Fall In Florida

Fall Trees
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

Here in Florida, fall is subtle. It's usually just a slight change in temperature. And it usually happens in February. I remember raking oak leaves so many times in February.
This year has been different. The air has gotten cool earler. The mornings have been spectacular. Cool, with mists rising off the ponds and lakes, drifting over the road as I drive by.
And the trees are changing color. Maybe it's because I moved an hour north. That could be just enough to make the difference.
Whatever the cause, I'm truly grateful for the fall-like weather. We wanted to move north for the seasons, but the economy tanked, so we stayed in Florida.
As consolation, we moved into a neighborhood we've been drooling over for 10 year. Now, cool weather. I feel that the fates have smiled upon our little family.
Next, I'm hoping for snow on Christmas Eve...

200 Sales On Etsy

200 Sales On Etsy
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

I had hoped to reach 200 sales by the end of 2008. I reached my goal, and then some, today. Still over a month til the end of the year. Yay!

In fact, I sold 3 sets of coasters within a couple of hours. A run on coasters - woo hoo!

A Good Place To Be

in the Gift Guides...

under Co-Workers

Movie Night

We went to our first Family Movie Night on the Longleaf green Saturday night. The weather was cool & breezy - just perfect. Someone set up a large screen and had music playing from their ipod during dinner.

Every family contributed food. We brought hot dogs, mac & cheese and some cookies. One family brought tables and ate in style We ate on our mat on the grass.

After everyone stuffed themselves picnic-style, we settled down to watch "Journey to the center of the Earth". Cute movie. Totally implausible, but cute. And Brendan Fraser is still cute, too.

Such a great idea. I'm guessing 50-60 people attended. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Can't wait to do it again.

New At The Cottage

Berries Soap Gift Set
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

Just listed this last night.

11 x 6 inch tray decoupaged in blue, brown & white berry-themed paper.

Filled with soaps handmade by daisycakessoap.etsy.com.

$30

Decoupaged Trays

Variety of small trays
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

A selection of my small trays. Available in my shop for $20.

They are available plain, as a candlescape or with 3 handmade soaps wrapped in matching paper.

Map Madness

MapBlock2
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

I try to use every scrap of paper that I can. I think I made about 3 different items from one map of Florida.

This is the last one from Florida, for now. Next I will be working on a custom order using a map of San Diego.

New At The Cottage

Florida Map Pail
Originally uploaded by CarolinaCottage

One can tell by looking at my shop that I love containers. I'm not sure why - I'm not organized at all. And I've always loved maps. Before I moved to Florida, I used to sit and stare at an atlas and try to figure out which coastal town on the East coast I wanted to live in. I ended up on the west coast of Florida.
I love how these turn out and they don't take forever. The hardest part is lining up the paper on the pail as the pail in bigger on the top than on the bottom.
I can make these in any location that there is a map available for.

$30.00 in my shop.

What I Love Today

I love these! I just want to look at them all day!

At ColetteC on Etsy.

Check out the rest of the shop here

So sweet and old fashioned.

What I Love Today

zoemurphy.com - check it out here --- here

Her work is truly inspirational to me. I want to rush home this minute and redo furniture. My head almost exploded with ideas. Grrrr....