Archives for January 2014

29
Jan

On the Cutting Table: Fabric Fun!

Sidewalks by October Afternoon for Riley Blake Designs on The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

So right now I am busy behind the scenes working on all sorts of things. As you know from my post on Monday, I am working my way through the many assistant applications that have arrived in my inbox and I am so grateful for the many, many of you that are interested in coming to work for me. I’m still accepting applications through Feb. 1, 2014 so if you haven’t applied yet, there is still time! I’m also in the process of drafting and photographing my next round of sewing patterns as well as preparing to teach again at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion the first week in February (if you are coming, I can’t wait to see you!). I thought I would just share some of the pretty fabrics that are being played with in my studio since we all like fabric, right?

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27
Jan

The Cottage Mama Now Hiring: Part-Time Assistant

The Cottage Mama Part Time Assistant position. www.thecottagemama.com

Over the last year The Cottage Mama business has grown in ways that I could have never imagined. For about six months now, the business has felt slightly overwhelming to me. I feel like I am just barely staying afloat balancing everything and it’s time to make a change. I originally thought about bringing on a creative team to contribute to the blog to lighten my load. I gave this a try last fall and decided it just wasn’t the right thing for me. I love writing this blog because I love my connection with all of you and I hope you feel the same.

So instead, I have decided to hire an assistant to help me with some logistical things business-wise behind the scenes. I’m hoping this move will free me up creatively to blog a little more, put out more patterns and just be a little bit more present in my life. I am looking for a very special person to bring onto my team. There are some very exciting things on the horizon for The Cottage Mama and if you would like to be part of it, please read the job posting above and send your cover letters, resumes and hourly salary requirements to Lindsay[at]thecottagemama[dot]com.

Have a great day!

24
Jan

Knit Dress Pattern Review

Knit Dress Pattern Review from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

I don’t know about you, but it seems as though as my girls are getting older, they are really wanting to make sure their clothes are nice and comfy. And since Miss Savannah has started full-day Kindergarten this year and she has informed me that she ‘doesn’t need to dress fancy for school everyday.’ What? Yes, of course you do! No, I’m just kidding. As much as I love to dress her up in all my fun creations, and she still loves wearing them for special occasions, she is wanting to make sure that she fits in at school. We also live in the Midwest and I think the way people dress their children a little more casual than where I moved from in Texas (insert sad face). So alas, in order to still sew for Savannah, I am gravitating towards more knits for her lately for school clothes.

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22
Jan

Baby Doll Pouch Blanket Tutorial

Baby Doll Pouch Blanket Tutorial from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

In case you missed my Baby Doll Pouch Blanket Tutorial over at Riley Blake Designs, I’m bringing this one back to The Cottage Mama.

Several years ago I made a baby doll pouch blanket for my girls when we were expecting our baby boy, Caspian Finn. I meant to blog about it and it just never happened. Ironically, it was made from some of my favorite boy car themed fabric called ‘Wheels’ from Riley Blake Designs since both the girls wanted baby boy dolls (with the excitement of the impending arrival of their new baby brother). Now that the girls are into baby girl dolls, I thought I would make another one in more girly fabric and share a tutorial so you all could make one as well!

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20
Jan

Classic Little Lady Coat: Stylo Magazine

Classic Little Lady Coat. Stylo Magazine. www.thecottagemama.com

I’ve been saving these pictures for months now waiting for the new STYLO Magazine to be released. Well, the day is finally here and I can share them with you all! STYLO is is the first fashion forward eMagazine centered around children’s sewing patterns and style. The focus is on modern patterns, trends, fabrics, and clothes that kids will love and I’m so thrilled to be part of it!

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14
Jan

Power of Prayer Quilt and a Giveaway

Today we have a special treat, a post from my mom (also known as Grandma Jane). This is not something I really talked about on the blog here because…..well, sometimes when you are really nervous about the outcome of something, it’s just too hard to share. Through many prayers and love, I thank the Lord that Mom is here to talk about it……….

Power of Prayer Quilt by Grandma Jane for The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

It’s been eight weeks since I underwent open heart surgery to replace the aortic valve in my heart. Unbeknownst to me until early in 2013, I had a congenital defect in the valve that caused it to wear out more quickly than normal and it was time to replace it before it caused any more damage to my heart.  Life does throw us some curveballs we are not expecting!

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13
Jan

Lessons from a Restaurant Chef: Hand Rolled Gnocchi

Today I am so pleased to have my very own brother, chef Ben Ashworth, guest blogging here at The Cottage Mama. Ben does not blog, but he is an extremely talented chef and I convinced him to share some of his cooking knowledge here with everyone. So here is the first ‘Lesson from a Restaurant Chef’ with Ben’s recipe for “Hand-Rolled Gnocchi with Brown Butter, Brussel Sprouts and Apples.” Please give my little brother a warm welcome. Take it away, Ben…….

Lessons from a Restaurant Chef. Hand Rolled Gnocchi. www.thecottagemama.com

Hi, I’m Lindsay’s younger brother, Ben. I’m the sous chef at a farm-to-table restaurant in Boulder, CO called The Kitchen. At our restaurant, we make hand rolled potato gnocchi every day for our dinner menu. The concept is really simple and the technique of rolling the gnocchi by hand can be mastered after a little bit of practice. The dish I’m going to show you how to make is “Hand Rolled Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter, Brussel Sprouts and Apple.” Let’s get started!

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7
Jan

Reindeer Thumb Print Ornament Tutorial

Reindeer Thumb Print Ornament by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

So I know it’s after Christmas, but if you follow along over on The Cottage Mama Facebook Page, then you already know, but I was in charge of Savannah’s Kindergarten Holiday party this year. I was really excited about getting involved in the classroom and especially getting to spend some time with all these new little friends Savannah has made this year during school.

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6
Jan

The Cottage Mama Facebook Pattern Group

The Cottage Mama Facebook Pattern Group. www.thecottagemama.com

 

I just wanted to write a quick post to let you know that I’ve started a new The Cottage Mama Facebook Pattern Group. This is a group dedicated to discussing The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns as well as my new book, ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’. This is a place where you can go to ask questions about any patterns you are working on, share pictures of your beautiful creations made from The Cottage Mama Patterns, connect with other women who have a passion for sewing, talk about fabrics and trims and so much more. I am the admin. of the group so I am in there to help answer any questions you may have, give advice and just better connect with all of you.

The Cottage Mama Fan Page is still the same and will continue to operate in the same manner, but I’m hoping this group will open up greater dialogue between all of us. I love you guys so much and I am excited to get to know you even better! The group is marked as ‘closed’ but if you apply, I will approve you. I just don’t want to have it open because many of you are sharing pictures of your children and I want a little safety from weirdos that might try to join.

I can’t wait to meet you and I hope you’ll join us over in The Cottage Mama Facebook Pattern Group!

UPDATE (8/17/16): As of today, we have almost 20,000 women as part of the group. Come on over and join this wonderful group of supportive, encouraging women who love to sew!