The Cottage Mama Custom Fat Quarter Bundle ~ Blogger's Choice

I just wanted to share something kind of cool with you.  I was recently selected by Fat Quarter Shop to put together a 'Blogger's Choice' Fat Quarter Bundle for them for the month of September.  I was supposed to choose 12 prints and 3 solids from any fabric lines to create a custom bundle that will be sold in their shop.  Talk about a tough decision narrowing it down from all the gorgeous prints that are available. There were tons of different directions I could have gone.

Want to see my bundle?

Custom Fat Quarter Bundle by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama

for Fat Quarter Shop

Do you like it?  I hope so!  I went with some deeper tones since this bundle will be available in September.  There are several different lines included, most of which have yet to be released. Some Amy Butler, Tula Pink, Denyse Schmidt, Art Gallery Fabrics, Riley Blake....lots of my favorites.  Pairing fabrics is one of my absolute favorite things about the design process so be able to put this bundle together was a complete joy.

I will let you know when all the fabrics are in-stock and the bundle is available for sale or you can sign up on the Fat Quarter Shop website to be notified when it is ready. They will be sending me my own bundle that I picked out.  I'm thinking I need to do a quilt out of this selection.  

What do you think?  What would you make with this bundle?

Click HERE to check out the exact fabrics included in the bundle and click HERE to see all the 'Blogger's Choice' Bundles.  I'm in some very good company.

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The Cottage Mama Sewing Pattern Blog Tour ~ Wrap Up!

Our Sewing Patterns Blog Tour has finally come to an end.  I have had so much fun seeing the amazing looks these these creative, talented women have come up with using my pattern designs.  I think it is so inspring to see how the same pattern can be made into different looks depending on the fabric selection, use of trims and slight alteration of the design.  These women all did an amazing job and I can't thank them enough for joining us on this tour!

I know it can be a little scary coming up with your own pattern design, but I believe a great gateway into pattern design can be taking pre-existing patterns and making them your own.  Once you've mastered that skill, you will feel more comfortable starting to draft your very own patterns.  So, I encourage you to take your favorite sewing pattern and make it your own.......I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the creativity that is within all of us.  It's in there, trust me, you just need to start thinking outside the box.

Here is a little recap of some of the looks we've seen over the last several weeks........

Charlotte Apron Dress

SIZE 6 MONTHS - 8 YEARS

Run Around Romper

SIZE 6 MONTHS - 6 YEARS

Ruby Ruffle Dress

SIZE 6 MONTHS - 10 YEARS

All of The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns can be purchased through our website: www.thecottagemama.com.  

All Sewing Pattern Blog Tour posts can be found HERE.

Again, I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to share these beautiful creations with you all and I hope you have enjoyed this tour as well.  I've got some really fun things to share with you coming up and I'm looking forward to getting back on the blog myself with some new FREE patterns, tutorials and handmade business posts.  Thanks so much for reading!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Susan from Living with Punks

Today is the final stop on the Sewing Patterns Blog Tour!  We've rounded out this group of incredibly talented women with Susan from Living with Punks.  If you've never been over to Susan's blog before, you really should.  She has some of my most favorite tutorials in all of sewing and crafting blog-land.  We both share a love of bright patterned fabrics and I'm so excited for you to see the Ruby Ruffle Dress that she created........

Head over to Living with Punks to see more pictures of Susan's Ruby Ruffle Dress and enter to win your own copy of this pattern.

Click HERE to enter to win!

This concludes our Sewing Patterns blog tour.  I'll be back tomorrow with a recap of all these amazing looks and then we will return to our regularly scheduled program (whatever that may be).

Have a great day!!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood

Today's stop on the tour is one that is very special to me.  I credit Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood for putting The Cottage Home on the map in the blogging world.  Shannon featured me on her blog in the very beginning of this journey and I will never forget what she has done for me.  And what's even better is that she has truly become a friend.  Though she lives in Canada and I live in Chicago, we actually have phone chats and its such a blessing have someone who can totally relate to my world to talk, email and support each other through this time in our lives.

Ok, enough of the sappy stuff.  Shannon selected the Ruby Ruffle Dress pattern to sew for her darling little lady.  Here is what Shannon created........

Head over to Luvinthemommyhood to check out more pictures of Shannon's creation and enter to win your very own copy of of this pattern.

Click HERE to enter to win!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Amy {and Mama Reita} from Positively Splendid

It's the final week of the Sewing Patterns Blog Tour and we've got three more guests to round out the tour.  Today's guest is someone very special........it's actually a blogger's mama! Amy (from Positively Splendid) and I started blogging around the same time and have become blogging buddies through our emails. I absolutely adore her blog, crafts, DIY home decor and writing style.  But I equally adore Amy's mom, Mama Reita's, sewing style.

Mama Reita follows The Cottage Home blog and she purchased one of my first sewing patterns (thanks Mama Reita!). I had seen several of her amazing creations over on Amy's blog and was blown away by her talent and attention to detail.  So I decided to invite Mama Reita to share her version of the Charlotte Apron Dress with you all today.

Here is what Mama Reita created for her beautiful granddaughter.........

Thank you so much for joining the tour, Mama Reita, your work is total perfection!  I feel like you and Amy have a very similar relationship to the one I have with my mom.  And let me tell you, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without everything I've learned from my amazing mama (aka Grandma Jane) and I bet Amy feels the same way about you.  Yay for amazing, creative, supportive and inspiring moms!

To view more pictures of Mama Reita's creation and to enter to win your very own copy of this pattern, please visit Positively Splendid.

Click HERE to enter to win!

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The Cottage Mama ~ BIG News!!

Do you see what it says in that picture right above my name?  

It's the big news I've been wanting to share with you all ~ I'm officially an author!

I've just signed a contract with a major publishing company for a book that will be released in October 2013.  I know it seems way off, but my manuscript is actually due by the beginning of this coming January 2013.  So what does that mean?  It means I'm going to be one busy lady over the next six months.

Now I wish I could tell you all the details about the book, but I think we are going to save some of that until we get closer to the book release date.  What I can tell you is that it is a sewing related book and it will be filled with incredible photography and lots of inspiring ideas.

It has always been a dream of mine to write a book, it's just hard to believe that I am at this point only 2.5 years after starting The Cottage Mama.  It's kind of surreal, really.  The fact that someone wants me to write a book and publish it is so incredibly flattering, to say the least.  I woke up the other morning and totally forgot that I am writing a book.......like it was a dream or something.  But apparently I am writing a book and I better not forget it because I've only got six months to get it written!

I have always believed in dreaming big.  It's just quite amazing when those dreams turn into reality.
As cheesy as it may sound.......dreams really do come true......that, I know.

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Destri from The Mother Huddle

And to complete the tour for this week we have Destri from The Mother Huddle.  I just about stopped in my tracks when I saw the pictures from her Ruby Ruffle Dress creation.  I don't know why I never thought to use different fabrics for each of the ruffles down the front, but she did and it looks adorable!  Learn something new everyday, right?  I love that she used a white background for the center panel to make the ruffles pop.  SO pretty!

Here is a little preview of Destri's creation:

Please pop over and visit The Mother Huddle for more gorgeous pictures of this dress and enter to win your very own copy of the pattern!

Click HERE to enter to win!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Bev from Flamingo Toes

Next stop on the tour........Bev from Flamingo Toes!  Bev was so sweet to agree to be on the tour even though she doesn't have any little ladies to sew for now (just teenagers).  But she does, however, have little nieces!  Bev selected the Charlotte Apron Dress and created two looks for two of her little nieces.  I was so excited to see that she had done some hand embroidery on the aprons of these dresses as that was something I had envision when designing this pattern.  She used her own original embroidery design of a sweet little bicycle with a basket of flowers (free pattern on her blog).  Ahhhhhh......total perfection!

Here are Bev's creations:

Please head over to Flamingo Toes to view more pictures of these adorable dresses and enter to win your very own The Cottage Mama Sewing Pattern.  You can also download her FREE Bicycle Embroidery Pattern!

Click HERE to enter!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Andrea from The Train To Crazy

Today we have a new guest this season on the sewing patterns blog tour ~ Andrea from The Train To Crazy.  Don't you just love the name of her blog?  Too cute!  If you haven't been over to her blog, hop on over and check out some of her wonderful tutorials.  Andrea chose to sew up the Ruby Ruffle Dress and here's what she created.........

I love the contrast between the blue and the pink!  These colors looks so beautiful on her little lady.  Head over to The Train To Crazy to view more pictures of this adorable creation and enter to win your very own copy of the Ruby Ruffle Dress Pattern!

Click HERE to enter to win!

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Free Tutorials Coming Soon ~ Vest, Shirt and Dress

Summer is in full swing over here and life has just gotten so busy, but I wanted to let you know about three new free tutorials that will be showing up on the blog towards the end of June, beginning of July.  You will find things like how to draft your own patterns and create a vest for little boys and a create and grade a little man shirt.  As well as a free PDF pattern for the Little Line Dress.

Dapper Vest for Boys

I will be showing you how to create your own pattern from clothing you already own.  I will also be sharing some of the tools I use in drafting patterns.  It's a lot easier than you think!

The Little Man Shirt

This will be another tutorial where I share with you a little bit more about drafting your own patterns.  I may offer the printed pattern in one specific size and help you to grade it up or down.  Or we may construct a pattern using clothing that you already own.  Not entirely sure yet.....

Little Linen Dress

Yes, I promised you this pattern and don't worry, I have not forgotten......it's coming soon!

Check back in a couple weeks and I will get the ball rolling on these!

So, what do you think.......excited?  I hope so!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Elizabeth and Liz from Simple Simon & Co.

Today we have the talented duo of Elizabeth and Liz from Simple Simon & Co.  These ladies are probably two of my absolute favorite bloggers.  I just kind of feel like we are kindred spirits..... I love their style, personalities and overall loveliness. I was so excited when they chose to sew up the Run Around Romper pattern for their little guy.  I know I'm a little bit biased, but I can't get enough of my own little man wearing the rompers I've made for him ~ it is so. darn. cute. (if I do say so myself).  There is something so unique about seeing a little boy wearing handmade clothing in such a timeless style. 

Here is a little look at the creation from Simple Simon & Co.: 

If you'd like to check out more pictures of the Run Around Romper created by Simple Simon & Co., head on over to their blog.  Plus, you can enter to win your very own The Cottage Mama Sewing Pattern!

Click HERE to enter to win!

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Sewing Pattern Blog Tour: Maureen from Maureen Cracknell Handmade

To kick off week 2 of The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns blog tour, we have the super-talented Maureen from Maureen Cracknell Handmade.  I met Maureen through the Riley Blake Designs Project Design Team.  We are part of the few on the team that live outside of Utah and we just instantly became online blogging buddies.  While she focuses more on quilting and I'm more into clothing, we can both relate with our love of combining patterned fabrics and bold color. 

I was so excited when Maureen accepted the invitation to be part of this tour.  She chose to sew up the Charlotte Apron Dress, which I think is a great choice for her.  The Charlotte offers many ways to combine patterned fabrics and has some great basic sewing techniques (i.e. gathering, lined bodice and buttonholes).  This was actually the first dress she's sewn and I think I might have gotten her hooked on sewing clothing.  She has certainly inspired me in the world of artistic quilting. 

Head over to Maureen's blog to view more pictures of her version of the Charlotte Apron Dress and enter to win your very own copy of a Cottage Mama Sewing Pattern.  While you're there, poke around her blog, you are sure to be inspired!

Click HERE to enter to win!

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June Giveaway Winners!

And the winners of our June Giveaway Day are the following.........

Fat Quarter Shop:

Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops:

Birdsong Bows:

 Shabby Fabrics:

 Heartsong Quilts:

Modern Fabric Studio:

Thank you so much to everyone for entering.  Check back on July 1st for our next giveaway day!  If you are one of the winners, please email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com with your contact information and we will get you your prize as soon as possible.

You can find all of The Cottage Home blog sponsors in the right side-bar of the blog.  If you are looking for many of the fabrics and trims you see used here on the blog, check out these lovely sponsors for online purchasing!

Have a great week!

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Father's Day Brunch Casserole

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing daddies out there!

My husband, Brett, and his dad are out fishing this afternoon, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to share what we made this morning for my kids super-wonderful, totally awesome daddy for breakfast.

Father's Day Brunch Casserole

I wanted to make something hearty for my hubby but I also wanted it to be something the girls could help me with in the kitchen.  This casserole was perfect!  I gave the girls the task of tearing up a large french baguette of bread into chunks and they had a ball.

This casserole turned out to be so tasty!  I found this recipe here and tweaked it just a little bit.  The casserole has a whole loaf of crusty bread, bulk Italian sausage, red bell pepper, onions and is soaked with an egg, milk, heavy cream, cheese and chives mixture.  Are you hungry yet?  You should be because this is so good!  

I used Monterrey jack cheese instead of the swiss because I thought that would be more appealing to the kids.  But unfortunately the girls didn't even want to try it.  No biggie, though.....I'm sure my hubby and I will have no problem polishing this off all by ourselves!  I think next time I'll go with the swiss.  Italian sausage and swiss cheese is always a winning combination.

This is a great make ahead dish because you can assemble it the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning.  It takes about an hour to bake and is ready to go when it is puffed and golden and when a knife inserted comes out clean.  I also garnished the casserole with extra fresh chives from our garden.

So, that's what was cookin' over here this morning.  I hope you all were able to make the special daddy's in your life something good to eat.  I firmly believe that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and it's a great way to show him how much you care!

Happy Father's Day!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Jess from Craftiness Is Not Optional

And to round up this first week of The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns blog tour, we have the lovely Jess from Craftiness Is Not Optional.  Jess and I definitely share a love of creating little girls clothing and she comes up with some of the most darling silhouettes for her little ladies.  She's pregnant with baby number three, so who knows.......maybe she'll be entering the world of sewing for boys, but for now she'll be sticking to girls clothing......

Jess chose to sew up the Ruby Ruffle Dress for Miss Sadie.  I can't believe how grown up she looks here.  These kids are growing up way too fast!  Head over to Craftiness Is Not Optional and check out more pictures of Jess's creation and enter to win your very own copy of this pattern.

Click HERE to enter to win!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Christina from 2 Little Hooligans

The third stop on our new sewing patterns blog tour is over at Christina's blog, 2 Little Hooligans.  I was incredibly impressed by some of the creations Christina came up with when I was judging the Project Run and Play Flickr group this past season and I knew I had to have her as part of this tour.  She chose to sew up the Run Around Romper and made of three of them!  Two girl versions and one for her little guy.......

Head over to 2 Little Hooligans to check out more pictures of Christina's darling creations and enter to win your very own copy of the Run Around Romper.

Click HERE to enter to win!!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Jessica from Me Sew Crazy

Today we have someone I'm sure you are familiar with ~ Jessica from Me Sew Crazy!  She's always coming up with fabulous creations for her two little ladies and baby boy.  Our kids are very close in age so it is really fun to know another mama going through the same stage in life and running a creative business.  I would definitely call her one of my good friends (though we've never actually met).  Jessica chose to sew up the 'Ruby Ruffle Dress' pattern.......

Head over to Me Sew Crazy to check out more pictures of this darling dress and enter to win your very own copy of the 'Ruby Ruffle Dress' pattern.

Click HERE to enter to win!!

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Sewing Patterns Blog Tour: Stef from Girl.Inspired

I decided we needed to start this tour off with a bang and I knew just the lady for the job.  Stef over at Girl. Inspired wowed us with her Christmas variation of the Janey Jumper pattern during our first tour (click here to check it out), so I couldn't wait to see what she would do with this new pattern.  As always, she does not disappoint.....

Charlotte Apron Dress

Check out Stef's version of the Charlotte Apron Dress Pattern.  Isn't it adorable!?!  Head over to her blog to check out more eye candy photos of this adorable dress and enter to win your very own copy of this pattern!

Click HERE to visit Girl. Inspired.

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New Sewing Patterns Blog Tour

The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns

~Blog Tour~

It's that time again!  Time to start the The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns Blog Tour!

My new patterns are all officially in-stock and available for sale in my Etsy Shop!

What is the Blog Tour all about?  I have a group of incredibly talented bloggers and sewers that are going to be sewing up each of the new patterns (Ruby Ruffle Dress, Charlotte Apron Dress and the Run Around Romper) and will each be giving away one of the new patterns on their blogs.  The tour will happen every day over the next three weeks and we will be giving away 12 patterns total throughout the tour.  Each pattern contains three variations, but there are certainly many more ways to get creative and change it up.  I can't wait to see what kind of looks these ladies will inspire throughout the tour.

We did this last time with the release of my first two sewing patterns and I thought it would be really fun to do it again (click HERE to view the previous tour).  We've got some great new participants this time as well as a few returning sewing super-stars, so here are the lovely ladies that will be participating in the tour........

Week 1: 
Stef from Girl. Inspired (Charlotte Pattern)
Jessica from Me Sew Crazy (Ruby Pattern)
Christina from 2LittleHooligans (Run Around Pattern)
Jess from Craftiness is not Optional (Ruby Pattern)

Week 2:
Maureen from Maureen Cracknell Handmade (Charlotte Pattern)
Liz and Elizabeth from Simple Simon (Run Around Pattern)
Andrea from The Train to Crazy (Ruby Pattern)
Destri from The Mother Huddle (Ruby Pattern)
Beverly from Flamingo Toes (Charlotte Pattern)

Week 3:
Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood (Ruby Pattern)
Mama Reita / Amy from Positively Splendid (Charlotte Pattern)
Susan from Living with Punks (Ruby Pattern)

Each day during the tour I will post one picture from each of these lovely posts to remind you to go visit their blogs and see all the details about the look they've created.  Also, at that time, you can enter to win a specific pattern on their blogs.  All patterns will ship out to the winners upon completion of the tour.

Sound like fun?  I think so.  I've already got a picture from our first guest tomorrow and I just about fell over from the cuteness that she has created!

Here are a few more pictures from the new sewing patterns.......

Ruby Ruffle Dress

Size 6 Month - 10 Years

  View A

View B

View C

Charlotte Apron Dress

Size 6 Month - 8 Years

  Embellished Bodice variation with the skirt shortened and a contrasting band of fabric at the bottom.

Run Around Romper

(for Boys and Girls)

Size 6 Month - 6 Years

  

Current The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns

   

All patterns can be purchased in the shop: www.thecottagemama.com

Check back tomorrow for the first stop on our tour.  I promise it's going to be a good one!

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