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!

Posted in , , ,

368 responses to “the secret’s out!”

  1. Jill Kane Avatar

    I had an inkling this is what your secret project could be – CONGRATS! Wow, so, so happy for you Elise. And I’m really stoked for the kit. Looks like I’ll have to transition back to the 4×6/3×4 sizes next year. Been doing my own version of PL with baseball card sized page pockets this year. But between your designs and the new ones from Studio Calico launching soon, I must make the move! So excited for “graphic” Elise to hit Amazon πŸ™‚ You rock it, sister!

    Like

  2. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Congratulations Elsie! I’ve been enjoying your blog for a few years now and am happy that you’ve reached this new, amazing milestone!

    Like

  3. @ktbercury Avatar
    @ktbercury

    I KNEW IT!!!! Well not exactly. A PL edition was my first thought when I read about your secret project BUT I wasn’t sure they would be cool enough to get your style. Yay that they are!

    Like

  4. natasha.pinney@gmail.com Avatar
    natasha.pinney@gmail.com

    My husband will be deploying soon and I’m really considering buying your kit to try my hand at this. Your kit is gorgeous. Hopefully it will help the time go by.

    Like

  5. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Love, Love, Love this news!!! Congratulations for getting to design the new kit! I have to say, it is gorgeous too! I love the colours and the graphic look to it… It’s so much more versatile this way! This was such exciting news when I read it a few days ago on my holiday, and I can’t wait to buy the kit when it’s released! I’m actually looking forward to making a physical Project Life album next year now, rather than doing it digitally, like I originally intended!

    Like

  6. Allison Avatar

    Elise! This is absolutely amazing! Congratulations on all of your hard work, I am so loving the colors and patterns in your kit!!!

    Like

  7. Janna Avatar
    Janna

    I’m freaking out!!! I love that you designed a kit!!!! I NEED:-) LOOOOL on your dad’s text – how hilarious!!!! Congrats – so pumped for you…and US that get to use it! HOW FUN!

    Like

  8. Debie Grace Avatar

    WOW! CONGRATULATIONS, ELISE!! πŸ™‚

    Like

  9. Jessica Rodarte Avatar

    Came back to look at it again- it’s so cool. It is something I feel I would see at Target and instantly buy.

    Like

  10. Jessica Rodarte Avatar

    One more email from me? from weirdo me? My favorite part of the story is “I googled this ‘Becky Higgins’ and it seems like she’s legit.”

    Like

  11. Online Diploma Avatar

    nice & impressive article you have posted.. Wonderful post, It is really not difficult to study your blog.. I have found good information in your blog… So excellent … It’s a treasure for me to reading your blog..I will definitely share it with others.thanks

    Like

  12. Dani Avatar
    Dani

    Along with MANY others, I am THRILLED and really excited about this kit. Your design skills & color choices are brilliant! I’ve pinned quite a few of your other projects on Pinterest and keep gravitating towards your work! Thank you for being an inspiration and sharing your talents with us! =)

    Like

  13. kayoungche Avatar
    kayoungche

    Elise, I just read this (I know, I’m late to the party). I teared up at the text from your dad. Your blog is the only one I check on a daily basis and my one respite in my ultra-stressful and hectic days in corporate America. Thank you and you deserve this honor. Keep up the good work!

    Like

  14. toby Avatar
    toby

    Went to your online shop and don’t see where I can buy the seafoam kit.
    Help!
    Thanks!
    Can’t wait to get started.

    Like

  15. elise blaha Avatar

    I do not sell it, I just designed it. πŸ™‚ Not yet available in the US but will be sold on amazon. Visit Beckyhiggins.com for more information on project life and all the products offered.

    Like

  16. Mallory Avatar

    Elise do you know when this will be available to purchase??? I’d love to use it but I don’t want to get too far behind in 2013!

    Like

  17. elise blaha Avatar

    hi Mallory, the tentative release date is next week some time! You can get more up to the minute information on Becky Higgins blog or by following her or me on twitter. πŸ™‚

    Like

  18. Bitty Avatar

    Oh wow, I know I missed the boat on this post and it was almost a year ago now when you wrote it, but what a beautiful!! post! Left me in tears! Hope it’s all(or did all) working out perfectly!

    Like

Leave a reply to Debie Grace Cancel reply