And it continues...

I love Ann Taylor clothing but

COME ON,  AGAIN?

Really? You didn't learn from the first mistake,

and all the public out cry that was a result of it?!?!

Learn more here

While on the subject of watermelon...

and all it's sweetness, it's the fruit most assosiated with summer. Besides being a tasty treat watermelon is the Lycopene Leader in fresh produce, having higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. In fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes - a 2-cup serving of watermelon contains and average of 18.16 mg and one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg. Something good for us 'of a certian age' fighting aging free radicals. A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. Watermelon is also mildly diuretic and contains large amounts of beta carotene.


Some fun water melon facts:
•The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
•Over 1,200 varieties of watermelons are grown worldwide in 96 countries.
•Watermelon's official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
•By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
•Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
•The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
•In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, TN grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books (1998 ed. Guinness Book of World Records).
 

Not only is watermelon tasty but it makes an awesome mojito!!

And you knew I would have to put my  quirky little twist on it didn't you?!?!

 

Watermelon Mojito

 

Ingredients

• 
  
  2 1/2 to 3 pounds watermelon flesh, pits removed
• 
  
  1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 
  
  1/4 cup packed mint leaves, plus more for garnish
• 
  
  2 1/2 cups white rum
• 
  
  1/4 cup agave syrup

Directions

In a blender, puree watermelon, fresh lime juice and mint in batches until smooth. Strain into a pitcher. Mix in rum and syrup. Serve in glasses filled with ice and garnish with mint leaves.

Ahhh, the sweetness of summer!!

Next Project: Watermelon & Shoefly Quilt

I am thinking about a quilt from May/June 2010 issue of Fons and Porter: Love of Quilting. The quilt is called Watermelon and Shoe Fly.

This is the picture in the magazine. It is 42" x 56" and done in flannels, I on the other hand would like to use cotton prints. It is a small throw size which is perfect for summer when it's realy to hot to be under a quilt but a great accent on the couch.

Pink and Green Nomad

Pattern Description:

Hot Patterns Nomad Hobo Handbag

Free pattern from Fabric dot com 

Lined Hobo has a square base, a seamed front & back and wide cut-on handles. Hobo is open at the top with an optional magnetic closure, and features optional phone and zippered interior pockets.

Pattern Sizing:

One size, but depending how you print it out you can change the size.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Well, kinda, but different because of the fabrics.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, but there was a problem with the placement of the magnetic closure. If you do it as the instructions say it would be located on the sides of the straps. I changed this and placed the snap on the other sides.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like the slouchy, casual hobo look to it. And it holds a lot of stuff! The placement of the magnetic snap in my opinion should be on the open sides not the strap sides.

Fabric Used:

Cotton fabric for the outside and a silky poly print for the inside all from JoAnn’s fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

When I printed the pattern I changed my printer preferences to print it at 90% of the original. This made it a tiny bit smaller than the original size, but it still is a large bag and holds so much. For the outside of the bag I sewed fabric strips in a quilt braid design. Like this Quilters Cache Braid. I traced the pattern onto cotton muslin and then marked placement for the fabric strips. Sewed the strips and when finished I trimmed to the pattern size.

Then like a quilt - I used a muslin backing layered with cotton batting and then the pattern piece on top. I hand quilted each piece with cotton pearl in pink. For the straps I did not cut and quilt as the rest of the outside, I made handles that I inserted when the outside and inside were stitched together.

After all the pieces were quilted I then assembled the outside as the instructions. I sewed the inside as the instructions except for the zipper pocket. I did the zipper pocket as I always do like this toot at Handbag-U.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, thinking of gray suede for this fall.

I would say its an easy sew, and fun.

Conclusion:

Cute, casual and fun. Pay close attention to the magnetic snap placement.

Make it fun or funky depending on the fabric choice.

No Excuses

That's it, I can't make any more excuses!!

The month of July has flown by and absolutely nothing has been accomplished.

Sad !!!

So that's it, I am going post as much as I can for the month of August starting today!

(so don't ask me I ain't got no excuses)