It's hot! Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. But yesterday we cooked burgers and hotdogs on the grill instead. Nothing says "Welcome Summer, please help yourself to a fresh cold beer!" like a backyard barbecue.
enJOY it
an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.
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One year from today is the e + p wedding. I get to marry my favorite person. The one who didn't realize why today was a big deal. ("It's not like it's an anniversary yet.") The one who knows me best and still loves me most. The one I want to stay with forever. The one with whom I can't wait to become a family.Love you, P. You're so the one.
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Yesterday was National Jelly Bean Day. veronica, who might as well get her own category on this blog, started the daily holiday with her roommate this month. I adore it. They are too cool. I have to figure out how I am going to celebrate Zucchini Bread Day today.
I also figured out how to get my handwriting into the computer to use on projects – I am hoping to make some new business cards, and I have big plans for our wedding invites to have our handwriting on them. I'll keep you posted.I am off to real work for a few hours. Happy Thursday.
PS : This is the coolest paper collection ever. Be sure to scroll through all 4 pages.
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It is hard to explain how much better yesterday turned out compared to Monday. For one, there was less crying. Less anger in general. There was 90% less television watched. And we still had thunderstorms, but they were outside, not in my person. Excellent.
Overall, I kept the focus on the main thing. Staying productive. Sticking to a schedule. I worked myself. It was letterpress in the morning, and then lunch/email. Followed by planning for the workshop and making projects. I then took a 45 minute break to watch a DVRed Gossip Girl, before going back to projects until the gym at 5:00. WHAT A DIFFERANCE IT MADE! Monday in comparison was Operation : Bad Television Day. Yesterday, when Paul got home, I was excited to talk with him. Not anxious to chew his shoes or bark like a cooped up puppy.
And hooray! I finished printing wedding invitations for a friend. They are completely her design and just lovely. I can't wait for you to see them Natalie! And I can't wait to order more plates for more letterpress projects…+++
Today! It's EARTH DAY! I need to focus on getting two more days of online workshop ready to run and do a little house clean up. I have already bought three BAGGU bags (what a fabulously designed Web site you have, Baggu!) and I am going to email Pottery Barn and Nordstorm (and any other catalogs I can find around here) and tell them I want off their catalog lists. Take it from me, large national chains, emails about sales are 100% more effective in getting my eyeballs on your merchandise. (Also, side note, Target is giving out one free resusable bag with your purchase this week. They're huge, just perfect for Target shopping trips.)
Also today, new letterpress prints! Inspired by the veronica family photo shoot, Mandie, a reader, suggested "main thing" prints. And I loved that idea. Thanks v! Thanks Tara! Thanks Mandie! Stephen Covey is the mastermind most attributed to the quote so let's also give him a ton of credit. Also, some twirl prints are available as well. Made with the fabulous Arturo paper. And seriously orange text? Can you beat it?Hug a tree! Recycle! Ride your bike! (P, I can't wait to get bikes.)
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Lose 10 pounds? Buy a fabulous spandex/sequined outfit? Sign up for dance lessons?I love this show.
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It is no secret that I am missing California. Really bad. Hurts my stomach sort of bad. We have had a long end-of-winter here with a lot of rain and a lot of gray skies. When ever it seems to get warm, there's a relapse of chilly. I have been spending too much time lately wishing loudly for a warmer climate.I know, I know. Complain, complain. No one (especially those of you in COLDER climates) wants to hear that. But it's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Photo from our visit to San Diego in summer 2007.
PS: a beautiful California family video. And an amazing San Francisco shop.
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Massive spring cleaning effort this weekend. We will be dropping SIX big bags of clothes and shoes off at goodwill this week. Once I get in to the be clothes re-haul, I love it. I like re-finding clothes. I like re-gaining room in my closet. I like re-sorting the hangers into rainbow order, which will last until the next big laundry load. 
Such a good feeling all around.We have rain and more rain in Maryland today. I have a few projects on deck and there's a West Wing marathon on Bravo. Feels like a good, quiet day.
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I went hunting in my closet for a shoe today (the left white sandal if you are curious) and had to remove about half of the shoes to find it. Once they were half out, I figured, "Hey. Paul's not home, I might as well get out the rest and take a picture."As I was pulling them out I realized that I beat my shoes. I don't just wear them like normal people, I wear them to walk in the rain. I wear them to stand up all day at my job. I wear them without socks. A few of them I used to wear to the 9-0.
With the exception of a few pretties (which happen to be new), my shoes are abuse victims.
Phase one of attack: Throw out the broken ones. The ones that are stretched out (those black flats with the silver jewels). The ones with holes in them (the gold ballet slipper looking ones). The ones where the heels have worn off the rubber square and it sounds like nails on a chalkboard when you walk (the brownish heels). TOSS 'EM. PLEASE BE RUTHLESS. (Except for the old pair of rainbows that got you through junior and senior year of college. That would be like giving away a child.)
Phase two: Replace what you need.
Phase three: Store shoes properly. A pile is not proper.
I am so excited.
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Maybe it's that I want another color in there? -
Right now: My inspiration board is uncluttered. Just a calendar to stay on track and a few fun photos. Every supply has a place. My projects are pretty planned out and I have specific techniques and tools I have to use each day. I would think this would hinder the make-stuff-process, but instead it is totally encouraging. I have gotten more layout/projects done this past week than I have in the past year. Good stuff.
enJOY it 