enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Plelise!

I am honored and thrilled to share with you today that I designed the 2013 Seafoam kit for Project Life!

Seafoampostcard

This is my big secret project that I have been keeping since early February. I have so much to say about this kit, including how we got from step #1: a phone call from Becky Higgins to step #751: writing this blog post.

And there will be time for that before the kit, album and paper (!!) release in November.

Seafoampromo2

But today, I would love to share just three things :

One / I am so passionate about this kit and the whole concept of Project Life. Truly, I was hooked from that first day when I built my title page and felt the thrill of playing around with pockets. It has been overwhelmingly fun and very humbling to design something that I (and hopefully many, many others!) will be excited to play with every week of next year. 2013 is going to be a great time to start or continue Project Life, I can already tell.

Seafoampromoa

Two / I have to thank Meredith Tilton, my friend and right-hand woman throughout this adventure. When we started, I had no Illustrator design experience. Meredith, on the other hand, went to four years of school for design and could pull the pieces together. She was an absolute gem to work with and able to turn my pencil sketches (which I can't wait to share!) and Photoshop Elements mock-ups into something beautiful and awesome. Can't say enough good stuff about her as a person and graphic designer.

Seafoampromo3

Three / When Becky called and asked me if I was interested in this opportunity, Paul was still deployed. It was a Thursday morning and I remember walking in circles in our undecorated bedroom pinching myself to be sure it was real. When we hung up the phone, I called my parents (separately, as they were both at work) and relayed the story. My end of both conversations went something like this,

"Hey! So, you know Project Life?"

"Yes, that thing I have been sharing on the blog on Sundays?"

"Yes, the one with the pockets."

"Yes, there are photos."

"Well I just got off the phone with Becky Higgins… she's the lady who created Project Life."

"Yes, it's a thing that many people do."

"Yes, it's sold on amazon."

"You buy a journalling card kit and album and those pocket pages."

"I know cool, right? Anyway, SHE WANTS ME TO DESIGN THE KIT!!"

"No, I don't think you understand…this is huge."

"Yes."

"THANK YOU!! I KNOW! I am so excited!!"

Seriously, I had that conversation twice. Then again with Paul when he woke up to start his day in Afghanistan. And then about 40 more times over the past six months.

But the best part, of the whole adventure, really, was about a hour after my dad and I hung up the phone that first day and I got a text from him,

"Leesee. I googled this "Becky Higgins" and it seems like she's legit."

True story.

Pltrue2

What an absolute pleasure. And seriously, the fun is just beginning. Next, we all get to use the kit. The photos throughout this post show samples of the Seafoam kit (I hope you like the name!) in action. We will be sharing the full kit in the next few months (you can see more samples on Becky's blog now) and I'll have more photos of last week's spread up soon, but wow – it was surreal (and awesome!) to finally put them to use.

(!!!!!!!!!)

UPDATE : The Seafoam core kit is now available on Amazon!

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368 responses to “the secret’s out!”

  1. TracieClaiborne Avatar

    What a thrill and an honor!! So happy for you! Love what I’m seeing so far. I don’t use PL but I’m always tempted to start.

    Like

  2. Lucy Avatar
    Lucy

    This might be the convincing I needed to start Project Life, especially for 2013. Yay! Congrats!

    Like

  3. Emily Avatar

    This is AWESOME! Congratulations! I have been DIYing Project Life so far and I was planning to do the same next year, if I decide to continue, but I might have to switch over to the official products just for this kit…to be honest, I’m not wowed by the others (which was partly why I decided to DIY it) but I love the look of Seafoam! I can’t wait to see more of it!

    Like

  4. kinsey wilson Avatar

    ELISE! You guys nailed it! I’m so over the top excited for you! Awesome work my friend 🙂
    xo, Kinsey

    Like

  5. Joanna M Avatar
    Joanna M

    Congrats Elise! This is super awesome news 🙂

    Like

  6. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Wow!!!! Amazing news Elise. Congrats. So many people love, and are huge fans of your scrap/crafty style. I am sure the kit will be a mega hit.

    Like

  7. rachel Avatar

    Hooray! Such exciting news! I’m so happy for you.

    Like

  8. Rachel Thompson Avatar
    Rachel Thompson

    This is THE most amazing news :o) Lets hope they dont all run out of stock before we get to buy them in the UK!
    Congrats!
    xxx

    Like

  9. elizah09 Avatar
    elizah09

    Congrats, Elise! The kit looks great!

    Like

  10. KateinCleveland Avatar
    KateinCleveland

    Really awesome news! And the samples look flippin’ great. Might actually consider it in 2013.

    Like

  11. Michele H. Avatar

    Holy Cow Elise! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this announcement! I’m so super happy for you and the kit looks AMAZING!

    Like

  12. Nicole Avatar

    Incredible! And I’m so happy for you! It’s amazing, of course! 🙂

    Like

  13. Heather Avatar

    So thrilled for you – this is amazing news! I’m dying to buy my Seafoam kit for 2013! You did a beautiful job. I absolutely love it!!!

    Like

  14. Stephanie Howell Avatar

    no one deserves it more. xo

    Like

  15. Amanda Rose Avatar

    Congrats to the MAX!
    Everything above pleases me!
    Enjoy it! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Like

  16. elizabeth Avatar

    i can’t even tell you how excited i am about this – for you but also for the rest of us. this simple style is EXACTLY what i’ve been craving in my own project life pages… and i love the colors. and i’m just so happy for you – talk about worth the wait for the big reveal. amazing, awesome work (as ever). (this is totally going to be what gets me to buy a core kit, too.) yay!!!

    Like

  17. Pamela B Avatar
    Pamela B

    Holy cow! That’s so awesome!!!! I saw the announcement on Becky’s blog and literally squealed 🙂 congratulations Elise! LOVE the colors! LOVE the design 🙂

    Like

  18. kristina Avatar

    LOVE your work, Elise and your PL designs are no exception! I know which kit I’ll be using next year! Congrats and BIG hugs!! 🙂

    Like

  19. iowajewel Avatar

    funny story, i love the text from your dad!!!!! and such a honor for you! i am so happy for you and i LOVE everything you designed! i don’t do project life (even though i think it is awesome) but would love the cards for Smashing. i don’t know how you kept the secret for so long!

    Like

  20. Kyla Roma Avatar

    What an amazing opportunity, Elise! Congratulations- you must be over the moon!! 🙂
    Hope you’re still riding the high- now when people google YOU they’ll see how legit you are 😉

    Like

  21. Denise Z Avatar
    Denise Z

    Congratulations! I worked with Meredith at our local scrapbook store and she is a GEM! So talented, so nice…so deserving. You make a good team!

    Like

  22. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    Congrats, Elise! I checked Becky’s page first thing this morning and LITERALLY jumped out of my chair! I was like “YES! ELISE!” I love your clean line design and am so excited to see more of the seafoam collection! Great Job!

    Like

  23. shay Avatar

    OMgoshgirl!!! How wonderful! Congrats, it looks beautiful!!!!

    Like

  24. Jennyl Avatar
    Jennyl

    Wow! How awesome. The kit looks beautiful, congratulations! Can’t wait to see it irl.

    Like

  25. Susan Avatar

    so excited for you. love love your line. congratulations!

    Like

  26. Gioconda Avatar

    Congrats! I adore your style and am inspired every week by your layouts. I’m keeping up with my album and love every page. I can’t wait to get this kit for next year. Keep up the amazing work that you do.

    Like

  27. Shelby Avatar

    Awesome!!! CONGRATS! i’m saving up to buy when the kits are released and I think I know which one I’m getting 🙂

    Like

  28. Robin G Avatar
    Robin G

    Congratulations Elise!So very excited and happy for you and so very excited and happy that I will be able to buy it for next year!!!

    Like

  29. Mendi M Avatar
    Mendi M

    I am so stoked! I love it! I will be stalking Amazon to buy it! Congrats!

    Like

  30. Katie Avatar
  31. Cat Avatar

    AAACK! I just read Becky’s blog and had to rush over here and say… Congrats! This is flipping AH-MAZE-ING! I have been a huge admirer (and copy cat) of your style and I can’t wait to embark on my own Project Life mission with all your pretty color choices and clean lines! I seriously can’t wait.

    Like

  32. Brenda in Sunny SoCal Avatar
    Brenda in Sunny SoCal

    Love, love, love the previews of this kit, I can’t wait for it, I’ve done PL on my own because I do not like how girly all other kits are. This is so perfectly gender neutral. Thank you and congratulations!

    Like

  33. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    couldn’t be more excited for you . . . or for me (when it arrives). Well done and so well deserved.

    Like

  34. Samantha Avatar

    This is amazing news. Congrats! And it gives me the perfect reason to finally start my first Project Life in 2013. Love the colors.

    Like

  35. Jody Avatar
    Jody

    I’m so excited for you!! You know, I wasn’t going to buy a kit for next year, but now I am just going to have to.

    Like

  36. Renae Avatar

    OMG!!! That is so cool! I’m am so excited for you (and the rest of us). I just started PL in May, partially because you are SO inspiring and I love your style with Project Life. There were no kits out mid-year, so I’ve been making mine as I go. And not kidding, was just thinking yesterday, that I might have to break down and buy one. Now there is no question, I’m definitely getting the Seafoam kit! (Love that name too by the way, its perfect!)

    Like

  37. Carrie Rosalind Avatar

    Soooo awesome!! Congrats! Can’t wait to get my hands on the kit! 🙂

    Like

  38. marcy Avatar

    Oh my Elise! 1. So thrilled for you! and 2. Your dad is awesome!! LOL

    Like

  39. kimberly Avatar

    so excited for you! I am so excited for your designs–YOU are what PL is missing 🙂

    Like

  40. Lehua Avatar

    Congratulations, Elise! This is wonderful!

    Like

  41. kimberly michelle Avatar

    I love love love these!!!!

    Like

  42. Danielle Avatar

    Congrats!!! I. Cannot. Wait. To get my hands on this kit. Wow!

    Like

  43. oh shoot Avatar

    This is so AMAZING! I am so excited for you!

    Like

  44. Chris Avatar

    Oh.My.God!
    AWESOME, Elise! So totally, fabulously awesome.

    Like

  45. Lorena Avatar
    Lorena

    You are legit too! Congratulations!

    Like

  46. Megan Avatar

    I was just looking through your blog last night thinking ‘I wonder why you weren’t part of her design team.’ So excited for you and your collection is amazing. I’ve been scrapbooking for years, but am going to start project life next year. So excited!

    Like

  47. Shelbie Avatar
    Shelbie

    Congratulations! I especially love the text from your dad. 🙂 I may actually “do” PL this next year with those awesome cards! Love them to bits. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Like

  48. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    What an great kit. I have 4 boys (and a husband) so the colors and words on the cards are perfect for our family right now.
    You did an awesome job!

    Like

  49. Sara Berry Avatar

    Yay!!! This is beyond AWESOME, Elise. So very proud of you and for you! xoxo

    Like

  50. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    This is awesome.

    Like

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