Cath Edvalson
Yesterday was my last day in the office here at Paper Crafts magazine before my husband and I make our move to New Hampshire. Everything is in place. We’ve sold our house, we’ve got a contract on a new-to-us house in New Hampshire, and we’ll be pulling up stakes on December 1.
Here at work, I’ve transitioned completely from creative editor to trends editor. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that I am now devoting most of my time to the Moxie Fab World (which will be expanding soon), the Moxie Fabs column in the magazine, trend-watching to help keep the magazines we produce fresh, and contributing to the overall content of the magazine in the form of various meetings. I’ve learned how to Skype, we’ve had trial runs at conference calls, and I’m basically learning how to contribute from afar.
As far as you, our dear readers, are concerned, not much is going to change. I’ll be posting here on Paper Crafts Connection just as often as you’re used to, I’ll be posting even more in the Moxie Fab World, and I’ll be contributing to the magazine in the ways that would be considered my strengths. But as far as my interaction with my co-workers is concerned, things are going to change a lot.
And even though I’ll still be interacting with my friends and co-workers here at Paper Crafts, there are certain things—things that you can only get by being here—that I’m going to really miss.
First of all, may I say, I’m going to miss getting to know our new staff members, Kerri and Sarah. Even though they’ve only been with us a short time, they are each bringing a very strong game to the table, and I’m sad that I won’t be interacting with them more:
Paper Crafts is so lucky to have you!
Here are my fun friends, Ahtanya, Holly, and Matt:
The three musketeers?
I’ll miss Ahtanya’s cheerful smile, her stories about the daughter she absolutely adores, and her kind, kind demeanor. She has a calming effect on me, and I have appreciated it very much.
I’ll miss Matt’s whacky wit, collaborating with him on Moxie Fab World blog banners in person because we always end up having these deep conversations, seeing which tee-shirt got pulled out of the drawer for the day, and the smell of his French-pressed coffee steaming out of his lucky cup.
What I will miss most about Holly is being exposed to her unique perspective on the world. She is one of those unexpected individuals who makes you think about things differently than you ever have before. She always reminds me to “keep smiling” and I can see why she says it with such ease, because she’s always doing it herself.
My dear and thoughtful friend
As the most-tenured members of the Paper Crafts team, Kelly and I have been through a lot together. She is kind-hearted, thoughtful, hilarious, and man-oh-man can she spin a good yarn. But mostly I will miss our catch-up sessions at the end of the day. After grabbing my purse and keys on my way out, I’d stop by her cube to say good-bye and inevitably we would launch into a discussion of one variety or another. It was our way of acknowledging the friendship that dwells in the midst of the hectic world of magazine production, and I am very sad that that particular way of connecting with her will be no more.
Susan’s gonna make one heckuva creative editor!
A very bright spot in my life, Miss Susan R. Opel has been more of an influence on me than I can say. She is a daily riot—from her passion for fashion to her positive energy to her insisting that we not use words like “sack,” “slacks,” and “pail”—and I will miss her can-do attitude, her joie de vivre, and the way she can turn a sour situation into one that is sweet as pie at the drop of a proverbial hat.
Collaboration at its best
And last, but certainly not least, Jennifer. I love her no-nonsense approach to management, her unwavering support of my ideas, and her uncanny tolerance of my need to spontaneously process, out loud, until I can work a creative hair out of my brain, by popping into her office unannounced. She always, always, dropped everything she was doing to indulge me. She is the reason my role has taken the direction it has, the reason I am as happy in my job as I am, and the friend who has helped me become the editor that I am today.
A seriously, seriously moxie fab group!
It’s hard to say good-bye to people who mean so much to me, but I know that I’ll see most of these good folks at CHA, at our yearly editorial board meeting, and I’ll be on e-mail, Facebook, Skype, and calling in for meetings. With all this technology, I’m sure it will feel like I haven’t really left after all.
The important thing is that I am still a part of this amazingly dynamic team and we will continue to make beautiful magazines together. I am, without a doubt, the luckiest girl in the world.
With love in my heart,
Cath
P.S. It’s time to announce the five winners from Jennifer’s Your Top 5 Favorite Card Making Occasions post!
1. Lynn (Nov. 16, 12:30 p.m.)
2. Krista Puruhito (Nov. 16, 9:07 a.m.)
3. Debbi (Nov. 17, 7:07 a.m.)
4. Jen Shears (Nov. 16, 11:40 p.m.)
5. Deb Jensen (Nov. 16, 10:11 a.m.)
Congrats, winners! You’ve each won a copy of our new special issue, Card Creations: Favorite Occasions, Vol. 2! Kelly will be contacting you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!
Good luck on your move…hope you get settled in quickly!
So glad to know you’ll still be super involved with the mag!
I feel like I went to your going away party, and I feel very sad right now. It is hard enough making strong bonds with fabulous people, moving away must be even harder. Good luck with your move.
Change is one of those things that can be so happy and exciting yet bittersweet at the same time. What an inspiring tribute to your co-workers. I know they will miss you too, but how wonderful that technology will allow you continue contributing in such a meaningful way. Best of luck on your move.
Thank God for technology to help us stay in contact in ways we never imagined! So happy and sad for you all at the same time Cath.
Awwww, what an amazing post! I’m sure it means so much to everyone to hear how you feel about them and I know without a doubt they’ll miss you like crazy!
- April W
Very sweet post today, Kath! Wishing you safe travels as you relocate, and really looking forward to more of those lovely New England pictures you shared earlier!
I think I might cry! I think it is wonderful that you have such fabulous relationships with all of your co-workers. Leaving is super hard, being a Military spouse I know how hard it can be. Good luck in your move!
Good luck on your move!! I hope everything goes perfectly for you and your husband as you set out on your new adventure!! Beautiful post today!!
Good luck on your move! May God bless & watch over you & your family!
Change is always exciting and scary at the same time, making it better than the biggest rollercoaster ride in the world!
)
Savour your happy memories, embrace the new and enjoy the ride!
Congratulations on your new post!
What a wonderful post today, Cath!! So glad that you have enjoyed your time at work and have great friendships with your co-workers! I hope you have safe travels to your new home and that you enjoy this new adventure with your husband:)
You have left a mark in their lives as well as them on yours. That’s what being a true friend is all about. Thank God for technology, as the miles between friends now does not seem as it did in past times. Imagine having to connect with each other via the regular postal system. I’m not knocking our USPS either..we need them to get our goodie packages from Paper Crafts!!!
Good Luck in NH and I can’t wait to see how MFW is going to grow!!
Your #1 Fan ~ calamityjane
boy, miss reading paper crafts connection and moxie fab for just 4 days and you’re out of the loop!
so happy for you and your husband–starting a new adventure at this newest chapter in your lives! and so glad you will remain our link to the moxie in the world!
but also sad–not being able to visit with your obvious good friends on a daily basis. i know you all gained many ideas and much creativity from interaction with each other. leaving will make your relationships with such wonderful people even more so.
but, life IS change! congrats on all the new, wonderful things you will discover in the near future! the best to you! ~k
I’ve always hated goodbyes, but since you’re not leaving PC, it looks like a win-win for all of us. Best wishes in your new location.
What a touching tribute to the amazing women you work with. I’m so excited for you, it’s not easy to step away from what you know to follow your dreams.
Wishing you every success in your move to NH. I’m selfishly thrilled to hear there will be even more happening in the Moxie Fab World.
It’s really neat how your strengths were both recognized and your role adjusted to better utilize them. Yay for people who encourage and support others.
All the best in the weeks ahead.
What a lovely tribute to your co-workers and friends!
I hope that your move goes very smoothly and that you enjoy making your new house in NH to a warm new home.
I’m very excited to see what’s in store for us in Moxie Fab World!
Best of luck on your new ventures! Big {{{HUGS}}} from me to you!
Wishing you a trouble-free move! I have been telecommuting for the past 6 years … I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not always great but it has its advantages (especially when “they” have to go to the office and there is a foot of snow on the ground, and I only have to manage a flight of stairs to my office). I’m looking forward to the expanded Moxie Fab World. All the best to you and your family in NH.
How wonderful that you will be able to still work for Papercuts in New Hampshire. I’m so glad you will still be here
)) Hope your move goes smoothly.
Bittersweet…but you have fond and wonderful memories and forever friends….
Wonderful post, Cath! I’m hoping technology will make the transition easier- and knowing you’re moving to your dream house doesn’t hurt!!
Good luck with all the new-ness- so glad that we will still have you inspiring us!!!
(and Yay for me- can’t wait to pour over that issue!!)
Good luck with your move! It doesn’t really seem like a good bye since you will still be keeping in touch with all of the new technology these days. Can’t wait to see what is coming up with your blog!
Quite a big step but thankfully technology make it easier. HUGS as you wrap things up their in UTah and so excited for what is to come with your new home!!! Blessings!!
Good luck, Cath, on your new adventure! You will be missed, but it’s so fab that we will still be getting our daily dose of Moxie Fabulous-ness!
good luck on your move and transition!
good luck! NH is gorgeous and skype is wonderful thing though i know it’s no the same.
I wish you all the best in your move and where you will call home.
I’m sure you’ll be missed in the office as much as you will miss them.
Thank goodness for technology…
hugs to you Cath! Moving and leaving loved ones behind is soo hard. Just remember though—this is the hardest part. And in this day and age—…goodbye is a bit easier cause you can visit, skype, email, call etc. lots!!!
God Bless you in your new town and home. Good Luck with your new adventures.
Best wishes on a smooth move! You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you move on to your next phase in this wonderful journey we call “life”.
Wow, I can imagine how hard it must be for you to say goodbye to old and new friends and co-workers. But since you’re still Moxie Fabbing (is that a word?) you’ll be in touch with them all.
I lived in northern NH for almost 10 years. I made some wonderful friends there. I’ve been gone for almost 10 years now, and we are still in touch thanks to facebook and email. What a wonderful age we live in. It’s so much easier to send an email than write a letter!
Good luck to you and your family in NH.
Cath, the very best of luck in the move, new house and fun new adventure you are embarking on. Keep smiling, really enjoyed reading this post… so full of fun, positive energy and happy smiling faces. Thanks.
Beautiful tribute and sad goodbye to the friends you are leaving behind as you continue on your wonderful journey. Just remember, you and your friends will always be a part of each other’s lives even with the distance between you.
I love how relational you are, Cath. It comes through in everything you do. Which is why these relationships will stand the test of distance and time. Your sunny attitude and zest for life will really perk up the drab winter landscape in New Hampshire. Wishing you all the best in your new venture!
Oh my goodness I got tears in my eyes reading this…I am so happy for you Cath. You are an amazing person and I am so honored I’ve had the pleasure to meet you in person. You inspire so many women everyday with Moxie Fab and create a warmth that keeps us visiting you every day! All the best in your new home and I’ll be seeing you at CHA!!!
It is so hard to leave all your wonderful co-workers and friends. But how fortunate that you can so easily stay in touch and continue to be a part of the creativity. And what wonderful new adventures will be coming your way! Good luck with your move.