enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

give life.

Annapolis
Home again for the next three days until the Annapolis Paper Source Grand Opening. Looking forward to a few days of rest/craft.
Kal1
Kal2
TODAY I am excited to GIVEAWAY a LoveLife book by the artist herself – Kal Barteski. No doubt you have already seen her blog and paint magic, but you may not have this book which is sort of a history of her art for over 150 weeks. I am lucky to own copy and cannot wait to give one away. Leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a winner tomorrow morning. Kal will be giving away a set of my letterpress stationery on her blog today as well.

I wish I had a photo to go with this next story : Yesterday, I got home pretty late and Paul was about to fall asleep. He had been up early at the hospital. When I asked him what he was doing he said he saw some pretty little babies. "How little?" I asked, "like a week?"

"Well – we were assisting in cesareans. So they were tiny."

My boy held brand new two second old little people. He was the guy standing with the blanket waiting to clean up and check over a little new life. I still cannot get over that. I keep fluctuating between pride and jealousy. (But mostly just pride.)

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163 responses to “give life.”

  1. Sara Berry Avatar
    Sara Berry

    What an honor to be the welcoming party to a new life! I can only imagine that those tiny little guys (or gals) were very thankful to have a blanket-wielding Paul waiting with open arms!
    I don’t have Kal’s book yet, so thanks for the opportunity to win it.
    xo. Sara

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  2. Flora Avatar
    Flora

    I really admire Kal’s work and would love to have her book. Thanks! ~Flora

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  3. Kirsten Avatar
    Kirsten

    What a cool book!
    And way to go Paul. What an incredbile experience he got to wittness.

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  4. Marcie Levine Avatar
    Marcie Levine

    Thanks for the chance to win Kal’s book! Your stationery is gorgeous, heading off to your etsy shop to check it out!

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  5. Gayle Avatar
    Gayle

    Paul has a way cool job! I love Kal’s book and her new posts about time, very intuitive! I also have to say, that every time I ‘enter to win’ on a blog, I have to laugh a little at myself, because really, what are the odds? But if you don’t enter, then you really can’t win, so therefore, I enter and wish for the odds!
    Happy Tuesday!

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  6. molly Avatar
    molly

    I don’t yet have, and would love Kal’s book.
    Also, speaking from one who has held them that young … the new people are amazing.

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  7. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    Oh wow! a chance to win her book! That’s just fantastic!
    Also, that is SOOO special for Paul! Wow…how incredible huh?
    :]

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  8. Leslie Avatar
    Leslie

    I have coveted Kal’s book forever. I think I discovered her art a few years before I became hooked on her blog. She rocks. And so do you, of course! Thank you both for your generosity!!
    And as Kal would say . . . “Triple Arm Pump” for Paul! What an awesome experience!

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  9. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    amazing about the babies, love them and they are so incredible when they are tiny like that.

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  10. ana cardoso Avatar
    ana cardoso

    Hey! I frequently read your blog and Kal’s blog. Both are very inspiring. I hope to have luck this time. Greetings from Italy =)

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  11. Armalite Avatar
    Armalite

    Actually, I’d never heard about this artist! Thanks a lot for introducing me to her work – it’s awesome!

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  12. dawn Avatar
    dawn

    i’d love to win! i’ve never seen anything from this artist/author before but, just from the peek you posted, i can tell that i’m totally going to {heart} her!

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  13. Gigi Dacanay Avatar
    Gigi Dacanay

    hello. new to your blog. i follow kal’s blog and saw you were giving away one of her books. she is awesome and i would love a copy of her book. i also see your stationery on her blog and it is also awesome. i entered her contest to win that over on her blog. it would be sweeeet to win either… or BOTH, especially since i have never won any giveaways! i look forward to reading through your blog.
    i’ll be back…
    PS. My hubby graduated from the Naval Academy. Annapolis is beautiful! We hope to make a trip back next year. 🙂

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  14. ee k Avatar
    ee k

    Looks like a fabulous book! I love your idea of a handmade Christmas – so inspiring!

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  15. Kara Avatar
    Kara

    What an experience that must be, holding those little babies and welcoming them to the world. I would love to get my hands on a copy of Kal’s Book. I’ve been following your blog and her’s for a little while now. Both of them have been quite an inspiration. Thanks!

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  16. Carissa T Avatar
    Carissa T

    I would love to win this book. and your stationary on kal’s blog. all so beautiful.
    you are both inspiring.
    thank you.

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  17. Tasha Avatar
    Tasha

    I’m a Kal blog stalker! I love reading it every morning and now it looks like I may have a new blog to check in on! Love your ideas.

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  18. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    love all your ideas – very very cool.

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  19. S Avatar
    S

    What a great idea for a book- I cant wait to take a look at her fantastic collection of pieces. Love her blog, would love her book too!

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  20. alison holcomb Avatar
    alison holcomb

    what an awesome experience. 🙂
    thanks for the link to kal’s blog. her art is amazing!

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  21. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    hi elise – thank you for giving away good stuff from good people. kal just makes my day . . . .
    your stuff is stunning, my dear. keep on giving . . .
    and wow on the seconds old baby. miraculous. steals your breath away. way to go paul. you should both be proud!

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  22. nikole Avatar
    nikole

    I have been reading Kal’s blog for a while, and just stumbled across yours yesterday. It’s so lovely! I’d love to be a part of your giveaway!
    And, as a new mama, I am so grateful to people like your Paul who showed such great care for my little girl when she was born via emergency cesarean 4 weeks early. Many thanks to him.

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  23. christa Avatar
    christa

    I love Kals stuff too. She is the first blog that I read every single day…its so awesome to start my day out with her positive attitude. I’m sure there are many other people who can agree with that. I have had this book on my wish list for a while now so I would love to own it!!

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  24. busymomma66 Avatar
    busymomma66

    I read kal’s blog and have just been introduced to yours. I love it. Iwould love to win the book and your stationary (yes I’m being greedy! hee hee).
    That must have been an amazing feeling holding that wee one. I could see why you felt pride and a bit of envy.

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  25. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    Welcoming those babies into the world would be such a rewarding job!
    I just started reading Kal’s blog and am absolutly in love with her work. I will be keeping my fingers crossed hoping to win your contest!

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  26. Karolina Avatar
    Karolina

    I discovered your blog only yesterday and cannot stop reading, it’s so inspiring!!! And now, I’m discovering another excellent blog thanks to you, Kali’s blog is simply wonderful!!! I’d be very happy to participate in the draw.

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  27. tara pollard pakosta Avatar
    tara pollard pakosta

    that’s awesome to hear about him holding a new baby!!!
    wow! what a privilege!
    tara

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  28. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    I would love to win Kal’s book, and am also very glad I found out about your blog. Thanks for your tip about the Susie’s Hand font…love it!

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  29. barbara Avatar
    barbara

    Sounds like a fabulous book. Just found your blog yesterday and have been inspired by your holiday crafts. Thank you.

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  30. Carrie H. Avatar
    Carrie H.

    How exciting ;o) A yummy give away!!
    You have a great blog with great inspiration!! Thanks for sharing ;o)

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  31. Michelle E. Avatar
    Michelle E.

    I’ve been reading Kal’s blog for over a year now but haven’t ever seen her book. Would love to win this!

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  32. Carrie K Avatar
    Carrie K

    your boy has SUCH a cool job…
    loving all your handmade goodness and Kals book looks FANTASTIC!!

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  33. Nadia Avatar
    Nadia

    that first moment of life is such a miracle. I am sure it is the start of many special moments for him and for you. happy tuesday!

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  34. thursday Avatar
    thursday

    I’ve been reading both your blog and kal’s for more than a year (before you moved, even!). I don’t remember even how I found Kal’s, but I remember I linked to yours because she posted a jumping photo, like the ones you took in Paris with your friends. I thought you were both such fun and happy people, so I had to keep reading. So, here I am. I love Kal’s art, and I love your letterpress stationery (and all your fun projects). And I love giveaways, too. Of course, I rarely get anything in these things. 🙂 No matter – won’t cause me to stop reading!

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  35. alexandra Avatar
    alexandra

    As the mom of extremely premature twins, delivered by cesarean, it’s fun to think that the medical staff could have been excited about holding my babies! So nice to read that the two of you are cherishing things like that. Thank you!
    And… as for the giveaway – well, Kal is simply fabulous and I’m sure her book is a thing of wonder!!
    Happy Tuesday!
    A.

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  36. shivani Avatar
    shivani

    ooooo!! i am in my last year of medical school and on my obs/gyne rotation right now – i just stayed up for the past 30 hours doing the same thing!! even split between vag deliveries and c-sections – exciting times!
    love kal and have already ordered art from her – would love a chance to win this!
    take care =)

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  37. amanda Avatar
    amanda

    ooh. pick me 🙂

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  38. Juliane Avatar
    Juliane

    I love your and Kal’s blog. They are very interesting, lovely and animating, very animating. So it’s very cool, that you have this giveaways and share it with us. Keep it up!
    Juliane

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  39. Jenna Avatar
    Jenna

    Always inspired by Kal’s work – what a great giveaway! Also – your letterpress is stunning!

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  40. Anu Avatar
    Anu

    I love it!

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  41. Fiona Avatar
    Fiona

    Thank you for the giveaway. I would LOVE to win Kal’s book.
    How wonderful to be able to hold brand new babies! Thanks for sharing!

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  42. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I would love to get my hands on that book…great giveaway!!! I’ve never seen your blog but read Kal’s all the time. I’ll be sure to stop by again

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  43. Heidi P. Avatar
    Heidi P.

    I LOVE Kal’s work and her ‘real life’ blog. So much talent, love and inspiration in one place. Love it. I’d also LOVE a copy of her book. Now, we can all thank her for turning us on to you. Very cool.

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  44. karenika Avatar
    karenika

    how incredibly awesome of you. I’ve wanted to have this book as far back as I can remember seeing it for the first time. it would be such a treasure!

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  45. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    I love Kal’s stuff – own a tiny art but have yet to lay my hands on her book:)

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  46. nali Avatar
    nali

    Fantastic. A chance to win the LoveLife book is great. Thanks!
    p.s love your letterpress stationery.

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  47. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    so i opened up a beer yesterday and thought of you…it was a green cap and i thought about keeping it…but then i realized i would have to drink a lot of beer between now and christmas to be able to make that wreath. so i let it go lol can’t wait to see more of your handmade stuff!

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  48. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I’m secretly hoping I win both of your give-aways. Thank you for being so generous!

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  49. erin Avatar
    erin

    Ooo. I love me some Kal Barteski. Pick me! Pick me!

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  50. Jennifer Schultz Avatar
    Jennifer Schultz

    I have read your and Kal’s blogs for a while and love to see the 2 of you teamed up!
    Also awesome to see your recycled wreath on Ali’s blog. It is so lovely.
    Thanks for sharing all your handmade plans. You are as always such a creative inspiration:)

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