This-is-so-COOL: Meet Chantal

I saw this bag on a linky party sometime early last year.  I was immediately in love!  I went to the site of origin and started following Geta.  She is an amazing designer and quilter.  I waited months until she published the pattern for the bag, then once I had it, it sat in my to-do pile for another coupla months.  It took a birthday party invite for Sarah to get me off my duff and actually make it.  And, of course, everyone knows it's just as easy to make one more while you're at it :)  Aren't they cute?

The lines and curves of Chantal are fresh and modern and oh, so versatile!  There are two pockets inside and the zippered pocket on the outside.   It is so easy to keep things organized with all those pockets!  There is also a magnetic snap for keeping that top opening closed.

I chose to quilt both bags because it said in the pattern that I wouldn't have to press them again after I washed them.  It took quite a bit of extra time, but I not only love the quilted look, but I also appreciate the wash-n-go feature :)

This small bag is for me.  It will be my to go sewing kit.  The original pattern did not include a zippered pocket for the small version, so I winged it, but it turned out to be the perfect size to fit my embroidery scissors and a small bin of pins.  Inside, I customized pockets for my marking pen, small quilter's rule, needles and thread.  I keep my projects in individual plastic bags, so all I need to do is grab and go.

The bigger black bag is for Sarah's friend.  I've never been very good at visualizing finished sizes; this turned out larger than I expected, yet exactly what the pattern said it would be.  I figure she can use it for sleepovers or a school bag.  The pockets are big enough to fit my cell phone (Galaxy 2), or a small notepad.  It would be a great way to keep track of smaller items like nail clippers or lipstick or keys, too.  We put another small gift bag inside filled with individual spa-type items.