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. jen Avatar
    jen

    WOW – congrats to Paul … what an incredible thing to witness.
    And you should totally pick me. No, really.

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  2. Cass Avatar
    Cass

    I love Kal’s work and would love a copy of her book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    What an awesome job Paul has! That would be amazing to witness babies being born.

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    Reply
  3. Pam K Avatar
    Pam K

    Simply beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  4. lauren Avatar
    lauren

    i would just love the experience of holding a baby so fresh and new in my hands…one day!! hopefully it will be my own!! 🙂 or that of a best friend!! 🙂
    keep on crafting, e! i can’t wait to see what you come up with next!!!
    *

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  5. Maggie Avatar
    Maggie

    I love life…hopefully that makes me eligible to win that beautiful book.

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  6. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    oh, I love Paul’s story!
    and your blog and Kal’s too of course! (found thru you!)
    good luck with the grand opening!
    .)

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  7. jill scripps Avatar
    jill scripps

    that is so sweet about paul.
    and i love kal’s work.
    that book looks gorgeous!
    toss my name in the hat!
    xx
    jill

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  8. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    Oooh, I would love a copy of Kal’s book!! Please include me in your draw, and pick me, pick me!! 🙂 It’s nice to have found your blog!

    Like

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  9. Tor Avatar
    Tor

    Waauw what a great story. It doesn’t need a picture. Have a nice day!

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    Reply
  10. Kristen DeSimone Avatar
    Kristen DeSimone

    I literally just found your blog thru Ali Edwards’ blog and can’t get enough of it!!! Love your creative style!!!

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  11. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    Wow!
    I would love love love a copy
    xo

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  12. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    That is AWESOME about Paul… how cool! Don’t get jealous… just live vicariously through him! ;o)

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  13. katharina Avatar
    katharina

    I’ve been reading Kai’s Blog for quite a while – I love her paintings – always waiting for a new one to show up! (;
    Her book will be inspiring!
    Lovely greetings from over the ocean!
    Katharina from the BlackForestRegion/Germany (;

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  14. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    could use some inspiration…..thanks.

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  15. Katrina Henry Avatar
    Katrina Henry

    Yay! Thanks. 🙂 Hope I win.

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  16. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    incredible and awesome! fantastic snag today on kal’s blog, fantastic snag here on yours. i love it all!
    high fives to Paul! holding babies only seconds born. amazing.

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  17. Sheila H Avatar
    Sheila H

    I’d love to win. Love Kal’s site and yours too! Both are so inspiring.

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  18. SandyB Avatar
    SandyB

    I’m loving all of your handmade projects!

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  19. Geralyn S. Avatar
    Geralyn S.

    What an awesome book! I loved Kal’s blog but I lost the link for a while, so thanks for linking it 🙂 Thank you for this opportunity!

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  20. Brigitte Avatar
    Brigitte

    Would love to win such a source for inspiration!
    It would be a shot in the arm.
    Thanks for sharing….

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    Reply
  21. patti Avatar
    patti

    You should be proud! I have had 3 c-sections and the docs who perform and assist are a special breed!

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  22. kim whitten Avatar
    kim whitten

    An avid Kal Barteski blog reader and fan here! Would love her book….would also love some of your letterpress! Wonder what my chances are of winning both giveaways???!!! 😀

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    Reply
  23. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    I love Kal and her art and I would so much like to win a copy of her book. Your work is awesome as well, thank you for the inspiration!

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  24. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    I love her stuff. That book looks awesome! And the handmade holiday ideas rock! Keep it up. 🙂

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  25. mary Avatar
    mary

    …so I think the commenter before me reads the same blogs. ali yesterday (very cool!) and kal today (wow!) love seeing what you’re creating. keep hoping it will spark a bit of creativity in this house, too. thanks!

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  26. Jana Avatar
    Jana

    Thanks for the opportunity! Also, how cool to hold someone so brand new!!! Off to read some more from you blog :).

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  27. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    so beautiful! if I don’t win, it is definitely on my wishlist.
    thanks, Melissa A.F.

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    Reply
  28. Julia Carter Avatar
    Julia Carter

    that is so amazing about the babes, I just love it when they are so tiny and new…but then they grow up sigh
    Your blog is wicked!!! So isiring I am lovin, your handmade holiday and I plan on making some of my own wreaths, I would knit a scarf it I had any skills at all.
    Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!

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  29. Gypsy Avatar
    Gypsy

    three lots of pure goodness, Elsie, new babies, and Kal B- good reasons to Love life!

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  30. Vicki Hall Avatar
    Vicki Hall

    Thank you for your generosity! Blessings, Vicki

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    Reply
  31. Jac Avatar
    Jac

    it’s amazing to see how worlds connect, people can share and art can be enjoyed by everyone just through the internet, blogging etc.
    i found your blog thru ali edwards’ and was totally inspired. and when i read kal’s i saw that you 2 are giving away each other’s art on your blog.
    how cool is that. really amazing to see the art that is appreciated and shared all over the world 🙂
    love it!

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    Reply
  32. Krista O' Avatar
    Krista O’

    wow what an incredible moment, that is definitely cool!

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    Reply
  33. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    OMG!! Pick me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise I’ll love you long time! 😀

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  34. nic Avatar
    nic

    kal is fantastic. i love her sense of humor and wish i could paint like she does. and her baby is pretty cute too. would love to have the book.

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  35. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    I just recently found your blog and love it. I have loved Kal’s work for some time and would love to win her book.

    Like

    Reply
  36. Kathleen Bing Avatar
    Kathleen Bing

    I have been coveting this book. Foreverrrrrr!!

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    Reply
  37. ann Avatar
    ann

    this book looks awesome! i just found your blog today and have to subscribe because i’m already in love.

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  38. Melissa O. Avatar
    Melissa O.

    Love Kal’s work… and your stationary looks great as well. TFS!

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  39. Tiffany Avatar
    Tiffany

    Hey! So i would LOVE to have this book! I am a college student in Portland, OR and have been following your blog for some time now! You have inspired me in many ways 🙂 i love scrapbooking and i love all of your stuff! Never a dull moment on your blog, thats for sure!!

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  40. man Avatar
    man

    that’s a cute story. good for paul!

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  41. Janna Avatar
    Janna

    I would love a chance!

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  42. Tami W. Avatar
    Tami W.

    I love her work. Thanks for sharing with us. Already left a comment on Kal Barteski’s blog for a chance to get a set of your famous letterpress stationary.

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    Reply
  43. edie Avatar
    edie

    Ah, tiny babies. I remember delivering two in the field (retired paramedic) that were so small they both fit in one of my hands. How strong they were, and how hard they fought to be together the whole time they were in this reality.Twin souls, just tasting the atmosphere before moving on. Left those of us who knew them much stronger and more loving in their passage through.
    edie

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  44. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    I just found your blog and I LOVE it!!! Oh pick me!

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  45. Beth in WI Avatar
    Beth in WI

    Isn’t Kal the best? So inspiring. I’d be honored to own her book.

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  46. Lisa A Avatar
    Lisa A

    Thanks for the chance to win Kal’s book!

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    Reply
  47. Mandie Segura Avatar
    Mandie Segura

    That must have been SO exciting for him! 🙂

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    Reply
  48. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I love art books!
    I love little people!
    And I totally love little people looking at art books! Have you ever seen Dr. Seuss’s “My Many Colored Days”? It’s a departure from his normal style and IT IS AWESOME.
    Thanks for blogging so much recently, I have really enjoyed it!

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    Reply
  49. Karen Hess Avatar
    Karen Hess

    What a beautiful book! I have a baby the same age as hers and when I read her blog each day, I am inspired to have a positive attitude at least for that day no matter what. I realize, OK, she ALSO has a little baby and is getting through the day intact and productive. I know the book would be inspirational to my often neglected creative side too!

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  50. Katie_S Avatar
    Katie_S

    Hi Elise. I’ve been following Kal’s and your blog for a few months now. You are both incredibly inspiring and give me lots of ideas. I would love the opportunity to win Kal’s book.
    Cheers, Katie

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