Blog Archive

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Summer Stamp SAL - " And the Garden Grows" Stamp 1 Freebie

 I think I got my "gardening bug" from my Granny. 

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Welcome, Sweet friends and a very lovely Tuesday to you. 

Last year's tansy blooming


My Granny lived in a little log cabin "on the mountain". I think I have told you about her before. She had electricity , but had to draw her water from a well. Granny loved to grow flowers. Back then there were no "gardening stores," and Granny did not have much money to spend on plants and seeds anyway. Granny just used what she had. She would look at what grew around her in the woods and transplant it into her small flower pots and log trimmed flower beds. Granny would plant in just about anything whether it be an old kettle , tin cans or whatever she had at hand . And goodness, did she have a green thumb. She could make anything grow.  

2025 Wild and Woolly garden in bloom.

Though she never showed me how she grew the "wild plants " that she foraged, her enthusiasm and quaint small gardens inspired me in my own endeavors at gardening. 

Over the last few weeks, I have been talking about the Summer Stamp Stitch Along. In fact, I showed you a sneak peek of all of the stamps in previous posts. 

As I have been working on my larger sampler, I have been debating on which stamp goes where. Well, I decided  why not start off with "And the Garden Grows" as the first stamp.  Of course if you are stitching the large sampler, you can place the stamps wherever you like.


 

As with each stamp, I am stitching them twice. Once as a pin pillow and 2nd in the large sampler . The sampler is stitched on 14 count Aida  which will fit in an 8 x 10 frame . 


I trimmed the little pin pillow with thrifted white chenille yarn that I doubled and twisted. I simply tacked it down along the seams. 


 

"And the Garden Grows" was stitched with the following DMC floss colors: 223 , 356, 722, 782,  815, 898, 926, 930 (border), 3345, 3346,  and Blanc.

  Again I used what colors I had at the time so please use whatever floss colors you like if you decide to stitch this little stamp. 

 If you notice in the directions , I list how many times the floss is used in this particular chart. Some are used in only a few stitches so you may want to substitute them out.  I stitched "And The Garden Grows" while on vacation, and at the time, I had a  limited floss palette to choose from. 

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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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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.  

SUMMER STAMP SCHEDULE

April 2nd  Summer Stamp Introduction

April 7th  Stamp Stamp Border

April 14th Summer Stamp 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


Flower garden from years past . Flowers are planted in all kinds of containers. There is my grandbaby in the corner. Of course his toys are strewn . He is having a fun day at his Mae Mae's ( That's what he calls me. )


Sometime this week, I will be posting how I dye my fabric in small batches using Rit dye and next week I will share Stamp 2 as the Summer Stamp SAL continues on.

 I truly appreciate you taking the time to join me on this lovely Spring day. Keep your face to the sun and enjoy your day. 



As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,  y'all

Melisa 

"I hope you are a wildflower in a world of roses. "- unknown 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!šŸ¤—šŸ§µ❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who was our little wildflower. She beautiful and free spirited.šŸ’®šŸ’®. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

šŸŒžParade of Homes 2026- Early 2026 parade of home freebies.
šŸŒž2026 Love Parade- A Parade of Previous Valentine Freebies- Valentine themed stitches up to Feb. 4, 2026.  
šŸŒž Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 
šŸŒžA Berry Nice Parade- A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025Early 2025 berry Freebies. 
šŸŒžA Buzzy Bee Parade An early 2025 bee freebie parade.
šŸŒžA Sunny Sunflower Parade for 2025 A parade of sunflower freebies up to July 24, 2025
šŸŒžPumpkin, Leaves and Autumn Please- A Fall Parade 2025 A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 8, 2025.
šŸŒž A Parade of Stamps 2025  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to August 14, 2025

šŸŒžTime to Dye-  2024 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 
šŸŒžPin Pillow Tutorial - 2023 post on how I finish my pin pillows with chenille trim. 
šŸŒžA Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October  4, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.
šŸŒžTurkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
šŸŒžHo! 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. 
šŸŒžA Chilly Parade of Winter Stitches 2025- A parade of Winter themed freebies up to the date of Dec. 21, 2025

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I will be making half square triangles today for Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along. 

Monday, April 20, 2026

A Basket for Lois - A Spring Freebie

 Hello, Sunshine!


 Can I interest you in a little basket of blooms? 

I have been stitching away on a little pink basket for a sweet girl that I never personally knew. Her name was Lois Ann.    


Lois Ann was a beautiful girl with long flowing brown hair, bright eyes and the sweetest smile. How do I know? Well I have seen photos of her. 

Actually, Lois Ann was my aunt, but she went to Heaven as a child way before my time. 

A Basket for Lois is a small stitch with a design size of 42 x 41. 

Little Lois Ann  was stricken with polio when she was just 3 years old and was paralyzed. Most of her time was spent in hospitals and in an iron lung.  But  from what I have been told,  she was always full of cheer. 

Little Lois Ann loved to sketch the most beautiful drawings . All one had to do was help her by putting a pencil in her mouth, and then she would create magical creations on paper. Bless her sweet heart.  

I stitched  A Basket for Lois on 14 count Aida that has been coffee/ tea dyed. 

Movie stars and singers from long ago would visit her.  She was a special little girl and still is in our family's eyes. 

I would like to think that little Lois Ann is skipping in Heaven, gathering flowers and putting them in her own little basket and drawing until her heart is content. 

The frame was from the Dollar Tree. 

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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. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵 šŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µšŸ§µ




Did you know that most of my charts have some form of a "nod" to my family members?  Sometimes I name a chart after a family member or I create a design based on a family story. When I am slow stitching , I like to think about my family , our history and such.  It brings me peace and relaxation. Do you do the same?  

Well Sweet Friends, I will let you go. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me and for listening to the story of little Lois Ann. 
Have a beautiful day! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Smiles are free but they are worth a lot .  " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!šŸ¤—šŸ§µ❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy, Aunt Lois Ann and Great Aunt Alma. They were gone too soon. Love and miss you, Amo. 


Sunday, April 19, 2026

Slow Sunday Porch Stitching

Happy Slow Stitching Sunday. Please do join me on the porch as we enjoy some spicy talk and a bit of stitching. šŸ¤—

There is enough room for us all on the front porch swing. I will just scooch over, and we will have a grand ole' time. 

Please forgive me . I forgot to offer you a cup of coffee or perhaps some tea. 


So what are you working on today? Me? Well,  my needle and thread are weaving in and out of my  Tumbleweeds quilt that I began quilting in January.

 Do you want to see my progress? I would love to show you. 

I have moved down to the 2nd row. One block complete and time to move the hoop to the next one. 


Quilting wavy lines in the 1" sashings. 

Oh, and let me show you what else I am working on . Bent Creek's freebie Surrounded By Joy. The border is complete and now onto the letters. This is my "Santa Sunday" stitch. I will continue working on it as we sit and chat. 

Hmmm... I don't think I showed you my peg rack on the door all dressed for Easter . Did I? Last year, I was inspired to pull out an old peg rack and hang it on the door after seeing a Youtuber do the same.  For Easter , I filled it with baskets, vintage children dresses and of course quilted stockings waiting to be filled by the Easter bunny.  I even hung up one of my girl's baby shoes. I am still looking for the mate. I have seen several of my favorite Youtube decorators use children's shoes in their decor so I thought I would do the same.  Lots of warm memories are hanging from the peg rack. 

I certainly wasn't ready to take down my peg rack yet. But I did want to change it for the month. Sooo...down came the stockings and a new bunch of "clutter " took their place. The theme: Strawberries! šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“

The peg rack has aprons, a bonnet and vintage treasures. 

   

The vintage scale is my newest find.

On Friday, I shared the strawberry themed quilts that I am decorating the small foyer with. 

More strawberries are coming out. 

The foyer shelf is being filled to the brim with strawberry goodness. 

Hmmm ... What else? Well I have a finish! Hip Hip Hooray! I finished  Blackbird Designs' "Bird in Hand". This darling chart was sent to me from dear Sonja. Thank you Sonja I have loved every stitch . ❤ I will be making it into a pin pillow similar to the one shown. 

Later this evening, I hope to work more on my gardens. Late yesterday , I posted a garden update showing it in transition. 

 Well, Sweeties, I guess we have some stitching and quilting to do . Don't we? So let's get started. Thank you for joining me on the porch today. 

As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"I return to my front porch to find a place where the air smells sweeter and the sun feels warmer than at any other bend in life's long road.  "- John Sarris

Hugs and Stitches!!!!šŸ¤—šŸ§µ❤

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. 

I spy "heart " leaves. My redbuds are wakening up. 
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A Basket for Lois is in the works. 

 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

šŸŒžParade of Homes 2026- Early 2026 parade of home freebies.

šŸŒž2026 Love Parade- A Parade of Previous Valentine Freebies- Valentine themed stitches up to Feb. 4, 2026.  

šŸŒž Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 
šŸŒžA Berry Nice Parade- A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025Early 2025 berry Freebies. 
šŸŒžA Buzzy Bee Parade An early 2025 bee freebie parade.
šŸŒžA Sunny Sunflower Parade for 2025 A parade of sunflower freebies up to July 24, 2025
šŸŒžPumpkin, Leaves and Autumn Please- A Fall Parade 2025 A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 8, 2025.
šŸŒž A Parade of Stamps 2025  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to August 14, 2025

šŸŒžTime to Dye-  2024 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 
šŸŒžPin Pillow Tutorial - 2023 post on how I finish my pin pillows with chenille trim. 
šŸŒžA Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October  4, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.
šŸŒžTurkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
šŸŒžHo! 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. 
šŸŒžA Chilly Parade of Winter Stitches 2025- A parade of Winter themed freebies up to the date of Dec. 21, 2025

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

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Garden Happenings- The Good , The Bad and The Ugly

 Look what's going on in the wild and woolly garden today . Hee! Hee! 

Expansion. 😲🤪🌷🌷🌷



 "Does Mr. Pinker know?" some of you ask. 

Hee! Hee!  No. Not yet, but he will soon.  šŸ˜€šŸ˜ Actually, his motto is "Happy wife . Happy life!" Sounds good to me. 

So I decided to expand the garden by about a foot on one side . Okay maybe 2. I just simply  moved the creek rocks, began scratching in the ground and adding some soil. If I do not like it, I can always move them back.  

What's my plans? Well, I have lots and lots to seed to plant, plus I am trying to grow more Annabelle hydrangeas . 

I am dreaming of marigolds smiling in the sunshine, zinnias and cosmos dancing with the breeze and perhaps , just perhaps some small surprises from seeds that I am planting like Black eyed Susans, Chinese lanterns and much more. 

So what about the English Ivy garden? Hmmm well, it is looking a little woolly too. I have yet to start cleaning it up.


 A few  lingering daffodils are still in bloom. This garden has been evolving for decades. Not much takes hold here. The English Ivy garden used to bigger and more lush. We did have a huge beautiful boxwood  that was part of the original part of the garden.  ( It was here  along with the ivy when we moved into the holler ). But alas it had to be cut down and much of the ivy removed when we had to have the septic tank pumped a decade ago.



The English Ivy has been growing here for decades. 

  I am slowly seeing what will grow here. Last year I moved some mondo grass into a small section. It seems quite happy so more will be transplanted into this garden this year. 

I think I have told you before that we have poor soil . In fact our soil is chert which means it is mostly rock. 

Mondo grass in the ivy garden

I haven't talked about one of the rusty crusty gardens . Have I? Some of you know that I adore rusty crusty farm treasures. Well the small rusty crusty garden is needing a good cleaning too. I am sure there are old rakes, birdhouses, and shovel heads to unearth under all of the leaves and debris. 


For all of the garden lovers, I will keep you posted as the gardens evolve and grow. Mr. Pinker and I are working our fingers to the bone. 

I will leave you with a few more photos of the early Spring in the holler. 




Boo koos of marigolds are coming up. All are volunteers. 

Yah! a volunteer redbud tree. I will transplant it in the near future. 

Volunteer cosmos are coming  up. 

This is my 3 year old Annabelle Hydrangea . I am trying to root 3 more. 


The tansy and bee balm is growing. Lirope, mondo grass, lilies , mint and burning bushes are in the background. They need to be tackled and tamed. 


                                                

Thank you for the sweet afternoon visit and  for taking a gander at  "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. "  But I have to remember the gardens are just waking up.  

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

May all your weeds be beautiful flowers! 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!šŸ¤—šŸ§µ❤

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

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Summer Stamp SAL - " And the Garden Grows" Stamp 1 Freebie