Blog Archive

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Summer Stamp Stitch Along Introduction

A Sweet visitor to my garden

A little birdie told me that it was time for a stitch along - a Summer Stamp Stitch Along that is. I am thinking lots of  chirping birds, gardening , bountiful harvests, flowers , bees , sweet treats and fun in the sun.  Now doesn't that scream summertime to you? 

The stamps will be the same size as the Spring , Autumn, Winter , Strawberry , and Halloween Stamp Collections that I have shared in the past.  

The larger piece will fit in an 8 x 10" frame if stitched on 14 count Aida as what I will be doing.

If you are stitching the stamps individually, each stamp has a Design Size: of 35 x 35 ( not big at all. ) 

Summer Stamp  is one of my earlier stamps. I finished it on a clip frame from the Dollar General. 

  Over the years, I have created a number of stamp collections. (Remember if you would like to see more of the stamps, click the colored links and you will be wisped away to the appropriate post with  charts.) 


The first collection of seasonal stamps began in August of 2022, with the  Autumn Stamp Collection .


In 2023 , I shared the  Spring Stamp Collection  which revolved around  a flurry of  Spring activities with little bluebirds fluttering about in  each stamp. 


The Winter Stamp Collection was a joy to work on in 2025. I am still working on the little pillow collections though. 


As the years have gone by, I have also shared a few holiday  and  other " themed" stamps.

For instance, last year I had a spooktacular time stitching the Halloween Stamp Collection. I finished the individual pillows , but I am still working on the large stitched piece. 

I used my Little Jack Trifle  as a scissor fob. 



And I am still working on the  Strawberry Stamp  Sampler which I have been sharing stamps for over the years. 
Oh gosh, there are other stamps too, but I will wait until another day to speak of them. 


Let's talk more about the Summer SAL. Shall we? 
I have been working feverishly stitching little summer stamps these last few weeks. You may have seen some sneak peeks in previous posts. 

I stitched my little pillows on 14 count coffee tea dyed Aida. 

But my big piece - well , I have another idea. A summery lemon yellow!!!! What do you think? 


 Last night, I dyed my fabric using Rit Dye Lemon Yellow and added a dash of turmeric to the mix for good measure. So bright and cheerful. Now, that may mean I may adjust some of my floss colors as I stitch but that is ok. 

There will be at least 10 Summer Stamps. They can be stitched individually or as one large collection.  I am stitching them both ways. 

The borders will be stitched in DMC 930. ( One of my favorite blues.)

Below is a list of the DMC FLOSS COLORS that  I will be using for the whole project .

DMC-  Blanc, 223,  310, 356, 400, 562, 722,  725, 745, 782, 815, 898, 921, 926, 930, 932, 3052, 3064 , 3345, 3346, 3799. 

If additional floss colors are added , I will let you know . Since I will be stitching along with you on the big sampler, I may change up the colors for a different look. I will see as I work on the sampler. You know me. I fly by the seat of my pants. 

SOME SUGGESTIONS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED:

1. Rather than making this a mystery SAL, I will share a photo of some of the finished stamps on Tuesday so you can see if any of them "strike your fancy. " 

2. You may want to look over the Floss list below . Some floss colors are used only a couple of times so you may want to change them out for other colors . I am stitching from my stash so I used what colors I had on hand. 

Below is a tentative schedule as to when I will release the stamps. I am making this a slow stitch where I am releasing 1 a week. That way I can truly enjoy the whole process and hopefully , you can too.  Plus Mr. Pinker and I have a lot on our plate right now so slow and easy is the best schedule for me. But... I hope you do not mind if I continue on with my other posts as well. 

Whether you stitch along with me or not, I would be so delighted if you drop in for a visit these next few weeks as I stitch my way to Summer. 

Here are a few printables for the Summer Stamp SAL. 



 






Well  Sweeties, I best get off here. I know you are a busy bee as well. I am ever so grateful that you take the time to visit me. It truly warms this Southern gal's heart. Have a "Sunshiny Day"! 


As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. "- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

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 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 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. 
🌞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. 
🌞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
 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

It's All About Tulips and Tiny Tulip House- A Spring Freebie


"In April fleecy clouds float by
Like cotton candy in the sky
April is tip-toeing into the land
Touching each leaf with her delicate hand."
A very Happy April to you! 


Not a lot is going on here in the holler, but I do have a "Tiny House " to share with you. 

It is Tiny Tulip House. A wee terra cotta saltbox house with a row of sweet tulips blooming on a beautiful Spring Day. 


Tiny Tulip House is the newest addition to my monthly "Tiny House  Series".  

If you want to see some cuteness, jump over to visit dear  Di of Quilting Is Blissful Blogspot. This past Sunday , Di shared not only her Tiny House finishes which were displayed on her festive seasonal tree, but she also shared her adorable hexis, some fabulous Spring cross stitching and  her adorable house quilt blocks. Pure Sweetness if I do say so myself! 

Anywhooo.... I finished Tiny Tulip House just as I did with the previous Tiny Houses. I provided a Tiny House Finishing Tutorial  in my January 13, 2026 post along with the Tiny Winter's Day House.
 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷






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.

May's Tiny Tomato House is in the works.


How about a small " Tulip Parade" to welcome in the 1st day of April?  These are just a few Spring stitches that have a tulip or two in bloom. 

Spring Flutter 


A Bouquet For Amy

The Hopper House


Mini Bunny Sampler



Spring 


Mini Tulip Sampler

Miss Flopsy  and Bunny Jar 

Miss Flopsy and Bunny Jar 

Spring Green Saltbox 


Alrighty, y'all. I best hop off here. May your day be bright and beautiful ! 


A few of my bunny themed Golden books . I scattered these throughout the house for the Easter season. 



As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Be like a tulip: quiet on the outside , but full of color within.   " - unknown.

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 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 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. 
🌞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. 
🌞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
 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇

Monday, March 30, 2026

Monday Musings and the Harvest Basket

For the last year, I  have been trying to eat fish at least twice a week. It's good for  ya' - well that's what my doctor says.  Anywhooo... Tuesdays is "Tuna Tuesday" . I always try to give a little twist to my tuna salads . 

Last week I made the most delectable tuna salad- with the addition of a chopped apple, chopped celery, homemade relish ( yum yum) , feta cheese ,pickled  jalapenos and olive oil mayo with a blanket of fresh spinach on toasted wheat bread. It was just mouth watering. The addition of chopped apples and the spice of the jalapenos was a favorable surprise. 

 As I made my sandwich, my mind wandered to past joyful days in the garden - staking tomatoes, picking cucumbers and summer squash.  The sweet cucumber relish that we made  a couple of years ago  brought back many fond memories . Every time we pull a jar out of the pantry it is like getting a pleasant gift from the garden. This year I hope to plant more cucumbers , tomatoes and of course peppers galore. 
Have you started thinking about your garden? 

Homemade sweet cucumber relish is the bomb! 

This brings me to Block #3 in Melva's Little  House on the Prairie Sew Along. Eeeeh! It's Harvest Basket


"Some old fashioned things like  fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. " -Laura Ingalls Wilder


Last year Mr. Pinker and I would spend "many a hours" in the garden filling our own harvest baskets. In fact , there were times that we would take one basket load in and then go out for another.  I should be so lucky if we have a good harvest this year. 

"A farmer depends on himself, and the land and the weather." Laura Ingalls Wilder - Farmer Boy

 All of the fabrics for Harvest Basket were found in my stash. Strips of calicos, plaids  and prints. It was fun to look at the information on the selveges . Some of the fabrics were nigh 20+ years old. 


So tell me. If you are planning a garden, what do you hope to fill your harvest basket? 

I am making progress on Little House Needlework's "Farm Life". Vegetables are being harvested. 


Well Sweet friends, I best get off here and see what mischief I can get into. 

Before you leave. Do you have any suggestions on new ways to prepare canned tuna or salmon? I would be every so grateful for any new recipe suggestions. 


Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along Posts:

INTRODUCTION of the Little House on the  Prairie Stitching Along - January 29, 2026

Block 1 Maple Leaf- February 5, 2026

Block 2 Native Star- February 19, 2026

Block 3 Harvest Basket- March 5, 2026

Block 4 Shoo Fly- March 19, 2026


🌻  A Sneaky Peek of what is on the finishing table today- Eeeeh ! Summer Stamps! 🌻


Have a beautiful day! 

Hugs and Stitches

Melisa 


The squirrels are running rampede here in the holler - gathering seeds and such. 


"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred..." - Laura Ingalls Wilder -  A Little House Sampler  A Collection of  Early Stories and Reminiscenses 


Sunday, March 29, 2026

Beehives and Matchsticks- Making Progress

 Just a quick Howdy Do! Welcome, sweet friends and a very lovely sunny day to you. I just wanted to drop in to say hello and share my plans for the day. Mr. Pinker and I just returned from a quick trip to the great state of Louisiana so I am trying to get back into my daily swing of things. 

The kitchen tiered tray by the corner sink is decorated with stacks of condiment bowls , eggs and chickens. 

Anywhooo... Summer Stamp stitching is going on. I will finish this little stamp today, and then I have 2 more to stitch before I will be ready for the big stamp sampler. 

"In the Apiary" Summer Stamp is in the works. 

Also a small quilt that I am calling Matchsticks is in the hoop. It was made using leftover 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips. 



Well that's it for me! Hee! Hee! I told you this was short and sweet. 

Of course, I had to add a little  vintage piggie to the tiered tray. 

May your day be filled with sunshine, beautiful blooms  and remember to stay as busy as a bee! Love ya'! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Create your own sunshine!   " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Lots of cabbages on the 2025 Easter shelf display. 

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

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

Popular Posts

Summer Stamp Stitch Along Introduction