Pinker n Punkin Quilting & Stitching

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

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.

Sunday, August 9, 2026

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.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

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

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

Sunday, August 2, 2026

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.

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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

Saturday, August 1, 2026

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.

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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)

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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.

🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉