11
Jul

LEGO DUPLO Read & Build Review: $100 Lego Sweepstakes

So there's a new, fun LEGO DUPLO toy in town and the girls and I got a chance to try it out last week. We absolutely love blocks and we love books, so we were very happy to be given this opportunity to play with the LEGO DUPLO Read & Build set!So here's how this works. Basically it's a storybook that instructs you to build certain things as you read through the story. Different block sets go with different stories and we were given the story "Let's Go! Vroom!"."Let's Go! Vroom!" is about Racer Joe who goes out driving and gets stuck somewhere. Pilot Penny … continue reading

9
Jul

Zealous Good: A Meaningful Way to Donate

I don't promote a whole lot of different organizations on this blog, but when I was contact by Zealous Good in Chicago (about guest posting on the blog), I knew I wanted to share them with you all.  They are a wonderful organization, doing wonderful things for the community.  Please take a moment and read the following post from Zealous Good.........Zealous Good: A Meaningful Way to Donate Giving your old stuff away to a charity is a great thing. However, when you donate, do you really know whom it’s going to? How it’s helping? If it’s actually helping that … continue reading

8
Jul

Happy 3rd Birthday Miss Matilda Jane

Happy 3rd Birthday our sweet girl!Today is your 3rd Birthday Miss Matilda Jane.  You are such a special part of our lives and there are a few things I would like to remember about you today......1. Your favorite color is blue.2. You are sweet and cuddly.3. You sleep with your little stuffed puppy dog and you love him.4. You can be found most days wearing a tutu.5. Your favorite tv shows are Team Umizoomi and Dora the Explorer.6. You love to take baths.7. You love to play dress up.8. Pretend play is a favorite and you like to pretend to be a puppy dog, a knight or … continue reading

5
Jul

Recipe: Baked Apple Pancake

Looking for a delicious family breakfast or a new go-to brunch idea.....how about a Baked Apple Pancake? Easy and inexpensive, but packed with flavor. Not to mention the fact that it will make your house smell heavenly. Give it a try......you're going to like it!Baked Apple PancakeSERVES 6Ingredients:2 apples, thinly sliced1/2 stick of butter1/2 cup brown sugar1.5 teaspoons cinnamon5 eggs1/2 cup flour1/2 cup milkDirections:Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Melt butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.  Toss the apples into the butter mixture and stir to … continue reading

3
Jul

DIY Craft: No-Sew Fabric Covered Box Tutorial

This past weekend I was out and about running errands on my own.  And I'm sure most of you mom's know.......I sort of felt like I was on a mini-vacation. Anyway, I stopped off at one of my favorite local thrift stores and, come to find out, the entire store was 50% off.  50% off at a thrift store?  Yes, I couldn't believe it either.  I picked up a bunch of things that I just couldn't go home without and this little metal box for 50 cents was one of them. Here is what the box looked like when I brought it home:   Not very exciting, but it was just … continue reading

2
Jul

Spring Sewing Swap Stuff

I recently participated in a 'Spring Sewing Swap' over at Sewing In No Mans Land.  Did you hear about this?  Basically you just signed up and used three words to describe yourself / your style.  Then we were each paired up with someone and given only their name, shipping address and their three descriptive words.   We weren't give a dollar value to send.  You were just supposed to send a package that you would like to receive in the mail yourself.  I thought this just sounded like such a neat idea.I quickly sent my package out prior to heading to quilt market.  I … continue reading

29
Jun

The Cottage Mama Custom Fat Quarter Bundle ~ Blogger’s Choice

I just wanted to share something kind of cool with you.  I was recently selected by Fat Quarter Shop to put together a 'Blogger's Choice' Fat Quarter Bundle for them for the month of September.  I was supposed to choose 12 prints and 3 solids from any fabric lines to create a custom bundle that will be sold in their shop.  Talk about a tough decision narrowing it down from all the gorgeous prints that are available. There were tons of different directions I could have gone.Want to see my bundle?Custom Fat Quarter Bundle by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mamafor … continue reading

28
Jun

The Cottage Mama Sewing Pattern Blog Tour ~ Wrap Up!

Our Sewing Patterns Blog Tour has finally come to an end.  I have had so much fun seeing the amazing looks these these creative, talented women have come up with using my pattern designs.  I think it is so inspring to see how the same pattern can be made into different looks depending on the fabric selection, use of trims and slight alteration of the design.  These women all did an amazing job and I can't thank them enough for joining us on this tour!I know it can be a little scary coming up with your own pattern design, but I believe a great gateway into pattern … continue reading

27
Jun

Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Susan from Living with Punks

Today is the final stop on the Sewing Patterns Blog Tour!  We've rounded out this group of incredibly talented women with Susan from Living with Punks.  If you've never been over to Susan's blog before, you really should.  She has some of my most favorite tutorials in all of sewing and crafting blog-land.  We both share a love of bright patterned fabrics and I'm so excited for you to see the Ruby Ruffle Dress that she created........Head over to Living with Punks to see more pictures of Susan's Ruby Ruffle Dress and enter to win your own copy of this pattern.Click … continue reading

26
Jun

Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood

Today's stop on the tour is one that is very special to me.  I credit Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood for putting The Cottage Home on the map in the blogging world.  Shannon featured me on her blog in the very beginning of this journey and I will never forget what she has done for me.  And what's even better is that she has truly become a friend.  Though she lives in Canada and I live in Chicago, we actually have phone chats and its such a blessing have someone who can totally relate to my world to talk, email and support each other through this time in our … continue reading