2010 was quite a year for me! Thank goodness I have pictures to help me remember it. I love doing a photo summary of the year...even if it's really just for me. I love looking back at it as one full story.
Below is a super photo heavy post (it took me like...12 hours or something!) of the greatest hits of my 2010. If you'd like to take the journey...grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the show...
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I tried my first macaron. I bought these from Whole Foods and they changed my life.
I learned how to paint with light!
I started writing for the 2nd year in the 5 year journal that my mom and I share. We have 2 and we swap them back and forth each year.
Evan and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary together. It was also our 8 year anniversary of being together! That sounds a little more impressive than one year :) We stayed in hotels in downtown Columbus, explored the Franklin Park Conservatory and ate yummy food!
We got a visit from our great friends Sarah & Charlie. They all got tattoos!
We celebrated Evan's 25th Birthday with a cozy winter party. Warm fire, close friends, a handmade sign, Chinese food and cake and movies!
We drove up to Alpena for a visit and did weird and creative things on the way. My mother-in-law took me on an antiquing roadtrip that weekend, too! It was amazing!
I made a button necklace, started brainstorming for my potential business and learned to make cupcakes and frosting from scratch (and made a blog especially for my mama)!
I got my first pair of Toms, took an online class, experimented with chain-mail, fabric manipulation and painted the bottoms of my shoes.
We experimented with night photography.
We went to an amazing and hilarious cat show. I highly recommend going...with a camera.
I modeled our first chain-mail design.
We hung out in Louisville for a weekend.
We threw a 25th birthday party for our dear roomie, Peter!
We did a fun photoshoot for Evan and his brother, Michael.
We started packing to move to Iowa. The big change begins!!
I said goodbye to my job, friends and co-workers and life as I knew it.
We left Ohio and entered Iowa!
I had fun exploring our new little home, Estherville.
We made little trips to Des Moines to see the family. Mom taught me to make her amazing banana bread. I hung out with lil sis and we did a photo shoot.
We went to The Grotto of the Redemption. It was totally even more intense than I had anticipated. Completely unreal!!
We enjoyed our down time and explored the surrounding towns! We love the old train and Spirit Lake.
I saw a Wind Turbine very up close for the first time. The noise it makes as it pushes through the air is pretty cool to experience, too.
I had my first paid photography job. What a challenge...a family with a dog and a 2 year old! I had so much fun and it made me fall even more in love with capturing moments.
I experimented with fabric manipulation some more. I've never even put any of this in the shop! I didn't think I had the concept nailed down just right yet.
We experienced some really intense Iowa storms. These are so very different from storms we may have had in Ohio or Michigan. Iowa is serious about it's storms! I learned to photograph lightning, too!
We drove 14 hours north east to Michigan for a little summer vacation.
I photographed Evan's adorable cousins, Isabel & Clarisse.
I had a blast hanging out with Amanda & Brant and their two energetic boys, snapping photos along the way!
We explored the sinkholes and the cracks in the earth. Cooool stuff in Michigan, people!
We fully embraced our Iowa surroundings.
I learned how to crochet, made little bow accessories, a scalloped pillow and a needlebook.
We started Metal Octopus, selling old watch parts and typewriter pieces to steampunk artists on Etsy.
Oh yes, more chain mail! We love doing photoshoots in Estherville.
We explored little parts of Iowa every time we got a chance.
We walked through weeds taller than us and thicker than forest in order to get into the old abandoned trains. I wanted to photograph them so badly!! It was worth it. Sorry, Evan, about all those bug bites.
We walked across the Swinging Bridge. I was totally scared and hyperventilating the whole time while Evan looked over his shoulder and laughed at me.
I started making flower bouquets inspired by Gerber Dasies....dare I break into the wedding scene.
I tried out some action sequence photography!
We were blessed with a visit from my little brothers and sister (and step-mom!) all the way from Pennsylvania! That was one heck of a drive for them. I can't believe how big these kids are getting!
Matthew, the oldest, came up to Estherville with us for 5 days of fun and adventure without his parents. Freedom! We went to Arnolds Park, enjoyed the scenery of the lakes, went to The Grotto, ate steak (his fave), and ended it with a trip to the Mall of America before his flight out of Minneapolis.
We enjoyed the nostalgia of a small town fair at night.
I made The Poor Man's Fancy for a friend's awesome website, Fancy Sandwiches.
I took time to do little creative projects. A covered lightswitch, hand painted rocks, painted holga and fabric pumpkins - to name a few!
I decided to join The Sketchbook Project!
We shared a table at the Estherville Craft Show.
I hand embroidered wedding vows for Wendy & Justin - my most unique custom order yet!
I made a thread wrapped headband - and it's a tutorial!
I made a huge set of Wallflowers for Jennifer...all the way in the Netherlands!
I worked on custom Wallflowers for photography studios and nurseries and people who just love Wallflowers.
I introduced Spirit Lake to Lady Gaga on Halloween. I proudly scared them.
We joined the Photography Club and made new friends!
I started doing a lot of embroidery. I even taught my mom how! She did that white one :)
We had a great Thanksgiving with family this year!
I photographed a baby for the first time. Little Hanna - and she was a perfect angel!
I started making the Wallflowers bigger and better.
As the year comes closer to an end, I tried to do my best to get more organized to start the new year fresh and tidy.
My precious Dahlia turned 4 years old! This also meant that I have been out of college for 4 years now.
We discovered an awesome vintage shop near my Mom's place.
We celebrated Christmas by giving handmade gifts to our family this year.
We had Christmas and also celebrated the New Year in Des Moines with family.
Are you still here? What a year - right?! As always, it was unpredictable and jam-packed with exploration, creative expression and love.
Thank you, 2010!! I loved you!
