handmade year - or - avoiding resolutions

It's 2011 and I, for one, can't say that I'm sad to move on from 2010. See ya later, sucker.

Okay - It wasn't all bad, but boy ... the parts that were bad, were really bad! I'm pretty proud of getting through it, even if I may still be a little tentative about whether it's actually over.  I wouldn't change a thing about the last year, though; status quo simply couldn't continue if I was to be healthy. And it's true what they say ... as hard as it was, so many wonderful things also came out of those dark times.

One of the most positive things I'm taking from last year was learning just how amazing the people in my life are ... specifically, learning to put that knowledge to the test. Whether it was constant reminders that I had value, or being given tasks to keep my mind busy, friends who simply allowed me to be (even when that meant I was a stick-in-the-mud), encouragement and patience without limits, and the ever-constant reminders to: Go. Have. Some. Fun, already! My support system was well tasked in 2010, and they made every bit of difference for me. I'm a lucky girl.

I rang in 2011 in Belize this year, enjoying a week with some of that aforementioned support system. After days of sun, running, diving, snorkeling, walking, chatting, eating and tourist-ing, I'm beginning 2011 reminded of what the important things in (my) life are. Not a bad place to start.

Since I'm not much of a fan of resolutions, this year I decided to take a challenge instead. My lovely friend Melody posted about her own project to create something 'handmade' every day this year and threw out a challenge for others to join her. I like the idea of giving some thought to being creative (and I tend to work best with deadlines), so I jumped on board - sorta. There is no way I'm going to create something every day, why set myself up for failure? So my personal project is to make something every week instead. There's no rules around what 'it' should be, and I'll do my best to capture and post about my creation each week. Here's to 52 reminders in 2011 that making space in a busy life for creativity is a priority!

Weekly Handmade: Week 1 - It's Un-Belizeable!
I was extra-lucky to find a new telephoto lens in my stocking this year and put the new goods to the test as we toured Belize. Below are some of the shots from our trip - enjoy!

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