It's A Wrap for Blooms for You

"Eeeh!" I squealed in delight when I spotted the little wooden box at the thrift store. I quickly picked it up and twirled around in joyful celebration when I saw that it only cost $1.59. "I have plans for you! ," I exclaimed as I plopped it into my cart. 

A few weeks ago I shared a little chart called Blooms for You.

 It was a simple stitch with just a few flowers blooming. Well I finished stitching it while on the camping trip, but it has been waiting in the wings to be finished. 

Once home I auditioned Blooms for You onto the box. Seeing that the stitch fit for what I had in mind, I was ready to get straight to work.  The box was painted in a wide array of colors. I pulled out several containers of brown paint and got to work. After receiving numerous coats of paint, I let the box dry for a day or two. 

Blooms for You was stitched on 14 count tea/ coffee dyed Aida. I trimmed and pressed my stitch before fully finishing it. 

STEPS FOR FINISHING BLOOMS FOR YOU

1. I used a dry brush to paint the box . After drying I gently sanded the surface.

2. Trim the stitched piece to the desired size and iron fusible webbing to the back. 

3. Cut mat board or cardboard to 4 1/2" x 5" . 

4. Cut batting and layer on top of mat board. I tacked mine down with touch of Alene's Tacky glue. 

5.  Center the stitched piece to the mat board and fold excess fabric around the edges, lace in place. 

6. Center the stitched piece to the wooden box. Using tacky glue , adhere the stitched piece to the box . Place a large book or weight on top until dry. 

7. Using tacky glue attach trim to the edge of the stitched piece.

8. Enjoy!

Oooh now don't you think this will make a great seed box? 

Have a bright and beautiful day and Happy Stitching!

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Every flower blooms in its own time. "- Ken Petti 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

I spy a wonky heart rock. 

  🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇

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

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🌞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 Parade of Stamps 2025  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to August 14, 2025

🌞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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🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. 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

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Summer Stamp SAL - The Header- A Summer Freebie

 Yesterday, I showed you my newest cookbook acquisition, the  Favorite Mormon Recipes Casserole cookbook. I found another yummy recipe that would just be perfect for  a big Sunday meal .  ( Just thinking ahead- Hee! Hee!) 

GRANDMA'S CORN BAKE

2 cans cream style corn

2 eggs

1/4 cup of cornmeal

1 clove of garlic, chopped

6 Tablespoons of vegetable oil

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

1 cup of green chilies , chopped

DIRECTIONS: Combine corn, eggs, cornmeal, garlic and oil; place layer of mixture in casserole dish. Sprinkle cheese and chilies over the entire surface. Cover with remaining corn mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until set or lightly browned.

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 Mom used to make big Sunday meals, and the whole family would gather for a relaxing day on the farm.  Her day would start early as she bustled about  in the kitchen;  dinner would be on the table  between 10:30- 11:00 a.m  . Hmmm... there would be baked or fried chicken, mashed potatoes , beets, corn , slow cooked mushrooms, broccoli with cheese,  sliced tomatoes and sometimes a casserole or two and I must not forget Mom's Mac and cheese. Yum! Yum!   I miss the good ole' days especially the weekly family gatherings. After eating, we would sit on the back porch  .

 During the summer , we would watch the hummingbirds' flutter from feeder to feeder  .  Mom had numerous feeders strung along a wire from pole to pole.

 It would not be long before the cows would come down the hill and linger along the fence line and graze as they lazily slapped the flies with their tails.  Like I said- the good ole' days. 🤗

Big Bad Brad who is a gentle fella. 

Anywhooo... I worked all week on stitching the borders for the Summer Stamp SAL. I am quite smitten with the Rit Lemon Yellow dyed 14 count Aida.  

Today  I am continuing on with the Summer Stamp SAL by sharing  the Header which has a sassy little crow and a large drooping sunflower. Oh, and I must not forget the juicy watermelon!

I used DMC floss colors 926, 3345, 310, 815, 782 , 898, 3799 and Blanc. I just used what floss colors I had on hand ; plus these are some of my favorite colors. If you decide to stitch this little piece, choose whatever floss colors make your heart sing!  

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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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OOPS/ CORRECTION: In the direction, I list the fabric as 14 count Rit Blue Denim dyed Aida. That is a mistake. I actually used 14 count coffee / tea dyed Aida for my pillow and 14 count Rit Lemon Yellow dyed Aida for my large sampler. 

If you missed any of the previous posts in respect to the Summer Stamp SAL , below is a schedule with links back to the appropriate posts.  Next week , we will start the 1st stamp. 

SUMMER STAMP SCHEDULE

April 2nd  Summer Stamp Introduction

April 7th  Summer Stamp Borders

April 14th Header

April 21st  Summer Stamp 1

April 28th Summer Stamp 2

May 5th  Summer  Stamp 3

May 12th  Summer  Stamp 4

May 19th  Summer Stamp 5

May 26th Summer Stamp 6

June 2nd Summer Stamp 7

June 9th Summer Stamp 8

June 16th Summer Stamp  9 

June  23rd Bonus Summer Stamp 10

June 27th Final Reveal

Coleus and Polka Dot plants are always a summer favorite in the garden.

 Thank you for the sweet Tuesday visit .  I am going to piddle about in the garden today and then off to the ballfield I will go! Baseball season has started so I am sure to be entertained by all of the youngin's . 

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,  y'all

Melisa 

"Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about. "- unknown 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

  🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉

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

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

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🌞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. 

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Four Patches and a Tomato Freebie

Over the last few days, I have been thumbing through a new cookbook. I know. I know . It is much easier and quicker to look up recipes on the Internet, but I do enjoy looking at a good ole' cookbook from time to time,  especially when it is a vintage one.🤗

Last week,  I picked up this cookbook called  Favorite Mormon Recipes Casseroles Edition  for a mere 50 cents.

 It was published in 1962 and is choked full with not only casserole recipes but breads and sweets as well. The original owner placed check marks beside favorite recipes. Perhaps she prepared them or was going  to in the future. 

 I found several recipes that caught my eye. 

FRESH TOMATO CASSEROLE

6 tomatoes ,sliced

1/2 tsp. of salt

1/8 tsp. of pepper

1/2 tsp. of celery salt

1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup on onions, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups of crushed potato chips

DIRECTIONS : Place half of the tomato slices in a casserole dish; sprinkle with half of the seasonings. Top with half of the cheese and onion slices; repeat layers. Cover with crushed potato chips. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

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I am sure I will find more yummies to prepare as I continue looking through this wonderful cookbook. 

The other day, I finished a A Basket of Pincushions 

into a a little pin pillow. The trim is yarn that I simply twisted and tacked  along the seams.

  

Since I finished one tomato stitch, it is time to start a new one( Hmmm ... Should that be my new rule for Spring and Summer stitching? Maybe. Hee! Hee!)

I am working on a simple stitch called "Tomatoes" . If you are interested in stitching it, just snatch the charts below . This is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS chart. I will certainly update this post as I decide on the colors. At this point , these are my thoughts on what colors I am going to use --

POSSIBLE FLOSS COLORS:

WORDS: DMC 3371

TOMATOES: 815 & 895

SPOOLS: 840 (wooden spool) 931 and 782 (threads)

NEEDLE and PINS- 413

DOOHICKEYS ( bottom border) 931

If I change my mind on the colors, I will let you know, but again choose whatever colors make your heart sing.  

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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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A few weeks ago I told you about 9  four patches that I found sitting sad and forlorn in the "Quilt Nest. "   "Work on us?" they replied as I passed by. Gently , I scooped them up and went to the task at hand. 

The four patches were made up of 1 1/2" squares ( unfinished). 

 I added 2 1/2" squares and strips (unfinished). 

It was not long before I added the borders which measured 3 1/2" wide (unfinished). The little four patches were quite gleeful to be made into a wee quilt. 

Today this little quilt will go into a hoop. 

Do you like to make little quilts? If so,  do you decorate with them? 

In the works: "Where the Strawberries Grow" 

Oh gosh, I have been chatting your ears off. Please do forgive me. I know you have  much to  do, and I do not want to keep you too long . I so appreciate that you stopped by to visit me today. If you are in the neighborhood tomorrow , please stop by. We can enjoy some coffee as we chat about Summer stitching and a little bit of this and that.  I wish you the most delightful day!

I will be decorating with strawberries today. 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"The fabric may fade, but the memories stitched within will last a lifetime. .  " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy. Love and miss you, Amo. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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🌞 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.

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🌞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. 

🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 

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Butterflies and Hot Cocoa

  The wild and woolly flower garden is looking-  well "wild and woolly " of course.       🌷🌷🌷

Hello, Sweet friends. How are you doing on those bright and beautiful Sunday morning? Did you wake up with a pep in your step? I certainly had a pep in mine after a piping hot cup of morning coffee. 

As the weather warms, slowly but surely, my garden is waking up.

 The tansy is filling out. 

 

Wee marigolds are sprouting, and I was quite surprised to see Bee Balm in an unexpected spot.  "Where did you come from, Pretties?"

Soon the wild and woolly garden will be even woollier ( Is that a word? Hee! Hee!)  Of course there are weeds to pull, but I am carefully observing and examining to see what other sweet surprises may appear in my garden. 

 Do you have any gardening plans? 

The other day I was overjoyed to see a bright and beautiful butterfly enjoying the quince in the yard. 

And it was gracious enough to allow me to get a closer look at its beauty. 

Of course, anytime  I see a butterfly  I whisper, " I love you " in hopes that it will whisk the message to my sweet sister who looks down upon our family from Heaven. 

In the late evenings, I have been working on my "Pretty in Peach" Butterfly quilt. 

I have moved to the 2nd row and have completed another nine patch variation block with "flower motif" quilting. 

The nine patch variation blocks measure 15" finished. 

Today is "Santa Sunday" and that means Christmas stitching. The border is complete on "Hot Cocoa" , a darling freebie from my sweet friend, Dianet at Parchesdeamor blogspot. Soon I will be adding snowflakes, a mug and 2 jolly snowmen marshmallows - pure sweetness !  Thank you, Dianet for sharing your sweet amazing talent with us. 🤗❤

"Hot Cocoa" is in the works. 

Well Sweeties , I will not keep you any longer. I have butterflies to quilt and weeds to pull . Hey, if you are in the neighborhood, I have an extra pair of garden gloves. Hint . Hint.  Or better yet we can skip the weeding and just sit and stitch. Whatever suits your fancy. 

Butterfly kisses! 

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued , is always beyond our grasp, but , if you will sit down quietly may alight upon you. "

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"The wings of transformation are born of patience and struggle. "- Janet Dickens 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. You are always on my mind and forever in my heart. 

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

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

 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

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🌞 A Parade of Stamps 2025  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to August 14, 2025

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

🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. 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

Berries For Sale Stamp

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 needle workers to meet.

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

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 ( This week Patricia at Faith , Trust & Breast Cancer is guest hosting Sew & Tell . 

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