A Little Bit of This and That

It's that time! 

For the kids to pack up  their books, pencils and paper.

Old school books ready to be leafed through. 

For the teachers to dust off the chalkboard. 

Old children's chalkboards

And for Mamas to celebrate!  Yeehaw! 😀😂

My daughter joked that she would be at school with the kids as soon as the doors opened. 😅

It's Back to School Time!!!!

A Sunday quilt stack all ready for school time. 

Well it is for some kiddos. Our grandsons' first day of school was last Friday. The Little One was thrilled to pieces that he got the teacher that he wanted ( She taught his brother a couple of years ago. ) 

Do you remember the excitement of the first day of school? Carrying the latest trendy Trapper Keeper , a school box of crayons, pencils and scissors?   

⭐ "Reach for the stars."   ⭐

2024 Back to School Display. 

🍎"Encouragement is oxygen to the soul."- George M. Adams 🍎

I sure do wish all of the students and teachers a wonderful school year. 🤗

ON TO QUILTY NEWS! 

Buttercream fabric and a plethora of scraps is what I am using on Melva's  free Quilt Along called Lala's Irish Chain SAL. 

Y'all, I will be honest. I am a bit behind not only on my quilting but on my stitching too . Still, I am plugging right along though.  😊

Melva is recreating her great grandma Lala's antique Irish Chain quilt and has invited us to sew along. It is a nine week sew along and like all of Melva's SAL ; it is sure to be loads of fun. In fact, she is sharing stories and photos of her Great Grandma Lala. I do hope you will hop over to visit, Melva. 

Melva's Schedule for Lala's Irish Chain SAL: 

Week 1 Cutting Instructions and Introduction: 

Week 2 Setting Blocks with Cornerstones

Week 3 Frame Setting the Blocks. 

Week 4 Patchwork Set 1

Week 5 Patchwork Set 2

Week 6  5 x 5 Patchwork Blocks

Week 7 Layout and Top

Week 8 Border

Week 9 Sandwich and Quilt

WHAT ABOUT CROSS STITCHING?

 Well, in other news, I fully finished  Tomatoes into a pin pillow with a scrap of fabric and some crocheted lace.  I shared this stitch a few months ago, and it has been waiting in the wings patiently to be finished. 

Now onto the Plans for the Week

This past week I was out of commission due to a fall , but hopefully, I will be moving around better and  will have the strength to do a little more. My mojo has been waning as well. Does that ever happen to you? Anywhooo... I will keep the "To Do List" short and sweet . 

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1. Work on Melva's QAL

🌞2. Embroider September's Roundabout. 

🌞3. Begin a new saltbox cross stitch.   

🌞4. Quilt on Pretty in Peach Butterfly quilt.

 

As you can see I am not going to overdo it  this week. Hee! Hee! But I am sure more projects will come into play. They often do. 

Thank you for taking the time to join me on this lovely day. 

 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"some of the best discoveries are made when we simply try.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy  who loved to host "Back to School Bashes" for the kiddos. I do miss those times. 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love 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.

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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 

Stacks Upon Stacks and Some Slow Stitching

And a very warm summer's welcome to you, sweet friends. 

Summer and "For Viola Berry" I have not shared it yet. 

How about we start the morning off with a sunny Sunday Quilt Stack.  

The theme : Bees and Yellows 🐝💛

I enjoy rearranging quilts and creating little stacks based on themes. 

A sunny quilt stack

I   also enjoy pulling out different little pot holders to enjoy for the season. 

Creating plate stacks are a delight as well. Have I told you that I suffer from a severe case of ATP- Addiction to Plates. Hee! Hee! The sad thing about it is , I refuse treatment. 😂🤣

See. Canisters are stacked upon more stacks of plates.  Oh bother , what is a plate addict to do! 

Stacks ,upon stacks , upon stacks!

"But what about Slow Stitching Sunday? ", you ask. Well ,  I am a girl on a mission! 

I have  moved the hoop 4 times this week on my Pretty in Peach Butterflies quilt. Eeeh! I am over halfway finished!  I am doing a little happy dance! 

Eight more blocks to quilt. It takes me around 2 hours to hand quilt a block. The blocks measure 15" finished. 

I am also on a mission to finish a little ornament that I am calling "Winter Pines".

It is going to be a good evening of slow stitching. 
I wish you the most delightful day of doing something you love. 

With much love and blessings. 

Have a beautiful day, y'all ! ❤

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Every day of your life is a special occasion.  "- Thomas S. Monson

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy .

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

 A few weeks ago Melva from Melva Loves Scraps sent me this lovely Connecting Threads gift box for participating in the Little House on the Prairie QAL. Thank you so much, Melva. ❤

I will be sharing my progress on her new SAL this coming week. 

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

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

Bees and Blooms Roundabout Doodle

Welcome back, Sweet Peas. 

I won't keep you long. I just wanted to show you my update on my Roundabout quilt.The blocks are coming along. 

 "Bees and Blooms" is the 8th block in the series . Buzz ! Buzz! 

Graphic from Pinterest.

 

I used 2 strands of floss and used the backstitch for most of the stitch.

But I also used the following stitches:

🐝 Lazy Daisy Stitch for the leaves, Bee balm blooms and the bees' wings

🐝 Small satin stitch for the bees' heads and stripes.   

🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

I  used the following floss colors:

 

🐝  DMC 898 ( bee skep bench) 

🐝 DMC 782 ( bee skep)  

🐝 DMC 3346 (flower stem and leaves) 

🐝 DMC 3777 (Bee balm blooms)

🐝 DMC 3799 ( bees, bee skep hole) 

🐝DMC 930 ( scalloped border) 

The Roundabout was stitched on 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"  (unfinished) white fabric. 

It is framed with 20 -  2 1/2" squares (unfinished) 

The Roundabout Block  with Scrappy Borders Measures:  12 1/2" x 12 1/2" ( unfinished)

🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯

 

My doodles are hand drawn and are never perfect. ❤

 Here are all of my stitched blocks laid out on my design floor. As you can see, I have already framed in my embroidery block for next month's stitch . I will be working on it today. 

I am still considering making these blocks bigger , but I  have made no definite plans. 

If you missed any of the blocks and you are interested just click on the colored links. 

Frosty Chill Roundabout

Love Mail Roundabout

Welcoming March Roundabout Doodle 

Bunny Harvest Roundabout 

May Flowers Roundabout

Sweet Melody Roundabout 

Summer Joys Roundabout

Well that's it , Sweeties. I told you I wouldn't ramble in the 2nd post. 😁 Have a fabulous evening! 

And Happy Stitching! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Kindness is the pollen that helps the world bloom.  "- Unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love 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. 

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August Already? and Tiny House in the Beeyard- A Tiny House Freebie

Here we are! The dog days of Summer. How is it August already? Wheew this summer is flying by! Soon the little ones will be making their way back to school ; in fact our munchkins only have a few more days.

I have been bustling about the house making changing here and there. 

First, I changed out my apron hanging from the  vintage Hoosier top. A little yellow apron brightens up the corner that it hangs from. 

It makes for a quick grab for those busy baking days. 

I even added a few sunflower pics to the Hoosier top .

Country clutter on top of the old Hoosier

Now isn't that spiffy? 😀

The Hoosier top holds old crocks, cookie jars and salt and pepper shakers. The tobacco prints behind the Hoosier were given to the tobacco farmers as a gift during the tobacco sales at the warehouses years ago. 

To be honest, I really do need to rearrange everything. It has become a catchall .  😏 

 

Back in the living room ,  I hung the $2.00 Dresden Plate quilt that I bought years ago. 

The buffet is decorated with bee decor . The large scales were my Aunt Dot's and were always displayed on this buffet at her house. I never remove them; it is a fond memory of my Dot Dot who was like a 3rd grandma to me.  

The colors remind me of the 1970's . Do you remember the Harvest Gold appliances and linoleum or am I showing my age? Hee! Hee! We even had a Harvest Gold bathtub. 😏💛  Hmmm ... how did I go down that rabbit hole. LOL. Oh well. 

Over the next few days, I will be changing out my decor to bees and sunflowers. The sunflowers will easily transition into fall decor by the end of the month. 

Time to put away the country summer decor. 

August's Tiny House is all finished and ready for display. It is called Tiny House in the Beeyard. Now you know I had to have a bee themed stitch . Hee! Hee!

 

I went around and around on what the house colors should be, but after much debate decided to stitch mine as a brick house using DMC 3857, 3858, and 3859. A little star is nestled down below the house's eaves. 

    The following DMC floss colors were used in the making of Tiny House in the Beeyard:

🐝 782- bees, bee skeps

🐝 898 border, bee skep tables 

🐝937 grass

🐝 948 star, bees' wings

🐝3371 bees, bee skep holes, roof, windows, door

🐝 3857 house

🐝3858 house

🐝  3859 house

If you decide to stitch any of my designs , feel free to choose your own floss colors. I always use whatever floss colors I have on hand at the time and what suits my home decor. ❤ And if you are not digging the star, just fill in the siding and Wahlah! Your House in the Beeyard is complete. Hee! Hee! 

 Tiny  House in the Beeyard was stitched on 14 count tea/ coffee dyed Aida.  I posted on how I dye my Aida in 2024  in my Time to Dye- post. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

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 finishing tutorial was shared in January 2026

Like all of my Tiny Houses, the Tiny Summer House is finished in the same manner into a wee pin pillow with a bit of print fabric and lace. I shared the measurements in  my January 13, 2026 post along with the 1st house in the series, Tiny Winter's Day House. ( There will be 12 houses all together.)

If you have missed any of the other houses and are interested , just click on the colored links and you will be transported back to the post and the charts.

 Tiny Winter's Day House, Tiny Love House , Tiny March House , Tiny Tulip House ,

 Tiny Tomato House, and  Tiny Butterfly House

Tiny Summer House, 

Around noon I will be posting , my latest Roundabout embroidery. So if you are in the neighborhood drop by for a quick visit.  I promise , I won't chat your ears off. 😀🤪😅

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"August still stretched before us - long , golden and reassuring like an endless period of delicious sleep.  "- Lauren Oliver

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy . This is such a hard month. My mind is racing with memories of our last few days in August. 

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

🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

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🌞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. 

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🌞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