enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Aroundhere
Aroundhere2
Aroundhere9
Aroundhere4
Aroundhere3
Aroundhere7
Aroundhere8
Aroundhere5
Aroundhere10

It has been just great to have a week at home. I was running (actually typing) like a crazy person, wrapping up projects, getting stamps out the door and trying my best to stay organized. Thank you again for all your orders and thank you double for your patience as we wait for backordered stamps to come in. I will be shipping them all out as soon as I have them.

Today is a big deadline day for me. I am turning in things, clearing a HUGE item off my to do list and perhaps most importantly, freeing up lot of space in my brain. Next week represents a slight break in all the deadlines and I am going to celebrate it by reading books (JK Rowling's new book releases next week!) and completing craft projects. I am ready to embrace fall and at the top of my very long list of fun holiday tasks is making a giant autumn wreath, sewing a flannel dress & finishing up a summer garden photo book (and mayyyybe starting another quilt…). The blog is going to be hopping with project show & tell soon, for sure. I am so looking forward stepping away from the word processor and up to the sewing machine/ground/scissors/pile of felt/pens.

This week, for the first time in months, we lit candles and I placed a rather large order for some new flavors of David's Tea. In just a short while it's going to look, feel, smell and taste like fall around here.

How awesome. I'm totally inspired. Thank you, late September, for bringing with you a burst of creativity.

Posted in ,

46 responses to “around here.”

  1. susan Avatar

    Elise I love you & your blog. I read you at 9am each morning from my “creative” desk here in Nova Scotia.
    Your enthusiasm & zest for life always helps me start my day in a great way ! so thank you & happy weekend.

    Like

  2. Penny Avatar

    I saw you tweet about David’s teas and I had never heard of them. What’s your favorite? I guess the fall flavors are all new. Toasted marshmallow sounds delicious! Your blog has become my new favorite. Thanks for all of your inspiring posts. And I’m loving my stamps!! Might have to get the ones I didn’t order because the quality is so good! Happy weekend Elise!

    Like

  3. rossana Avatar

    these photo makes me happy: it means that it’s possible to convert a passion in a work! and it’s big inspiration for me. my compliments!

    Like

  4. Skye Avatar

    I love the photo looking down on your work space- it makes me want to leave work to go home and craft immediately! I can’t wait to see all your fall projects. Fall is my favorite season and I’m going to try to spend more time making fun stuff this season, starting with a craft night with my best friend tonight 🙂

    Like

  5. Sabine Avatar

    These photos put a big smile on my face. Can’t wait to have one of these packages in my hands and stamp away 🙂
    And I agree with rossana. You are an inspiration and live an inspirational life. You are definitely a role model for me. 🙂

    Like

  6. jodi Avatar

    such happy, happy photos!

    Like

  7. Emily Avatar

    I just got my stamps in yesterday and am already in love with them! Thanks so much for all the inspiration and for such awesome products! I can’t wait to get started :o)

    Like

  8. Cady Avatar

    It would be fun if you did a quilt along – kind of like a knit along (KAL) which is popular with knitters. Just an idea and a fun way for people to share their projects. I’m down to 11 weeks before this baby arrives and you’ve got me toying with the idea of making a quilt for him. Of course I need to learn a lot (hmmm, everything) about sewing first but I’d much prefer to jump straight into the deep end!

    Like

  9. Skye Avatar

    Susan, I saw that you left a comment and just had to tell you that I have your 2012 owl calendar hanging in my craft space and it makes me start all my crafting sessions in a happy mood! 🙂

    Like

  10. //Panda Avatar

    I’ve been dying to get a couple of your stamps so when the first batch ran out earlier this year I was bummed. Nevertheless, I just placed an order for the ones I want and now I can’t wait! They’re all super cute. Thanks Elise!

    Like

  11. Michelle E. Avatar
    Michelle E.

    Exciting times!!! You’ll have to do a post on your favourite teas from David’s Tea!!

    Like

  12. krys72599 Avatar

    Got my stamps yesterday – THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!
    Can’t wait to start playing with them! They will be AWESOME for Project Life!
    I should have ordered “get excited” because I AM!!! Excited, that is!!!

    Like

  13. elise blaha Avatar

    thank you so much. have a great weekend!

    Like

  14. elise blaha Avatar

    my FAVORITE is forever nuts. but I ordered 4 new ones this time!! I will let you know what I think!!

    Like

  15. elise blaha Avatar

    hey Cady, can you tell me a bit more about a quilt along? Do I just post a start date and recommended deadline? that could be fun…

    Like

  16. elise blaha Avatar

    I willl! In the meantime though, I love FOREVER NUTS.

    Like

  17. elise blaha Avatar

    awesome. so happy to hear it.

    Like

  18. Penny Lane Avatar

    I love this creative mess on your table! and what???K.J. Rowlings new book?! I had no idea!!! thanks for writing this! 🙂
    best wishes
    penny lane

    Like

  19. lee Avatar

    I think it’s so wonderful that you’ve put creative touches on the packaging – from the colorful (washi?) tape on the UPS labels, to the “get excited” stamp on the outside of the envelope…I always find it endearing and lovely when companies put little touches like that on the packaging. Congratulations on all the sales! =)

    Like

  20. Cady Avatar

    Sure! So the idea would be that you have a start date and an end date. In between that timeframe you would post your progress. For KALs we often share pictures of progress on ravelry but maybe bloggers could submit their photos to you and you could share some of them.
    Luv in the mommyhood is a blogger/knitter in Canada and she’s done a couple this year. Here’s a link to the summer sweater KAL she did :: http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2006/06/summer-sweater-knit-along-2012.html. She created a button that other bloggers could use in case you’re interested in that idea. Here’s why I like it :: having the announcement and then reveal builds up excitement. Other bloggers get to participate virtually. Plus for this KAL she did, she had four guest bloggers address some specific techniques along the way.
    You love projects and I’m pretty sure a lot of your readers do too so this could be fun (I think!).

    Like

  21. SKUnger Avatar
    SKUnger

    Thanks, as always for your creative enthusiasm! I just placed an order for some of your stamps. I finished my Masters in the spring and have had so many projects on the “back burner” these past years, that I too needed to write lists & sort them all out. I am painting, knitting a cowl neck scarf, scrapbooking, getting to work on script school homework, adding to my OLW journal and making a patchwork/ embroidered bag. I love reading your blog because we share so many of the same interests – art, writing, cooking, gardening, photography, sewing, home design!

    Like

  22. Callie Avatar

    That is such a great quote! Definitely one that’s meant to be written out and put on a cork board!

    Like

  23. elise blaha Avatar

    alright – super cool. I will figure out a good time for something like this. 🙂

    Like

  24. Kathy (kathyb) Avatar
    Kathy (kathyb)

    Thank YOU Elise. Your blog is one of my “go- to’s” each day. I love the stamps I have from your 1st set. I’ve just ordered from your new releases, and can’t wait to receive those during October. Thank you for inspiring me….keep PL’ing, blogging, stamp designing, keep doing what you do. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

    Like

  25. a touch of domesticity Avatar

    Autumn is everywhere here: in the wind, nudging at the leaves, and in me too. I love it and your post has made me go all September-ish! I ate my last British strawberry today, and I think it’s time to say goodbye to the summer and hello to pumpkins, pears and pullovers.
    PS I noticed on your craft table picture that there’s a couple of strings of hearts. Have you been making something?

    Like

  26. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    Cheers to pre-autumn inspiration. I’m already fantasizing daily about Project Life! But this fall is going to be great and so full of creativity! 🙂 Are you doing a holiday book this year?

    Like

  27. Jenny Rose Avatar
    Jenny Rose

    My favorite David’s Tea is Jessie’s Blend. Simply lovely. Try it and you won’t be disappointed.

    Like

  28. elise blaha Avatar

    those are Amy Tangerine for American Crafts stickers. 🙂

    Like

  29. elise blaha Avatar

    I am for sure. will be for sale in early Nov.

    Like

  30. Jojo A Avatar
    Jojo A

    I meant to tell you…there is a David’s Tea open in SF on Polk Street: http://www.davidstea.com/stores
    You’ll have to stock up on your next trip up north :).

    Like

  31. Jane Avatar

    I love that Maya Angelou quote! And my stamps arrived early this week and they are awesome! I’m so glad I ordered right away, because I note that many of my favorites are already on back order. Good for you!!

    Like

  32. Robyn :) Avatar

    Wait, your stamps went on sale!? Ahhhh, how did I miss that?? I need to go place an order!

    Like

  33. Eleazar Balboa Avatar

    Round Here Lyrics – Step out the front door like a ghost Into the fog where no one notices The contrast of white on…
    Don,
    http://yesshop.yolasite.com/blog.php

    Like

  34. olddrum Avatar

    I just used that Maya quote on a project of mine, great quote! I love the thank you for ordering cards, very sweet.

    Like

  35. Jenny Lynch Avatar
    Jenny Lynch

    Hi Elise,
    Love the autumn post! Got me thinking…..will you be making an autumn book this year? I already know of two definite orders if you are :). Enjoy the lovely fall weekend.
    Jenny

    Like

  36. elise blaha Avatar

    hey Jenny – thank you so much! but I am not doing autumn books this year. I will have holiday ones for sure though. 🙂

    Like

  37. Jenny Rose Avatar
    Jenny Rose

    I am very new to Project Life (thanks to you!) and am stumped as to how you make the beautiful text cards, like the Maya Angelou one you have here. Would you mind telling me?

    Like

  38. Jenny Lynch Avatar
    Jenny Lynch

    Thanks, Elise, though sad there won’t be an autumn book, Inam totally looking forward to the holiday book, especially since it is my baby’s first Christmas this year 🙂

    Like

  39. Cecily g Avatar
    Cecily g

    My That’s What She Said stamp came this week, and I was such a happy lady to see your package! This summer has been a tough one for me, and you’ve inspired me to re-engage with my creative self, so thank you thank you thank you!

    Like

  40. Giuseppina Avatar

    I absolutely love these posts Elise 🙂 thanks for always keeping me inspired!

    Like

  41. elise blaha Avatar

    So glad to hear it! thank you!

    Like

  42. elise blaha Avatar

    thank you Jenny, glad you like it. You can read more about the quote cards (and my PL process) here : http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2012/03/thoughts-on-project-life-and-general-qa.html

    Like

  43. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    I love it when you do these photo post. There is always at least one photo there that makes me want to get up and create straight away! This time, it is all the stamp pictures… I love them! I can’t wait to place a big order! And I always love seeing what you do with the packages you send out… Such a personal touch that makes it feel much more special when you recieve them and open them!

    Like

  44. Jenny Rose Avatar
    Jenny Rose

    Thank you!

    Like

  45. -Michelle Avatar

    woooo! Look at all those orders!
    Now, if you had stamps that said NERD or HOLLA, those I would be tempted to buy. Those are more me.
    But, in the meantime I will just enjoy the stamp ideas you have here on the blog.

    Like

  46. Skye Avatar

    That would be so cool!! I’d be worried about super fast project finisher Elise finishing WAY before me, though… 🙂

    Like

Leave a reply to Jenny Lynch Cancel reply