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. Donna W Avatar
    Donna W

    Congratulations! I am so excited for you and I can’t wait to see the kit in real life. I kept thinking all year ‘why isn’t Becky asking you to be on the design team’ – in fact I was thinking of emailing her to suggest you – but she already knew how cool you were! I should have known! Congrats again

    Like

  2. hannahk Avatar
    hannahk

    whoo hoo ~ your kit design is awesome. can’t wait to get it! Well done Elise

    Like

  3. amanda Avatar

    Congratulations, Elise! I love the name and the kit!

    Like

  4. libbywilko Avatar
    libbywilko

    Wow… Just saw Becky’s post with all your beautiful designs. I was So Excited when I saw the designer was you ! Congratulations ! Can’t wait to see it all and when it arrives in digital for too. Hugs.

    Like

  5. Jennifer K Avatar
    Jennifer K

    Love! It’s perfect for me – love the CAS-ness (is that a word?) and graphicness of it all. Great job!

    Like

  6. Jennifer Kolakowski Avatar
    Jennifer Kolakowski

    I am sooooooooo happy for you Elise!! I have thought a zillion times how great you would be for designing a kit. Seriously. CANNOT wait to get my hands on it! Congrats Elise!!

    Like

  7. breanne Avatar
    breanne

    congratulations, Elise!!! amazing how far you’ve come since we met so long ago!!! I am so proud of you and happy for you!! I wanted to do project life this year but never got around to it … maybe i’ll actually get my stuff together together to do it next year with your awesome kit 🙂

    Like

  8. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    Congrats, Elise! I have only been reading your blog for a few months (of course, I read back quite a few years, too) and yours is one that I check in with every morning. I just love the photos that you take: the subjects, the angles, the lighting, you & you husband are just too cute, etc!! I am also a Project Life fan. I am so excited that you have created one of the 2013 Project Life designs. I don’t even care who is the other one that Becky went with…I’m going to order the Seaform Edition. (By the way, love the name!) Again, congrats!!

    Like

  9. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    this is beautiful! I’m so glad becky asked you to design a core kit! I’ve been been a fan of you and becky for quite some time now, and was psyched when you started project life. I always look forward to your posts for inspiration and have gone the no-core-kit route as well. But I will DEFINITELY be purchasing the seafoam kit, it is the best core kit by a landslide and really fits my personality, simple and colorful! can’t wait for november!

    Like

  10. Kathy Martin Avatar

    How incredibly cool! Congratulations! 🙂

    Like

  11. Lindsay Avatar

    WOW. What an amazing dream come true! I can not wait to purchase one;)! I have been pondering over your “Project Life” as I became a reader and just adore the idea of it…but had no idea you could buy kits. PERFECTLY AWESOME! It is such a rockin idea for military members too, next time my Marine is deployed, I already decided I wanted to create a “keep going in a positive direction” scrapbook/journal. To stay motivated away from the loneliness. Leave it to another strong military spouse to create an amazing new project…CONGRATS;)

    Like

  12. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    that. is. awesome.

    Like

  13. Lynn L. Avatar
    Lynn L.

    I love your new design!!! It is is totally my style. I have done Project Life for 3 years and this kit will be the one I use next year!:) Great job! Congrats!!

    Like

  14. Misty Smith Avatar

    That’s so awesome! I’ve been wanting to start project life so now I think I’m going to wait until your kit comes out I love it so much!!!

    Like

  15. Kelly Jo Avatar

    this is so freaking exciting! Congrats to you.
    I love the part about your dad saying his is legit….

    Like

  16. telisj Avatar
    telisj

    Wow wow wow! Love love love! I was inteoduced to your blog via Ali Edwards & you are so inspiring! I think your kit is my favorite PL kit and Ihave them all! Can’t wait! Fan from Boston

    Like

  17. Jessica Avatar

    Haha, i love your parents and paul’s responses. Becky Higgins is like one of the biggest names in scrapbooking ever…and no, my husband and parents would not know that either! Congrats Elise!

    Like

  18. Whitney Avatar

    Hooray!! I love it! Can’t wait to use it!!

    Like

  19. Banu H Avatar

    Congrats..I am a huge fan of your work, designs and of course your PL Spreads. So, this is the best news for me. I was going to skip buying a core kit for next year…but now with your design..I want in again. Loved it.

    Like

  20. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    What an achievement!!! You should be so proud! If I can purchase your kit, I will for sure. It looks wonderful.

    Like

  21. Carole Avatar
    Carole

    Woot!! Way to go on keeping the secret. Congratulations – quite an accomplishment!

    Like

  22. Lisa Avatar

    Congratulations! Your kit looks fantastic 😀 I am always in awe of how much you manage to get into your Project Life, but don’t make it look too cluttered.

    Like

  23. Jenny Avatar

    It’s STUNNING! I love the colors, the fonts. Amazing!

    Like

  24. Jess @ The Colorful Ones Avatar

    Schmabulous! I am so excited you have this opportunity, and I have to say I love the designs! I’ve been toying with the Project Life idea since it first hit the scene, but honestly I’ve never been sold on any of the kits enough to dive in… your designs just might be the nudge I need to take the leap! 🙂 God Bless!
    ~Jess

    Like

  25. Donna Avatar

    Congratulations Elise! That is so exciting. I really like the Seafoam kit and can’t wait until it’s available.

    Like

  26. Hannah Avatar

    Elise, I had such a big smile on my face as I read this post – you have done a great job at keeping us in suspense over this wonderful secret. What an incredible job you have done in designing ‘seafoam’. I love the name and adore the colour combinations. I had hoped to start project life a while back after being inspired by you, but all of the resources I wanted were out of stock on Amazon. I will most definitely be trying to purchase your line, if I can get in there quick enough! The designs are such a wonderful example of your creative style : )

    Like

  27. Michelle C Avatar
    Michelle C

    Congratulations! What an exciting opportunity for you! I’ve been following your blog for awhile and love all your posts.
    As for Project Life, I love this concept and have tried to do it before without much success. I have just done a major clean-up in my office and had committed to myself to start a Project Life project as my kids head to school next week. Seeing all the excitement over the new kit designs has me even more excited to get started.

    Like

  28. Hy Dee Avatar
    Hy Dee

    Wow. I don’t do Project Life–partially because I’ve been flummoxed by the kit choices and options–but Seafoam? I am SO THERE. I love the style of your PL and your kit. You are an inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Like

  29. Amanda S. Avatar

    YAY!!! So, so exciting!! I can’t wait to see all of it and order it!! Congratulations — well deserved 🙂

    Like

  30. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Elise, you had me at Seafoam. I am truly thrilled for you. Congratulations!!!!

    Like

  31. Tammy Avatar
    Tammy

    Love, love, love!!!! I was so excited to see it was you doing one of the designs. No idea how you have kept this secret. I’ve been wondering what your secret project was, and this is the best ever. Kudos.

    Like

  32. Melissa Sutton-Estrada Avatar
    Melissa Sutton-Estrada

    :)) Thx! Yes, I am in loooooove. ❤ I actually COMPLETED the very first kit in 2009, I think it was? and am already anxiously awaiting the chance to purchase Seafoam. WOOT! WOOT!!

    Like

  33. Jessica DeAngelis Avatar

    LOVE what you designed!! I think it put me over the edge on my decision to try PL!! Looks like Ill be starting next year!

    Like

  34. Clare D'Onofrio Avatar
    Clare D’Onofrio

    Yeah!!! Thank you that will be awesome. I’ve started doing my own and especially giving some to friends who are having a rough time. I’ve put them in business card holders and used a D-ring to hold them together.
    Thanks so much, enjoy your success and I hope a baby will be in your near future. Just relax about it and it will happen.

    Like

  35. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    Congratulations! I am so excited to buy this kit!!

    Like

  36. Kelsey S. Avatar

    I am so excited for you! I’ve been waiting for the kits to come out so I can get started, and now I will definitely be using the Seafoam. Congratulations, Elise!

    Like

  37. Jessi Avatar

    Gaaaaah!! So thrilled for you! This is some seriously exciting news. Can’t wait to order my kit next year!!!

    Like

  38. anneberit Avatar

    Love the colors and the designs of this. Congrats!! Look forward to order it for next years Project Life 😀

    Like

  39. Lorna Avatar

    This is amazing news, even better than anything I thought you were going to announce.
    It makes me want to start project life because I’ll have a cat in hell’s chance in creating a layout half as good as one as yours 🙂

    Like

  40. lynne @ lgsmash Avatar

    congratulations!!!! i think i’m going to start a project life but for the first year of my marriage (starts next friday!) rather than 2013. wish your designs were already available!! i love ’em!!!

    Like

  41. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Elise, I love it! I had actually started my own templates for Project Life (because the ones that were offered just didn’t feel right) — but I found it was too much work to put a week together, so I fell off the wagon. This is JUST what I needed. THANK YOU!

    Like

  42. Sarah p Avatar
    Sarah p

    Way to go Elise!

    Like

  43. Anne-Marie Cox Avatar

    OK… so I might be the only one but I think the name is well… odd… but then as your husband mentions in the next post… well you ARE odd… so it sort of fits… and I like the design… I’ll be buying it… P.S. Your Dad is a gem… “legit” indeed. 😉

    Like

  44. Louise Fortune Avatar

    wonderful in its simplicity and its colours – definitely doing this project next year (this is my first year too ) I am also a graphic designer and I would buy and use this kit.

    Like

  45. tiffany Avatar

    Congrats Elise! Love the designs! Job well done!

    Like

  46. Kelly Cree Avatar
    Kelly Cree

    You rocked it! Love the designs and color scheme! AMAZING–great news. Congratulations, Elise!

    Like

  47. Karen Moore Avatar
    Karen Moore

    I simply LOVE LOVE LOVE your colors! In fact, I’m going to buy it as soon as possible! Thanks so much!!!

    Like

  48. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    Your kit looks amazing. Can’t wait to see it in person. Love the text from your dad – how sweet to make sure you aren’t getting involved with someone who isn’t legit. 🙂

    Like

  49. Bernice Avatar

    So awesome! Loved that text from your dad 🙂 that’s PL material for sure! Your PL posts are always an inspiration to me (and a reminder for me to keep working on mine!). I’m so excited for the seafoam kit!

    Like

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