The Cottage Mama Blog - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting.

Feb

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole & Monterey Jack Cheese Cornbread Muffins

When I had my second daughter, Matilda Jane, 7 months ago I could not believe the out-pouring of kindness we received from our family and friends. We were brought so many meals that I did not even have to think about cooking for several weeks! I think bringing new parents a meal that they can easily heat up is one of the best gifts you can possible give a couple.So on Friday I was telling you all about the fact that tons of my friends seem to have had babies this past month (see post here ). Today I delivered meals to two of my friends and I thought I would … continue reading

Feb

Final Challenge Dress #7 – "The Paper Doll Dress"

"The Paper Doll Dress" is entirely different from the last six dresses I entered in the challenge, but in all honesty, this one is much more my style. I just love little girls in classic dresses and consider myself to have very classic style. Granted, they aren't necessarily practical for everyday playing around on the playground, but oh, they just look SO sweet!So for my final challenge dress I used the "Paper Doll Dress Pattern" from Lil Blue Boo.I decided to make this dress using some of the fabrics I will be using in my etsy shop and I love how it turned out … continue reading

Feb

Challenge Dress #6 – "Hope, Dream, Believe"

I love these three words - hope, dream, believe. I feel like these words were such a large part of my life growing up. My parents did a wonderful job encouraging me throughout my childhood to follow my dreams. They never ever told me something wasn't possible or it wasn't practical (which I heard many of my friends parents say quite often). They were constantly supporting me and believing in me in everything I did. I grew up singing, dancing and acting and it was always my dream to be on Broadway. Never once was I told that it was not a possibility. I was … continue reading

Feb

Challenge Dress #5 – "Little Rocker"

Here's my little Savannah (23 months) in all her glory. She LOVES to dance and she was really working it while modeling this little number. Everyday she says to me, "Come on Mama, let's dance!" and we turn on the ipod and have ourselves a dance party - I just love those moments during our day. In several weeks Savannah will be turning two and we are going to be having an Elmo Dance Party - wooohooo!!I used the Sienna Dress Pattern from Lil Blue Boo for this dress and loved how this one turned out!Challenge Dress #5 - "Little Rocker"For this dress I used one … continue reading

Feb

Challenge Dress #4 – Freezer Paper Stenciling

Ashley from Lil Blue Boo has some really great tutorials on her blog in regards to freezer paper stenciling (click here to see her tutorial). I personally had never tried this before, but I thought for the "challenge" I would give it a whirl and boy am I glad I did!!You can find freezer paper in your local grocery store in the section where you find your plastic sandwich bags, aluminum foil, wax paper, ect. You get a lot of freezer paper for very little money!Here is how I did my freezer paper stenciling on challenge dress #4 & #5:I cut out an image using the … continue reading

Feb

Challenge Dress #3 – "The Matilda Tutu Dress"

Oh my gosh, I just want to squeeze those cheeks!! This is my baby girl, Matilda Jane, and she is just the sweetest little thing ever. Matilda is 7 months right now and even as I look at this picture I feel like my heart might explode. When I was pregnant with Matilda, I wondered if it would be possible to love another child as much as I love her sister (Savannah). And oh boy is it possible - I love this little lady to death! Matilda Jane is a little ray of sunshine every single day!I am constantly sewing things for my daughter Savannah because I figure … continue reading

Feb

Challenge Dress #2 – "Punky Posh"

I think there might be an inner-punk rocker living inside of me. Punk is really not my personal style, but I seem to be drawn to punk things. After all, I did marry a punk rocker.My husband and I met in high-school. Back then he was in a punk rock band, wore a chain, and our first outing together was to a "Lagwagon" concert (that's a punk band, for those of you that don't know). I didn't have a clue who they were back then, but I agreed to go and stood scared to death of the mosh pit, but it was all to win over my man (it obviously worked - we have now been … continue reading

Feb

Challenge Dress #1 – "The Gracyn"

A week ago, I mentioned the Lil Blue Boo / Dharma Trading Design Challenge (remember this post?). My goal was to get 10 dresses made last week because for every 10 dresses entered in the challenge, Ashley (Lil Blue Boo) would donate one of her dresses to a girl in need. Well unfortunately it didn't happen - I only got 7 completed, but 7 out of 10's not bad, right? With my two little girls (both under 2 years old), I'm lucky if I can get anything done these days, so I'm quite pleased with my accomplishment this last week.I am going to break down my blog posts … continue reading

Feb

Fat Quarter Baby Quilt & Burp Cloths

So, I think something must be in the air because all of a sudden there are babies everywhere! Some of my friends are having their first child and some their second, but I have four friends that have all given birth within the last month (and more to come). I'm SO excited for each and every one of them. The birth of a child is a very magical time in a couples life!Tomorrow, I am heading to a baby shower for our friends, Mike & Amy. Amy was due to give birth to her little angel mid-March, but due to some medical complications, Amy delivered Mary Heather a few … continue reading

Feb

I think she might be addicted……..

to spoons! So today I decided that I really need to tackle some housework around The Cottage Home. I have been sewing like crazy (can't wait to show you my "challenge" dressses!), but haven't been the best about keeping organized.So, I was going through my daughters toys this morning, sorting everything, and this is what I found all over the place:Spoons (and the occasional fork) everywhere! I found them in the couch, under tables, in boxes, in toys, ect. Savannah is constantly going into the silverware drawer and pulling out her spoons to pretend she is … continue reading