Getting ready to start decorating....Hank for Hire! Illustration Friday - Entangled

Hi Everyone...

Meet Hank the sweet sock monkey you remember from childhood...he is out this weekend to help you get all of your Holiday Decorations started....from hanging the lights outside he will help by jumping around and giving you the nod of approval....he will also help with the mantle, the tree and the gift wrapping...so whenever you need some help....just call Hank....

1-800-Hank-help
Hank will become a new stamp in my Stamped Line...he will be perfect for any occasion....
Happy Friday !!!

This is my submission to IF this week...if you don't want to get entangled in your Christmas lights or your Christmas ribbons you will need to call Hank!!!

Hugs
Diana

Theme Thursday - Christmas Holiday Creations - my new paper city scape on the mantle....

Hi Everyone....I started my Holiday decorations this week...and I usually go all out with the totally traditional reds and greens...but this year I decided to do everything a little different...so since I'm dreaming of a White Christmas I decided to go all white and crisp this year...

The first thing I tested was my mantle...It all started with some feathers and pearl berries....and then today I thought a cool white village would look neat....As I moved some of my art from the mantle I decided to create a cityscape instead of a bunch of houses...and this is what I did....

I took white and black card stock and bent a thin edge on each side first. Then folded 4 interior blocks exact in size minus the thin edges that will re-enforce the forms...I then glued these together with double sided tape....cut them to make some varying heights and then embellished them.....

to embellish I added windows using stickles...glitter glue...and these are so pretty at night....tomorrow I will add some lights behind the feather snow scape and it will come to life even more....

I even added my statue of Liberty .....so even though I love living out in wonderful spacious land...I still enjoy the city...and this scene reminds me of New York at Christmas....

I wish these would turn out like they look in real life...the little city scape is so so cute and these photos just don't do it justice....I am submitting these to Theme Thursday....the theme this week is Christmas Holiday Creations and this is what I worked on and wanted to share with you....

Sending Warmest Wishes to all of my wonderful friends in the United States as they celebrate Thanksgiving!!! Happy Thanksgiving Friends!!!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Hugs

Diana

Win a Signed copy of my latest book....and my Three Muses Challenge - "Time" for a Giveaway

Hi Everyone...I am in love with sunflowers and for some reason when I saw the prompt on Three Muses for this week....I started to draw a pocket watch that turned into a sunflower...I think that sunflowers always know the exact time...they come up when the sunshine hits them and they lean over when it's time for bed....Every year Cole and I plant sunflowers in our Vegetable garden and they just make me smile...I guess that is the reason my latest book is titled ...."The Sunflowers" and I would love to have a new giveaway so I am going to giveaway a signed copy of my book....just leave a comment here and I will do a draw mid December ......If you can't wait...you can click on the photo below and head to see where you can pick up your very own copy.....

Have a wonderful day and Good-luck with the giveaway!!!

Hugs

Diana

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...Let it Snow...created by hand - I'm Blue

Hi Everyone....I can't believe that it is almost the end of November and we still haven't had any snow...not one itsy bitsy ...teeny weeny ....white snowflake from the heavens...I always love that first snowfall...especially when the snowflakes are huge and look like they are falling in slow motion....then they land on your eyelashes and melt....oh I can't wait to take that first walk in the snow....

I enjoy each and every season but the snow to me is so beautiful....it sparkles like diamonds in the sunshine...and reminds me of my childhood when we used to make snow angels and create the coolest snowmen around....

that is the other thing I can't wait to do with Cole..make our first snowman of the season!!! carrot nose and all....I am submitting this to created by hand this week...The snowman is blue and so am I ....missing snowflakes!!

Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

Hugs

Diana

Mixed Media Monday - Playing Cards

Hi Everyone....

the theme this week on Mixed Media Monday is "Playing Cards" so I created some dress forms and added some cards for the backgrounds....

I don't know about you...but I love dress forms...small...medium ...large ones...I have a few in my studio and I hang small pieces of art on them....and necklaces I made....they become a nice back drop for showcasing artwork....I also love to place my paper dolls hanging from them....

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!! and here's to a creative week ahead....
Hugs
Diana

Happy 40th Birthday Ignatius - and your cake is my IF submission this week!!! theme Music

Hi Everyone....I am so excited!! today is my brother's 40th Birthday!!! He is one of the most wonderful people you could meet....he is very intelligent and would help out everyone ....I learned so much from him growing up....he was always the angel and I was the ....you know what...lol....He is very successful and one of the happiest people I know...He has the sweetest wife in the world...my wonderful sister-in-law Monika....and I am so happy that his life is so full of love......I created this cake illustration for him...it has 40 layers of cake and icing...each representing a sweet year in his life....and now for some fun photos of him!!!!

Ignatius is a world traveler...he has been everywhere and is still on the go to many wonderful and exotic places.....

He loves to come up to our cottage so he can enjoy water sports...he is a great water-skier!!! Here he is with Minnie our dog!!

Brad and I have been sledding for years and we introduced this new sport to my brother...well now he has been going for years and he is the one asking us to go....I love that he is willing to try just about everything....he loves his toys!!!

And this photo I had to add...it was our first trip to Disney world....That is my brother between Mickey and Minnie and I am standing away ....I guess even I was shy ages ago!!!

Anyway....I am submitting my cake to IF this week....the theme is music ....and my brother has always been able to play any instrument by ear....and he always blew me away with his skills as a musician....heck he blows me aways with everything he does....he is AMAZING and we love him with all our hearts!!!

and the cake is my submission....because what is a Birthday cake without a good Happy Birthday song!!! and Birthday cake...especially a 40 layer one is MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!

Happy 40th Birthday !!!!

Hugs

Diana

Gratitude

Hi Everyone....Today is all about being grateful...I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy taking care of our son Cole...and every day he comes to me and wants to paint and create warms my heart. I am grateful for being a Mom and grateful for each and every day I get to spend with my family. Cole's latest project is painting his wooden birdhouse....he is amazing with paint and his abstract style...I always have to bite my tongue and let him do what he wants....but sometimes I tell him how to hold the brush and how to use it ...and he always amazes me with his work....

I love the concentration in his face and I see he takes after his Uncle...my brother Ignatius...with the tongue sticking out...lol

He finished this piece and then I told his to add brush strokes around the sides...and he did...I am ever so proud of him....He also has started drawing with me...so I draw something in steps and then he copies each of my steps...I am very impressed...he will have to get his own blog soon!!!

I am also grateful for little things ....like can you imagine I still have roses blooming and we are well into November....wow!!!

I am also grateful for the wonderful blog friends I have met...you all are a part of what we do each and every day and I really enjoy hearing from you and visiting your blogs too....I met an amazing artist friend through blogging....Her name is Manon Doyle and you can check out her blog and her website....her work is filled with passion and emotion and it is breathtaking. She sent me a bunch of her art cards...and I love them...like miniature works of art they will find a new home in my studio where I can be grateful for friendships and be inspired to create....

Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

Hugs

Diana

Three Muses Challenge - "Keys"

Hi Everyone....this week over at the Three Muses blog...the challenge prompt is "Keys" and the first thing that popped into my head was the line..."Key to my heart"

So when I sat down tonight to do a little illustration ...this is what came to life...I think it is all about love and how sometimes even though we may have the keys to some one's heart ....love can turn our world upside down...and over again....and it is so much fun to enjoy each and every moment of it.....

hope you have given or are open to giving away the keys to your heart...

Hugs
Diana

P.S. I have been listening to this song...and I love it....meet me halfway!

Custom Watercolour for Brett Wilson - from the Dragon's Den....

Hi Everyone...

If any of you watch Dragon's Den here in Canada...you may know who W Brett Wilson is...he is such a nice person and always so friendly and inspiring to all entrepreneurs....One day I logged onto my e-mail and to my surprise I found a note from him...I was beside myslef....We keep in touch and he always takes the time to give honest open feedback to me...and I am so grateful!

for more info on Brett - go to his website - www.wbrettwilson.ca - you will learn a lot more about him - and his dog Maja!).

Here are some really great reads that may inspire you too...

W. Brett Wilson's top 10 tips for small businesses and startups
The Heart Of A Dragon – Lessons On Success

The painting above is a watercolour I created for him....it is of his dog Maja

To learn more about the Dragon's Den...you can head here...and watch some episodes...the show has several wealthy investors and people from all over Canada come in and pitch their business ideas...the Dragon's can either buy in or state they are OUT!

When I created this piece for him I decided to add these to my custom shop...so if you or someone you know may want a custom piece created as inpsired by a loving pet...pop by!!!

Hugs
Diana

Mixed Media Monday - "I am woman" ...and I need to stand out!

Hi Everyone...We had a busy few days ...helping some friends move into their new home...running around...it seems like the weekend just flew by!!! I looked at the prompt on MMM this week...and had no idea what to create...so I just sat down with pen and ink...and then came up with this piece....The meaning behind it...even though society has so many pressures for women to fit in and be like other women....I always think that it is important to stand out and be who you are...(stay true to yourself) ....(be a leader)....so the symbolism behind this piece is just that....we can strive to fit in...but we should never lose sight of who we are...and I often find that when you act like your true self you always stand out in a crowd!!!

Have a wonderful Monday!!!

Hugs
Diana

Illustration Friday - Unbalanced

Hi Everyone....meet Sammy...he knows how important it is to be balanced....one time when he was at a Holiday function, he had an unbalanced meal and he started to melt...so from then on he always made sure to carry and enjoy a balanced meal...even if it meant some Holiday Cheer and some Holiday Treats....

This is the packaging design I worked on for my new stamp line...

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Hugs

Diana

New Handmade Clear stamps....I am having so much fun with these...and a new contest

Hi Everyone....I am having a lot of fun creating new designs for my stamp line each week...I hope you enjoy the latest addition to the line....If you use these to create special cards, scrapbook pages or anything ...please send me some photos of your projects and I will be thrilled to post them and share them with all of our friends in blogland. I will also send you free gifts when you help create ...so join in the fun!!! You can click on the pic above to head to the shop to see the whole line....

CONTEST II!!! one more for this week...now all you have to do is leave a comment with a new idea for a stamp design... leave it here in the comments section and when we pick a new design from the bunch ...we will send one of the new stamps to the person that inspired it....pretty cool eh!!!

Happy Creating....

Hugs
Diana

Three Muses Challenge - "In your dreams"

Hi Everyone....

Firstly I would like us all to remember all the wonderful people that have made our lives better with their service...today is Remembrance Day here in Canada and Remembrance Day is not just about people from wars of the past. It's about men and women of our communities that have made the ultimate sacrifices for the greater good. It is also about appreciation for the work that they do today and every day to ensure that we all enjoy the special life we all have in Canada. May we all take a moment to reflect....

Secondly, I have created a very quick piece for the Three Muses Challenge this week...the theme is "In your dreams" and the first thing that popped into my head was three little sisters who love to dream about Christmas....after all, in your dreams...it can be Christmas everyday....I also have a piece from the past that is perfect for this theme ....you can check it out here....

Wishing you a wonderful day and may you all take a moment to be grateful...

Hugs

Diana

PS> don't forget to enter this week's giveaway...my last post is all about it!!!

October Giveaway Winner and Last week's Weekly Stamp Winner....Congrats!!! And This Week's Giveaway!

Oh what fun it is to have some giveaways! Last Month the giveaway was a custom watercolour and we finally finished the draw tonight with the help of Cole...he picked Cynthia DiBlasi as the Monthly winner for October.....

I am also hosting weekly stamp giveaways to celebrate the spirit of giving....so our first stamp giveaway for last week goes to Bella Sinclair...Cole picked out these two winners and he just loves these giveaways...he wanted to pick out some more names...but I said he would have to wait till next week for a new draw....

Congrats to the winners...and please e-mail me your snail mail addresses at info(at) dianaevans(dot)ca

For everyone else...enter here for the new Giveaway for this week!!! and Good-luck!

Hugs,
Diana

Mixed Media Monday - Fashion

Hi Everyone...what a fun theme this week...There were so many things that went through my head...but the one that I went with was Bridal Fashion....we all dreamed about out Weddings from when we were wee little girls and this is the time we go totally all out with fashion....I created this special fall bride...with her "Haute Couture" dress created with special French Lace...after all the honeymoon will be in Paris.....and she wanted a one of a kind gown just like her.....

Have a wonderful Monday and thank you for popping by!!!

Hugs
Diana

Illustration Friday - Blur - one of my favorite cities...New York!

Hi Everyone....when I first saw the prompt on IF for this week...the first thing I thought about was New York....everything is all a buzz there and if you don't focus it can all be a big blur of activity....I have to go there soon!!!

I had a lot of fun working on this piece...it was so out of my comfort zone...so loose and fun...and no details...I think I enjoyed it and I hope you do too....

Happy Friday !!!

hugs
Diana

A look at the past....wow...

Hi Everyone...I have been so busy with the latest book and some events around it...on top of that I got a cold that lasted for about 2 weeks now....and I guess everything is catching up with me....but I will keep moving ahead....even with the extremes ( title of this old piece) ....I just sold a print of this piece and it reminded me of my work ages ago.....wow...amazing how we change as artists...we grow and change and get into our own styles...I still love this piece...but wow!!! where does the time go......

I have a few more days of work and catching up to do...so I hope you all know I am thinking of you ....I will visit you all as I get some moments....I do miss your blogs !!!

140 hours of Fame starts today!!! what a wonderful Art Auction to be part of....Pop by and check things out!!!

Have a wonderful Thursday!!!

Hugs

Diana

In the spirit of giving!!! weekly stamp giveaways will be hosted here....and you can take a look at my latest stamps....

Hi Everyone!

Here are some of my latest stamp designs....I am so excited about these and the new designs I am coming up with each week....In light of the fact that before you know it Christmas will be here...I will be doing a weekly post with a giveaway ....so you can get yourself one of these stamps....these can be used to make cards, scrapbook pages, gift tags, jewelry or in your mixed media pieces....If you can't wait...you can head to my shop to check out the whole collection...

All you have to do is leave me a comment...and if you want you can also post this on your blog so you can help get the word out on these weekly giveaways!!! and if you don't stamp this give away can make a great gift to someone that does...so enter!!!

I also invite you to follow my blog so you can hear about future giveaways too!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs

Diana

Mixed Media Monday - Opposites Attract

Hi Everyone!!!

When I saw the theme on MMM this week I had to include my special piece from the start of my career as a full time artist and illustrator....I created this piece and titled it "Opposites Attract" and it means so much to me....it is a symbol that I use for my logo and reminds me of how far I have come and always makes me believe that dreams can come true if you truly believe ......

I am submitting this as it is a perfect fit for the theme this week...I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!!! may it be filled with inspiration and some creativity!!!

Hugs

Diana

What a wonderful Halloween!!! Some photos to share with all of you!!!

Hi Everyone...

We had a wonderful Halloween!! Every year we head over to my parents home for a full day of fun, some wonderful food and treats and a night in their community. We live in a secluded area so we never have any children come for Halloween so we started going to my parents town...their whole neighbourhood goes all out for Halloween and we enjoy all the wonderful people and their cool decorations...This year our little munchkin Cole wanted to be a pirate as inspired by one of his favorite shows...Spongebob..specifically the flying dutchman...heheheeh....so I designed this costume and my Mom helped with the sewing...he was a riot!!! when he first headed out he repeated ...Aye aye captain....and then said some funny things at peoples homes...like once he forgot Trick or Treat or Happy Halloween...and ended up wishing this guy a Happy birthday...it was a riot!!! I also bought these fun hats that Brad and I wore...too funny...you saw them in a previous post...one is a witch hat with an actual stuffed witch on top and the other is the pumpkin head...Brad always is so much fun...and Cole ended up with enough candy to enjoy some each day for a year...but I think he will also donate some to some friends...

Have a wonderful Day!!!

Hugs

Diana