enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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Paul has been out of town this week for training. Six days is nothing compared to a seven month deployment, but it's been interesting having the house to myself again and crazy how all my old routines have returned. I am counting my blessings that I am comfortable and enjoy being alone. If I didn't, I am not quite sure how this relationship (me + the military) would work.

And you know what they say… when the cat's away, the mouse will turn every room into a craft room, do a bunch of projects and watch a lot of guilty-pleasure television. On one hand, it's frustrating that my one week of no work deadlines is the same week that Paul is gone but on the other, it was pretty spectacular to have an endless stretch of time to just make stuff (and blog and keep up with email and plan for what's next and ship orders…).

In fabric news : I sewed a dress this week (I'll share when it feels a bit more like fall around here) and got started on four different quilts. Three of them are going to be gifts and one of them (the solid colored triangle) is for me. I figured it would be easier to cut all the pieces first and then go through all the steps in stages, but we'll see how it goes. I am thrilled to be riding a creative wave this autumn and will hold on as long as possible until the surf board flies out from under me.

In paper news : I am a new Tips & Tricks contributor on the Studio Calico blog. This means once a quarter I will be using their kit (most likely in my Project Life album) to share a "tip" or "trick" (and sometimes both!). My first post went up last night and you can see it & download a PDF with a bit more info here. I'll be sharing two more weeks of my Project Life album, including that fun insert, here on my blog tomorrow and Sunday.

This weekend is an awesome one because Paul will be home and we have absolutely nothing planned (except introducing him to the new Mumford album and watching Tuesday's episode of Sons of Anarchy). I predict a lot of red wine and college football in our future. It shall be amazing.

Have a good one.

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36 responses to “around here.”

  1. karin hope Avatar
    karin hope

    It is so inspiring when you hit one of these creative waves! I really hope I can catch a wave of my own with an upcoming craft fair and art show to prepare for. Also, I am so so so in love with your triangle quilt!!! The mixed berry colors are exactly what I’ve been into for the past few years, and with a baby on the way I’m so wishing I could sew one for myself to cuddle up with during the late night feedings (but I can’t sew at all). If you ever want to sell it .. .

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  2. jodi Avatar

    looks like an extremely fun and productive time!

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  3. Pink Ronnie Avatar

    Loving the look of that dress! Can’t wait to see the finished result!
    Ronnie xo

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  4. Michelle Avatar

    Love this: when the cat’s away, the mouse will turn every room into a craft room, do a bunch of projects and watch a lot of guilty-pleasure television.

    Like

  5. amy lapi Avatar

    stay away from FB/internet spoilers of SOA!
    it was AWESOME with a huge twist.
    that is steve & I’s favorite show to watch together. 🙂

    Like

  6. Kirsty Mitchell Avatar

    I have a slight financial question, I was wondering how do you go about buying your supplies and materials? Is it all one big joint account with you and Paul or do you have separate accounts? And what about when he is deployed? I’m not being nosy I am just curious 🙂 xxxxx

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  7. Julia Avatar

    sigh… one whole week of uninterrupted craft time… sounds absolutely amazing. i can’t wait to see how the dress turned out! and i’m loving all the colors going into your quilts! what perfect christmas gifts! thanks for constantly inspiring and motivating!

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  8. kristen Avatar

    LOVE the start of your solid triangle quilt – such great colors! And the new Mumford album is awesome – I’ve been listening to it non-stop 🙂
    Also, did you hear that “half sack” from Sons was found dead this week? Pretty crazy and sad.

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  9. Skye Avatar

    Oooh, jealous of all your craft time. Of course, you’ll do way more with it than I would- you’re SO productive! 🙂

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  10. Sonja Avatar

    looks like a funny week in an atelier…
    Love it!

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  11. elise blaha Avatar

    no! I had not, that is crazy.

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  12. Meg Avatar

    Ohhh. I can’t wait to see the tutorial for the solid color quilt.

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  13. elise blaha Avatar

    I have a separate account for all business expenses (which most craft supplies are not – I do not write off craft projects as business expenses). But we have joint checking, savings and credit card for everything else. We share all our money completely and it works really well for us. 🙂

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  14. elise blaha Avatar

    that is sweet! I cannot imagine selling quilts…yet. But will keep you posted. 🙂

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  15. Hannah Avatar

    Elise, your creative productivity never ceases to amaze! Am loving the snapshots in this post. I’ve just finished sewing my first baby quilt and despite finding the final stages slightly tricky, as soon as I put the last stitch in, I wanted to start making another one to put into practice the things I’ve learnt this time around!
    Looking forward to seeing your finished dress : )

    Like

  16. Tia Avatar
    Tia

    Did you make a Tova? I’m making one now too and totally recognize the placket. I was a card maker and now am knee deep into sewing now. The fabrics are addictive. Try checking out Fabricworm or Pink Castle Fabric for really cute bundles.

    Like

  17. Mollie Avatar
    Mollie

    You’re making it big time Elise, officially on buzzfeed!
    http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/56-ways-to-decorate-with-washi-tape (#20)

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  18. Laura Avatar

    How fun! The quilt looks beautiful — and that fabric, I’m in love! Have a wonderful weekend with your hubby!

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  19. karin hope Avatar
    karin hope

    i can understand that. you’re welcome to gift it to me 😉 i’d be happy to gift you some of my creations!

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  20. -Michelle Avatar

    Hey Elise – as I have been looking around for an apt to rent a random question came to me and I thought I’d ask you. How does moving and leases and renting work when you are military and looking at being deployed? Most of the leases here are for a year. But if one is being deployed or transferred to another base before a year is up, do you just have to keep paying the rent anyway?
    I was just thinking, probably the military does not schedule you to move based on when your lease is up… but if you gotta break leases then finding a new place to rent will be super difficult.
    No reason to ask, just curious!

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  21. elise blaha Avatar

    I know what you mean! They get better and better (and easier) as you go. 🙂

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  22. elise blaha Avatar

    I did!! It is my second attempt at the tova dress. 🙂

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  23. elise blaha Avatar

    Thanks to some sort of military act – it is illegal to hold a military member to a lease. If Paul gets orders to move, we can break a lease at any time. 🙂

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  24. sophie Avatar

    congrats on become a member of the Studio Calico team! also, i saw that you’ll be QBM at the end of next month… so excited for that. question- will you be selling the “his & hers” stamp set? and if so, will you be carrying enough inventory with you that we can buy more then one set? thanks + have a great weekend!

    Like

  25. Jenni Hufford Avatar

    this just looks like a whole lot of crafty happiness 🙂 super excited to see how you use SC kits in PL. I find myself doing this more and more with kits. and the layouts i do make end up in PL too. have a lovely weekend! xo

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  26. rachel swartley Avatar

    Isn’t it great to be riding a creative wave?! I’ve been bursting with creativity recently too, and have so many projects swirling around in my head.
    Last night I sewed the top for a denim comforter, I currently have homemade candles in the crockpot, and I’m hoping to make a Blurb book by tomorrow (to use your fantastic promo code). And my very first Project Life binder and plastics arrived yesterday! 🙂
    Enjoy your open weekend!!

    Like

  27. Brandy Avatar
    Brandy

    Thanks for the shout-out to Davisds Tea… I’m always on the lookout for good tea sites, so I ordered some (darjeeling my fave) and it’s delish! I also got their fillable drawstring tea bags which are fab!

    Like

  28. elise blaha Avatar

    hey Sophie, thanks so much! I will have everything there including his and hers sets. If you email me before the show with what you want, I can be sure to set it aside for you. 🙂

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  29. Cassidy Hogue Avatar

    Love that square page! And those colors for the quilt are awesome.

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  30. orange gearle Avatar

    I love this post, and all your posts! Thank you so much for sharing. I love your love for Paul. It reminds me of my love for my Soul Mate (you know, the wonderful man that I am lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with). It is wonderful to hear you say something so close to what I feel. 🙂

    Like

  31. Katie M Avatar
    Katie M

    Haha those pictures make me laugh! I’m pretty sure that’s what my dinning room floor looks like too after I’ve been sewing. who has time to clean up when your makin’ stuff 🙂 Now I don’t feel so bad. PS LOVE the colour choices.

    Like

  32. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    I have that same white fabric with the navy flowers from joanns! I used it for my quilting class! Now we both have quilts with a little piece of the same fabric 🙂

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  33. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    I love seeing what you are working on each week when you post all of your photos! The quilt looks super fun, and your dress is turning out really well too! All that fabric goodness has me wanting to start making a quilt straight away, but I’m already working on a few big projects and don’t want to add another just yet. Love the colours though!

    Like

  34. Amanda Avatar

    My husband is going TDY in a few days. Even though, I’m going to miss him, I have a huge list of crafts I want to get done. I completely understand the craft zone and guilty-pleasure television!

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