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!

Water, Pure and Simple

Shortly after our indoor plumbing was updated, I sent a water sample out to be tested. Although the test results were good, we felt more comfortable taking the cleanliness of our water one step further.

Our concerns were centered on the old water lines that supply our house. Despite updating our all of our property's water lines, the main line that runs to our house is old, very old. And old pipes aren't the cleanest.

So Hubby installed an under counter filter. It is plumbed into the cold supply line under the sink so now every time we get a glass of water, fill up the tea pot or steam rice...the water is filtered. Even our little Lucy will reap the benefits of cleaner water.

We opted for this model here, from Best Filters.

I like that this model allows you to have the benefits of filtered water without the visible hardware that usually goes along with it. We prefer sparse and simple in our kitchen so using an under counter filter was the perfect solution for us.

Filters are replaced once a year.

Cheers!

orla kiely at one kings lane

i really like the orla kiely journals, composition books and stationary sets that are on sale over at one kings lane.  they get me in the mood for spring…as if i needed any help with that.  i’m not a journal person but if i were i would buy up every single one.

 

 

LiveJournal Tags: orla kiely,one kings lane

A Story of Statement Jewelry

A few weeks ago, I was watching a short documentary on the Japanese channel. It was about jewelry artists living in NY. They introduced a few designers, all of them had a common ground. They make "Statement Jewelries".

Usually, statement Jewelries are big, bold,and most of the times inexpensive compared to its size (Think of a diamond, people pay how much for a tiny stone?). In the documentary, the reporter also said that statement jewly become popular when the economy is not doing so great. During the Great Depression era, statement jewelry was a big trend. I guess people were after the "Wow" effect and something to cheer them up for a price they still could afford.

I thought about our economy now... hmm... that make sense. Those statement jewelries are everywhere. I usually perfer small real jewelry. BUT, I see so many pretty necklaces, earrings, and rings to drool over. They sure make a plain outfit shine.

I particularly liked one desinger who collects antique parts and pieces to make her original jewelry. She showed some of her collection. My eyes went wide, while hold a dust rag in my hand (I was dusting the furniture). Wow, they were truly a piece of history.

I have been itching to find my own statement jewelry pieces. I am no expert with antiques. Nor, can I tell the difference when I find something; what is "old" and what is "vintage". They sure sound sooo different. Although, when I see something I can immideately tell if I love it or not. If I think it's beautiful, that's good enough for me.

The other day, I found two jewelry pieces that I fell in love with at a local thrift store. They are unique and my style. Above all, they were $2.99 each!

A pair of earrings with rose print...


Then, this gorgeous pendant head with dainty detailes.


Lucky me! I found a chain that would match with the pendant in my jewelry making box! I can start wearing it right away:) Next time when you go visit a thrift store, or yard sale, look around a bit carefully, you might find a piece of history too.

color scheme

i saw this color scheme in last months fresh home magazine and was immediately drawn to it.  i can’t wait to use it in someones home.  

LiveJournal Tags: color scheme,fresh home magazine

Ranunculus

My Mom always planted ranunculus in my Grandmother's garden every spring. I always think of the them oohing and ahhing over these full feathered flowers whenever I see them.

They make me smile...them and these.

I wish they'd last forever.

Boys.........

If you have been following my blog here for very long, you know that most of the things I post about (when it comes to children) has to do with girls.  I'm sorry, I can't help it, I have two of them!!

Well, I have been working on some birthday presents for my daughters little friends and they happen to be mostly............boys.  I love to make Savannah's little friends handmade gifts for their birthdays.  Now it is not always possible to make ALL of them totally handmade, but I try my best.

I'm a huge fan of making super-hero capes for the little ones, but here are some other gifts I made recently that will be given to my daughter's 2-year old "boyfriends".

The Car Cozy:

 I love this gift idea!  I think this is so perfect for a little guy on the go.  Mom can take this simple "Car Cozy" in her diaper bag or purse and whenever she needs to entertain the little guy, she can pull it out and he can have instant fun! 

I based this design off of the "Car Cozy" tutorial by Homemade by Jill.  So if you are interested in making this gift for someone, I definitely recommend checking out her tutorial - it's great and very thorough.  I did change it up a bit, so I'll let you know what I did.

As you know, I love toys that encourage imaginitive play and this one is perfect.  You've got the street and the different cars - so much fun!

I used brown and yellow felt to make the road.  And used Riley Blake's new "Wheels" line for the fabric to hold the cars.  The light khaki color is a thick cotton twill.

I appliqued a car out of fabric (again, Riley Blake "Wheels") and sewed wheels made from felt to the exterior of the "Car Cozy".

For the exterior, I used a thick denim.  This would be a great idea for recycling a used pair of jeans that you are no longer wearing.

To speed up this project, I used my serger to sew around the entire exterior.  Homemade by Jill's tutorial does not use a serger.  I know many of you don't have a serger, but if you do, I think this is the way to go!

For the tie, I used two pieces of felt ribbon that I got at my local Michael's.

To close the "car cozy" you fold it in half (as you can see, I included my "The Cottage Mama" label).

Then you fold it in half again and secure with the tie.

 I think any little guy would be thrilled to receive this gift - Vroom, Vroom!!!

Charm Square Car Bean Bags:

I included these four bean bags in one my my daughters friends gifts.  The main portion of the gift was a tote with a bunch of outdoor sand toys and I thought these bean bags would make for some additional outdoor fun!

These four bean-bags were all made from charm squares of fabric.  I made one side from Riley Blake "Wheels" fabric.

And on the other side I used a fun polka-dot in "boy" colors.

Again, if you have a serger this makes for a super-simple project.  Just serge three sides of the fabric together, fill with beans, and then serge the fourth side.  I finished all of the corners with fray-check to prevent future fraying.

If you do not have a serger, place the right-sides of the fabric together and stitch three sides (1/2" seam allowance), then turn them right-side out and press your seams.  Fill with beans, and hand-sew the fourth side to close the bean bags.

I used an entire bag of beans for these four bean-bags.


Cottage Mama's Note:  Since this wasn't a full tutorial, if you have any questions about these gifts, feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email.