The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Feb

The Cottage Mama’s Sewing Basket: Fabric Marking Pens

First off, I apologize if I sound overly enthusiastic in the following post. But honestly if I could write this post with all caps and end every sentence with an exclamation mark, I would. Secondly, I want you to know that I have absolutely know affiliation with this company or product, I just really, really like it.So, I didn't get to take any classes myself when I was teaching at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion, but I did learn a few things. And these Pilot FriXion Erasable Gel Pens have changed my life. Maybe you've known about these all along and I … continue reading

Feb

Crafter’s Vision Giveaway

I'm really excited about today's giveaway! Why? Because our lovely blog sponsor, Crafter's Vision is giving away two $50.00 gift certificates to two very lucky The Cottage Home blog readers. That means you get to browse their shop and pick out whatever you would like and trust me, you could get lost for hours browsing their massive inventory.If you've never visited Crafter's Vision, you must head over there when you get a chance. They carry a great selection of fabric, trim, ribbons, craft supplies and so much more.It has been so cold here in Chicago, that I am … continue reading

Feb

Riley Blake Designs Winner

And the winner of the Riley Blake Designs Fat Quarter Bundle is...........Congratulations, Tricia! You are going to love this fat quarter bundle. Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your contact information and we will get this bundle in the mail to you as soon as possible. Thanks so much to everyone who entered and check back tomorrow for another great giveaway! … continue reading

Feb

Knot Dress Tutorial & Riley Blake Designs Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Can you believe that I am registering this little lady for Kindergarten today? Yes, it's really true. How did this happen? Please hit the pause button right now! Today I am over at Riley Blake Designs sharing my Project Design Team Tutorial for this Easy Knot Dress. I hope you'll pop over and check it out if you get a chance. Click HERE to learn how to make this Easy Knot Dress. And the giveaway....... Because it's my Project Design Team Day, I also get to giveaway an entire Fat Quarter Bundle of one of my favorite fabric lines, Little Matryoshka by … continue reading

Feb

Pin Cushion Ring Tutorial

When I was teaching at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion a couple of weeks ago, I needed some straight pins for a project I was demonstrating. Our lovely machine educator in the room, Darlene, handed me this sweet little pin cushion that she had brought with her. It was so adorable and perfect for traveling. Upon closer examination of this pincushion, that had been given to Darlene by her by a friend, I noticed that it was simply made from a plastic bottle top. The bottle top had two holes drilled in the top and a piece of elastic was used for the ring … continue reading

Feb

Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion ~ Teaching Recap

I just got back this past Monday from being away for eight days teaching sewing classes at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. It was such a wonderful and memorable experience, but I am so happy to be back home with my husband and little ones. I was so incredibly flattered when I was invited to teach at the School of Art Fashion. I knew that the teachers at this school were truly legends in the heirloom sewing world, so to be included in this group was very special to me. The school takes place twice a year......in February and July.To be honest, I didn't … continue reading

Feb

Riley Blake Designs Fabric Fest

So I just got back from being away for nine days teaching at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. I haven't had time to go through my pictures yet, but I will be sharing my recap of this amazing event later this week. I am definitely spending some quality time this week with my littles that I missed so dearly when I was away.In the meantime, I wanted to share some information about another event that I will be teaching at later this year in September called 'Fabric Fest'. It is a first-ever conference put on by Riley Blake Designs and will be held in Las Vegas … continue reading

Feb

The Cottage Mama’s Favorite Ice Cream ~ Graeter’s

I know I've mentioned it before, but in case you are new around here, I used to be into musical theatre. I mean, really into it. Singing, dancing and acting was pretty much all I breathed growing up. It was my passion and it was what I thought I would end up doing with my life. However, life doesn't always go according to plan.I majored in musical theatre at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). It was a very prestigious school for musical theater, but after my first year of school there, reality sunk in. My parents ended up getting … continue reading

Feb

Upcycled Boys Dungaree Tutorial

It's been awhile since I shared a boy project, right? Well, this is a project that I shared a little while back over on Cheri's blog, I am Momma Hear Me Roar. My husband had a pile of clothes sitting in our bedroom that had just shrunk or gotten kind of wonky after being washed tons of times. Being the good husband that he is, he knew to save those clothes for me and I could probably use them to make something for our little man, Caspian Finn. Caspian is on the move these days. After having two girls, I had no idea how active boys could be. When I put pants on … continue reading

Feb

Winner ~ Quilts from The House of Tula Pink

And the winner of the book, Quilts from The House of Tula Pink, is......Congratulations, Anne! If you could email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your mailing address, we will make sure to get you your book as soon as possible. Thank you so much to everyone who entered! … continue reading