enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

  • more thoughts on “balance.”

    Workathomemama

    Alright folks. Here comes my second post about the "balance" between being a mom and being a work-at-home business owner. (Read the first one here!) It's filled with some tough stuff because oh man, are these two jobs tough. I thought a lot about "balance" as I mulled over what I wanted to say and realized is that it's such a misnomer. "Balance" implies that work and life are equal. It implies that if you take something from one you give it to the other. "Balance" implies that time can be divided equally or fairly. And let's get real – none of that is true.

    So when I talk about "balance," I'm talking more about my strive for sanity. I love my family. I love my job. I make no apologies for either. Without my family I've got nothing. Without my job I don't feel like me. So my never-ending goal is to live a happy life that incorporates both. The six things discussed below are what I know to be true/what works for me.

    Practice makes better. I feel like I always say this, but you have to remember I've been blogging for almost 9 years. I can write posts and develop editorial calendars and resize photos in my sleep. I know what I'm doing and I'm comfortable with my voice and so this type of work happens very quickly for me. If you're brand-new to blogging and struggling, you might be thinking "Wow, Elise makes this look easy" but you have to remember, I have a lot of experience and practice on my side. Don't set ridiculous goals like posting six times a week if you're just starting out. Remember that you have to devote effort to this (or any!) craft and over time you get better and more efficient.

    Get ahead. I'm always working about a week ahead. What does this mean, exactly? Aside from "around here" or "currently" blog posts, I generally have everything for the blog written and ready to go 3-10 days in advance. For the shop, I generally have the next month's project prepared (like completely finished) before the current month launches. This is how I work because when I'm behind I'm panicking and when I'm panicking I'm not efficient or creative. If you panic when you're behind too, I recommend figuring out a good way to catch up. Maybe this means not blogging for a week to prepare for the next week. Maybe it means deleting all of your emails (responses be damned!). Maybe it means hiring or trading for some help for a few extra hours to gain some momentum.

    Sidenote : I got a comment awhile back about how I never seem to "enjoy the moment" and that I appear to be always "looking ahead to the next thing." I suppose if you just know me via the blog you might have that impression, but in real life the opposite is true. I focus on the future and work ahead in my business so that in my every day life with Paul and Ellerie, I can be present and not distracted by the fact that it's 7pm and I have to write tomorrow's post.

    Set (and hit) your due dates. I talked about this last time but I cannot stress this enough. You have to be able to set realistic deadlines and more than that you have to be able to hit them. If you continually push back deadlines, you make them meaningless. And when they are meaningless, they become much easier to put off and next thing you know you're on a three hour Facebook stroll down memory lane. Due dates and deadlines are important for collaborations and they are equally important for your own business. Consider and respect your own time just as you consider the time of others. And hey! Stuff happens! If you can't hit a deadline, that's okay. Be honest with yourself and reschedule.

    Lock in some dedicated work hours. I've mentioned this, but in 2014 we hired a nanny for eight hours per week. Those eight hours are just for me and my business and it's unreal what having set time has done for my life outlook. Unlike Paul's work schedule or Ellerie's nap schedule, these are guaranteed hours that I can count on which helps me relax during my "free" hours. It may not be practical financially at this point in your business to hire help, but if you're struggling to fit it all in, I would encourage you to pick an set evening that your partner or parents can watch the kids or trade shifts with another mom. Knowing that you have some time that belongs to you is priceless. And then obviously you'll want to make good use of that time.

    Be real about your priorities. I spend approximately three minutes "getting ready" physically everyday. This involves brushing my teeth, throwing on an "outfit" and putting on a baseball hat/headband*. Looking super pulled together physically is not a priority to me as compared to actually being super pulled together mentally. I spend 15 to 20 minutes each morning savoring my coffee and cereal while catching up online. That quiet sitting time is a priority to me over straight hair and photo-able outfits. It doesn't really matter what your priorities are, but it matters very much that you think about them and then are deliberate with how you spend your time.

    Recognize everyone struggles. Everyone – every single person – has tough days. There is no magic formula. You can't read (or write!) a thousand posts about "balance" and suddenly have it. You just have to start from scratch and adjust, adjust, adjust. Take the tough days for what they are and move on. Take the good days for what they are and throw a party in their honor. Don't compare yourself against anyone. Don't judge your business, marriage or parenting skills against any one else's – especially when the only story you have is what you read online. We're all flawed, we all make mistakes and we all try again to do better tomorrow.

    *don't worry, I do shower daily, it's just in the evenings. 😉

    Other posts you might enjoy:

  • project life 2014 : february.

    FEBpl

    As mentioned at the end of 2013, I am no longer completing my Project Life album on a weekly basis. I did that for two years. I enjoyed the process and I love my albums. This year I am taking a much more relaxed approach and playing more with this project. I don't have much of a plan other than to complete at least one (and sometimes many more) spread a month.

    EliseCripeSCMarchdetailblog

    The big win is that I can never be "behind" on this album. I also like that I don't have to worry about having seven horizontal 4×6 photos each week and can group photos by subject instead of date. I love that I will be under no "weekly deadlines" and will be blogging just once a month about my album.

    EliseCripeSCMarchfrontsideblog

    February was packed for us. Lots of work! Lots of progress! A quick trip up to Sacramento to visit our families and for Ellerie's baptism.

    FEBspread1click to enlarge.

    I started this month with almost a "title" page. I used a bunch of pink, yellow and red cards and embellishments from the SC March Office Hours Project Life kit.

    FEBpllayout1

    I ended the January spreads with a diagonal pocket page and so I had to use the backside this month. That photo of Paul and Ellerie is one of my favorites. I cropped it to 12×6 and then printed it at home as three separate 4×6 photos. I just had to cut them in half and round the corners to make it fit in the horizontal pockets.

    FEBplspread2click to enlarge.

    The next layout is pretty photo and journaling heavy (again… all vertical iPhone photos because that's just how I'm documenting these days).

    EliseCripeSCMarchbacksideblog

    I played with the Office Hours kit again here and used a checkerboard (alternating photo and journaling cards). I love those cork stickers and I just stuck them to the outside of the pockets on both sides.

    FEBbestof

    Again, this month, I went with a "best of" spread. This is just the easiest way to "share all the things" on a monthly basis, I think.

    FEBdetail

    It's shocking to me how fast these months go and how much we get in.

    Febplspread3click to enlarge.

    The next spread is "Valentine's Day" and includes a story about Ellerie (that's intentionally blurred here). I didn't have a ton of photos to go with it so I used some pink and red cards from various places.

    FEBpainting

    I had E "paint" a picture for Paul on Valentine's Day and that I just tucked right into an 8.5×11 pocket page and paper clipped a valentine to it.

    FEBfilmlayout

    I used a WeRMemory Keepers nine pocket page to hold some of my film photos taken this month. That "captured" embellishment is from the Office Hours kit.

    FebPLdetail2

    Always love the square pockets.

    FEBspread4click to enlarge.

    On the backside I stuck 9 photos from our trip to Sacramento and opposite that is our "photo of the three of us" (remember I have a goal to get one a month) from February (this is a mock-up, I still have to get that 12×12 printed).

    Febpleep

    Super fun and random photos. This is what happens when you only carry your iPhone…

    And that's February! Simple is becoming the name of the game for me. Thank you so much for following along. See my title page for this album here and 2014 album progress here.

    product sources: Studio Calico Office Hours PL kit, Seafoam core kit, Midnight core kit, Sunshine Core kit, Amy Tangerine mini kit, Studio Calico past project life kit pieces, We R Memory keepers 9 pocket page, Design F pocket page, Design B pocket page, Meredith Carty (3×4 card), Kelly Purkey letter stickers, staz-on ink, Pigma Micro 01 pen.

    all photos were printed at home on my Epson PictureMate Show.

  • weekend links / 08.

    Weekend8

    As part of my word WHOLE this year, I want celebrate the work of others by sharing links to my friends, possible friends and complete strangers who are doing great things on the Internet. This is some of the rad stuff I recently saw online…

    podcast episode suggestions from Ann-Marie.

    how rad do business cards with painted edges look?!

    "It’s such a delight to get lost in a topic you didn’t even know you felt strongly about, then come up for air to find yourself the author of something you’re surprisingly proud of." – Anne Sage…what a perfect description of how blogging can feel sometimes.

    I think this could really work with our tall ceilings (and 700 blankets).

    paper versions of famous dresses (thanks, Ashley!).

    Sarah Jessica Parker's shoe collection launched today. I need heels like I need a hole in the head but this "behind the scenes" is fun.

    got lost in the #cakieshome hashtag yesterday.

    great round-up of free fonts.

    this blew my mind.

    how to talk to your kids at dinner & related, I love this cookbook.

    when is it okay to use other people's quotes in your work?

    and random from me : so fun to have my driftwood airplant display featured in the Australian magazine, Inside Out and today is the last day to save 28% on the get quilty eCourse with code FEBRUARY.

    *running this post a day early because I need some time to finish up and photograph my February Project Life spreads. Look for that this weekend.

  • february : currently.

    Cripesinfeb

    loving this photo of the three of us captured this past weekend.

    writing this post in "real time" this morning.

    returning home from a five days away.

    appreciating a good nights sleep in our own beds like you would not believe.

    unpacking suitcases.

    packing up your print orders.

    believing in magic for sure and…

    feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude that month one of make29 was a success.

    listening to the traffic just outside my office window.

    realizing I am so rarely in here during rush hour.

    heading out to the kitchen for my coffee and granola now.

    wishing you a wonderful Thursday.

    anticipating your questions … my jacket is from target last winter, my dress is by Everly, Ellerie's dress is baby gap and her shoes are Stuart Weitzman.

  • my favorite photo into abstract portrait art.

    Customart

    I recently commissioned Elizabeth Chapman to paint a picture for me in her abstract portrait style. I have become such a fan of her work through Elsie & Emma (talk about a talented family!) and was so thrilled that she was willing to take on this project.

    This photo of Ellerie and me works perfectly in the abstract style because it's a profile shot. The relationship is the important part, not the faces. I LOVE how it turned out.

    Gallerywall

    I added it to the gallery wall over our TV (by far the most stared at wall in our house) though I know it will hang in various rooms in various states in various countries as our family grows and moves over the next few decades. Such a special heirloom.

    Thank you, Elizabeth!

    ps. this makes two family paintings that I'll be hanging on to forever.

  • our backyard is complete(ish)!

    Backyardpatio

    Last week we finished up and sealed our outdoor patio and I am SO thrilled with the result.

    Ikeadecking

    The bulk of this project was completed in January (you can read more on the decking there), but we needed a jigsaw to cut the Ikea PLATTA decking to fit around the brick curve.

    Ikeaplattadecking

    Paul created templates out of cardboard and my dad used this saw (cheap and effective!) to cut them down to size.

    Ikeaplatta

    The result is pretty perfect.

    Patiodecking

    This patio has been in place for about a month now and with the little bit of rain we've had it seems to have settled into itself well. I am very happy with the look and equally happy with how it feels to walk on. We ended up sealing the surface with teak oil (applied it by hand with a paint brush). It darkened the deck (in a good way!) and hopefully will help keep the color longer and slow the graying of the wood.

    Patio

    Every time I look outside (very often) I am shocked at the change and overwhelmed that this backyard is mine. It's such a fun space to sit in and will be getting even more use as the days grow longer. I would still love to do something with the plant area behind the cement wall (maybe add some white rock to brighten things up?) and we are going to get cafe lights strung overhead but this space is pretty close to done. (Which means I get to check another item off my 2014 goals list.)

    our deck chairs are Ikea (thank you, Stephanie!), the fire pit is this one from amazon & here's the jade ampersand tutorial.

  • new project branding / the physical side.

    Brandingpaperproducts

    Last week, I talked about the changes that I made to my branding and online promotion. Today, I want to share a bit about how I tweaked the paper items to prepare for my new shop launch.

    Make29promo

    In general, my thought about the paper stuff is: "make it look good, but don't spend a lot of money." If things are going well, you're giving these pieces away constantly. If each business card costs you $.50 that's an extra fifty cents out the door every time you sell an item. Not ideal. (Unless, of course, stationery and branding is your business, but even then, it might be a good idea to have some less expensive cards to hand out in high traffic situations.)

    Over the past few years I have experimented with a few different things for my promotion and have decided that what I "need" is a business card, a thank you note, a stamp/sticker for the outside of the package and a stamp with my logo for creating simple stationery or letterhead.

    Make29businesscards1

    I loved my old business cards, but they had a photo of my rubber stamps on them and since stamps are out the door, so are the cards. I kept the backside (which is now white on black) the same because it does the job and changed the front of the card to display the MAKE29 logo.

    Make29businesscards2

    I ordered two different versions of this card from overnightprints.com. A large batch with __/290 on the front and a smaller batch with __/29. I will be handwriting in the number of the product that is sold and mailing it with the appropriately numbered edition. I hope it adds an extra touch and plays on the fact that this is a limited and special edition item.

    I will be using these cards when I pack shipped orders, but am realizing now that I need another business card that has nothing to do with MAKE29…something that just promotes the blog and my website that I have on hand to pass out in person and at craft fairs. Adding this to the list…

    Make29thankyous

    Also shipping out with each order is a 4×6 thank you postcard (printed by overnightprints.com as well) that includes a unique coupon code for 10% off the next order should a customer decide to shop again. I designed the graphic with a space for a roller number stamp and will be stamping each card with a 5 digit code. This is the first time I have tried a loyalty/rewards program like this and I am curious to see how it goes.

    Make29stickers

    My old thank you cards (before they needed space for a coupon code) had a version of the above message on them. Years ago, I purchased something from an Etsy shop and the shop owner's default email message was something along the lines of "your order made my day." As a small business owner, I saw the absolute truth in her sweet message and I have adapted my own version.

    I decided to transfer the message to packaging stickers that will go on the outside of each mailer. I went with metallic gold ink to play on the "bright" and added the "hooray" in my own handwriting. These stickers were ordered from stickergiant.com. I ordered 3000 and paid a pretty penny for the gold, but in this case, I felt like the extra punch that comes with metallic is worth it.

    Make29stamp

    Last, but not least, I always order a custom branding stamp (from simonstamp.com) to go along with any project. They are cheap(ish) and can turn any piece of paper into something that fits with your brand. I purchased two sizes this time around and have already used them both.

    Seriously…coming up with this stuff might be my favorite part of the whole process Thanks again for letting  me share.

  • weekend links / 07.

    Weekend6

    As part of my word WHOLE this year, I want celebrate the work of others by sharing links to my friends, possible friends and complete strangers who are doing great things on the Internet. This is some of the rad stuff I recently saw online…

    practical tips on caring for a variety of indoor plants…

    and helpful tips for airplant care.

    best use of the Instagram video feature I have seen yet.

    the Modern Seinfeld twitter feed still makes me laugh out loud.

    Chris, from Parks & Rec, on parenting.

    have you seen this rabbit stampede? I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

    super cool yarn.

    "Success is a process, not an event or state of being." Well said, and huge congrats, ABM.

    hooray! the first make29 product is now available!

    …and since today is my birthday, the coolest cake decorating idea.

  • around here.

    Here3 Here7 Here6 Here Here5 Here4 Here2

    Paul has next week off from work so we are adventure bound starting tomorrow. I am pretty thrilled about it. These past few days have been a whirlwind of work to get ahead so I can properly shut down the computer. I can't believe I'm 29 tomorrow. This past year was the most jam-packed it's ever going to get (I hope!) and a few days off sounds pretty amazing.

    Have a good one.

  • 28 favorite moments.

    Favemoments

    On Monday I shared the things that made the past year great. Today I want to share the moments (in pretty much chronological order).

    signing our final escrow paperwork on my birthday.

    moving into our magic house.

    that first weekend my parents were here and massive progress was made.

    witnessing four of my best friends get married in Scottsdale, Carmel, Catalina Island and Napa.

    having friends here for a "last" girls night sleepover before the baby came.

    walking around and around Lake Murray with my mom, trying to start labor (spoiler alert, it failed).

    watching my belly change shape as Ellerie ran out of room on the inside.

    picking Paul up from the airport and those last four days we were able to spend in our new home as two.

    heading to the hospital to have a baby…

    and 27 hours later, when that baby was pulled out from my stomach and I heard her cry…

    and then that moment when they brought her over all wrapped up and I saw her…

    and then that moment when I was finally out of surgery and got to hold her.

    and then for about four weeks, things were hard. Really Really Hard. Those were the most trans-formative weeks of my life though and I am grateful and thrilled to have made it through them. Those weeks were made up of blissful moments and difficult moments and lovely moments and painful moments and collectively they all make this list.

    writing the Dear Ellerie letters; I needed the normalcy that came from getting my thoughts onto the computer screen.

    when Paul got home from deployment and I got to see him settle into his role as Dad.

    when Ellerie smiled at us during her bath in the kitchen sink.

    the day Paul went back to work and it was just Ellerie and I on our own and I realized we could totally do this (oh what a weight was lifted that day!).

    that morning we made pancakes (and later I yammered on about perspective).

    working on the get quilty eCourse for three days straight while my mom was in town and feeling the creative juices flowing again.

    dancing with Paul at our friends' wedding and feeling completely blissed out.

    Ellerie's first real giggles.

    dreaming up make29 and filling a notebook of ideas.

    having our house full at Thanksgiving.

    the morning my jeans fit again.

    walking up the hill for a beer on the first Sunday afternoon in January when the weather was perfection.

    all those evenings when it's the three of us in kitchen and work is done and the baby is happy and dinner is cooking.

    yesterday, when I went in to pick Ellerie up from her nap and she grinned at me with recognition, "it's you!" her eyes sparkled, "and, once again, you found me!"

    ps. 26 moments and 27 moments.