Easy Magnetic Pin Holder Tutorial

I have been meaning to write a blog post for over a year about this Easy Magnetic Pin Holder, but as life would have it, I just never got around to it. But today is the day! My mom sent me this darling magnetic pin holder that she made last year and I use it so much in my studio. My mom and I have a thing for little dishes. We love to have little cute bowls and dipping dishes around for snacks, etc. We believe you can never have too many cute little dishes! I like having multiple pin holders going at one time, so I can have straight pins within arms reach at … continue reading

Lessons with Lindsay: Summer Picnic Dress

Today I have a new Lessons with Lindsay video tutorial for you! This video is a step-by-step tutorial for my free Summer Picnic Dress Pattern. If you've never sewn my Picnic Dress before, I really think you are going to enjoy this video. I take you through every step of garment construction and share some of my tips and tricks with you along the way. Even if you are a seasoned sewer, I think we can all learn a few things from seeing the way someone else might put together a garment. So sit back, relax and enjoy today's video........ … continue reading

Embroidered Towel Tutorial

Embroidered Towel Tutorial by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama. www.thecottagemama.com

  Both my girls finished school a couple weeks ago. Savannah finished Kindergarten and Matilda finished her last year of preschool. It's hard to believe I will have a 1st grader and a kindergartner next year! I wanted to create a gift for the girls' teachers that I thought they might really use. I figure everyone can use a good beach towel, so I decided to take it a step further and embroiderer each of their teachers last names on the towel. I didn't want to use their first names since then the other members of their families might not be able, or want, to … continue reading

DIY Christmas Pillowcases

As I've mentioned before, this year we are having quite a few visitors during the holiday season. I decided to whip up a bunch of Christmas pillowcases for all of our house guests using my '15-Minute Pillowcase Tutorial'. I thought it would be a festive and fun gesture to have new pillowcases for our house guests to use to rest their tired heads. … continue reading

Children at Play Scalloped Pillow

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to film two episodes of Fons and Porter 'Love of Quilting' PBS show and magazine. I already shared my Cottage Quilt Block with you that I made on one of the episodes. Today I'm sharing the project that I did on the other episode........ Children at Play Scalloped Pillow. … continue reading

Halloween Trick or Treat Bag Pattern

Do your kids have special Halloween Trick or Treat Bags? I have been wanting to make my kids their own personalized Halloween Trick or Treat Bags for several years now. I have admired some of the cute ones I've seen in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and thought about ordering them several times. But my conscious always held me back since I knew I could make them very easily if I just took the time to create a pattern. So this is the year........we are due with our 4th child in about two weeks and she will be the final little one to complete our family, so this was … continue reading

Happy Birthday, Josephine!

Dear JoJo, Happy Birthday! Today you are six years old. Wow, time sure does fly when you are having fun! I can't believe my youngest baby is six. Here are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned six years old and somethings you might like to know about your six year old self....... … continue reading

Puppy Dog Stuffed Animal Pattern

This Puppy Dog Stuffed Animal Pattern post is sponsored by the lovely folks at Cost Plus World Market. My kids are getting a little bit older and I feel like every year the holidays have gotten a busier and busier. Maybe it's because we keep adding new children into the mix, but nevertheless, I thought it would be good to do something this year to help us slow down and think about the true meaning of this holiday season. It's important to me to teach my children to help others that may be less fortunate and to teach them to be grateful for the lives they … continue reading

DIY Fall Wreath Tutorial

There's something about hanging a wreath on the door that makes a house feel like a home. This summer has been a little crazy, to say the least. We are finally moved into our new home and slowly, but surely, are getting unpacked and organized. … continue reading

Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial

So we have four young children in our family which means we go through a lot of snacks and I mean A LOT! So back when my oldest two were itty bitty I sewed together some reusable snack bags that we have been using for many years. Since then we've added two more children and I decided it was time to sew up a few more for all our summer outings. … continue reading