Guest Blogger: Shaina Longstreet

There are 52 weeks in a year... and my 2010 is full of self-portraits and poetry.  

Hi there, my name is Shaina and you can usually find me over at my blog Serendipity.  I’ve been blogging since 2005 and been a scrapbooker since before i can remember.  I love all things paper, typographic, and caffeinated!

But this year, I wanted to take on a different sort of challenge.  This year I decided to do a 52 weeks project.  This project was going to be about growing as a photographer and stepping back to a place of constant poetry.  It has turned into just that.  The pull of both creative sides of me have merged together to form these words and images.  I am 18 weeks into my 52 weeks, and am so proud to share this project with you.  

So I would have a place to collect all of these words and images, I started a new blog just for this.  You can find it here. 

Here are some of my favorite images and poems for you to enjoy.




happiness gets blurry sometimes
so i stop
take stock
and smile
for the gift of a scarf
the touch of warmth in the sun
and the life i hold in my hands.
happiness gets blurry sometimes
so i spin
and revel in my femininity
knowing this life is mine to enjoy.




there is a faraway place…


its touch is as a frostbitten dream.


within it


i see the tips of tulips,


blue with ice

a memory of a forgotten spring.


calm, serene, undisturbed


like the quiet under the water.


you were there with me once


and the touch of your hand felt like fire


against my cool skin


i have never forgotten...


in this perfectly imperfect world


there are only dreams.




i will remember today

years from now

when the mists of the unknown

become the clear skies of tomorrow

i am stronger than yesterday

more alive in some way

to break down to nothing but
salt-water stains

and start over again...

to renew the spirit within.


It is my hope to inspire others to take some time out of each day, or week, or month to capture life right now.  These images will be treasures for your future, will help you remember where you’ve come from and the lessons you learned along the way.  I’m not even half-way it at this point, and have already grown so much. 

52 weeks.  It’s a journey of self-discovery through portraiture and poetry.  Thanks for letting me share with you!  And please, pop in with a comment or even just a hello.  :D
<3 shaina

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Dear Shaina,
You are an amazing photographer and poet, as well as scrapbooker! :)
Thank you so much for sharing.
love, Amy