Slowing Down To Move Ahead

Sometimes we stop to smell the flowers by choice… sometimes life decides that we need to slowdown. Either way, the end result is refreshing.

This week’s image has three hidden hearts. Can you find them?

---

Welcome friends! I have a feeling this might be the last weekend we meet on the front porch. Seasonally, these temperatures are normal, but colder weather is not far away. For the next several months, we will be meeting in a cozy corner of my home. Don’t worry, with your fall clothing, nice, warm blanket and hot cup of coffee we will enjoy the invigorating air and good conversation on my front porch, today.

How was your week? I bet you were as busy as I was. That busyness is what makes this moment so enjoyable. It serves two purposes. Relaxation and good company feel so right and much appreciated. Secondly, conversation is made easier because we have moments that we can share.

Admittedly, some moments are better than others. In the pre-dawn hours of last Sunday, I ended up spraining my foot.  Things like that can happen when you are still half-asleep and trying to respond to a potential emergency. As many of you know I am my father’s caregiver. It is never good when he is up and about at an inappropriate hour. I generally respond quickly, but this time, a slight misstep has taught me to slow down.

My companion for the beginning of this week was an ice pack. Walking was a blessing. It hurt, but I could move. Because of the swelling, putting my shoe on was a challenge, but I did it. Little blessings mean so much! Right now, only the black and blue marks and a dull ache are all that remain. Every day holds a lesson if we are willing to learn.

Because of that experience, and the residual pain, I am no longer running down the stairs when the sensor goes off. I also spent a little less time on my feet and worked on tasks that allowed me to sit down some of the time. Surprisingly, both Evergreen Valley and I have benefited from this unexpected circumstance.  Studio time has been very productive.

🎨 Studio News

The most wonderful news is that I love my new printer. I started with a test page and utilized different weights of paper. It handles all weights flawlessly. The Dawn of Evergreen Valley is now printed and assembled. I am so pleased with the quality of the print and the finished design. It is truly a boutique book. Holding the finished book in my hands for the first time reminded me why all those hours at the computer were worthwhile.

Book cover and pages from The Dawn of Evergreen Valley.

Creating these illustrations is a work of art and heart. I have shared before that I utilize many tools, including an AI program or two.  Rewriting the description or prompt for the image often happens multiple times.

The first generation of an image is rarely perfect. Sometimes, it is close. Fixing or adding details by hand in those circumstances is possible.  Reaching my standards most often requires multiple attempts. It requires patience and persistence. Also, the free accounts for the programs that I use now have many more restrictions. As always, I look for a solution to every problem.

This week was the perfect time to sit down, pick my foot up, and begin training a local image generator. Local simply means that the program is on my computer. I like that because whatever I do remains on my computer. Draw Things is the downloadable app that shares access to free generation models.

Research led me to two promising models with the potential to create watercolor-style illustrations from my prompts. After many experiments, countless setting adjustments, downloaded LoRAs, and more than a few late-night testing sessions, I have become increasingly encouraged by the results. While I have not yet settled on a final workflow, I believe that illustration generation on my own computer is within reach.The search is not quite over, but for the first time it feels as though I am walking in the right direction. Below, you can view some of this week’s test creations. The refining process continues as I work to establish the visual style of Evergreen Valley.  I like the book’s watercolor illustrations so much because it retains details. It has a solid structure. I am hopeful that this approach will ultimately lead to the illustrations I envision.

The rest of my studio work pertained to the development of ideas. Fulfilling the ideas that have been growing in my notebook is an exciting challenge. At the same time, new thoughts are revealing new directions for Evergreen Valley and the studio. Bernie and his pups, along with some future canine friends, have a world beyond the puzzle and beyond the first book. A dedicated landing place for readers is developing here on this very website.

Within the next couple of weeks, you will have access to a new page. This unfolding world will add many new features. There is so much that I wish to offer, both through the valley and the studio. I have come to accept that I cannot do it all at the same time. Those of you who wish to know more about the valley, will begin to see more on the website. Once that foundation is in place, it will continue to grow.  

Growth will also be part of the studio’s other work. It is challenging, because sometimes, it feels as if I am trying to create two separate worlds at the same time. I now understand that the Etsy shop products will first feature aspects of Evergreen Valley. Later, other products, not involving the valley, will also become available. Producing quality takes time, and this one woman studio will utilize any time that is available to first develop the ideas and then produce them.  The studio will always be busy! 

During this new week, time in the studio will be utilized to prepare gentle announcements regarding Bernie’s story. Photographing and listing the book in the Etsy shop is on the agenda too.  The new page on this website is already under development. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, the page will hopefully be available to view next week. It will start small, but I have confidence that it will grow steadily.

Speaking of steady growth, our Evergreen Valley puzzle is almost complete. Each week, the valley and puppies have been consistently revealed. This week shares another piece of the banner which now reveals the valley’s name. There are three more pieces to be shared, and the puzzle will be complete. Evergreen Valley, however, has only just begun. There are more stories to be told.

This week’s story card reflects upon the name banner that is now fully revealed in the puzzle. I believe it was Shakespeare that wrote, “A rose by any other name is still a rose”. Those words are very accurate, but for this valley, there is no better name. Evergreen is more than just a descriptive word for the valley’s appearance. It describes every wonderful emotion and loving characteristic that is the heartbeat of the valley. 

Evergreen, in so many ways, will also be the best descriptive word for the new page that will share the world of the valley with you. I hope that you will visit often so that you can see the online world that will unfold. I love spending time with you, and I hope that this new page will be another way for us to connect.

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.

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

I hope that we will connect again next week, but I think we will relax in the comfort and warmth of my living room. The fireplace will be lit, a warm drink will be ready, and I’ll save a comfortable place for you to sit while we relax in each other’s company. Until next time…

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!