A 2011 Lookback...

I'm back! 

Officially rested & refreshed from a 3 week break from the world of blogging, I'm feeling re-inspired and recharged (lots of "re's" going on here...) and I'm excited for 2012.

I feel like we're constantly either stuck in the past or stuck driving forward. 

I tend to do the drive forward thing and I have an incredibly awful memory, so taking a pause to look back is healthy and rewarding. 

Nothing to be sad about, lots to be thankful for. 

So here we go!

In craft/decor projects...here's some of my personal faves from 2011:

There's the Scrabble Tile Pillow...

That reverses to a Diet Coke pillow...

It was my first time doing freezer paper stenciling and I just LOVED it.

Terracotta Pot turned Candy Jar:

We updated our Master Bedroom:

DIY Hurricanes (Which I still use in our house all the time!)

I shared my parent's Family Wall

I made a Beach sign using scrap wood found in the garage:

I put up some wall shutters (I still get giddy over them):

Tutorial for some fabric coasters (also something we still use all the time!):

Chalkboard Pennant Banner 

(we write all sorts of stuff on it...we got further than "chalkboard" haha)

I did what I once thought was unthinkable and added roosters to my kitchen 

(and LOVE THEM!)

Turned an antique garage sale mirror into a chic chalkboard!

I tried vinyl for the first time as a reverse type stencil on this birch-look Christmas sign. 

It turned out great!

Some recipes from 2011...

Sugar Cookies (our most used recipe in our home)

Homemade Granola Bars

Cheesecake Tarts

On the Family Front...2011 was so much fun!!

Jemma turned 3...

Boden turned 1...

Maya turned 5 and we reflected on the village that helped raise her...

We went to DISNEY WORLD (and I still talk about it at least once a day)

I also opened up my SHOP this year. 

Something that I completely love doing and evolving.

It's been a GOOD year. 

I try not to forget how GOOD life is. 

How GOOD God is.

Here we go 2012!

Thank you to all of you who continue to stick around and be a part of The Bird's Papaya, it means more to me than you'll ever know :)