Living Large In Small Spaces - Green Cottage





Welcome to the sixty-first post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".
I confess that I really love discovering cottages in other parts of the world to share with you. It's not always easy to find one with interior photos, so when I came across this one in Poland I nearly jumped through my computer screen. (Okay, not really. But I did feel a little giddy.)

 The charmometer jumped way up on this one. Look at those stained glass windows and the scallop molding. Plank walls and ceiling -- yes, please.



From what I could gather about this cottage, it is a weekend and holiday getaway for the owners and their children. It was in pretty rough shape when they found it and they have been slowly restoring it.






 The banner over the sofa reads "Gość w dom - Bóg w dom"
English translation: Guest coming into house - God coming into house. A guest is a blessing for the household.
Though color is used sparingly in the decor, its impact against the neutral backdrop is generous.




Dark woods contrast beautifully against the white.


This cottage has a comfortable, collected look that I love.





Blue and white with touches of yellow is a classic combination. Timeless.


Enchanting touches everywhere.

The outdoor living is just as charming.



Zielona Chatka translated: Green Cottage


Could this be my new favorite small space living large? It's at least in my Top 10. How about you?

Source: Decoholic

Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours and small living ideas in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.


From the comments I've received, many
people have been encouraged by the homes and lives 
shared in this series.
If you live in a small space I'd 
love to feature your story, too.


Send me an email and let's collaborate.
(See the "Contact Me" page for my email address.)


By Nancy at 31 comments
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Christmas Giveaway Winner

Greetings and salutations Cottage Friends.

 I'm popping in to announce the winner of my Christmas giveaway.


The winner is
CAROL

I don't have Carol's last name or email address, but I do know that she posted her comment on December 7, 2015 at 6:17 AM.

So Carol, if you're reading this please email me at ajoyfulcottage@gmail.com and give me your mailing address so I can get your prizes off to you. Congratulations and thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoy your prizes.

To all my other wonderful cottage friends, I wish I could give each of you a gift. You're so  special to me and I appreciate every one of you more than you know. 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!




By Nancy at 14 comments
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Crazy Easy Mug Rug Tutorial

Greetings Cottage Friends.

 Last week I showed you the snow globe AnnMarie sent me and the little patchwork rug I whipped up here.


Little Patchwork Rug
Rebecca asked me to explain how I made it. There are so many great mug rug tutorials on the web from professional quilters and sewists that I'm almost embarrassed to share my own ridiculous method. However, it's really easy and quick if you just want to make some basic no-frills mug rugs. Once you get rolling you can whip out a bunch of these in no time. And they're inexpensive to make. So, if you're interested, read on. 

 I made a couple of different rug mugs (or coasters if you want to call them that) just for this tutorial. As I mentioned, these are very basic. You could certainly add some interfacing or a little batting for added thickness, bind and quilt them, add ric-rac, buttons or other decoration. Make them shabby chic. Whatever your mind can dream up.

 As do most quilters, I have lots of scraps. Mug rugs are great scrap busters.


Here we go:

 1. I start with a 5" square. (I cut this one from a larger piece of fabric.)



2. Choose a fabric scrap and lay it over the first square. This scrap needs to be 5" wide so I had to trim it a bit. (I don't worry about the length. My scrap just happens to be about 3-1/2" long, but any length will do. You'll see why in a minute.)

3. Choose a second 5" wide scrap and lay it next to the first scrap. Together the total length of the two scraps is more than 5". That's okay. I'll take care of that soon. 

4. Place the two scraps together, right sides facing.
    Join with a 1/4" seam.
    Open, and press seam down with my fingernail.
5. Turn the joined piece over and lay the 5" square on top. You can see that the two pieces I joined are now longer than the 5" green square by about 1-1/2"



6. I'm trimming off that excess.

7. Now I have a 5" square. If I wanted to I could just call this newly made square good. But it's pretty boring. . .it needs another patch.
8. I choose a white scrap (this happens to be about 2-1/2" wide) and place it on top of the joined piece.


9. Now I trim the length of that white piece down to 5".


 10. Line up the white strip even with the top of the joined piece, right sides together.
Sew the white strip to the pieced square with a 1/4" seam.
I end up with a larger than 5" square.




11. Using my grid I decide how I want my patchwork to line up and trim off the excess.
12. Now I've got two 5" squares. 
13. I place them right sides together and sew 1/4" seam around all sides, making sure to leave  a 2" opening on one side (for turning the inside out). 
Clip the corners.
Turn the inside out.










14. Gently push out the corners with a pointed tool. 
Turn under the salvage of the 2" opening  and press.

15. Top stitch 1/4" from the edge on all sides.



And that's it.

A pretty mug rug.


Now here's another mug rug that's super fun to make and a good way to use up really small strips of leftover fabric.

 Choose whatever scrap strips you like and sew them together with 1/4" seams. Here I'm using 5" long strips in various widths.

Just keep adding and sewing until you have the look and size you want.
Trim as needed. In this case I'm trimming to a 5" square. 

Remember this scrap leftover from the first mug rug tutorial above?

I'm going to use it for the reverse side.

Adding another, larger scrap.

Sew the two pieces right sides together with a 1/4" seam.

Trim to 5" width.
Here are my two completed squares. Follow steps #13-15 above to finish.
Here's the second finished mug rug -- front and back.

So now I've showed you how to easily make two different mug rugs. 
Aren't my dollar store mugs cute?


Have you made mug rugs? 
If not, is this something you might try?
If you make one using my tutorial, I'd love to see it. And please let me know if you have questions.

 Hey, if you haven't entered my Christmas Giveaway, there's still time.  Here's what you can win.

To enter go here.

 Blessings,




By Nancy at 19 comments
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A Joyful Cottage Christmas Giveaway

Hello Sweet Cottage Friends,

 First, thank you for all the nice comments on my Country Cottage Christmas Part One post. (Still tweaking and will be sharing Part Two soon.) I'm so blessed to have all of you visit regularly and encourage me with your kind comments.

 Yesterday I went to the Christmas Tea and Bazaar just across the street from our cottage. It was so much fun to see all the festive tables, eat some chili (pass on the cookies, though they were really tempting), and chat with neighbors and friends. 

 One of my quilting friends, Marietta, had a charming array of handmade items for sale, and I bought a few of them. Another friend, Peggy, had an Avon table set up, where I purchased a few stocking stuffers. As I gathered up my things I thought of my bloggy cottage friends and figured now would be a perfect time to do a giveaway in appreciation for all the love you direct my way. 


My giveaway includes a snowman potholder and Christmas tree tea towel (made by Marietta), Avon Lip Balm and a tube of Moisture Therapy Intensive Healing and Repair (both are perfect to tuck into your handbag).

 All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave me a comment saying you want to participate. That's it. Done.

 You don't have to be a blogger to participate, but I will need your email address to contact you should you be the winner.

 I'm sorry, but this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.

 I'll announce the winner right here on Friday, December 11 at 8:00 AM Pacific Time.  

 Merry Christmas!




By Nancy at 54 comments
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Living Large In Small Spaces - Josie's Cabin




Welcome to the sixtieth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".

No matter how cold it is outside on a winter's eve, seeing the amber glow from Josie's Cabin has to warm the visitor's spirits. 

 Nestled in the woods just outside of Harbor Springs, Michigan, this delightful home was built for Josie by her husband and son as a gift.

 I love the decor in this cabin. It speaks to my cottage-loving heart.


The half-log exterior and interior is combined with 2" x 2" boards to serve as chinking.

 An open floor plan maximizes the small space. The vaulted ceiling, bay of high windows in the dining area and glass front cabinets visually expand the room.



White cabinetry and trimwork keep the cabin bright and cheerful. The white beadboard ceilings are charming. And the great views just keep coming.




A large screened porch with outdoor fireplace extends the living space.


This is a truly beautiful cabin in a gorgeous setting.




Are you feeling a Narnia vibe, or is it just me?
Architect: Sears Architects
Builder: Cottage Company of Harbor Springs
Interior Designer: Cottage Company Interiors
Photos: Dave Speckman
Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.


From the comments I've received, many
people have been encouraged by the homes and lives 
shared in this series.
If you live in a small space I'd 
love to feature your story, too.




Send me an email and let's collaborate.
(See the "Contact Me" page for my email address.)


By Nancy at 22 comments
Labels:
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