The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Nov

The Joy In Blogging at Lil Blue Boo

Today I am guest blogging over at Ashley's blog, Lil Blue Boo, and I'm sharing a little bit about how I find joy in blogging. Ashley has gone through a lot this past year and is currently undergoing cancer treatment. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Ashley is an inspiration through her creativity, positive attitude, honesty and outlook on life. She somehow manages to always view the glass as half full. As Ashley would say, "Choose Joy".Dresses created by The Cottage Mama Pattern ~ Sienna Dress by Lil Blue BooClick HERE to head over to Lil Blue … continue reading

Nov

‘Granny Square Love’ by Sarah London – Giveaway WINNER!

And the winner of 'Granny Square Love' by Sarah London is..........Congratulations, Momma Ward! Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your mailing address and I will send this book out to you right away! Thank you to everyone who entered. We've got some wonderful fabric shop giveaways coming up so stay tuned! … continue reading

Nov

International Quilt Market ~ Fall 2011

This past weekend I packed up myself and my little man (Caspian Finn) and flew down to Houston, TX for the fall International Quilt Market. Luckily my mom lives in Houston, so attending market was not a 'must' this time, but it was a good excuse to visit family and do some business at the same time!I'm not sure if you remember my post from Spring Quilt Market 2011, but in that post I explained that International Quilt Market is a trade show for the quilting and sewing industry. Every fall the market is held in Houston, TX and every spring it is held in a random … continue reading

Nov

Dish Towel Cake ~ A Bridal Shower Gift

A couple weekends ago was my sister-in-law's bridal shower that was given by my mother-in-law. The shower was french themed since the couple will be honeymooning in France. I took lots of pictures of all the amazing details from the bridal shower, but I'll share those with you in another post.For now I wanted to share a fun little gift idea that I came up with. I really wanted to make something for my sister-in-law, but with the craziness that comes with life with a newborn and two toddlers, I just decided that this was not the right time. However, I still … continue reading

Oct

Halloween Costumes ~ Princess Witch and Princess Ballerina

Every year I have made my kids Halloween costumes. It's something I looked forward to ever since Savannah was born. I have some of the best memories of the costumes my mom used to create for my brother and I. I loved those costumes and always felt really special wearing them to school and showing them off to my friends. There's nothing quite like handmade. I know they only wear the costume for a day, but those memories will last forever. Trust me, I still remember being Daisy Duck, a clown, a bird, a bunny rabbit, ect. It took my girls a little while to … continue reading

Oct

‘Granny Square Love’ by Sarah London ~ Book Review and Giveaway

I like to crochet. Have I mentioned that before? It's hard to keep track of what parts of my life I've told you about and what parts I haven't quite gotten into. All in good time, I guess. Anyway, I started crocheting back in college and I am by no means a pro. I can do your basics such as blankets, scarves and hats, but nothing super-fancy.Crocheting and knitting are making quite the come-back and it seems to me that the more retro the project, the better. Most often, when people think of crocheting, they think of granny squares. I recently got a copy of … continue reading

Oct

The Cottage Mama – Two Print Publication Features!

Well, I have finally returned to the sewing machine after six long weeks away and it feels good.....really good. It's going to take me a little while to get my groove back, but I've got Halloween costumes in the works as well as a few other things that I can't wait to share with you all.Meanwhile, I received copies of two recent print publications featuring The Cottage Mama - the premier issue of Stitch. Craft. Create. and the winter issue of Altered Couture. I know I've said this before, and I will say it again, I never ever get tired of seeing something of … continue reading

Oct

Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the $50.00 gift certificate to Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is.........Congratulations, Peach Rainbow! There are so many amazing patterns, fabrics and notions over at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops, you will have no problem spending that $50.00. Please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com so we can arrange for you to receive your gift certificate. Thanks so much to everyone who entered! … continue reading

Oct

She Believed She Could………

How many times have we talked and dreamed about doing something, only to find ourselves doing a whole lot of talking and very little doing? It's fun to imagine something that "might be" or "could be", but without action, it will just never be.This last week my mom, Grandma Jane, was selected as one of the 100 finalists (out of 10,000 entries) for the 45th Pillsbury Bake Off Contest with her recipe for "Biscuit Corn Cakes with Goat Cheese and Blackberry-Thyme Sauce". The grand prize is $1 million dollars, yes, you read that correctly, $1 million dollars. In late … continue reading

Oct

Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops Giveaway

Today we have a giveaway that you are not going to want to miss! Our lovely blog sponsor, Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to be used on anything in their store!Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops has one of the best selection of sewing patterns around, not to mention a fabulous selection of fabrics, trims and notions! Here is a little more information about Terri, owner, of Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops:Sewing has been a life-long passion of Terri Allred, owner of the on-line based sewing boutique, Fairytale Frocks and … continue reading