Gingerbread and Autumn Beginnings- A Fall Freebie

 It feels so so good to be back into the sewing room. 

Over the week , I sat down with a bunch of 2 1/2" scraps that I previously cut...

And worked on blocks for Melva's Sew Along called Lala's Irish Chain SAL.  

12 perfectly imperfect blocks pieced and a few more to go.  ( Don't look too carefully at my seams; I was off my game on this particular day. ) 

I am still waiting on a fabric order . A jelly roll awaits me to use for this quilt.  So I  am waiting on pins and needles. Hee! Hee! 

Meanwhile, I picked up this bundle of fabrics for a $1.00 at a yard sale. Soon they will be whittled down into 2 1/2" strips.  

Aren't they scrumptious? 

Excuse me a minute, while I do a Happy Jig for I have a finish!  💃💃💃

The blocks are framed with 2" finished squares. 

       Roll and Bake  ,   A Bowl of Gingerbread,  A Plate of Gingers  and   Gingerbread and Marshmallows

Yee Haw! Roll and Bake has its final borders. 

I added 4" borders.

With four patches as corner blocks made of 2 1/2" squares (unfinished). 

The photos are making the corner blocks look lighter than they are. 😏 Oh well...😀

Christmas fabric from the thrift store will make a perfect backing for Roll and Bake.

Backing fabric for Roll  and Bake. 

A new stitch is in the works, and  it is called Autumn Beginnings .

 Seeing Vicki's latest posts at Vicki's Crafts and Quilting certainly has got me in the fall mood. Did you see her gorgeous Maple Leaf quilt   and her Orange Pineapple and Stick and Stones quilts? Adorable!  Hmmm... I need to make a Stick and Stones. 

 Anywhoo.... Autumn Beginnings is just a simple stitch to wet my appetite for more fall stitching.  If all goes well, "Autumn Beginnings" should stitch up in two shakes of a lamb's tail. 

Autumn Blessings is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS chart. I will be stitching it in muted colors and will certainly update this post in the future with my floss colors and finish.

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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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Well, that's what is going on in my neck of the woods on this fine sunny Friday. 

What are you up to? 

A Summer Display

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"When you focus on the good , the good gets better.  "- Unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

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

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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 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

Nina at Creations, Quilts, Art , Whatever by Nina for Off the Wall Friday

Alycia's of Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant - Friday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for Home Matters

Busy Bees and Sunny Sunflower Hutch Tour

Hello there, Sunshine! Welcome. Do come in and join me.

Buzz! Buzz! 🐝🐝 A little bee told me that  it is a perfect day for a Country Clutter tour.  

My homemade hutch is filled to the brim with all things yellow which includes busy , buzzing bees and sunny sunflowers. 

So if you are up to it. Let's take a gander . 

I forewarn you. I am a maximalist . I know it is not for all, but it is just my style. 

OK Now for the tour! 

The top of the hutch is rarely ever changed, but I did tuck in a little yellow tin . 

Each shelf was layered with bowls, plates and stitching galore. 

Two large stacked Pyrex bowls were perfect to nestle some sunflowers and a stitch in.  Blessed is a 2020 freebie from Stitching With the Housewives which is as cute as a button. 

 My Mini Bee Sampler looks quite at home in the little Dollar Tree wooden box that I painted and added my Home stitch to. 

The grand rooster was a thrifty find years ago. He has been in storage for quite a spell. He was as happy as a lark to be out among the sunflowers and bees. 

Now tell me. Who can resist sunflowers captured in a mason jar? Not me!  🌻

Sunflower Mason Jar

In past posts, I have told you about my "plate addiction."😏😀 

I am sure you have already spotted bookoos of them layered behind all of the clutter. 

But I haven't told you about my Pitcher Affliction. Hee! Hee!  I have never met a water pitcher that I did not like. 

Do any of you suffer from the same affliction? 

I pulled out my mustard yellow pitcher  and plopped the The Ole' Crow Saltbox right on top of it.  Perfect for a summer display. 

 Sunflower Strut Stamp is nestled in the hanging basket of eggs. 

Let's buzz down to the 2nd shelf. Shall we? 🐝 Buzz! Buzz! 

Sunflower Sampler is gingerly propped on a stack of saucers.  The wooden bee skep was a Big Lots find over 20 years ago. I still love it. 

Front and center is The Hum of the Bees which was stitched on gray Rit dyed 14 count fabric. 

The little wooden spoon was a gift from my sweet sis and the knife sharpener was a thrifty find from New Mexico. We won't talk about my love for old "kitchen utensils".  

My one and only butter mold holds another ceramic rooster and " Dora Jane's Cabin on Sunflower Lane" . I stitched this cabin a couple of years ago, but have yet to post it. 

But we are not finished yet! The bottom shelf is overflowing with stitching and more stitching. I just could not contain myself and kept  adding more and more.  Eeeh! 

Behind all of the stitching are some of my platters. A few years ago Mom gave me a number of hers when she was cleaning out her cabinets. I enjoy having them on display as I have warm memories of the yummies that Mom used to serve on them. 

A modge podge of bee and sunflower decor with not an inch to spare. 

The little sunflower truck was a gift from my sweet friend, Joan. I believe this precious stitch is a Stitching with the Housewives design. I just adore it. Thank you , Joan. 💛

Behind it on the stacks of plates is Annie and the gang in  Bees, Bloom and Chickens . This stitch was created in honor of my Great Grandma Annie who gathered and sold eggs to buy the dining room set that I now proudly own.  

In the Apiary Stamp is one of the newest stamps that I shared earlier this year. 

Last year, sweet Vivian sent me a beautiful card  filled with treasures.  She used my Blooms of Sunshine design on the front of the card.  Isn't the card magnificent? 

Look at the precious handmade envelopes. This is a treasure. Thank you, dear Vivian. I love having this out on display year round. 💛

The precious honey pot and pitcher were moved from the counter to my hutch . This darling set was sent to me from my dear friend, PJ who spoils me rotten. Thank you again, sweet PJ. 💛

Finished on an metal tile is "Sunflower Keeper" a possible stitch that I will share in the future. 

And I must not forget my scales that are always displayed on the hutch. Stacks upon stacks, of little bowls, doilies and stitches which includes Skeps and "Zilpha's Summer Cabin" , another house that I have not shared yet. (  I need more hours in the day to do all of the things. LOL Don't you? ) 

That's all she wrote!  The Busy Bees and Sunflower Hutch Tour is complete! That was a lot to take in . Wasn't it? 

Do you think I have enough "bee themed " items? LOL.  Yeah , I think I do . Yet, I am still stitching bees and sunflowers. 😁🐝🐝🐝

I was tempted to recreate last year's display which I adore, but I went with something different. If you would like to see  2025's Bears, Bees and Sunflower Hutch Tour just buzz on over and take a look.  I think I contained myself last year and did not use as many "things". LOL

Now that the tour is complete , maybe we can sit back and stitch awhile. Maybe I can rustle up some treats in the kitchen. And I definitely have coffee and iced tea for our enjoyment. 

 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Every flower that ever bloomed had a bee that believed in it.  " - unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

Wordless Wednesday - Mushrooms by the Creek

I would love for you to join me on a Wordless Wednesday post ( a post of a few photos and very few words)  A couple of weeks ago Mr. Pinker , the grandsons and I took a stroll by the creek. 

I hope these photos brighten your day . 

The Theme: Mushrooms down by the creek. 

So you see what I see? 

Thank you for the sweet Wednesday visit. 🤗

💥Sprinkle your day with glitter and a whole lot of happiness! 💥

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom.  "- Thomas Carlyle

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. 

🌞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 

Bee Haven Cottage- A House Freebie

 A very lovely Tuesday morning to you, sweet friends.

Is your day off to a delightful start? I sure hope so. What do you have planned today? Anything fun or is it going to be one of those relaxing pj kinda day? Hee! Hee! 

I spent the day in my pjs yesterday sewing up a storm. Eeeh! It was wonderful!  It had been a little over a week since I had worked at my machine so I was excited as all get out. I will show you what I worked on in a later post. 

Thank you so much for all of the sweet well wishes. I have had two mishaps over the last few weeks which left me with broken ribs, but the last one was a fall down some slippery , wet camper steps after a rain. So do be careful when you go out on rainy days.  I think getting up and moving around is doing wonders. It is hard for me to sit and relax. I know some of you are the same way. 

The other day I picked up a "new to me" vintage cookbook published in 1979. Hmmm...🤔 When did 1979 become vintage? LOL. Is it? Maybe not.

 Anywhoo... the Joy with Honey cookbook is choked full of recipes that include honey. And it has the most adorable illustrations. 

The bee illustrations in the book were created by Vicki Dorsey

Speaking of honey... Let me show you my latest house finish. 

It is called Bee Haven Cottage. I finished stuffing it and stitching the seams closed last week. 

 I think it is sweet as ooey gooey , yummy to the tummy honey! 🍯Well maybe not that sweet, but sweet nonetheless. 😀

I think it is a perfect addition to my bee collection. What do you think? 

Bee Haven Cottage is surrounded by tall and small bee skeps and there is even one on the roof. 

But watch out for the ginormous bees! Yikes! I wouldn't want to be stung by one of those would you. 😀  Buzz! Buzz! 

 

Bee Haven Cottage was stitched using 12 DMC floss colors which includes: 

DMC 353, 414, 610, 730, 780, 781, 783, 844, 948, 3722, 3857, and 3859. 

I am sorry. I got snap happy on taking photos of Bee Haven Cottage. LOL

Since we are talking about colors , let me break down where the floss colors are located. 

🧵BORDER/ VINE: DMC colors 730, 353 and 3722

 🧵 GRASS: 730

🧵BEE SKEPS: 610 ( the bench) 780, 781, 783, and 844

🧵BRICKWORK: 3857, 3859

🧵WINDOWS: 948, 844

🧵DOOR: 948, 610

🧵ROOF: 414, 844

🧵BEES: 783, 844, 948

🧵FLOWERS: 948, 610

🧵PATHWAY: 414

Of course, you could use any colors that your sweet heart desires if you decided to stitch Bee Haven Cottage. 

Bee Haven Cottage was stitched on 14 count Coffee/ tea dyed Aida that I dyed myself. Using 14 count Aida, it measures around 5 1/8" x 5 5/8"  with a Design size of 71 x 78. 

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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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Another recipe from the Joy with Honey. I will be trying this Five Bean Salad recipe at our next get together. 

Now that Bee Haven Cottage is fully finished. I need to FFO Sunflower Haven that I showed sneak peeks of a few weeks ago. 

Sunflower Haven is being stitched on 14 count coffee/ tea dyed Aida. 

Plus I have started a new fall house.  It seems like I am slowly working through my lack of mojo. I guess it takes just a small spark to get the wheels turning again.  We shall see if this is it. 

I best get off here before I become a chatterbox. I know you have places to go and people to meet. So I wish you a BEEAUTIFUL DAY!  Love ya'! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Be your own kind of beautiful.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

I hope to post a Bee Hutch Tour sometime this week. So I hope you will drop back by for a Country Clutter tour.