Patchwork Camera Strap

Well it took me a while but I have finally opened the sewing machine I received as a wedding gift 4 years ago. It is a pretty basic model Singer 8-Stitch Sewing Machine .  Having never sewn anything in my life it seemed like an impossibly daunting task.  But I have been lusting over all the handmade (w/ a sewing machine) items on pinterest and esty long enough.  It was seriously time for me to get some motivation and teach myself to sew!  So here is my first finished project.  The hardest part of the whole project was actually setting up the machine.  Once I got that figured out the rest went surprisingly smooth. It took me 2 days only because I started without having all the materials needed, typical, so I had to fit a trip into Joanns in there somewhere.  I love the result and can't wait to start some new projects.  

 I looked at tons of different camera strap tutorials but the best one I found, at least for a beginner like me, was this one,  http://littlebiggirlstudio.blogspot.com/2010/08/tutorial-camera-strap-cover-with-lens.html .

 The only part I didn't understand was the topstitch so I found a good explanation here http://www.themotherhuddle.com/topstitching-101-the-what-and-how-of-a-topstitch/  

Only problem is I'm not sure how my husband will feel about carrying the camera around now....hopefully the comfort of the the strap will win him over.

Treat Receipt Time!

Love love love this time of year.  As if I needed an excuse to stop at Starbucks twice in one day...
Now if only we could get a drive-through at the Starbucks here!


http://www.starbucks.com/promo/treat-receipt?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=Summer2FY12

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

These are not your traditional oatmeal cookies but more of a chocolate chip cookie with a little oatmeal added.  They are a much healthier version of a plain old chocolate chip recipe.  It uses half as much butter as most traditional recipes. To make an even lower calorie version use only the egg whites instead of the whole egg.  I personally prefer to use the whole egg but the cookie turns out delish either way.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla

1 1/2 c flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c rolled oats

1 c dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together the butter and sugars.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla.  In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and oats.  Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.  Stir in the chocolate chips and drop tablespoons full onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 7-9 min or until the cookie starts to brown around the edges. Cool and Enjoy!