Self-Guided Art Retreat

On an art retreat to celebrate my birthday. Beautiful view and nice, large room to spread out. Going to move the desk in front of the window for my machine. Extra bed is my cutting and design area and..... Will keep you posted.

Stupendous Stitching Art Quilt

I've been working on Carol Ann Waugh's Craftsy class called Stupendous Stitching. I did a lot of couching and decorative stitching that you can see on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BGW.patterns.
On this view, I sandwiched the top with felt and backing and stitched a lot more. I chose felt instead of the recommended fleece as I'm not going to mount it on a frame.

Bridget's Coaster Pattern

Granddaughter Bridget designed the pattern for these coasters.  Holiday fabric, monograms, trim or crystals around the edges or art cloth will turn ordinary tiles into special gifts.

Finished on all sides, the pattern is easy to follow and can be made in short order. 

All proceeds from the pattern, available for $4 at http://www.bucketsgonewild.com/bridgets-coaster-pattern.htm, will go toward her college expenses.  She has helped with the pattern business from the beginning back in 2004.

I'm headed off to finish binding the quilt I just got back from the long arm quilter.  I'll post a picture when I'm finished.

Cord organizer

Did everyone know but me?
A new friend at the Sit n Sew used toilet tissue centers to manage her sewing machine cords. A truly great idea!
I had to take it one step farther and Elmer's glue some scraps on it.

Customize your Go Bucket with Pleat Designs

Did you ever want to adjust the pleat sizes in a craft project to accommodate your different needs? There is more to adjusting pleats than just moving a few lines. Believe me, I know it after my first few attempts on the Go Bucket.

This is what I learned and have posted in a picture album on Facebook.

Adjusting the size of pleats in a pattern:

Note that the width of the pleat on the body is the same width as the center of the pleat unit, which is the distance between the two short pleat lines. To change the size of the pleat, you will need to maintain the same width on the body pleat as on the center pleat unit.

Each pleat on the Go Bucket is 2 1/2 inches wide. To make a pleat large enough to hold sunglasses or a bottle, move the pleat line on the body over 1 inch. Then move the pleat unit (stitching line and two pleat lines) over one inch. Circle the pleat unit with a red pen and move it over one inch. The one pleat on the body is now 3 1/2 inches wide to accommodate sunglasses or water bottles. The other pocket, 1 1/2 inches wide, is perfect for pens and pencils.

To make it easier always move the first template pocket line 1 inch to the right. From the single seam on the left, in this order, you will have a 1 1/2 inch pocket, a 3 1/2 inch pocket, then six 2 1/2 pockets. That's enough room to hold anything.

Order the Go Bucket now and make several for Christmas gifts. My husband loves his that is made of vinyl, denim and a discarded shirt that he didn't want to part with. Alas, it had shrunk over the years!

Having questions? The Go Bucket pattern is well illustrated with photos that are easy to follow. From now through Christmas, all PDF patterns are just$5.00 when you enter GB in the discount code box.

Mug Bucket closure

Q. Hi! I bought your Mug Bucket pattern in Houston at the quilt show.  Great pattern!   However,  I can’t figure out how to get the Velcro on the Mug Bucket. Is it supposed to stick out from the sides or be flush against the wrong side?  I just couldn’t figure out  how it would go on before the binding and also stick out from the sides.  Can you help me please?  S. Mc.

A. You had it right.  It goes flush against the wrong side and then you pull the ends out from under the binding and lap (and trim if necessary) the Velcro.  Be sure to put the hook up on one side and the loop on the other.  Go to the September 27 blog for an easier way to attach the mug bucket.  http://www.bucketsgonewild.blogspot.com/2012/09/buttons-and-bows.html#links.

Go Bucket is Going Places

Simplicity is going to carry the new Go Bucket in their Fall 2013 catalog. I knew it was a good pattern! You can still buy your Go Bucket pattern now at www.bucketsgonewild.com.