While I don’t have the best record at achieving my plans and goals for the year, I do enjoy celebrating whatever small wins I get. Here’s some of my favourites that I saved in a folder throughout the year, from the quite impressive to the very silly. I’ll be doing my reading separately.
![Etsy 2024](https://blog.askingfortrouble.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/etsy2024-640x569.jpg)
Let’s start with Etsy, even though their Year in Review was a perfect example of how not to do this. So many depressing stats that are more likely to make you quit selling than share proudly, and way too much sales/financial information included for you to be able to do so (I’ve removed the sales numbers above!) I was fascinated by those shipping stats and initially refused to believe them, but then I realised it must include digital downloads – even though no dispatching takes place. I wish they’d included some of the countries as you don’t get any info on digital customers and I really want to know!
![Etsy star seller](http://blog.askingfortrouble.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1807.jpg)
One thing I am proud of is finally achieving Etsy’s Star Seller badge. It took a lot of effort but I got there in September and managed to keep it for the rest of the year. It’s pretty meaningless really but I don’t doubt it will be important to Etsy as they start making more and more decisions via automation rather than humans.
![Duolingo 2024](http://blog.askingfortrouble.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2164.jpg)
I’m still learning German on Duolingo and kept my ridiculous streak going (1739 days by the end of the year!). I’m finding the lessons are a lot easier now, which I hope means I am getting better rather than they’ve made them less challenging. I joined Bluesky a few months ago and discovered there are quite a lot of Germans posting. I’m able to understand a lot of their posts – and even laughed at a joke!
![Nintendo 2024](https://blog.askingfortrouble.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nintendo2024-592x640.jpg)
Nothing surprising in my Nintendo year in review as once again I spent far too much time playing Zelda! We did have a lot of fun family time with Mario Golf as well. I can’t see this changing much in 2024.
![Tour de France](https://blog.askingfortrouble.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0670-640x640.jpg)
This made me laugh to see it in the folder – the day I was 29th in the official Tour de France fantasy team rankings! That may not sound like much but usually I was more like 2900th. Go me for having half the breakaway in my team, and picking the unlikely stage winner (by millimetres). Surely my greatest achievement.
Super Cute Kawaii
I wrote 166 blog posts during 2023 and these were the most popular.
- Cute 2023 Printable Calendars
- Legend of Zelda Crafts & DIYs
- Kawaii Whale Sharks
- Cute Studio Ghibli Crafts & Kits
- 2023 Sanrio Character Ranking Results & Picks
- New Cute Cafes In Japan For Kawaii Fans
- New Sanrio x Miki Takei Stationery
- Kawaii Origami YouTube Channels To Follow
- Kawaii Crafts Youtube Channels To Follow
- What’s New With Sumikko Gurashi
They’re all from the first half of the year (and most from the first quarter) so here’s 10 more I spent a lot of time on, in publication order.
- Snow Bunny New Year Cards Tutorial
- Unique & Fun Kawaii Stationery
- Meet The Artist: Riss Zanfei of Tasty Peach Studios
- Kawaii Japan Trip Planning Resources
- Kawaii Etsy Picks For Bad Days
- Kawaii Plush With Accessories To Buy & DIY
- The Illustrator’s Guide To Procreate Book Review
- SCK Tries…3D Needlepoint Kit
- Sakuraco Traditional Japanese Snacks Subscription Box Review
- SCK Tries…DIY Projects Advent Calendar