Show and Tell: Gathered Ruffle Camera Strap Cover

Remember a month or so ago when I told you about my new baby (my new DSLR camera - Canon Rebel T1i)?  Well, I have seen a gazillion cute camera straps around the internet lately and I thought "I want one!".  So today I decided to make myself one for my new camera.

I've seen a lot of great tutorials, but nothing was exactly what I was looking for, so I just decided to go for it and make my up my own little design with a little inspiration from here and there.

I used fabric from designer Anna Maria Horner.  When I was first introduced to this designer I was not initially won over by her work (sorry to say), but now I LOVE it!  I guess it's grown on me - I love the eclectic mix of patterns she uses with vintage, geometrics and florals.

I used a piece of woven trim that I purchased at a very old local fabric store.  I don't know if it is vintage or not, but it's old and I just loved its charm.

I wanted my camera strap to be slightly padded so I added some fusible fleece to the under-side.  I'm very happy with the amount of padding this gives the strap cover - not too much, not too little.

I used a gathering stitch on the top layer (don't worry if you don't know what that means, I promise to cover that in my "Sew Basics" series) and stitched the ribbon down the center of the ruffle.  I then sewed the top layer to the bottom layer (right-sides together) and turn it right-side out to reveal the completed camera strap cover.

On the inside I stitched in my label - The Cottage Mama.  It's so fun to have your own labels!  Even if you don't sell the things you make, I highly recommend purchasing some for any of the gifts you give or the clothes you make.  I feel so proud when I see my girls wearing "The Cottage Mama".

And there's me - "hi there!" sporting my new, hip camera strap cover.  I designed, cut, and finished this camera strap during naptime today, so it sewed up pretty quick.  If you have a boring camera strap right now, why not take a little time to make yourself something special, I'm sure you deserve it!!

Have a great weekend!

Cottage Mama's Note: Since there are so many tutorials out there on making camera straps, I figured I would just kind of tell you what I did.  If you have any questions about how I made mine or if you would like a tutorial just leave me a comment or email me (thecottagemama@gmail.com).

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Easiest 10-Minute Throw Pillow

Would you believe me if I told you that the pillow pictured above was originally a placemat?  Well, it's true!  I got this placemat today at Pier 1 on sale for $3.10 (including tax).  I turned this beauty into a pillow in less than 10 minutes, yes, LESS than 10 minutes.  Even if you don't own a sewing machine, you can do this little project - just get out your seam ripper and hand-sewing needle.

Like I said in my previous post, I have really been into sprucing up The Cottage Home, but with being a stay-at-home Mom, I am usually on a pretty tight budget.  So I am doing the best with what I have (rearranging things galore) and adding in the occasional thrifty find.  I am so excited about this project and I hope you will be too!!

10-Minute Throw Pillow Tutorial

Supplies:

1 double layer placemat

Seam ripper

Fiberfill or other stuffing

Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle

Thread

Directions:

Grab a standard-size placemat.  I got mine at our local Pier 1 (though I was inspired by all the pretty things I've seen in the Potterybarn catalog lately).  Perhaps you have a placemat on-hand or check out any of your favorite stores - I guarantee a place mat will be FAR less expensive than a pillow but will still have the same style as your favorite store.

I picked this placemat because I loved the texture and the colors (our family room is deep red, brown, tan and green).  Make sure you choose a placemat that has two layers - a top layer and a bottom layer.  Some placemats are trimmed with bias-tape.  Try to stay away from those for this project as it will only make your life more complicated.

Here's what the back of my placemat looks like - just a simple, solid brown.

Remove the tag from the placemat.  I decided this would be a good place for me to open up both layers as it already looked a little wonky to me.  But you can open your placemat any where you see fit.

Take your seam-ripper and carefully open up your placemat.  Open a hole large enough for you to stick your hand through.  You need to be able to get your hand inside to stuff the pillow.

This is the size hole that I ended up with after opening up both sides of my placemat (I have kind of small hands).

Take your fiberfill (or whatever stuffing you are using) and fill your placemat.  Keep filling until you are satisfied with the look.

After you have filled your pillow, pin the opening shut.  I know my pinning is not entirely proper here, but just do your best to pin the opening closed.

For the next step, if you have a sewing machine, line up the original stitching and close your opening with coordinating thread.  Mine was a 1/8th seam allowance.  If you DO NOT have a sewing machine, hand-sew the opening closed in coordinating thread.

Here is what the side of my pillow looked like after I closed the opening.

And there you have it - a pillow in less than 10-minutes - does it get any easier than that?  Well, not for $3.00!!

I saw some placemats at Pier 1 with some fabulous beaded trim on two sides - that would make a totally cute addition to a pillow, don't you think?.  Hmmmm.......my wheels are turning.......perhaps I need another placemat or two.  What about you?  Will I see you out tomorrow picking up a placemat?

Have a great night!

Cottage Mama's Note:  I have seen several different versions of this type of pillow on other websites such as Thrifty Decor Chick and I'm sure there are others out there too!  Everyone has their own version, so feel free to check out some others and see what works best for you!!

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Loaded Potato Salad Recipe from Matilda's Summer Garden Party

So, I'm finally getting around to posting some of the recipes from my daughter, Matilda's Summer Garden Party that we had earlier this month.  The first recipe I would like to share with you is my Loaded Potato Salad.

I get weak in the knees for a good loaded baked potato.  I mean I love the works - butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives, salt and pepper - YUM.  A good, loaded baked potato was my inspiration for this wonderful potato salad.  Even if you don't traditionally like potato salad, give this a try - you might be a potato salad fan after all!

Matilda's Loaded Potato Salad

Serves 12

Ingredients:

2 pounds red potatoes, cleaned and cut into 1 inch chunks

1 pound of bacon, cooked and crumbled

5 green onions, cleaned and sliced

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salad water to a boil.  Add potatoes cut into 1 inch chunks.  Cook until tender, but not mushy (it's very important not to over cook your potatoes).  Cooking time is approximately 15 minutes.  Drain potatoes, place in refrigerator to cool.

Meanwhile, cook your bacon.  You can cut it prior to cooking, as I have done here, or cook the strips and crumble them later (it's up to you).  Once cooked, crumble each bacon strip and set aside.  

Add mayonnaise and sour cream to a large mixing bowl and combine.  Then add green onions (or chives, if you prefer), celery, bacon, and salt and pepper.  Finally add your cooked, cooled potatoes (don't worry if they aren't totally cooled - that's ok) and fold ingredients together to combine.  Taste and then adjust seasoning.  

Place potato salad in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to come together.  This is definitely a great make ahead dish, so feel free to make this the day before your party or event! 

Enjoy!

Cottage Mama's Note:  If it doesn't taste quite right to you, it probably needs more salt.  I find that salt can make or break a potato dish - just the right amount and you can hit it out of the park, too little and your flavor will fall very flat.  Keep tasting and adjusting as you see fit.  Remember you can always add more salt, but you can't take it out.

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The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen

I was so excited to receive an unexpected package in the mail today.  Isn't it exciting when you find a package at your doorstep and you have know idea what's inside because it's not your birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas or your Anniversary?  Well, yes, that was me this afternoon.

But of course, this lovely package was from my wonderful Mother.  The Cottage Mama's Mama always knows how to put a smile on her girls face.  I had mentioned last week that I wanted to get this book - The Farm Chicks In The Kitchen.  And of course, being the amazing Mom that she is, she surprised me and ordered it!

So tonight I plan on reading through this lovely book that I am SO excited to finally have in my possession.  Do any of you have this book?  Thoughts?  Any recipes I MUST try?  Well, if I come across any winners, I'll make sure to share with you all!

Here's a link to The Farm Chick's blog if you want to check it out - it's really cute and has great style.

On another note, I'm on a super nesting kick right now (no, I am not pregnant :-) - rearranging and de-cluttering my house.  It feels great, but I'm in the stage right now where it looks worse before it can look better - ahhhhh.  I'm really trying to work on my lack of patience and understand that this is going to take more than a day, but hopefully I can get it all done this week (we'll see).  Wish me luck!

Hope you all had a great weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

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Marinated Fresh Mozzarella

I love fresh mozzarella.  There really is no comparison to the stuff you buy in a brick or pre-shredded.  I love a good piece of crusty bread with sliced mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt - Yum!

When I want to take fresh mozzarella to the next level, I love to marinate them in herbed olive oil.  Have you seen the marinated mozzarella in the store?  It's pretty expensive in comparison to the regular un-marinated variety - usually about 2 times the price (if not more).  Marinated mozzarella is so simple to do at home at the fraction of the cost.

Marinated Fresh Mozzarella

Ingredients:

1 package medium size, fresh mozzarella balls

3/4 cup good olive oil

Herbs (fresh or dried) - oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, parsley, ect..

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Optional: Red Pepper Flakes

Directions:

Drain fresh mozzarella.  Place cheese in a small container.  Sprinkle herbs on top.  This is where you can get creative - use what you like (fresh or dried).  If you have an herb garden go to town with fresh, if you don't, just use what's in your cabinet - it will be good either way.  If you like spice, add some red pepper flakes.  Sprinkle some salt and pepper (about a 1/4 teaspoon).

Fill container so mozzarella is covered.  You may use more or less olive oil depending on your container size.

Cover container with a tight lid and let sit overnight.

Antipasto platter from Matilda's Garden Party with Marinated Fresh Mozzarella

Cottage Mama's Note: Use this mozzarella on a beautiful antipasto platter (as seen above).  Or cook some pasta, let it cool and add the marinated mozzarella (with oil and herbs) to make a delicious pasta salad.  Or simply place cheese on a crusty piece of Italian bread and enjoy!

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Sewing Refashion - A Simple Shirt Dress

Refashioning seems to be a hot trend that is here to stay.  With people trying to get back to basics, saving money and using what they have on hand, it's no wonder it's become so popular.

So my friend Maggie, had her 3rd baby last week - Eloise Margaret (isn't that the cutest name?!?) and I wanted to bring over some dinner and some little gifts for her new bundle of joy.

I wouldn't take just any Mom a "refashioned" gift, but Maggie, just so happens to be a blogger as well (www.smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com), so I knew she would appreciate my efforts.  Maggie now has two girls, so I couldn't resist doing some sister dresses.

Now this isn't exactly a tutorial for the following dress, since I got a little lazy with my picture taking, but I thought I would just give you a rough idea of what I did and you can make up your own version if you like.

I got these button up shirts in the clearance section at Target.  I thought they were a little bit much for a grown woman, but I thought these would make adorable shirt dresses for little girls.

I used my 6 month old mannequin to get the sizing for baby Eloise's little dress.  I have about four different sized mannequins that come in handy for children's clothing.

I pinned the garment inside out and then cut away the excess fabric that I didn't need.

If you don't have a mannequin to get your sizing, just take an a-line dress in a 6-month size and use that as your pattern.

To take in the shoulders, I simply created a little tuck.  I tucked about an inch of the shoulder fabric underneath the fabric closer to the collar.

I continued the tuck all the way down to about the waistline in the front and the back of the dress.  I tapered the amount of fabric that was tucked away as I got down to the waistline.

This is what the back looked like before it was sewn.

Then I stitched the side seams together - right-sides togethre. (Yes, that is crayon all over my dress-form - Savannah got a hold of this one when I wasn't looking one day).

I stitched my little pin tucks into place with coordinating thread - one on each side of the shirt.

I took off some of the length from the shirt and sewed a basic hem.

And here is the little shirt dress for baby Eloise!  It looks a lot bigger in these pictures, but it really is 3-6 month size.

This shirt came with some great trim already on it - you know how I love rick-rack, so I just thought this was perfect!

The back of the dress has some basic shirring with elastic thread.  This is great for a little ones shirt dress, because it allows it to appear very fitted, but it still has a lot of give in the rear for playing.

Here are the pin tucks after they have been sewn into place.  You hardly ever know that this shirt was super big before!

I made a pink version of this dress for Maggie's other daughter, Penelope who is almost 2 years old.  They are going to look SO cute in their matching shirt dresses!

I also wanted to give Miss Eloise something else special, so I made her this patchwork baby blanket.  I hope she will enjoy looking at all the colors during tummy time!

Congratulations Maggie on baby #3 and a big welcome to your new little lady, Eloise!

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