Blog Archive

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Sunny September and the Tiny Sunflower House- a House Freebie

"The golden rod is yellow;

The corn is turning brown;

The trees in apple orchards

With fruit are bending down...

By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer's best of weather,

And autumn's best of cheer...- Helen Hunt Jackson

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And a very Sunny September to you! Happy Tuesday, y'all. 

Little bits of "Autumn" are beginning to be sprinkled throughout the house. 

In fact, I finished decorating the two tiered galvanized tray beside the corner kitchen sink. Oh boy, did I cram it full.



There are salt and pepper shakers, chickens and signs galore all crammed into each nook and cranny of the trays. 


Scarecrows, pumpkins and autumn leaves 

All summer long my mantle has been simply decorated in "whites" . The lambs ear garland from Walmart years ago is draped along the edges with a string of lights. 

After spotting these fall garlands at Hobby Lobby , I decided to decorate the mantle for fall. 

These garlands were purchased at Hobby Lobby on discount. 

I pulled out my white Autumn leaf plates that were thrifted years ago. 

Thrifted Autumn leaf plates 


And my plump white pumpkin tureens

It was not long before the mantle was overflowing with white Autumn goodness and those nifty Autumn garlands to soften the hardness of the brick mantle lines. 

Lots of sunflowers were tucked into the garland and now it is ready for the fall season. 

 I beefed up my garland by layering my pine Christmas garland with sunflowers and the rag garland purchased from Hobby Lobby. 

Speaking of Sunflowers , I fully finished the Tiny Sunflower House today, and it is already to be placed on display.

Sunflower Sampler   , Tiny Sunflower House and Sunflower Mason Jar

A tall stately house with a small addition and row of sunflowers growing in the front lawn- cute as a button! 

If you decide to stitch any of my designs , feel free to choose your own floss colors. I always use whatever floss colors I have on hand at the time and what suits my home decor. ❤

    The following DMC floss colors were used in the making of Tiny Summer House:

🌻 739- house

🌻 782- sunflower

🌻898 border, sunflower centers

🌻936- grass, stems

🌻 3021 roof, windows, doorway 

 🌻3364- Doodads above house


Sunflower Tiny House was stitched on 14 count tea/ coffee dyed Aida.  I posted on how I dye my Aida in 2024  in my Time to Dye- 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. 

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A finishing tutorial was shared in January 2026

Like all of my Tiny Houses, the Tiny Sunflower House is finished in the same manner into a wee pin pillow with a bit of print fabric and lace. I shared the measurements in  my January 13, 2026 post along with the 1st house in the series, Tiny Winter's Day House. ( There will be 12 houses all together.)

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.


Tomorrow I will post the September Roundabout. So I hope you will pop in for a visit. 


 

A chalk drawing from my oldest grandson

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Stand tall. Be proud. And Shine!   "- 

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 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 

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Gingerbread and An Autumn Acorn- A Fall Doodle Freebie

 Good Sunday morning, Sunshine! 

It is a lovely day to enjoy some slow stitching so I won't keep you long.  For I am sure you are going to settle down with needle and thread of your own  and stitch the day away. 🤗

Meanwhile, here in the holler I am going to quilt on some gingerbread men on my Roll and Bake quilt.

This has been my 15 a minute a day project for the week.   A Plate of Gingers 

And....since I embroidered my Gingerbread girl for a future Christmas  ornament...

From A Very Vintage Christmas Doodles


... I will begin the little reindeer embroidery.



AND...

I am going to enjoy some needle turn applique in a little  Autumn Acorn block. 

I am appliqueing my acorn on a background piece measuring  7 1/2" x 8 1/2" ( unfinished)  ( 7" x 8 " finished) . Framed with 2 1/2" strips ( unfinished) and 2 1/2" (unfinished)  corner blocks. 


A little doodle just for you. You can use it for embroidery, coloring, needle punch, applique or whatever your sweet heart dreams up!  Enjoy



My doodles are hand drawn and are never perfect. ❤

Surely this will keep me busy.  Don't ya' think? 

So tell me what are you going to be working on today? 

May your heart be happy and your fingers nimble as your needle flies! 

Happy Sunday, Sweethearts. Love ya'! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Slow days are not wasteful.Slow days are restful, refreshing and necessary.  "- 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 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

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

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

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for Home Matters


Saturday, August 29, 2026

Keeping Company in the Quilt Room

 Cock- A - Doodle  Do! Rise and Shine, Sunshine!

 

We need to head to the quilt room. I have a whole lot of fun going on in there, and I just would love your company as I sit and work. Hmmm ... I even have an extra rotary cutter - maybe I can put ya' to work. Hee! Hee! 

First off the quilt blocks!  Earlier this summer, dear Penny sent me a Blessing box filled with beautiful treasures including  a number of quilt blocks made by her Great Aunt Leona. One set of blocks were a gorgeous grouping of sweet calicoes that were foundation pieced on muslin in the log cabin design.

Each block has the most lovely and unique fabrics. I have been oohing and aahing over the prints. 

Penny's Great Aunt foundation pieced the log cabin blocks. 

Great Aunt Leona  pieced 26 blocks.  One block was already machine quilted-so so pretty , but  way beyond my skill level. ( I never learned to machine quilt.😏 )  So I am going to bind it and use it as a small quilt to display throughout the house. 

Now to the task at hand-  making sure all of the blocks are squared and trimmed. Do you mind giving me a hand?  I will let you use the pretty Pioneer Woman rotary cutter- it is extra special. 

Roll, Snip, Cut

25 more blocks to go! 


Save those trimmings. I will use those later. 


In fact, I used this measuring bowl of scraps the other day to stuff , stuff , stuff my cross stitch berry which I shared with you . Did you see that berry? Well, let me show it to you again. 😀😊

The basket was stitched in blues . My sweet sis had beautiful gray blue eyes. 


I stuffed the berry very tightly with the scraps. It made the berry heavy . I used my hands to smooth out any lumps and bumps that the scraps created in the stuffing process. It gives the berry a different feel than using sawdust or polyfil. But enough of that - we are quilting! Hee! Hee! 

Eeeh! Stop the presses . Did you notice the scrumptious purple calico as you were trimming? 

Oh my ! How gorgeous! 💜💜💜


Hmmm.... While you are trimming, I will press and then play with some designs on the "design floor" . Or would you rather do that? Either one is fine with me. 

Oh, very interesting. 

Playing with arranging the blocks.

Still moving and grooving the blocks around. 

Hmmm... I think a block is out of order. 

Oh how about this?! Oooh, I like it!  How about you? 


Well, let's stew on it for a spell, and then I will get to work sewing the blocks.
 Meanwhile, how about we head to the kitchen and whip up a little bit of egg salad for dinner. You just sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of iced tea, and I will get our lunch together. 

Dilly Egg Salad Recipe

8 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and chopped
1/4 cups of mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tablespoons of Dijon mustard
1/4 cup of celery, minced.
2 Tablespoons of green onion, minced
2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh dill
2 teaspoons of white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients; mix well and chill until serving time. Spread egg salad evenly on your favorite sliced breaded add lettuce and enjoy! 


I am so very grateful, that you dropped by to help me in the quilting room today. It made the task light and extra special to know that I was not alone. And sweet Penny, thank you for blessing me with such  beautiful treasures from your Great Aunt Leona.  I look forward to moving this quilt along. I just hope I can do it justice for your Great Aunt Leona did such beautiful work. I am ever so grateful. 

Thank you for the sweet Saturday  visit, Sweeties! Love ya'! 😘
Now let's fill our bellies full! 

May your day be filled with beautiful scraps of fabric to wrap you in love and happiness! 😁💙💚💛💜❤



As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all of the world.  "- John Evelyn

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 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 


A beautiful card sent by Penny. 

UPDATE ON APPLE JAM JAR: 
Yesterday, I shared a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLOR chart for the Apple Jam Jar. Well after much debate, I decided to stitch mine in muted colors and settled on 3 red apples rather than a variety of colors. BUT I am stitching each apple in a different red. So here are my floss colors thus far. I will keep you posted on what other colors I choose as I come to them. 



DMC 414 (O) Mason Jar lid 
DMC 3371 ( • )  Jar     
DMC 3721 ( R) 1st apple on the bottom      
DMC 355 (R) 2nd apple on the bottom
DMC 610 (V) Apple stem
DMC  640 (P)  Quilt star in the apples

Friday, August 28, 2026

It's All About Apples and a Mason Jar Freebie

 Y'all it's just about that time of the year! Apple Pickin' Season!  Oh, I cannot wait.

How about you? 

STAMP 1 - A BASKET OF APPLES


Up on the mountain a few counties away, are some delightful apple orchards where apples galore are sold by the box.

 Perhaps Mr. Pinker and I will take a day trip and snatch us a box or two. Maybe stop by the pepper patch and pick up a 5 gallon bucket of bell peppers for just $5.00 too. Oh, that would be wonderful.  


Apple Crate  

I am pulling out more of my apple decor. Yesterday I went thrift shopping and found this fabulous apple spongeware canister. 


"Oooh that will be perfect!" I squealed in delight . "Not only can I pair it  with my blue enamelware but  also with the gorgeous cross stitch that sweet Donna sent me a few weeks ago in a Blessing Box, " I told myself. 

 Aaaw don't you think they make a good pair?  I am smitten. 


She also sent  this beautiful hand stitched and appliqued quilt. Swoon!  Isn't it darling? 🤗 Or should I say apple-icious! 🍎🍏


Apples, quilts and a pie- now what is not to love. Hee! Hee! Thank you sweet Donna.❤😘  I will cherish these. 


 I may be moving the apple quilt in the near future to my hutch when I pull out more apple-icous goodies to display.

Speaking of apple goodies. I hope you do not mind if I sprinkle links to previous apple themed posts that I have shared in the past. There are recipes, mini quilt instructions, doodles , cross stitch and of course loads of country clutter or as some call it  good ole' fashioned junk  treasures😁. If you are interested, just click on the colored links, Sweet peas and you will be magically transported back to the post.  

Apple-icious Country Christmas Hutch Tour.

Apples, Apples, and More Apples Fall Hutch Tour - 2024

An Apple A Day Hutch Tour 2023 Fall Hutch display


September Apple Basket Doodle

Green Apple Butter Mini Quilt Instructions

Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe

Hot Apple Pie Dip Recipe

Nanny's Applesauce Cake Recipe - A 1940's recipe

Apple Mini Sampler  No photo for this little cross stitch freebie. Even after all these years I am still working on it. LOL Slow as molasses 

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Have I told you that I eat an apple every single day? I think I have . Anywhooo... I keep unsweetened applesauce in my pantry just in case I run out of apples before I can get to the grocery store. 


An apple a day keeps the doctor away or so they say. 

Behind my Granny's old log cabin were massive apple trees along a fence line. If we were  lucky and if Granny was up to the trip, she would  take us youngins' into the woods, past the small grape lined trellises to the apple trees with limbs drooping to the ground with ever so heavy apples. We would fill our little basket up with green apples . Of course , we could not resist eating an apple or two before we traipsed back through the weeds to the old log cabin. 

Apple Picking- A Heart Doodle Freebie

Meanwhile back at Nanny's on the farm, there was cooking going on.  She would be busy in the kitchen cooking a batch of her fresh fried apple fritters. Yum! Yum! They were always a treat to enjoy especially when they came out of the old, deep iron skillet piping hot. 

Nowadays, I settle for eating apples sliced with a dash of cinnamon, but every now and then I will treat myself to something special. 

Cinnamon- Sugar Apples Recipe

Combine 1/4 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Set Aside. Core, peel and slice 2 -3 apples into wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon- Sugar mixture. Microwave in a microwavable safe dish on high setting until tender. Serve. 

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Before you leave, may I show you the new apple design I am working on? 

It is called Apple Jam Jar from the Mason Jar Series.  Three large apples jammed into a jar. 

I have just begun it and have not decided on the colors that I will use. 

So I thought I would share it as a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS CHART. Use as many or as few colors as you want. In fact you might want to add some colors. 

Hmmm... Should I have 3 red apples or mix it up with red, yellow, and green apples? I am not sure, but I will keep you posted on my progress and I will update this post once it is completed.

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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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🧵FREEBIE ALERT!  FREEBIE ALERT 🧵

Herrschners just posted four Country Charm Ornaments freebie charts. OH MY GOSH ! They are as cute as a country button! I hope you will pop over to visit them. 


I guess, I have rambled long enough. 

Have a sweet day! 

And...

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, that is where the fruit is.  "- 

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 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