I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions, not really, but I’m feeling inspired. Last year my “resolution” was a redo of my failed 2009 resolution – eat dinner before going out drinking so I don’t have any more black-out caliber hangovers. Well done? I mean- it’s kind of a moot point. So… success, I guess?

In 2011 I have a few things I want to do, not baby related, things just for me.

#1 Take 100 pictures a week. This sounds like a lot- but every time I go to take a picture of something I end up taking 20 anyway- so this roughly translates to- take a picture 5 times a week- and with a newborn, I’m thinking this might not be a problem, last week I took about 700 pictures of Ernie, and got about 15 good ones.

#2 Read one book a month. Not a particularly lofty goal considering I read significantly more than that now, but I have no idea what life with a newborn is like, and from everything people tell me, getting even one book read a month might not be so easy? We’ll see how it goes.

#3 Finish 12 knitted projects in 2011. Not necessarily one a month, because two of my current works in progress have been in progress longer than a month, but I’d like to finish one project for every month of the year.

To kick 2011 off right I decided to tackle one project from my never ending queue of to-do’s to help me with the first of these resolutions. My big hang up taking pictures this past year is that I never have my camera with me. I’m always worried about it getting damaged, and I’m not about to carry an industrial sporty looking bag to keep it protected. I still have my crappy little point and shoot, but I’m loathe to use it now that I’ve gotten used to how beautiful pictures can be with a good camera (not to mention the fact that my good camera makes my eyes look amazing and photoshopped and my point and shoot makes me look like a beady eyed little badger…)

I started looking into alternatives. I can’t be the only one who would love to *stylishly* carry my DSLR out and about and not worry about breaking it. And, of course, I’m not. I found a few options.  Jo Totes, Ketti Handbags, Epiphanie,  and my favorite, Kelly Moore bags.  But… while there are options, I’d like something that has room enough for my camera, spare lens, iPad and a  small knitting project or a couple of diapers. (I am not buying a diaper bag because Josh will need one more than I will, but I’d like a little extra room- just in case.) All this, and I don’t want it to be too bulky.

Because nothing I found really truly fit my criteria (and for $200 it needs to really fit my criteria) I started looking into making my own.

There are all sorts of DIY tutorials, but I was most inspired by this one at Megan Senkel Photography.

I started by ordering my Clik capsule from Amazon.

Once it arrived I took it to my local Marshall’s and started sifting through the bags. I found several I liked, but this one looked the least boxy when the capsule was inside it.

On top of the capsule is just enough room for my small knitting bag and the iPad slides in and out with ease.

I love it, and it has already come in handy for our impromptu photo shoot at Lovely this weekend!

I’m especially glad I got it done in time for our trip to Denver next week- I’m going to take a million pictures!