10
Feb

On the Cutting Table: Fabric

It's been awhile since I've done an 'On the Cutting Table' post. The truth is, there hasn't been a ton on the cutting table this last year due to this and that. But 2016 is a new year and there are lots of fun exciting things on the horizon for The Cottage Mama! This last week I received a box of fabric from Riley Blake Designs for some upcoming projects. Riley Blake designers always create the most adorable fabrics. Seriously. It just doesn't get a whole lot cuter than these........ … continue reading

8
Feb

Tooth Fairy Pillows

I wanted to share these darling Tooth Fairy Pillows that my mom (Grandma Jane) created for Savannah and Matilda. We just absolutely love how they turned out. I think, as of now, Savannah has lost 8 teeth and Matilda has lost 6. They have had quite a few visits from the Tooth Fairy. Mom said she's planning on making a boy version of the Tooth Fairy Pillow for Caspian soon since it won't be long before he loses his first tooth! … continue reading

1
Feb

Girls Chandelier Makeover

When we purchased the New Cottage Home, there were not a lot of things in the house that I wanted to save......especially in the lighting and wallpaper department. As I've mentioned before, this home was a foreclosure and the previous owners left years before we purchased the home back when the bank took possession. The old owners had taken all the things they wanted when the house was foreclosed on.......i.e. all the shelving in the closets, pantry and other things. The fixtures were very outdated, rusted and old and there was a really 'unique' antler … continue reading

27
Jan

Patchwork Baby Bibs for Josephine

My mom (aka Grandma Jane) is amazing. She sews more in a year, than I think most people sew in 10. It helps that she retired almost two years ago and has time to really sew, but even when she was working full time, she always amazed me with the amount of projects she could finish in such a small amount of time. … continue reading

25
Jan

Lessons with Lindsay: How to Gather Fabric

It's that time again.......another Lessons with Lindsay sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machines. On today's Lessons with Lindsay: How to Gather Fabric, you will learn traditional gathering techniques as well as how to use a ruffler attachment for a traditional sewing machine and how to gather using a gathering foot on your serger. … continue reading

21
Jan

Cottage Quilt Block Pattern

I just received this Cottage Quilt Block back in the mail last week. I don't know if I mentioned it here, but last year my sewing machine sponsor (Baby Lock) flew me to Iowa to film two episodes of the PBS show Fons and Porter 'Love of Quilting' with Mary Fons. A few of you have emailed and said that you saw my episodes (yay!). Surprisingly I haven't seen them myself. Unfortunately, our PBS station doesn't pick up the sewing shows, but hopefully I'll get a copy someday and can check it out........or not........it's always so strange to hear myself talk. … continue reading

19
Jan

Before and After Kitchen Makeover

Today I am so excited to share the first post about our New Cottage Home! I know I've mentioned that we moved and that we renovated a foreclosure home that we purchased, but now I'm finally ready to reveal some of the before and after pictures of what happened this summer in, what I like to call, the New Cottage Home. First up, our Before and After Kitchen Makeover. … continue reading

18
Jan

Sashiko Baby Bonnet

I have been meaning to blog about this Sashiko Baby Bonnet for over 6 months now, but time just has a way of getting away from me these days. This beautiful baby bonnet was a gift for Jospehine from the amazingly talented Evy Hawkins. I met Evy through our mutual sewing machine sponsor, Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machines. We apparently just missed each other teaching at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. The first year I started teaching, she wasn't teaching, but luckily our paths crossed at the first Baby Lock Common Threads Event. … continue reading

13
Jan

Monkey Bread Recipe

Have you ever had Monkey Bread? If not, it is truly a wonderfully sugary sweet breakfast treat made with store-bought biscuits (although, you could certainly make those from scratch as well). You've got to try my Monkey Bread Recipe! Monkey Bread is probably not an everyday sort of breakfast item, but it's perfect for a special occasion. We like to make this on the morning of Thanksgiving........it's something a little bit special, but really easy to get prepared the night before. You pour over the butter and brown sugar mixture in the morning before you bake … continue reading

11
Jan

Easy Cork Board Makeover

I'm slowly but surely starting to focus on hanging some things up in my new sewing studio. I bought three of these inexpensive cork boards from IKEA a few months ago........one for my office and two for Savannah and Matilda's room to go next to their desks. I originally thought I would just put them up as is, but that just seemed kind of boring. I'm all about incorporating fabric whenever and where ever I can, so I did these Easy Cork Board Makeovers this weekend and I'm excited to share this DIY project with all of you. … continue reading