Just Scrappin' Along!

"What's on the plate ?" asked Mr. Pinker.

"A whole lot of crumbs and scraps, "I replied "And I am bound and determined to whittle those little suckers down. "

I earnestly began piecing the scraps from the orange and brown bin . 

With a Zooom, Zooom, Zooom and a Snip, Snip, Snip,

I soon had a little bitty quilt mat pieced into small rows . I am  calling this quilt  "Tobacco Row" because it reminds me of the tobacco fields once that the burley tobacco was cut and removed from the field in late August.  

Tiny crumbs are pieced in wonky fashion into 2" rows. 

A  tobacco field in Kentucky

"Look, Sweetie! " I yelled to Mr. Pinker . A little quilt. 

Mr. Pinker glanced up and gave me a nod. Clearly he was not as excited as I was. Oh well. 😏😁

Next I moved to piecing the larger orange scraps in the bin.  From the large crumbs, I pieced a big patchwork of "oranges".

More crumbs and scraps pieced into a larger piece of fabric. 

"Are you about done, dear? " asked Mr. Pinker as he poked his head into the quilt room. He dared not to enter too far for he might be put to work or God forbid an avalanche of fabric might come tumbling down from their precariously stacked perch on the shelves. 🥴🤪

 

"No, a roly poly patchwork pumpkin is on my mind. Give me another 30 minutes or so, " I cawed. 

I then went merrily back to work. With chalk and scissors in hand, I cut out a round happy scrappy pumpkin and a tall crow and leaf. 

I then cut out a background square measuring 18 1/2" unfinished and added 3 1/2" ( unfinished borders). 

Rough cut applique pieces being auditioned to applique. 

Seeing that I made some progress and knowing that I emptied a few scraps out of my orange bin, I decided to take a break and head to the living room to see what Mr. Pinker was up to.  

To my surprise and delight, Mr. Pinker was busy bustling about in the kitchen. "Super is ready, " he said with a smile.

"Yee Haw! " I exclaimed. 

Creamy pasta with tomatoes, peppers and homemade biscuits

I think I am one lucky gal! 

I will be working on the scrappy pumpkin quilt this week. I plan to use needleturn applique to stitch that wonky punkin down . If all goes well, I will have this quilt on the wall in no time. This will be my 15 minute a day project for the week. 

Alrighty, Sweeties! I am grabbing my needle and getting to work! What are you working on today? 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"When life gives you scraps, make a quilt.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 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- 2026 A parade of sunflower freebies up to September 3, 2026

🌞Autumn Parade March- 2026 Fall Parade A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 10, 2026.

🌞 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

🌞Color Tinting Embroidery Designs - Explanation on how I use crayons to color my designs for hand embroidery. - July 9, 2026

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

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 

The Changing of the Quilts- Autumn Crows

 It's time to change the quilts! 🍂🍂🍂

It's one of my favorite things today as the seasons change.

First, I need to say good bye to the Bees and Sunflowers Quilt Display.

Bye Bye Bees! Time to Buzz! 🐝🐝

And here comes the crows!

CAW! CAW!

First, I decorated my peg shelf on the door with a little white pumpkin quilt. I appliqued it about 20 years ago. The little sign is from the Dollar Tree.

In my small foyer are three vintage thrifted house shutters that I love to decorate with quilts. I simply drape them over the shutters and Wahlah! A simple display.

I layered "quilt upon quilts" for this year's fall quilt display.

On the first shutter is "Four and Twenty Blackbird" which was also displayed in the bee display. There are 24 crows on this quilt. Some are applied but some are quilted.

Crows and Gourds is displayed on the 2nd shutter. It is another older appliqued quilt. I used lots of clothing in this piece including shorts from my college days, pants from my daughter and a shirt from Mr. Pinker. Many fond memories are stitched in this colorful quilt.

The crows and gourds are all tucked into a plaid fabric appliqued bowl.

🍂🍂🍂

Front and center on the 3rd shutter is "The Fall Scarecrow" which was a free doodle that I found at Prim Mart  in 2020. I embroidered it on a scrap of fabric from an old sheet . Some of the border fabric is from an old shirt. Waste not want not. Right?

If you would like to see how I color tint my embroidered quilts with crayons and colored pencils, just check out my post entitled Color Tinting Embroidery Designs.

The little Pumpkins sign was painted years ago from leftover woods craps from Mr. Pinker's workshop

Behind the "Fall Scarecrow" is a quilt that I pieced in 2020 called "Snowball Autumn".

I am so sorry for the poor lighting in this photo. It doesn't do the quilt justice.

I fell in love with the white fabric as soon as I saw it.

The next year my sweet sis gifted me a pumpkin she bought at a yard sale made of the same fabric. Bless her sweet heart. I miss her so! ❤

The pumpkin my sis gifted me from the same fabric in the quilt. 

The darling orange basket was a gift from dear Shelly years ago. I adore it. Thank you , Shelly. ❤😘

Homestead was a little appliqued quilt that I pieced years and years ago. It was a fun use of scraps.

That's the first round of the fall quilts on display!

These quilts may be changed out before the end of the season; I am always tweaking displays.

Do you do that?

Oh before you go, let me show you my seasonal tree all dressed up in crows and sunflowers. I promise you there is a tree in there. Hee! Hee! I like my trees full.

Anywhooo... it is tucked into an old enamelware bucket and surrounded by an old pitcher, a jar of mini pumpkins and a big fat painted fabric pumpkin and scarecrow.

So tell me have you already started "Decking the halls" for FALL? 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Leaves are falling . Autumn is calling.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who was such a giving person

 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- 2026 A parade of sunflower freebies up to September 3, 2026

🌞Autumn Parade March- 2026 Fall Parade A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 10, 2026.

🌞 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

🌞Color Tinting Embroidery Designs - Explanation on how I use crayons to color my designs for hand embroidery. - July 9, 2026

Apple-icious Hutch Tour

 "Uh-oh!" replied Mr. Pinker as he stared at me wide- eyed. I was busy dismantling all of the bee decor displayed on the little country pine hutch. 

Bye Bye, Bee decor! 

"Is it redecorating time? " he asked with a grin. 

"It sure is, " I said  as I began to pull out my new themed decor.

"What is it this time?" he inquired. 

"Apples, silly. Didn't you notice all of the reds?" I replied with a smile.  

Blessed 4 YR IG Anniversary Chart

Mr. Pinker nodded and retreated to the safety of downstairs for he knew it would be no time that plates galore and lots of knick knacks and stitching would be flying this way and that as I puttered with my little country hutch.

Little saucers, plates and a vintage Betty Crocker cook book

 

"Hmmm... now how many plates can I pack onto this wee hutch? " I asked myself. 

I layered in lots of thrifted and Dollar Tree red and white plates on one shelf after the other. 

Then bits of Watt's pottery was tucked here and there. Some stacked on little saucers. 

It was not long before the first 2 shelves were filled to the brim. I have to admit that I stepped back and gave myself 2 pats on the back. My "Apple-icious Hutch " was coming together. 

I even added in my Dolly Parton cookie jar.- So sweet. 

Once I reached the bottom shelf, I began to throw in a modge podge of all things red and apple related. 

The vintage juicer was filled with a bowl of old jello molds.

 The newly thrifted potato masher was good to hold some tins and I even included a little stitch called STAMP 1 - A BASKET OF APPLES,

The darling hand appliqued and quilted apple pie quilt gifted to me from dear Donna inspired me to add my Betty Crocker Pie Parade  Cookbook.  

"Ooooh that looks pretty! " I said to no one in particular. 

As I continued layering , I ran to my "stitching basket" and snatched up my newly completed Apple Jam Jar  which I shared a few weeks ago. 

"Eeeh perfection!"

The Pear Stamp soon followed. 

It was not long before the 3rd shelf was overflowing with apples galore!

After stepping back, taking a look and dusting myself off, I went to the downstairs door and yelled , "Honey, come here. Quick!"

Mr. Pinker came barreling up the stairs. 

"What's up buttercup?" he asked. 

"Lookie! Lookie! My hutch is all decorated for September.

My kitchen is decorated in reds so the apples themed hutch fits in perfectly. 

"OOOPS wait! " I ran back over to the hutch, surveyed around me and chose a red tin to add to the top of the hutch. Most of the items on the top of the shelf always stay there, I just change out a little nook each month which this time I added an "Old Maid Raisin Cookies" tin. 

"Now look , Sweetie. "

The old hutch is decorated with all things red. 

"Hmmm... Yeah, " replied Mr. Pinker. " A lot of stuff. "

"Yep! Just the way I like it, " I replied with a twinkle in my eye.

"I know . " Mr. Pinker replied ( Hmmm... I swear I saw him roll his eyes. Hee! Hee!  Oh well) 

 Finally, Mr. Pinker nodded and said , "It's pretty, but I would rather see an apple pie. "

"We shall see. We shall see, " I said with a grin and with that I began thumbing through my recipe books . 

STAMP 3 RAKING LEAVES

Well, Sweethearts, that is my "Apple-icious Hutch " Tour in a nutshell. I know it is a lot to take in, but loads of color and clutter is my style. I am so very grateful that you dropped by for visit. 

Just give me a few hours and I will have that apple pie out of the oven.  

Have a super duper day, friends and remember....

You are the apple of my eye! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Hope is like an apple seed- it grows into sweetness.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 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- 2026 A parade of sunflower freebies up to September 3, 2026

🌞Autumn Parade March- 2026 Fall Parade A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 10, 2026.

🌞 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

🌞Color Tinting Embroidery Designs - Explanation on how I use crayons to color my designs for hand embroidery. - July 9, 2026

Finishing the Jam Jar

 Hip Hip Hooray! Root- a toot toot! and Zippety Dooh Dah! 

Yeehaw! I have a finish!

 

Hey , I celebrate any little finish I can get done. Don't you? 😀😁

Welcome , my beautiful friends and Happy happy Thursday! 

So how has your day been thus far? Are you nearing any finishes yourself? It doesn't have to be stitching or crafting.  It can be anything. A good book, chores- yep anything. I say give yourself a good pat on the back . It makes for a sunnier day. 

Well, the Apple Jam Jar is all finished. Some of you may remember that , I shared the chart a few weeks ago as a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS chart. 

So let me share what floss colors I used. 

I decided to use 3 different reds for my apples. 

Apple Jam Jar - From the Mason Jar Series

FLOSS  : SYMBOL  MOTIF:

DMC 414 (O) Mason Jar lid      

DMC 3721 ( R) 1st apple on the bottom      

DMC 355 (R) 2nd apple on the bottom

DMC 356 (R) top apple

DMC 610 (V) Apple stem

DMC  640 (P)  Quilt star in the apples

DMC  782 ( Y)  Center of blossom

DMC 3371 ( • )  Jar

DMC  739 ( W) Blossom

DMC 732(X) Grass and Leaves

DMC 733 ( U ) Grass

DMC--- ( T) Wording

I am so very grateful that you shared a moment of your day with me. 

If you are in the neighborhood, drop by after lunch. I will be sharing my Apple-icious Hutch tour . My hutch is filled to the brim with apple goodness. 

Apple Hutch Tour will be posted at 12:00 CST

Have a great  day! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard.  "- Walt Whitman

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 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- 2026 A parade of sunflower freebies up to September 3, 2026

🌞Autumn Parade March- 2026 Fall Parade A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 10, 2026.

🌞 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

🌞Color Tinting Embroidery Designs - Explanation on how I use crayons to color my designs for hand embroidery. - July 9, 2026