On The Cutting Table........

'On the Cutting Table' is a series a started a little while back where I just fill you in on some of the behind the scenes happenings of The Cottage Mama.  Sometimes I disappear from the blog for a little bit, but I'm usually busily working away on different projects for other areas of the business.

So I thought I would share what's been going on around here this past week.......

First off, we are getting ready for International Quilt Market that is coming up this next week.  If you are not familiar with this event, it is a trade show (not open to the public)......but you can read about my experiences HERE and HERE.  I will not have a booth there this time, but I have some pretty great meetings scheduled with people and several of my creations will be on display at the Moda, Riley Blake Designs and Birch Fabrics booths.  I have been working away getting samples of my patterns sewn up for these three manufacturers using some fabrics that have yet to be released, which is always a lot of fun.

Samples for the Moda Booth of both my Shortcake Reversible Romper and Dress pattern as well as my Janey Jumper pattern.

This is one of the samples for the Birch Fabrics booth, though they will have about 5 of my pieces on display.  Isn't this whale fabric just too cute?  This is my new Run Around Romper pattern sewn in the shorts variation for a baby boy.

I've also been busy creating a new tutorial for Riley Blake Designs that will be posted next Wednesday.  I'm using their new 'Dress Up Days' line and we will be giving away a Fat Quarter Bundle of this adorable fabric next week.  I can't wait to show you this finished project ~ I think you're going to really like it!

My pattern covers and instructions arrived this week......all 27 boxes!  Right now they are hanging out in our mud room until we can figure out the best way to store them in the house.  I'm still waiting on the pattern sheets since those come from a different printer.  Due to the fact that they are printed on nice white pattern paper, each pattern sheet is hand folded at the printer.  Luckily the printer is shipping a small portion of the pattern sheets today so I should be able to fill all pattern pre-orders next week and have some left to take with me to market.  The rest of the patterns should be here the following week!

Also, this week I sold off a bunch of fabric from my stash over on The Cottage Mama Facebook page.  There are always new lines coming out so sometimes I have to make room in the studio for new arrivals, especially before market.  The pictures above are all the cut yardage and fat quarter bundles that will be mailed out (hopefully) by tomorrow.

And as if I didn't have enough going on, I am just dying to update my family room so I've been working on pairing some fabrics for this project.  I bought a wing-back style chair last year that I've had stored in my in-laws basement and I want to recover it in a bold print that will be the base for my design.  I love the bright and fresh looks I've seen in all the magazines lately, but I think I'm just a warm and cozy girl at heart, so I'm sticking to that color palette.  I'm trying to incorporate some Anna Maria Horner fabrics into the design as well.  This project is pretty far down on the priority list, but it's just something I can't get out of my head......do you know what I mean?

I've also got some new things I'm adding to the Etsy Shop as one-of-a-kind pieces as well as some custom orders that can be made in size 6 month through size 8.  The dress above will be listed later today as well as a few other things.  If you haven't visited The Cottage Mama shop in awhile, I would love for you to stop over: www.thecottagemama.com

Here are a few other things that will be showing up:

So today I will be working on putting a vintage-inspired children's look together for the 'Vintage May' series that is happening over at Craftiness is Not Optional and Skirt as a Top.  Not quite sure what I'm making yet, but I'm excited to come up with something for my post on Monday!

I hope you guys have had a wonderful week.  Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about doing the free pattern for the 'Little Linen Dress'.  It's coming.......eventually.

To stay even more up to date with The Cottage Mama, please join in our conversations over at The Cottage Mama Facebook page.  We'd love to hear from you!

Have a great weekend and a very Happy Mother's Day!