5
Jan

Project Runway for Kids: Blogger Edition

I'm excited to announce that I will be participating in the first ever Project Runway for Kids (the blogger edition) called Project Run and Play.  Some of my favorite bloggers are participating and there is going to be some serious talent going on during this competition.As far as I know, the competition is going to work pretty much like the Project Runway that you see on TV.  Each week there will be a theme for children's clothing and we will have to submit pictures of our completed garments by the end of the week.  Over the weekend there will be a reader poll … continue reading

3
Jan

Tile Coaster Tutorial

There's nothing better than a handmade gift and this Tile Coaster Tutorial will do the trick! What better way to celebrate than with some fun, festive coasters.  These coasters are made from inexpensive tiles from the hardware store and are embellished with fun, designer scrapbook paper. Make these coasters as a gift or make them for your home - either way, they are sure to get noticed! Supplies: 4 square tiles from your local hardware store (4.25" x 4.25") 4 pieces of scrapbook paper (3.75" x 3.75") 4 pieces of felt (3.75" x 3.75") Mod Podge Sponge … continue reading

30
Dec

Top Ten Tutorials for 2010

Since we are heading into 2011, I thought I would take this opportunity to recap the Top Ten Tutorials on The Cottage Home this past year. It's been a fun experience going back through the posts of my first full year blogging! 1. Turkey Shirt Tutorial 2. Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial 3. Reusable Coffee Sleeve Tutorial 4. Ruffled Pillowcase Tutorial 5. Laptop Sleeve Tutorial 6. Ruffle Bonnet Tutorial 7. Embellished Hooded Towel Tutorial  8. Fabric Lid Jar Tutorial 9. T-Shirt Shrug Tutorial  10. Mason Jar Pin Cushion … continue reading

28
Dec

Felted I-Pod Cozy Tutorial

I wanted to share this post with you last week, but seeing as though this was a Christmas gift for my hubby, I had to hold off.  This I-pod cozy is made from the end of the sleeve of a felted wool sweater.  You can alter this tutorial to fit any kid of small electronic device - I-pod, I-phone, or use the entire body of the sweater and make one for your I-pad or Kindle.This present was given to my husband from his two little girls - the gift tag said "Dad, you rock!"Felted I-Pod CozySupplies:1 felted wool sweater sleeve (click HERE to learn how to felt)1 button1 … continue reading

27
Dec

Christmas Joy 2010!

We have had a wonderful holiday season this year and I hope you have as well! We had an extended Christmas celebration starting the weekend before the official holiday with a visit from my mom and her husband, Allen for what we called "mini-Christmas".  We then spent the rest of the holiday with our immediate family and my in-laws. Here are some pictures taken over the last several weeks of our Christmas: Christmas Joy 2010Mom and the girls did some holiday baking.  They made our traditional breakfast pastry called Swedish Tea Logs.  We have had these every year … continue reading

27
Dec

BlogHer.com – { What’s it all about? }

This is a compensated review by BlogHer.If you've visited my blog, The Cottage Home (or many other blogs), I'm sure you've noticed the advertising in my side-bar.  I am part of the BlogHer Publishing Network and I thought I would take a minute to tell you a little bit more about BlogHer.com.Aside from being a wonderful publishing network, BlogHer.com is the web's leading guide to the hottest news and trends among women in social media.  There are 75 contributing editors posting about a variety of different topics such as food, family, life and many more, all … continue reading

22
Dec

Merry Christmas from The Cottage Mama

Merry ChristmasI just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours.  I'm going to be shutting down the computer and focusing my time on my dear husband and sweet little girls through Christmas.  I hope you have a very happy holiday.  I can't thank you enough for reading my blog, The Cottage Home.  You guys make this a truly rewarding and fulfilling experience.  Thank you so much and God bless! … continue reading

21
Dec

Felted Fingerless Glove Tutorial

I wanted to share my Felted Fingerless Glove tutorial with you this week because Christmas is practically upon us and I think this is a great last-minute gift idea.I don't know if you remember this post on felting wool, but I felted SO many sweaters that I am up to my neck with felted wool in my house.  I pulled out my gazillion felted sweaters for another project (to be shared next week), stuck my hand inside the arm of one of the sweaters and thought, "ah, ha!"......Felted Fingerless Gloves!  I had also seen Shannon's "Comfy Wrist-Warmer Tutorial" recently so I … continue reading

20
Dec

Time for Me: Part 4 – Accessories and enter to win $100 Visa gift card

For the last three weeks, I have been focusing on spending a little more time on me.  Being the mom of two little ones (16 months) and (2.5 years), staying at home and maintaining our home, running my own children’s clothing business and blogging doesn’t leave me a whole lot of time for me.  But I think it’s important – why do we women always seem to put ourselves last?This is my final post in my “Time for Me” series.Click HERE to read more and check out my round-up of fun accessories tutorials as well as enter to win another $100 Visa gift card.  … continue reading

18
Dec

It’s Christmas Time at The Cottage Home

I just thought I would share a few pictures of some Christmas things going on over at our house.Here's are cute little Christmas tree that we cut down a few weeks ago.  It's all decorated and ready for Santa to make his grand entrance! Our fireplace mantal.  I like to incorporate holiday decor in with our regular decorations.  My mom made these stockings for our whole family.  My mom's grandmother (my great-grandmother) made a stocking for her that is very similar, then my mom made stockings for our family when we were little, and then she made all the stockings … continue reading