Weekend Sewing

First off, if you haven't gone over to Project Run and Play to vote this week, would you mind heading over there and voting for #3 "Lindsay's Girly Girl Twirl Dress"?  I usually ask you guys to vote for your favorite look, but this week I need your help! 

This was a particularly hard challenge for me (I'm not much into current women's fashion trends).  We are definitely at risk for being eliminated and the next week is the vintage-inspired challenge which I know I can rock!!  So, if you all would please, pretty please, head over and vote, I would be so grateful!  Voting is only open until midnight tonight.

Click HERE to visit Project Run and Play!

This weekend I decided to take a little time to do some sewing for myself and my family.  I started my very first string-block quilt and these are my first four squares.

For those of you that sew a lot of clothing, you know how many scraps you end up having left over.  I thought this quilt would be perfect for using up all those skinny little scraps that I can't bare to throw away.  Plus, I love the eclectic look of all the different pretty fabrics.

 

A string block quilt has a "constant" strip of fabric that is sewn down the middle on the diagonal that is usually some type of solid color.  I chose to use white.  When all of the blocks are arranged the "constant" ends up making a diamond shape.  Pretty neat, huh?

In the picture above, you can see how the thin white strip forms a diamond when four blocks are placed together.  I plan on this quilt taking me a very long time, but I love that I am using my scraps and I know it will be gorgeous when it is all finished.

I also decided to sew a quick peasant style dress for my daughter Savannah.  I used the pattern that was given to us during the last Leila and BenProject Run and Play Challenge (the Sweet Dress pattern).  I actually sewed the pattern the way it was instructed this time.

This dress pattern took me about 45 minutes to get sewn (garment label and all!).  I would say if you are a beginner it might take about an hour and a half, but no more than that.  It's super-simple and only has two pattern pieces to cut! I would highly recommend this pattern to any new sewer that is looking to start to make children's clothing.

The only thing I did different with the pattern was to add the ruffle detail down the front.  I think this is going to be a great little dress for spring/summer.  And what I really love about this pattern is that Savannah will be able to continue to wear this as a top when she gets taller - gotta love that!

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Cottage Mama's Note:  The fabric used for the peasant dress is Heather Bailey's Pop Garden - Rose Bouquet - Emerald.

Interior Design Show, Roundup of some favourites

Here are some of my favourite finds/vignettes at the Toronto Interior Design Show. The show was so large and contained so many amazing vendors! Tomorrow stay tuned for my favourite booth at IDS.
1.House and Home Magazine's booth 2.Edgewater Tile 3.John Paul & Co 4.Edgewater Tile 5. Jane Lockheart's Booth 6.Oeno Gallery 7. Snob

Time For A Party

Are you familiar with Party Resources?This blog is home to some gorgeous pictures/work...
I can't read it without wanting to get married again...
Anyhoo, I will be over on Party Resources today guest blogging, please stop and check it out!

{ SLATE COASTERS }

a quick weekend project...

Home Depot - $3.97 for nine 4" tiles

coat with a spray of clear when finished...

cute?

Interior Design Gala, Kick off dinner

This weekend is the Interior Design Show here in Toronto. To kick off the festivities 50 design bloggers and people from the Interior Design community got together for a fabulous dinner organized by Meredith Heron and Sonya Kinkade. This was one good looking bunch --- No wonder CityLine came to film.

Held at the fabulous Nota Bene it was an evening to remember. Since it was so busy and in a relatively small space, the majority of the evenings socializing (at least for me) was done from our seats during dinner. Around me I was seated with some amazing people - the awesome Lauren McPhillips and Margot Austin from Style at Home Magazine, Mary Taggart, the Editor for Ottawa at Home Magazine, Designer Kimberly Seldon, Arren Williams and Sonya Kinkade ...and these were just the people I was sitting beside! A few times I paused and just looked around at the guests, took a deep breath and let the moment sink in. It was surreal to be surrounded by so many people I admired and really just liked as people. Everyone else continued on to the Interior Design Show Gala afterwards, however I stepped outside, hailed a cab and happily headed home to a comfy bed and little Oscar who was waiting for me. Coming up are some photos from the IDS. xo

Photos....(1) Kimberly Seldon being filmed as she tweets (2) The venue, Nota Bene (3) The hilarious Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault (4) Margot Austin and Lauren McPhillips (5) Tracy Moore, host of Cityline filming (6) The camera guy...oh my goodness, I forget his name!

Quiet Time

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Week 3 Project Run and Play: Adult Fashion Inspiration

The Girly Girl Twirl Dress

This weeks Project Run and Play challenge was to take a women's fashion trend, brand, or look and create an outfit for a child.  Rather than making a mini-version of an adult look, I decided I wanted to create my own unique look based on several women's fashion trends that would be truly wearable for a child - thus, I created the Girly Girl Twirl Dress.

These were my inspiration dresses for creating this look.........

I have been loving the soft, tiered feminine ruffles, the gorgeous deep jewel-tone colors, and the little lace details that we've been seeing in women's fashion.

I used a super-soft cotton/spandex fabric to create the long-sleeved top for the dress.  I also added three tiered ruffles to the end of both sleeves.  On the bodice I added tiered ruffles, surrounded by a little lace detail and finished with a gorgeous piece of woven vintage trim.

The skirt of the dress is made from a spandex, ruffle fabric in the a mix of the gorgeous jewel-tone colors.  Underneath the dress, I added a pair of black leggings that have a ruffle edge at the bottom (it's kind of hard to see in the photos).  I created a head-band from the ruffle fabric and the vintage woven trim.  The look is finished with a pair of Chanel-inspired, black patent-leather, quilted ballet flats.

Comfort is key when it comes to children's -wear.  I really wanted to create a look that was truly wearable for a child.  She could run, jump, play or twirl and be incredible comfortable and stylish at the same time!  And I know this dress fit the bill, because Savannah did not want to take it off - she told me it was "SO cozy and soft".  Perfect - mission accomplished!!

Head on over to Project Run and Play and vote for your favorite look!

Click HERE to visit Project Run and Play.

{ Laundry Room }

I planned on waving my magic wand and giving the laundry room a whole new look

in a matter of minutes ~

but,

it hasn't been easy.

My magic wand is on the fritz.

I have never had problems choosing paint colors.

but, the lighting in this room has me stumped.

I've painted the cabinets 3 different colors so far.

N O N E 

of them are working.

I thought I could add a few upgrades, like a butcher block counter top ~

simple.

And removing several of the cabinet doors.

I whipped up a quick burlap skirt for the bottom of the counter area - 

which makes me realize I must paint the insides of the cabinets also.

So, I've got to resolve this paint color issue.

The lighting is Hor-i-ble!

I was trying to think a little out of the box and paint the cabinets & walls something daring.

Something that still went with the rest of the house, but with a Ahh factor.

I've come up with this...

white walls.

yes, white.

something like this comes to mind, only in a laundry version.

{ if this is your room raise your hand }

I've never done white walls before.

I think that will brighten up the yellow problem.

Then the cabinets will be, well, you'll see...

Oilcloth Giveaway

I realized it's been awhile since I did a giveaway here, so I think it is time!  Today I am giving away two half yard cuts of oilcloth from my personal stash for a total of 1 yard (the two prints are pictured below).  

If you've never worked with oilcloth, you are going to love it!  There are so many super-fun projects you can do with the versatile material.  Here are some examples of some great projects made with oilcloth:

Click HERE for more information.

To enter the Oilcloth Giveaway do one (or more) of the following (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

1)  Leave a comment and let me know what you might make if you win the oilcloth.

2)  Become an official follower of The Cottage Home blog (if you already follow, just let me know)

3)  Become a fan of The Cottage Mama (http://www.facebook.com/TheCottageMama) on facebook (again, if you already are, then simply let me know).

4) Finally, "suggest" your facebook friends become a fan of The Cottage Mama.

There are FOUR chances to enter this giveaway.  Please include your email address with each entry.  Giveaway will be open through Tuesday, February 1 at midnight (CST).

Cottage Mama's Note:  My next giveaway will only be offered to The Cottage Mama facebook fans, so if you are interested in a chance to win exclusive giveaways, please join us over on The Cottage Mama facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/TheCottageMama).

Eye candy for you

Today I'm off to the Interior Design Show today with little Oscar. I'm looking for interior decor inspiration, and there happens to be some appliance manufacturers at the show....our kitchen is slowly breaking down it's a good idea to do research. Appliances have come a long way, and the companies are considering style as well as function, so that you don't only get the best appliance, but one that works with your decor. I'll do a little recap of the show next week, but in the meantime here are just some eye candy posts of some images I found on Coco Peal's blog of Armonia Decors interiors.

Have a great weekend!

Update to our blog

Our blog has a new feature, and that is something called Disqus, a blog commenting system that allows me to directly answer, or address, specific comments on our blog. I get so much great feedback and sometimes I don't know how to say thank you.I was inspired after seeing Brynn add it to her blog.. I'd love to know what you think of it - I'm debating keeping it, but I'm liking it so far. :)

Unlike Brynn, I had issues installing it +  Kelly @blushink asked me if I needed help. Within a few short hours, Kelly had installed it for me on my blog.  So take a peek at her blog templates. If you're looking for a web redesign consider Kelly - I'm still a bit shocked at the amazing kindness in my blog & twitter friends. You are a lovely bunch.  

Is It Spring Yet?

Sorry to start this talk already, it seems seasonal depression has grabbed hold of me and refuses to let go...

Wall colour .. *gasp* I said colour

Thanks for your awesome feedback and high fives on our trim project. Nothing beats posting something to come back to find super nice comments. So thank you! We have to take a pause in our trim project as Aubrey has to go back to work. We hope to finish the trim by next Wednesday. In the meantime, I'm debating colour.  Ok, so I freely admit that my idea of colour is different than many people's...I enjoy soft muted colours. So let's tackle some inspirational photos. First up, Nate Berkus. Ok...so this is a colour. I could go bold and do this. (You are laughing over on your end of the computer at the fact that this would be considered bold for me...I know it) I think it is stunning.

via

And had I know Jen was going to go hang out with Nate, I would have told her to bring my Benjamin Moore paint deck to try to match the colour. (Kidding)

Photo Credit the Los Angeles Times

But again there is the original inspirational photo by Carol Reed. The photo on the left has a soft blue tone to it which is right up my alley as I'm much more drawn to the cooler colours than warm tones. (Remember the kitchen bench disaster - that was when I realized I always should stick to the blues and greens in the house)

via

Decisions, decisions. Maybe I'll find some inspiration at the Toronto Interior Design Show this weekend.

i feel a change comin’ on

At the moment I have a pair of these on order…

 

I’m totally in love with the fabric.  I’m anxious to see if I love it as much in person.  If I do, then Baby Chase may have a new nursery design coming his way.  Luckily everything that I’ve purchased for his nursery up to this point will either totally work with this fabric or is able to be returned. 

LiveJournal Tags: baby chase's nursery