enJOY it by Elise Blaha Cripe

magic monday.

Celebrating lots of little and big things today. Mostly the magic that was getting eight creative women in a room and making books and getting crafty and sharing ideas. I had an opportunity to teach a class in real life this past weekend and I will have more to share about it shortly. It was an awesome experience that I am so thankful for. I left exhausted, but inspired.

Also celebrating the fact that I am looking at some downtime. I know moving to a new town and cleaning/repainting an apartment and traveling for Thanksgiving doesn't sound like downtime. But at the moment, it feels like bliss. Between the stress of that race and then the excitement but nerves that came from working at Kolo and prepping for this class, I think my brain is ready to settle into a little hibernation mode. Without meaning to, I set three big challenges for myself this fall and in the past 28 days I happily (and perhaps magically) tackled them.

I am loving the freedom of not knowing what is next. When I said that to my mom (who I can't thank enough for coming with me to the workshop this weekend) she said, "Weren't you going to write a book?" And OH YES, I totally am. But still. Coming up with new projects and playing with text sounds like a vacation.

Blah, blah, blaha. Lots of chatter today. I'm excited. I'm thankful. Tiffany, my Teahouse Studio partner in crime this past weekend, said a few times, "The universe gives us exactly what we need when we need it" and she is totally right.

magic monday.

Celebrating the small magic stuff today : a repeat performance from my awesome hair stylist.

My San Diego days are numbered. I am currently gearing up for my workshop this coming weekend and then I'll be prepping the apartment for the movers. And then it will be Thanksgiving. And then I'll be settled into my new place.

November is not promising calmness, like I had hoped it would. But it is rushing by & filled with exciting stuff, so I cannot complain. I anticipate posting will be light over the next few weeks. It's hilarious : just recently, I was so confident about my consistent blogging that I was thought to myself "hmm, it might be time to bring blog sponsors back." And then just like that, everything is turned on it's head and I don't have a single thought to put up on this space.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to step back and then jump in again when the ideas are flowing.

Thanks for your patience.

perfect for a magic monday.

magic monday.

I spent last week in Hartford, Connecticut, making magic with Kolo. I wish I talk more about what we worked on, but it’s all top secret for awhile. I do not have any photos to share, but I do have some thoughts :

I see great value in working with other companies. It’s fascinating to jump in as a consultant and observe a brand that is so much bigger than my own. In some ways, it’s like my business class case studies have come to life, only I get to interact and actually give input that makes a difference. It’s fun stepping into a more professional world and I am looking forward to seeing what we worked on come to life.

I don’t know that I have ever mentioned this here, but I have no plans to ever grow my own business on a large scale. I definitely want to make more products and experiment with new ideas. I want to work on different projects and I would love to gain more exposure.  But I do not want to sell wholesale. I do not want to hire oodles of employees. I do not want investors. The key thing, I recently realized, is that I want to be able to change course in just one day and have that be completely okay.

My business plan for this small brand is to continue loving work and making stuff. This blog and the shop that sprung from it, started very organically and I would love for it to continue that way. I am never going to get rich - at least not financially - but ideally I will always be able to contribute to my household. I am grateful for the opportunity to step out of my own office and my own work last week. I enjoyed turning my attention to something else, not just for the experience, but also for the fact that when I return to my life, to my desk, to my coffee mug and my business to do list, I am seeing it all with fresh eyes.

The opportunity that is waiting in this Monday, more than any I have had in a long while, holds more than a hint of magic.

And also, I want to thank you so much for your sweet words, thoughts and prayers last week. My dad, brother and I were able to fly to Iowa and meet my mom and extended family for the funeral on Saturday. It was very well attended, including twelve great-grandchildren. She was buried on a beautiful hill between both of her husbands. She is finally peacefully at rest.

magic monday.

Oh man, I wanted so badly to be able to report good news on this post today. And happily, I can.

It was magic that I decided to attempt the race after some shin pain Saturday.

It was magic that as I crossed the start line, my favorite part of this song kicked in "Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father, run for your children, for your sisters and brothers."

It was magic that Paul called from Afghanistan on mile five, "you still running, Babe?" and I could take the call through my headphones.

It was magic that my parents were able to park and wave me along between mile 8 and 9 (and grab the shot above).

And of course, it was magic sprinting my hardest across that finish line.

I have more to say about my second and final half-marathon and I'll try to organize my thoughts later today.