Cargo Crate Prototype Garners Interest at Quilt Market

I used the Cargo Crate to carry samples  picked up at Market and the materials I needed for classes. This was the first time that I had actually used the Cargo Crate.  I knew it was a good design, but I wanted to put it in use to make sure it was seaworthy.  I got a tremendous amount of interest at Quilt Market and a few suggestions that I will add before finalizing the pattern.  The main addition will be a water bottle holder. I love the oil cloth, and the vendor where I bought it last year did too.  She wants me to make one for her booth.  More on that later.  I do believe that this will go over as well as the Mug Bucket when everyone finds out how handy the rolling crates can be and that they can be purchased at Office Depot.
After removing the cover, it folds flat for travel.

Quilt Market & Festival in Houston

At the Quilt Market in Houston. Drove in around 2pm and did a quick walk through, covering about half the exhibitors. I'm so excited to be here. Can't wait to see the rest of the exhibits and the quilts. The Quilt Festival preview is Wednesday night, but classes start now. I'm anxious to see the other pattern designers and take classes on improving the designing process and marketing my patterns.

I'll tell you later about the fabulous hotel we lucked up on.  

New Marker from Marilyn

Marilyn Swartout asked for suggestions on marking pencils for the MB pleats.  I told her my suggestions for chalk markers, mechanical pencils, and soap slivers, but she had a better one.  She said, "Also, when marking I grabbed a charcoal pencil that I use for painting. It worked wonderfully - seemed to show up on light or dark fabric and wiped right off. This is what is written on the pencil "Generals Pastel Chalk 4474 Dk. Grey."  Gotta try it!

Mug Bucket, Key Change Pocket Purse, Walker Tote Patterns

Thank you so much!  I'm looking at the patterns now and thinking I could have a lot of fun with gift giving for my daughters and sisters.  Also, your site had the walker tote which I was delighted to see.  My younger sister has been diagnosed (at the tender age of 48) with bone marrow cancer and was on a walker within days.  I hope to make one of these lickity split to send to her to make her life easier.

Thanks again,

FW

Key Change Pocket Purse

Key Change Pocket Purse

My latest pattern , the Key Change Pocket Purse, can be made with a window for easy picture identification or with appliqués or monograms or both! Inside pocket. Quick and easy with color photography.  PDF format.

http://www.bucketsgonewild.com/KeyChangePocketPurse.html

Mug Bucket with ties by KH

KH made this darling Mug Bucket with ties instead of Velcro. She enlarged the pattern slightly to accommodate larger mugs. How clever!!

She has made 16 so far, 7 of which will be given to friends at a retreat. She will sell the remainder at her local Bernina store, where she will be teaching a Mug Bucket class.

I'll post some of her hints on the Bucketsgonewild.com website.

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!