20
Aug

Out to Sea ~ Nautical Girls Dress

I am a big fan of Sarah from Sarah Jane Studios and I knew her second fabric line 'Out to Sea' was going to be a must-have.  I think you all know how I felt about her first line, 'Children at Play' ~ L.O.V.E.  I ordered 'Out to Sea' back in May at Quilt Market in Kansas City.  Let me tell you, it was really hard to decide which prints to order, but I'm so happy with the ones we picked!These are the prints that arrived this past Tuesday.  There is a boy, pirate one too, but we'll save that for another time.  I have some ideas for what I want to do with the map, but … continue reading

17
Aug

Lindsay Wilkes’ Blogger’s Choice Fat Quarter Bundle: Now Available!

It has arrived!  My Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle is now available for purchase at the Fat Quarter Shop.  I blogged about this several months back when I was selected to customize a bundle for the month of September.  I'm still incredibly flattered that they asked me.......I am definitely in good company with some of the amazingly talented women who have put together bundles for them recently.The bundle I selected is $45 and it includes a fat quarter of each of the prints and solids pictured above (which is a total of 15 fat quarters).  There is a little bit … continue reading

16
Aug

DIY Ribbon Holder Tutorial

I have a lot of trims and I mean a lot! As a designer I like to see everything I have to work with when I am creating new garments and projects.  I usually start out with fabric selection, but it's the trims and ribbons that really bring a garment together.  I wanted to create some easy, inexpensive ribbon holders so that I can have all my trims displayed out in my studio when I'm working.  Also, I love looking at all these pretties, they make me so excited to get creative! You can create these holders for your sewing trim or even use them for your gift … continue reading

15
Aug

Easy $1.00 Mirror Makeover

There are so many decorating projects I would love to tackle around our house, but there just isn't a lot of time (or extra money) to get those done.  So many of the projects will have to wait, but I figure I can do a little something here and there to make myself feel a little better in our home. We have had this mirror since before we even moved into this house.  I absolutely love the shape of it, but it really doesn't pop on our beige family room wall.  When my mom was visiting I was telling her how I wanted to do 'this and that' to our family room like … continue reading

13
Aug

WINNERS!

And the winners of the two giveaways we had this past week are.........Southern Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle:Eat Your Fruits and Veggies Fabric and Cookbook from Grandma Jane: Congratulations to our two winners!  You are both going to love these prizes!  Please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your mailing addresses and contact information and we will get you your prize as soon as possible.  Thank you to everyone who entered! … continue reading

10
Aug

Souther Fabric Giveaway: Fat Quarter Bundle

We want to give a big giant welcome to our new sponsor Aubrey Marshall from Southern Fabric (Southernfabric.com)! I've been looking forward to introducing Southern Fabric to you all for awhile.......I know you are going to love their style and selection!  Aubrey has been in business for over 7 years and has sold over 75 thousand items to happy customers worldwide.  Feel free to browse her shop and add her to your favorites. Southern Fabric is constantly adding new Moda, Free Spirit, Westminster and Riley Blake.Check out some of my personal favorites from Southern … continue reading

9
Aug

Fabric Organization: Comic Book Boards and File Folders

A frequent question that comes to me via email is regarding my Fabric Organizers.  I have written about them several times on the blog and I absolutely love them.  They are not cheap and it's hard to stomach the investment sometimes when really all it is, is a piece of plastic board that you are wrapping your fabric around.  I totally get that.  So how about a few other options?I wanted to share an idea with you that someone shared with me about two years ago in a fabric group that I belonged to (yes, there are groups for fabric obsessed people like myself).  If … continue reading

6
Aug

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies Half-Square Triangle Tutorial and Giveaway

My mom (Grandma Jane) is back today with another fun tutorial.  I am doing my best right now to balance keeping up with the blog, my Etsy shop, pattern sales and writing my book, but it is a lot....oh yeah, and my two most important jobs.....mommy and wife.  I know I wouldn't even have all of these amazing opportunities if it weren't for you guys, the readers of The Cottage Home blog, so I just want to make sure that you don't feel like I have left you hanging in the creative department (since a lot of what I'm working on can't be revealed until a later date). … continue reading

3
Aug

Tex-Mex Salad Recipe

I love, love, love southwestern food or as some would call it, Tex-Mex.  This is an easy salad that is the perfect accompaniment to enchiladas, tamales or just add in some chicken and you've got yourself a salad that's hearty enough to call dinner. Tex Mex SaladServes 4-6 (main dish)Serves 6-8 (side dish)Ingredients:2 heads romaine lettuce2 avocados (chopped)1 cup frozen corn (defrosted) or fresh (if it's in season)1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)1/2 red onion, diced1/2 red bell pepper, diced1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar1/2 cup sour cream or reduced … continue reading

2
Aug

Giveaway Winners ~ Quilt In a Day and Riley Blake Designs

Sorry for the delay with posting these winners.  I've been sick over here with a bad cold, but I think I'm on the mend.  Yesterday I just needed to take the whole day off and rest.  My sweet, sweet husband stayed home from work to take care of the kids (and me).  He took the girls to gymnastics, made me hot tea all day, a yummy lunch and even had dinner made in the crock-pot.  He's a keeper, that's for sure and I am a very lucky lady.  Summer colds are no fun, but they are definitely more tolerable when you have your sweetheart to take care of you.Anyway, here are … continue reading