Online Things
It was another great week in the online department.
#1 I wrote my THIRD rug hooking tutorial of the year {and made a video} on how to make sunflowers!
#2 I celebrated by going to my favorite place for cruller’s!
#3 I have hit the 19,000 sales mark on Etsy. AWESOME.
# I’m almost finished on tutorial #4 {and it has nothing to do with rug hooking}.
Online Goals for 2025
- Reach 20,000 sales in Etsy shop MavisButterfield {I’m currently at 19,002}
In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 31st{DONE!}- Create 4 new patterns/kits {2 completed so far; Great Black Whale Rug and Pod of Black Whales
- Take all new pictures + videos for Etsy shop {in progress}
Get as much as humanly possible done online January – March of this year.- Stop picking up my phone so much {Doing great with this!}
- Spend less than 3 hours a day online {Yep!}
- Tidy up the back end of the blog HA HA HA
House Things
We decided on tile #8 with the little blue bits for the floor. Thanks for all you input! We decided on a glossy white subway tile that had a bit of movement to it for the shower walls. I am excited!
Except for the part where we won’t have a working shower for at least a week.
Note to self: Plan a trip for me, myself and I for August so I don’t have to be here. HA HA HA. Dreams do come true, right?
- Paint The Inside Of The House {including closets!}
- Paint The Interior Window Trim
- Remodel Bathroom #1 {scheduled!}
- Freshen up Bathroom #2 {Just need to install the facet and hang something on the wall}
- Put Stuff On The Walls
- Work on “new” Kitchen Game Plan
Garden Things
This is going to be the week for getting vegetable plants in the ground. I’m going to use 2 of the trellis for squash, 1 for tomatoes and 1 for green beans.
I’ll also plant a row of beets, radishes and a zucchini plant or two.
The HH didn’t want to dig up the backyard {or install garden boxes} but I’m pretty confident we’ll still have plenty to harvest.
I also thought it might be fun to grow a couple of mammoth sunflowers too. This will be the smallest garden I’ve planted in 25+ years.
I have NO IDEA how many pounds of backyard food this will equate to, but I guess we will find out together.
Garden Goals
- Grow 365 pounds of food in my teeny tiny backyard.
Install a side yard {flower} garden{DONE!}Make a Potting Bench{decided I didn’t need one}MakeFIND a Garden Cart to sell flowers/veggies out front {DONE}
Kitchen Things
The HH was able to fix the oven yesterday {Hooray!} so I’m back in cookies, which is a very, very good thing. No new recipes though. The kitchen counter seems to be a rest stop for all our daily projects these days.
Or at least that is the excuse I’m using. 🙂
- Try 12 new recipes {3 down, 9 to go}
- Fill the canning cupboard
New Recipes I’ve Shared This Year
- Double Chocolate Rye Cookies
- Velveeta Zesty Chili Dip
- Haddock and Corn Chowder
- The Best Way To Freeze Avocados
- Freezing Refried Beans
Travel Things
I wrote up an itinerary for Niagara Falls. Now I just need to convince the HH we should go. A boat tour is not on the list. It probably should be but seeing the pictures of a boat near the falls freaks me out.
For those of you that have been {or are planning to go} what do you think the best month to go would be?
- Explore more of the great state of Maine
- Go on a painting holiday {currently working on WHERE to go}
- Québec City {Accommodations and 1 tour booked!}
- Travel Overseas {All accommodations and 2 events are booked!}
- Send the HH on a vacation {working on it!}
Marriage Things
We went out for ice cream. I’ve been getting the same exact thing at Dairy Queen since I’ve been a kid; a small dipped cone. The HH almost always gets a sundae.
We also went on a few walks, but not as many as I had hoped, too much rain. Hopefully this week there will be more sunshine.
- Keep my husband busy
- Date days
- Walk more
Secret Projects
Do you have a Cricut machine? Do you like it?
I want to make some stencils {nothing too fancy; shapes & letters} but I’m wondering if it would be cheaper to buy one of the smaller machines {in the long run} than to just order some stencils off Etsy.
I have ZERO knowledge on these machines. Maybe you do?
How are YOUR 2025 goals coming along? Are you making good progress? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
- Secret Project #1 {Hoping to reveal by
AprilJuly 30th} - Secret Project #2 {Hoping to reveal towards the end of the year}
Tina says
Living near Niagara Falls for most of my life – I recommend visiting in the Spring or Fall(but not on a holiday weekend). Try to get to the Canadian side if you can for the best view. On the American side- take a trip on the Maid of the Mist(that is the boat in the photo). It is a great , smooth ride and you get to feel the intensity of the falls. If you want to get away from the crowds and get a hardy hike in- go to Devil’s Hole. Have fun!
Charleen says
I used to have a Cricut but got rid of it when they stopped supporting the older machines. The new machines require a monthly subscription to use the software you have to install to make the machine cut. A friend has a Silhouette cutting machine that she can just purchase the individual images and then cut those. I believe you still need to download their software but no subscription required.
Glenda says
You don’t need to buy a subscription to use your Cricut. You download their app called Design Space for free. You can then download free fonts and designs that you find online into Design Space. The only need for the subscription is if you choose to use their fonts and their premade designs.
Rebecca Smith says
Yes, I was wanting to say the same thing! The Cricut is great for those times when you need it! It’s good for labeling things or monogramming too. One note, that frugal people like us (you and your readers) might like to know is that, if you’re going to stencil on fabric, you can use freezer paper to cut your stencil out on. Then iron it (shiny side down) onto your fabric and use multi-surface craft paint. Dry the fabric item in the dryer and you can have a cheap personalized item that you made yourself! Cricut Design Space is a little difficult to use for non computer savvy people, like me, but I even can figure it out (after watching several YouTube videos). Hope you enjoy it! I got mine used on FB Marketplace and I’m glad I didn’t pay full price. Hope that helps!
Holley says
Yay for cookies! Did you take that light down or put it up in the kitchen?
I have had a Cricut since it first came out and have NEVER upgraded it!!! My daughter has a SIlhouette and she loves it. So if I need something that I cannot do on my very old Cricut, she can do it for me!
HollyG says
We went in July of 2017 – Niagara Falls, Ontario was wonderful. The main area of the falls was a little crowded, but the walk along the river was lovely. I would recommend finding a little, independent coffee shop for a London Fog and a Butter Tart.
Debbie says
Visit Niagra Falls when fruit is in season they have amazing fruit
Be sure to visit Niagra on the Lake and the Prince of Wales Hotel
Take the tunnel tour that bringsd you out behind the falls
You will love the showers there too because the water pressure is out of this world – no kidding
Sue in SoCal says
I love DQ and I always get the same thing every time, a mini Heath Blizzard. My husband gets a small size. The price has gone way up. Almost $13 for both. I think that’s nuts! We don’t go very often at that price.
Annette says
FYI – DQ gives a senior discount if you ask.
Dena M says
I have a Cricut Maker and love it. You don’t need a monthly subscription to use the basic software. The monthly subscription is if you want all of the extra cut files available. I would recommend the Cricut Joy Extra if all you want to make are stencils. It has a larger cut area than the Cricut Joy, but is small enough to move from room to room. The Cricut Joy is best for card making and other small things. I also recommend looking at Jennifer Maker’s website for help with using the Cricut line of machines. She has free cut files available and great tutorials.
Vy says
My tip for subway tile in a shower is to put them vertically, to mimic the feel of water falling down. Your tile choices are fantastic, by the way!
Deb from Ohio says
Wow, that’s a great idea!
SueD says
I had a Cricut many years ago, and for various reasons switched to Silhouette Cameo. If I purchase a design, I own it. Basic software is free; there are 2 upgrades you can buy if you want/need to do more and there are sales on the upgrades periodically. Silhouette have a smaller machine, the Portrait, in addition to their Cameo line. They support their older machines as well as their new ones.
Lori K says
About the Cricut – I ended up getting a Brother Scan n Cut. It does more than the cricut including fabrics. It can scan a n image and cut it out for you. You can create an image and ask it to multiply it and cut. It scores also. There is a program called Canvas you can create in and I believe there are others you can use. Or you can buy patterns on Etsy- or sell them as well. Can use the Cricut files. Anyway look into it and see if it might expand your intended usage.
Elizabeth says
LOVE the tile!!
Cecile Hoare says
Niagara Falls-definitely in September after the Canadian Labour Day weekend (First Monday). Kids are back in school on both sides of the border and the attractions are still open and it isn’t as hot. Most things close around the second week in October (our Thanksgiving). As for the Maid of the Mist, you don’t even get near the falls, you feel the mist and hear the roar of the falls but that’s it. I’m not a boat person and I’ve done it twice! If you come to the Canadian side check out the Skylon Tower revolving restaurant, amazing view of the falls, Niagara River and many other cool sites. They have a glass blowing place to check out. They have a couple great steakhouses called Remingtons and Brasa Brazillian. They have an amazing Italian restaurant but I can’t think of the name, it’s an old family restaurant. There is literally anything you want to do you can do in Niagara Falls Canada. Don’t forget to check out the Botanical Gardens, they have one that is a smelling garden (or they use to) for the blind.
Jeri says
About your artist getaway, my friend who lives in Kitsap County left last week for 16 days on the Greek island of Poros for an artists retreat. The pictures she sends each day are fabulous! What a beautiful place! Inspiration is everywhere. I wish I could insert photos into this comment so you could see what she wakes up to daily! The architecture, the scenery, the piles of pottery, and of course, the food – so much beauty! They work on art every morning, than the rest of the day they do what they want, more art or exploring the island. Some of the artists are more advanced than others. This is not the first time attending this retreat for some. It’s the first time for my friend. There are two instructors. This group is from all over, my friend didn’t know anyone but I think she’s making lifetime friendships with the other women in attendance. What I wouldn’t give to go to something like this!
Margery says
Lived 1/2 my life in Niagara Falls, NY. Definitely visit early Fall ( September)or early June to avoid the tourists . Take a hike to devils hole and the whirpool trail. I really enjoyed the boat ride on the maid of the mist, cave of the winds is also a very cool activity. Side trip to Fort Niagara is always fun or even to the inner harbor in Buffalo.
Heather C. says
Most of my childhood involved frequent trips to Niagra Falls. The Canadian side is way better from what I remember, but a boat trip on the Maid of the Mist is a must do every time! It’s not scary at all, and they give you plastic ponchos to help keep you somewhat dry. I would say Spring or Fall because the few times we went in the middle of summer, I felt like I was melting in the heat. I’ve not been there in the winter, but I have heard its spectacular looking when the falls freeze over.