Saturday, March 13, 2010

Simple pleasures

I've been racing around this week and the only sewing I was in the mood for was some playful small projects. I get the urge to make small stuff from time to time, beacuse I need to have the satisfaction of having something finished, you know how it is when all your projects are ufo's.

I've had this book by Chuck Nahora for years and found the directions, which are all done in drawing form, hard to follow. I've wanted to make some pouches so used the photos as my starting point, ignored the directions which just confused me and worked out some easier templates and measurements.
Sneek peek revealed.  I played around with different sizes and come up with one that's the perfect size for me.
Then I decided to play with a different shape and a bigger size.
Lots of space inside this one
I just love the bottom. I was thinking of trying this one in a smaller size. I am thinking a tutorial would be a good idea. Which pouch do you fancy? The zippers are hand sewn in and not difficult to do, so you zipperphobics could even manage this.
My other pet project has been the sourdough, Bubbles. I've worked out a hybrid recipe using sourdough and fresh yeast that suits our tastes, it's delicious. I've been making bread for thirty years and used to teach it in a community high school, I'm still not tired of it. One of life's simple pleasures, you can't beat the smell of homemade bread. This one's about to go in the oven.
I need to get on with cleaning house and then I get to play with my Klosjes. Have a wonderful weekend.

49 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

Oh please Oh please Oh please! I want that little round top bag tutorial!!! I just made one very similar to yours, but yours is SOOOO much cuter. Mine's for a swap -- I'll show you when the recipient gets it. My part around the zipper isn't nearly as cool as yours! All of your little pouches are ADORABLE! (Since I'm first does my tutorial choice win LOL???)

Terrie Sandelin said...

Every one you made is wonderful but a tutorial on the circle one would be particularly cool!

Theresa said...

I like them all - the rounded one is my favourite though I think. Love the word zipperphobic...I definitely am one of those :o

dragonfly gypsy said...

Hi Janet, as usual great post. I am greedy I would love a tute on all but the last one with hand sewn zipper for sure as I have zipperphobia and breadphobia even tho I would love to bake bread!!!
Cheers Sharron

Terry said...

Your pouches are all lovely but I just love the rounded ones in the top photo! I'd LOVE a tutorial on those! :0)

Anonymous said...

They are all cute, but I am loving the red one, please do that.

And if your not too busy, could you seriously, please do a tutorial on bread making. My attempts have alllllllllllll been failures.

Blessings,
Jilly

Cathy said...

I would appreciate a tutorial to make the half-round pouch. It would be perfect to hold my computer tokens, cords, and jump drives.

Anonymous said...

mmmmmmm.... fresh baked bread....

:: drool ::
did you say something? I must've been distracted...LOL!

Miriam said...

I am the same as you and need small projects from time to time.
All those little bags are great!!!!
I bet your bread tastes wonderful!!! I can almost smell it baking from here! :)

Liz said...

Errrrr, both! Is that greedy? I love them both Janet. Great for travelling, the second one would be ideal to carry stitching onto a plane wouldn't it?
Have a good weekend.
lizzie
xxx

bettyp said...

Would love tut for the round top one !! You did a great job on these!! Thanks for sharing!!

Dixie Howard said...

The last project is my favorite! Your sourdough loaf would rival any found in San Francisco! I can only imagine what it looks like baked and how heavenly your house must smell. All your little bags are so cute and well made - would love to see a tutorial on any of them. Signing off as a confirmed zipperphobic! Dixie

*karendianne. said...

Aww, man. Just wrote a nice comment and Blogger trashed it. Bummer. Hmm. Well, I guess it wasn't that good. Maybe unworthy. I'll be bringing scones to Klosjes Saturday and maybe some coffee if no one has any Tea. Have fun. I hope to. *karendianne. who feels really bummed her comment was eaten up by Blogger. Hope this one will suffice. With a warm heart and in kindness...

Quilting Queen said...

I swear you must be my doppelganger...I have the same book, made the same little bags, resized them (larger) and ended up giving a whole bunch away. I did keep one for myself that I use to keep some jewellry in my luggage when I travel. FYI, I did mine by hand while I was filling in time working for a flower shop. You are right, though, some of the designs in drawing form are not so easy to follow. A delight to see your projects...keep motivating me, please.

Janet said...

All your pouches are so pretty! I'll be watching for the tutorial. :0) That bread looks yummy!

MJinMichigan said...

I've had that same book for years but haven't made anything from it.
I'd like to make the curved top pouch so a tutorial for it would be helpful.
Your bread turned out great. Did it taste as good as it looked?

MARCIE said...

Darling bags. I'm game for anything!

Nat Palaskas said...

Lovely small pouches Janet. I've the same book (for years) and found the same problem with instructions. You did well and ended with pretty colour pouches. I can smell the home bake bread from her yum yum - Have a nice weekend. Hugs Nat

antique quilter said...

oh Janet I love the last one, great bottom!!!!
the colors are perfect too!
I agree nothing like home made bread baking in the oven.
ok maybe an apple pie is better :)
Kathie

Marit said...

I can't decide which one out of the three picture I would like a tutorial on - love all three. And the lovely quilt in the background keep distracting me, too! You are sharing lots of goodies here...
; )

Betsy said...

Janet any tutorial with an easy zipper would be great. I am dying to make a zippered bag.
I used to bake so much bread and I know exactly how you feel.

Mona said...

This was beatiful. I have a question to you. Were can I get fabrics to a quilt like you weddingrings. It`s so beatiful.I know it`s called wathercolor fabrics. Can`t find this fabricc and pattern. can you help me? Look forward to your answer. Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

I have made some little pouches before using a Tilda pattern, but I love the first ones in your pictures.
The bread looks fantastic, my DH is desperate to learn proper bread making.

cheers
Christine

Sue-Anne said...

Your little purses are wonderful. I have madeone very similar to the first ones a long time ago but I would love to see your method. Your fabrics look wonderful.

I think I can smell that bread cooking in the oven from here and its making me hungry!!!

Have fun playing with your Klosjes.

M and M plus 3 said...

OMG, I've not been here in a few months (stupid Facebook addiction). Look what I almost missed! I would love a tutorial on the rounded top bag please.

And on another note, a tutorial on your wonderful looking bread. I've been trying to find a recipe to work for me for more than 15 years. Maybe it's just me, I love the smell and taste of homemade bread but frankly Ms Rhodes (in the freezer section) makes better bread then myself. :o(

Unknown said...

All those little bags are just really sweet! They will make great gifts too. And you are so right, you just can't beat the smell of bread baking in the oven, YUM!

Mona said...

I have tried to send you an e-mail but it came back. My e-mailadress is: mona.ragnhildrod@larvikgs.no

I have ordered the template set. Nead to know where I can get the pattern and wonderful fabrics.


Thank you again
Mona

alobsiger said...

Mmmmmm...first thing in the morning here and that bread is making me drool. Sourdough is my favorite. Your pouches are adorable -- I vote for a tutorial on the curved top ones. Please and thank you. :-)

Crispy said...

I love the pouches and a tutorial on either would be wonderful!! You do the best tutorials!! The fact that you hand sewed the zipper in really intrigues me, I'm one of those with a zipperphobia LOL.

Crispy

Annemieke said...

Your pouches are looking great! I recently made my first one for a swap and was happy about it. Mine didn't have a special edge along the zipper (I hope I chose the right words..)So I would like to see your method. I just smelled my own bread when I saw yours. Yours looks very professional! And started to make my first klosjes. Do I have to join a list to see other klosjes quilts?

Thanks
Annemieke

Unknown said...

Zipperphobic describes me to a T. I like the all the bags, so a well-written tutorial (which I know it would be), would be wonderful for any of them. My 20 yr. old son and I are really into breadmaking. We love the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day". There is no kneading involved and the bread is delicious. We just made some pumpernickel bread yesterday and it was fabulous.

wishes, true and kind said...

Oh, look at all the fun you're having! I have to go to an out of town meeting for most of the day, but I'd rather stay home and make fun little projects and homemade bread (just checked two books on baking from the library). Now I'm praying that my meeting somehow ends early. :)

joan

Lori said...

What sweet bags, Janet!! I'll happily watch as I can't even buy a zipper in my town! Crazy isn't it?!

Trish said...

Your bags are beautiful! Your bread looks yummy. Would you be willing to share your bread recipe?
I love making homemade bread !!
Trish
www.quilttalesandcattails.com

Jill said...

I love the bottom on the last one, as well.
Baking bread is my favorite thing to do in the kitchen. Homemade bread is like dessert to me! I am very interested in your recipe. Please share!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Love your bags but really swooned when I saw the sourdough bread! I'd love the recipe too. :-)

Marieke said...

What beautifull things you make! That makes me wonder about your klosjes! And the fun is: you can make them all week and blog about them on saturday. You have beautifull fabrics!

Shirley said...

Great projects Janet as ever. They all look good. Bread looks good too. Can almost smell it from here. Mmmmm.
Shirley.x

Michele said...

Hi Janet,

You are a very fast worker, lady! All those in one day? Yikes, it makes everyone else appear like they've been standing still. I like them all, as they are so pretty and useful. Michele

Marion said...

Wonderful pouches, I'd love a tutorial for the rounded model. I really enjoy reading your blog!

Stina Blomgren said...

Oh... Janet.. whatever will work... Id love to know.. hate zippers... And all your pouches very so pretty...
liked the bottom too.. :o)
ANd the BREAD.. oh that looks really really wonderful... can all most smell it all the way to here..:o)

Ginger Patches said...

Oh what cute bags! I would love a tutorial on one of the bags in the top picture. I have made some like the second bag...you can never have too many cute little bags!!
I'm a bread maker too. Lately I have been using the Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day method and we are loving it!

PatchworkRose said...

I have made the little ones too. I just love the larger size. Looks like you have been having fun :-)
I plan to experiment with Sour dough soon. I have read where you can use Potato water to add an extra flavour.
Cheers
Lynne

ranette said...

Whoa....where do you find the time....even those little bags take time to make. I really, really like the red one, of course.

The bread looks amazingly delicious!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oooo - I love them all but I really like the rounded ones in the picture of 3 of them! And your bread is making me hungry!

Claudia/Ompompali said...

Yes I agree, they are all beautiful so I would be happy with any tutorial. Thank you for your beautiful ideas. Greetings from Germany

Robin said...

I can totally relate to the need to make something small and the desire for instant gratification! It's sometimes tough when all of one's projects are big, long-term things. The little pouches you made are awesome! The square-bottomed one looks really handy and sturdy.

QuiltedSimple said...

All those bags are beautiful! I don't know that I could pick just one....
kris

Greenmare said...

I have that book too and had the same exact problem with it! good for you!!! I'm going to try just making some of them from the pictures too. gosh, smack me upside the head, why didn't I think of that???