15
Nov

DIY Cabochon Jewelry

As much as I love sewing, sometimes I get the urge to do something a little different. I've been planning some of my DIY Christmas gifts this year and I thought it would be really fun to make some pretty jewelry for friends and family. Flower cabochons have always had sort of a vintage feel to me and I find them to be really beautiful. You can buy them from many different sources online (here are a ton sold on Etsy) and they are really reasonably priced. Basically they are just molded resin and are really lightweight and easy to work with when crafting. You can … continue reading

9
Nov

Cajun Sausage Pasta with Cream Sauce ~ Recipe

Pasta is the go-to meal in our house. It's quick, easy and inexpensive. My husband and I love spicy food and have always had a fondness for cajun flavors. Cajun Sausage Pasta is a delicious, easy weeknight meal that will have your family begging for more.Cajun Sausage Pasta SERVES 4Ingredients:1 pound dried linguine1 large onion, diced1 pound andouille sausage, sliced (I use the chicken kind from Trader Joe's)2 tablespoons butter1.5 cups heavy cream1 teaspoon cajun seasoning1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like more spice)1 tablespoon fresh thyme (if you … continue reading

8
Nov

International Quilt Market Fall 2012

Oh quilt market, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.......Ok, so a little bit cheesy, but seriously, ever since we (my mom and I) started attending International Quilt Market in Spring 2011, I just can't miss it. I know I explain this every time I post about market, but just in case you are new here to the blog......International Quilt Market is a trade show and is not open to the general public. Most of the ordering that goes on at market is for wholesale purchasing. Every fall it takes place in Houston, TX and every spring it rotates around the country … continue reading

5
Nov

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser ~ Tutorial

I have a thing for mason jars. Big, small, new, old........but the ones that really grab my heart are the blue jars. I have quite the collection these days. Some of them I got from my Grandma Peggy and some of them I have picked up here and there from garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores. The blue glass is just so pretty and soothing......I absolutely love them! I have been wanting to turn several of the old blue jars into soap dispensers for about the last two years. I've seen some mason jar soap dispensers for sale and always thought they would go so … continue reading

4
Nov

Winners ~ Holly Designs and Riley Blake Designs

The winners of the Holly Designs Gift Certficate and the Riley Blake Designs Fat Quarter Bundle are the following lucky ladies.........Holly Designs:Riley Blake Designs:Congratulations to you both! If you could please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your contact information, we will work to get you your prizes as soon as possible. Thank you so much to everyone who entered! … continue reading

2
Nov

Chicken, Avocado and Grape Salad ~ Recipe

  The other day I had some avocados that I needed to use up and I decided to make myself something yummy for lunch. This is a quick and easy recipe, but is so tasty you could certainly use it for entertaining or for a wedding or baby shower.   Chicken, Avocado & Grape Salad by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama SERVES 2-3 Ingredients: 1 large, ripe avocado 1 large bone-in chicken breast, cooked or roasted 1/2 cup grapes, quartered 1/2 fresh lemon 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt Extra Virgin Olive Oil Salt and Pepper, to taste French or … continue reading

1
Nov

Fall and Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween! Well, a day after the fact, but I hope you all had a great one. It has been a whirlwind of a couple days returning on Tuesday from International Quilt Market in Houston, TX and then all of the Halloween festivities we had yesterday. Luckily my flight was only delayed an hour and a half due to high winds in Chicago from the big storm back east. I would have been beyond sad if I missed my babies all dressed up on Halloween.The Quilt Market Recap post will be coming soon, but I thought I would share some pictures of my little cuties. Boy did I miss … continue reading

24
Oct

Holly Designs Giveaway

Today I'm excited to introduce you to Holly Designs on Etsy where they create custom handmade applique shirts, clothing and gifts for your little ones.Holly offered to send me a custom shirt for one of the kids. I decided to have her do a shirt for Matilda. I kind of feel like Matilda doesn't always get the special new things because if I have to choose, I usually will get something for Savannah in hopes that Matilda can wear it a few years later. But this time, it was all about Matilda.At Holly Designs, you choose the shirt color, the fabric for the applique, the … continue reading

23
Oct

Easy Eye Glass {or Rotary Cutter} Case Tutorial

Today we have a special guest, my mom (aka Grandma Jane) with another one of her quick and easy quilting tutorials. Take it away Mom........ I would really encourage any new quilter to find some sort of quilting group to join. It is a great way to learn from and be inspired by more experienced quilters, share quilting projects, get advice and support, and most of all, to make new friends who are as crazy as you are about quilting! There are a lot of online quilting resources out there (after all, you are reading this blog) but a group that you can physically be … continue reading

18
Oct

Recipe: Uncle Bill’s Red and Green Chile Pork Tamales

My mom is in Taos, New Mexico having a sisters weekend with her three sisters and it made me remember that I never shared my Uncle Bill's Tamale recipe with you all. We served these tamales at Caspian's Baptism celebration and they were so good.I absolutely adore New Mexico. If you've never been there, you should definitely put in on your 'must visit' list. I don't even really know how to describe it, but I always feel like I'm a new world when we visit. My grandparents owned an art gallery in Taos for many years and my Grandma Marge was an amazing artist. We are … continue reading