The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Mar

Will It Go Round In Circles? ~ Free Quilt Pattern and Tutorial ~ Part 4: Quilting

So here we are.......we've got our quilt top pieced together and our quilt backing ready to go. Now for the most exciting part, actually quilting our quilt. Mom (Grandma Jane) has some really great information and tips in Part 4 of the 'Will It Go Round In Circles?' quilt pattern and tutorial. If you've ever been a little nervous about quilting, don't worry, Grandma Jane will show you the way....... Part 4: Quilting19. How to “sandwich” your quilt—I like to lay the backing and the quilt top out on the floor to check for placement. I decided I wanted the pieced … continue reading

Mar

Will It Go Round In Circles? ~ Free Quilt Pattern and Tutorial ~ Part 3: Quilt Backing

Welcome to Part 3 of the "Will It Go Round In Circles?" Free Quilt Pattern and Tutorial. Yesterday we finished up our quilt front and today we will be cutting and piecing our quilt backing. My mom always creates the most beautiful, pieced backings for her quilts. Take it away, Mom........Part 3: Quilt Backing15. Quilt Backing—I sub cut layer cake pieces for the pieced backing but as above in the cutting instructions. You can cut strips however you like—it’s great way to use up scraps. Lay strips out to get the look you like. Then sew 16 of the 2 ½ inch x 10 … continue reading

Mar

Will It Go Round In Circles? ~ Free Quilt Pattern and Tutorial ~ Part 2: Quilt Top Continued

Welcome to Part 2 of the 'Will It Go Round In Circles?' Free Quilt Pattern and Tutorial. Today we will be finishing our quilt top. If you missed Part 1 (Cutting / Appliqueing) you can view it HERE.Part 2 (Quilt Top Continued):7. Now with all 56 squares, complete, lay out the squares again and make sure you like your color placement. Sew your blocks together into rows of 7 blocks each with a scant ¼ seam. I love Diary of a Quilter Amy Smart’s helpful tutorial on the “scant ¼ inch seam” (click HERE to view her tutorial). The first couple of quilts I made I did … continue reading

Mar

Will It Go Round In Circles? ~ Free Quilt Pattern and Tutorial ~ Part 1

This week we have a very, I mean very, special guest here with us on The Cottage Home ~ my mom (aka Grandma Jane)! I am so excited that Mom agreed to guest blog and share her amazing talent and skills with everyone. My mom is definitely not one to toot her own horn, but I'm not kidding when I say that she has serious talent in the sewing arena. Grandma Jane is sharing a free quilt pattern and tutorial for everyone. Today she will share the first part and will post every day this week until we have sewn the quilt from start to finish. Sound like fun? If … continue reading

Mar

The Handmade Business: My Story

One of my goals for this year was to share a little bit more insight into how to start and grow your handmade business. I realize that many of you reading are not interested in the least about starting a handmade business, but for those of you who are, I just want you to know that I am here to help you along the way. You can pretty much ask me anything.I've done a lot of hard work myself, but I've also had some very wonderful individuals that have provided me with information and guidance and I am happy to share what I've learned with you. I believe there is … continue reading

Mar

Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Tone Correcting Moisturizer ~ Review and $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

I jump at the chance to try Olay products because they never seem to disappoint. I have tried other brands of facial moisturizers in the past but I always end up coming back to my Olay. So when I was offered the chance to try the new Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Tone Correcting Moisturizer, I said sign me up!I was so surprised when this product arrived, it really looks so cool. Granted, I don't generally purchase a product based on appearance, but this presentation really caught my eye. It looks like swirled moisturizer and foundation all in one. I couldn't … continue reading

Mar

From Grandma with Love ~ Orange Chevron Quilt

My mom (Grandma Jane) always seems to make the girls the perfect birthday presents and Savannah's 4th birthday was no exception. Mom told me she was working on something 'orange' for Miss S., but this lovely orange chevron quilt was a total surprise to everyone!Mom was inspired by this quilt from Red Pepper Quilts. The unique design is created by the placement of half-square triangles. This would be a really great project for someone that is just getting into quilting. The design is beautiful, yet the piecing is quite straight forward. There are so many … continue reading

Mar

Orange Themed 4th Birthday Party

Savannah's 4th birthday party was this past weekend and several months back she decided that she wanted an 'orange' themed party since her absolute favorite color is orange. When she first mentioned this theme, I was a little skeptical. I was thinking she would go for a princess or character themed party, but as we began planning the orange party, we all got really excited about the color-themed birthday celebration. Every year, I think that I'm going to keep it small, but one thing leads to another and I end up with 50+ people planning on attending our kids … continue reading

Mar

Riley Blake Designs: Embellished Hoodie Tutorial AND Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Today is my first 'Project Design Team' post for Riley Blake Designs. I'm sharing how to make this fun embellished hoodie from the new line 'Woodland Trails'. Come on over to the Riley Blake Designs blog for the full tutorial.(click HERE).And for even more fun, we are giving away a whole Fat Quarter Bundle of 'Woodland Trails'! This fat quarter bundle retails for around $80.00, so needless to say, it's a whole lot of fabric.'Woodland Trails' is absolutely adorable. The colors are so sweet and the design is whimsical and fun. There are many feminine prints, … continue reading

Mar

Savannah Rose ~ 4 Years Old

Today my oldest baby, Savannah Rose, turns 4 years old. I cannot believe it. I say it every year.........but, seriously, where did the time go?Everyone always says 'make sure you enjoy these years, they go by so fast'. And while that is very true, I honestly think each year gets better and better. Savannah is such a sweet little girl and just seems so grown up now in comparison to this time last year.Here are a bunch of things I would like my sweet girl to know about what she is like today........1. You love to make up your own songs.2. Rhyming is one of your … continue reading