Thanksgiving 2009

I had an early Thanksgiving with my youngest daughter, her 11 year old son, my other grandson 13, my nineteen year-old granddaughter and her friend. The boys helped cook in some creative ways. One opened the cans of corn and poured them in a pot. The other opened the green beans cans, and hearing me say put them in the pot and not paying attention to the other pot nearby, poured the green beans, both cans, over the corn. A new dish was created.

The boys also made the fruit salad. The oldest, directed to slice the bananas in inch slices, did so in short order and then asked, "Did you want them peeled?" Actually, it was very good day

Mug Bucket by Rita

Here is a photo of my FABULOUS Mug Bucket that I made from your AWESOME pattern! I am a stay-at-home-mom, and I also sew for a living and this is the handiest-dandiest thing I have come across to have all my & "essentials" by my side so my little girl can't get into them. It also makes it 'sew' easy for me to transport all those said items from one part of my house, to another. Thanks for coming up with such a GREAT INVENTION!!! Rita Sheloff Kootenay Custom Quilting...Your memory quilt maker. quiltingqueen@shaw.ca , http://www.kcquilting.com/

Sassy Kat Bucket Pattern

These Sassy Kat Buckets were made by Susan Trudo. Didn't she do a great job?

She has some humerous but helpful tips in the Gallery on my website, www.bucketsgonewild.com.

Jiffy Saque

Have you ever bought more than you could carry? I do it all the time. In Hawaii recently, I really overdid it. My purse was too small, my tote bags too big and bulky.

At Discount Fabrics in Kona on the Big Island, I bought 45 inches (a perfect square) of this beautiful batik.

I tied opposite corners together in a double knot, leaving two inch tails. I tied the remaining corners in an overhand knot making 12 inch tails.

Then I tied these long tails together in a double knot for a perfect carrier for my shopping and later as a beach bag when we went on to Honolulu. My husband never objected to carrying it, and even once asked where was his "beach bag." Being on the bias, it doesn't slip off your shoulders.


Also I put the opening over my head and gave the load a quick twist to make a sort of fanny pack that distributed the weight over my hips and lower spine instead of my shoulders.


Four yards of fabric, 2 water bottles, wallet, makeup bag, journal and a sketch pad were in this bag on my shoulder and there was room for more.


I chose batik because it doesn't fray and looks good on both sides. Hand-dyes would do the same. I think I'll put a narrow hem on the raw edges now that I am home - after I rake those leaves!