Archives for January 2010

Embellished Sweater Headband Tutorial

Have you noticed that headbands seem to be coming back in-style?  I have always loved headbands and I think they are super cute way to enhance an outfit!

As you have read in my previous posts, I love repurposing items.  Several weeks ago I repurposed a woman’s sweater and turned it into a little girl’s cardigan (remember this post?)  Well, when I was transforming the sweater into one that would fit my daughter, I cut off the bottom 2-3 inches of the sweater to make it the right length for her.

I kept seeing that strip of felted sweater laying around my craft area and finally decided to do something with it.  In the most recent issue of “Altered Couture” magazine a woman took many different tops and turned them into really neat embellished headbands, so I decided to do the same.  Here is my tutorial on how to make an embellished sweater headband:

Embellished Sweater Headband Tutorial
Supplies:
1 plastic headband
3 scraps of fabric
Embroidery Floss
Fusible Interfacing (I used Wonder Under)
Scissors
13″ – 15″ long strip of sweater material (2″-3″ wide)
Pencil
Hand Sewing Needle
Sewing Machine
Directions:
Cut 3 different sized circles.  You will need 2-small sized, 2-medium sized, and 1-large sized.  You will also need a front and back of each circle.  For example if you need 2-small sized, then you will need to cut 4 circles.  You will also cut fusible interfacing for each circle set – 2-small sized, 2-medium sized, and 1-large sized.
I just used some different objects around my house to make these circles (i.e. a cup, the lid to a jar).  The exact sizes are as follows; small – 2 inch, medium – 3 inch, large – 3.25 inch.  But just make them whatever size you like.
Use fusible interfacing for each circle set to bond the front and the back together.  This will give each circle some stability and structure.  Follow the instructions for whatever brand of interfacing you are using.
After you have fused all of the circles together, fray-check around the edges so that your circles stay neat.  If you like the frayed look, then feel free to skip this step.
Now, onto making the actually sweater headband.
Fold your sweater strip in half and pin.
Sew your fabric strip so that you form a tube.
This is what your sweater tube will look like after you sew it together.
Now you need to turn your sweater tube right-side out so that your seam is on the inside.
Now slide your plastic headband inside of the sweater tube.
Sew your sweater tube closed around the headband.  Cut off excess sweater material.
Now hand-sew your circles onto your sweater headband.  You can do this however you like – I chose to layer the circles and added decorative stitching around the exterior of each circle with embroidery floss.
PS:  Sorry, the picture above is not the best – it was my best effort at taking a picture of myself wearing the headband.
Cottage Mama’s Note:  If you are making this for a child, then reduce the size of your circles.  Also, if you prefer a more subtle headband, then you can simply do the sweater portion and omit the circles – that looks cute too!!

Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas

I am a big fan of fajitas.  Typically I make chicken, shrimp or veggie fajitas here at The Cottage Home, but this week I decided to try something new – Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas!  If you’ve never tried chorizo, you can find it in most local grocery stores these days.  It sort of has the consistency of ground beef, but is a little drier due to the fact that there are many herbs and spices mixed in (especially chili powder).  If you are looking to add something new to your cooking repertoire – give these a try!!

Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas

Ingredients:
1lb. Mexican Chorizo Sausage
Flour Tortillas
1 Poblano Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Onion
Salsa
Cilantro
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 tsp. Fajita Seasoning

Directions:

Cook chorizo over medium heat until cooked through.

Meanwhile, slice peppers and onions.

Once chorizo is cooked, removed from saute pan.  Add peppers and onions and saute in the oil that was left from the sausage – this adds tons of flavor!  Also, add fajita seasoning.

While onions and peppers are cooking, slice your cooked chorizo sausage.

Add sliced chorizo to the cooked onions and peppers.  Saute for 1-2 minutes.

Now it is time to assemble your fajitas.  Place a spoon-full of sausage, peppers, & onions onto each tortilla.  Top with cheddar cheese, fresh salsa, sour cream, green onions, and fresh cilantro.

And there you have it – Spicy Chorizo Sausage Fajitas!  Serve with tortilla chips, salsa and sour cream.  Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Cottage Mama’s Note:  When I sliced into my red bell pepper for this recipe, it had gone to the dark side, so that is why you don’t see the red bell pepper.  Mexican rice and beans would also be delicious with this meal.
*PS: To keep your herbs fresher longer, try placing them in a glass of water and then storing them in the fridge – kind of like fresh flowers.

Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial

I wanted to share this fun, easy Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial with all of you.  I have been trying to get my craft space organized over the last few days (trying being the operative word).  I have a big stash of these mason jars that I got super cheap at the thrift store (.39 cents each).  I am going to be using them to store all of my extra trims, buttons, ect.  I decided to add a pin-cushion to the top to make them dual purpose (and I think it makes the jars so fun and decorative)!

So if you need some extra storage, grab a mason jar and give this tutorial a try!

Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial
Supplies:
1 Mason Jar (any size) – with lid
Scrap piece of fabric
Scrap piece of cardstock/scrapbook paper
Glue gun (or strong craft glue)
Pencil
Scissors
Fiberfill
Directions:

Trace a circle around the interior lid of the mason jar onto your cardstock.
Cut out the circle with your scissors.
On the wrong side of your fabric, freehand draw another circle (about 2 inches wider than your lid center.)
Using your scissors, cut out the circle.
Here is your completed fabric circle.
Place your fabric (wrong-side up) over the exterior lid of the mason jar.
Center the circle over the lid exterior.
Place your fiberfill in the middle of the fabric circle.
Push the fiberfill into the fabric, pushing it through the lid exterior.
Take the lid interior and push it into the lid exterior.
This is what it will look like when you lock the lid center into the lid exterior.
Now hot glue your fabric down over the lid center to set it in place.
This is what it will look like when all of your fabric is glued down.  Don’t worry – this doesn’t need to be neat, as you won’t be able to see this when the pin cushion is complete.
Now to cover up the fabric edges, take the cardstock circle that you cut earlier and glue it into the center of the lid.
And there you have it – the completed Mason Jar Pin Cushion!
Cottage Mama’s Note:  I tied a pretty pink ribbon around the top of the jar.  I plan to make several of these to store all of my colored trims.  I used pink & cream Amy Butler fabric because this jar will hold all of my pink trims.  I also used Amy Butler scrapbook paper for the inside of the lid.

Craft Organization: Ribbon

My craft/sewing space is in dire need of some serious organization.  I will partly blame my disorganization on the fact that my craft/sewing room is also the office, so I can’t have it set up exactly how I would like.  The other part I will blame on myself.  I get so excited about a new project and just have to get it finished; therefore, I don’t clean up as I go and that just leads to utter chaos with all of my fabric, thread, ribbon, scissors, patterns all over the place……..you get the picture……not pretty.

So I thought I would do a few posts on craft organization.  I am trying to get better about keeping everything in its place and it is much easier to do so when you have a proper organizational system.

Multiple Pant Hanger

This is what I did – I used a multiple pant hanger to organize all of my ribbon!  I saw this idea many years ago – it may have been in Real Simple Magazine (oh, how I LOVE Real Simple), but I’m not exactly sure.  This is such an effective way to store all of that pretty ribbon that you use to embellish your craft/sewing projects (or you could use it for wrapping ribbon as well).

Yes, you could go out and buy one of those fancy “ribbon organizers” that they sell in the stores, but this is much more affordable and just as effective.  I got this one from The Container Store, but I’m sure Target or Walmart has them as well.

Just slide each spool of ribbon onto each one of the pant hangers.  You can color coordinate it or put like-types of ribbon together.  You can hang this in a closet or just hang it from a hook in your craft room (if you are lucky enough to have a space specially dedicated to crafting).

Then when you need to use some ribbon, you can clearly see all of your options and choices – just pull it off the spool and cut.  I think being able to see all of the pretty things you own helps breed creativity and makes creating that much more fun!

Happy Organizing!

My Girls!

Oh, my heart is so full of love today that I just wanted to share a few pictures of my little ladies – Savannah Rose (22 months) and Matilda Jane (6 months).  I have to say, I am not a photographer and getting a picture of two under two actually looking at the camera at the same time was a big accomplishment for me!

Now many people told me that having two children so close together would be hard, but that it would be so worth it.  And now I think I know what they meant about the……”so worth it” part.

Over the last few weeks I have really seen Savannah interacting more and more with her baby sister.  She definitely knew she was around before, but things are different now.  She is really acting like Matilda is an actual person.

Savannah is doing things like trying to get Matilda to play drums with her by handing her a drum-stick (mind you…..Matilda can’t even sit up yet) or playing pretend by handing her a little spoon and telling her they are eating chicken soup.  Savannah is just so sweet to her little sister – giving her random kisses and hugs throughout the day, bringing her a binky, giving her a blanket when she thinks she needs it – it is SO cute and it melts my heart.

I just can’t wait for them to be able to run around together and play dolls together and do all those things that sisters do together.  It’s going to be so wonderful for them to have each other as they grow up.  I love my girls so much and I know that I am truly blessed!

Repurposed Woman’s Turtleneck = Sweet Little Girl’s Cardigan

I have had several sweaters laying around my office / craft room that I purchased some months ago from Goodwill (remember this post).  I had already felted them and they were just waiting for my creativity to get a hold of them.  Except that was the problem……..I just didn’t really have too many ideas that motivated me to do anything with them……until today!

I decided to take a felted woman’s turtleneck and turn it into a little cardigan for my sweet Savannah Rose.  So here’s what I started with:

And here is what I ended up with:

The felting REALLY reduced the original size of the sweater so I took off about 2-3 inches on the bottom, but that was it.

Here is a picture of the front.  I used fabric covered buttons that coordinated with the ruffle I used on the back.

The ruffle is a piece of fabric that I folded in half and attached to the collar.  I also put a coordinating ribbon underneath the collar so in case it pops up (while playing), you won’t see any raw edges.

I cuffed the sleeve to make it the right length for my daughter.  I added some piping and cute pink trim and then stitched the cuff in place.

It is so fun to take something that has been discarded by someone else and turn it into something fabulous.  Maybe you have an old sweater laying around that you are just waiting to donate – well don’t!!  Change it up with a pair of scissors and some trim and you’ve got a new look for just pennies!!

Cottage Mama’s Note:  If you have never felted before, it is super easy and very fun.  What you need is a 100% wool sweater – if you can’t tell, usually wool sweaters say “dry clean only” on the washing instructions.

Take your “dry clean only” sweater and throw it in your washing machine on the highest heat setting possible.  It’s a good idea to put your sweater in a lingerie bag so you don’t clog the machine with all the wool lint.  You will know your sweater is felted when it looks like one piece of fabric all tight together and should be considerably smaller.  You may have to run it through the wash several times.

Once your sweater is felted, I like to run mine through a hot dryer as well.  Felted wool is awesome because when you cut it, you do not have to worry about it fraying.  If you’ve ever worked with fleece, it’s sort of the same concept – no worrying about finished edges – yippee!!

Little Girls Valentine’s Day Dress Tutorial

My daughter Savannah had this super-cute Valentine’s Day shirt last year that I bought from BabyGap:

I love this shirt!  It’s just so perfect for Valentine’s Day, but that sad thing is that she only really wore it for a couple weeks last year. She went through a major growth spurt and it seemed like overnight the shirt was too short – total bummer!!  Do you find that happens a lot – the shirts don’t get too tight, they just get too short?  That always seems to be our problem around The Cottage Home.

In thinking about what I wanted my little miss to wear for this Valentine’s Day, I kept thinking about that shirt from last year, but it was 12-18 month and she is now in 2T.  Well, I am certainly not interested in buying her anything new this year because I am really trying to make do with what we already have (not to mention, she will probably hit another growth spurt :-).  So I got an idea!!!  I’ll turn this cutie little shirt from last year into a dress for this year!

Little Girls Valentine’s Day Dress Tutorial
Supplies:
1 shirt (a size too small)
Fabric for skirt (four fat quarters or four squares (10″x10″)
Fabric for Ruffle (two 2″x44″ strips sewn together)
Fabric for Waistband – (one 5″x44″ strip of fabric)
Ribbon – 44″ long
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Thread
Serger (not necessary, but nice if you have one)
Directions:
Start out with a child’s size shirt (preferably one size too small)
For the bottom of the dress, I used four fat quarters, but you could also cut four squares (10″x10″)
Cut the fabric for the waistband.  I just used the width of my ruler (to make this easy).  The fabric should be about 5″x44″.
Cut your ribbon (44″ long) that you will be attaching to your waistband.
Cut the strips for the ruffle that will go at the bottom of the dress.  These strips should be 2″x44″ – you will need to cut two and sew them together.  You will end up with a LONG strip that is 2″x88″ long.
Now that you have all of your pieces cut – press all of them so they will be nice and easy to work with.  I have to admit…..ironing may be one of my favorite parts of sewing…….but more about that another time.
Fold your waistband fabric in half (right sides together).
Now sew or serge your waistband fabric – 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Turn your waistband right-side out.
Once turned right-side out press the waistband with the seam running down the middle.
Fold a corner of the waistband under to make the edges look nice.
Pin your ribbon down the center of the waistband and fold the end of the ribbon inside the waistband.
Stitch both ends closed – 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Then stitch down each side of the ribbon (as close to the edge as possible to secure in place.
Now for the fabric ruffle.  Serge the edges of the fabric with a rolled-edge or 3-thread over-lock stitch.  If you don’t have a serger, do a tight zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine to finish the edge.  Remember you sewed two strips together before you even began so that you have a 2″x88″ strip.
Now do a gathering stitch straight down the center of your ruffle strip.  To do this, set your sewing machine on the longest stitch possible.  Start your stitching and DO NOT back-stitch at the beginning or the end (otherwise you won’t be able to gather your fabric).
This is what it will look like after you run your gathering stitch.
Gather your ruffle by pulling on one of the loose threads.  Gather up the fabric until it fits the length of the bottom of the skirt.  Just play with it, until you feel like it looks right.
Start to pin your ruffle and again, just play with the gather until it fits the length of the skirt.
Pin your entire ruffle in place along the bottom of the skirt.
Stitch your ruffle in place by sewing down the center of the ruffle.
Now that your ruffle is sewn in place, place the right sides of your fabric together and stitch the skirt closed (1/2 seam allowance).
Press your skirt seams open.  Then run another gathering stitch across the top of the skirt.
Gather the top of the skirt until it is the same width as the bottom of the shirt.
Pin the top of the skirt to the bottom of the shirt – right sides together.  Stitch in place (1/2 inch seam allowance).
Then press the seam between the shirt and the skirt and top-stitch.  Top-stitching is just another added layer of stitching near the top of a seam to increase durability and flatten the seam.  I love top-stitching – especially when it comes to toddler clothes!!
Here’s what your dress will look like after top-stitching.  You can call it quits here, but I wanted to add some more girly-ness!
Now it’s time to add the waistband.  We are only going to stitch down the front part – we will leave the back part open.  Pin your waistband in place (in between the skirt and shirt).
Stitch down both sides (as close to the edge as possible).  Then press for added crispness.
Ta Da!!  Here is your repurposed Valentine’s Day shirt turned into a cutie little Valentine’s Day dress.  I love how it turned out – so girly and cute!  My model was not available (she is in bed right now), so my 2-year old mannequin will have to do (she is VERY cooperative).
Here’s what the back looks like – you can do a knot or a bow – either works!
Ruffle Detail
Finished Valentine’s Day Dress
Cottage Mama’s Note:  This is a great way to re-use any shirt that may have gotten too short for your kiddo.  You can add a little fabric and just lengthen the shirt or add more and make it into a dress.  Also consider using other store-bought trims if you don’t feel like making the bottom ruffle.

Mary Jane’s Farm Magazine

Have you heard of Mary Jane’s Farm magazine?  Well, I had never heard of this lovely publication until a few weeks ago.  Maybe I am just out of the loop and all of you have been reading and subscribing to this magazine for years, but where has this been my whole life?  It is wonderful!

My mother-in-law gave me a fantastic gift for Christmas; tons of magazines!!  These weren’t just any magazines, these were magazines I had never heard of or never read (due to the fact that they were a little out of my regular budget), but they were all covering topics that she knew I was interested in – thank you Gigi!!

Mary Jane’s Farm magazine is a mix of everything I love all in one publication; cooking, home and garden, women’s topics, organic living, life with children, and this list goes on.  So if you are like me, and hadn’t heard of this magazine, I highly suggest you check it out.  Click here to find out more information about Mary Jane’s Farm magazine.

Little Girls Kitchen Apron Tutorial

My daughter, Savannah Rose, received a darling little kitchen for Christmas this year from her Gigi and Grumpy (my husbands parents).  But what kitchen would be complete without a cute little apron to wear while you are cooking?  I decided I had to make my little lady an apron to match her new favorite toy.  Here is the “how to” for my version of a Little Girls Apron:

Little Girl’s Apron Tutorial
Supplies:
Fabric
-1/4 yard for main apron (or two fat-quarters would work)
-1/4 yard of contrasting colors for flower detail
-1/6 yard for sash
Rotary Cutter, Ruler and Mat
Serger (not a must, but nice if you have one)
Sewing Machine
Thread
Straight Pins
Iron
Directions:
Cut one yard of fabric in half.
Then cut that half yard in half – thus giving yourself 1/4 of a yard.
Place right sides together.
Serge (or sew) three of the sides together – 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Once you have sewn on three sides, turn main apron right-side out and press.

Now it’s time to cut the sash.  I just used the width of my cutting ruler to make it easy.

Now lay the right side of the sash and the right side of the apron together.  Sew – 1/2 inch seam allowance across the top of the apron.

Now, use your iron and press a 1/2 inch fold on both sides of the sash.

Fold over and stitch the sash together (1/4 inch seam allowance).  This will catch the front and the back of the sash over the main apron.

Finish the edges of the sash by either serging or using a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine.

Here is the main apron with the attached sash.  Now it’s time for the fun part!!

Cut 2 strips of fabric (1 of each fabric) about 2 inches wide. Then cut each strip in half, giving you 4 strips of fabric (2 of each fabric).

Press your 4 strips of fabric.  Then finish the edges of the fabric by either serging or zig-zag stitch around the entire perimeter.

Here are your completed, serged strips of fabric.

Now to gather your fabric to make your flower design, set you sewing machine on its basic straight stitch, but make it as long as possible.  Do not back-stitch at the beginning or the end.  Stitch the entire length of the fabric strip down the middle and then pull one end of the thread to gather.

Now this is where you get creative.  Place your gathered strips of fabric in any formation you choose.  I chose to do a flower, but you could just do straight ruffles – whatever you like.  Pin your design in place and stitch down the center of each strip (this time make sure you back-stitch) to hold your design in place.

And there you have it – a cutie little apron for your little lady.  That’s my little Savannah on the phone (for some reason she keeps calling Santa – I think she wants him to come back….”Hello, Santa?…..where are you?”)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe – YUM!

Yesterday my daughter Savannah and I were playing with her Melissa and Doug wooden cookie set in her new play kitchen.  The Cottage Grandma (my Mom) sent her this adorable set  – have you seen it?  It is so much fun – it comes with a cookie sheet, cookies, toppings for the cookies, a play knife, a play spatula, and long cookie tin (think slice and bake) – all made out of wood!  The cookies have velcro on both sides, so you can velcro on your topping, velcro it onto the cookie sheet, or put all the cookies together and practice your slicing.  So much fun!!

So why am I telling you all this?  Well as we were playing “cookies”, I remembered how much fun we had baking Christmas cookies (remember that post).  I asked her if she would like to make real cookies and she said, “yes, yes, yes!!” and so we did.  We made real chocolate chip cookies and boy were they good.  So here is my favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies straight from the Barefoot Contessa herself (Ina Garten) out of her “Parties” cookbook!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 30 cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 pound butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1.5 cups chopped walnuts
1.25 pounds semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well.  Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter with the mixer on a low speed, mixing only until combined.  Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.

Drop the dough on a baking sheet line with parchment paper (I use a regular spoon for this).  Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone).  Remove from oven and let cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  Enjoy!

Cottage Mama’s Note:  The Barefoot Contessa actually uses chocolate chunks – personally I prefer chocolate chips.  If you don’t have a fancy electric mixer, just use a hand mixer – no problem!!