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I've had some things I wanted to share with you guys for awhile, but just haven't had a chance to get them up here on the blog.  So I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you all...........




I was so thrilled when Kathy Barnard (Editor, Sew Beautiful) contacted me asking if I would be interested in them doing a pictorial featuring my sewing patterns.  Of course I said yes!   I sewed this collection of clothing almost a year ago for this pictorial using my sewing patterns.


I primarily used the fabric line from Sarah Jane Studios 'Children at Play' for most of the garments.  But did include a little Anna Griffin and Heather Bailey in there as well.


Aren't those boys just darling?  Both the shirt and vest pattern / tutorials (free) will be making an appearance on the blog soon so be on the look out for those.


I did not take any of these pictures.  I sent the entire collection of garments to Sew Beautiful and they used their own photographer to should the pictorial.  I love the shots they got of all the kids wearing these garments.  So perfect!


 
It is truly an honor to be featured in Sew Beautiful Magazine.  So many pattern designers that I admire have been featured in the pages of this publication over the years, so I am really flattered to be included in such good company.

If you have never picked up an issue of Sew Beautiful, it is a magazine dedicated to heirloom sewing.  Most of the articles are geared towards children's clothing, but there are a few adult pieces and accessories  here and there.  While the magazine is still incredibly traditional and classic, they are starting to feature some more modern fabrics and sewing.


Another recent publication feature was in the Summer 2012 issue of 'Where Women Create' magazine. The Cottage Home Blog was named one of the Top 25 Inspirational and Educational Blogs.  Pretty neat.  My mother-in-law introduced me to this magazine several years ago and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my blog mentioned in this beautiful, inspiring publication!


It was my birthday a couple weeks ago and my mom made me this adorable notebook cover.  I always like to have notebooks around so I can jot down my ideas, draw pictures of new designs that pop into my head, make do-to lists, ect.  Right now I've got about three different notebooks scattered around to make sure I have a place to get my thoughts out on paper.




I love this notebook cover because when I fill up the notebook, I can simply slide the cover off and put in a new one.

Well, I have finally returned to the sewing machine after six long weeks away and it feels good.....really good.  It's going to take me a little while to get my groove back, but I've got Halloween costumes in the works as well as a few other things that I can't wait to share with you all.

Meanwhile, I received copies of two recent print publications featuring The Cottage Mama - the premier issue of Stitch. Craft. Create. and the winter issue of Altered Couture.  I know I've said this before, and I will say it again, I never ever get tired of seeing something of mine in print.  It is so thrilling and I feel so blessed for these amazing opportunities!


This first publication is a brand new one that I know you'll want to check out.  It's called Stitch. Craft. Create. and comes from the publishers of Sew Beautiful magazine.  This publication is loaded, and I mean loaded, with amazing holiday craft and sewing projects.  I absolutely love the fact that they are light on the advertisements and heavy on the actual content. 


My Tile Coaster Tutorial was featured in their "60 Quick & Creative Gift Ideas".  The folks at the magazine made up their own version of my tutorial and I think they look great. 


This truly is a wonderful and easy holiday gift - I gave several sets of these last year for Christmas.  You can tailor the look to the gift recipients style and they are very inexpensive to make.  If you make these in an assembly line style, you can really knock out quite a few sets all at one time.

The premiere issue of Stitch. Craft. Create. is now available on newsstands.  You should be able to find it at your local Barnes & Noble, craft stores, and sewing shops.  It is a mid-priced publication but is definitely more like a book.  It will be a magazine that you will use and reference for years to come.



The second publication is one you've seen on the blog before.  It's my third time being featured in Altered Couture magazine!  I just received my copy yesterday and this time they chose to feature my "Winter Wonderland" dress that I created last year for the children's clothing competition, Project Run & Play. 


To be honest this is probably one of my most favorite creations I've ever done because of the way it evolved.  I really did not want to go out and buy any new materials (since I had tons to use up) and just tried to get creative with what I had.  I think some of the best creative moments come out of necessity.



The people at Altered Couture are just lovely to work with and I adore looking through the magazine and seeing all the creativity that is out there in the world.  I've also noticed that there are several other bloggers featured in the current issue.  It's so fun to be in such good company!

Welcome to Nancy Zieman's "Sewing A to Z" blog tour!  The tour has been going on for a little while now, but today is my day to host and I'm so thrilled to do so.  Nancy Zieman (of the show "Sewing with Nancy") has recently come out with this fabulous new sewing reference book called "Sewing A to Z".  And it is just that, Nancy addresses just about every sewing technique there possibly is.......from A to Z.


When I received my copy of the book from the publisher, I sat down that very night to check it out.  I immediately looked over at my husband and said......."This is a great book!"  Now my husband probably doesn't care too much about sewing books, but I just had to tell someone right then and there.  Not only is "Sewing A to Z" a great book for a beginner sewer, but it is a great reference for sewers of many different levels.  I love to see what techniques and tricks other fellow sewers use to complete different tasks such as piping, quilting, ect......

Nancy has a very friendly writing style, so you don't feel overwhelmed by all the wonderful information.  Not only does she give great instructions on different techniques, she provides wonderful tips on different sewing notions and ways to make your sewing life a little bit easier.


As you can see in the picture above, this book is loaded!  Nancy covers everything from applique technique, basting, edge stitching, piping, serging, and the list goes on and on.


As most of you know, I love piping so I really enjoyed reading all about Nancy's piping technique.  I've never used a piping foot before, but I found it very intriguing and may have to look into getting one in the future.  She covers how to make your own piping and inserting it as well.


Quilting is a whole other story.  I would definitely say I am a beginner when it comes to quilting, so I gained a wealth of knowledge through her information about different types of quilting, quilting feet for your sewing machine, as well as the different notions that can be used.


And finally, thread.  The thread section of a sewing store can be extremely overwhelming for someone who is just starting out sewing.  What to use?  Polyester, cotton, embroidery?  Well, no need to be overwhelmed, Nancy goes through them all so that you can feel confident the next time you make your thread selection!

You've got to head over to Nancy's blog and check out her "Sewing A to Z" post.  She is having a HUGE grand prize giveaway (worth over $450) that I'm sure you are going to want to enter.  She will be choosing one random winner that comments on her blog post throughout the tour.  Here's a peak at the prize package, which includes this book as well.......


If you would like to check out some other reviews about "Sewing A to Z" from other blogger's hosting the tour, click on any of the links below.

Sewing A to Z blog tour:
15-Aug Nancy Zieman’s blog
16-Aug Whipstitch
17-Aug Sew Mama Sew
18-Aug Diary of a Quilter
20-Aug Amy’s Creative Side
22-Aug Quiltville
23-Aug Crap I’ve Made
24-Aug Eileen Roche’s blog
25-Aug I’m Just a Guy Who Quilts
26-Aug The Free Motion Quilting Project
27-Aug Sew Serendipity
29-Aug Lazy Girls Designs
30-Aug Pat Sloan Blog
31-Aug Tallgrass Prairie Studio
1-Sep True Up
2-Sep Sew News
6-Sep Off the Cuff Sewing Style
7-Sep V and Co.
8-Sep The Cottage Home
9-Sep Colette Patterns 

If you are new to sewing, I highly recommend this book.  I am pretty much a self-taught sewer and this book would have saved me a lot of time and headache during my first years of sewing! 

Several months ago I was contacted by a UK sewing magazine, called "Sew Magazine" and asked if they could feature my blog as the "Blog of the Month".  I couldn't believe it.......really? Little ole me?  Well, it was true!  They said they like to feature an inspirational sewing blog each month and they had chosen my blog for the September 2011 issue.  Wow!  To say I was flattered would be the biggest understatement of the year!


Last week I was sent my copy of the magazine.  To be honest, I've never purchased this magazine before, but I think I may have to going forward.  Not just because they were so sweet to include me, but because it is a truly beautiful sewing magazine.  It came packaged nicely in plastic and each copy of the magazine includes a monthly sewing pattern.  This months pattern is a knit dress with a really fun, funky jacket.  There is a whole section of the magazine dedicated to sewing with this pattern that includes ideas, inspiration, and helpful hints.



When I flipped to the "Table of Contents", I couldn't believe my eyes - is that my little girls bedroom?  Sure enough, pictured under "Sew Living", is Savannah and Matilda's Shared Toddler Bedroom.  Pretty cool.


And then flip to page 50 and there I am.  I had no idea they would be including MY picture in the magazine, but there I was with little Miss Matilda.  They wrote a nice feature about the blog and how I got started in blogging.

I seriously pinch myself every time I have something featured in a print publication.  There is just something so, so gratifying about seeing your name or business in printed form.  It's definitely something you can hold and keep forever.  Like I said above, I am beyond flattered to have been chosen as Sew Magazine's "Blog of the Month".

You can click HERE to check out Sew Magazine's website and you should be able to find the magazine where a large selection of crafting and sewing publications are sold (such as Barnes and Noble).  The magazine is loaded with information and has free patterns, templates and projects throughout.  I would definitely say their target audience is a bit younger, but I think everyone could find some great information in this publication.