Thursday, July 12, 2012

Treating myself

I made a bag or two. It's been ages since I had some real quality time on the machine and making bags is such a good way to use up a bit of stash. I promised myself that I'd get back to making the lunch bag from Pink Penguin. I love this free pattern, there are no zips, no hardware and the steps are oh so simple to follow.
The hardest part is stopping at one, it's so much fun thinking of different fabric combinations.
For my second bag, I thought I'd change it a bit and make a bigger size that would accommodate my knitting. It worked out so well by just adding a couple of inches to the height and width and making the handles a little longer. I kept the trim at the top the same width.
There is one change I make to the pattern and that is to overlock or zig zag the side seams of the drawstring cover. If you don't, the seams inside have raw edges.
You can see the size difference when they pose together. You can never have enough bags you know.

We had a glorious break from the wet weather yesterday, it was so sunny and warm that we used the opportunity to go for a drive.

The car pointed itself towards Balmain near Sydney where we stopped to pick up some treats from that Masterchef star, Patissier Adriano Zumbo.
Really we went to treat ourselves to the tarte au fruit de la passion. In English, that's a citrus passion fruit tart which you can see on the platter in the middle. It's to die for, that's all I need to say.
I kinda got carried away and decided to get some other equally famous goodies for the freezer although I'm not sure they'll make it that far. The blueberry and almond tart is not my favourite.
I have been ruined, who knew food could taste this heavenly. Healthy eating plan starts next week.
The  V8
8 layers of vanilla
Vanilla crème chantilly
Toasted vanilla brulee
Vanilla water gel
Vanilla ganache
Vanilla macaron
Vanilla dacquoise
Vanilla chiffon cake
Vanilla almond crunch
The happy birthday
Flourless chocolate biscuit,
chocolate sabayon mou,
ultimate chocolate brownie,
caramel mouse,
milk chocolate chantilly
cocoa nib nougatine with a White chocolate and Passionfruit glaze.

Next stop was to Quiltsmith where I got lost inside the store because I have to look at everything you know. I did get some some green fabrics and this little pile which are for a quilt in my head that is nagging at me. I've been overloaded with inspiration lately and have sewing mojo to spare. Does that happen to you too?
Thankfully, these treats are calorie free.
Despite fighting the urge to start something new, I'm trying to keep the blinkers on and have been nibbling away at this simple hand piecing project. It's nearly a quilt top.
My apologies if I didn't reply to all comments on my last post, some of my emails have disappeared and I can't get them back.
Until next time, thanks for dropping by, Janet

48 comments:

Shirley said...

I am on a diet and those cakes are making me drool. Anything with chocolate has my name on it. Love that octagon project and I have templates ready to start my own but love the fresh zinginess of yours. The bags are good too.

Claire - Matching Pegs said...

Lots of eye candy in this post!

I really love the floral quilt you are making, the grey polka dot goes really well.

antique quilter said...

ok those bags are adorable, would be hard to chose a favorite! your fabric choices are just perfect. so fresh and fun
I am loving your quilt, all the yellows poking out just makes me smile, that grey polka dot is perfect for the connecting block... can't wait to see this quilt as a full shot picture, oh I need a shopping trip to buy fabrics like this
those desserts look wonderful.....

Cardygirl said...

Yummy treats...edible and woven! Love the bags....really sweet. I am slowly plugging away on my octagons too...some spring like cheer on these dreary days.

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Such pretty projects, my favorite is the hexagon quilt!

Oops-Lah said...

I'm also working on my octagon quilt but you are further along than me. I love the bags you've made. And of course after reading your post I WANT cake!!!!

Susan said...

There is plenty of eye candy here...the yummy pastries, the cute drawstring bags, the fabric purchases AND that wonderful quilt! I love it!

Kaaren said...

I can't decide which I like better...the gorgeous "no calorie" quilting delights or the simply decadent "loaded-with-calories" sweet treats.

Both are works of art!

Anonymous said...

Love everything, the octagons are looking great, mine is still waiting to be quilted, all ready and waiting, waiting ! Off to the airport later tonight to pick up jean for the stitching weekend !

Trines hobby said...

WOW de kakene såg gode ut! Posene dine var kjekke, alltid bruk for poser til oppbevaring av ulike ting:)
Trine i Norway

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Wow Janet, I always love seeing what you get up to, you always seem to achieve so much, and so much great stuff!!! xo

Rachaeldaisy said...

That V8 stopped me in my tracks!! Wow!! Quiltsmith is always fabulous. I so took it for granted when I lived 5 minutes away. It's hard not to be inspired to create 10 new projects whilst walking through their aisles. I love your big bloomy quilt!! I'm going back to look at the V8...

Mary said...

Ohhhhh, those goodies look yummy!!! What a great bag! I need to pop over to Pink Penguin and try one. It looks like it would be perfect to hold EPP projects. I can't wait to see what you will be doing with those fabrics :)

Salley said...

Mmmm . . . . So glad that sick wabbit is feeling better. This post is a feast of loveliness. Yum!

Adele said...

How I hate Zumbo...everytime I go there I just have to buy the Chocolate Box Cake and a slab of Macaroni Road...I never have much change out of $200.00 as for the bags so bright and pretty would of made one if I didn't buy a Cath Kidston sewing box last week....and that quilt of yours is do die for xx

Chookyblue...... said...

Adriano does some amazing desserts.......
Bags are very cute and keep up the work on the hand stitching quilt........

Terry said...

I love your little bags! I may just have to make one (or two) of those for myself! :0)

Unknown said...

Janet! Сумки-мешки замечательные! Я мечтаю такие же сшить. Я уверенна, что они очень удобные. Перед сладостями трудно устоять.

Spice said...

Great job on the bags! Send some desserts, I'm sure they'll make the trip successfully to NYC... LOL

Abby and Stephanie said...

I think I just went into a diabetic coma over the desserts! Yesterday I was at a friends for tea and she showed me a new bag she made -- same one! They are adorable. LOVE your hexagons and polka dots. What a gorgeous quilt.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

the desserts look divine! I never spend at the bakery make a little on my own - the fabrics look great too :)
Karen

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

The lunch bags are great aren't they?! I adore the quilt you are working on...it looks very beautiful!
And really....did you have to tease us with the sweets? OMG Yummy!

Sujata Shah said...

Those bags look so much fun! back in India we always used fabric bags for all sorts of things. But never this pretty.. Mostly all utilitarian made from old cloths and sheets.
Thanks for the link. I am going to make one, may be two!
It is morning here and I am ready for some yummy deserts. Serious drooling going on here! Just came back from my walk... Thanks for the distraction :)
How will you quilt the snowball quilt?

regan said...

Those bags are so sweet! I may need to make one! And those desserts are to die for.....Thank you so much for cutting into them so we could see the wonderful layers! I'm a crazy nut about desserts, and the more components to the wonderfulness, the better! These are works of art, too! Lovely!

Heather said...

Oh I just love that quilt top. The happy colors just make me smile.

imquilternity said...

Oh Janet! Such great inspiration! I love your wonderful bags and think I will copy you and make one for my knitting. It's a great idea for tall knitting needles. Plus, I love making bags too. And, your quilt. What can I say? I absolutely LOVE it! You have such a good eye for color and combining fabrics.

Doris said...

Oh my, Tuesday is my birthday, and how I'd love a piece of that V8 or the Happy Birthday to celebrate...

Your handpieced top is lovely!

Janet said...

I'll take 2 of the Happy Birthdays - YUM! Always fun to pick up some new fabrics :0) The snowball quilt is wonderful!

Dar said...

OMG, that V8 is unbelievable looking. I can only imagine what it tastes like. I could feel my arteries closing just looking at it, but ehe drool was still running down my cheek after looking through the rest of your beautiful post. Your bags are too cute. I'm so glad we don't have a Zumbo anywhere near us!

Anonymous said...

Drooling here! Gorgeous bags and love the idea of making it larger. Just loved the post...pure and simple!

Raewyn said...

Interesting post - love the bags you have made, they are so fresh and happy. The edible goodies look so amazing! I'm wondering if any got to the freezer - it would have been hard to get them there in our household! Good on you with the blinkers - your current project looks lovely.

Carrie P. said...

your quilt is so pretty. that polka dot is perfect. your little bags are so sweet.
oh, yummy looking desserts!!!

Julia said...

Wow, all so yummy, cakes, fabric and your gorgeous quilt project...oh yes did I mention the cakes, I have a very sweet tooth.
Julia ♥

Pinkadot Quilts said...

It looks like you had a grand day of it!
I need to know ...what is vanilla water gel?

Mimi said...

Love your bags....and the desserts....oooooh wow!

Thimbleanna said...

That almost quilt top is gorgeous Janet! And those little bags are just too cute - I have them on my to-do list too. I'm over-inspired lately too - although, in my case, it's resulting in analysis paralysis!

Nedra said...

Those cute little bags are on my "someday" list.
And your version of V8 is much different than our version of V8 in the U.S.! Ours is a tomato based drink with 8 vegetables. *Yours looks much more yummy!

Rachaeldaisy said...

I came back to look at the V8.. and realised I didn't comment on your bags! They're wonderful!! They look so Summery.

Darlene said...

Seriously cute bags, Janet.

Yummy treats - hmmmmm!

Lori said...

What fun bags!! I love your quilt project too and it looks like it is coming along nicely!
Never worry about replying to me~I'd rather spend more time quilting or with my family then responding to every comment.

FlourishingPalms said...

Darling bags! They're a better idea than the open bags I've been using for my embroidery. Thanks for sharing the link for them. Nice for you to have a little getaway, but bringing back the yummy-looking treats is dreadful! I can feel the pounds (kilos) creeping on just from looking at them! Your hand-pieced quilt is just beautiful. You have the best color sense! I can truthfully say that to only a few bloggers. You have an excellent eye. I always enjoy seeing what you're making. Mojo is low here too. Must be in the atmosphere.

Lesley said...

Love, love, love your bags! And your quilt top is adorable!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Those bags are wonderful! I have the pattern on my must-do list!

Miriam said...

I agree, you can never have too many bags! Yours are gorgeous!
Ohh I wish I lived closer to Adrian Zumbo's shop!The V8 cake is a stunner!
Quiltsmith sounds like a treasure trove!
Love those polka dots.
Currently I am bursting with mojo (maybe its the cold weather)....pity I can't find the time to sew it all!!

Gingi said...

Progetti bellissimi
Un sorriso

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I've had taht pattern saved for ages to make. Now you make me want to dig it out again and do it!

Unknown said...

Those deserts look yummy!!! Love the floral quilt you are working on.

Susie said...

All looks wonderful (and delicious)