Northern Cottage

CRAFTY Scrappy HAPPY Blog Hop PARTY!

2012-02-15T14:35:00.001-06:00

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

We have something exciting to share today

Northern Cottage

is co-hosting a fun blog hop party with the ever lovely

Feel free to link up anything and everything
Crafty, Scrappy and/or Happy!
No giveaways or etsy shops please.
Be sure to check out other links, be inspired
and make some new friends!
Grab a button if you’d like!

My regular PARTY TIME TUESDAY

is also open – so feel free to link up there as well
{& join in the fun every Tuesday!}

Party On!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

One * Two * Three for Today!

2012-02-14T15:28:00.001-06:00

one:

Remember I shared a couple days ago that I wanted to highlight one of my new linky followers????

well here I’m
making good on that promise!!

I’ve randomly selected one of my awesome LINKY FOLLOWERS

and I want to tell ya all about them…

I’d like to introduce you to Holly from

Down to Earth Style

How great that we got to connect because of this new
linky tool! Would we have found each other otherwise?!?

She has some DARLING projects posted on her blog!

Like this….{YuM right??}

Please stop by & say hello to Holly from me!! Let her know she’s been featured over here @ Northern Cottage!

(hopefully it will be a fun little surprise for her!)

I plan to highlight additional linky followers in the coming days so be sure to JOIN UP as one of my LINKY FOLLOWER PEEPS if you haven’t already!!

yay!!

-----------------------

two:

Blog Hop Party will be coming here tomorrow with

Crafty Scrappy Happy

I’ll be joining Jaime along with these other great co-hosts!

The hop is set to open tomorrow evening so get your links ready!

Our Barker Bunch
Decorating the Dorchester Way
Renewed Upon A Dream
Little Lucy Lu
Craftberry Bush
Love Sweet Love
Small Goods
Wayward Girls Crafts
The Painted Pear
Farm Girl In My Heart
Busily Spinning Momma
Feel LOVD Everyday
My Champagne Taste
Spruce Your Nest
That's What Che Said
My Covered Bridge
Design, Dining and Diapers
Creative Carmella

-----------------------

three:

Also sharing my

Today’s challenge was

“Heart”

here’s the photo bit:

check the FULL pictures out on my Facebook page!!

Whew!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

NORTHERN COTTAGE PARTY TIME 2.13.12

2012-02-13T14:33:00.001-06:00

Now are ya ready for the

NORTHERN COTTAGE

Party Time

LINK UP!!

Link up your creations:

* Décor
* Crafts
* DIY
* Recipes
* Whatever!!

Here are the rules:

PLEASE be a sweetie & link back!
{Can’t be featured if ya don’t!}

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **
Link to your specific post url
Please link back or add {my button}
Link ups must be YOUR creations or renditions
MINGLE {Help everyone feel the bloggy-love!}

I can’t wait to see what
y’all have been working on!!

Here we go…

GET LINKING:

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE
**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

PARTY FEATURES 2.13.12 & Photo-a-DAY #13

2012-02-13T13:50:00.001-06:00

You guys did it again! A slew of awesome linkups here at

Check these babies out:

a very very very cute kitchen reveal at homey home design

check out these darling dainty little handmade flowers from chipping with charm – how very cute!

great lampshade redo from what meegan makes

happy at home shares new extra bathroom storage

wire basket + ladder = love from full circle creations

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LINKED UP WITH YOUR FANTASTIC CREATIONS!

If you’ve been featured – go on & grab a button:

Our next PARTY TIME
linky will open later today!

-------------------------------

It’s also DAY #13 of

Today’s challenge was

“BLUE”

Here’s today’s snippet:

check the full picture out on my Facebook page!!

{along with the previous days
pics out there too}

& you can click here to check out
ALL of my Photo-a-DAY blog posts

---------------

Be sure to check out the details on the new
LINKY Followers & then I’d be
tickled pink if you’d
c’mon back & follow me

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Oranges & Cinnamon Rolls

2012-02-10T10:36:00.001-06:00

I love a good orange in the winter time

I have a silly little trick that I use when cutting up oranges
(for the kiddos or for me)
that makes eating it
all the more enjoyable

You probably already do this

but I’ll show ya my trick anyway!

When you cut an orange – cut it in half like normal

but when you go to cut the wedges

place your knife just a little off-center

to the side of all the white stuff in the middle

tilt your knife to the left and cut your first wedge

keep on doing this bypassing the white stuff each time

until you get to your last wedge

flip this one on its side and cut away all the white stuff you’ve left behind

now when you bite into your wedges

it’s like a little

BURST of

SUNSHINE!!

with none of the bitter white middle stuff

To go with our oranges this morning, we whipped up some orange cinnamon rolls

just the packaged ones from the dairy section of your local supermarket

but to make them a bit more special I shaped them

into a heart!!

Show the love

in the

simple

little

Things

you do for the
special folks in your life!

mmm mmm good!

Linky Follower Blog Hop Party – going on HERE

-------------------------------

Photo-a-DAY posts are up on FACEBOOK – check em out here

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

lovely craft home *

Linky Follower Blog Hop PARTY!!

2012-02-09T12:56:00.002-06:00

We’ve all been hearing that GOOGLE Friend Connect (GFC) will be departing on 2/29/12 for non-Blogger blogs. Rumors are also spreading that it will be phased out for all blogs eventually (including blogger blogs)

So what’s a blogger to do?

Good News! There is a NEW linky tool available for all us called Linky Followers.

One of the things I love about this new tool is that it works for
THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF BLOGGERS
(it doesn’t matter if we’re wordpress or blogger, etc.; whether we’re large or small –
we can all be connected in this new way!) I’d definitely encourage you to explore & set it on up for yourself (it’s soooo easy to set up & it’s FREE!)

You can still have & use GFC in tandem if you like but you cannot auto transfer your GFC followers to Linky Followers.
If you are already a GFC follower here at Northern Cottage, I’d love it if you’d join up as a linky follower to stay up on the fun!

Speaking of FuN!!….

What better way to celebrate a fun new blogging tool than to
have a party!! go get your party dress on!

Our friend Cheri from It’s So Very Cheri
has started a blog hop party!! Yay!

BONUS!!!
GET FEATURED!! I’m going to randomly select a Linky Follower who has joined up here at the Northern Cottage & put the spotlight on them….So link up & who knows - you might get a full blown FEATURE all about you! I’ll share a post about the FEATURED linker upper as well as feature that linker within the Linky TOOL itself as the CURRENT FEATURED GUEST!
** You can see I have Cheri featured right now
as a thank you for starting this lovely hop!**

See you at the Party!!

--------------------------------------
Remember…February Photo-a-DAY series is continuing…

you can check it out here

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE (click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

NORTHERN COTTAGE PARTY TIME LINKY & some HOT CHOCOLATE LOVE!!

2012-02-06T12:57:00.001-06:00

{PARTY LINK UP BELOW}

---------------------

So winter finally arrived in these parts

and then it left…

and then it came back…

and shucks it came back again…

so we’re kinda…well, confused and

switching back and forth between

drinking iced tea

& hot chocolate

Here’s our latest concoction:

whipped up some hot chocolate (or do you call it hot cocoa?)

and stirred in a bit of nutella

hello !!

yummy !!
{why hadn’t I thought of doing this sooner?!}

especially good after crunching along in our fresh snow!

{do you like my pink heart marshmallow?}

and then of course, we HAD to have some
cookies on the side!

they taste even better because they’re pink!

made with this recipe

--------------

Now are ya ready for the

NORTHERN COTTAGE

Party Time

LINK UP!!

Link up your creations:

* Décor
* Crafts
* DIY
* Recipes
* Whatever!!

Here are the rules:

PLEASE be a sweetie & link back!
{Can’t be featured if ya don’t!}

Link to your specific post url
Please be a follower AND/or Subscribe
Please add {my button} or text link back
Link ups must be YOUR creations or renditions
Please take a few minutes to browse and comment on others too… Help everyone feel the bloggy-love!}

I can’t wait to see what
you all have been working on!!

Here we go…

GET LINKING:

Also - Be Sure to check out the details on
LINKY Followers & then I’d be
tickled pink if you’d
c’mon back & follow me

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

linking: at home with k * beyond the picket fence * creatively living * elizabeth & co * home stories a to z * hope studios * not just a housewife * somewhat simple * today’s creative blog *

Photo-a-DAY #6 and PARTY FEATURES!

2012-02-06T09:01:00.001-06:00

It’s time to show off some talent! We had some fabulous link ups with this last week’s party:

check em out:

I love stuff that helps the kiddos learn (& me remember!) like these magnet map cut outs – so smart from natalme
(& do you see what they are stuck on – an old locker door – oh makes my heart go pitter patter!)

check out this diy chevron artwork from winder and main
(love the subtle grey)

take a look at the details in this vintage rustic wedding from
nest love designs

look at this awesome mudroom area made by inspirations by d – she had me at beadboard!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LINKED UP WITH YOUR GORGEOUS CREATIONS!

If you’ve been featured – go on & grab a button:

Our next PARTY TIME
linky will open later today!

--------------------

It’s also DAY #6 of

Today’s challenge was

“Dinner”

Here’s today’s snippet:

check the picture out on my Facebook page!!

& click here to check out
ALL of my Photo-a-DAY blog posts

---------------

Check out the details on the new
LINKY Followers & then I’d be
tickled pink if you’d
c’mon back & follow me

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Photo-a-DAY #5–10 AM

2012-02-05T11:30:00.001-06:00

DAY #5

the FEBRUARY

Today’s challenge was

“10 am”

Here’s today’s snippet:

check the picture out on my Facebook page!!

click here to check out
ALL of my Photo-a-DAY blog posts

---------------

Check out the details on
LINKY Followers & then I’d be
tickled pink if you’d
c’mon back & follow me

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Photo-a-DAY #4– a STRANGER

2012-02-04T18:52:00.001-06:00

Sharing my

Today’s challenge was

“Stranger”

When I first read that from

the list

I thought it said ‘strangler’

ok… I thought - that’s odd

& then (duh!) I re-read it

stranger not ‘strangler’ – silly!

kick that extra L to the curb!

It might just be hard to get a picture of a strangler in the wild
(or at home for that matter!)
hopefully anyway

-------

I have to share that I’ve been sick…

I coughy achy stuffy fever…ya know

so I think I may just have been leaving weird comments on people blogs…

because apparently
I think
I’m sooooo funny!

so…if YOU got one of these ~~goofy, dorky~~ ‘funny’ comments, please forgive me
& blame it on the NyQuil

nyquil

----

Here’s today’s snippet:

check the picture out on my Facebook page!!

click here to check out
ALL of my Photo-a-DAY blog posts

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Photo-a-DAY 3–Hands

2012-02-03T07:23:00.001-06:00

It’s DAY 3 of the Photo-a-DAY series!!

Here’s the snippet/tease:

come check the full pic over on
my Facebook page!!

-----------------------

Remember to link up via the new LINKY FOLLOWER

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

An AWESOME NEW WAY to CONNECT and Photo-a-DAY #2 {WORDS}

2012-02-02T13:21:00.001-06:00

A little birdie told me
{actually I saw it via DIY show off }

that there’s a new way to connect

with our bestie bloggity friends.

via

Linky Followers

I have the feeling this is gonna take off
like a rocket
around blogland!!!

source

get in on this new adventure now!

It is super easy to set up, to follow other blogs

and create your own little

LINKY FOLLOWER GADGET

(see mine right over on the right there
above the probably soon to be phased out GFC)

now if we can only get Brent to create a replacement for Picnik we’d be all set!!

{a girl can ask, right?!}

-------------------------------------------

also sharing my

Today’s challenge was

“WORDS”

Here is a snippet of my pic -

{tease!}

and a blip from yesterdays pic for ‘your view today’

come check the whole thing out on my Facebook page

------------------------------------------------------

also
come party with us…
{LINKY PARTY NOW OPEN}

click here to join in the fun!

------------------------------------------------------

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Photo a DAY Series

2012-02-01T14:01:00.001-06:00

It’s a brand new month!!

flip the calendar & start a fresh new to do list

{ahhh love doing that!!}

I’m planning on joining in on the fun with a

Photo a Day

Series

inspired by Shelley and Chantelle

I plan on posting my inspired pics on my newly created
facebook page

would love to have ya come
‘like’ me
{pretty please!}
over there
&
subscribe to rss feed so you can stay tuned to my daily pics
if ya want

Kicking it off with…

“YOUR VIEW TODAY”

come on over & see where I was today…

xxoo!!!

click here to check out
ALL of my Photo-a-DAY blog posts

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

A LOVELY LITTLE CLOSET

2012-01-31T06:13:00.001-06:00

It has been a wonderful kind of busy

around the cottage as of late!

It has been filled with

beadboard
&
paint
&
shelves
&
trim
&
cutting & screwing & leveling
&
{my favorite part…accessorizing!}

Does it get any better than that list of activities?

--------------------------------------

All of this work has been

leading to this…

our new

lovely little closet

--------------------------------------

Here is where we started

oh boy!

and evolved…

from inside my head..
then on to this paper sketch…

to starting the beadboard

to painting and beginning the custom shelves

I’ve decided to use it currently as an
extended
kitchen cupboard
display
pantry space

we’ve divided this new glorious storage into

STATIONS…

the closet now includes a
breakfast shelf {Cereal Station} where kiddos can help themselves to bowls and spoons

and a big glass jar of cereal
{with a vintage metal scoop, of course!}

EAT UP!

I’ve also been able to now display my favorite
kitchen scale and some treasured family vintage cookbooks

as well as some ruffle-y aprons

and vintage cake plates
{alongside some new ones}
all in a row

all in all - I’m diggin’ my new closet/storage spot!

Thanks for coming to visit!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Yay!! This project was FEATURED HERE:

shared here:

2805 * 504 main * a bowl full of lemons * at home with k * at the picket fence * blue cricket * cherished treasures * common ground * craftomaniac * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living * days of chalk and chocolate * diy by design * domestically speaking * elizabeth & co * five days five ways * flamingo toes * freckled laundry * french country cottage * funky junk interiors * ginger snap crafts * gussy sews * hope studios * I can’t stop crafting * I heart naptime * I gotta create * jaqs studio * keeping it simple * laugh love and craft * lil luna * lolly jane *lovely crafty home * making the world cuter * no minimalist here * not just a housewife * positively splendid * ruby jean * sew much ado * shabby nest * sisters of the wild west * skip to my lou * someday crafts * somewhat simple * tatortots and jello * the 36th avenue * the csi project * the vintage farmhouse * thirty handmade days * thrifty décor chick * today’s creative blog * too much time on my hands * uncommonly yours * under the table and dreaming * whisperwood cottage * finding fabulous * fingerprints on the fridge * laurieannas *

NEW PARTY & Northern Cottage FEATURES 1.30.12

2012-01-30T12:08:00.001-06:00

{PARTY LINK UP BELOW}

------------------------------

Thanks to all who linked up last week….awesome links!
(see them all here)

Here are a few that really caught my eye:

opulent cottage has put together a beautiful potting bench…
I’m ready for spring, how about you?

simply home shared her diy kitchen island
mmm love a glossy shining top like this!

it’s just me shared her ongoing love for a table

and

check out what we’ll be having for dinner tonight at dwell on joy
(does this make your mouth water or what?)

If you’ve been featured – go on & grab a button:

------------------------------

Now are ya ready for the

NORTHERN COTTAGE

Party Time Tuesday!?!

LINK UP!!

Link up your creations:

* Décor
* Crafts
* DIY
* Recipes
* Whatever!!

Here are the rules:

PLEASE be a sweetie & link back!
{Can’t be featured if ya don’t!}

Link to your specific post(not your general blog url)
Be a follower AND/or Subscribe
Please add {my button} or text link back
Link ups must be YOUR creations or renditions
Please take a few minutes to browse and comment on others too…
{Help everyone feel the bloggy-love!}

I can’t wait to see what
you all have been working on!!

Here we go…

GET LINKING:

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

My First Quilt {& a Laundromat Adventure!}

2012-01-25T07:17:00.001-06:00

I’ve been busy working on my
first ever quilt

made from some soft flannel

Here is my rendition

I normally wouldn’t be drawn to oranges but that was THE one alternative to the other choices at our one local fabric store. All other choices were baby-ish (I’m stressing the ‘ish’ in that word) & there wasn’t going to be a care bear quilt in this cottage!
sorry if you love care bears –
{they kinda scare me!}

And now that I’ve put the quilt pieces all together – the orange has
drawn me in.
It definitely has a

cozy factor

I sewed it up in just a few days (working on it here & there) and then…
as recommended for rag quilts
(so as not to clog your washer
with the straggling rag bits)…

I took it to the laundromat

{pause}

{taking a moment here}

ok…

so I hadn’t been to a laundromat since college – it was… well… interesting -

The clientele (with their many garbage bags of clothes) were eyeing me up & probably thought me a little odd bringing in my one little quilt
(& in a pretty tote of course!)
what a dork I am!
… plunking in my $3 dollars in quarters for the wash and $1.50 for the dry.

(I know I AM frugal but that
seemed a little high priced!)

If I were still in college I’d sooo be broke doing laundry at those prices! ok maybe it’s because it’s been 20 years since I was in a laundromat
(did I just say that – how could that be??)

------------------------

I had planned on getting the laundromat load wash started and then setting off to run some errands
{la la la la la – can you see me
skipping
to the library & the thrift store
with my cute little tote bag?}

BUT…

as I was walking in, there were some customers yelling that someone had stolen their clothes from their dryer
(what? – ewww who would do that?)
This is the NICE laundromat
(really it was – clean and just fine
but you know!)

---------------------

Anywho……
So I just stayed there ~~forever~~
watching my little quilt
go around and around and around
(I HAD to stay there for fear that my little quilt would be stolen!)

THERE was a plus side however –
free wi-fi!

yay!

If you follow me on pinterest, you may have noticed 18 billion new pins being added during my laundromat lock down!

so – in the end - it was all good!

-------------------------------------

ok back to my quilt…

a couple more shots of my new baby

in all her frayed ruffle-y ragged-y goodness!

a perfect lapsize

* for road trips

* for reading time snuggling with the kiddos

* for (what else?)blogging on the couch!

hello!

What do ya think?

This project was inspired by this pin from my beloved Pinterest

via here

p.s. I’ll share how I made her coming up in a future post!

------------------------

C’mon over & join the fun…
Northern Cottage Linky Party

------------------------

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

linking to:

504 main * beyond the picket fence * blue cricket * cherished treasures * craftomaniac * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living * days of chalk and chocolate * finding fabulous *fingerprints on the fridge * five days five ways * flamingo toes * freckled laundry * french country cottage * ginger snap crafts * keeping it simple * laugh love and craft * laurieannas * life made lovely * lil luna * lolly jane * lovely crafty home * no minimalist here * positively splendid * shabby nest * sisters of the wild west * someday crafts * somewhat simple * tatortots and jello * the artsy girl connection * the 36th avenue * thirty handmade days * too much time on my hands * under the table and dreaming

Northern Cottage Party & Features – 1.23.12

2012-01-23T13:20:00.000-06:00

Don’t know if you noticed but I’ve updated my url from www.northerncottage.blogspot.com

to the new & improved & simplified

www.northerncottage.net

If you visit the old url – you should automatically be forwarded to the new site but just in case I wanted to give you a heads up!

-----------------

Get ready to party!

I’m going to try a different format & open this week’s party in tandem with features from last week’s party…

----------

We had some FABULOUS links

{thanks to ALL the lovely linkers!}

primitive and proper shows us this cutey patootie polka dot cloche

this wonderful bookcase and display wall are stunning from thrifty décor mom

I totally totally totally want one of these gorgeous sewing machine covers from
bumblebee and sophie – oh my!

mmm - look at this molded ring from
loopy loop creations

I’m loving the recycling creation by
creative passage with this great wreath

check out this darling ruffled ottoman slipcover from days of chalk & chocolate

If you’ve been featured – go on & grab a button:

-----------------

Now are ya ready for the next

NORTHERN COTTAGE

Party Time Tuesday!?!

LINK UP Party!!

Link up your creations:

* Décor
* Crafts
* DIY
* Recipes
* Whatever!!

Here are the rules:

PLEASE be a sweetie & link back!
{Can’t be featured if ya don’t!}

Link to your specific post(not your general blog url)
Be a follower AND/or Subscribe
Please add {my button} or text link back
Link ups must be YOUR creations or renditions
Please take a few minutes to browse and comment on others too…
{Help everyone feel the bloggy-love!}

I can’t wait to see what
you all have been working on!!

Here we go…

GET LINKING:

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here go to Northern Cottage main page)

NEW url – www.northerncottage.net

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Raspberry FIZZ Drink Recipe

2012-01-18T16:08:00.001-06:00

I usually make this recipe for
get-togethers like
bridal/baby showers, etc.
and love it.

It is comfort food for me

{reminding me of happy times!!}

It just occurred to me that I could make it for individual consumption!

Recipe:

Step 1

Obtain a Glass

Step 2:

Scoop in some raspberry sherbet

{you might HAVE to take a spoonful for yourself before you put it
back in the freezer!}

Yum!

Step 3:

Pour some lemon-lime soda {sprite; sierra mist; ginger ale} over the top.

Make some for yourself or someone you love!

mmmmm
Good!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

SUBSCRIBE

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

linking to:

2805 * 504 main * a little knick knack * at home with k * at the picket fence * beyond the picket fence * blue cricket * coastal charm * common ground * craftomaniac * décor chick * finding fabulous * flamingo toes * french country cottage * ginger snap crafts * life made lovely * lil luna * lolly jane * lovely crafty home * making the world cuter * nest of posies * positively splendid * sew much ado * shabby creek cottage * shabby nest * sisters of the wild west * someday crafts * somewhat simple * tatortots and jello * the 36th avenue * the country chic cottage * the csi project * the shabby creek cottage * thirty handmade days

How to Make a Ruffled Scarf & Northern Cottage Party Time Tuesday - 3

2012-01-16T18:37:00.000-06:00

I’ve been on a sewing kick as of late

(now remember I don’t know what I’m doing in the sewing department but have been playing and putting things together with the very limited skills I currently possess!!)

Getting a bit more comfortable but not expecting professional quality results…yet!

It’s FUN to play though!

-----------------------------

I started off with a recent fabric purchase…

this red and white polka dot knit fabric

how fun!

my fabric was quite wide so I just cut two strips across the whole thing equal to the length that I wanted my scarf to end up to be.

Putting right side of the fabric together
(I know – it seems wrong but it is the correct way for this scarf!)

I pinned & stitched the long sides together

I pulled the fabric taut as I sewed the edge with a zig-zag stitch…

when released - the edges curled into this flouncy ruffled edge.

I intentionally wanted it to be a bit raggedy and due to this being my first try {ha!} I succeeded!

But..It needed a little

somethin’ somethin’

so I added this little eyelet trim

Whip one up for yourself and snuggle up to head outside to play!

----------------------------------------------

Now are ya ready for

NORTHERN COTTAGE

Party Time Tuesday!

LINK UP Party!!

Link up your creations:

* Décor

* Crafts

* DIY

* Recipes

* Whatever!!

Here are the rules:

{HATE to be a meanie but can’t be featured if ya don’t follow the rules!}

Link to your specific post (not your general blog url)

Be a follower of Northern Cottage

Please add {my button} or text link back to this site (www.northerncottage.blogspot.com)

Link ups must be your creations or renditions

Please take a few minutes to browse and comment on others too…
{Help everyone feel the bloggy-love!}

<center><a href="http://www.northerncottage.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz5/northerncottage/ncblogbutton-1.jpg" /></a></center>

I can’t wait to see what
you all have been working on!!

Here we go…

GET LINKING:

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)
Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

linking to: a bowl full of lemons * at home with k * coastal charm * creatively living outside the box * elizabeth & co * hope studios * love laugh and craft * rae gun * ruby jean * skip to my lou * someday crafts * todays creative blog

Northern Cottage Party Recap - 2

2012-01-16T09:12:00.001-06:00

Another awesome collection of link ups this past week!

Here are some that totally caught my eye!
Check em out:

--------------------------

This bunting kindle case from Just Another Hang Up is so darling with the bunting addition

(now I just have to get a kindle or ipad or something to put inside of a darling case like this!)

How about trying a new dessert? I imagine this maple bacon cupcake recipe from Pressed Down Shaken Together would be new to all of our repertoires & really, who doesn’t love bacon?

I’m digging this painted trunk with it’s fresh new white finish from Mom 4 Real

Take a look at this bathroom with it’s interior window at Decorate With a Little Bit
how bright & fresh!

This entry bench from Gail’s Decorating Touch has a new little skirt and the shelf with bottles – doesn’t this all say Welcome!?

You can head back to the party to view all kinds of other lovely link ups as well to get your creative juices flowing!

--------------------------

Get ready to party! This weeks party will open later this evening for this week’s

NORTHERN COTTAGE

PARTY TIME TUESDAY!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)
Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

Confessions of a former Type A

2012-01-13T16:33:00.001-06:00

I used to be a Type A

* I used to have everything

just so

before I went to bed at night

bhg

-----------------------

* I used to make my bed 1st thing
in the morning
{sometimes with my husband still in it!}

bhg

I still have to make my bed but now at least I can get my coffee first!

-----------------------

* I used to have a place for everything & everything was in its place

bhg

pottery barn

-----------------------

* I used to have the lid on everything

bhg

-----------------------

and then…

life happened

this crazy, lovely, busy,
sometimes messy, wonderful life

with a great husband, kids, a dog
& homework

bhg

bhg

country living

And, I must admit, life also now includes my love for blogging & the wonderful
{time sucker} called

-----------------------

so now…

not everything is

just so

all… the… time

but we are

happy

&

healthy

and

I couldn’t ask for more!!

-------------------------

You HAVE to go check out this giveaway from
Ruby Jean &
A Sort of Fairy Tale

a whole boatload of cottage goodness could be warming up your home!!{or mine wink wink!!}

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)
Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

NORTHERN COTTAGE Party Time Tuesday–2 & a CONTAINER CALENDAR

2012-01-09T16:42:00.001-06:00

With the fresh new year now here – I’ve been putting up my new calendars in their hot spots like on the fridge, in the office, etc.!

I also put together this container calendar to use as a little journal to keep track of important dates
(loved ones anniversaries, special dates, to hold ticket stubs,
other special mementos, etc.)

I created a section for each month

with embellished index cards

& plunked it into a vintage little pan for safekeeping.

oh the

possibilities

of a new year!

-------------

Now are ya ready for

NORTHERN COTTAGE

Party Time Tuesday!

LINK UP Party!!

Link up your creations:

* Décor

* Crafts

* DIY

* Recipes

* Whatever!!

Here are the rules:

{HATE to be a meanie but can’t be featured if ya don’t follow the rules!}

Link to your specific post (not your general blog url)

Be a follower of Northern Cottage

Please add {my button} or text link back to this site (www.northerncottage.blogspot.com)

Link ups must be your creations or renditions

Please take a few minutes to browse and comment on others too…
{Help everyone feel the bloggy-love!}

<center><a href="http://www.northerncottage.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz5/northerncottage/ncblogbutton-1.jpg" /></a></center>

I can’t wait to see what
you all have been working on!!

Here we go…

GET LINKING:

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

linking to:

504 main * a bowl full of lemons * at home with k * a little knick knack * at the picket fence * coastal charm * blue cricket * craftomaniac * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living * diy by design * elizabeth & co * five days five ways * freckled laundry * french country cottage * ginger snap crafts * home stories a to z * hope studios * jaqs studio * laurieAnna’s vintage home * life made lovely * love laugh and craft * lovely crafty home * making the world cuter * no minimalist here * primp * rae gun * ruby jean * sew much ado * shabby nest * someday crafts * somewhat simple * sweet little gals * the csi project * thirty handmade days * todays creative blog * too much time on my hands

Northern Cottage Linky Features - 1

2012-01-09T06:43:00.001-06:00

My first ever linky party was this past week & I am just
in love
with all the link ups

So much creativity!

It was soooo hard to narrow down a few (I really really wanted to highlight ALL of the posts!) Some of my favs for this week:

---------------

even though I’m a northerner, I love me some sweet tea, this version from pressed down shaken together sounds divine

some wonderful grain sack pillows from refresh restyle are always so inviting

this ruffled throw is ammaaaazing from twigg studios – I am so adding a version of this to my to-do list!

modern frills whipped up this diy french striped runner - so pretty!

sometimes it’s the simple things that that can help pull together a clean, uncluttered space – this cord wrapping trick from at home in the northwest
does the trick!

check out this redone kitchen cabinet all the way from Australia (I just love the fact that we get to instantly connect with our aussie friends via blogging!) from meg and mums

I think I may have a teeny little addition to beadboard! I just love the results of this kitchen makeover from betsy speerts blog

I love me a quick creative craft project…and this frugal tailored keychain craft from creative passage fits the bill

Go ahead and grab a button ladies!!
<center><a href="http://www.northerncottage.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz5/northerncottage/ncblogbutton-1.jpg"/></a></center> <center><a href="http://www.northerncottage.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz5/northerncottage/ncfeaturedbutton.jpg"/></a></center>
Thanks to all who linked up and shared their creations – I’m so excited to see what we’ll have in the line up this week…

Be sure to come on back tomorrow (TUESDAY) to

Party On!!

xoxo

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

My Word of the Year–CONTENT

2012-01-08T20:12:00.001-06:00

Miss Layla from the Lettered Cottage is having a little party starting 1/16 inviting folks to identify their WORD

for 2012!

Thinking on this I found myself coming back again and again to a word that fits

for me

now

and that I hope to concentrate on throughout the year

{and really forever!}

That word is

-----------------------

to be

content to be in the moment

content to be at the place I am in life (not just looking ahead or behind)

content with my abilities

content with my home

content with my loved ones

content with this little blog

content with my aspirations

---------------------

this is not to say that I won’t be striving and pushing and challenging myself to grow but I will

concentrate on the moments

on the now

and try to be

Content!!

I wish you all the very very best today and
in the year ahead!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)
Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here

I’VE BEEN PIN-SPIRED & some site freshening!

2012-01-05T08:51:00.001-06:00

You might have noticed that I’ve been spiffing up the old blog lately!

All the clearing and cleaning and freshening around the cottage inspired me to freshen up the blog too

My goal was a

Cleaner, Fresher,
even…Happier

version!

I hope you like it!

----------------

Speaking of being inspired…

Is anyone else finding pinterest to be as ~~addictive~~ lovely & enjoyable as I am?

I love the process of perusing and pinning and viewing and visiting!

I LOVE the way it allows us to keep track of our ideas and to-dos lists and recipes
and and and…anything else our hearts desire

but I also love that it
spurns new ideas

and inspires us to make our own versions of fabulous ideas
shared to generously by others!

I’m determined to
MAKE & DO
more
from my pins this year and I’ve started with a couple items I’ll share with ya here…

Here are some projects I’ve (the kiddos & me together!) worked on lately that had their start from pinterest!

----------------------

This was a fun, fast & easy craft for us to do when it was

COLD OUTSIDE

and I got to use up some of the 500 toilet paper rolls I’ve been saving
(I knew I was saving them for something!)

I love the hairdo on
the girl on the left below:

this lanky gentleman in the back row was apparently very formal
…perhaps on his way to a
glamorous party or funeral?

this project was inspired by this pin:

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via Northern on Pinterest

Here is the original tutorial

----------------------

The next one I remade was this
wonderful cake

ok… so it doesn’t really LOOK all that good but it is!

seriously SO Delicious!!

inspired by this pin:

I actually pinned this one myself from this post and adjusted the original recipe a bit by adding chocolate chips – {can you go wrong with anything
by adding chocolate?!}

---------------------------

What pins have inspired you to create, do, or make something?

Aren’t you glad you did it?!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here to follow or go to Northern Cottage blog home)

Check out my Pinterest Pins/Boards here