Northern Cottage

{oooey goooey PIZZA DIP}

2012-05-24T11:18:00.001-05:00

and so the story begins…

It all started with pinterest (as many many things do these days)

with this pin from this site:

- ahhhh glorious!!

We had a a recent Girls Night get-together so I hopped over to the grocery store to snag the ingredients and

of course

had to tweak it a bit to make it my own

= adding garlic, more tomotoes and more cheese

resulting in this:

yeah baby!

This is known as

Pizza Dip
around THIS cottage

(so the kids will chow down!!)

Apparently the title Caprese Dip is just wayyyy too fancy a name for them – but include ‘pizza’ in the name & they scarf it down!!)

it was good too!

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

I shared with you before the exciting news that
Better Homes & Gardens

asked me to join them as a

PINNING PRO

I had added this pin as one of my new favs!

You can see the pin here

and the BHG Blogger Favorites Board here:

This is just one of the pins I added to the BETTER HOMES & GARDENS board

{which currently has 70,000+ followers and GROWING}

and it has been repinned hundreds of times – whoot whoot!

You Can FOLLOW the Pinterest Boards to stay up to date with
new additions!

but wanted to encourage you try out this recipe – I bet you’ll like it!

Enjoy!!

xoxo

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

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linking here : at the picket fence * french country cottage *

{TEACHER Gift - Thanks for the SWEET Year!!}

2012-05-22T08:05:00.001-05:00

{Love}

our teachers!

So wanted to give a little end of the year treat

to say THANK YOU

for all their hard work!!

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

I cheated a little bit and didn’t make it entirely homemade

{& I’m perfectly fine with that!}

instead I bought some really yummy caramel dip
from the grocery produce area

some apples

some cute little jars

and some packing supplies

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

Put the caramel dip right in the jars

{I added a little bit of toffee bits to the top – mmmm!}

Cover the lid with a cute cupcake liner

tie with bakers twine

pop the jar and an apple in a cellophane bag

tie with more baker’s twine

and add a little gift tag

Here’s the tag I put together to add to the gift:

** This project was inspired by this yummy idea found here

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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linking here: 36th ave * 52 mantels *at home with k * at the picket fence * beyond the picket fence * coastal charm * diy by design * elizabeth and co * french country cottage * ginger snap crafts * hope studios * jaqs studio * laugh love and craft * lil luna * making the world cuter * no minimalist here * not just a housewife * primp * sew much ado * shabby creek cottage * skip to my lou * someday crafts * somewhat simple * southern lovely * today’s creative blog

A Kids Perspective on Childbirth

2012-05-21T06:56:00.001-05:00

My mother-in-law forwarded this awesome story…I think you might enjoy!

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

The 'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes
her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.

She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)

'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)

'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)

'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe.
They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up in there in the first place.'

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.

I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's Show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.

Now you have two choices...laugh and close this page or pass this along to someone else to spread the laughs.

Live every day as if it is your LAST chance to make someone happy!

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

Isn’t that the best? I love the interpretations from a kids perspective. LOL!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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Use and Re-use the Junk You’ve Been Collecting

2012-05-17T07:12:00.001-05:00

One recent morning, I booted up my computer, started looking through my email and my eyes landed on this:

Smart DIY Uses for All the Junk You’ve Been Hoarding!!

{Is that an email for ME or what?}

However, I do prefer the term ‘collecting’ over ‘hoarding’ I must say!

It’s sounds much more normal….

um, okay, on that note shall we proceed?

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

I’ll admit, I do have some extras around

Keeping it real… here is some evidence of some of my
~~piles of junk~~
errrr….carefully curated vignettes!!

warning – some of these are pretty bad!

Now, granted, these photos may or may not have been taken when things were massed together (perhaps painting one side of a room so everything was pushed together into one spot or swapping stuff out for the change a seasons but still - it’s bad!!)

it’s actually making me hyperventilate a little

stuff I was getting ready for the shoppe

too much stuff is making me
uncomfortable

my problem is that I like all this stuff

I like each birdhouse, I like each little shelf, I like the gardening supplies,
I like each individual component a lot!!

perhaps, it’s just that I like them all too much

here’s the root of my problem:

I say to myself ‘oh, I can use that later in a project’

‘what if that is THE piece that pulls a look together down the road?’

Are any of you in the same boat?

oh boy!

so what’s a junk-loving, crafty, home décor blogger to do?

EDIT EDIT EDIT!!!

Sadly, the magazine article in the email above didn’t really help me in this scenario…it was more about tips & tricks (like using old yogurt containers and dental floss for household uses)

I’m proud to say, I don’t have too much dental floss (really who does?)and I don’t keep yogurt containers amassed for potential future use
(yay for me!)

apparently, my problem of ~~hoarding~~ collecting is
on a whole different scale!!

In my defense, my junk is the good junk - not new junk but good OLD junk - like step ladders, vintage kitchen goods, garden furniture etc.

{I sense a bit of backsliding in this last statement – uh oh!}

but I do need to EDIT

So here I go….off on an

edit adventure

I’ll show you some of my results here soon!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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Excessive Finger Knitting!

2012-05-15T07:09:00.001-05:00

On our recent cross-country roadtrip, we had a
bit of down-time so decided

to try our hand at a new craft…

Finger KNITTING!!

My daughter and I had strings strung all around the vehicle

In my travel bag of goodies (books, treats, little surprises to break up the ride with a bit of fun), I brought along two skeins of yarn

one pretty vibrant pink with flecks of other fun funky colors

and

a soothing charcoal grey

I assumed my girl would want the pink one but instead she REALLY wanted the grey and left the pink for me

We started with a couple quick stitches and kept
going and going and going

She only needed help getting started the first time but then she TOOK OFF and knitted away! It was a great time filler and she felt so proud of her results! win, win!

And here is the pink

Isn’t it pretty??

I figured out how to do this finger knitting thing by checking out this tutorial

We now have lots of scarves for teddy bears, knitted strands strung like a banner/bunting and we’re on the hunt for more cute yarn!

this craft was

FUN & SIMPLE & FAST !!

{which is a great combo for kid crafting, don’t you think?}

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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linking here: creatively living * elizabeth and co * ginger snap crafts * laugh love and craft * lil luna * not just a housewife * today’s creative blog *

Home Is Where Your Mom Is

2012-05-10T17:48:00.001-05:00

Spring-time certainly is a time of year that I think of my mom

oh….I miss her dearly!

Though she passed away a year and a half ago, I still find myself picking up the phone to call her like I used to everyday.

But I can’t anymore.

Instead…..

I can look back on

wonderful memories

So for all you mama’s out there and for all you daughters out there…to those who have loved & lost as well

just remember to treasure the moments!

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

I was playing around and put together this fun little sign:

to print out, frame and display to help me remember that my mom is always with me in memory and in heart!

Happy Day to y’all!!

xoxo

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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linking here: a bowl full of lemons * at the picket fence * cherished treasures * coastal charm * craftomaniac * creatively living * elizabeth and co * flamingo toes * french country cottage * how to nest for less * I heart naptime * making the world cuter * nifty thrifty things * not just a housewife * positively splendid * shaken together * sisters of the wild west * skip to my lou * today’s creative blog

Northern Cottage + Better Homes & Gardens–an exciting new partnership!!

2012-05-08T09:47:00.001-05:00

I’m thrilled to share with y’all that I’ve recently been contacted by editors at

Better Homes & Gardens

okay, so that was exciting enough but then…

they asked me to join them

as one of their partners (a.k.a a BHG PINNING PRO!!) in pinning GREAT RECIPES

both from BHG as well as featuring

favorite BLOGGER recipes!

{that’s YOU!!)

Check out the Pinterest boards here:

BLOGGER RECIPE PICKS from BHG

AND

BLOGGER RECIPES WE LOVE

and now to make your mouth water, here are a couple recent pins….

click on the image to head out to the pin and

then to the source for the full recipe

{apparently I’m a carnivore this week with my pins from bhg!}

and here are some of my
favorite blog recipes
I found recently

(no meat in sight but berries galore!)

Source: purplechocolathome.blogspot.com via Northern on Pinterest

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Northern on Pinterest

Source: aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com via Northern on Pinterest

mmmmm!! Are ya hungry now?

This new partnership also means that I’m lurking and on the hunt for amazing recipes to pin!

Thanks you, my awesome followers, for providing such great inspiration and source material to pin!! You guys ROCK!

Be sure to come check out & FOLLOW the boards
(click on the links below)

And

pin, pin, pin away!

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

BLOGGER RECIPE PICKS from BHG

BLOGGER RECIPES WE LOVE

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

Explore the other
NORTHERN COTTAGE
Pins and Boards here
{& follow along if ya like!}

xoxo

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

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We have a Winner {Stitch Craft Create Magazine!}

2012-05-06T19:05:00.001-05:00

We have a winner!!

Whoot whoot!

The recipient for their very own copy of the new

Stitch Craft Create

MAGAZINE…

giveaway is the lovely

craftionary!!!

please send me your address info to northern cottage{at}gmail{dot}com & I’ll send your package out asap!

Thanks to all my bloggy buddies for all the warm congrats on my {first} magazine feature! xoxo

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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DARLING Little Tissue Packet Covers

2012-04-30T13:04:00.001-05:00

I won, I won, I won!

I never win anything! But was delighted to win a giveaway recently!

It has taken me entirely too long to get this thank you posted

{with being gone on our recent roadtrip and now catching up with life work, family, house ya da ya da – you know!}

A very special thank you to:

Sarah Found Sarah Made

for sending these darling tissue packet covers our way!!

almost makes me want to get a little case of the sniffles
so I can make use of them…..
almost

I had pinned a version of these covers to make but now I don’t have to (bonus!)

and the fabrics are just delish!
aren’t they darling?

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

Speaking of giveaways – only a few days left to enter the giveaway for your own personal copy of the fun, happy Stitch Craft Create magazine –

just click over here to leave a comment for a chance to win!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

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FEATURED in Stitch Craft Create Magazine!! And a GIVEAWAY FOR YOU!!

2012-04-25T12:12:00.001-05:00

Some exciting news to share!!

Northern Cottage
has been featured in the latest edition

Stitch Craft Create magazine

Take a look at this lovely magazine…so bright and fresh and springy

& on page 35…

you’ll find a page spread with…

Their beautiful shots of the
gardeners hand scrub
that I shared here last spring

eeek!! I could about die! I did a little happy dance when I saw it!

As spring may have already sprung in your area or if spring is right around the corner, I’d encourage you to whip up a batch of this awesome scrub for yourself!!

(it also makes a fantastic gift for mamas, friends, teachers etc.)

in addition to the scrub,
there are lots of other really darling tutorials for cute crafty stuff galore!

You can also visit Stich Craft Create AND pick up a copy for yourself!

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

I’d love to share a copy of this fun magazine with one of my awesome readers!

you never know,
I might just throw in some other goodies when I mail out the package!!

Just leave a comment below
before midnight, 5/2/12

and I’ll randomly select a winner!

easy-peasy, right?

If ya want, feel free to visit:

** Stitch Craft Create blog and say hello from me

** Stitch Craft Create on Facebook

** Northern Cottage on Facebook

** Northern Cottage on Pinterest

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

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Roadtrip!!

2012-04-24T09:09:00.001-05:00

Hello Dear Ones!!'

You might have guessed with my recent quasi-disappearance….

we went on a family trip.

with the ENTIRE family

{with grandma, grandpa, cousins, most of us brothers and sisters}

We road-tripped from the upper midwest to sunny South Carolina

and it was

completely

lovely!

in my last post, I shared a few snippets of what we came across
{mmm the beauty of nearby savannah, georgia; turtles, sitting by the pool, etc.)

The trip started off as we drove and drove and drove

going from leafless trees here at home to full bushy beautiful green surrounding us (ahhhhhh – that was worth it right there!)

We enjoyed the fabulous seashore and perfect weather all the more because it SNOWED at home while we were gone…snowed…in April…

GOOD GRIEF!

We biked, and walked, and ate seafood, and swam, and ate seafood, and explored,
and visited, and ate seafood, and hung out, and ate seafood!

Getting home to still leafless trees and just the beginnings of the sprouts of daffodils, and lilac buds and the very beginning of a peony emerging is bittersweet (reminding us how far behind we are from other warmer areas of the country and
yet happily anticipating what is to come for us here)

Home Sweet Home!!

** p.s. I have some exciting news to share with y’all tomorrow (see how the south has influenced me with that y’all – bless my little heart!) Stay tuned!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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Sneak peek

2012-04-16T13:50:00.001-05:00

Hello friends

A few shots to get is through the week....an odd array of things I've encountered recently....

Some turtles, some pretty iron railings, some swimsuits, and one very old, very massive, very beautiful tree!

Chat soon!

Xo
Northern Cottage
www.northerncottage.net

stuffed mushrooms

2012-04-10T07:01:00.001-05:00

Ready for some serious

YUM?

Stuffed Mushrooms

a tub of mushrooms (probably 12 – 18 in a package)

1 package softened cream cheese

1 tablespoon minced garlic
(I sometimes cheat and use the garlic from a jar)

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne (this is key!)

…

Mix all of the above together (except mushrooms of course)

Take the stems out of the mushrooms and plop in some of the cream cheese mixture in each cap
(I use a little baby spoon to load it up- ahhhh)

Place on a cookie sheet (I use parchment paper to lessen the clean up)

Place in a 375 degree oven for about 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown

variations:
* sometimes I’ll also throw in a bit of finely chopped onion too
* or top it off with some provolone to get the top extra golden and melty (mmmm!)

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

the kids {and adults}

DEVOUR them!!

Serious YUM!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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linking here: coastal charm * craftomaniac * diy by design elizabeth and co * ginger snap crafts *homemaker on a dime jaqs studio * just us four * laugh love and craft * lil luna * making the world cuter * not just a housewife * oopsey daisy * sew chatty * sew much ado * todays creative blog * under the table and dreaming

A Little RED CHAIR

2012-04-06T07:59:00.001-05:00

You might have seen my little red chair included in my header pic

{which I’ll probably be changing up soon}

I’ve actually got a bit of a vintage kid chair ~~addiction~~ collection going

This is my newest find:

Here is the BEFORE shot

kinda sad shape:

so I ripped off the horrible seat that was totally trashed.
{It was being held together with scotch tape!}

and in its place I added webbing
{which coincidentally has the red and burlap colors I adore}

It’s a cutie, eh?

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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linking here: craftomaniac * making the world cuter * skip to my lou *

TREAT–PEEP Puffs!

2012-04-03T07:38:00.001-05:00

You all know we like our s’more croissants around these parts

We decided to put a new twist on it by combining these ingredients

* Pink Peeps

* Chocolate Chips

* Crescent Rolls

We started off by rolling a peep and some chocolate chips in a crescent but soon realized it was too large to really fit

so we had to do some

peep surgery

the kiddos thought THIS ‘surgery’ was the best part!!

{ooooh, eeek, aaah, ouuuch!}

hil.ar.i.ous!!

Wrapped them up, sealed the edges

and popped into a preheated 375 degree oven

for about 12 minutes

see those two on the upper left up there – they were full peeps

so cutting the peeps in half (or quarters) worked better
for less peep seepage!

The peep leakage was not all bad though…as it cooled, it turned into this wonderful candy-like texture – mmm

{NOTHING goes to waste here! we scraped off every last bit!}

mmmm good!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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linking here: 52 mantels * at home with k * beyond the picket fence blue cricket * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living * elizabeth and co * ginger snap crafts * home stories a to z * how to nest for less * hope studios * jaqs studio * lil luna * love laugh & craft * not just a housewife * oopsey daisy * shabby creek cottage * someday crafts * somewhat simple *southern lovely * todays creative blog

THE TOP 5 PINNERS TO FOLLOW NOW!

2012-03-30T18:21:00.001-05:00

Shut the FRONT DOOR!!

I was perusing blogland & saw a post from Donna

you know…

the Donna from Funky Junk Interiors

She posted about being named one of the

TOP PINNERS TO FOLLOW NOW

over at Styleist Home

I thought HOW COOL for her!!

She totally rocks and I’m thrilled for her!

So I hopped over to the list

outlining the

TOP 5 PINNERS TO FOLLOW NOW

and saw that NORTHERN COTTAGE is listed there too!!

See it? – SHUT UP!!

what a WONDERFUL surprise!

here is what they wrote about my boards
(I’m blushing!!)

Thank you Stylelist Home!!

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

In Donna’s post about this article, she also mentions the
pinner extraordinaire –
Michael Wurm of Inspired by Charm

I feel like both of these guys are my bloggy buddies

and they’ve provided so much blog, pinning & creative

inspiration & encouragement

{I feel like we’re friends – even though they probably don’t really know who I am! wink!}

We all joined pinterest around the same time {way back when}
I think there were like a few hundred pinners back then!
and look at what has changed!

you can see Donna’s Pin Boards here!

and Stylelist here!

and Michael’s here!

Enjoy Perusing and Pinning AWAY!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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sharing: a night owl * blue cricket * creatively living * how to nest for less * jaqs studio * todays creative blog

How to Make a Pennant (Banner) in 3 Easy Steps!

2012-03-28T19:05:00.001-05:00

Did you see

the little Pennant/Banner
on my

happy spring mantel??

I thought I’d share how I made it…

#1. Start off by cutting paper triangles to the size you desire

{here the possibilities are endless!! You can choose to cut them big or small; make them all out of one paper design or go WILD & totally mix it up by using multiple colors and patterns!!}

#2. Cut a length of ribbon

{in my spring banners I used a deep orange ric rac & an aqua seam binding as my ribbon – I used the whole package for each}

#3. Now Hot Glue the paper pieces to the underside of the ribbon evenly spacing them out

{be sure to leave a little tail of ribbon on each end to use for tying up}

do you see our pup in the upper corner of the photo above?
she’s always nearby when I’m crafting!

Voila!!

Now you’re all set to
hang it up!

Would love to see your versions if you
whip up a banner/pennant of your own –

just throw me an email to show it off!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

linking here: 52 mantels * 504 main * at home with k * at the picket fence * beyond the picket fence * blue cricket * cherished treasures * craftomaniac * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living * elizabeth and co * finding fabulous * flamingo toes * freckled laundry * french country cottage * funky junk interiors * homemaker on a dime * home stories a to z * how to nest for less * hope studios * I heart naptime * I gotta create * jaqs studio * keeping it simple * lovely crafty home * making the world cuter * mom 4 real * my 1929 charmer * nifty thrifty things * no minimalist here * not just a housewife * positively splendid * redoux * sew chatty * shabby creek cottage * shabby nest * shaken together * skip to my lou * somewhat simple * sweet little gals * the vintage farmhouse * thirty handmade days * today’s creative blog

Northern Cottage Party Features 3.26.12

2012-03-26T16:53:00.001-05:00

YOU guys ROCK!!

Take a look at these FANTASTIC features from the last Northern Cottage linky party:

here’s a really fun spring mantel from swirly girl dreams and décor
{I think we may have been on a similar wavelength
when I put together our mantel}

mmmm an awesome display from crows feet chic

this girl always has the most amazing recipes
(check out these fries and ketchup – NOT!) from shaken together

awesome diy yard makeover at little house in the big d {she really put her boy to WORK!}

I have a teeny tiny little addiction to galvanized metal so this was right up my alley from green willow pond – let the galvanization process begin!

pretty plant holder (& check out the cute shed while you’re there) over at
under a pile of scrap

awesome diy dresser redo at imperfect patina
{great blog name eh?}

52 mantels shares gorgeous mantel displays and her spring mantel is no exception

we’re gonna make your mouth water with nifty thrifty’s black forest bundt cake, am I right? whoa nellie! that looks WAY TOO good!

if only I really knew how to sew, I’d have to find a little girl and whip up a dress like bumblebees and sophie did

darling diy soap jars from design dreams by anne

fresh flowers displayed so cutely (is that a word?) at city girl gone coastal

check out this fun fresh doily banner from creatively living outside the box
extra bonus that she made it with the kiddos!

and
my friend Angelina (Ruby Jean) has revealed the most amazing
sewing room/studio ever (fab, right?)

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

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

In the coming weeks, I’m stretched quite thin (if only the rest of me would be automatically made thin like that!)
with work projects,
business travel,
family stuff
(like science projects, dance class, baseball season opening, etc),
trying to run more (for me!)to prep for the first 5 k of the season,
etc, etc, etc.

So, really, what I’m saying is that

I’m BUSY

like all of YOU!

and I have to admit that

I can’t keep up on it all

{anyone who does parties knows they are a.lot of work!}

so….the linky party is going…
on vacation, too!
on a little hiatus….
on sabbatical…
‘on holiday’…
(did you hear my British voice saying that? ha! Did you READ it with a British accent?)

But, of course, I’ll still be blogging and creating and making stuff and taking pics and visiting y’all and enjoying YOUR creations!

So take a breather with me…

Relax

Gear up for an amazing spring/summer

Get some projects DONE!

Hang with your family!

Enjoy the Sunshine!

and I’ll let you know if when the party will start back up!

xoxo
(smooches to all of you!)

Of course, I’d just love it if you would subscribe/follow along and visit often so you can stay in touch with Northern Cottage Projects

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

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You Are My Sunshine - Chalkboard LOVE

2012-03-22T08:43:00.001-05:00

I love my big ol’ chalkboard

It is a vintage school chalkboard

with a built-in ledge

I’m using it turned on its side

and it fits perfectly in my little alcove next to the fireplace

For Spring – the chalkboard displays one of
my very most favorite phrases

YOU are…

my sunshine!

{even when skies are grey!}

I like little chalkboards too!
{and have then scattered throughout the cottage}

happy
spring
indeed!

xoxo

thank you

just want to take this chance to express my gratitude
for your support, and your encouraging comments,
and following on this little blog journey of mine!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
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sharing here: centsational girl * mom 4 real *

A Layered SPRING WREATH & a party!

2012-03-19T21:48:00.001-05:00

this project started off with some very humble beginnings:

a wire frame that I spray painted for a white base

and a fat quarter of fun fabric

that I literally tore to shreds!

ha! I’ve always wanted to do that!

Each of the strips was cut in half

and tied to the frame

I did trim off some of the shredded edges and loose threads

{but I actually liked that frayed look so did leave a lot of it}

then I hung it on the front door

along with some light beady swag

and an old vintage metal mailbox
{peeking out from behind}

So this turned out to be a quick, inexpensive

happy

little

project

that makes me smile every time I open the front door!

check out this pretty rag wreath too – this pin got my butt in gear to whip out my wreath

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

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!}
Features will shared on this site & pinned on Pinterest

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)
connect/follow here:

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

linking here: 52 mantels * a bowl full of lemons * at home with k * blue cricket * centsational girl * crafty scrappy happy * craftomaniac creatively living outside the box *elizabeth & co * ginger snap crafts * hope studios * how to nest for less * it all started with paint * jaqs studio * laugh love and craft lil luna * no minimalist here * not just a housewife * oopsey daisy * our delightful home * positively splendid primp ruby jean * sew much ado * shabby creek cottage * somewhat simple * southern hospitality * the country chic cottage * thrifty décor chick * today’s creative blog * vintage farmhouse

Northern Cottage Party FEATURES

2012-03-19T11:11:00.001-05:00

Our next PARTY TIME
linky will open later today!

If you were here last week looking to link up at the Northern Cottage party time Tuesday…I fell off the party wagon!

I had a post all put together last week with my fav features and was reviewing one last time before publishing and then… my computer just shut itself down
(ummm - no idea why) and the post draft was lost.

errrghhhh!

so I scrapped doing that post last week
(so wanted to apologize for being missing in action but I was so frustrated and just not feeling it)
but…
that means we’re all fresh & ready to get our groove on this week!

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

We have some wonderful features to share:

take a look at the elegant baskets made new again from kimberly hites

make some of your own diy bakers twine (you can use it for EVERYTHING!) from nifty thrifty things

simple but oh so cute diy apron from directions not included

check out this gorgeous chevron dresser from the magic brush inc

YUM!

a great new red table from vintage restyled

how about some irish cream donuts – mmm

cakeballs, cookies and more

miss char shared her awesome room redo

ruby jean shared a darling (as usual for her) springy sewing project with us (love the fabric choices so much – how fun for spring!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LINKED UP WITH YOUR AMAZING CREATIONS last time around!

there were several other link ups that I would have featured but they didn’t link back so be sure to do that next time around, k?

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

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

C’mon back a little later today - Our next PARTY TIME
linky will open later today!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

a very HAPPY Spring Mantel

2012-03-15T07:06:00.001-05:00

Pin It

HAPPY
Spring!!

The mantel has been put together here at the cottage for
Springtime!

It is so very HAPPY

and FRESH

and

FUN!

I picked up a vintage garden gate
and am smitten with the wire and
being able to finalize use it now that
spring is on its way!

for now I’ve placed it in front of the fireplace box
to lighten up that area a bit

I painted some letters
F.r.e.S.H
and strung them on the gate
to coordinate with the
banners
I made
{a quick little tutorial for those coming soon!}

I have some vintage pop shoppe bottles

holding a bloom

{love the graphics on these babies!}

and have wonderful kid memories of drinking this fun pop!

{ that’s ‘soda’ for you southerners!!}

Pin It

thank you

for coming by

& checking out our

spring mantel!!

It reminds me that there is so much
FUN
just around the corner!

**we can also play where’s waldo…
can you find a puppy hiding in one of the pics in this post?**

Pin It

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

sharing here: 36th ave * 504 main * 52 mantels * a bowl full of lemons * at home with k * at the picket fence * beyond the picket fence * blue cricket * cherished treasures * coastal charm * craftomaniac * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living outside the box * domestically speaking * elizabeth & co * every creative endeavor * finding fabulous * five days five ways * flamingo toes * flour me with love * french country cottage * funky junk interiors * ginger snap crafts * hope studios * I heart naptime * itsy bitsy paper * jaqs studio * keeping it simple * knick of time *laugh love and craft * lil luna * lolly jane * lovely crafty home * making the world cuter * mom 4 real * my 1929 charmer * nest of posies * nifty thrifty things * no minimalist here * not just a housewife * oopsey daisy * our delightful home * positively splendid * primp * redoux * ruby jean * sew chatty * sew much ado * shabby creek cottage * shabby creek cottage * shabby nest * sisters of the wild west * skip to my lou * somewhat simple * sweet little gals * tea rose home * the girl creative * the vintage farmhouse * thirty handmade days * todays creative blog * under the table and dreaming

Chocolate Chip SCONES

2012-03-12T16:50:00.001-05:00

Pin It

Are ya hungry?

maybe in the mood for a

little snack?

breakfast?

coffee break?

dessert?

ALL of the ABOVE??

My mom made these growing up

Here’s the Recipe:

Prep a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat over to 425.
Mix together:

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (I use sea salt)
1/3 cup brown sugar

Then cut a stick of real butter into chunks and add to the dry mixture above. Cut in with knives or a pastry blender tool until crumbly
(I love using my pastry blender – it has a calming effect on me!)
Now add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dry mixture. Crack an egg into a small bowl and beat it lightly. Add into mixture above.
Add 1/2 cup of buttermilk, 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp almond extract.
Mix until just binding together

Sprinkle flour onto countertop. Place dough on top and knead a few times (5 or 6 times). Pat into a round shape (like a really big thick pancake). Cut into 8 pie shaped pieces. Place on cookie sheet, brush tops lightly with milk and bake in 425 degree over for 13 –15 minutes. Cool for a couple minutes on the pan & then on wire rack.

EAT & enjoy!!!

Pin It

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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connect/follow here:

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sharing here: 36th ave * 52 mantels * a bowl full of lemons * a pretty life in the suburbs * at home with k * at the picket fence * beyond the picket fence * blue cricket * crafty scrappy happy * creatively living outside the box * diy by design * flour me with love * french country cottage * ginger snap crafts * homemaker on a dime * home stories a to z * hope studios * lil luna * mom 4 real * no minimalist here * not just a housewife * oopsey daisy * primp * redoux * refresh restyle * ruby jean * sew much ado * shabby creek cottage * someday crafts * somewhat simple * the vintage farmhouse * todays creative blog

How to Make a WARM PACK (or soothing Cold Pack)!!

2012-03-07T15:42:00.001-06:00

Spring is approaching & I see many blogs posting about things turning green and blooming and blossoming

but here

I look out the window

and see

THIS….

Beautiful – right?

but it is still…..COLD!!

So while many of you are skipping about in fresh new yummy green grass
{I hate you!}
and starting to dig in the dirt
{you stink!!}

we are shoveling, plowing and having hot cocoa
{I’d rather have lemonade!}

so… these little

WARM PACKS

are a welcome little treat after being out in the cold

I made them by stitching up a little bag

embroidering some

mmmmm……Toasty!

doing a bit of applique with some

TOAST and JAM

pretty cute, huh?

Here’s another version with some fun ruffles

and I added some velco at the open end

to hold another little bag made from extra cotton that holds rice

which can be:
{heated up in the microwave for about 30+ seconds}
OR
{stored in the freezer for a soothing cold pack}

this project was inspired by this lovely lady!
{go visit her, too – you won’t be sorry!}

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)
connect/follow here:

**JOIN US AS A LINKY FOLLOWER **

sharing here: 36th ave * 504 main * 52 mantels * at the picket fence * beyond the picket fence * coastal charm * crafty scrappy happy * diy show off * every creative endeavor * five days five ways * flour me with love * freckled laundry * french country cottage * gussy sews * keeping it simple * lolly jane * lovely crafty home * making the world cuter * my 1929 charmer * sew chatty * shabby nest * skip to my lou * somewhat simple * tatortots and jello * the csi project * the girl creative * the shabby creek cottage * the vintage farmhouse * thirty handmade days * under the table and dreaming

Northern Cottage PARTY TIME 3.5.12 & FEATURES!!

2012-03-05T15:06:00.001-06:00

We have some stinkin cute features this week:

fun fun fun party hats from I gotta create

applestone drive shared her dining set - I love colorful chairs – how fun & fresh & happy! whimsy is right!

mmm doesn’t this dessert from bybyskingdom look delicious?

forever decorating shared some cloches – can a girl have too many cloches? I love em!

candles galore at design dreams by anne

she had me at chicken wire!

ahhh ‘comfort cookies’ from desire empire

what a nice idea to welcome our loved ones home to…

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LINKED UP WITH YOUR AMAZING CREATIONS this past week!

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

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:

I’d just be
tickled pink if you’d
follow me
via linky followers

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
(click here for Northern Cottage main page)

connect/follow here:

**Be a LINKY FOLLOWER **

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