Monday Musings - Summer in the Country Blog Hop

Hi, I'm Linda and I am thrilled to welcome you to my blog on today's stop on the Island Batik Summer in the Country blog tour.  I live in New Hampshire, and when I think of Summer and Country, my mind goes to the wonderful farmers markets that are abundant this time of year.  When I go to our local markets, I find it helpful to bring along a strong, lightweight tote bag to carry my purchases from table to table.  That's where my inspiration for today's project comes from.Each Ambassador receives some promotional fabric to use for projects such as this, and I received fabrics from the Jewels and Gems line, some of which I supplemented on my own when I was in Syracuse...I love the blue and yellow 'ticking' fabric called Beehive,  which is shown in the body of the bag.My inspiration for the design of the bag was a ninepatch, and I used the beautiful muilticolored fabric as the focal point both of the ninepatch and as the base of the bag.My bag wound up being 18" x 18", and the front design was determined by using the 9 patch design which finished at 6" (made from 2 1/2" strips of fabrics), and then breaking up the design with other fabrics.  If you had an orphan block, this would be a great way to repurpose it! Once I had the front of the bag completed, I used a material which is a little unusual in this application (but which works)...T shirt interfacing.  I had it, it gave the bag just enough body, and it wasn't heavy.  I backed both the front and the back (which is just one piece of the beehive fabric) with the interfacing.I decided to add batting to the front of the bag only - I wanted some definition for quilting, but I was concerned about heaviness, so I skipped quilting the back.  The quilting motif I used depended on the front of the fabric, and since this was more or less a utility project, it worked.  Here's a photo of the inside of the bag once I was done quilting it...Once the outside of the bag was done, I sewed around three sides of the bag - leaving the top of the bag open. Once I did that, I went back, going back and cutting  a diagonal box off (marked at an inch and a half, cut at an inch and a quarter).The lining of the bag is more of the Beehive fabric (I like a very light colored lining), again backed with more of the interfacing.  I assembled the  lining by sewing around 3 sides of  the bag as above (for the outside), but then leaving a 4 inch gap on one  side so that you can pull the bag right side out once you are done.The handles were made using the pink material - to pick up the center color of the nine-patches - and it's simply  6 inches (with a thin strip of the interfacing in the middle), folded and folded and folded again to give a final 1 inch strap length. I stitched through the length 3 times - once down each edge, and once down the center.  I used one cut the width of the fabric (42") and made one long strap, folded it and determined that I can cut that in half to make both straps for my project. If that won't work for you, you would need to adjust the measurements accordingly and make a separate second strap.Once you have the outside of the bag, the straps and the inside of the bag, you are ready to put the pieces together.  The outside of the bag and the inside of the bag should be the same size.  This is where making a bag with some structure helps. Stand the bag lining up with the lining fabric to the inside. Place the outer bag inside the lining with the finished side facing the bag lining - you will know that you have this step right if the right sides of both the bag and the lining are facing each other.I used wonder clips, but pins will also work in the next step.  Position the straps you have made between the outer bag and the inner lining, making sure not to twist, and easing any bulk that you need to.  I found that I had better results if I sewed slowly along the top edge; once you are satisfied with that seam, then pull the right side of the bag through the opening in the lining, and straighten and flatten both sides. Your last step will be to top stitch the outer edge closed for a finishing touch, and then stitching the lining opening closed (either by hand or by machine.  Enjoy - and put your shopping list together - you're ready to go shopping.The recipe that I'm sharing with you is one that I have used a lot in the summer since I found it - it's Mock Potato Salad (low carb, made with cauliflower.Cauliflower SaladServes 4Ingredients1 large head of cauliflower2 hard boiled eggs1/3 c mayonnaise1 T mustard1 T dill relish2 tsp finely chopped onions1 tsp fresh dill1 tsp chopped chives1 tsp vinegar1/2 tsp salt, more to taste1/2 tsp ground black pepper1/2 tsp paprika Directions:Cut the cauliflower into bite sized pieces, much like you would potatoes for potato salad. Rinse and Drain.Add just enough water to cover the bottom of a 12 inch skillet and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add cauliflower to the skillet and cover to steam.Let steam for 3-5 minutes, checking for doneness with a fork. When a fork slides in easily, add the cauliflower to a large bowl. Do not overcook the cauliflower or the salad will be mushy.  I prefer it tender crisp.Chop the hard boiled eggs into small pieces, and add to the bowl with the cauliflower.In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, exceot for the paprika, and whish together to form the dressing for the salad.  Gently fold the dressing into the cauliflower and eggs, stirring to coat each piece.Leave me a comment below telling me what your favorite thing at a Farmer's Market is to buy - I'm always looking for new ideas - and I'll be giving away 5 Island Batik fat quarters from the selection below:  Island Batik is hosting a giveaway for the blog hop over on their blog, and you can enter by clicking on the rafflecopter link below!a Rafflecopter giveaway