It's All About Apples and a Mason Jar Freebie

 Y'all it's just about that time of the year! Apple Pickin' Season!  Oh, I cannot wait.

How about you? 

STAMP 1 - A BASKET OF APPLES

Up on the mountain a few counties away, are some delightful apple orchards where apples galore are sold by the box.

 Perhaps Mr. Pinker and I will take a day trip and snatch us a box or two. Maybe stop by the pepper patch and pick up a 5 gallon bucket of bell peppers for just $5.00 too. Oh, that would be wonderful.  

Apple Crate  

I am pulling out more of my apple decor. Yesterday I went thrift shopping and found this fabulous apple spongeware canister. 

"Oooh that will be perfect!" I squealed in delight . "Not only can I pair it  with my blue enamelware but  also with the gorgeous cross stitch that sweet Donna sent me a few weeks ago in a Blessing Box, " I told myself. 

 Aaaw don't you think they make a good pair?  I am smitten. 

She also sent  this beautiful hand stitched and appliqued quilt. Swoon!  Isn't it darling? 🤗 Or should I say apple-icious! 🍎🍏

Apples, quilts and a pie- now what is not to love. Hee! Hee! Thank you sweet Donna.❤😘  I will cherish these. 

 I may be moving the apple quilt in the near future to my hutch when I pull out more apple-icous goodies to display.

Speaking of apple goodies. I hope you do not mind if I sprinkle links to previous apple themed posts that I have shared in the past. There are recipes, mini quilt instructions, doodles , cross stitch and of course loads of country clutter or as some call it  good ole' fashioned junk  treasures😁. If you are interested, just click on the colored links, Sweet peas and you will be magically transported back to the post.  

Apple-icious Country Christmas Hutch Tour.

Apples, Apples, and More Apples Fall Hutch Tour - 2024

An Apple A Day Hutch Tour 2023 Fall Hutch display

September Apple Basket Doodle

Green Apple Butter Mini Quilt Instructions

Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe

Hot Apple Pie Dip Recipe

Nanny's Applesauce Cake Recipe - A 1940's recipe

Apple Mini Sampler  No photo for this little cross stitch freebie. Even after all these years I am still working on it. LOL Slow as molasses 

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Have I told you that I eat an apple every single day? I think I have . Anywhooo... I keep unsweetened applesauce in my pantry just in case I run out of apples before I can get to the grocery store. 

An apple a day keeps the doctor away or so they say. 

Behind my Granny's old log cabin were massive apple trees along a fence line. If we were  lucky and if Granny was up to the trip, she would  take us youngins' into the woods, past the small grape lined trellises to the apple trees with limbs drooping to the ground with ever so heavy apples. We would fill our little basket up with green apples . Of course , we could not resist eating an apple or two before we traipsed back through the weeds to the old log cabin. 

Apple Picking- A Heart Doodle Freebie

Meanwhile back at Nanny's on the farm, there was cooking going on.  She would be busy in the kitchen cooking a batch of her fresh fried apple fritters. Yum! Yum! They were always a treat to enjoy especially when they came out of the old, deep iron skillet piping hot. 

Nowadays, I settle for eating apples sliced with a dash of cinnamon, but every now and then I will treat myself to something special. 

Cinnamon- Sugar Apples Recipe

Combine 1/4 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Set Aside. Core, peel and slice 2 -3 apples into wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon- Sugar mixture. Microwave in a microwavable safe dish on high setting until tender. Serve. 

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Before you leave, may I show you the new apple design I am working on? 

It is called Apple Jam Jar from the Mason Jar Series.  Three large apples jammed into a jar. 

I have just begun it and have not decided on the colors that I will use. 

So I thought I would share it as a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS CHART. Use as many or as few colors as you want. In fact you might want to add some colors. 

Hmmm... Should I have 3 red apples or mix it up with red, yellow, and green apples? I am not sure, but I will keep you posted on my progress and I will update this post once it is completed.

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If you are interested in stitching this piece,  just grab , the images. For printing tips, refer to the post Tips for Printing which has loads of tips from my sweet friends. 

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🧵FREEBIE ALERT!  FREEBIE ALERT 🧵

Herrschners just posted four Country Charm Ornaments freebie charts. OH MY GOSH ! They are as cute as a country button! I hope you will pop over to visit them. 

I guess, I have rambled long enough. 

Have a sweet day! 

And...

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, that is where the fruit is.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes 2026- Early 2026 parade of home freebies.

🌞2026 Love Parade- A Parade of Previous Valentine Freebies- Valentine themed stitches up to Feb. 4, 2026.  

🌞 Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 

🌞A Berry Nice Parade- A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025- Early 2025 berry Freebies. 

🌞A Buzzy Bee Parade An early 2025 bee freebie parade.

🌞A Sunny Sunflower Parade for 2025 A parade of sunflower freebies up to July 24, 2025

🌞Pumpkin, Leaves and Autumn Please- A Fall Parade 2025 A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 8, 2025.

🌞 A Stomping Stamp Parade 2026  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to June 2, 2026

🌞Time to Dye-  2024 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 

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🌞A Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October  4, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.

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🌞A Christmas in July Parade of Past Freebies- 2026 A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of July 6, 2026. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 

🌞A Chilly Parade of Winter Stitches 2025- A parade of Winter themed freebies up to the date of Dec. 21, 2025

🌞Let's Dye Some Fabric- A tutorial on my process of dyeing Aida 

Blessings and Berries- Blooms of the Heart 2026 Berry Freebie

Hey, there Sunshine! How are you doing on this lovely Summer's Day?  I sure hope you are feeling as fit as a fiddle and as fine as dandy!

It has been a good week in the holler thus far. As my Nanny would say- "I've been keeping the roads hot "which means I have been out and about for the last few days.  Not doing anything special but visiting family and dipping in and out of thrift stores. So you know I am one happy gal! 😀

This bright sunshiny yellow afghan is my latest thrifty find for only $1.99. 😲 Eeeh what a steal! I have already draped it onto my stitching chair . It will be nice to throw over my legs during the chilly evenings. 

 I will show you some of my other  finds in the next coming days. 

Sweet Gail, sent me a Blessing Box with a couple of advertising tins to add to my collection. 💛💙

But wait. What makes them extra special is they were from her collection . AND...

They are musical tins. 😀 Just turn the little key and sweet melodies delight the ears. 

The Morton's Salt tin plays "Singin' in the Rain." If you would like to enjoy a little "ear worm" just click the colored link to listen to Gene Kelly singing "Singin' in the Rain" on Youtube. Such a delight. 

Right now I have the sweet musical tins sitting on my "mitten table" ( The table where I store the boy's winter mittens and tobaggans). But I am already dreaming of moving the Morton's Salt to the blue hutch and the Old Dutch Cleaner will be incorporated into my fall display with my brown crocks. 

Oh, what fun I will have weaving them in and out of displays throughout the year. Thank you so much, Gail for blessing me with your treasures and kindness. 🤗 You brought me such joy. 

Hmmm... what  else is going on?🤔 

Well, I have a special berry stitch to share with you. It is hot off the presses. In fact, I just finished it last night.  It is called "Blooms of the Heart" and is in memory of my sweet sis, Amy. ❤

Of course, if you decided to stitch this simple stitch, you do not have to finish it as a berry. You could finish it any way your sweet heart desires.  I just have an affection for berries. 

Blooms of the Heart was stitched on 14 count coffee/ tea dyed Aida. 

Have you ever made a berry? A couple of  years ago, I posted a Berry Making Tutorial. My advice when making a berry is to cut your fabrics large. You can trim down as you go if you decide the berry or cap needs to be smaller. 

The Berry Sampler (Amy's 2026 berry sampler) which I have not shared, Blooms of the Heart Berry and Berry Bouquet- A Sampler for Amy

Usually , I stuff my berries with a combination of polyfil and  sawdust from Mr. Pinker's workshop . But this year, I decided to fill it with something different- oodles and oodles of fabric scraps that I have collected.  I will show you the project that these scraps are from later this week. I simply cut the little scraps to wee pieces and stuffed them into the berry. 

Scraps from a quilting project were used to fill "Blooms of Heart" 

I made my berry oversized and stitched wonky "X's" along the seam line . I always do this on my berries. 

 Usually, I like to add bits of lace and all kinds of things to my strawberry caps. But I really did not frou-frou the strawberry cap up much this year; I just kept it simple. 

 I cut a strawberry cap from a gray wool skirt. I tacked it down over the top of the strawberry using blanket stitches. I then cut strips of silk from a jacket . I created loops from the strips and secured them with 2 overlapping buttons on top! Wahlah! My strawberry cap was complete! Easy Peasy! 

Amy's 2023 berry which I have not shared, In My Heart She Blooms 2024 berry, and Berries for Amy the 2025 berry

FLOSS  : SYMBOL  MOTIF:

       DMC 221 ( X) Flowers

DMC  223 ( C) Flowers

DMC 730 ( G) Stem , Leaves

DMC 830 ( • )  Date and center of flowers

DMC 869 ( V) Doohickeys and small heart

DMC 924 (H) Basket

DMC  926 ( U) Basket

The basket was stitched in blues . My sweet sis had beautiful gray blue eyes. 

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If you are interested in stitching this piece,  just grab , the images. For printing tips, refer to the post Tips for Printing which has loads of tips from my sweet friends.

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NOTE:The drawn berry outline on the chart is NOT a stitching or cutting line,but I used it as a reference line  to visualize the berry while stitching.

NOTE: I use the  berry template as a loose guideline for constructing my berry. I add a generous seam allowance . So my berry is a lot bigger than the template. If you find your berry is too big to your liking , you can always trim the fabric. 

It brings me so much comfort to create the little samplers and berries in memory of Amo. I think she would smile from ear to ear if she saw them. 

The Berry Sampler, Amy's Strawberry Basket Sampler, Berry Bouquet- A Sampler for Amy and Amy's Berry collection. 

Gosh, I do think I have talked your ears off.😁 

I do apologize for being so long winded today. Please, do forgive me. But I am ever so grateful that you joined me.

May your day be a filled with joy and...

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Friendship is a blessing that warms the heart and soothes the soul.  "

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister  thrifting buddy, and best friend, Amy 

 I love and miss you even more with each passing day. You are my blessing.  Love you , Amo. 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes 2026- Early 2026 parade of home freebies.

🌞2026 Love Parade- A Parade of Previous Valentine Freebies- Valentine themed stitches up to Feb. 4, 2026.  

🌞 Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 

🌞A Berry Nice Parade- A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025- Early 2025 berry Freebies. 

🌞A Buzzy Bee Parade An early 2025 bee freebie parade.

🌞A Sunny Sunflower Parade for 2025 A parade of sunflower freebies up to July 24, 2025

🌞Pumpkin, Leaves and Autumn Please- A Fall Parade 2025 A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 8, 2025.

🌞 A Stomping Stamp Parade 2026  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to June 2, 2026

🌞Time to Dye-  2024 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 

🌞Pin Pillow Tutorial - 2023 post on how I finish my pin pillows with chenille trim. 

🌞A Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October  4, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.

🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 

🌞A Christmas in July Parade of Past Freebies- 2026 A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of July 6, 2026. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 

🌞A Chilly Parade of Winter Stitches 2025- A parade of Winter themed freebies up to the date of Dec. 21, 2025

🌞Let's Dye Some Fabric- A tutorial on my process of dyeing Aida 🐔

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Please forgive me on being way behind on answering sweet messages and visiting. I am like a chicken with her head cut off right now. LOL. But I will get it together soon.  Do you ever feel like that? LOL  

Butterflies and Borders

I am butterfly stitching today and thinking of sweet loved ones.  🦋🦋🦋

Good afternoon, Sweet friends and Happy, Happy  Tuesday. 

My nimble fingers have been busy with the rhythmic motions of stitching all morning long. 

All of my butterfly and nine patch variation blocks are quilted in my Pretty in Peach Butterfly  quilt .

All of the blocks are quilted. 

Twenty blocks measuring 15" (finished ) all quilted up. The borders await!  Flutter ! Flutter! 🦋🦋   I will quilt a chain design in the borders. 

I think the nine patch variation looks like a blue flower. Do you? 

Pretty  in Peach is in memory of my sweet sister, Amo  and it has a story , but I will get to it on another day.  It was five years on Saturday since my dear sis received her Angel wings.  How can that be? 

This quilt has been my 15 minute  + a day project for the last few weeks. 

The earth tone colors of this butterfly reminds me so much of my sweet sis. Amy  was bright and vibrant, but she loved to wear earthtoned colors-  well, most of the time. 😏❤

The blocks are hand appliqued and quilted

I will be moving on to  quilting the borders later this afternoon. 

This will be 3rd butterfly quilt that I have worked on in the last few years. 

 Butterfly Kisses was my first butterfly quilt. If you see a butterfly, say "I love you " and it will send the message to Heaven to the loved one you are thinking of.  I say those 3 words every time I see a butterfly. 

I believe in signs from our loved ones. Do you? 

Flaming Butterflies   was my 2nd quilt. Papa nicknamed my sis, Flaming Amo because she was a firecracker and boy, was he right. I think this quilt depicts her energy perfectly.❤

Berries and Butterflies is currently under construction. It is based on Amo and her love for the family strawberry farm. 

Sweet Susan gifted me a beautiful handkerchief butterfly quilt top earlier this year.  She knows my love for butterflies and how much they now  mean to me. I wish you could see how beautiful this top   is in person. It is in the hoop being quilted as well.  Thank you, dear Susan. I think of your kindness each time that I work on it. ❤🤗

Well Sweeties, you know my plans for the day. Stitch! Quilt! Stitch! 

What are you up to on this lovely summer's day? 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Love makes the heart feel strong inside. It flutters like soft wings in flight.  "- Dolly Parton

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy . I miss your laughter, your love and the joy. 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. ❤🦋

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      Heaven received another beautiful angel today. 

Rest in Peace , dear Dolly.  You are a treasure. ❤🦋

"Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing. " Dolly Parton.  

I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needleworkers to meet. 

Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday  Wait Loss- Wednesday

Denise at For the Love of Geese for Put Your Foot Down- Thursday

Kate at Life in Pieces for  Stitching Stuff ( Sunday) 

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap - Sunday 

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell- Sunday

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday