The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Mar

Pretty Scrapbook Paper Covered Magazine File ~ Tutorial

I'm in the midst of needing to re-do my sewing/crafting/office space - it needs it - desperately!! If you came into my house right now I would be so embarrased. I have a gazillion yards of fabric everywhere and have taken over the entire dining room and office. I am the type of person that needs my space to be organized and put together in order to feel like I can move ahead and create.......well right now, I should be at a stand-still because it is a disaster! So in an effort to start to re-do my "studio" (that's what we'll call it.......sounds good, … continue reading

Mar

Easy-Sew T-Shirt Shrug Tutorial

So I never sew anything for myself these days. Right now it is all about my girls, but I decided today was a new day, the sun was shining and it was time for the cottage mama to have something new to wear. I saw this idea here and it looked SO easy that I had to give it a try. I know several of you have commented or emailed me about being new to sewing. This is the perfect project for a beginner sewer. Don't be intimidated by the fact that I am using knit here.......trust me......you can do it! So let's begin.......This was a long-sleeved t-shirt that I had … continue reading

Mar

Spring May Finally Be Here – Time for Spring Fashion!

Here in the Midwest we have FINALLY thawed out from this cold winter. As of right now, we have no snow on the ground and it was 63 degrees today - hooray!! I don't mind the beginning of winter, but after months and months, it is so nice to finally be able to play outside with my girls.Today I had a little nap-time project that I've been wanting to accomplish and I finally got around to it and thought I would share it with all of you. Several months back my Mom sent me this skirt that she picked up at Goodwill:My Mom saw this skirt and loved the fabric (she and … continue reading

Mar

Easiest Appetizer EVER – Cream Cheese & Olive Crescents

This recipe is so easy, it's almost embarrassing........I don't even know if I should call it a recipe. Yesterday I wanted to make something super yummy for my daughter and I for lunch (my 2-year old loves olives). I was kind of in a comfort food sort of mood (what's new, right?) and this is what I came up with and boy was it good!! Cream Cheese & Olive Crescents Ingredients: 1/2 brick cream cheese Marinated olives, chopped - I used an olive muffaleta spread, but olive tapenade would work well 1 package crescent … continue reading

Mar

Pretty Dish Soap Storage

So, I don't know about you, but being the Mom of two little ones (both of which use the high-chair), I am constantly hand-washing their high-chair tray about 4-6 times per day. I don't care to have things out on my kitchen counter that are not esthetically pleasing, but what a pain to have to get out the dish soap a gazillion times a day.So I store my dish soap on my kitchen counter in a pretty olive oil bottle. This way it is always out when I need it, but it still looks pretty. The soap easily dispenses out of the bottle just by tipping it over and shaking it … continue reading

Mar

Elmo Dance 2nd Birthday Party!

Wow, this was a busy weekend!! As you read in my previous post, this past Friday was my older daughter, Savannah's, 2nd birthday and on Saturday we had her big 2nd birthday bash - an Elmo Dance Party! Savannah LOVES to dance and she LOVES Elmo, so why not combine them both into one great party! We had a little over 50 people at her party - I know, totally excessive for a 2-year old, but we had to invite all of her playgroup buddies and parents (wouldn't have been the same without them!). My in-laws (Gigi & Grumpy) graciously allowed us to host the party … continue reading

Mar

My Sweet Savannah Rose

Two years ago today, my life was changed forever........I became a mother and my sweet Savananh Rose was born into this world! I love this poem (not sure the author), but it sums up just about everything I am feeling today as I look back over the last two years. Before I was a MomI made and ate hot meals.I had unstained clothing.I had quiet conversations on the phone.Before I was a MomI slept as late as I wanted And never worried about how late I got into bed.I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.Before I was a Mom I cleaned my house each day.I never … continue reading

Mar

Cajun Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

I honestly think I could eat pasta everyday for the rest of my life - that is how much I love it! There are so many different ways to prepare it and it can take on so many different flavors and styles of cooking.My friend Megan was my inspiration for this dish. She mentioned a similar dish that she had made for her family that had her husband coming back for more. So I took the recipe she told me about and added my own spin on it!Cajun Roasted Red Pepper PastaIngredients:1 lb. pasta (shells or penne rigate)1.5 cups heavy cream1 cup roasted red peppers (I used … continue reading

Mar

Whoooohooo – I’m a Finalist!!

Yippee!! I just found out I am a finalist in the Lil Blue Boo / Dharma Trading Design Challenge. The judges narrowed the field down from 154 entries down to 15 and I feel so honored to be part of this group.The dress that was chosen was my first entry, "The Gracyn" (Finalist #12). Head over to Lil Blue Boo and check out the other finalists and cast your vote for your favorite dress. There are some other incredibly talented women in this group!For more information about this dress, click here. "The Gracyn" I'm so excited!! Eeeeeeek!! … continue reading

Mar

Honey-Dijon Pecan Crusted Salmon

I have been in such a "fishy" mood lately. I found wild salmon on sale at the grocery store the other day and just had to buy it. I think the fact that it is Lent right now has really gotten me in the fish mood. At The Cottage Home Lent = no meat on Fridays, so I really started putting my mind to work coming up with some tasty "no meat" dinners.I really wanted to try something new with the salmon I had bought at the store. My husband and I have a grilled salmon recipe we LOVE, but that is more of a summertime dish, so I decided to come up with a new recipe and … continue reading