My big box of supplies still hasn’t arrived yet {I mailed 2 boxes Priority International Mail back in mid December}.
The small one {with mostly my clothes and a few pieces of wool and dyes} made it, but the big box, the one with 90% of my supplies} got held up in customs. š
I have no idea when it will get here, so I’ve been keeping busy with other things like going for long walks, taking in the scenery and puttering around the studio dyeing wool and finishing up the rug hooking kit I brought along with me in my luggage.
Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Fair Isle, so I decided to dye some wool.
I was aiming for the blues and greens in the surrounding landscape.
I think I was able to catch the color palette pretty well, don’t you think?
Wool drying on the lineā¦ Does it get any better than that?
I used some of my extra dye and some paint that was left behind by another resident and came up with a potential rug design.
Iāve also dabbled in dyeing thread! š
Luckily here in the studio there are a couple of bins with leftover art supplies.
The bins are mostly filled with paint and paper and even though Iām not much of a painter, itās been fun scrounging around and seeing what I can come up with to keep myself busy in the evenings.
Maybe I should add my Fair Isle Turkey to my list of totally random things to sell online to pay for last yearās groceries. š
Iāve also been busy collecting wool from alongside the road and ditches on my walks. I was thinking if my supplies donāt get here, I could wash the wool and turn it into little felted sheep and put them in my Etsy shop.
I may have also dug through the burn pile out back.
And the kindling bin as well. I mean, donāt you think it would make a really cute house? Have you seen the ones Kirsty Elson sells online? Theyāre fantastic.
Supplies. I donāt need no stinkinā supplies. Theyāre all around me. I just have to go find them.
Hereās to a happy and productive day,
~Mavis
Christie says
I so envy your creativity! Thank you for sharing your adventures!
Mrs. C. says
Mavis, it’s all so beautiful! And you are such a positive, lovely person and a force for good in the world.
Patti Vanderbloemen says
While I applaud your patience and ālook on the bright sideā attitudeā- not to mention your ability to maintain and even enhance your creativityāāI know for a fact that I would be livid with both the USPS/Royal Mail and whoever else is handling packaging these days.
Kudos to you!
Kim in Iowa says
As someone that ships goods around the world daily for my job, I’m not the least bit surprised. It is a true mess these days and some countries customs departments go out of their way to make things more difficult.
Sandyf says
To: Patti-As a retired USPS postmaster- once parcels leave USA and enter foreign customs- USPS have control. UK Royal mail is quite well run but they are still recovering from the ransom ware attack. Cheers all!
Mrs. M. says
I think she meant to say USPS has NO control once parcels leave the USA.
Also a USPS employee.
Congrats on your retirement Sandyf!
Tammy says
The picture with the wool on the line should be a postcard! So pretty!
Connie says
You can have a Victorian cabinet of curiosities from your walks.
Breathtaking scenery.
J in OH-IO says
āWe donāt need no stinking suppliesā – HaHa! Love the quote!
Mavis, you are genius, so ambitious, resourceful, and creative! We are all delighted for you and thank you for sharing this adventure! I look forward to your blog every morning! Thank you! Keep calm and carry on and enjoy every moment!
laura says
good morning!!
is there a guest book/journal type book at your sweet little studio? it would be so interesting to see what previous guests had discovered and/or what projects they were working on… could be a good book (a mystery perhaps?).. it might require several trips to get the setting right, right?!
Annette says
What if your box arrives after you leave?
Holley says
I follow two young creatives who travel all over the world. When they come back from wherever they have been they make some type of art using things they sourced in the country or just the idea of the country to inspire works. They then sell them on their website! I am sure YOUR finds would bring a pretty penny when you get back! Enjoy!
Sdsb says
Share the info on these two travelers? Please
Martine Hamilton says
I think you could sell the photograph of the studio with the washing hanging out too! Also, while you’re in Scotland you must ask the shop if they have potato scones. With bacon and eggs they are a must in Scotland and are actually really easy to make yourself too but try them, I think you’ll like them!! x
Nancy says
I agree!! Would be a great postcard or even a bigger print! Love the landscape and colors! So beautiful!
Kristina says
Mavis, have you read Amy Liptrot’s memoir “The Outrun”? It’s mostly set on Orkney, and she has a very different life story from yours, but your pictures are reminding me of her descriptions of Orkney in winter. (Of course, don’t we read memoirs of people who are different than we are just for that reason?)
Melonie K. says
That photo from a distance, looking at the cottage and hill – postcard perfect! That’s one to sell as prints! š
Wendy C says
I am loving your Fair Isle posts! Tried to talk hubby into moving there immediately, but he said no. ā¹ļø
Lindsey says
More sheep, please.
Dee Patterson says
Happy Burns night !
The colours of your fabrics are brilliant.
Amanda says
There was a ransomware attack on the UK Royal Mail service that disrupted international service earlier this month and it still isn’t completely resolved. My understanding is they have things almost back to normal but now there is a huge backlog of packages that were stuck during this time.
I buy some of my craft supplies from a shop over there and they sent me an e-mail about this very thing this week. I have an order that has been delayed for this reason.
If you sent it in mid-December, I would guess the chances are good that you’ll receive it before you leave since they are giving priority to the backlog and recommending people hold off on shipping internationally until they get through it.
Sandyf says
You amaze me. You must frame the photos of the wool on the lines for your craft room. Just stunning. What one can do when our minds are calm and quiet. I am loving your journey. I made my first fair isle hat yesterday. A simple one it is and took all day and plenty of you tube tutorials but I am pleased. Thank you – this is a delight to watch
Sue S. says
Very cute little chicken. I’ll bet there is a ton of flotsam and Jetsom to collect on the beaches there! BUT what’s the cost to ship the stuff back to Maine? Do you have a plan b for your stuff if it arrives too lat
Beryl says
Mavis I think itās amazing you have internet there! What a wonderful world! Too bad you donāt knitā¦Iād love to be there knitting!
Em says
Mavis I LOVE your wool colors, they turned out great!
Heidi N. says
Your dyed color palette exactly matches the surroundings! Love the Fair Isle Turkey!!
Jim D says
This is an awesome adventure, I’m really psyched for you :). Bummer about the supplies, but good for you to “improvise, adapt, and overcome” :)! I was wondering when you were going to go “wool-picking”, based on what I saw hanging from the fence in a couple of your other pics.
Wool dyeing looks awesome, have some fun!
Wendy C says
If you made some of your landscape photos into stationary I would be first in line to purchase. š
Margaret Hudgins says
I was thinking the very same thing. “Brilliant minds” etc., lol.
Diane Finley says
Love hearing of your experiences in Fair Isle! You are so creative! I am looking to retire later this year, and I’ve been thinking of taking up rug hooking. Any advice as to where to learn how?
Keep the daily posts coming!
Teri says
Love your attitude Ms Mavis. Hope your package gets to you. At least you have some decent weather for dying wool and walking. Keep on keeping on …
Trace says
How heavenly..what a dreamy get away.
Love how you see things. And I disagree you friend are a painter. A very gifted one.
Sheep rug yes please.
Woolie Blessings
Laura says
Mavis you are probably the coolest person on this earth!
Lissa in Idaho says
Amanda Evanston Art has free tutorials on You Tube and Instagram. Iām a member of her Insiderās Studio but her free videos are delightful and entertaining. You might enjoy them while you wait for your supplies. Loving this adventure!
Lisa L says
Just beautiful!!!! love living this through your posts
Lynn Y says
I accidentally switched my Ebay account to pounds yesterday and there was a message at the top saying they were still delays with Royal Mail, international. Hoping you get your package soon.