Go On A Solo Adventure.
I am having the best time here on Fair Isle walking around and taking in all the scenery. I plan on sharing more photos in the coming days so stay tuned.
Take An Adult Education Class.
I still have no idea about this one. But maybe a latte art class with the HH? Or something more exciting like how to build a wooden boat?
The Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine had some really cool courses, but I don’t know if I’d be able to handle a camp like setting as I need a lot of down/quiet/personal space to function. 😉
Revisit An Old Friend.
Working on it!
Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People.
I picked up a few cards at the shop yesterday and so I’ll be working on writing those today. The cards were drawn by the kids at the Fair Isle Primary school so they’re extra special in my opinion. 🙂
Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA.
This of course is if I actually get my AGA this year. 😉 Still no update… But we’re hoping for the end of May. Time will tell.
Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale
I had planned to go though my kitchen before I left for my trip but just sort of ran out of time. I’ll work on it when I get back.
Earn $1,493.04 {Last Year’s Grocery Expenses} Selling Totally Random Things Online
Hmmm, Maybe I should try and collect a little wool while I’m here.
Sold so far:
- 1 Box of “Native Organically Harvested Maine Driftwood” for $89.95
- 1 Box of “12 Heart Shaped Rocks” for 24.95
*Money earned selling random stuff so far $114.90
* At the end of the year I will deduct all the shipping/supply/selling fees from the grand total.
Go On a Staycation/Craftcation With The Girl
Holing up somewhere to work on crafts and ordering room service for a few days seems like a totally fun thing to strive for don’t you think? The only rule is, the hotel has to be free {presumably with credit card points.} And there will be matching flannel pajamas.
Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space
First things first though… I have to get organized enough {and by that I mean have every pattern/kit drawn up, packaged and in stock and oodles of wool bundles dyed} before I can pull everything out of the craft room and start with the re-do.
I got a start on this before I took off for my trip, but still have about 20 patterns/kits to go {plus a few new ones I’m working on}. I’m hoping to have everything {the wool stuff} done by the end of April so I can start thinking about the floors and everything else.
Changes I plan on making to the space:
- Rip out the old gross carpet and replace it with pine floors
- Fresh paint
- A proper light fixture
- New serger
- New work table
- A sitting area with a spot to hook
Hook 100 Rugs {20 of 100 done so far}
A finished piece to me means ready to sell and so far in January I’ve finished 20 pieces {half are pictured above and the other half below}.
The plan was to work on more rugs while I’m here on Fair Isle for the next few weeks but I’m still waiting for my big box of supplies to arrive so I’m not sure how many pieces I’ll actually come home with.
Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns {6 of 15 completed so far}
I’m off to a good start!
New patterns I’ve added to my Etsy shop in 2023:
- Antique Hearts and Flowers
- Fat Cat with Hearts
- Horse and Hearts
- Valentine Kitties
- Little Chicken
- Hit and Miss Flower Basket
Grow 1,000 Pounds of Vegetables In The Commune Sized Garden
The HH said it snowed a good 6 inches the other day, which is good because now he has a project {digging out} to work on. 🙂 I just checked the weather report for Mid Coast Maine and snow is in the forecast again for Monday so he will be busy!
Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard
I highly doubt the HH will open any jars while I’m away {or even cook himself a hot meal for that matter} so I’ll have to go at it in earnest when I get back.
Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables
The Duck Lady said I could bring any plants, flowers or vegetables to her stand and sell them there this summer so I am going to take her up on that offer.
I’ll have to get together with her and see what she won’t be growing this year so maybe I can add some items that won’t compete with hers and instead enhance her stand.
Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists}
I placed an order with Rachel from Barkland Croft for a few of her Fair Isle hats and I’m hoping they’ll be done before I head home.
I am not a knitter… and don’t want to be a knitter as I am happy with rug hooking but I love being able to help support another creative person doing something they love.
Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format
Recipes updated so far: 0
Maybe I’ll work on this project while I wait for my box of supplies to get here.
26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband
- Date #1 Thomaston Cafe for lunch. It was lovely.
How about YOU? How are you coming along with your goals for this year? Have you made them yet? If not, HOP TO IT!!!
~Mavis
Mary says
Don’t you just love sheep!? Who can resist that cute face poking through the fence?
Nancy D says
Always amazed by your life! Thanks for sharing!
Hawaii Planner says
Those Fair Isle hats are amazing!
I’m trucking along, slowly & surely, with my goals. A few where I’ve made progress lately:
-Be fit/lose weight – Lost 1.5 lbs, continued work outs
-Save $12k in the boys college accounts – Saved $5k in the boys college accounts, from my annual bonus
-Use travel credits/rewards wisely – Used up Southwest credits & a gift card for an upcoming college tour, and also used a free hotel night award for our college trip
Peg says
You are an inspiration, especially for those of us who can’t currently travel.
Kathy Brown says
LOVE the cards that the kids painted! And the scenery – – – well, you know! I know you are having a wonderful time, hope your box of supplies shows up!
Mel says
I haven’t made much direct progress on my goal of turning our guest room into a play room, but I did find someone to take the guest bed, so that’s significant. I also have been able to unload a bunch of garden stuff on some former students, and I feel like every bit of decluttering helps the overall goal of having more dedicated play space. It’s also exciting to help others get started on gardening while we take a break from the more time intensive parts like seed starting..
Sandyf says
I am looking forward to every post. I did a deep dive into Fair Isle and a knitting artist retreat. Thank you for paving the way! I read all about Rachel as well. If you meet Tommie- share a photo! Love this adventure- you are so inspiring and interesting!
tia in boise says
I am doing well on some goals and stinking at others:
Not getting to bed or up on time; haven’t stretched or done core work in the AM; haven’t started lifting weights
I HAVE reviewed my goals each week; taken water to work each day (need to focus on the weekend); been leaving work as soon as possible “early” for me–ha!; tracked my daily runs–and gotten out every day but 1/1–have a fun coloring tool that motivates me and a different color scheme planned for each month–squeeee!; on track for 750 miles this year; I’ve found $0.27 so far this year; I made a new veggie dish (4-cheese garlic spaghetti squash–was okay); have January fun friend date planned; had a dinner and at-home dinner date with DH and have a special “Valentine” date set up; had my January massage; have “blessed” 4 people–ahead of the calendar–leaving a flavored water and “you can do it” note for a fellow teacher struggling tomorrow.
My “bonus” goal–created after all others had been written down and counted–is to start a blog of pictures of interesting items found on my runs. I’ve taken 1-3 pictures on every run. I’ve reset my defunct Instagram account so it’s ready to go; I just need an intro post (or 2) and then need to play catch up–I’m so excited!
Tracey says
Cannot recommend Wooden Boat School enough. The classes are superb, and you can enjoy their fleet of small craft after hours out on the water. There is a communal farmhouse accommodations and meal plan, but we have also camped on the grounds and had a bit of privacy on our own some years.
Judy says
Okay so now we need a sheep. Just for the wool. I used to cart and spin, then crochet and knit when I was quite young. Thanks for inspiring me.
Judy says
I meant ewe.
Kimberly Vassar says
Your trip looks amazing! I am hoping you turn some of those new patterns into kits. I absolutely love your rug hooking kits!
Joanna says
I agree with Judy.. Thanks for inspiring me too!!
2023 Goal…… Find an HH!
Lol! Wish me luck!! 🙂
Wendy Steele says
Ha!!!!! I’ll share that goal with you, Judy!!!!
Delma says
Dunno if this qualifies for your buy 12 handmade items goal but I bought this for my husband after watching stories about how and where Harris Tweed is made. He loves it.
Maybe a pseudo-souvenir for your HH?
Fun fact: You can always be assured that the Harris Tweed® fabric itself was handwoven by a weaver in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/864516945
Katie P NC says
I had a dream last night about that photo of the house on the Scottish landscape. I was there living your trip, staring at that beautiful scene. Keep the photos coming!
I totally hope you come home with a kilt for HH and a little tweed cap for Lucy.