28
May

Georgia Vintage Dress Pattern from The Cottage Mama: Now Available!

Can I tell you how hard it is to keep a secret from you all? It's the hardest because I just love, love, love sharing with you. I have been working really hard these last several months getting my next collection of sewing patterns ready to go and today I am thrilled to share my first of four new patterns with you! I will be releasing the four patterns over the next several weeks in PDF form and they will all be available in printed, hardcopy form by the end of June.This first pattern, the Georgia Vintage Dress, is probably the pattern I am most proud of creating … continue reading

21
May

The Cottage Mama’s Sewing Basket: Tube Turners

Today we are back with another fun, little tool from The Cottage Mama's Sewing Basket. These tube turners may look like a simple tool, but they will change your life. And if you don't have them in your sewing basket, I'm going to recommend you pick up a set.What does this tool do? Tube turners are kind of like they sound. They make it easy to turn tubes of fabric right side out. Have you ever been working on a long sash for a dress or straps for a tote bag and found it took forever to turn the fabric right side out? Well, these little tools make such fast work of … continue reading

16
May

Giraffe Love Top and Leggings

I have been so busy around here I can hardly see straight. I have four new sewing patterns that are under going pattern testing right now getting ready to release next month. It's very fun and exciting; however, it puts sewing for my own kids on the back burner for the time being.....or so it should. I have had this giraffe fabric for about a month now. I ordered it for Miss Matilda since giraffes are her favorite animal. She was so thrilled when it arrived and has been wanting an outfit made out of it ever since she saw it. So, as I've been busily working on … continue reading

14
May

Goat Cheese & Mozzarella Tomato Toast Recipe

I am a savory kind of girl. What about you? When it comes to breakfast, I much prefer something on the salty side rather than the sweet. This easy little breakfast or lunch is perfect for when you want something nice and satisfying to get your day started off right!Goat Cheese and Mozzarella Tomato ToastServes 2Ingredients:4 slices multi-grain bread (good quality, grainy bread)4 vine-ripened tomatoes1/2 -3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese3/4 cup shredded mozzarella (more, if you like)Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzlingGarlic salt and pepper, to tasteDirections:Preheat … continue reading

12
May

Happy Mother’s Day

I wanted to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day and leave a special little note for the most amazing woman in my life, my mom.I hope you all have a beautiful, amazing and fantastic day.The blessing of children truly is one of the greatest gifts on earth.Happy Mother's Day! … continue reading

10
May

The Start of Spring…….and $100 Home Depot Gift Card

It's finally Spring here in Chicago. It felt like winter was going to last forever, but we have finally thawed out and I think the freezing weather is gone for good (or at least until next winter).I love the beginning of spring, don't you? I get all these great ideas of things I want to do in the yard, flowers I want to plant, landscaping to be done. I don't usually get around to all of it, but I always make time for planting flowers on our porch.Several weeks back I was asked if I would like to try some new Premium Plants from Miracle-Gro that were being sold … continue reading

6
May

Giant Fabric Match Up Giveaway ~ Win 24 Yards of Fabric!

I am so excited about today's giveaway that I can hardly contain myself!Have you ever wished that one of your favorite sewing blogger's would go fabric shopping for you?Or seen a project on a blog and thought, "Oh, I NEED that fabric!" If so, today is your lucky day!Eighteen sewing bloggers picked out a yard (or two!) of a fabric from their stash and we're giving them ALL away today to one lucky winner! To win this amazing stash of fabric loveliness, just match the fabric swatch to the blogger (*hint* - most of us have used the fabric we chose in a recent … continue reading

3
May

Some Bunny Loves You: Easy Rag Quilt Tutorial

My mom (aka Grandma Jane) is here today sharing a tutorial for these adorable rag quilts she made for my little ladies. Mom made these quilts for the girls when we came to visit for Easter. She had each of the girls quilts laying out on the guest bed upon our arrival. It was SO sweet. Even though they have bunnies on them, they can be used year round. The girls have been sleeping with theirs nightly because they are so warm and cuddly. You are going to love this easy quilting tutorial.......definitely a great beginner project, but a fun one for seasoned pros as … continue reading

1
May

Project Design Team Tutorial and Riley Blake Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Today I am over at Riley Blake Designs sharing my Project Design Team Tutorial for this easy Scalloped Envelope Clutch. I hope you'll pop on over and check it out!Click HERE to visit Riley Blake Designs. And because I'm over at Riley Blake Designs, we have a little something special for you here. Today we are giving away a full Fat Quarter Bundle 'Bake Sale' by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. I absolutely adore this line, well I pretty much adore anything designed by Lori Holt, but I think you guys are going to like it too!So all you have to do is enter via the … continue reading

30
Apr

Sprightly Fabrics Giveaway Winner

 I love how much you all love fabric. It's like we are kindred spirits or something. Anyway, with 902 entries into the Sprightly Fabrics giveaway, our winner (selected at random) is:Congratulations Jennifer Oliva! I'm so excited for you......I know you will get some fantastic goodies with your $50.00 gift certificate to Sprightly Fabrics. Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your contact info. and we will get you your prize as soon as possible.Don't fret if you weren't our winner, we have a fabulous giveaway from Riley Blake Designs coming up … continue reading