Archives for November 2013

The Cottage Mama Pattern Sale!

The Cottage Mama Pattern Sale. www.thecottagemama.com/shop

Just wanted to let you know that I have my biggest sale of the year going on right now through December 2, 2013. There will not be another sale like this for a very long time. Get 30% off all Paper and PDF patterns from The Cottage Mama. That’s 30% off bundle pricing as well which is such a great deal!

Use coupon code: THANKFUL

Sale is going on right now in my shop, www.thecottagemama.com/shop and coupon code does not apply over on Etsy.com.

Happy Shopping!!

Hexi Pouch Tutorial

Hexi Pouch Sewing Tutorial. www.thecottagemama.com

Hexagons seem to be all the rage now in the quilting and sewing world and I can’t seem to get enough of them. I absolutely love the vintage vibe of hexies and was inspired to create this easy sewing pattern from the fabric line ‘Simply Sweet‘ by Lori Whitlock for Riley Blake Designs. You can use this pouch for so many things and make it any size you would like. You could also add two little handles and it would make a sweet little girl’s purse. You can never have too many cute pouches around, don’t you think? Let’s get started………..

[Read more…]

Reusable Fabric Gift Bags and Huge Giveaway!

Reusable Fabric Gift Bags by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

I am over at Skip to my Lou guest posting today for the Holiday Bake Craft Sew Along sharing a tutorial for Reusable Fabric Gift Bags.

Come on over to check it out!

homemade holiday

I get to treat you to a SEW Amazing giveaway as part of our crafty series.

This is one AMAZING giveaway!
We are giving away a fabulous Prize Package worth more than $1000!

Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

There is something so comforting about Chocolate Chip Cookies. I love everything about them. The flavor, the texture, the chocolate chips…..but finding the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe can be a little challenging depending on what kind of cooking you are trying to create. For me, I love a cookie that is a little crispy-crunchy and yet still has a really great chew factor. I’ve created a recipe that I think brings both of those things together. So if you like Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, give this recipe a try. I think it hits the nail on the head, if I do say so myself.

[Read more…]

Embellished Fabric Koozie Tutorial

Please give a warm welcome to a new guest contributor here on The Cottage Mama, Courtney from Sweeter Than Cupcakes. Take it away, Courtney…….

Embellished Koozie Tutorial from The Cottage Mama. Guest post from Sweeter Than Cupcakes. www.thecottagemama.com

“GIMME” koozies, like “GIMME” caps, seem to multiply in my house. When they start falling out every time I open the closet door, I sort and toss. After all, most of them are not very chic! However, they are perfectly good and useful koozies. Why not re-purpose those ugly, prolific koozies into something attractive? Hence this tutorial which fills that gift closet with something unique yet affordable! These would make great teacher gifts for the holidays!

[Read more…]

Fall Fun

Fall Fun at The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

We have been having a lot of fall fun this year. Fall is my absolute most favorite time of year in the Chicagoland area. I love how the leaves change into all these amazingly gorgeous colors, I love being able to put on warm cozy sweaters and make the kids hot chocolate with marshmallows. There is so much to love about fall and I thought I would share some personal family photos with you from this last month.

[Read more…]

Fall International Quilt Market 2013 Recap

Fall Quilt Market 2013 Recap from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

So this year’s International Quilt Market experience was very different from any that I have had before. Usually I am walking the floor, networking with others in the industry and taking in all the inspiration that Quilt Market has to offer. However, this year was my first year exhibiting at market with my very own The Cottage Mama booth.

[Read more…]

Cuffed Infinity Scarf Tutorial

Please welcome a new guest contributor here on The Cottage Mama, Ayelet from The Graceful Rose, sharing a wonderful new project tutorial. Ayelet is one of my lovely pattern testers……take it away…….

Hello Cottage Mama readers!  I’m Ayelet (that’s I-Yell-Et, it means “gazelle” in Hebrew), and when I’m not chasing my 8 and 6 year old girls around, I’m sewing and blogging over at The Graceful Rose.  Like a lot of you, I first learned to sew in home ec. classes, but rediscovered it when I became a mom.  I remembered the basics, but looked to all of the wonderful sewing tutorials in the blogosphere for guidance and inspiration, especially Lindsay’s blog…I’ve always been drawn to her vintage influenced style and of course, those fabulous fabric combinations.  I’ve made several of her patterns, and have had so much fun testing for her this year.  I’m so honored that she asked me to share this tutorial with you!

Sew Classic Clothes for Girls: Book Release and Giveaway!

Sew Classic Clothes for Girls Video

My new book, “Sew Classic Clothes for Girls: 20 Girls’ Dresses, Outfits and Accessories from The Cottage Mama” is finally released and shipping! I have been talking about the book a lot over on Facebook, but I was waiting to do the official blog post until Amazon had started shipping the books. The official book release date was October 7, 2013 and I have been shipping books ordered directly from The Cottage Mama website for a couple weeks, but last week Amazon officially shipped out all the pre-orders. Yay!

[Read more…]

Fabric Friday: Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway

Fabric Friday Giveaway on The Cottage Mama. $75 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop. www.thecottagemama.com

Today’s sponsor doesn’t really need much of an introduction, but in case you are new to sewing and haven’t heard of them…….today’s sponsor is Fat Quarter Shop. I am proud to have them here as a loyal and long-time sponsor on The Cottage Mama. I have been shopping with Fat Quarter Shop since before I even started blogging and I remember purchasing the fat quarter bundle of Heather Bailey’s ‘Freshcut’ many years ago to make Savannah’s quilt for her big girl room. They carry a divine array of fabric with all the latest and greatest collections of designer fabric.

[Read more…]