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Saturday, June 30, 2012

strawberries and cream




Strawberries and cream - three little words that evoke summer, in all its deliciousness

Last week we were invited to a big lunch party, where the hostess was happy to accept some contributions for dessert.  We were eating outside, milling around, fairly casual, so I thought that  individual desserts could be the way to go.




I put together these little 'verrines'  (French for mini portions in glass tumblers).  They could not be simpler,  all you need is fresh strawberries, whipping cream, tiny meringues and a sprinkling of sugar.

Having washed and hulled the strawberries, I took a handful and blended them in a bowl with some sugar to taste.  This makes the  fresh coulis that gives a pop of colour at the base of the verrine.   Of the remaining strawberries, some were left whole and some were sliced.







I beat the whipping cream until it would hold in soft peaks.  My meringues came from our local baker, who sells his home baked meringues in small packets, and they are so pretty and regular in their size and shape that I don't see the point in making them myself.  For this dessert, some meringues are left whole to decorate and the rest are cut or broken into pieces.







To assemble the verrines, simply pour a little coulis into the base of the glass, followed by some broken meringue.   Carefully spoon in some whipped cream, then a few slices of strawberries.  Another dollop of cream, a final spoonful of coulis, a beautiful little strawberry and a perfect meringue sitting on the top and you are done!   

These can be made ahead of time, they'll sit in the fridge quite happily for hours before your meal, they could even be made the day before if you are pushed for time.














So when it came to bringing my dessert to our friends I decided to have some fun, they all looked so pretty in a row.  I laid them out on an old French teacloth, with a red monogram in the centre, to match the  strawberries.   The overflow of strawberries were piled into a small tureen from my collection, and I took them over with some roses cut from the garden just before we went.





What can I say?   I have such fun putting together a few pretties, especially when I can gift them to a friend.





I wish you all a wonderful weekend, whether you are at the height of a hot summer or heading into fall, may you find something lovely to share with a friend!




Friday, June 29, 2012

Stay Cool

 Wow.  I actually love the heat.....but not this much heat.  
What is a girl to do?
Cute idea from Eighteen25  Have a great weekend!

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.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

lunch with new friends





Had fun preparing lunch for Trinidad and Johan from Atelier de Cmpagne to arrive today, these boys have been on the road for a little while now, so I thought they needed some home cooking and vitamins.

I'm so glad the sun has come out too!

I'll let you know how it goes







OK  So here's the update,: it's official -  Trinidad and Johann are totally charming, and it was a delight to meet them and spend a couple of hours over lunch together.

What you are not going to believe is that I forgot to take any pictures of them here - no really!!!  I was so caught up chatting, questions flying back and forth, "and have you seen ...?";   "and do you know ...?"; and "don't you love it when ...?"  

Such a shame they couldn't stay for longer

Next time they come I shall definitely take pics, I promise!




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!


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Floor Lamp For Sale

Hi there.  Another item for sale.  Today it is a gorgeous brand new tripod lamp from Robert Abbey.  Ebony finished wood with Polished Nickel accent including at the base of the legs.
Dimensions below but in case they are hard to see 68.75"H x 22.5" Dia shade.  Retails for $505, selling here for $299 plus freight from Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This is at one of my client's homes in Michigan, not in Birmingham. 
E-mail me @ mstronginteriors@aol.com if interested.

{ Camille's Annie Sloan Purple Dresser }

I promised Camille a new dresser in her room. (which you can see here)
She was dying for purple.
I was not.


Well, thank you Annie Sloan chalk paint, 'cause I found the perfect shade by mixing Duck Egg Blue with Scandinavian Pink and a dash of Old Violet.
Now we're both happy. It's the perfect shade of lavender.


I keep the handles exactly how I found them. Some weird mint green color.
(And I have no before, because, if you follow this page you know I'm a spaz and have no time for "before" photos. Most of the time.)





The photo block is from my friend, and artist Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes, I LOVE it and so do my girls.



Her knick knacks and hair accessories are kept in a two tiered cake plate thingy I made with a green depression glass candle stick and mini cake pans.



If she actually keeps her clothes in it, I'll remain happy.

café culture in Paris





With so many of my readers spending time in Paris this coming season, I thought you may like some  suggestions for places to sit and enjoy a coffee, a snack, a proper déjeuner, and  ... watch the Parisian world go by.

Here are some of my favourites, chosen for their position in the city, a good terrace, the amiability of the waiters (please don't hold me to that!) and for their all round Parisian-ness.




The Bistrot St Dominique, over 100 years old,  great position in the 7th arrondissement, traditional French cuisine, and just across the square



La Fontaine de Mars, specialising in the wonderful cuisine of South West France, great service too.  A must-do.






The super big, but so well positioned Café Nemours, place Colette, just behind the Louvre.  People watching has never been easier, pricey but chic and reliable.




The Café Guitry is tucked away under the arcades of the theatre Edouard VII in the 9th arrondissement.  A great terrace to sit at because there is no busy road with cars flying by, and if it is hot, then a place in the shade is quite delicious.




L'Absinthe   good food, good atmosphere, good address - what more could you ask for?!


Maybe you already know these addresses, let me know what you think too.




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!!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

roses and tarnished silver




I'm a simple girl at heart.






I don't long for that much ....





a posy of perfect roses ...





a few lazy sage leaves ... 





an old and tarnished silver bowl ...





soft lighting on a window sill







a little pink, a little cream, a touch of yellow ....





doesn't sound like much to ask !





what do you think?  are you easy to please too?


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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