The Cottage Mama on Pinterest

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!  

Fall Issue Delish Magazine - I'm a Contributor!

About 6-months or so ago I was asked to contribute a sewing/craft tutorial for a new online magazine publication called Delish Magazine.  I had checked out their very first issue and I was instantly in love.  I loved the premise behind the magazine - "Live like you mean it".  And on top of this being a fabulous online women's magazine, it is totally free to the reader!

Our fall issue just launched and I really hope you will take the time to visit this wonderful magazine and check out my sewing tutorial.  There is everything from fashion, living, cooking, health, beauty, reading, nesting, sewing and crafting......a little something for everyone.




Here are some pictures for my Laptop / I-pad / Kindle Case Tutorial:

That's all I can show you here on the blog right now.  If you want to learn how to make this Laptop / I-Pad / Kindle Case, you'll have to head over to Delish Magazine and check it out - you won't be sorry, there is a ton of wonderful information in the fall issue.  And when you're over there, check out my little bio on the "contributors" page.  I feel so honored to be part of this group!

Hope everyone had a great weekend - I sure did (but more about that later)!

New Sponsor Highlight: The Blog Guidebook

I'm so excited to introduce you to one of my new sponsors, The Blog Guidebook. Please click here to read more about this lovely new sponsor of The Cottage Home.

Think you would be a good fit for The Cottage Home? Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please email me (thecottagemama@gmail.com) for rates and additional information.

The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen

I was so excited to receive an unexpected package in the mail today.  Isn't it exciting when you find a package at your doorstep and you have know idea what's inside because it's not your birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas or your Anniversary?  Well, yes, that was me this afternoon.

But of course, this lovely package was from my wonderful Mother.  The Cottage Mama's Mama always knows how to put a smile on her girls face.  I had mentioned last week that I wanted to get this book - The Farm Chicks In The Kitchen.  And of course, being the amazing Mom that she is, she surprised me and ordered it!

So tonight I plan on reading through this lovely book that I am SO excited to finally have in my possession.  Do any of you have this book?  Thoughts?  Any recipes I MUST try?  Well, if I come across any winners, I'll make sure to share with you all!

Here's a link to The Farm Chick's blog if you want to check it out - it's really cute and has great style.

On another note, I'm on a super nesting kick right now (no, I am not pregnant :-) - rearranging and de-cluttering my house.  It feels great, but I'm in the stage right now where it looks worse before it can look better - ahhhhh.  I'm really trying to work on my lack of patience and understand that this is going to take more than a day, but hopefully I can get it all done this week (we'll see).  Wish me luck!

Hope you all had a great weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

Did you know......

Did you know that there are several ways to keep up to date with The Cottage Mama?

I have recently added a Facebook fan page listed under The Cottage Mama.  I will occasionally be announcing discounts or sales for my etsy shop that will be exclusive for my Facebook fans.  So if you are interested in finding out about these sales, please head on over to facebook and sign up as a fan.  If you guys can help me reach 200 fans over the next week, I plan to offer you something special!


The Cottage Mama



I also signed up for a Twitter account, but please forgive me, I am VERY new to Twitter and because of that I have simply linked my Facebook account to my Twitter account for now.  So feel free to follow me on Twitter if you are more comfortable with that site than Facebook.  You can find me @thecottagemama on Twitter.

Click here to follow me on Twitter

Finally, I have created The Cottage Home community on blogfrog.  Never heard of blogfrog?  Well, come on over and check it out!  On blogfrog we will have a discussion board where you guys can post discussion topics, write comments, ask questions relating to the topics blogged about here at The Cottage Home - Sewing. Cooking. Crafting. And All Things Domestic.  Come join my community!!

Click here to join The Cottage Home Community

On a personal note, my Mom is coming to town from Texas tomorrow so we can attend the Chicago Quilt Festival this weekend - I am SO excited!  I can't wait to hang with my best girlfriend, my Mama, and check out all of the fabric and gorgeous quilts at the festival.  I'm hoping to get some more inspiration for the designs in my etsy shop.

So I will be taking a break from blogging for the rest of the week, but I will check back with you after my Mom's visit!

Have a great rest of your week!

The Cottage Mama is in the Mommyhood!

I'm so excited that Shannon over at luvinthemommyhood.com has posted this lovely feature/interview about my family, myself and my etsy shop "The Cottage Mama".  Yes, that's right, I have an etsy shop!  I know I haven't officially talked too much about my shop here on the blog, but I just recently got some inventory listed and I'm open for business!! 


I am doing a giveaway for a $25.00 gift certificate to my shop over at luvinthemommyhood.  I would love if you would head over to luvinthemommyhood, check out the interview and enter to win!!  You will also learn lots more about "The Cottage Mama".  While you're over there, take a few minutes to poke around Shannon's blog - she has some wonderful projects, ideas, and gorgeous pictures!

If you would like to keep updated with "The Cottage Mama" become a fan on facebook.  Click here to become a fan!

Living Locurto - Creative Ideas & Free Downloads

Have you heard of this website - Living Locurto?  I only recently discovered this fabulous site!  Amy Locurto started this website and it has free printables, menu plans, recipes, fun party ideas and crafts.  I can't believe I am only now just discovering this wonderful resource - Amy, where have you been all my life?

As far as free printables, she has everything from cute valentines, invitations, different fonts, printable cards, and the list goes on.  And these aren't just any printables - they are incredibly stylish and modern. 

Here are a few of the free printables that I adore:

 

 

My favorite part of this site is the weekly meal plans.  Amy has super-delicous weekly menu ideas, she links to the recipe for each one, and then gives you a printable grocery list to shop for your meals.  I really appreciate all the time and effort she puts in to creating these different menus.  And the meal plans are so delish - I'm really looking forward to trying her avocado enchiladas - YUM! 

Here are a few samples of weekly menu planning from Living Locurto:
Week 1
• Chicken with Olives, Raisins and Spinach Rice
• Margherita Pizza
• Slow Cooker: Beef Stroganoff
• Grilled Ham and Cheese with Pears
• Real Simple Lasagna

Week 2
• Avocado Enchiladas
• Salina-Style Spaghettini with Cherry Tomatoes
• Turkey Burgers with Horseradish & Cheddar Cheese
• Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Here is a sample of one of Amy's free weekly meal planning sheets so you can just fill in your meals and ingredients needed for each one:

Here are some free printable, customizable calling cards from Living Locurto - they are just beautiful!

I can't say enough about this great site.  Head over to Living Locurto and poke around, you will find lots of great ideas and inspiration!


Cottage Mama's Note:  Amy Locurto also has a wonderful list of resources for different cooking websites, decorating, arts & crafts, photography, and simple living.

Lil Blue Boo and Dharma Trading Design Challenge

 

Have you heard about the Lil Blue Boo and Dharma Trading Design Challenge?  I have been searching the thrift stores high and low for some different t-shirts and knits to use in the challenge and am finally getting around to sewing my dresses - which is a good thing because the deadline to enter is in 10 days!!

So I know many of you are sewers, so I wanted to share the details of the challenge from Ashley at Lil Blue Boo in case you wanted to enter as well.  

Here is some of the info from her blog: 

1. Create a unique outfit for a girl or boy using a Lil Blue Boo pattern. Alterations to the patterns ARE allowed as well as additional coordinating clothing items and accessories! 

2. Use at LEAST one of the following techniques in your creation: fabric dyeing, fabric painting, stenciling, fabric transfers, screen printing or other embellishments (including applique).

3. Multiple entries are allowed! So submit as many as you like! There will be a gallery spotlighting all of the entries.
4. After all the entries are received, a very distinguished, diverse panel of judges will narrow the entries down to 10 final designs and there will be a week long public vote on Lil Blue Boo! And then the winner will be announced!

How to enter:

1. Post photos of your finished outfit/outfits on your personal blog or website. Make sure to include what pattern and techniques you used for inspiration and a little about your creative process! Make sure to include the words "Lil Blue Boo / Dharma Trading Design Challenge" in your post and link back to the Lil Blue Boo blog.

2. Email Ashley at Lil Blue Boo a link to your post along with your best photo of your creation for the Design Challenge Gallery. Feel free to add your blog watermark to that photo, especially if any children are in the photograph.
3. All entries due by February 15th at midnight (Pacific time). All entries welcome!

And the best part of all - Giving Back!

For every 10 entries received, Ashley is donating a Lil Blue Boo dress to a child in need. She will be sewing them as entries come in or taking dresses out of her Etsy store to keep up! She'll keep a running update of dresses donated! So spread the word and keep Ashley busy too! Shelter from the Storm received a large donation of dresses at Christmas time so for this contest she is going to reach out to Martha's Village & Kitchen. There were a lot of needy children there at Christmas time! 

Cottage Mama's Note:  In the next week I will be posting pictures of the dresses I will be entering.  I think this is such a fun challenge and my favorite part is the fact that Ashley will be donating dresses to little girls in need.  Do you think I can enter 10 dresses?  Well, I don't know if I have the time to get that many done, but I am going to try my best!

Ashley's patterns are SUPER easy to use - they have plenty of step-by-step instructions and great pictures.  So even if you the most beginner sewer, I highly recommend trying one of her patterns.  Click here to go to the Lil Blue Boo etsy shop.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you are up for the challenge!