Archives for October 2011

Halloween Costumes ~ Princess Witch and Princess Ballerina

Every year I have made my kids Halloween costumes.  It’s something I looked forward to ever since Savannah was born.  I have some of the best memories of the costumes my mom used to create for my brother and I.  I loved those costumes and always felt really special wearing them to school and showing them off to my friends.  There’s nothing quite like handmade.  I know they only wear the costume for a day, but those memories will last forever.  Trust me, I still remember being Daisy Duck, a clown, a bird, a bunny rabbit, ect. 

It took my girls a little while to decide exactly what they wanted to be for Halloween.  They started out both wanting to be witches, then they wanted to be hummingbirds, then some sort of insect……..but they eventually made their final decision ~ a princess witch and a princess ballerina.  I was pretty surprised that Matilda chose a different costume than her sister, but pleased that she seems to be developing her own sense of self.

I wasn’t exactly sure what these costumes were going to end up looking like, but I figured they couldn’t be too tough.  So here is the finished product……….

I didn’t use a pattern for either of these dresses.  I went to Joann Fabrics and let the fabrics just kind of guide the way.  I do that a lot.  I go into a store having no idea how something is going to turn out, but once I start pairing fabrics together a vision starts to form.

Miss Matilda loves her princess ballerina costume.  When I finished the look, I tried it on her to make sure it fit and she danced and twirled around for about an hour.  I think she might be my little ballerina, but only time will tell.

This dress was incredibly quick and easy to make.  I simply measured Matilda’s chest and measured from under her arm down to where I wanted the dress to fall.  Then I added and inch on the top and bottom to allow for hemming.  I cut a piece of elastic 1″ smaller than her chest measurement for the top of the dress and added a ribbon to act like a halter top.

The flower detail in the front of the dress was all stitched after the elastic had been threaded.  These were flowers that I found on a long branch at Michael’s craft store.  I simply cut them off of the branch and arranged them on the front of the dress.

The head piece has a backing made of felt and the flower trim and lace is hot glued to the felt.  There is a clip through the felt to hold the head piece in place.

One of my favorite aspects of this dress is the flower trim around the bottom hem.  This is something I happened to already have and I think it adds a nice weight to the dress and makes it really fun and special.  The entire dress is lined because the outer, sparkle fabric is pretty rough on the skin.  Plus I didn’t want the dress to be too see-through.

My little sweetheart keeps saying, “Thank you, mama, thank you!” about her special costume.  She makes all the time and effort that goes into creating an outfit well worth it!

The princess witch costume was really fun to create!  It took a little more time than the princess ballerina but that was because there was more detail involved.

The princess witch costume is a double layered skirt with a solid cotton bottom layer and a spider-web top layer.  The top layer is somewhat stiff so it adds a nice volume to the bottom of the dress.  The bodice has a corset-style detail and ties with black satin ribbons on each shoulder. 

I used a large artificial flower I found a Michael’s craft store for the detail at the waist and on the hat.  I cut all the petals apart on the flower and placed them how I wanted them.  It’s amazing how far one giant flower will go and I still had some petals left over.  The dress is completed with the plaid ribbon around the waist and the coordinating bow on the hat.

 

I can’t believe how old my 3.5 year old princess witch is getting.  It’s hard to believe that is my little baby in the picture above.  Time really does fly by!  

I am really looking forward to seeing my two princesses in their costumes going door-to-door trick or treating on Halloween night.  I think they are going to have SO much fun together this year.  
Hope you have a super Happy Halloween!

‘Granny Square Love’ by Sarah London ~ Book Review and Giveaway

I like to crochet.  Have I mentioned that before?  It’s hard to keep track of what parts of my life I’ve told you about and what parts I haven’t quite gotten into.  All in good time, I guess.  Anyway, I started crocheting back in college and I am by no means a pro.  I can do your basics such as blankets, scarves and hats, but nothing super-fancy.

Crocheting and knitting are making quite the come-back and it seems to me that the more retro the project, the better.  Most often, when people think of crocheting, they think of granny squares.  I recently got a copy of the new book Granny Square Love by Sarah London and it is simply lovely.  Now if you want to talk about retro, this is totally the book for you!  My mom said that granny squares were really popular back in her day, but I’ve been seeing them popping up everywhere.

Today I am going to give away a copy of Granny Square Love by Sarah London to one lucky The Cottage Home blog reader, but before I tell you how to enter, I thought I’d share a little bit about the book.

Granny squares are easy.  You do not need to have serious crochet skills to make one or a dozen. You actually don’t even need to know how to crochet to use this book.  The beginning sections are great because Sarah London goes through all of the basic crochet stitches, which I found really helpful.  I don’t crochet enough to remember each and every stitch, so this brought it all back.  I found her illustrations to be very useful, even more so than a beginning crochet book that I have.

There are many different, fun retro projects throughout the book.  The most classic would be the granny square blanket, but there are some other more different projects such as a lampshade, tablecloth and ottoman.

The pictures and colors used in the book are beautiful and every project has a retro vibe about it.  Each project has very thorough instructions and tells you exactly what type of yarn, hook size and notions will be needed as well as the finished project dimensions.

If you’ve never tried to crochet, I would highly recommend it.  Personally, I think it’s easier than knitting – you only use one hook and can fudge a little if you mess up.  I enjoy crocheting because it’s something I can do while sitting on the couch enjoying my favorite television program or can be brought in the car on a long trip.  I can’t very well bring my sewing machine along for a car trip, now can I?

So, would you like to win your very own copy of “Granny Square Love” by Sarah London?  
Well, today I am going to giveaway one copy of the book!

To enter, please do one or all of the following below (use a separate comment for each entry).

1) Follow The Cottage Home Blog via Google Friend Connect (found in the left side-bar of the blog).
2) ‘Like’ The Cottage Mama on Facebook (click HERE).

Giveaway will be open until Friday, October 28, 2011 at midnight (CST).

The Cottage Mama – Two Print Publication Features!

Well, I have finally returned to the sewing machine after six long weeks away and it feels good…..really good.  It’s going to take me a little while to get my groove back, but I’ve got Halloween costumes in the works as well as a few other things that I can’t wait to share with you all.

Meanwhile, I received copies of two recent print publications featuring The Cottage Mama – the premier issue of Stitch. Craft. Create. and the winter issue of Altered Couture.  I know I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, I never ever get tired of seeing something of mine in print.  It is so thrilling and I feel so blessed for these amazing opportunities!

This first publication is a brand new one that I know you’ll want to check out.  It’s called Stitch. Craft. Create. and comes from the publishers of Sew Beautiful magazine.  This publication is loaded, and I mean loaded, with amazing holiday craft and sewing projects.  I absolutely love the fact that they are light on the advertisements and heavy on the actual content. 

My Tile Coaster Tutorial was featured in their “60 Quick & Creative Gift Ideas“.  The folks at the magazine made up their own version of my tutorial and I think they look great. 

This truly is a wonderful and easy holiday gift – I gave several sets of these last year for Christmas.  You can tailor the look to the gift recipients style and they are very inexpensive to make.  If you make these in an assembly line style, you can really knock out quite a few sets all at one time.

Click HERE to learn how to make your own Tile Coasters.

The premiere issue of Stitch. Craft. Create. is now available on newsstands.  You should be able to find it at your local Barnes & Noble, craft stores, and sewing shops.  It is a mid-priced publication but is definitely more like a book.  It will be a magazine that you will use and reference for years to come.

The second publication is one you’ve seen on the blog before.  It’s my third time being featured in Altered Couture magazine!  I just received my copy yesterday and this time they chose to feature my “Winter Wonderland” dress that I created last year for the children’s clothing competition, Project Run & Play

To be honest this is probably one of my most favorite creations I’ve ever done because of the way it evolved.  I really did not want to go out and buy any new materials (since I had tons to use up) and just tried to get creative with what I had.  I think some of the best creative moments come out of necessity.

The people at Altered Couture are just lovely to work with and I adore looking through the magazine and seeing all the creativity that is out there in the world.  I’ve also noticed that there are several other bloggers featured in the current issue.  It’s so fun to be in such good company!

Want to create your own “Winter Wonderland” dress? You can view my tutorial HERE to get the “how-to”.

So, I’m just wondering……..
What are your favorite crafty/creative/sewing magazines?

Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the $50.00 gift certificate to Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is………

Congratulations, Peach Rainbow!  There are so many amazing patterns, fabrics and notions over at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops, you will have no problem spending that $50.00.  Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com so we can arrange for you to receive your gift certificate.  Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

She Believed She Could………

How many times have we talked and dreamed about doing something, only to find ourselves doing a whole lot of talking and very little doing?  It’s fun to imagine something that “might be” or “could be”, but without action, it will just never be.

This last week my mom, Grandma Jane, was selected as one of the 100 finalists (out of 10,000 entries) for the 45th Pillsbury Bake Off Contest with her recipe for “Biscuit Corn Cakes with Goat Cheese and Blackberry-Thyme Sauce“. The grand prize is $1 million dollars, yes, you read that correctly, $1 million dollars.  In late March 2012 she will be flown to Orlando, FL to compete with the other 99 finalists where the contest will be televised on Food Network.

See…….there she is on the finalist list…….Jane Michel from Houston, TX.  I am so proud of my mom for achieving this great honor.  Not only am I proud that she is such a fabulous, creative cook, but I’m proud of her for entering the contest and going for it!  
She and I had talked about entering the bake-off contest for many years.  We’ve dreamed of what we would do with the $1 million dollars and how neat it would be to end up on television.  The difference is that, while mom and I did a lot of talking about this, she actually up and DID something to make it happen.
The odds of someone being selected in the top 100 are very slim.  Almost so slim that one would think, why even bother entering?  But in order to make your dream a reality, you must believe and put your dream into action.  Besides, 100 people had to be selected and who’s to say that it couldn’t be you?   
So I guess the point of this blog post is to say that if there is something you have been dreaming about, what are you going to do?  Keep dreaming about it or do something about it?  Even if the odds are not in your favor, I would suggest the latter.
Congratulations, Mom!
We are so excited for you!! 

Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops Giveaway

Today we have a giveaway that you are not going to want to miss!  Our lovely blog sponsor, Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to be used on anything in their store!
Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops has one of the best selection of sewing patterns around, not to mention a fabulous selection of fabrics, trims and notions!  
Here is a little more information about Terri, owner, of Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops:
Sewing has been a life-long passion of Terri Allred, owner of the on-line based sewing boutique, Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops.  In 2009, Terri began living her dream… Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops was created with every seamstress in mind!  From children’s clothing, aprons, bags, designer fabric and patterns, to home décor and much more!  You will find whimsical, traditional, contemporary, or heirloom-style patterns offered at all sewing skill levels.  Terri has an impeccable eye for detail and design and hand-selects what she loves.  Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops steadily features and promotes small boutique owners and always has an “open-door” for any new ideas or designs. 
New designers are teaming up with Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops everyday!  Terri is proud to present a “one-stop” sewing boutique with such vast inventory variety.  Stop by, browse around, fall in love.  
This week Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is having a 20% off sale on all “Favorite Things” patterns.  Are you familiar with these designs?  Well, here are some of my favorites………
And guess what new patterns they are currently stocking at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops?  That’s right, they just received a new shipment of the first two The Cottage Mama Sewing PatternsThe Shortcake Reversible Romper and Dress as well as the Janey Jumper.  
To enter to win the $50.00 gift certificate to Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops do one or both of the following.  Please leave a comment for each entry.
1) Visit Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops and let us know what you would buy with your $50.00 if you won.
2) Follow the Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops Blog – Stitch It Up (click HERE). 

Giveaway open until Friday, October 14, 2011 at midnight (CST).
Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is always looking for new pattern designers.  If you know anyone that you think would make a great addition to their shop, please email Terri at Terri[at]fairytalefrocksandlollipops[dot]com.  She is currently looking for printed and PDF pattern designers.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of The Cottage Home blog, please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com for rates and additional information.

Gobble, Gobble: Turkey Shirt Tutorial

 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I wanted to make some shirts for my girls to celebrate one of my favorite holidays of the year.  I love the fun and colorful nature of this turkey shirt.  This is a wonderful way to use up those small scraps of fabric that you have lying around.

For this tutorial I have included a template for you to use for the turkey body and the feathers.

Click HERE to view and print the template.
Supplies:
1 Shirt or Onesie
6 different prints of scraps of fabric
Fusible interfacing (Steam-a-Seam or WonderUnder)
Sewing Machine
Iron
Embroidery floss and needle (optional)
Thread
Directions:

Gather your supplies.  Print out the turkey template and cut out the body and feather.

Take out one sheet of fusible interfacing.  You can use whatever type of fusible interfacing that you prefer.  I don’t really have a preference, I tend to flip-flop between different brands.

Peel off one side of the paper on the fusible interfacing.  Place your fabric scraps on top of the side without the paper.  Fabric should be right-side up.  Press fabric to the interfacing.  I like to press on both sides – fabric and paper.  Make sure your iron doesn’t touch any of the exposed parts of the interfacing (that could get a little sticky)!

Trace the feathers onto the paper side of the interfacing.  Trace about two feathers per scrap of fabric.  Cut out feathers.

Apply interfacing to the fabric you are using for the body of the turkey.  I chose to use a linen/cotton fabric for the body to add a little texture.  Use whatever fabric you like (cotton, linen, felt, fleece, minky, chenille).  Trace the turkey body from the turkey template.  Cut out turkey body.

Peel the paper backing off all of the feathers.  Start laying out your feathers.  This is kind of trial and error until it looks the way you want it to and is somewhat centered.  I started from the outside and worked inward, though you could do the opposite if you prefer.  I used two feathers out of each fabric scrap except for the very middle feather.  That was a total of 11 feathers (six different fabric prints).

Once you have the feathers laid out the way you want them.  Peel the paper backing off of the turkey body and place in the middle.  Press the feathers and the body with a very hot iron to fuse the turkey to your shirt or onesie.

Once the turkey is fused to the shirt, stitch around the exterior of the feathers and the body.  Normally I would prefer a zig-zag stitch, but I thought a little fraying might be nice since this is a bird – so I used a straight stitch.  If you look closely in the picture above, you will see that I stitched around three-quarter of each feather and stopped when one feather overlapped with the other.  I also stitched around the entire exterior of the body.

I added two eyes, a nose, and two little feet with some brown embroidery floss.  You can do your own thing with this part of the shirt – make it as simple or elaborate as you choose!  You could even cut these parts out of fabric and applique them on.  I love little embroidered touches, so that’s why I opted for the embroidery floss.  Either way will look adorable!

Once your turkey shirt is complete, pair it with a skirt or jeans and your little ones favorite shoes and you’ve got a cute and festive outfit sure to get noticed in a crowd!
This shirt would work well for a boy or a girl.  Try using some green, blue and brown fabrics for the feathers on a boy shirt and change up the body by making it brown.
Turkey Shirt Tutorial from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com
Gobble, Gobble!

Shabby Fabrics Giveaway WINNERS!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Shabby Fabrics Giveaway.  The THREE winners are……..

Winner of the $50.00 Gift Certificate:

Winners of the $25.00 Gift Certificates: 

Congratulations to all three of you!  Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your contact information and we will make sure you receive your gift certificates as soon as possible. 

Thanks again to everyone who entered and, if you haven’t had a chance, go check out Shabby Fabrics!
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of The Cottage Home blog, please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com for rates and additional information.

Caspian Finn

When our new baby boy, Caspian Finn, was born we hired my good friend Megan, of Megan Abelard Photography, to do our newborn session when he was one week old.  We never did formal newborn sessions with either of the girls, but I just really wanted to make sure we captured this special moment in our lives.

I love some of the sweet moments Megan captured and I wanted to share these moments with all of you.  So I hope you’ll indulge me a little bit while I show off our sweet little boy and our new family of five. 

We took some family shots as well, but with three kids under the age of four, getting everyone to cooperate and look at the camera is a giant task in itself.

And then I’ll leave you all with several more of our new little man…….
When Cass is older he probably will not care for the fact that I shared his little nakey self here on the blog, but I couldn’t help myself.  It’s just too cute! 
We love you little Caspian Finn!

Apple, Ham and Cheese Dinner Cups

Apple, Ham and Cheese Dinner Cups from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

My mom (Grandma Jane) came to stay with us for a week after baby Cass was born.  Whenever she comes after I have a baby she brings tons of recipes and does major cooking.  She completely stocked our freezer with easy-to-prepare meals and little shortcuts (like already cooked shredded chicken) to make my life easier.

Well, while mom did tons of cooking while she was here, there were a couple recipes she never got around to making, so I decided to try my hand at this one after she left – Apple, Ham, and Cheese Dinner Cups.  Mom forgot the recipe, so I lucked out and found it in our kitchen after she left.  She had already bought all the ingredients, so it was super-easy for me to whip up!  I called them dinner “cupcakes” to entice my girls to give them a try.


Apple, Ham and Cheese Dinner Cups
Author: 
Recipe type: Main Course, Kid-Friendly
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 5
 
Ingredients
  • 1 can Pillsbury Grands Jr. Golden Layers Biscuits (10 count)
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup apricot preserves
  • ¾ cup chopped ham
  • ¾ cup chopped apple
  • ¾ cup cheddar or jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Pull out your regular sized muffin pan and spray with cooking spray. Open biscuit can and stretch out each biscuit to about 2.5"-3" wide. Place biscuit into muffin tray, pressing it so it's like a little cup that you can use to put your filling inside.
  3. Mix sour cream, mustard and preserves together in a bowl. Once mixed, add your meat, apple, cheese and green onions. Divide the mixture among the 10 muffin cups. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown. I suggest using the middle rack of your oven.
  4. Serve two per plate along with a nice side salad.

 

Apple, Ham and Cheese Dinner Cups from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

Enjoy!