enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

on the postive side.

February 15, 2010
It has been a really rough month for me so far. The absence of Paul plus the excess of snow equals terrible. I'm angry about it. Not even sad. Just mad.

But things are looking up starting Wednesday (I can't say from today because 4-8" more of snow are expected) and soon this first part of February will be just a bad memory. And there have been a few highlights of the past two weeks :
- gold hearts : I bought a fun ring from here (it's a flash website so I can't share exactly which one) but the prices are fantastic and the quality is good.
- Olympic magic
- spring clothing in stores : it's sort of sad to see pretty clothing you can't wear yet but it's also a happy reminder that warm weather is on the way. I bought this the other day to celebrate.
- wedding accessories : I hope this is fantastic in person for me and we like these ties (in orange) for the groomsmen.
So… That's good stuff. Hopefully the next two weeks of this month with be amazing.
happy valentine’s day!

February 14, 2010

A bit of a throw back to last year's post.
just listed.

February 11, 2010

Original mixed paper books – now back in the shop.
the scarf is done.

February 11, 2010

I am happy to have something to show for the past few days but annoyed that today is yet another hide out day. Our metro system isn't working above ground yet which means I can't get into Georgetown for work. I am hoping they dig it out by Saturday or I'll have to change my name to Stir Crazy Blaha.

Also hoping the mail comes today with a few paper deliveries so I can finish up a few projects around here. I'm heading home to California next Wednesday to spend a week in Sacramento for my bridal shower and birthday. Am so looking forward to it. At this rate, there will be knitted gifts for everyone.

Stay warm. Happy Thursday.
wedding wednesday : table number plan.

February 10, 2010

I got an email from a blog reader named Alexandra last weekend. She was interested in having cards printed that could serve as table numbers at her July wedding. She wanted folded cards with the number on the front and then a space inside for guests at each table to write an anniversary message. The cards would be saved by the bride's family and then mailed to the new couple on each anniversary. EXAMPLE : everyone at table seven signs a card that the couple opens on their seventh wedding anniversary.

I loved the idea and told Alexandra I might just have to do the same for my own wedding. I printed up a few samples last night and am happy with how they turned out. The cards are 5×7 and after they sit on tables will be tucked into gray A7 envelopes. I like that the cards are graphic and simple. I love that we'll get to read little messages from our favorite people every year.

Thank you, Alexandra for a fantastic idea. I hope you enjoy your set.

Just 73 days! And one more detail checked off the list.
so far the snow day is just hype.

February 9, 2010

And I am knitting myself a ~~multi-colored igloo~~ scarf.
still hibernating.

February 9, 2010

I made it out of the house yesterday to stock up on groceries, mail some packages and buy adhesive. I wish I could say "Whew, made it through, we're done." But nope. We are supposed to be hit with another 16-20" of snow tonight and tomorrow. Which means I may never get out of this state again.

Last night I made the mistake of getting my weather report from the local news instead of weather.com. Why does it always have to be fire and brimstone? All they would talk about in the special "Storm Watch 2010" section was apartment fires (they did not mention microwave popcorn as a potential danger) and signs that your roof is going to collapse under the weight of the snowfall. Seriously?

I'm going back out early this morning to restock up on craft supplies. It looks like a long couple days ahead while I hide out and evaluate if my roof plans to cave in. Good times.
scenes from the weekend.

February 8, 2010

It was a stay indoors weekend as a big blizzard hit the DC area. I was without cable and internet for a day but I had plenty of paper projects to work on until I ran out of adhesive. I got started on the custom save the dates I'm making for a friend and made a lot of progress on our wedding programs and invites.

A mini crisis occurred once on Saturday afternoon when I was popping popcorn in the microwave and set off not one, but two smoke alarms. Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you've tried to air out your apartment during a blizzard. Our house still smells like burning and my arms are still sore from flailing a pillow around.

I tried to leave the house twice yesterday and failed both times. The roads are a mess because Maryland is not equipped for this type of weather. No one drives in lanes, instead it's a battle over who can find the most used tire tracks to follow in. Total disaster. I am hoping to go to the grocery store on foot today. I have to be prepared in case MORE SNOW dumps on us as scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Just keep swimming. Happy Monday.

PS – giveaway winner from last week is commenter #22 : Michelle Elford. Michelle please email me so I can get your gocco print in the mail.
GOventure : whole.

February 5, 2010

This is a bit of a personal topic for me. I need to stay whole. Last fall, I spent five weeks in Sacramento with my parents because Paul was on rotation out in San Diego. I left our apartment, my stuff and my part time job. Before I went, it made a lot of sense – there was no point in rattling around the house by myself. But after I had been gone a few weeks I realized that it felt like I had put my life on hold. It felt like a time out. I loved visiting with the fam but didn't like that I had stopped making stuff, cooking dinner, going into work, living on my own.

We are looking at a lot of time apart over the next fifteen years. I want to remember to stay whole through it. Ultimately, we'll both be better off.

I made the book above with a few thoughts but mostly just pretty papers. When I make books like this I first decide on size and then what the cover will be. In this case, I wrapped up thick 5×3.5 inch pieces of chipboard in pages from an Anthropologie catalog.

Next, I make the pages of the book, back and front. I keep a huge drawer of paper scraps and little boxes of embellishments like the lace and star above. I cut the papers down to size and decorate as needed. Then I figure out an order for the pages to go, come up with text and finally, punch holes
and add book rings.

This last GOventure day, I went back to paper and books. It's what I am most comfortable with which means I didn't have to think too outside the box. But sometimes that's good.

Thanks for following along this past week. KAL, I know it's been busy but I am glad we made time for this. You + your art are awesome. Thank you.
GOventure : permanent.

February 4, 2010

Permanent is a big word with a big meaning. It's right up there with forever. But for some reason the first thing that popped into my head was permanent adhesives. Second was Paul. So I sort of combined them. Glue + me stuck on P.

Today is a big day for the GOventures. We asked a few different artists to join us on the permanent challenge. The work above is by Tara Whitney, Jessica McDougall, Stephanie Howell & Ali Edwards. Be sure to check out what's happening on Kal's blog today and also visit our other guests, Marta Dansie, Rachel Denbow, & Paolo Liloc. I love how we each interpreted the same word in such different ways. That's how making stuff is supposed to GO.

Thanks for joining us!

The prompt for tomorrow will be WHOLE. I have this one in progress and like where it's going so far. See you then.