2
Dec

Riley Blake 12 Days of Free Patterns!

PLEASE NOTE: This pattern is no longer available for free as the 24 hours has passed, but if you are still looking for this pattern, you can find it over in the shop. Click HERE to visit the shop!

Happy Holidays! Today is Day 2 of the Riley Blake 12 Days of Free Patterns! It’s kind of like the 12 days of Christmas, but every day for the first 12 days of December you can visit a different Riley Blake designer and download a pattern for free. These are not just any patterns, these are normally patterns that designers sell and are not free….the catch is that the pattern is only available for 1 DAY for FREE on their assigned day of the tour. So if you’re here on December 2, 2023…..you’re in luck…….it’s my day! The pattern will be available for free on December 2, 2023 at 9AM (MST) to December 3, 2023 at 10AM (MST).

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12
Oct

Happy 9th Birthday, JoJo!

Dear JoJo,

Today you are turning 9 years old! My littlest little is 9……I can’t believe it!! Here are some things that I’d like to remember about you when you turned 9 years old and some things that you might like to know about your 9 year old self.

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31
Aug

Happy 12th Birthday, Caspian!

Dear Caspian,

Happy 12th birthday buddy! I can’t believe how fast you are growing up and that you are now in 6th grade. Here are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned 12 years old and some things that you might like to know about your 12 year old self……

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8
Jul

Happy 14th Birthday, Matilda!

 

Dear Matilda,

Today you turn 14 years old! Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet girl!! Here are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned 14 and some things you might like to know about your 14 year old self…….

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5
Mar

Happy 15th Birthday, Savannah Rose!

Dear Savannah,

This absolutely cannot be true……do I really have a 15 year old child? I can’t believe it! Happy Birthday, Savannah Rose! Here are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned 15 years old and some things that you might like to know about your 15 year old self.

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14
Feb

Fabric and Trim Bundles Available in the Shop!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have starting putting together some fabric and trim bundles over in the shop. I don’t have as much time to sew as I would like these days, but I still absolutely love to put together coordinating fabrics and trims. These bundles vary in size and would be great for all kinds of projects including children’s clothing, home decor, bags, quilts and more! I’m also offering FREE SHIPPING on all of the bundles. Yay!!

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9
Feb

Lightweight Spring Infinity Scarf Tutorial

Have you seen the “infinity scarves” popping up in all the stores?  Basically is just a round tube of fabric that you can loop around several times to add an instant pop of color to any outfit.  I think these are great for the woman on the go because it stays in place really well so that’s why I’m excited to share this Lightweight Spring Infinity Scarf Tutorial with you.  Whenever I try to wear a regular scarf, it never ends up looking as nice as it did in the morning, but this one will look great all day long.  This project was very easy and only took about 20 minutes.  If you are a beginner sewer, this would be a great first project as it only involves straight lines.

I recently walked into my local Joann’s and was instantly drawn vintage-inspired floral fabric.  Then I went up and touched it and…….(swoon)…..did you know that Joann’s carries cotton voile?  Who would of known (maybe you did, but I didn’t)!  I was SO excited when I came across this super-soft voile.  If you’ve never felt voile before, it is so, so soft and is usually made from 100% cotton, although you may occasionally find a blend.  It is a bit more expensive than your regular quilting cotton, but I had a 50% off coupon, so mine was really reasonable.

You can use any light-weight fabric for the infinity scarf, but I love the drape of the voile.  You could also use a cotton knit, but that may get a little warm during the summer months.  Use whatever you like and whatever makes you feel fabulous!
Supplies:
Lightweight cotton fabric (2 yards…..though you will have lots leftover)
Sewing machine
Thread
Hand sewing needle
Iron and ironing board
Directions:
Cut two pieces of fabric 12″ X 60″.  I cut mine at the same time with the fabric folded in half.  The 60″ is why you need to purchase a lot of fabric, but you will have the whole other side to use for another project.
Now you have two long pieces of fabric.  Lay them on top of each other (right-sides together) and sew down both long sides, but leave about 3″ on each end open.  Turn right-side out.  You will have one very long tube of fabric with four little sections on the ends that were left open (each of the corners).
In the next step, you are going to want to sew the short ends together.  Place two of the right-sides together and sew.  Then do the same with the other side.  You will have two tiny openings on both long sides once your short sides are sewn closed.
Hand-sew the two small openings closed with coordinating thread.  You can use any stitch you like.
Once you’ve closed all the openings, press your infinity scarf and your new accessory is complete!
Loop your scarf around twice and place it around your neck.  You could certainly wear it long as well, but I think it looks great double-looped.  I will probably wear mine with tanks and tees this summer.  It would also look cute with a little spring coat as well.
The infinity scarf can easily be made during a naptime.  Make one or make several to dress up those plain t-shirts this spring.
Spring Infinity Scarf from The Cottage Mama
You can also make this with two coordinating fabrics – one for the inside and one for the outside.
Get creative and make it your own!
1
Feb

Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat

FREE PATTERN: Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat. Easy Sewing Tutorial.

Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat

My dear, sweet friend, Evy Hawkins, has created a wonderful tutorial for taking The Cottage Mama ‘Tulip Petal Sun Hat‘ free pattern and making it reversible…….thus a Reversible Tulip Petal Sun Hat! She’s also sharing how to add embroidery to this darling hat. Isn’t the one she created for her granddaughter just the cutest? Evy is an incredibly talented seamstress and has so much knowledge to share!

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26
Jan

Taos Taco Soup Recipe

 Taos Taco Soup Recipe. Can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove. Delicious!!! The Cottage Mama.

My Grandparents lived in Taos, New Mexico for as long as I can remember. My Mom was influenced the the hatch green chiles that come from New Mexico and we ate many southwestern meals in my house growing up. Unfortunately I can’t find fresh “hatch” green chiles where I live, but the canned variety does the trick just fine. I think I could eat green chiles every day – they are just SO tasty!!

Anyway, this Taos Taco Soup Recipe is from my late Grandma Marge that was given to my Mom and was since given to me. This is one of mine and my husbands absolute favorite Fall/Winter soups and is super easy. It’s hearty, filling and delicious! Make sure you load it up with lots of the optional garnishes…….that really takes it to another level. If you’re reading this up in heaven, Grandma Marge, just know I think of you every time I eat a green chile!!

Taos Taco Soup Recipe. Can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove. Delicious!!! The Cottage Mama.

Taos Taco Soup Recipe

 

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Taos Taco Soup Recipe
Author: 
Recipe type: Soup
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8-10
 
Ingredients
  • 1lb ground beef
  • ½ large onion, chopped
  • 1 can (16oz) whole tomatoes
  • 1 can (16oz) pinto beans
  • 1 bag (16oz) frozen corn
  • 1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (8oz) green chile
  • 1 package taco seasoning mix
  • Optional garnish: Sour cream, cheddar cheese, black olives (sliced), green onions, and crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
  1. Cook meat and onions in soup pan or skillet. Drain any grease.
  2. Add to crock pot with rest of ingredients. Do not drain juice from cans.
  3. Add more water, as necessary for correct level in crock pot.
  4. This mixture can be heated together on low for 8 hours or on the stove-top for 1 hour.

Taos Taco Soup Recipe. Can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove. Delicious!!! The Cottage Mama.

Enjoy!

16
Nov

Hush Hush 2 Pinwheel Embroidery Hoop Ornament

 

The countdown to Christmas is on! Today I’m sharing an embroidery hoop ornament that I created for Riley Blake Designs using the Hush Hush 2 fabric collection. If you aren’t familiar with Hush Hush 2, it’s a gorgeous low-volume fabric collection featuring 21 different Riley Blake Designers, including myself. The fabric design I contributed to the collection was a recolored version of the Love Notes print from my first Valentine’s collection, Love Letters. Each print in the collection is created with light colors and every print can be used as a low volume print for many different projects.

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