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

27
Jul

Friday Share: Sew Beautiful, Where Women Create and Other Stuff

I've had some things I wanted to share with you guys for awhile, but just haven't had a chance to get them up here on the blog.  So I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you all...........Have you seen the most recent issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine?It's the July/August issue that is on newsstands now.  And guess who has a five page pictorial in this issue?  The Cottage Mama!I was so thrilled when Kathy Barnard (Editor, Sew Beautiful) contacted me asking if I would be interested in them doing a pictorial featuring my sewing patterns.  Of course I … continue reading

25
Jul

Fat Quarter Tote for Riley Blake Designs ~ ‘Seaside’ Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Today you can find me guest blogging over at Riley Blake Design's blog sharing my tutorial for the Fat Quarter Tote made from one of my favorite fabric lines, 'Seaside'.To check out the Fat Quarter Tote Tutorial click HERE.And guess what? I am giving away a FULL Fat Quarter Bundle of 'Seaside' from Riley Blake Designs to one of you!The Bundle includes 25 Fat Quarters from the 'Seaside' collection. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment answering the following question:If you win, what will you make with the fat quarter bundle?For additional entries, leave a … continue reading

24
Jul

New Sponsor Giveaway: Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns

I'm very excited to introduce another new sponsor here on The Cottage Home blog ~Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns I was thrilled to be contacted by the folks behind Quilt in a Day and extremely flattered to have them sign on as a sponsor.  Here is a little more information from Quilt in a Day:"Quit in a Day has everything you need to make a quilt - books, patterns, free block patterns, notions, fabrics, rulers and videos! Quilt in a Day was founded in 1975 by "Hall of Fame" quilter, Eleanor Burns. Through out her career, Eleanor has published over 100 … continue reading

23
Jul

The Handmade Business: Where Should I Sell My Goods?

I'm back with another handmade business post.......it's about time, right?So you've decided to start a handmade business, now you need to decide how and where you will sell your goods.  There are many different options and navigating them can be a little tricky if you are new to selling handmade.Here are some (definitely not all) of your options:~ Etsy~ Big Cartel~ Ebay~ Your Own Blog ~ Your Own Website~ Wholesale (to stores)~ Wholesale (through wholesale distributors)~ Consignment ~ Craft Fairs and/or Art FairsThat's a lot of options, right?  Yes, it is, but you … continue reading

22
Jul

Crafter’s Vision Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the bundle of goodies from Crafter's Vision is............Congratulations, Country Mouse!  You are going to love this wonderful bundle.  Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your mailing address and we will get this package out to you ASAP.  And don't be disappointed if you didn't win this time, we have another great sponsored giveaway scheduled for this next week!A big thank you to Crafter's Vision for this generous giveaway and welcome to The Cottage Home family of sponsors! … continue reading

19
Jul

Crafter’s Vision Giveaway

Over the last several month we have gotten quite a few new sponsors here at The Cottage Home and I want to make sure you get to know each and every one.  So many of them are wonderful resources for supplies for all your creative projects.  First up, is an amazing online sewing and crafting shop called Crafter's Vision.Crafter’s Vision is a one stop shop where you can get the latest fabrics, ribbons and accessories! They offer free shipping for fabric and ribbon orders over $30 (see website for coupon code and details), refund any shipping that can be reduced, … continue reading