A Day At the Beach Stamp- Summer Freebie

 When I think of Summertime, I dream of the sun shining brightly, ocean waves crashing towards the sandy beach and  ME sitting under a big umbrella enjoying the sights and sounds with a cold glass of lemonade.  Doesn't that sound delightful? 😁 Hee! Hee! Well not to Mr. Pinker ; he is not too fond of the beach.😏 

It has been years since I have been to the beach, but Mr. Pinker and I often find ourselves sitting near the banks of the creek as the grandchildren play. I like to dip my toes into the cold water. Oooh it feels so good! 

Anywhooo... today I am sharing the final stamp in the Summer Stamp Stitch Along. It is the Bonus Stamp. It did not make its way into my large  sampler, but I did stitch A Day at the Beach and made it into a wee pin pillow to join the others in the collection. 

A Day at the Beach  was stitched using 10 DMC floss colors including: Blanc,  562, 725, 782, 815,  898, 930, 926, 3064,  3799 .

If you are interested in how I dyed my 14 count Aida, I shared the process in a previous post entitled Let's Dye Some Fabric

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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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OOOPS/ CORRECTION: On the instruction page I wrote that I stitched the stamp on yellow Rit dyed Aida; I actually used coffee/ tea dyed 14 count Aida. 

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.  

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SUMMER STAMP SCHEDULE

April 2nd  Summer Stamp Introduction

April 7th  Stamp Stamp Border

April 14th Summer Stamp Header

April 21st  Summer Stamp 1 "And the Garden Grows" 

April 28th Summer Stamp 2 Summer Harvest

May 5th  Summer  Stamp 3 Summertime Treat

May 12th  Summer  Stamp 4 Sunflower Strut

May 19th Summer Stamp 5 Summer Quilt Stamp

May 26th Summer Stamp 6 Pink Lemonade

June 2nd Summer Stamp 7 Home Tweet Home

June 9th Summer Stamp 8 In the Apiary

June 16th Summer Stamp  9  Canning Season

June  23rd Bonus Summer Stamp 10 A Day at the Beach

June 27th Final Reveal

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On Saturday , I will share the final reveal of the large sampler and all of the stamps as pin pillows. I had hoped to find another frame at the Goodwill yesterday, but pickins' were slim. Luckily, I have a frame that will "make do" until I find the frame that I want. 

A few weeks ago Mr. Pinker and I snatched up a homemade wooden hutch at a thrift store for only $25. It was missing it's front doors and had not been stained , but that didn't deter us. Mr. Pinker will be staining the hutch today, and then we will move it into the house. You know what that means- there is going to be a "furniture shuffle" which means a mess! Wheww! But soon I will be busy putting things in the hutch. It will mostly be for storage. 

Right now my old vintage white shelf in the hall is filled to the brim with enamelware, plates and plain ole' junk. The blue enamelware will be making its way to the new hutch   perhaps by mid July.

The enamelware will be stored in the new hutch later. On display are a few new tins , I purchased a few weeks ago and the new blue splatter enamelware . Swoon. 

 

Here are a few more glimpses of my shelf sporting a modge podge of red, white and blue. 

More thrifted tins- The Dominos Sugar is a new addition and of course there is some stitching. 

The Uncle Sam bank is a favorite to pull out each season. 

The patriotic quilts are still sitting in the quilt room; they are as mad as a hornet that they are not on display yet ,and here we are nearing the big day of celebration.😲🎆🎇🎆🎇 Well I can't blame them for being so ill . Can you ?  Hee! Hee!  So that is another project I need to attend to. 

Foyer quilts in 2023

Grandma's Love  quilt is front and center draped over a thrifted shutter

 2025's Patriotic clutter. 

Well Sweeties, here I have chatted your ears off again. Thank you for the sweet visit, and I hope you will come back on Saturday to see the Summer Stamp all framed up. Of course, I am sure that I will talk to you before then though. 

Have a warm sun shiny day! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,  y'all

Melisa 

"Let your dreams set sail."-  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 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 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

🌞Let's Dye Some Fabric- A tutorial on my process of dyeing Aida using Rit dye. 

P. S.  I had a glitch on my Winter freebies links on Sunday, and they would not work. I have since updated the links, and I am going to repost them here too.  

Let me know if they are still acting wonky. 🤪 Hee ! Hee! And I will check them from my end too. 

Thank you for your kindness and patience. 

Hugs

Winter Quilt and Winter

 

Summer Finishes and Butterflies

 The squash is coming on! Well I hope. 

And the fig bush is putting on figs. 

Happy Sunday , sweet friends.  Though my garden is on the pitiful side this year, I just may end up with some squash and figs at least. 😀 

Today is the official 1st day of Summer. Are you going to be working on a special project in celebration? Yesterday I worked my fingers to the bone to finish Summer which I shared as a freebie yesterday. 

About a month ago I found the galvanized candle tray at Hobby Lobby. I had another stitch in mind for this piece but as soon as I stitched Summer , I knew it was the finishing piece to use. 

If you are interested, here is the information on the galvanized tray. I found it in the candle section at Hobby Lobby. 

Bits of cardboard, batting, gingham fabric, ribbon and a small Daisy made for a perfect finish, and the best thing is they were all in my stash. 

 In the past, I  have shared similar seasonal pieces  like Summer   which includes..

Spring 

And... Winter Quilt and Winter

I still have Fall to create , but that will come on another day. 

My 2nd finish for the week was the Little Patriot ... This was a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS CHART.  ( Hmmm... I think I would change the house color if I stitched it again. ) 

⭐I used the following flosses for Little Patriot :  DMC  407 (symbol U) , 435 ( T) , 610 ( ▲),  730  (O)  , 731 (V) , 815 (  R) , 926 (B),   3371( •)  , 3750 ( B)  , 3830 (X)  , and   Blanc ( W) .⭐

I stitched and I stitched and I stitched on the Little Patriot  . And then I realized a made some boo boos on the Little Patriot. Some I ripped out but most I did not. 

 I accidentally miscounted and stitched the stars and the house too far over . To compensate I added  some light blue doohickey's- Hee! Hee! that is my name for the little crosses to even out the side. 

I added the little doohickeys compensate for my miscounting . 

On the quilting front, I appliqued a few butterfly wings for my Berries and Butterflies quilt.

The butterfly appliques has been my 15 a minute a day project this week. 

 These butterflies will soon receive their bodies. I plan to applique 1 or 2 butterflies today. 

Now onto the plans for the week. 

But 1st What about Last Week's Goals?...Well Here is How I Did.   

✅🌞1. Post new Summer Stamp. I posted  Summer Stamp  9  Canning Season as a freebie. 

✅🌞2. Work on Little House Needleworks "Sheep Virtues"

✅🌞3. Work on Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along. 

✅🌞4. Share my latest thrifty finds. Yes we went to some thrift stores and I found some goodies. Eeeh!! On Wednesday, I shared a visit to the farm and Big Red , my new vintage quilt. 

✅🌞5.Work on the  Strawberry Sampler

✅🌞6. Work in the  garden and post a garden update.

Hip Hip Hooray! I checked everything off on my list! I am doing the happy dance! 

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1. Post the final Summer Stamp

🌞2. Work on Little House Needleworks "Sheep Virtues"

🌞3. Finish Sweet Melody. 

🌞4. Share my latest thrifty finds. Yes there is still more to share. 

🌞5.Work on fully finishing the  Strawberry Sampler

🌞6. Applique Butterflies. 

That is a good enough list . I am sure I will find more to work on. 

My daughter and son-in-law came home for a visit for the weekend. It has been so good to have them here . Of course we had a family gathering, played baseball and other games. They return back to their home today.  

Well Sweeties, I better get started on my To Do List. I wish you a lovely upcoming week and thank you for dropping by. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"The world is so beautiful in summer- so full of life and song and laughter.  "- L M. Montgomery

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy . We should be having cake and ice cream today. If only you were here. 

 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. 

🌞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

🌞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 

Summer Stitching and - A Summer Freebie

 They  are back!  The House Finches that is; plus there are 2 more.

 

"There are birds flying into your fern,  " said Mr. Pinker as he stared out of the living room window. 

"What?!" I just watered it. I went outside and took the fern down from the hook and inspected it. No birdies nor nest- all was safe. 

The next morning I went out on the porch and there they were-  Mr. and Mrs Finch. Seeing that I had moved one fern, they  cleverly went to another. Oh well. 😏

I think they have some teenagers. Well the 2 new ones look awfully young. They have been a delight to watch as I sit on the porch in the mornings and stitch away. 

Right now I am working on Sweet Melody Roundabout .

Sometimes the birdies fuss that I have the audacity to sit and watch them so close to the fern, but for the most part they accept my presence. I think I will call the 2 larger ones Frit and Frat. 

As Frit and Frat have been entertaining me this week, I began a new  stitch simply called "Summer" . I hope to have it completed by tomorrow which is officially the 1st day of Summer.  

I used the following floss colors: DMC 782, 816, 895, 898, 926, 930, 3346, 3371, and B5200

I am stitching Summer on 14 count coffee / tea dyed Aida. 

UPDATE: JUNE 21, 2026: Summer is all stitched and fully finished. 

It was finished on a candle tray that I bought at Hobby Lobby in the candle section. More information on the tray is in the June 21, 2026 post. 

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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. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

Alright Sweeties, I have birds to watch and stitching to attend to. It is going to be a nice relaxing day. 

 

I added 2 new feeders to my Amy garden ( a garden in memory of my sis.) 

I will leave you with a couple of photos from the garden.

Enjoy your Saturday! 

The marigold garden has not bloomed yet. 

The ditch lilies are in bloom.

QUESTIONS FOR MY GARDENING FRIENDS: My Zinnias are starting to get these spots. Do you know why? Is it from too much rain?  Do you have any suggestions on how to treat it?

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Blessed are the ones who stop to watch the butterflies,  talk gently to stray cats and smile at birds like  Old friends.  "- 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 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. 

🌞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

🌞Let's Dye Some Fabric- A tutorial on my process of dyeing Aida