The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Jan

How to Use a PDF Pattern

Hi everyone! Happy New Year!! I hope you all have had a wonderful start to 2017. The blog has been silent here for a little bit with all of the activity from the holidays. I can't believe how quickly the time slips by with the four kids. We were busy, busy from about Halloween until the start of the year. I love New Year's! It's always a great time to reflect, prioritize and goal set for the year ahead. So many exciting things ahead for this year......two fabric collections releasing with Riley Blake Designs (one in February and one in August), a woven ribbon … continue reading

Oct

Fall 2016 International Quilt Market Houston

Hi there! This week I will be traveling to Houston, Texas for International Quilt Market. I'm so excited to debut my first fabric collection, 'Dainty Darling', for Riley Blake Designs. In my booth, I'll be sharing all sorts of clothing samples, quilts, the coordinating 'Dainty Darling' machine embroidery and more! So, if you are attending market on October 29th, 30th or 31st, 2016, please stop by and see me at booth #2124. Or if your local shop is attending, make sure they stop by and pre-order 'Dainty Darling' that will be hitting stores in February 2017. This … continue reading

Oct

Goldie Dolly Pillow

One of my friends had a baby a couple weeks ago and I wanted to make her something sweet for her nursery. Most of my friends assume I'll bring them some type of clothing, but I like to change it up from time to time and sew them something a little bit different. So I made her baby girl, Violet, this Goldie Dolly Pillow that I think will be a fun addition to her nursery. … continue reading

Oct

Happy 2nd Birthday, Josephine Mae!

Dear Josephine, Happy Birthday sweet girl! Today you are 2 years old and I can hardly believe it. It seems like just yesterday you were learning to smile, crawl and walk, but here you are transitioning from baby to big girl so quickly. You talk and have so much personality all rolled up into one. There are some things that I would like to remember about you when you turned two years old and some things I think you might like to know about what you were like when you turned two. Here goes........ … continue reading

Oct

Fabric Destash Sale

Hi there! I just wanted to pop on the blog to let you know that I am having a big, giant Fabric Destash sale this week on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 10AM (CST). The sale will take place over in The Cottage Mama Etsy shop (click HERE to visit the shop). You won't be able to see any of the listings until they go live, but you can see some samples of some of the bundles being offered in the picture above. If you can believe it, I have tons more! I absolutely love fabric and tend to have lots of it around my studio. The studio is getting too crowded and I need … continue reading

Sep

The Jolly Bar Book Giveaway Winners!

I'm excited to announce the 5 winners of the Jolly Bar Book Vol. 1 from the Fat Quarter Shop! Here are the winners in no particular order........ … continue reading

Sep

Apple Picking 2016

Apple picking has become a family tradition of ours since before Brett and I even had kids. The only year we didn't make it out to the orchard was last year. The season got away from us and before we knew it, the apples were gone. So we knew we had to make it happen this year. Life gets so busy with four kids and all sorts of weekend activities. So we found a window of time in between Caspian's morning soccer game and Savannah's ballet rehearsal to fit in one of my favorite annual family traditions! … continue reading

Sep

The Jolly Bar Book Vol. 1 Giveaway!

Today I've teamed up with the Fat Quarter Shop to bring you a fabulous giveaway. Fat Quarter Shop has been a very long-time sponsor of The Cottage Mama. They were one of the very first online shops that I ever started ordering designer quilting cotton from when I started sewing. I always felt confident ordering from them because I knew they only stocked the best and the continue to stock amazing inventory all these years later! So today, we are not just giving away 1 copy of the new Jolly Bar Book Vol. 1 by It's Sew Emma, we are giving away 5 copies of this … continue reading

Sep

Pixie Noel Georgia Vintage Dress

Isn't this fabric just the cutest?!? I'm in love with the Pixie Noel fabric collection by Tasha Noel for Riley Blake Designs. I always adore all of Tasha's designs, but this one just has my heart with all these sweet winter and Christmas illustrations. When I was asked to create something with this fabric line, I didn't even have to think twice about what it would be! My Georgia Vintage Dress pattern is my favorite pattern that I have ever created. I love the fit, the way it can be customized, the ability to use many different patterned fabrics and all the little … continue reading

Aug

Happy 5th Birthday, Caspian Finn!

Dear Caspian, Today is your 5th birthday! Happy birthday, buddy! You are growing up so fast. You've been looking forward to this day for months now, constantly asking us 'how many days until my birthday?'.......'Is it on THIS day?' Well, today is the day! Today, on your birthday, there are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned 5 and some things you might like to know about what you were like on August 31, 2016. … continue reading