Rambling Thursday...Some Of This & Some Of That!!!

Water Bottle Carrier Tutorial

Grab two neckties and stitch them up...it'll work! Rarely has something so simple turned out so cool & usefull.
Materials:
2 neckties, same width and degree of taper (this is important!)
Ruler
Pins
Needle and thread
Sewing machine, optional

Line up the neckties in opposite directions, as shown. Measure 14 inches from the corner of one tie point to the corner of the other point. Mark with a pin.

Pin edges of ties together, overlapping each one slightly over the other about 1/8-1/4" total. *It is important that both ties are the same width and degree of taper for these 14 inches!* Use a wide zigzag to stitch down the center, or stitch by hand. Note: Many ties are cut on the bias, therefore the fabric may give when sewing the length of the tie. Be sure not to stretch as you sew.

Turn wrong side up and fold the ties back on themselves.

Line up the outside edges and pin. (If your ties are different widths or sewn woodgie, the sides will not line up!) Straight stitch the sides

Now all you need to do is decide how long you want the straps and tie the skinny ends. If you'd prefer a neater look, cut off the ends at the desired length and stitch together.

The ties were each about 3 1/4" wide at the widest point, making the sling just right to carry a water bottle. These are really easy to make and so much fun...

PORK CHOPS IN ORANGE SAUCE

Ingredients:
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops (6 ounces each)
3/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons Domino® or C&H® Granulated Pure Cane Sugar
6 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cold water
Directions:
Combine paprika and pepper; rub over both sides of pork chops. In a large nonstick skillet, brown chops over medium heat.
Combine the orange juice, sugar, cloves and orange peel; pour over pork. Cover and simmer for 18-22 minutes or until meat juices run clear.
Remove chops and keep warm. In a small bowl, combine flour and water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Discard cloves. Serve sauce over pork chops. Yield: 4 servings.
Nutrition Facts
One serving:1 pork chop with 3 tablespoons sauce, Calories: 288, Fat:10 g,Fiber:0 g

SAUTEED BABY CARROT MEDLEY

Ingredients:
3 cups fresh baby carrots
2 tablespoons Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
1 small yellow summer squash, thinly sliced
1 small sweet red pepper, julienned
1-1/2 cups fresh sugar snap peas
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), finely chopped
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
In a large skillet, saute carrots in oil for 1 minute. Add squash; saute 1 minute longer. Stir in the red pepper, peas and garlic; saute 1 minute more.
Add water. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir until liquid is evaporated and vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the tomatoes, capers, salt and pepper. Yield: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts
One serving:2/3 cup Calories:71, Fat:4 g, Fiber:2 g

RADICCHIO, GRAPEFRUIT AND SPINACH SALAD

Ingredients
5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
2 white grapefruits
1 10-ounce head radicchio, torn into bite-size pieces
8 ounces baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives, pitted
Preparation
Combine vinegar and fennel seeds in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
Cut all peel and white pith from grapefruits. Cut grapefruits between membranes to release segments. Stir segments into dressing. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
Toss radicchio, spinach and olives in bowl. Add grapefruit segments and dressing to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

SOAP BOTTLE APRON

By Debbie Colgrove
Are you looking for a quick project to spiff up a kitchen or a small house warming gift? Here's one that can be made to match any decor!
The pattern piece includes the hem line for the newer short dish liquid bottles.
Materials List:
Fabric
Narrow double fold bias tape to compliment your fabric
Thread
Sewing Machine
Optional: narrow lace, small buttons, assorted trims
Cutting Directions:
Place the indicated line on the pattern piece on to a straight grain fold of the fabric. Do not cut the fold.
The pattern piece has two hem lengths to allow for the newer, shorter dish liquid bottles and the taller bottles. Cut for the size bottle you will be covering.
Apply trim as desired to the apron front.
Zig Zag or finish the hem edges. Turn up to the wrong sides, a scant 1/4" (or roll the zig zag to the wrong side) and top stitch the hem.
If you are working with a quilted fabric as shown here, you may want to zig zag all of the edges, just to make them more condensed for working the hem and the bias tape later
Apply a length of double fold bias tape, approximately 2 3/4" long, to the neckline edge as shown in the photo.
Trim to match the edges of the apron
Top stitch approximately 10" of the bias tape on itself. Insert the under arm edge of the apron into the bias tape and top stitch. When you reach the end of the "arm hole" sew approximately 5" for the neckline and reinsert the other "arm hole" inside the bias tape, the same way you did the first one. At the end of the "arm hole", proceed to top stitch the bias tape, the same way as the other end, to create the apron ties.
Place the "neck line" over the top of the bottle and tie the apron strings around the bottle...Click on
DISH SOAP APRON PATTERN PIECE

to get the pattern piece.