Baby Lock and The Cottage Mama

I've been wanting to share my new machines with you for several months and now it's finally time!

Meet the two newest members of The Cottage Mama team.......

 The Baby Lock Ellegante 3 Sewing and Embroidery Machine 

The Baby Lock Evolution 8-Thread Serger & Cover Stitch Machine

I was recently sent these amazing new machines from the folks over at Baby Lock and let me tell you that they are truly "dream machines". I was content sewing on my Brother Sewing Machine (CS6000i) and Serger (1034d), but these Baby Lock machines take things to a whole new level. I kind of feel like talking to them and saying "Where have you been my whole life?" But the truth of the matter is that I just didn't even know some of these fantastic features existed on the higher end sewing machines.

I am thrilled to be working with Baby Lock and to have them here as a sponsor. I will be doing some new tutorials and sewing projects for them over on the official Baby Lock blog, Totally Stitchin' coming up soon. You will be able to find a link to their blog under the sponsors heading in the right side-bar of The Cottage Home.

So let me tell you a little bit more about my new machines.......

First up is the new Ellegante 3 Sewing and Embroidery Machine. I guess you could say Miss Ellegante and I had sort of a 'Love at first stitch' experience when she first arrived. She is so quiet and just purrs along as I sew.....music to my ears.

Here are some of the features on this fabulous machine that I really enjoy:

•  Automatic Needle Threading. Just push the button and in 4 seconds the machine is ready to go.

• Automatic Thread Cutting. Again, just push the button.

• Two Thread Spool Holders

• Drop-In Bobbin

• Low bobbin thread indicator

• Stitch memory library - Great for stitches that you use a lot such as gathering and machine applique. It saves the stitch width, length and tension for easy recall.

• LCD Touch Screen that shows you your actual designs and stitch settings and also has a informational guide included so you never have to pull out the manual!

• On Screen Embroidery Design Editing for combining words, pictures, frames and more.

• 531 Built-In Stitches - Everything from a wide scallop stitch, heirloom stitches to borders and decorative characters.

• 492 Built-In Embroidery Designs - Including 14 different font libraries for personalizing and monogramming, applique embroidery, gorgeous floral and seasonal motifs. I love that you can view the designs in the different size hoops before you actually embroider.

• Gorgeous fonts, including a floral alphabet.

• Direct connectivity to your PC and can be used with external drives (floppy, flash, CD)

• Circular Sewing Attachment to make perfect circles with straight or decorative utility stitches.

More specific details on the Ellegante 3:

So not only did they send me the Ellegante 3, but I also received the Baby Lock Evolution 8-Thread Serger:

This serger is so easy to use. If you're not familiar with Baby Lock, their sergers essentially thread for you and they don't have tension dials to fuss with when you switch stitches.

You see those little holes in the picture above (the ones labeled U, L and C). Well, you put your threads in those holes and the machine sucks them in and threads it for you. It is incredibly cool!

Also, one of the biggest challenges with my other serger was that if I wanted to change out one of the threads or if one of them broke, I had to re-thread the whole thing from start to finish in the appropriate order. Well, not with the Evolution. If I want to just change out the upper-looper, I simply remove it, put the new thread in the hole, push the button and I'm ready to go!

I absolutely love not having to worry about the tension on this machine. I just pick my stitch and the machine knows how to adjust the tension for perfect serging every time.

Here are some more specifics about the features of the Evolution:

To say that I was excited when these machines arrived a few months ago is probably an understatement, I was ecstatic! I can't wait to incorporate more machine embroidery, monogramming, serging and more into my designs. Like I said, these machines are truly a dream to sew on and I am so excited about my partnership / sponsorship with Baby Lock.

Look for upcoming projects and guests post over on the Totally Stitchin' blog (the official blog of Baby Lock Sewing Machines and Sergers). Also if you have any questions about my experience with these machines, feel free to email or leave me a comment.

To keep updated with Baby Lock feel free to visit their website, blog and facebook page.

Goose Creek Candle Co. Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to try out Goose Creek Candle Co.'s lovely candles from their American Heirloom Collection. If you like scented candles, you are going to love these.  

Goose Creek sent me my scent of choice and I must say that it was really hard to choose. I love all the smells of fall......pumpkin, apple, spice, ect., so I ended up going with Spiced Gourmet, but like I said, it was a tough decision.

Here are some of the fall scents that looked pretty wonderful:

I really liked the American Heirloom Collection candle that they sent. It had a pretty metal top with no label on the side so it actually blended into my decor a little bit better than the ones with the big labels. But they offer the candles in both styles.

The Spiced Gourmet smelled heavenly! I made sure to burn it for a week, so I could really tell you whether or not I liked it. The scent was just right........some candles are a little much for me (and especially for my husband), but this one was great. It made my house smell so nice and cozy and was perfect for the start of fall. Also, I feel like I barely put a dent in it and I had it burning for quite a few hours.

So do you want one for yourself? 

Well, luckily Goose Creek Candle Co. is giving away a 16 oz. American Heirloom Collection Candle in the scent of your choice to one lucky The Cottage Home blog reader.

And, Goose Creek Candle Co. is offering a coupon code for 25% off your total purchase.

Enter code: 1050

Here's how to enter:

Visit Goose Creek Candle Co. and come back and leave a comment on this post letting us know what scent you think you might choose if you win. (Click Here).

Giveaway will be open until September 30, 2012 at Midnight (CST).

Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway at Fat Quarter Shop

Today, over at Fat Quarter Shop, I'm talking a little bit about my Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle that I hand selected for their shop. 

I also answered a few questions for them. If you can guess my answers, then you will be entered to win your very own one of my Blogger's Choice Bundles.

I have to admit, this bundle is even more gorgeous in person (if I do say so myself)!

To enter the giveaway, you must do so over at Fat Quarter Shop. 

Click HERE to enter and read more about this custom bundle.

Japanese Fat Quarter Bundle and Washi Tape Giveaway

I'm so excited about today's giveaway. If I could enter, I most definitely would. Today's Japanese Fat Quarter Bundle and Washi Tape Giveaway comes to us from Modes4u.com.

Modes4u.com is an online shop for cute fabrics, stationery, DIY items and accessories which are imported from Japan and the USA. The shop carries more than 1,000 colourful fabrics from labels like Kokka, Cosmo, echino, Michael Miller, Robert Kaufman or Riley Blake. Modes4u has a wide variety of materials and prints; just recently they added lots of organic fabrics to their shop. You get free shipping for purchases worth $78 or more to any country in the world.

Today Modes4u.com is giving away 10 Fat Quarters of these amazing Japanese Fabrics as well as two Washi tapes to one very lucky The Cottage Home blog reader. Here is exactly what is included:

Looks good, right? Want to enter to win? Here's how to enter (do one or all of the following, leaving a separate comment for each entry):

1. Visit Modes4u.com and leave a comment tell us what is your favorite product in their shop (Click Here).
2. Like Modes4u on Facebook (Click Here).
3. Follow Modes4u on Pinterest (Click Here).
4. Blog about this giveaway and link to Modes4u.com (just leave a comment letting us know you did so).

Giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY through September 18, 2012 at Midnight (CST).

Lindsay Wilkes' Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle: Now Available!

It has arrived!  My Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle is now available for purchase at the Fat Quarter Shop.  I blogged about this several months back when I was selected to customize a bundle for the month of September.  I'm still incredibly flattered that they asked me.......I am definitely in good company with some of the amazingly talented women who have put together bundles for them recently.

The bundle I selected is $45 and it includes a fat quarter of each of the prints and solids pictured above (which is a total of 15 fat quarters).  There is a little bit of everything in this bundle.  And I really think it shouts Fall!  What prints and solids are included?

Here is the list from Fat Quarter Shop.......

Bundle includes:

• Chicopee - PWDS31-REDXX
• Cameo - PWAB99-CARMI
• The Birds and the Bees - PWTP024-SUGAR
• Chicopee - PWDS27-LIMEX
• Chicopee - PWDS27-REDXX
• Cameo - PWAB98-SCARL
• Lilly Belle - LB-1104
• Seaside - C2966-BLUE
• The Birds and the Bees - PWTP26-SUNSE
• Indie - IN-5106
• Lark - PWAB75-JADEX
• Cameo - PWAB94-INKXX
• Pure Elements - PE-427
• Pure Elements - PE-417
• Kona - K001-346

So, again, I just wanted to let you know that the bundle was now available for purchase since all of the prints have arrived.  I don't make any money from the purchase of these bundles, but they are sending me my very own bundle to play around with ~ yay!

Let me know if you have any questions!  

Lindsay Wilkes' Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle can be purchased by clicking HERE.

WINNERS!

And the winners of the two giveaways we had this past week are.........

Southern Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle:

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies Fabric and Cookbook from Grandma Jane:

Congratulations to our two winners!  You are both going to love these prizes!  Please email Lindsay at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your mailing addresses and contact information and we will get you your prize as soon as possible.  Thank you to everyone who entered!

Souther Fabric Giveaway: Fat Quarter Bundle

We want to give a big giant welcome to our new sponsor Aubrey Marshall from Southern Fabric (Southernfabric.com)!

I've been looking forward to introducing Southern Fabric to you all for awhile.......I know you are going to love their style and selection!  Aubrey has been in business for over 7 years and has sold over 75 thousand items to happy customers worldwide.  Feel free to browse her shop and add her to your favorites. Southern Fabric is constantly adding new Moda, Free Spirit, Westminster and Riley Blake.

Check out some of my personal favorites from Southern Fabric:

 

Oh Deer by MoMo

Check out this GORGEOUS quilt made from 'Oh Deer'.

Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket

Aviary 2 Lilac by Joel Dewberry Half Yard Bundle

Cocoon Jelly Roll by Valori Wells

And now onto the........

GIVEAWAY

Today Southern Fabric is giving away a 

Fat Quarter Bundle (11 Fat Quarters) of Dena Designs 'McKenzie'!

Here's how to enter to win:

Like Southern Fabric on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/southernfabric and leave a comment letting us know that you did.  That's it.....pretty easy!

Southern Fabric also has a coupon code for 10% storewide, good until the 16th of August using code:  tenpercent

Giveaway open until Sunday, August 12, 2012 at midnight (CST).

New Sponsor Giveaway: Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns

I'm very excited to introduce another new sponsor here on The Cottage Home blog ~

Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns

I was thrilled to be contacted by the folks behind Quilt in a Day and extremely flattered to have them sign on as a sponsor.  Here is a little more information from Quilt in a Day:

"Quit in a Day has everything you need to make a quilt - books, patterns, free block patterns, notions, fabrics, rulers and videos! Quilt in a Day was founded in 1975 by "Hall of Fame" quilter, Eleanor Burns. Through out her career, Eleanor has published over 100 'How-to' quilt books, developed an Eleanor Burns Signature Pattern Collection and designed a variety of specialty rules all produced to aid the quilter in successfully and easily completing their quilt. Her Quilt in a Day TV series began airing on PBS and is still broadcasting nationwide and abroad, even teaching in Japan."

Guess what?  Quilt in a Day is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to one lucky The Cottage Home blog reader to use on their website!

Quilt in a Day has loads of quilting fabric.  Did you see that up there?  Yep, some for only $3.00 - $4.00 per yard!  Plus lots of kits, precuts and more!  Click HERE to check out their fabrics.

How about quilt books?  Yes, they've got them!  Lots and lots for you to choose from.  Click HERE to check out the Quilt in a Day Books.

For those of you who are visual learners, there are a large variety of videos for you to watch to learn all sorts of quilting techniques.  Click HERE to check out the video library.

I encourage you to head over to Quilt in a Day and check out all they have to offer.  You could spend hours looking around at all the wonderful information and they beautiful things that they sell in their shop.

Now for the giveaway.........

Want to win a $25.00 gift certificate to Quilt in a Day?

Here's how to enter:  

Visit Quilt in a Day and leave a comment telling me what your favorite thing is about their website?

Click HERE to visit Quilt in a Day

Giveaway open until Thursday, July 26, 2012 at midnight (CST).

Crafter's Vision Giveaway

Over the last several month we have gotten quite a few new sponsors here at The Cottage Home and I want to make sure you get to know each and every one.  So many of them are wonderful resources for supplies for all your creative projects.  First up, is an amazing online sewing and crafting shop called Crafter's Vision.

Crafter’s Vision is a one stop shop where you can get the latest fabrics, ribbons and accessories! They offer free shipping for fabric and ribbon orders over $30 (see website for coupon code and details), refund any shipping that can be reduced, send out free fabric and ribbon samples, and overall, offer outstanding customer service! 

Their amazing selection of crafting supplies, fabrics, notions and trims is a creative persons dream.  They stock the most up-to-date fabrics and stock many of the woven trims that I like to use in The Cottage Mama sewing creations.  Not to mention the fact that they have really great pricing on all of their products. 

A few things on my wishlist from Crafter's Vision are.......

Adornit - Pink Dazzled - Plum Main Cotton Fabric

Anthology - The Woodlands - Cream Main Cotton Fabric

(I just love 'cottage' fabric......go figure)

Dena Designs - Pink Happi Birds Woven Ribbon

And today, Crafter's Vision has a very generous giveaway for The Cottage Home blog readers.  They are giving away this beautiful bundle of sewing and crafting supplies valued at over $70.00.

Crafter's Vision Bundle

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

1 fat eight collection of Aneela Hoey’s “Little Apples” from Moda (29 piece bundle)

1 natural tote bag

Assortment of ribbons

Assortment of Heavy duty webbing

5 fob tips and split rings

5 barrettes

10 button covers

5 headbands

2 swivel hooks

5 pull apart key rings

1 pkg buttons

So what do you think?  Pretty nice, huh.  Yep, I wish I could enter!  

But here's how you can win this great bundle from Crafter's Vision:

Visit Crafter's Vision and leave us a comment about what you like about their shop or what products are on your wishlist?

(CLICK HERE)

Giveaway open until Friday, July 20, 2012 at midnight (CST). 

I am so very grateful to all The Cottage Home blog sponsors and I'm so happy to be able to share all of these wonderful shops with all of you.  We've got several other new sponsors that I will be sharing with you over the next couple weeks, so check back to learn more about some other great resources for fabric, trims and more!

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 more information.