Worth battling the crowds, their cameras and the wind. I am so glad we got to see the cherry blossoms this year.
enJOY it
an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.
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My friendly neighborhood bridesmaids sent me flowers yesterday. What a treat to come home to. And DUDE. Orange, you rock my life. It is too cool that my mixture of girls from college and girls from high school are bonding over this adventure. I am a lucky lady.
In other flora related news, my bean plant is growing. I have felt a little bit like WALL.E watching this little one come out. (Thanks Kris, perfect gift.)And also: Happy 28 years of marriage to Mom & Dad today. I cannot think of a better example of love and commitment, than you two.
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Busy, busy weekend and then busier week ahead. Go team. Happy Saturday.
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(fabulous photos: handmade book, invitation set, pretty tabletop, orange flowers, coolest cake.)
LOVING these images right now. That cake especially. How cool is that? It almost makes me want to toss some green into the wedding mix. Or else just throw together a little impromptu party this weekend complete with three tier cake. And, OH MAN. The text on the envelope liner. I want to wall paper my house in that paper. Or something.
Yesterday was a bit out of control. I woke up with a headache and somehow convinced myself I had a rare and unglamorous disease that I would rather not share the name of. I was so out of sorts that I fell down the stairs (but luckily only the last three. Also luckily, I was not carrying scissors or a stapler like I usually am.) The best part of dating Paul is that he is always quick to quell any irrational fears. He likes to say things like, "Babe. No. You're fine." And because he has books and knowledge to back it up, I believe him. It's funny, because I have heard stories about med students who convince themselves they have every disease in the book. P is the opposite. Which is just great until the day we catch something and ignore it. Knock on wood.
Yesterday was also fabulous. Workshop sign-ups exceeded my expectations. I love it. Feeling so good about this class. If you have paid, you should have received an email with website information from me already. Email me if you have not seen it in your inbox yet. Please also email me if you are having trouble accessing the site…
My internship ends today. It was good. I enjoy PR and what it means. PRESS is good. It is how companies stay afloat. Great and interesting learning experience. I am probably not going to be a public relations guru in the future, but I will take a lot from this to my next job.
NEXT UP : I need to clean my crafty space (and house). It is so full of junk that it needs a big overhaul. I have this great plan to clear everything off the tabletop and get 14 square feet of workspace. After that, I am going to make a big list. I read a great article last night in Business Week about TIME MANAGEMENT. About how it all comes down to getting yourself organized and your to-do list sorted. That is the plan. Bring a method to the madness.
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Hooray!
Workshop sign-ups are officially open. You have from today until the official class instruction begins on April 13 to sign up. Please read this post for original information and check here for FAQs. I am brimming with excitement to get this rolling. You can see a few sneaks of projects above and I hope to get more up before the class begins to share more of what is in store.
I do want to mention that a color computer printer will be used for a few of the planned projects. Please consider this before you sign up.
This class is, most importantly, a chance to try something different and make some stuff. Below is a list of what we are going to be doing for 10 weekdays. Remember that with each lecture there will be project ideas plus photos and how-tos of layouts/minibooks I have put together – exclusive to this class.
Clicking the "buy now" button will take you to paypal to make a secure money transfer. The fee for the class is $20. This includes unlimited access to the workshop site and PDFs of the class projects. After I receive an email notification of your payment, I will email you with instructions for accessing the site and password information within 24 hours.Class is now closed – thank you for your interest. Please continue to follow this blog for more information about upcoming online workshops.
Thanks for your excitement so far. This is good.
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Whew. Another month gone. Maybe 2009 will be remembered not just because of the recession but because of how it sprouted wings and flew by?I have to say I am looking very forward to April. Weather.com says Maryland in April averages highs around 70*. And in addition to that, we've got cherry blossoms. And I've got a class to bring to life. (Look for sign-up information here around 10 AM EST tomorrow.)
April feels like a great time for an adventure. And also flip-flops.
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We're back. What a weekend. The wedding was classy and fun and excellent. Going to a wedding while in engaged is a pretty exciting time. There is a lot of "Oh, wow. This is going to be us." And a few overcome-with-emotion tears at all the important moments.We danced and danced. Paul was in quite a dancing mood, which surprised us both. As he spun me around the dance floor, I must of told him six times, "I can't wait to marry you." And it was more than just the signature martinis talking. He's the best.
My parents have many close friends in Minnesota and Colleen is one of them. Because I want to do my own wedding flowers, my Mom arranged a meeting with her early Saturday morning to "just get some ideas." I told Colleen orange, only one color and that I wanted something simple. We walked into her house to a beautiful spread of flowers.I was overwhelmed in the very best way. Colleen had paired orange roses with a few (silk) California poppies to make understated centerpieces and a beautiful bouquet. For greens, she used the same plant leaves that we have growing in my backyard in Sacramento. The week of the wedding, I am going to order oodles of roses, pick some leaves and wrap it all up in wire and ribbon. (Don't worry, I'll practice.) Our centerpieces will be mixes of roses in wine glasses and roses in other vessels. Simple, simple.
As soon as I saw how lovely it all looked, we called Paul and my dad to come see. Paul was impressed with the California poppies and decided that the orange the occurs naturally in nature is just the right orange. Which works. No circus colors for me.
This trip was so good. It was nice to see a wedding in action and realize that my real excitement is not over the big event but over the much bigger relationship that will follow it for 70 years.
+ PS. I, of course, highly recommend Colleen's Flower Cellar. She is rational, experienced, talented and beyond friendly. I really cannot say enough good things.
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This is my favorite scrapbooking layout. Vintage 2007.I remember taking the photo in my room (at my parents' house), printing it downstairs on the computer and coming back upstairs to complete this layout on the floor. Daiquiri (yes, daiquiri) in hand the whole time.
I had graduated from college eight days before. I was going to Europe in a little over a week. I was happy and excited about where I had been and where I was going.
This is not written anywhere on the layout but I remember it so well. I am so glad I captured this day in my life.
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I got an email yesterday asking if my online workshop is suitable for beginners. Yes. Yes. Yes. This is a great class if you scrapbook OR if you don't scrapbook. This is even a great class if you think scrapbooking is a little bit lame. This is not a great class if you hate making stuff and writing down thoughts. I just want to put that on the table.
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And I really need to pack for the apparently fridgid temperatures of Minnesota. I'm planning to be the girl in the dress without tights. Excellent. The awkward one from California.
Have a great weekend.
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It is cold and rainy again in Maryland. Here is some sunshine from my google reader this past week:
+ heart embroidery on frolic (I am currently out of thread so my own sewing project is on hold.)
+ a perfume recommendation from marta
+ letterpressed cards from Studio On Fire
+ the cutest paper flowers on Oh Happy Day!
+ paper marbleizing on Martha's craft department blog
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Tomorrow, Paul and I are heading to Minneapolis, MN for my cousin's wedding this weekend. I can't wait to see my parents! And of course attend a fabulous party.
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The (paid) PR internship that I have been at since January will be ending on April 2nd. Right now, the plan is to continue working part time at Paper Source and wait to see what comes next. I waiver between excitement and nerves. Mostly nerves when I read headlines that the US economy might explode. Mostly excitement when I think about how much time I will have to letterpress & and build my little business.I never thought I would be the float-around-after-college type. I expected to get a big job. With health insurance and (paid) vacation time. Something with a relatively clear ladder. Something with stepping-stones.
But here I am.
And recession or not, the goal (for businesses and consumers) should always be to stay creative.
(paper in image is from a journal by Jill Bliss
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I am so excited about this class!A few questions from today:
Q : gggrrr..lol
I will be in Dominican Republic until the 19th. Is there any way I
could still purchase the class and join in on the 20th???
A : Yes. The site will stay open for at least two weeks after the class ends for your to browse at your leisure. I also plan to put project PDFs together for people who take the class – these you can keep and use forever.Q : will you
be running this class any other times? I'm super interested but my
school term is just beginning so I don't want to overload myself…
A : I don't know yet – hopefully! But again, between the PDFs and two extra weeks, you should be able to take ideas from the class.Q : Just wondering if you are going to be limiting numbers or not? 🙂
A : Probably not. I am not expect overwhelming numbers. 🙂Q: I'm
wondering what sort of participation you're expecting from people
taking the class…i.e. are we expected to do the projects each night
or is it more, if you have the time?
A : Great question. This is very low pressure. Your participation is completely up to you. I hope to provide inspiring assignments, but go for them on your own time! The projects I have planned will not necessarily be building on each other.Also, I just want to note that I will be posting a few peeks and examples of the projects in the coming weeks. You will have a chance to see them before the class starts.
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ASIDE : OH, MAN. I am obsessed with Dancing with the Stars. This is the first season I have watched and I adore it. By the second hour I am waltzing around the room, much to Paul's amusement.
enJOY it 