Placemats and Scarves

The holidays are still upon us. Mine are still as crazy as ever. (in a good way) I hope yours are too. It's been about a week since my last post. I'm glad to be checking in.
This is a shot of the last thing I have created.

Can you believe it? This was on 11/27, that's almost a month. I haven't painted, sewn, drawn, or anything. Cooking has been my only creative outlet, and I've only done that once or twice. Moving is hard work. I can't wait to be settled back in a place I can call my own.

Anyway, these are some placemats I made for my grandma. Each placemat is a different composition of the same fabrics. I just gave them to her yesterday. They look great around the table, and it's fun to choose who-gets-what.

Being back home is pretty fun. I've been checking out my old artwork that I left here. If you guys are lucky I'll post some archives in the near future. It makes me long to paint again, so much. It'll be a couple of months before that happens though. I'll have to start focusing on photography maybe.

Here's a few shots of some scarves I've been carrying with me. I never had enough time to get them on the Etsy Shop. There are about 30 pieces that happened with. Oh well. There is always the next Bazaar. It'll be in Germany!

Enjoy your New Year. I'll be in touch soon.

Pile It On

The thing I love most about winter fashion is its invitation to layer. When it's cold you can wrap as many things around your body as can fit. It's almost Christmas, I'm finally back in the North, and it's not cold enough for me to be cold. So I can't layer. And I'm pretty bummed because I packed a lot of accessories. (that I never got to wear in Alabama) So, in lieu of dressing myself in layers, I have gathered a few images of fashion layering that I enjoy. It is my hope that it will inspire the weather to cooperate. And if not, there's always Germany...

I think this one may be my personal favorite. (due to its impracticality)

Or this one. Three scarves is pretty rock 'n roll.

It's Always Picture Time

Whiskey Plaid Fleece Hood $40 on Etsy.

It seems as quickly as I can make my scarves, I'm quickly behind the camera again. It's exhausting. (And quite frankly, it's making me more self concious) Gone are the days when my sister, sisters-in-laws, and friends would let me take their pictures. As I'm sure you've all noticed I've been taking my own picture constantly as of late. Not for nothin', but Phil isn't even behind the camera. I'm doin' these bad boys with the self timer. (remind me to ask Santa for a remote)

In an attempt to break the monotony of the same old poses, I decided to try shooting my own mock dance party. I know, it sounds pretty dorky, but I think the pictures are actually entertaining. Whether, or not, they help sell the product will remain to be seen. In doing this yesterday I was reminded of a time long ago when there was another Flo Sca Photo Dance Party. Remember this Michelle?

Ahhhh...St Augustine, 2008. You were such a baby back then.

Etsy Team Madcap

I think I've been forgetting to mention to you...that I am on a new Etsy Team. It's called, It's a Madcap Life. The team leader is dedicated to finding, and supporting, unique Etsy artisans. I'm stoked that she found me.
In case you need any last minute gifts for the holidays, this team has a lot to offer. There are over 5,000 members! Check them out here, or by searching team madcap in the Etsy search box. The team also has a blog, and you can find them on the FB.
Do you like shopping on Etsy but are not a seller? You can join the team too if you like.
Here are some of my new favorite items from team members.

HAPPY SHOPPING

One Last Weekend in Alabama

Today marks the final countdown for Phil and I. We have four days until we leave Ft. Rucker Alabama, head home, then get to Germany. The past two days comprised our last weekend in the South. (for now) To mark this occassion we partook in some typical activities. For instance, Saturday night we drove to the local Christmas lights show. It is a privately run affair. Some four neighbors, or so, decorate their houses and lawns and let us townspeople drive through. The entire route is a winding quarter mile I'd say. The above photo notes my favorite part of the display. What would Christmas decorating be without a nod to you favorite SEC team?

"Happy Birthday Jesus"

"P.S. ROLL TIDE!"

In Philly it would look more like...

"MERRY XMAS"

"HEY BIRDS - YOU SUCK"

This was my first experience with people taking their holiday decorating to an extreme. Coincidentally we went home and watched those shows on TLC about all the people, around the world, obsessed with Christmas lights. Crazy.

I guess we all have our passions.

So then on Sunday we did something very Southern. If you know Phil and I you wouldn't even believe it. We went to church! And had a good time! (Absolutely nothing against organized religion. We just aren't in the habit.) I wish I could say it was a Baptist church, but it was Methodist. Phil's aunt sings with the choir. They had their cantata this weekend. It was wonderful. I'm really glad we went. I love that word "cantata." I find myself saying it to myself now and again. I don't know if it's typical of Southerners or Methodists, but everyone in the church was incredibly nice. It was great to meet them all, but kind of obnoxious to say, "Oh, thanks for welcoming us, but this is actually our last Sunday here."

After church we tried to go out to eat. because that's what people do. At least at home that's what people do. You go to brunch. Not here. 90% of the restaurants are closed, including the ethnic ones. We settled for Chinese food, not really a southern favorite but we don't love the BBQ in Enterprise.

I will say that Christmas songs followed by a little General Tso's isn't a bad way to spend a Sunday.

So now it's Monday and I'm packing up the rest of the house. I've still got a few items left to post on Etsy, of course. And there'll probably even be a few more once we get home.

Oh, I almost forgot. I baked this weekend too. I also feel like it's pretty Southern to eat sweets. Gingerbread cookies! Except I didn't have a rolling pin, or cookie cutter. So, for your information, I made them like peanut butter cookies (where you roll them in a ball and press them with a fork) and it worked great.

Messy Princess

Source: flickr.com via A Whole Lotta on Pinterest

This photograph was too captivating for me to just repin on pinterest. I had to have it on my blog too. This composition says so many things about me. I want to recreate this photo shoot on, like, my 60th birthday. It'll remind me of how I am, have always been, and still will be.

Screw it. I should do the shoot way sooner, like with scarves :)

I Just Love Y'alls Lights

I woke up way too early this morning. So I decided to go on my Christmas Lights Round Up. I enjoy a good holiday lights display, and love capturing it on film even more. The problem is you get crappy photos if you take them at night. Being there predawn is key. These are a couple of shots from an R.V. park just around the corner that I've been surveying for a while.

This is one of my favorite photography activities. The last time I did it though, it was 2007 and we lived in St. Augustine. It's been a while.

Continuing in the spirit of Christmas I wanted to share this with you.

Phil is fixing his aunt's nutcracker. Isn't it intense?

And sweet? He really took his time in securing it for drying.

I hope this inspires you to dust off your own holiday decorations. That is, if you haven't already.

Have a great day!

Oh, in case you were wondering, the last day to order a Florida Scarf on Etsy and still get it delivered by Christmas is 12/12.