5
Apr

Easter 2013

I know it's a little late, but I wanted to share some Easter pictures with you all and fill you in on what we've been up to the last couple weeks. The girls in their Easter dresses.For Spring break / Easter we went to visit my mom (aka Grandma Jane) and Pepo down in Texas. It was just the breath of fresh air that I needed getting away from the cold, dreary Chicago winter. It gave me a glimpse of what's to come in the next few months weather-wise here at home. Oh, how I love warm weather and sunshine! I don't think most of the folks down there thought it was warm, … continue reading

4
Apr

Sponsored Giveaway: Violette Field Threads 10 Sewing Pattern Bundle

We have quite a few new sponsors here at The Cottage Mama. Some of you probably don't click over to the blog very often, if you subscribe in a reader or by email, but I'm finally getting around to introducing some of the wonderful new sponsors to you all that can be found in the right side-bar on the blog.First up is the lovely Violette Field Threads. This duo team, Ericka and Jessica, are fellow paper and PDF pattern designers just like myself. I absolutely love being able to promote other designers to you all. Why? Well, because there are so many incredibly … continue reading

3
Apr

National Serger Month: Ruffle Dishtowel Tutorial

Did you know that April is National Serger Month? My wonderful machine sponsor, Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machines, has decided that the serger needs to be celebrated with a month dedicated to all things serger and I am in total agreement! There are very few things that I sew where I don't use a serger, even though I try to do projects on the blog where you don't need a serger. A serger is one of those tools that you might think you don't need, but then once you get it, you will be saying, 'Where have you been my whole life?'. I am lucky enough to sew on … continue reading

21
Mar

The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns Now Availlable in PDF / Digital Form!

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that, by popular request, The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns are now all available in PDF / Digital form at www.thecottagemama.com. I know some of you who were living overseas didn't love having to pay international postage on pattern orders (I don't blame you). And some of you just love to be able to print out the pattern at home and have it right away.What is a PDF sewing pattern? A PDF pattern is a digital file that you download and you can print out the pattern sheets and instructions on your home computer. It prints out on … continue reading

20
Mar

Matilda’s Easter Dress

We are flying down to Texas next week for Spring Break / Easter and I've been working on the kids coordinating Easter outfits so they are all ready before we leave. I decided to start with Matilda's dress and use a pattern I've been dying to try!This dress was made using the Harper Dress pattern by the Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop. I changed a few things here and there, but for the most part followed the pattern instructions and design. I love how this dress came together. There are so many different elements that I think are so sweet for a little girl.The Harper Dress … continue reading

18
Mar

Sun & Surf Pattern Tour ~ Beachy Boat Neck and Santa Monica Cinch

This weekend I had the opportunity to sew up two of the pieces from Pattern Anthology's first collection of sewing patterns called the 'Sun & Surf Collection'. Pattern Anthology is a collaborative effort of four different pattern designers coming together to create one cohesive pattern collection. Pretty fun, right? I think so.So my original plan was to create one outfit with these two patterns; however, the knit fabric I ordered never arrived, so one outfit became two. Not a problem. I sewed the Beachy Boat Neck by Melissa from 'Melly Sews' and the Santa Monica … continue reading

14
Mar

Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Party with Free Printables

This past weekend we celebrated Miss Savannah's 5th birthday with a Rainbow Unicorn themed party. She loves rainbows and unicorns and wanted them combined into one great big birthday party! Today I'm excited to share some party details with you and I've also included some of the printables I came up with in case you would like to print them up and use them for your next Rainbow Unicorn party (whenever, and if ever, that may be). I ordered Savannah's birthday invitations from minted.com. I love their site. They always have really classy and unique designs and I … continue reading

7
Mar

Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Party Dress

This weekend we will be celebrating Savannah's 5th birthday with a Rainbow Unicorn party. This little lady likes rainbows and she likes unicorns, so we decided to combine it into one magical birthday celebration. The majority of the parties that I like to plan are inspired by fabric (remember the Heather Bailey fabric inspired Garden Party or the Anna Griffin fabric inspired Tea Party?). So first I searched for Rainbow Unicorn fabric and decided that was not going to happen. Talk about cheese ball central, not really my style. Then I decided to focus on … continue reading

5
Mar

And in the blink of an eye, she turned 5.

Savannah Rose is 5 years old today. I say it every year, but I just can't believe it. Five is such a big birthday to me. When they are under five, they seem like they are still little babies, but turning five means they are truly a 'kid'. Savannah will start kindergarten in the fall. It's all going by too fast.I am so proud of my sweet girl and there are some things I would like her to know on her 5th birthday........1. You maturing into a beautiful little lady, inside and out.2. You are a wonderful big sister. You walk your little sister, Matilda to her preschool … continue reading

4
Mar

Broccoli & Onion Pie ~ Recipe

We like broccoli around here. Well, my husband didn't used to, but he's coming around. Broccoli was always one of my favorite vegetables growing up and it still is (you can find my Cream of Broccoli soup recipe by clicking here).Anyway, it's Lent and we are Catholic, so for us that means no meat on Fridays. I also know some families do 'Meatless Monday's' all through the year, so I thought this would be a good recipe to share for Lent, for those of you who were vegetarian or for those of you that just like Broccoli. And if you don't like Broccoli, you could … continue reading