The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Aug

Happy 1st Birthday Caspian Finn

Dear Caspian, Today you are 1 year old. I can't believe it! Your first year flew by at warp speed. It seems like only yesterday you came into our lives, but yet I can't imagine our life without you. 1 Year Old Pictures taken by Mama on August 31, 2012 Caspian, on your 1st birthday today there are a few things I would like to remember about you...... 1. Your favorite food is bananas. 2. You are so sweet. And I mean SO sweet. 3. You army crawl everywhere. 4. You say 'Dada' and 'Mama'. 5. You have just learned how to shake your head … continue reading

Aug

Another ‘Out to Sea’ Dress and a Little Sailor

We spent this past weekend up in Lake Geneva, WI celebrating Caspian's 1st birthday and my father-in-law's 60th birthday. Knowing that we were going to be up to the lake, I couldn't resist making another dress from Sarah Jane Studio's new 'Out to Sea' fabric line. It just had to be done!Here are the girls wearing the two dresses that I made for them. I shared Matilda's dress in a previous post (which is made from my Charlotte Apron Dress Pattern), but I made a different style dress for Miss Savannah.This dress is a basic peasant style dress with a flutter … continue reading

Aug

A Week of Many Firsts…….1st Day of Preschool

So this is a busy week around here. The girls had their first day of preschool on Monday and their first day of tap and ballet class on Tuesday and we have our little man's first birthday coming up on Friday. Whew.......that's a lot of firsts all in one week!It's hard to believe that both my little ladies are in preschool this year. This is Matilda's first year and she is in the three year old class and this is Savannah's second year and she is in the four year old class. It works out really nicely because both girls go on the same days which allows me a little … continue reading

Aug

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies Half-Square Triangle Quilt Top

I just wanted to write a quick post to share my mom's Eat Your Fruits and Veggies Half-Square Triangle Quilt Top that she completed using half square triangles. If you missed her half-square triangle tutorial, you can check it out HERE.Isn't it gorgeous? I absolutely adore this quilt top. I think it is so fresh and modern, yet with a fun 1950's retro feel. 'Eat Your Fruits and Veggies' is by Pat Sloan for Moda Fabrics. We picked up some of this line at sample spree during Spring Quilt Market. The yardage has not been released yet, it will be out in October … continue reading

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

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

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

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

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

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