around here I'm in MAKE&GIVE30 mode. This was not the plan. I thought I'd wait until after my birthday to really get started. But turns out, I just needed a new creative goal to feel a new creative burst of energy. It's funny – I thought the reason I felt so zapped creatively from small DIYs this past year is because I was so focused elsewhere. And while that might be true, I also think it's because I didn't set any expectations on myself to be working on them. Now that I have this goal again it's like all the ideas are coming at once.
To organize my brain a bit, I've decided to break the project into three phases. Phase one, the first 10 projects, will be about using up current supplies. Knitting with pretty yarn I haven't used yet. Carving a stamp with my existing tools and left over rubber. Making one more hardbound journal with the book kit I've had for five years. Using my last gocco screen and set of bulbs to create a fun print. Making a small knit blanket and giant weaving with scrap yarn. 10 projects using what I have. Phase two (projects 11-20) will be doing a completely new take on an old project. And phase three (projects 21-30) will be trying something I have never done before. I'm so inspired.
around here I'm looking at paper samples for GET TO WORK BOOK. This project also has three major phases. Phase one was the design and editing process. That was the first place where things could go very wrong or very right and I'm 95% sure we fall into the latter category. Phase two, which I'm in right now, is production. What will the paper feel like? How thick will the cover be? How much will the book weigh? How much will it cost to produce? How many can I produce? How quick will be the turn around? How can I make sure I don't get screwed here, time-wise? Is this product the very best it can be? Phase three is marketing and promotion. I can't even let myself go there yet.
around here I shared a photo of testing planner paper samples and I got a comment from Tiffany: Ummmmm. Girl. THIS IS YOUR JOB. how rad is that?! I grinned at the time. But right now, as I type this I'm fighting back tears because THIS IS MY JOB. I can't believe that this is my job. I can't believe that I get to make stuff and share it and call it work. Thank you Internet. And thank you college-Elise for starting this blog and sticking with it.
photos by Cortnee Brown for Creative Start
around here I was honored to be a guest on Creative Start. Cortnee is really doing some cool stuff with that site and podcast. I love chatting business (obviously) and it was fun to do. I also love and appreciate the photos Cortnee was able to take at my house and in my workspace last December when we recorded. New headshot! High five!
around here Paul's on an ER rotation which means a major schedule shift. (Ellerie's waking up at least once at night and at 5AM in protest.) Doing the dinner-bath-bedtime song and dance solo isn't ideal but the good news is we're one week down and at the end of this tunnel there's a trip to Las Vegas for E&P followed by a trip to Disneyland for the whole fam. Not too shabby.
around here, if you haven't guessed, it feels like GO time.
ps … you can still shop sale and do your best misprints here.
enJOY it 
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