14
Jul

What’s Coming Next

I feel like my posting has been a bit sporadic lately.  With being away for almost a week in St. Louis at Grand-Molly's funeral, I have some SERIOUS catching up to do on The Cottage Mama custom orders.  I'm going to need to really focus on getting those orders out to my lovely customers, but I promise to be back with some more regular posts very soon!So, I thought I would let you know what to expect from me in the coming weeks.Piping Tutorial - I will show you how easy it is to add beautiful piping to your handmade garments.  For example, adding piping to clothing … continue reading

13
Jul

You will be so deeply missed…….

Last week we got word that my husband's Grandma (Molly) was expected to pass away from pancreatic cancer.  We ended up driving down to St. Louis in hopes of being able to say our final goodbyes (though we didn't know if we would get there in time). We arrived at Molly's home in St. Louis at 4:30pm.  Brett went quickly into the house to be by Molly's side.  They told Molly that Brett had arrived and she opened her eyes, for what we think was the last time, and reacted with a little smile. The family sat by her bedside all day, holding her hand, talking to her, … continue reading

6
Jul

{ Matilda’s Summer Garden Party }

This past weekend was my daughter, Matilda Jane's 1st Birthday Party.  The party was inspired by the fabric I made her birthday outfit from - Heather Bailey's "Nicey Jane". We decided to do an intimate party and had 20 of our closest family and friends over to the Cottage Garden to celebrate.Miss Matilda had a great time at her party and thoroughly enjoyed her cake.  It was her 1st time to have something that delicious so she was in baby heaven!I used the same fabrics that I designed Matilda's birthday dress in and made a pennant banner.  I didn't have a pattern … continue reading

5
Jul

Happy 4th of July

I just wanted to write a quick note to wish everyone a very happy 4th of July.  I know I'm a day late, but we have been super busy around here!As you can see we have just been go, go, go around here.  My Mom and Allen flew in from Texas on Friday, we celebrated Matilda's 1st birthday on Saturday afternoon with a Summer Garden Party (I can't wait to share all the details with you!), had professional family photos taken at our home on Sunday morning, visited our local flea market Sunday afternoon (hunting for vintage treasure), spent Monday morning at the park and … continue reading

28
Jun

Dollar Store Tiered Party Trays

As I have mentioned, we are getting ready for Miss M's Garden Party 1st birthday coming up this weekend.  I'm really hoping to be able to have the party outdoors (fingers crossed for good weather).I have been working on some of the decor for her party and wanted to share these fun tiered party trays that I made from items from our local dollar store.Now I cannot take credit for this idea.  I saw the tutorial for these trays by Julie on Joy's Hope blog and knew I HAD to make these!These are made from silver dollar store trays that have been spray painted to match … continue reading

27
Jun

My Little Baby and My New Baby

I just feel like things have been go, go, go around here lately - I mean, seriously, where does all the time go?  I have all of these projects that I would love to get done, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day.  Maybe someday, I will get to everything........I'm trying to stay focused, which is very difficult for me - I tend to move in five different directions all at once but somehow get most of it done.  And honestly I LOVE to accomplish things.  Yes, I enjoy sewing and creating, but my favorite part is seeing the end result.  So this weekend my … continue reading

23
Jun

Individual Pecan Bread Pudding

We spent this past Sunday celebrating Father's Day at my in-laws.  We had a fabulous dinner (shrimp, chicken and steak) and my mother-in-law made my father-in-law his favorite dessert (fruit soaked in Grand Marnier) and I made my husband a new recipe for Pecan Bread Pudding.I'm usually not a huge fan of bread pudding, but this turned out great!  This is my version of a Paula Deen bread pudding (let's just say mine has a whole lot less sugar.....if you can believe that).  The pecans and brown sugar on top added a lot of extra crunch - serve it with vanilla ice … continue reading

21
Jun

Summer Garden Birthday Party – Fabric Invitations

So I'm in the planning phase of my daughter, Matilda Jane's, 1st birthday party.  Rather than doing one gigantic blog post after the party, I thought I would just share things with you as I go.  Luckily I got her invitations in the mail last week, so I can check that "to do" off of my list!  The theme for Matilda's birthday is a Summer Garden Party and is inspired by the fabric I used to make her birthday outfit.  So I've already shared her birthday dress with you.......remember this.........I really feel like the invitations set the tone for the party before it … continue reading

18
Jun

Dress Shirt Sleep Sack Tutorial

I don't know about you, but for the first year or so of my girls life they spend most of their time sleeping in a sleep sack.  I never have enough sleep sacks - they always seem to be in short supply, but they are pretty expensive at $20 a pop.  So that's where today's tutorial comes in........Dress Shirt Sleep Sack Tutorial. … continue reading

13
Jun

Vintage Hanky Tote Tutorial

I love vintage - whether it be linens, kitchen tools, fabric, graphic prints, clothing, ect.  There is something so comforting to me about things that have been around for awhile and things that have a history.Several weeks back my family and I went to a local farmer's market and stopped at a favorite antique store in the area on our way back.  I picked up quite a few vintage hankies as well as some vintage pillowcases.  I knew I wanted to turn the pillowcases into dresses, but wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with the hankies.My good friend, college … continue reading