The Cottage Home

The Cottage Kids Favorite Toys ~ Age 2 through 4

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:16:39 PST

The question about work-life balance has come up from quite a few of you lately. You want to know how I balance being a wife, a mother to three young children, and a small business owner? For right now, I'm not entirely prepared to answer how I 'do what I do' because I'm still formulating my thoughts on that topic. I'm imagining me saying, 'just run around like a crazy woman' is not exactly the answer you were looking for.......though sometimes it's the truth. So until I can clearly articulate myself on that topic........I thought I would share some bits and pieces of our life that will maybe bring the whole idea work-life balance together.

For the most part (excluding today ~ ugh!), the girls are really good at entertaining themselves and playing together. The fact that they are only 16 months apart really helps because they are pretty much interested in the same things. I would say they are definitely each others best friend. Having them be able to play independently helps allow me to tend to their baby brother, Caspian Finn, and get some work done with The Cottage Mama.

Today I thought I would share some of The Cottage Kids favorite toys. Now mind you, Matilda Jane is 2.5 years old and Savannah is almost four. So, these are what they are into now.........I'm sure that will change down the line, but I'll give a little update when it does. I also think it's fun to see what other kids are into and might give you some new ideas for toys for your little ones.

Little Tikes Deluxe Wooden Kitchen

This play kitchen has been a huge hit ever since we got it when Savannah was 2.5 years old. I love that it is wooden and it has held up incredibly well. The laundry feature is really fun for the girls since they love to use the washing machine and ironing board. It also has an oven, refrigerator, stove, microwave and sink that are all wonderful for pretend play. There is ample amount of storage inside as well.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Food Groups

Almost all of our pretend food is Melissa & Doug, but this was one of the first sets that we started out with. The food groups are a great variety. We have added the pots and pans set, cutting foods, the cookie set, donut set, pizza party and birthday cake to the collection. The girls can spend an hour cooking up things in their play kitchen with this food. Truly a great investment.

Bilibo

The Bilibo is a new toy that the girls received for Christmas from my in-laws. We aren't entirely sure what it's supposed to do, but that's the beauty of it ~ it can be anything you want it to be. You can sit in it and spin around, you can put your baby dolls in it as a little doll bed, you can wear it on your head and pretend to be an astronaut (a favorite idea of Savannah and Matilda), you can carry your toys around in it. The wonderful thing is that it lends itself to great imaginary fun.

Turn and Learn Magnetic Gears

I'm not sure who loves this toy more, myself or the girls. These gears are magnetic on the back and you can set them up in all different kinds of patterns on the refrigerator to make them work together. It's great for problem solving because the kids have to figure out why the gears aren't working together when they are set up in certain ways. Even my father-in-law, the engineer, loves these!!

Washable Dress-Up Masks

Ok, so the #1 activity around here is dress-up and pretend play. We have a gigantic dress up bin that is full of all sorts of costumes (a lot of which my mom made me growing up), accessories and now we have these fabulous masks (given to us from my mom and Pepo for Christmas). They are great because they are fabric so they can be washed - big bonus with toddlers. The elastic on the backside is nice and sturdy so it won't break. And they are really comfortable for the kids to wear. This week the girls have been telling me that I am to wear the cow mask........not sure if they are trying to tell me something.

Beginner Pattern Learning Blocks

Savannah seems to be more into these than Matilda right now, but these are great for identifying shapes and colors. They are kind of like a bunch of mini-puzzles, but you can engage with your little ones by asking them questions regarding the different pieces. The shapes and boards are wooden and the boards are double-sided with a picture on each side.

Color Discovery Boxes

We have had these boxes since before Matilda was born and they are probably one of our all-time favorite toys. Why? Because there are so many things that kids can do with them. They can sort the items by color, sort them by type, they can count the items in the box or they can use the different pieces for pretend play. LOVE this toy!

Little People Happy Sounds Home

We love 'Little People' around here. The girls love playing with the home and the farm. It's really fun to see them talking and pretending to make up little stories with these characters. I loved my 'Little People' house when I was growing up, so I'm glad they do too. We've also got Noah's Ark as well as the ABC animal set........though we pretty much just put all the characters together. At any given time you might find the alligator hanging out in the house or the baby sleeping in the barn.......you know, anything goes around here.

Goodnight Moon Game

We got this game for the kids for Christmas and it has been a big hit. There are many different variations of instructions with the game depending on the ages of the players. We have been doing the beginner version of the game, but both girls can play it well and have a lot of fun. The instructions go up to age 6. Not to mention, that Goodnight Moon is a sweet classic.

Mega Blocks Princess Building Set

I don't think these Mega Blocks need much explaining, but we love to build castles and towers. We've added to this set with another primary colored mega blocks set, so now the girls can build a tower as big as they can possibly imagine.

Indestructible Lacing Cards

This is a new toy that the girls received from my mom and Pepo for Christmas. They really enjoy it, but have yet to really master it. And yes, they are made out of an awesome material so they are definitely indestructible. I think it will become more of a favorite as they both get a little older, but I love it because it's the gateway into sewing!!!

Those are just some of the toys that are big hits around here. The girls play with their musical instruments and their baby dolls quite a bit as well, but overall they've got quite a few toys to keep their little minds occupied. Personally, I love when my kids can play on their own because I think it fosters creativity and independence. Yes, it does help me to manage my household and business when they play on their own, but it also helps them learn to not always need to be entertained by someone else.

I'll share some of our favorite books with you in another post. It would have been just too much for this post.

We love books!

So, what are (or were) your kids favorite toys when they were toddlers?

Winners, Winners......

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:48:38 PST

And the winners of the Sodee Naturals and Biltmore Inspirations giveaways are........

Sodee Naturals Winner:

Biltmore Inspirations Winner:

Congratulations to both of you! If you could please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your contact information, we will get your prizes out to you as soon as possible.

Thank to everyone who entered. There's another great giveaway going up today, so if you like fabric, come on over to The Cottage Home.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of The Cottage Home blog, please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Stitched Whimsy by Heidi Boyd ~ Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:39:00 PST

'Stitched Whimsy' by Heidi Boyd is one of the cutest sewing books I have ever been sent to review. The projects throughout the book are just as the title states ~ whimsical! If you are looking for a book to inspire creativity and create special, handmade toys for your little ones, look no further. Think turtles, mushrooms, little birds, elephants, giraffes, owls, felt food and so much more!

'Stitched Whimsy' is divided into four different sections and contains projects involving needle felting as well as sewing.

~Needle Felt Fun
~Whimsy for the Home
~Lovable Plushies
~Felt and Fabric

I have always been interested in needle felting, but have never given it a try. There are lots of hobbies that I think I could get into, but sometimes I feel like it's best to stay focused on just a few so I don't get overwhelmed. But I could really see myself getting into needle felting if I ever gave it a try.

The fact that this book breaks down all the different types of wool felt is an invaluable resource. The author goes through the use of 35% wool felt, 100% wool felt, felted recycled sweaters, and more. In addition to categorizing the different types of felt there are also sections defining different types of fabrics, wool roving, stuffing, and embellishments (such as beads, safety eyes, buttons, ect).

The book contains very specific instructions on what types of tools will be needed to complete the different projects from sewing machines, needles, cutting tools, needle felting tools, adhesives and marking tools. If you've thought about entering the world of sewing softies, this book is a wonderful resource.

Most of the projects I make for my children are clothing and the occasional quilt because that's what I love to sew. But this book has definitely inspired me to start sewing toys and softies for my kids. The cuteness is almost unbearable and I just love all the little details in each project. I really appreciate the author's breakdown of embroidery stitches as well.

The step-by-step instructions are wonderful and easy to follow. There are pictures as well as hand-drawn illustrations that are really charming and well done. I also love that many of these projects can be done with scraps of fabric. And my goodness........do I have scraps.......it's ridiculous! And I'm all about using up those scraps this year.

My only negative thought on this book is the fact that it does not come with full-sized pattern pieces. Why do people do that? I mean I know why they do, because it saves money on the printing, but it is so frustrating for the buyer. To be honest, I have not purchased books for this reason, but sometimes a book is work the extra effort of enlarging the pattern pieces. You can enlarge some of the pieces on your home printer, if you have a scanner/copy model, otherwise, you'll need to take a trip to your local Kinko's or copy store.

The characters pictured above just make me smile. Aren't they so cute?

I sort of have a thing for stuffed little kitties and I love the vintage feel of the one pictured above.

If you are looking for adorable projects, with wonderful step-by-step instructions and inspiring photography, you're going to want to pick up a copy of 'Stitched Whimsy' by Heidi Boyd.

No compensation was received for this post. I simply received a copy of the book from the publisher for my review. All opinions and thoughts are 100% mine.

On my mind.....Life, Love and Joy

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:04:00 PST

For some reason I feel compelled to write today. As I sit here in my bed trying to recover from a bad sinus infection and a double ear infection, I cannot feel sorry for myself. I cannot feel sorry for myself because I am blessed beyond words. I am blessed with overall good health, my family, the roof over my head, food on my table, my beautiful babies, my incredible husband, my friends and just life in general.

Ever since Ashley of Lil Blue Boo posted her 'Right of Passage' video on her blog, I can't seem to get her, her family or the video out of my head. Have you been following her 'Cancer Chronicles'? If not, I encourage you to visit her blog and start from the beginning of her journey. I will let you read her entire journey for yourself, but whether or not you have been through anything like this, her attitude is awe inspiring.

I think her story speaks to me because that person going through cancer could very well be me. We are of similar age, both with young children, both in the prime of our lives and the idea of what she is experiencing is unimaginable. My heart aches for her. I want so badly to jump through my computer screen and hug her. The fact that Ashley manages to 'choose joy' during this difficult time is just amazing. I can only hope that if I was dealt the same hand of cards, that I would 'choose joy' as well. I love her positive outlook and her 'can do' sort of attitude. With every challenge she faces, she continues to go through life looking at the glass as half full.

Ashley has received emails questioning her truthfulness about her experience because she is so positive. Is she keeping it real? They are wondering about her fear and her pain. Maybe that is in the back of her mind, but she is choosing to live life and choosing to focus on joy in her current situation. And I just love it! I think we need more people in the world that focus on the joy in life. What good does it do anyone to live in the negative?

I have often been criticized for living life in such a positive manner. For not 'keeping it real'. I know that seems kind of weird (and it actually feels weird to write it), but it's true. People wonder......can she really be that happy? Sometimes I think misery loves company. Personally I choose to focus on the joy that I have in my life. Yes, being a wife and mother and juggling a small business can be difficult and trying at times, but I do the best I can and I try to focus on the good rather than the bad. Is that keeping it real? For me, it is.

Have I been through tough times? Yes, but I choose not to dwell on them and I do not let them control my life. I have experienced a miscarriage and I have suffered through postpartum depression after the birth of my first child. But rather than dwelling on the negative in both those situations, I choose to share my story in hopes that others can gain positive support and information through my difficult times. I am in no way suggesting that if you are going through a tough time that you shouldn't talk about it and share it with others. We cannot control the cards we are dealt, but we can control the way in which we deal with them.

I do not know what the future holds for Ashley, I can only hope and pray that everything turns out for the best. But I do know that God has chosen her for this path and journey for a reason. I'm quite certain He has chosen her to inspire others, to help people not sweat the small stuff and to make us all focus and be thankful for the joy and blessings that we have in our lives. I don't know about you, but I know that she has caused me to hug my babies a little tighter, kiss my husband a little more and be thankful for the joy that is in my life.

I hope that the next time you are dealt with a difficult situation that you will think of Ashley and will rise up and find the joy that is in this wonderful life that we live. We all have SO much to be thankful for. If you know anyone going through a difficult time, share Ashley's story with them........she is such a true inspiration!

And if you are the praying type, I ask you to pray for Ashley.........pray as hard as you possibly can. I know, I am.

I know I don't come on the blog writing about my personal thoughts and feelings too much, but this year is a little different. I hope to be able to share some more personal things with you ~ I hope you don't mind the change.

Biltmore Inspirations Inspired Living Giveaway ~ $50.00 Gift Certificate

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:04:18 PST

Have you heard of Biltmore Inspirations? Well, today we have a fabulous giveaway for you from this new and growing business! I was recently introduced to Biltmore Inspirations through my good friend, Danica. She has signed on as an independent sales consultant with the company and is the sponsor behind today's, generous $50.00 gift certificate. Biltmore Inspirations is an exciting, new home-based party plan business from Biltmore. That’s right, Biltmore—as in America’s largest home, located in Asheville, North Carolina.

Biltmore stands for gracious hospitality, amazing design style, and the warm, welcoming feeling of being a special guest in the home of good friends. They want to share that experience with you through Biltmore Inspirations—an outstanding collection of exclusive tabletop products, chef-selected foods, home decor, wine accessories, and regional artist-inspired products, all inspired by the unique beauty of Biltmore.

Biltmore Inspirations hopes to inspire families to celebrate every day with style by embracing the Biltmore legacy of gracious hospitality, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. They also believe every home should be a welcoming retreat for family and friends. They achieve this by cultivating the passion and talents of sales consultants to build successful businesses by sharing products for today’s lifestyles, a collection inspired by Biltmore’s heritage of family, craftsmanship, and design.

Biltmore Inspirations offers a wide variety of products for the home and entertaining.

Here are some of my favorites:

I think the matching mommy, daughter and doll aprons are just too cute. Any little girl would be in heaven with a set of these. Also, these two beautiful urns would look great in any house.

How fun are these serving sets? I particularly like the chalk board ones since you can customize them for any party.

These candle holders are just beautiful. I can totally see the hanging ones in our cottage.

I recently purchased a set of these Lisa Conard Mugs through Danica and Biltmore Inspirations. I am a big fan of pottery and I love their artisan collection. Each mug is handmade and a little bit different. The handles are nice and wide and very easy to hold. Also, the mugs are microwave safe and the handle stays cool when heated. As I'm writing this post, I'm using one of my mugs for my afternoon coffee and they are honestly one of my very favorite things in my kitchen right now.

So, do you want a chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to buy some of your own products from Biltmore Inspirations?

Here's how to enter ~ do one or both of the following (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

1) Visit Danica's Biltmore Inspirations - Inspired Living Site and tell us what you would buy with your $50.00 gift certificate (click HERE).

2) 'Like' Danica's Biltmore Inspirations Facebook Page (click HERE).

Giveaway open to US residents only. Please make sure to leave your email address or have your blogger profile linked so that we can contact you if you should win. Winner will be selected via random.org.

Giveaway open until Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at midnight (CST).

Danica's Biltmore Inspirations is offering an exclusive 15% discount off your entire purchase through the end of January to The Cottage Home blog readers. To receive discount, please place order with Danica directly by emailing her at danikat[at]comcast[dot]net or calling her at 847.987.7367.

Also, if you are interested in hosting a party of your own or becoming an independent sales consultant with Biltmore Inspirations, please contact Danica at danikat[at]comcast[dot]net or call her at 847.987.7367.

Circus 1st Birthday Dress from a Repurposed Bridesmaid Dress

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:56:17 PST

My friend, Danica's, daughter, Aaralyn, turned one a couple weeks ago. And for her party, I designed and sewed a dress as a gift from our family to the little princess. Danica is a professional photographer (Flora Danica Photography), so she had definite visions for how she wanted this dress to look. She had shown me a bunch of different ideas that she had, but she couldn't quite pin down exactly what she wanted. You know that feeling? Where you know what you want, but you just can't quite find a picture of what is in your head. So with great faith, she allowed me to go to town with the design and trusted that I would come up with something that she loved. Talk about pressure.

So here's where the tricky part came into the mix. Danica wanted to incorporate the bridesmaid dress (the maid-of-honor's dress, to be exact) from her wedding into the design along with this adorable circus fabric she had found. But let me tell you about this circus fabric, though the printed design is absolutely adorable.......it is upholstery fabric! Yes, it was one of the most difficult fabrics I have ever worked with, but luckily it turned out.

The above pictures were taken by Danica of her little cutie patootie at the over the top girly circus party she threw. There was a candy bar, circus food, games with prizes, and so much more. Danica has become known in our circle of friends as throwing the best parties around! No detail is overlooked.

As for the bodice, I used a basic peasant style silhouette. I wanted to do puff sleeves, but I also wanted the little lady to be comfy, so I thought an elastic neck and sleeves was the best way to go. I incorporated some trim that I had on hand into the bodice and re-used the little buttons from the back of the bridesmaid dress as well.

The pink fabric yo-yo was from a deconstructed vintage yo-yo quilt that I had picked up awhile back at a flea market. The pink fabric just happened to match perfectly. I covered a large button with the part of the fabric where there was a monkey since I knew Aaralyn's big brother, Roaron, loves monkeys!

I did a double layer skirt to make sure there was plenty of fullness. The under layer is fabric from the bridesmaid dress. I made the top layer a little shorter and left it open in the front to add a little interest. I also added a small ruffle around the bottom. The circus upholstery fabric was so dense and thick that I couldn't use a single straight pin constructing the dress. Every time I went to put one in, it bent my pins in half. For someone that pins everything, this made me really nervous. But, by the grace of God, it all came together.

The sash on the dress is made from the bridesmaid dress. I wanted it to have a big full bow in the back, but didn't want the sash to be too long. You should have seen this dress after I had cut it all up........pretty sad, but it was so neat to be able to repurpose it into something new and special.

I mean really, do we ever wear those old bridesmaid dresses again?

I gave Danica the dress the day before the party and just hoped that it fit and that she loved it.

And thankfully, it did fit and she did love it!

I don't know if I'll be sewing with any more taffeta and upholstery fabric anytime soon, but I'm so happy that I could be part of creating this special memory and heirloom piece for Miss Aaralyn's First Birthday!

Smoked Chipotle Pulled Pork Quesadillas ~ Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:54:16 PST

As you might have noticed, I'm on a slow cooker kick lately and this recipe is no exception. You make the Smokey Chipotle Pulled Pork in your slow cooker during the day and then make the quesadillas right before you're ready to eat. You can also serve this pork just as it is on a hamburger bun or use it as a filling for tacos.....it's very versatile.

Smoked Chipotle Pulled Pork Quesadillas

Ingredients:

3-4 pound pork loin roast

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon oregano

1 teaspoon chile powder

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 cup chipotle salsa or 1 tablespoon of chipotle in adobo sauce (sauce part only)

Flour tortillas

Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese or Mexican cheese blend

Directions:

Place pork loin roast in slow cooker and top with onions, garlic, cumin, oregano, chile powder, and chipotle. Set on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 5 hours.

Once pork is cooked, remove from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return the pork back to the slow cooker to soak up all the juices. This recipe makes a lot of pork, so you will only use part of it for the quesadillas. Freeze remaining pork for later use or plan your weekly menu around other recipes using shredded pork.

To assemble quesadillas, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of tortilla.

Place some of the pork mixture on top of the cheese on one side of the tortilla. Heat skillet on medium and melt a little butter. Once butter has melted place tortilla, as pictured above, into pan.

When the tortilla is in the pan, fold the cheese only side over on top of the pork mixture. We don't want to fold the quesadilla before it goes in the pan because then we won't have butter on both sides of the tortilla.

Cook for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip quesadilla and cook until other side is golden brown. Once both sides are cooked and cheese is melted, remove from pan and cut in half.

You can make as many of these as you would like or as many as your family can eat!

I like to serve these with some chipotle salsa, but you could dip them in any salsa your family enjoys. Would also be great with some sour cream or guacamole as well.

Personally, I think two quesadillas is a perfect dinner serving and one is probably good for lunch. Feel free to get creative here and add in any ingredients you would like.

This pork is SO delicious, give it a try........you're going to love it!

From Grandma with Love.........A Christmas Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:45:45 PST

So is it too late to share something from Christmas? Well, maybe so, but better late than never!

My mom and Allen (aka Pepo) flew in from Texas to celebrate an early Christmas with us the weekend prior to the actual date. We had such a lovely visit, though it's always shorter than I would like, but it certainly makes me appreciate the time I get with my mom and Pepo all the more!

Mom made this gorgeous, twin-sized Christmas quilt as a gift for us this year. I can't even express how much I love it. It's big and cozy and can cover up our entire family snuggling on the couch.

Last year I had given mom, The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman, so the pattern she used for our quilt was 'Small Plates' from this book. The front is basically done using 'Flurry' charm squares (5" precut squares), 'Flurry' jelly roll strips, Moda white solid squares and cut 2 1/2" strips. She also cut some additional pieces from yardage she had on hand. This is a wonderful quilting book that ranges from beginners up to intermediate quilters. If you are looking for a new quilting book to add to your collection, I can't recommend this one enough.

Now for the backing, Mom had to do a little creative improvising due to the amount of fabric yardage she was able to purchase. So, she came up with this (see picture below) backing that I almost love as much as the front!

Pepo helped Grandma Jane sandwich the quilt, so he got a little credit on this one. Mom includes a label on each one of her quilted creations. These items will be passed down for generations to come, so I love that she dates each quilt.

I don't know if you remember, but Grandma Jane made the kids Christmas outfits from the same line of fabric (click here to read more) ~ Kate Spain's 'Flurry'. Even though the kids will eventually outgrow their Christmas outfits, we will have the Christmas Quilt to remember Christmas 2011.

This quilt will be pulled out each and every Christmas and will be treasured always and forever. There is something so comforting about snuggling up in a handmade work of art made by someone you love. It really feels like my mom is here hugging me even when she's miles and miles away.

On another note: Grandma Jane has agreed to guest blog this year with some quilting tutorials for everyone. I hope you all will welcome her with open arms when she makes her first appearance on the blog. SO excited that she's agreed to share her talents!

A Little Announcement: Riley Blake Project Design Team

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:07:03 PST

So, I have a little announcement to make..........

I'm an official member of the Riley Blake Designs Project Design Team!

I am beyond thrilled to have been invited to be part of this amazing team. The people behind Riley Blake Designs are incredible and I am so excited to be working with them on this new endeavor.

Riley Blake Designs is a fabric, notions and trim manufacturer based in Utah and they produce some of the most adorable fabrics on the market. I have always been a huge fan of theirs, especially the amazing 'boy' fabrics that seem to be so much harder to come by. Wait until you see some of the lines being released this year - To. Die. For.

What is the Riley Blake Project Design Team? It's a group of creative women bloggers who will be sharing free projects, patterns and tutorials on the Riley Blake Designs blog every Wednesday throughout the year. Of course, we will be showcasing the new lines of fabrics that are being released, but you'll find projects from quilting, clothing, home decor, and more. They have been keeping the new project design team under wraps, but the members of the team have officially been announced.

Here is the official team:

Becky Vandenburg - www.ucreatewithkids.com/

Liz and Elizabeth- www.simplesimonandco.com/

Maureen Cracknell- www.maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com/

Melissa Mortenson- www.polkadotchair.com/

Heather Jones- www.oliveandollie.com/

Lindsay Wilkes- www.thecottagehome.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Hadfield- www.tatertosandjello.com/

Madame Samm- www.sewiquiltnow.com/

Char Coester- www.crapivemade.com/

Tam Bennett- www.sewdangcutecrafts.com/

In addition to projects, we will also be doing fabric giveaways for the new lines that are being released throughout the year here on the blog. Again, I am so excited about this new opportunity and I can't wait to share more about all of this with you as the details unfold.

The Cottage Mama on Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:21:12 PST

I am a huge fan of Pinterest. 'Inspiration City' is what I like to call it. I'm not quite sure why it never dawned on me to mention that I'm on Pinterest, but I am. Now I've mentioned it ~ The Cottage Mama is on Pinterest.

I usually only allow myself to login to Pinterest once a day because if I go on there any more than that, I will get carried away for hours. However, I do 'pin' things throughout my day with the little 'pin it' button in my internet browser. The amount of eye candy photographs, inspiration and ideas are mind-boggling. I know I've said this before, but the amount of talent and creativity in this world astounds me. I feel so lucky that a site like Pinterest has been created so we can all bear witness to this creativity on a daily basis.

Some people seem to think that Pinterest is a bit overwhelming, but not me ~ I love it. When I'm having an non-creative, unproductive day, I can simply login and suddenly I have my mojo back. Once you see all the amazing projects that are going on in the world it just makes you want to get into the studio and create.

Here are some of my pin boards:

So if you feel like checking out my pin boards, feel free, you can find them all here.

I would sure love to check out yours!

And if you've never been on Pinterest, you must. You won't believe your eyes!

Slow Cooker Green Chicken and Rice Soup ~ Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:46:33 PST

I have been asked by quite a few people recently about how I manage my time. And you know what, that's a really good question. One that makes me stop and think, how do I manage my time? I guess I just go about life doing what I love doing and don't really think about how I make it work. Well, I'm going to give it some more thought and I'll try create some posts on time management in the future.

I'll tell you right off the bat, I don't get 'it all done'. I don't think anyone does. You can't be all things to all people all of the time. I just don't think that is possible. However, one of the very first things that popped into my head when asked 'how do you manage your time?' was my slow cooker (or crock pot).

The slow cooker is one of the absolute best inventions for the busy mom or for anyone, for that matter. It allows you to prepare a home cooked meal, but it doesn't put any time constraints on you in regards to when you get it done. Feeling motivated in the morning? Throw in all the ingredients and set it on low. Have a few minutes while the kids are napping in the afternoon? Throw in all the ingredients and set on high. You can make dinner work for you whenever it's convenient. Plus it makes the house smell great all day!

If you like warm, comforting meals, you're going to love my Slow Cooker Green Chicken and Rice Soup. This soup can cook all day and through the use of 'Uncle Ben's Ready Rice' (I love this stuff), your meal can be ready in minutes when you are ready to eat.

Slow Cooker Green Chicken and Rice Soup

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)

1 box chicken stock

1 can white beans (rinsed)

1 jar green salsa (I used Frontera brand ~ Tomatillo)

1 cup frozen corn

1 onion, chopped

1 teaspoon chile powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 package 'Uncle Ben's Ready Rice ~ Whole Grain Medley ~ Santa Fe Style'

Garnish (optional): Crushed tortilla chips, shredded jack cheese and sour cream.

Directions:

Place first 8 ingredients into your slow cooker (or crock pot). I used frozen chicken breasts, but you can use fresh as well. Set slow cooker on low and cook for 7-8 hours.

Before serving, remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Then return chicken back to slow cooker. Cook your 'ready rice' according to package directions (should only take 90 seconds) and add the entire contents of the package to the soup. Stir to combine.

Serve topped with shredded jack cheese, crushed tortilla chips and sour cream, if you so choose. Soup is delicious re-heated the next day.

I have absolutely no affiliation with Uncle Ben's or Frontera Kitchens, I just happen to like these products for super-easy shortcut meals.

Sodee Naturals Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:53:27 PST

Today I've got a really great giveaway from Sodee Naturals. About a month ago I was contacted by this company and asked if I would be interested in trying out their products. They specialize in all natural body care products that are safe for children and adults. With having three children under the age of four, I believe that more natural the better.

My daughter, Savannah, has keratosis pilaris which basically is just really bumpy skin on her arms and a little bit on her legs. I had this a bit as a child and it is inherited. It's very common and isn't too bothersome, but sometimes can be a little itchy. She has always been incredibly sensitive to any skin care products we use on her, so I really liked the idea of trying out Sodee's eczema cream on her arms. Granted, she doesn't actually have eczema, but their original formula has natural properties that are supposed to be good for other skin conditions.

Pictured above are the products they sent me to try. They sent one of everything they carry in the scents of my choice. They also sent me a sampling of the different eczema creams to find the best one to suit Savannah. They are always willing to send out eczema cream samples to find the product that best suits your skin condition (which is really wonderful). We ended up really liking the original formula and it has made her skin improve drastically. And believe me, we've tried a lot of different products.

Aside from their eczema cream, the body butter was probably my favorite product. I've tried body butters from other manufacturers, but what I really liked about this one is that it is whipped. So instead of being really thick and hard to get out of the jar, it was nice and light, but still moisturized like the thicker body creams. And the pink grapefruit scent........just lovely.

Another favorite, the Speriment Eucalyptus Shave Cream. This was wonderful to use in the shower, left my skin feeling really moisturized and the scent was incredibly invigorating.

I had never used a shampoo or conditioner in a bar form, but it was pretty much like using a bar of soap. You just lather it up and wash your hair with it. They also have many different types so you can select the one that best suits your hair type.

Sodee Naturals is a family run business and strives to make great smelling products with all natural ingredients that really work. If you love natural skin care, I'm going to recommend you give them a try. Plus, I love supporting small, family run businesses!

Today Sodee Naturals is giving one lucky The Cottage Home blog reader a prize package of one of every product that they offer in the scents of your choice. You will be given a gift code so you can order directly from their site (a $77.00 value). So what does that include?

~1 Body Butter
~1 Shaving Cream
~1 Soap
~1 Hair Shampoo Bar
~1 Hair Conditioner Bar
~1 Eczema Cream

Also, Sodee Naturals is offering an exclusive discount for The Cottage Home blog readers of 10% your entire purchase with the code: COTTAGE

Here's how to enter the Sodee Naturals giveaway:

Visit Sodee Naturals website and tell us what product you would be most interested in trying (click here).
Leave one comment below.

Giveaway is open until Sunday, January 15, 2012 at midnight (CST).

And the winners are......

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:36:36 PST

Wow, we had 825 entries into the Canton Village Quilt Works giveaway and 1141 entries into The Cottage Mama giveaway. I would definitely say these are two of the largest number of entries for a giveaway that have happened on the blog, so thank you so much to everyone who entered. I know you all have been waiting to find out the winners, so here they are.....

The winner of the Canton Village Quilt Works fat quarter bundle is.....

And the winner of The Cottage Mama New Year's Giveaway (from me to you) is.....

Congratulations to Karen and Kathy! If you could both email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com, we will make sure to get you your prizes as soon as possible. Again, thank you to everyone who entered these two giveaways. If you didn't win, keep trying because you never know when the random number generator just might land on you. I'll be back tomorrow with another giveaway that I think you're going to really enjoy.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of The Cottage Home blog, please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com for rates and additional information.

Resewlutions Guest Post: 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:05:24 PST

Today I am guest blogging over at my friend Jessica's blog, 'Me Sew Crazy'. She is doing a fabulous series about sewing Re*sew*lutions.

Head on over to 'Me Sew Crazy' to view my DIY tutorial and make your own:

'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game

On the Cutting Table

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:01:19 PST

This year I thought I would share a little glimpse inside what is going on in my studio with, what I like to call, 'On the Cutting Table'. By that I mean, rather than always showing your my finished projects, I thought you might like to see what I'm currently working on. I will still show you the finished pieces, but this way you will know a little bit more about what I am up to on a day to day basis.

This new piece is almost finished. I need to finish the bottom hem, but other than that, she is ready to go. My favorite part of this one.......I'm sure you guessed it.......the piping. I love piping and try to use it whenever possible. I think it adds such a fun detail and can really make a piece going from nice to fabulous.

If you are interested in learning how to insert piping into a garment, you can view my piping tutorial here.

Fabrics: Amy Butler "Soul Blossoms"

These are two patterns (both dresses) that I designed that are waiting for me to test. I've tested them once, but I re-drafted a few things and now have them cut out ready to sew. If they turn out the way I've planned, the next step will be to work on 'grading' (meaning adjusting the pattern into multiple sizes).

When I want to accomplish a lot of sewing, I typically spend an evening doing all of my cutting of several different garments or projects. I put all the pieces together (including notions and trims) and put them in a pile on top of on another. Then I work my way through the pile. Cutting is my least favorite part of sewing, so if I can get that out of the way all at once, I enjoy my sewing so much more.

Fabrics:
Top Piece: Kate Spain "Terrain"
Bottom Piece: Bonnie and Camille "Ruby"

I'm working on a quilt for my little guy, Caspian Finn. This is going to be a larger version of a baby doll quilt that I made for the girls for Christmas (which I will show you soon). The center area is made up of tumblers and has sashing around the edge. I'm going to be using the rest of those tumblers pictured above as well as some additional sashing to complete the top of this quilt. If it turns out, perhaps I can share my design with you.

Fabrics: Sarah Jane Studios "Children at Play"

So that's some of what I've been up to these days.

What about you ~ what's on your cutting table?

Easy, Healthy Snack ~ Spice Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:45:49 PST

I really like snacks. I definitely prefer to graze throughout the day rather than having three large meals. I'm always on the look-out of a snack that is great tasting, but also is somewhat healthy. I don't know about you, but one of my favorite types of snacks is those of the savory, crunchy kind.

Spice Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas are an easy, inexpensive, delicious, protein packed snack that you and your family will love. If you've ever had corn nuts and you like those, then you will certainly like these!

Spice Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cans chickpeas (or garbanzo beans)

1-2 tablespoons of olive oil

Dry spice seasoning (any flavor you like)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Drain, rinse and pat dry the two cans of chickpeas. Place chickpeas onto a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and a liberal amount of any dry spice mixture you like. Toss to coat. I used a southwestern seasoning on mine, but you could use a taco seasoning, curry powder, or chinese five spice.........whatever you and your family like.

Bake chickpeas for 40 minutes until they are completely dried out and crunchy. Check on them around 30 minutes to make sure you don't have any burning since oven temperatures can vary a little. You know they are almost done when they start to shrivel up and become about half of their original size. It should take the entire 40 minutes for them to dry out.

Store in an air-tight container.

This is a great recipe that the kids can help out with in the kitchen. Let them pat the chickpeas dry, drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning. And then let them mix it all up. They will love getting their hands in there!

These crunchy chickpeas are loaded with protein and if you get your cans of chickpeas on sale, they will only cost you pennies to make. Try finding some seasonings that your children enjoy and this would make an excellent snack to send in school lunchs.

Operation Organization: Velcro Toy Storage Labels

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:36:05 PST

This year is going to be about some serious organization here at The Cottage Home. With having three children under the age of 4, I sometimes feel like certain spaces in my home are spiraling out of control. Well, no more! I'm taking action and going to try my best to gain some control over the clutter that seems to come with having small children.

Now, I know there will be messes and chaos from time to time, but I'm going to try to implement some systems for our family to make life a little more orderly. And hopefully help me keep my sanity. I don't know about you, but when things in my home and life are in order I can accomplish SO much more.

"A Place for Everything and Everything in it's Place"

One of my friends over on The Cottage Mama Facebook page chimed in with this quote recently when I was asking about tips for kids toy organization and I just love it. To some this might sound somewhat sickening, but I like it and plan to keep in in the forefront of my mind this year.

My girls toys have been out of control lately. There are so many pieces to so many different toys and they just kept getting all jumbled up. I spent four hours one day just reorganizing the kids toys, only to have them turned into a jumbled mess two days later. I thought, "oh my gosh, what a waste of time!" But then I realized that I can't expect my kids to know where things go without me showing them. This was definitely a 'duh' moment. I am a big fan of my label maker, but it doesn't do much good for those that can't read my labels.

This lead me to try a new tactic for our toy organization ~ Velcro Toy Picture Storage Labels. Why didn't I think of this sooner? IKEA was having a great sale on these bookcases, only $9.99 each! So I bought several. One for the play room and three others for the 'Cottage Mama' storage loft conversion that is taking place in our house as well (more on that at a later time). Then my in-laws gave me a gift certificate to The Container Store for Christmas, so I bought a bunch of clear storage containers to get this project underway.

Want to make your own Toy Storage Labels? Here's the 'how to'........

Operation Organization: Velcro Toy Storage Labels

Supplies:

A computer and printer

Cardstock or thick scrapbook paper

Laminating Sheets

Sticky Velcro

Scissors

Paper cutter (optional)

Instructions:

Take inventory of the toys you would like to contain. I pretty much used containers for the toys with lots of pieces. The larger items are still being stored in our woven cube storage system. Once you know what toys you need to store, google the name of the exact toy and save a picture of it on your computer. Print out the pictures at a reasonable size to fit on your containers.

Cut out the pictures of all the different toys. There were only one or two toys where I couldn't find the exact picture, but try to make sure you come as close as possible to the correct toy ~ this will make it much easier for your little one to clean up. I also added a black border around each picture, just because I liked the way it looked.

I matted each picture onto a thick scrapbook paper or cardstock to add some durability and body to the labels. I put a little piece of scotch tape on the back of the picture (just to hold it in place) and then cut a mat out with my paper cutter. You could also use a ruler and scissors as well.

Once your pictures are matted, you will want to laminate them to keep them looking nice. You can buy self-laminating sheets at your local office supply store. I don't think a lot of people know you can laminate things at home without a fancy machine, but you can! It's really easy and they look really nice.

The laminating sheets are generally the size of a regular sheet of paper, so you will need to cut out each label after laminating.

Next we are going to add velcro to the back of each label. Why, you might ask? Because this way if we ever want to store something different in the box, we can simply replace the label without damaging the box. Also, if you decided to re-organize or add to that certain, specific toy, you can change it to another box and still use the label.

Cut a piece of sticky back velcro and stick to the back of each label. The card stock I used happened to be double-sided, so that's why there is a different print on the back.

After you've secured your velcro to the label, you will peel off the other side and stick it to your container. There are some boxes where I secured it to the lid (as the box was too small to place it on the container portion), but for the larger boxes I place it on the actual container.

Once you've got the velcro applied to all your containers, begin to organize and sort all the toys. You can have your little ones help you with this. My girls love to help organize (now if I can just teach them to stay organized) and they get a little more excited about the new organization in the playroom if they feel they were part of the project.

Once you've got all your toys contained, place them on the shelves. I decided to place the toys that the girls have free range to access without me on the lower shelves and the ones where I want them to ask me before using up higher. I think this is also a great method for when you have a little baby around. You might not want your older children to have certain toys out when baby is around because of choking hazards, so this will give you some control over that. That way the older children can play with the 'big kid' toys when baby is not around or napping.

We are also really, really going to try to make sure the girls clean up one toy before getting out another. I don't mind all the dress up and pretend play things being out because I want to foster and encourage that kind of play at all times, but for the toys with lots of pieces, I think a good clean up is definitely necessary before moving onto to the next toy.

Also, I think if you are a really visual person (as I am), making some picture labels would be good in an adult space too. I can see these being really helpful in my studio, so that I don't have to read a bunch of labels that all look the same, I can simply have the picture jump right out at me.

I originally wanted to paint my super great deal IKEA bookcase black, but my husband said he liked the raw wood. So we're going to live with it for awhile and see, but I still may paint it.......

I know I can't have everything in my life be organized, but I think we all strive to have some type of order in the everyday. I feel much better knowing that we are off to a great start on the road to organization for 2012!

Be on the look-out for more 'Operation Organization' posts to come this year.

What aspect of your life are you trying to organize this year?

Anyone else's kids toys taking over their space?

A Big Giveaway from Me to You!

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:13:22 PST

I thought we would start 2012 off with a bang here on The Cottage Home with a giveaway from me to you. Why? Because I know I've told you before, but I so, so appreciate you all stopping by and leaving such sweet comments every day. This is the least I can do to say thank you for all your support.

So what do I have for you today?

I have a set of my favorite fabric organizers! These fabric organizers are the best. They make organizing your fabric yardage so easy. This set includes 72 organizers in three different sizes (24 of 3 different sizes). I did a post on these organizers awhile back (click HERE to read more).

Here's how the organizers work:

The organizers pictured above are for your yardage. They can hold up to 7-8 yards per organizer.

I'm all about getting organized this year, so I am so excited for one of you to win this set! There are many ways to organize your fabric, but trust me, these are the best!

In the pictures above, you can see the organizers in action. I took these pictures yesterday so this is what is currently stored in my studio on these mini-bolts (yes, I know, I think I need a support on my two shelves - lol - fabric is heavy). They will make your sewing room feel like a fabric store. When you can see all your fabrics clearly, it is incredibly inspiring and makes you want to create.

Next, I have a brand new book for you called 'The Busy Girls Guide to Sewing'. Like the title? Yes, I do too. I'm always feeling like there are never enough hours in the day to complete all the projects I have in my head. With 'The Busy Girls Guide to Sewing' by Carrie Maclennan, you can focus in on projects based on how much time you have to sew during the day.

My favorite part about this book is the way it's arranged into sections based on the amount of time you have to sew. Maybe it's 30 minutes or 60 minutes........whatever the amount of time you have, you can make sure to get your sewing fix. It also includes information about fabric, the creative online community and lots of other fun sewing tidbits.

I've taken the liberty to wrap two of the smaller organizers with some of my favorite trims from my personal collection. A majority of these are high-quality woven trims and all can be great additions to any of your sewing projects. I believe in focusing on the details in sewing and I think adding unique trims can help you achieve that heirloom quality look and feel. I cut most of these as one yard cuts, however, there are a few two yard cuts as well.

And what do you need to complete your latest sewing project? Woven labels! I ordered a set of these because I just thought you all would really love them. I love the saying, 'Made by Hand, Stitched with Love'. It's just so true. Whenever I am working on a project whether it is for one of my children, for a friend or even an order from my etsy shop, I am constantly thinking about the recipient. Thinking about how they will use the item, the look on their face when they receive it, and all the fun things that comes with giving handmade.

There are 3 yards worth of labels on one card which yields quite a few labels. I've also listed two more of these sets in my etsy shop, in case some of you would just prefer to snatch up one of these right now (click here).

And finally, I have a fat quarter bundle of some of my favorite Anna Griffin fabrics from her line, "Carmen". You will receive 8 fat quarters in coordinating prints for a total of two full yards. There are so many projects you can do with fat quarters that I think you will really enjoy this little collection.

So there you have it! A nice little giveaway to get your 2012 started off right.

The box of 72 organizers plus all the other goodies is packed and ready to be shipped to one of the lucky The Cottage Home blog readers.

Again, thank you all for your support and I'm looking forward to an inspiring, creative 2012!

~Here's how to enter ~

*Please answer the following question: Aside from sewing tutorials/projects, what kinds of posts are you hoping to see on The Cottage Home in 2012? I assume most of you are into sewing, so what else are you looking for (i.e. recipes, family life, quilting, clothing design, organization, business, pattern making, entertaining, kids, inspiration, book reviews, giveaways, ect......)?

In addition to answering the question above*, you can add additional entries by:

~Becoming a follower of The Cottage Home blog (follow in the left side-bar of the blog).

~'Like' The Cottage Mama on Facebook (click HERE).

~Post on your Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway.

Giveaway will be open until next Monday ~ January 9, 2012 at midnight (CST).

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:11:59 PST

2011 has been a great year.

I cannot believe it's almost over.

Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

This past year has been one of the best years of my life. We were blessed with the birth of our new baby boy, Caspian Finn. And I can honestly say he completes our little family. Not only do I feel blessed in my personal, family life, but I have been incredibly blessed in my professional, creative life as well. The release of my first two printed sewing patterns this year was a major accomplishment for me and I'm looking forward to many new designs coming out in 2012.

Here are some of the top tutorials from 2011 that were viewed time and time again on The Cottage Home:

1. Tile Coasters, 2. Lightweight Infinity Scarf, 3. Twin Onesies, 4. 15-Minute Pillowcases, 5. Embellished Bodice, 6. Potluck Bowl Covers, 7. The Party Dress Free Pattern, 8. Winter Wonderland Dress, 9. Fabric Portfolio and Notepad Holder, 10. Patchwork Travel Neck Pillow.

Another big favorite was the Semi-Handmade Wardrobe Series where I repurposed a lot of the girls clothing and made them into new, fresh looks for spring:

Semi-Handmade Wardrobe Recap

And the most popular party post from 2011 was Matilda's "Tea for 2" birthday party:

Matilda's "Tea for 2" Birthday Party

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to visit The Cottage Home in 2011. There are many exciting things planned for 2012 and I appreciate you coming along on this journey with me. And next week, I have a BIG giveaway planned from me to you ~ just as a little thank you.

So tell me, what was your favorite tutorial on The Cottage Home in 2011?

Here's to a great 2012!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:41:09 PST

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year!

Thank you for making blogging such a joyful and fulfilling experience for me. I appreciate each and every one of you that stop by The Cottage Home. There are so many things to be thankful for this year.

We have truly been blessed and my heart is filled with joy.

Love to you all,

Lindsay

We've Been Busy at The Cottage Home ~ Christmas Trees and Santa

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:21:33 PST

This last month seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye. We've been so busy trying to fit in all our Christmas festivities as I'm sure you have as well. This is a non-sewing, non-crafting, non-cooking related post, but I thought you might like to know what we've been up to.

Matilda and The Cottage Papa

The day after Thanksgiving we headed to our favorite local tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree. My husband and I both grew up with fresh Christmas trees and to tell you the truth, there is nothing like the smell of a 'real' Christmas tree. We've been going to this farm since before we had kids and after seven years, I guess we can call it a tradition.

Savannah and (soon-to-be) Uncle Bryan

My sister-in-law and (soon to be) brother-in-law came with us this year on the great tree hunt. We like this farm because it is very down to earth. There aren't a whole lot of bells and whistles (some farms around us have rides, attractions, horse drawn carriages), but you get the great feeling of the country life. This tree farm has been struggling the last few years because of a draught several years back. So even though the pickings are a little slim, we like to support them during this tough time.

Savannah Rose

Savannah didn't care much for the sound the saw made when cutting down the tree, so she hung back a little bit and took it all in from a far.

Aunt Abby and The Cottage Papa

That's our tree in the picture above or also known as the Christmas 'bush'. Once we got it inside our house we realized just how round it really is, but it suites us ~ it's got character.

Aunt Abby and Savannah

The day after Thanksgiving they had some pioneer living demonstrations and Savannah got to hand-dip a candle with some help from her Aunt Abby.

Matilda Jane

One of the favorite parts of our annual tree hunting adventure is getting nice and cozy with a cup of hot chocolate in the little warming house. That hot chocolate hits the spot after the cold, hard work of finding our perfect tree.

After we came home and set up our tree, we decorated it. This little guy (pictured above) was just a sweet, sweet angel throughout all our Christmas activity. We listened to Christmas music, decorated the tree and I made my favorite homemade chex mix (which is a MUST when decorating the tree).

And what a difference a year makes! The week after we got our tree, we took the kids to visit Santa. Last year Savannah would not even get close to the man. This year she ran right up to him, got on his lap and told him exactly what she wanted for Christmas ~ "I want a green dinosaur, a boy baby doll, and a red bouncy ball with a handle". I love a girl who knows what she wants! Matilda was fine with the man in the red suit, but she didn't say much. After we left, Savannah said "Wow, he is definitely nice!"

This past weekend my mom, Grandma Jane, and her husband Allen (aka 'Pepo") came to celebrate an early Christmas. We had a wonderful time, though our visits are always too short. What I wouldn't give to live closer to my mama........maybe someday......one can dream, right? Mom made us the most beautiful Christmas quilt that matches the kids Christmas outfits. I need to take some good pictures of it, but I can't wait to show you!

This week I'm going to be busy baking with the kids and finishing up my last handmade Christmas gifts. The current project in the works are 'baby doll kits' I'm making to go with the girl's 'American Girl Bitty Baby Boy' dolls that they are getting. Savannah and Matilda both really wanted boy babies because of their little brother, so I'm having fun using all of this boy printed fabric to make the accessories for their dolls.

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season.

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

The Joy of Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:07:49 PST

The following post was a guest post I did recently over at Lil Blue Boo. Ashley has had some different guest bloggers over talking about how they find the joy in blogging. Ashley is undergoing cancer treatment. If you don't know her story, I would encourage you to visit her blog. She is a true inspiration.

I seem to have Ashley on my mind daily with all that she is going through during her cancer treatment. I pray for her and her family quite often and I hope things move in a positive direction. Ashley is such an incredible example of what it means to "Choose Joy" in ones life. I could only hope that if I was dealt the same set of cards, that I could carry on and be a positive inspiration like Ashley. But I honestly don't know ~ she is pretty darn amazing.

So, the question is "How do you find joy in blogging?"

I started my blog, The Cottage Home, almost exactly two years ago. It originally started as a way to share my projects, recipes and ideas with my family and friends. I began blogging through the encouragement of one of my friends. She was really into reading blogs and knew that I was into, what I like to call, the domestic life. When she told me that she would read my blog if I wrote one, I couldn't believe it. Really? Someone would actually be interested in my life? I figured if even one person would read what I had to say, maybe others would too.

I find blogging to give me an identity outside of being a mother. Yes, mother and wife are my two central roles, but I think it is so important for us to continue to pursue our passions outside of those primary roles. I also want my children (two girls and a boy) to see me as something outside of their mother. I hope that when they look back at the blog I have created they will not only see their mother, but they will see creativity, passion, drive, a business woman and more.

Being a stay-at-home mom is wonderful, but sometimes it is hard to find other women that have the same passions and interests as myself locally. Through blogging I have connected with more women who share my love of sewing, cooking, crafting and all things domestic than I could have ever imagined. I love knowing that there are other women out there that share my same desire to create, my same addiction to fabric, and my same focus on family and the domestic life.

There is an innate desire within me to create. Whether that may be creating a project for my children, creating a gift for a friend, or creating a comforting meal that I can share with my family. Through creating I show those around me how I love and care about them. The true joy comes when I can inspire others through my way of life to create things in their own lives.

My blog is pretty sewing focused and it is trilling to receive an email from a reader where I have inspired them to get back into sewing. Perhaps they used to sew, but got bored with it and now I have created a project that they are excited about trying. Or maybe it's someone whose mother sewed while they were growing up and now they want to sew for their own children. Or maybe a grandmother has seen the girls clothing I create and is inspired to create something for their grandchildren. Whatever the reason may be, if I can inspire someone to return to their sewing machine, then in that, I find true joy.

Not only do I hope to inspire others through blogging, I am forever inspired by my fellow bloggers as well. I thought I would share some of the dresses Ashley's sewing patterns have inspired me to create.

Thank you so much for inspiring us all through your blog, Ashley! Keep staying positive ~ we are rooting for you!

So, if you blog, how do you find the joy in blogging?

I'd love to hear from you!

Sponsor Love

noreply@blogger.com (The Cottage Mama) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:56:19 PST

I thought I would take this opportunity to share some deals/discounts/new stock from The Cottage Home blog sponsors. I love each and every one of these shops. I do not accept every interested sponsor, so when you see these folks listed in my right side-bar, rest assured that I highly recommend them.

If you have any last minute Christmas shopping to do for someone crafty or perhaps you need some more supplies to finish up that last-minute Christmas gift, I would love for you to check out these sponsors before shopping somewhere else. These are all small businesses and in our current economic times, it's important for us to give as much support to them as possible!

The Cottage Home Blog Sponsors:

Fat Quarter Shop: Currently hosting the Countdown to Christmas. For 12 Days they will be offering deals of 30% - 50% off selected items.

Check back daily for new deals!

Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops: See current promotion below.

Shabby Fabrics: Starting the Year-End Clearance. Click HERE to view all current sale items.

Additionally, they are offering a great new variety of "Block of the Month" programs. You can view the amazing collection of "Block of the Months", by clicking HERE.

Ellie Inspired Sewing Patterns: Laura, owner/designer, of Ellie Inspired has been a busy lady adding 9 new knit patterns to her shop since her last giveaway on The Cottage Home blog. She is currently offering a couple bundle packages of her knit patterns - Size 1-5 and Size 4-12. Patterns can be purchased individually as well.

Ellie Inspired is offering 20% OFF your entire purchase if you mention "The Cottage Home" at check out.

Butterfly Kisses Fabrics: Currently offering $10 off a purchase of $50 or more with code BK1050 at check-out.

Butterfly Kisses Fabrics recently received pre-cuts for the following lines: Good Fortune by Kate Spain, Reunion by Sweetwater, Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket, A Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey as well as yardage and pre-cuts of Half Moon Modern. They also have several new lines scheduled for arrival in January.

Modern Fabric Studio: Check out their sale below!

HeartSong Quilts: Our newest blog sponsor. Check out their unique selection of Australian Aboriginal Designs as well as plenty of other gorgeous fabrics. They are one of the most unique brick and mortar shops in the United States.

HeartSong Quilts also offers long-arm quilting services, so if you were ever interested in having your quilt quilted by machine, this shop can handle all of your needs!

Elizabeth Victoria Fine Stationary: There's still time to place your holiday card and custom stationary order in time for Christmas. Check out their unique die-cut cards! See sale below.

AccuQuilt: AccuQuilt is the perfect gift for any quilter, sewer or crafter. Check out a couple of their current promotions below.

A big giant thank you to all of my sponsors!

I'm so happy to have each and every one of you and it is my pleasure to help you all grow in your business.
Happy Holidays!

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of The Cottage Home blog, please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com for rates and additional information.

The Cottage Home

The Cottage Kids Favorite Toys ~ Age 2 through 4

Sponsored Australian Aboriginal Fabric Bundle Giveaway ~ Heartsong Quilts

Winners, Winners......

Stitched Whimsy by Heidi Boyd ~ Book Review

On my mind.....Life, Love and Joy

Biltmore Inspirations Inspired Living Giveaway ~ $50.00 Gift Certificate

Circus 1st Birthday Dress from a Repurposed Bridesmaid Dress

Smoked Chipotle Pulled Pork Quesadillas ~ Recipe

From Grandma with Love.........A Christmas Quilt

A Little Announcement: Riley Blake Project Design Team

The Cottage Mama on Pinterest

Slow Cooker Green Chicken and Rice Soup ~ Recipe

Sodee Naturals Giveaway

And the winners are......

Resewlutions Guest Post: 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game

On the Cutting Table

Easy, Healthy Snack ~ Spice Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas Recipe

Sponsored Fabric Giveaway: Canton Village Quilt Works

Operation Organization: Velcro Toy Storage Labels

A Big Giveaway from Me to You!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We've Been Busy at The Cottage Home ~ Christmas Trees and Santa

The Joy of Blogging

Sponsor Love

The Cottage Home

The Cottage Kids Favorite Toys ~ Age 2 through 4

Sponsored Australian Aboriginal Fabric Bundle Giveaway ~ Heartsong Quilts

Winners, Winners......

Stitched Whimsy by Heidi Boyd ~ Book Review

On my mind.....Life, Love and Joy

Biltmore Inspirations Inspired Living Giveaway ~ $50.00 Gift Certificate

Circus 1st Birthday Dress from a Repurposed Bridesmaid Dress

Smoked Chipotle Pulled Pork Quesadillas ~ Recipe

From Grandma with Love.........A Christmas Quilt

A Little Announcement: Riley Blake Project Design Team

The Cottage Mama on Pinterest

Slow Cooker Green Chicken and Rice Soup ~ Recipe

Sodee Naturals Giveaway

And the winners are......

Re*sew*lutions Guest Post: 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game

On the Cutting Table

Easy, Healthy Snack ~ Spice Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas Recipe

Sponsored Fabric Giveaway: Canton Village Quilt Works

Operation Organization: Velcro Toy Storage Labels

A Big Giveaway from Me to You!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We've Been Busy at The Cottage Home ~ Christmas Trees and Santa

The Joy of Blogging

Sponsor Love

Resewlutions Guest Post: 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game