29
Nov

DIY Beaded Fabric Necklace ~ Easy, Snappy Holiday Project

I was so honored when Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machines invited me to be part of their Snappy Holiday Snappy-Sew Round-Up. Each of the featured bloggers was supposed to come up with a quick and easy holiday gift that you could put together with just a moments notice. I came up with the Beaded Fabric Necklace. The Beaded Fabric Necklace is a quick-sew gift that is perfect for any of the lovely ladies in your life. You can make these necklaces to suite all types of occasions depending on your fabric selection. Consider using pearl beads or even spray … continue reading

26
Nov

Cyber Monday Giveaway Day!

Today is Cyber Monday Giveaway Day at The Cottage Home. Our lovely sponsors have come up with some fabulous prizes for the readers of The Cottage Home blog and I am so excited to share them with you today. I know all bloggers probably think that their sponsors are the best, but I don't know............this line up is pretty darn spectacular!The Cyber Monday Giveaway Day is going to be a little different. Today is a winner take all giveaway. One winner will take home ALL of the prizes. Talk about a fabulous holiday gift, right? At the bottom of the giveaway post … continue reading

18
Nov

Holiday Cards

So have you started shopping for holiday cards yet? I know, I can't believe it's almost that time of year either. Time is flying by. Well, I have been browsing around online checking out some different designs for our family. I'm thinking I will be using our favorite family picture from this year.......I have found some really beautiful designs over at Minted.com and I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.Aren't these all so fun? I don't even think I got through all the pages of the Minted holiday cards (there was something like 34 pages). Anyway, I just … continue reading

17
Nov

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts ~Book Review & Giveaway

Today I am very excited to introduce a brand new quilting book that you are sure to want to add to your Christmas wishlist. Modern Designs for Classic Quilts is written by Kelly Biscopink and Andrea Johnson and is complete quilting eye candy. I met Kelly as an Editor through my publisher and was absolutely thrilled when I found out she had written a book of her own!At quilt market in Houston, TX last month, my mom (aka Grandma Jane) and I went out dinner with Kelly and Andrea and we. had. a. ball. We laughed so hard we cried. I'm telling you, these are my kind of … continue reading

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