not how much time we have, but how we use the time we’re given.

🏡 Studio News

Time in the studio this week has brought both excitement and frustration. Last week, I shared my adventure with graphic design software. I thought I had finally settled on a program that would meet my small studio’s needs — but I was wrong. In the past, I used Serif products that served me well. Sadly, Canva now owns those products, and they are structuring Affinity the same way they structure their Canva platform.

I could accept their decisions about how they choose to sell the program, but I don’t appreciate what feels like a bait‑and‑switch approach. Canva allows you to use tools and graphics, and once you become comfortable with them — once you rely on them — they remove those tools from the free account to push you toward a subscription.

🎨 Tools for Graphic Art

Using Affinity to make a money‑envelope template was exciting. No more guessing about sizing — I had full control over width and height. I learned how to combine shapes, clip designs, add cut lines and fold lines, and save and export my new template. It was a successful evening.

The following evening, however, revealed that several of the tools I had used were no longer available unless I subscribed to Canva. To say the least, it didn’t bring me joy. I spent an hour talking with my AI companion, venting my frustration and searching for something stable — something I could truly call my own. I don’t want to run my studio with fickle programs whose tools appear one day and vanish the next. I went through that during my first year using free Canva. To counteract the disappearing tools, I hunted for high‑quality graphics online that were free for commercial use. I substituted free tools for the subscription ones.

I made it work, but it wasn’t convenient. Nor was it time‑saving.

After weighing the pros and cons of other design programs, I settled on Pixelmator Pro. The number‑one reason: even though it’s part of Apple’s creative studio — which is subscription‑based — I was still able to purchase Pixelmator Pro as a standalone program. One time purchase. Mine for the duration.

💌 New Creative Project: Money Cards & Envelopes

I’ve already begun working on an entire line of good old‑fashioned money cards and envelopes. I love taking a vintage concept and making it new again. These envelopes will have a little something special — something different from traditional money envelopes.

On Thursday night, I created a new envelope template in Pixelmator Pro. Once the template was finished, I began adding text and design graphics. This one template will support many new creative uses, and I’m genuinely excited about this project. I believe it will open a joyful and kind world with its use.

🧩 Puzzle Piece and Story Card

This week’s puzzle piece shares a fragrant piece of the valley. If you look carefully at the top of the puzzle piece, you can see the paws of your next canine friend. She is usually found near the flowers, especially the morning glories. Next Sunday will be very exciting for her — and for you too, as you make a new friend from the valley.

Your story card this week features a hybrid morning glory and rosebush. It shares another verse that paints a beautiful vision of the valley and reminds you that another puppy will arrive next week. Oh, happy day!

📧 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.

Speaking of the garden, last weekend, Marty’s coloring page was added to the garden. Next week, another canine friend will have her coloring page in there as well. As always, you have a choice of two versions. I create both an elementary version and a standard version so that it is appropriate for every pair of hands. You also have the option of a coloring sheet that provides guidance with a small colored image in the bottom corner for those who might have difficulty deciding which colors they would like to use. Something for everyone — joy for every day.

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. I would love to feature it in the gallery.

🌞 Closing Reflection

It is time for another temporary farewell. Let’s promise to experience the dog days of August like our canine friends. They really do share wise advice: remember to take time to play, eat, drink, and enjoy that occasional nap on the porch when it’s time to cool off and recharge. Cheers, my friends. I can almost hear our glasses of ice water clinking as we sit together on the front porch. Until next week…