Short and Sweet Sunday Stitching

 Welcome, ya'll and a very happy Sunday to you! 

 Have you pulled out your Slow Stitching piece for today?   

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts is keeping us motivated with  the Slow Stitching link party each Sunday so if you have a chance hop over and visit her and all of the lovely ladies linking up. 

My needle and thread will be meandering among the butterflies in my Butterfly Kisses quilt . I shared my finished top on Friday. 

 I have completed 3 blocks so far. 

It takes 2 1/2 hours to quilt one block. 

I am quilting 1/4" around the butterflies and then a bit of quilting in the wings.  The sashing has a cable design quilted in it. 

Well this was a short and sweet visit. Wasn't it?  I didn't chat your ears off. 😃 

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Have a blessed day! 

Lizzie Kate's 4 Seasons Flip It - Spring- finished on a Dollar Tree sign. 

As always,

Happy Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself- Coco Chanel

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗🧵

 Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I miss and love you so much. Wish you were here with us at the party.  ❤👼

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.

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 Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for This and That

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday 

Thought I would leave you with a little Sunday quilt stack in the laundry theme. Nanny never did laundry on Sundays. She was a night owl and at 12:01 a. m. on Monday morning she would put her laundry in the machine.  Breakfast was done by 4:30 a.m for Papa.  - biscuits, gravy and crisp bacon. Oh so yummy! - Sweet Memories! 

The Hopper House - A Saltbox Freebie and Pinwheel Blocks

                                Saturday is a good day

To have  good day

So do something 

To make you smile

Happy Saturday, ya'll.  Oh what a beautiful day it is! 

My coreopsis looks quite happy . 

Not a lot is going on here in the holler today. Mr. Pinker is out fishing, and I will be enjoying a day buzzing about on the sewing machine.  I thought it was going to rain today , but Woo Hoo! The rain has held off!!!

 I would feel quite regretful if I said goodbye to April without sharing a little saltbox house. 

I meant to share this house eariler, but I was in full force stitching Spring Stamps SAL.   My newest addition is called The Hopper House,  I am on the fence about this little house. What do you think? 

It does have many things that I love like  a yard full of bunnies and tulips blooming near the house. 

 

Maybe it is the colors that I keep mulling over on it.  I am still happy to add it to my collection.  Hmm I wonder what colors you would choose to stitch this house? 

If you would like to stitch The Hopper House,  just grab the image below. If you  have any problems printing , please check out Tips on Printing my charts and perhaps you will find a tip to help you. 

I also wanted to share a quick tutorial on making the pinwheels blocks that I shared on Monday for my quilt that I am calling Darlene's Quilt named after my dear friend, Darlene.🤗 ( Just click on the colored text to visit that post. )

This quilt block is so easy and is great for a beginner.

The instructions is for one block, but first look at this piece of adorable Three Pigs fabric. 

Is it not the cutest? I have had this in my stash for years. I think I am brave enough to cut into it. 

Ok , now to the instructions. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONE PINWHEEL BLOCK

FINISHED SIZE- 8"   UNFINISHED SIZE  8 1/2" squared

CUTTING

From teal fabric cut 4 rectangles- 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

From white fabric cut 4 rectangles- 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

DIRECTIONS

USE 1/4" SEAM ALLOWANCE. 

1. Take a white and a teal fabric, place right sides together

 

2.  Sew down the length of the strip .  

Press toward teal. Repeat for remaining teal and white strips.

3. Arrange blocks as shown. 

 

4. Sew rows together. Press. 

5.  Wahlah!! Your block is done!!!

That was easy wasn't it?

I have 3 more blocks completed to add to my quilt. I will be working on more of these today. 

That is my Saturday ramble. So what are your plans for the day? 

Thank you for dropping by and ..

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As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Today there is sunshine in my soul. `

Wear a smile no matter what the weather. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

🦋 Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I miss and love you so much, Amo. I send my love with butterfly kisses. 🦋

 

Tips For Printing My Charts - A Reference Post

Hello , my Sweet friends. This is just a Reference post on how to print my charts if anyone is interested.  I received a lot of these tips when I was sharing the Spring Stamps SAL and I thought it would be easier to refer ya'll back here rather than type them every time I post a freebie.

Thank you to each and everyone of ya'll who helped me and others on printing suggestions. Ya'll are the best!!!!

 If you have any other tips please , let me know. 

                   

Many of ya'll know but I always encourage you to read my little disclaimer and note about getting my charts.  ⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇

NOTE: Normally I have been able to create links to the charts and instructions which were in JPG form. For some reason, recent updates on Google Docs. has prevented me from doing that and I am not able to create a pdf without having to deal with storage issues.  Many dear stitchers say they right click, save the image and then print.  I think some have copied and pasted it to a Word document that they can print off as well. I hope you are able to find a way to enjoy this chart. You will have to click each page to save. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding and for all of the helpful tips and ideas. 

I stitch my little designs for fun and to decorate my home. I feel very blessed by this community and love sharing my little charts, but I am not a professional designer. And I do not have professional software. Thank you for understanding . I am always grateful for your kind encouragement , your visits, and for stitching my little designs.

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TIPS ON PRINTING THE CHART

So many sweet stitching friends have shared different ways in which they are able to get the charts. I would like to share them with you.    

*TIP 1- One of my dear stitching friends told me exactly how she was able to print the chart to the correct size. 

Using her phone she saved the image of the chart to her photo gallery and then emailed it to herself. From her computer or whatever device she was using she was able to then print the chart from her email and it came out without resizing it. It worked for her, maybe it would work for you if you are having trouble. 

* TIP 2 . Another stitchy friend said she did the same as in TIP 1  using her phone , but rather than emailing the chart to herself. She connects her phone directly to the printer and prints from there. Hmm! I learned something new again. 😀

* TIP  3 Another dear stitcher said she enlarged the chart on her browser and then took a screen shot of it and then printed it.  She also saved the screenshot to her photos on her iPad for reference. 

* TIP  4 Another  sweet stitchy friend said she clicks on the photos, presses the screen save buttons and then edits until she finds the photo she wants and then saves to photos. But she does not print it from photos because it comes out too small so she then saves it to books and  prints from there as an A4 size page.   How ingenious!! It works for her. 

* TIP  5  Another option shared by another dear stitchy friend , said she right clicks the image. Several options will pop up Click  "Open image in new tab". Right click this new image and click "Save Image as..." Title it and hit save. It will save to your download file. Open and print.    

* TIP 6  Another sweet stitchy friend gave a great tip on how she creates a pdf to save for later.  On the iMac she saves each page to the downloads folder. The she uses "Command" & left clicks to select each file IN ORDER. Then wile all are highlighted , she right clicks and goes down to "Quick Actions" and selects "Create PDF" All 3 jpegs are tuned into one PDF file that she then renames to the pattern and moves it where she wants. She then deletes the jpg files to save space. When she is ready to stitch it she prints out her charts. 

* TIP 7 If you are using a computer , you might try this tip shared by another sweet friend. Right click on the page you want. Save. Right click on the image- Open with "Paint" Click on Resize. Change size of image from 100 to 200 pixels. Click OK- Then click SAVE. This saves the new size in the same folder the small sized file was.  

* TIP 8  One dear stitcher sends the image to herself in a text, scrolls down, and prints. She says it comes out perfect every time. 

---If you have any other tips, I would greatly appreciate it . Ya'll know I am not too tech savvy. I do well to have got this far. 😂😏

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As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

I get by with a little help from my friends. - John Lennon

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

A Finish and the Farm- Butterfly Kisses

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Like a Butterfly

"You have wandering eyes, my dear"

Why should you when I have been so near?

Like a butterfly you flutter 

Erratically here and there! 

- S. R. Senxer 

Good afternoon, ya'll and Happy  Farmhouse Friday!!!

I am doing the barnyard hoedown happy dance!!! Why?  

Woo Hoo !!!!I have a finish!!!

 Since August of 2021, I have been working on this butterfly quilt in tribute of my sister. 

My sister loved the farm so it was only befitting to photograph the quilt top at the old corn crib. 

See the holes in the side of the corn crib shed. They were put in to allow tobacco poles to be hung. 

 As children,  all of us kids played in the  original corn crib which is the taller portion of the building. We had furniture in the loft where we played house and what was fascinating to us as youngsters was  there used to be  a door at upper level of the crib . We would drag a ladder to the door and go into the loft that way rather than the indoor entrance.   That section is now covered with tin . 

As a child, my sister and brother would climb and crawl through the hole at the eave of the corn crib and shed . 

She and my brother would then climb the roof of the corn crib to the  very tee top and look over the farm below, and I can imagine they dreamed of their next adventures as they admired the bright blue sky as well. Mom still  talks about how often she would look out the window and see her  on top of the roof. 

So I thought it was befitting to photograph the quilt top  at the corn crib where Amy's dreams of owning her own farm soared. 

There are 20  butterfly blocks  in this top . The blocks are 15" finished. I used 3" sashing and a 5" border. 

This quilt will be going into the quilt hoop soon. It will be stitched  with love and tears. 

Well , my friends. I am so grateful  that you took time out of your day to visit me.  I will be sharing more of this quilt as the days go by. I would love to have it finished by August, but we shall we. 

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P.S. Blogger is acting up again. I can only reply to your sweet comments on my blog and not by email. Hopefully, all will return to normal soon. Mr. Pinker says me and technology just do not mix.  Oh goodness! 😅

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Have a beautiful day and ...

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Don't be afraid. Change is such a beautiful thing, said the butterfly. - Sabrina Newby 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

🦋 Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I miss and love you so much, Amo. I send my love with butterfly kisses. 🦋

 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. 

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

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party - Friday

Sarah at  Confessions of a Fabric Addict  for Whoop! Whoop! - Friday

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday

A Tale , A Trip and Some Embroidery

Hello there Sunshine!!!!  And  Happy Wednesday, ya'll.

 It is raining cats and dogs here in the holler. But yesterday was a sunny day and Mr. Pinker and I  hit the road on a day trip to the Mennonite community which is a county over from us.  

The night before  as Mr. Pinker was heading to bed, I said "Hey, I have an idea. Let's go buy some plants for the garden tomorrow! " 

"That's sounds like a great idea, " said Mr. Pinker as he headed off to bed. 

Early yesterday morning, I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go. Mr. Pinker cleaned out the back of the truck and soon we were on our way. 

As we made our way down the winding roads, my heart began to thump as I saw the little white sign. "There it is! There it is!" I exclaimed with glee!!!  Imagine me jumping up and down in my seat for I was!

Mr. Pinker turned his head in every direction. "Where? What?  The greenhouse?" he asked in confusion as he began to brake. 

"No , Silly !!!! The quilt shop!!!!" I exclaimed. 

"I  just knew you would want to stop here, said Mr. Pinker sweetly as he began to slow down and turn into the driveway. 

"Oooh I hope they are open, " I said to no one in particular as I remembered our last visit - they were closed then. And to my delight they were open. 

"I'll wait in the truck, " said Mr. Pinker. 

" Why?", I asked " Don't you want to come in and  buy  all kinds of pretty fabrics with me? " 

 "I'll let you take care of that, " said Mr. Pinker with a smile and then he slipped me a little moolah for my quilting acquisition pleasures. 

As I closed the door and sprinted to the quilt shop, I could hear him faintly say , "Bring back the change"

I almost turned around, but I played dumb and acted like I didn't hear him. Lol. 😁😃"What change ", I thought as I snickered . 

 When I opened the door, I was delighted by the most beautiful  bolts of fabrics stacked on long tables. I made my way along all of the tables and then settled on my selection of fabrics.  

 I have to confess I could have spent the whole day there admiring the pretty fabrics and pieced quilts, but I remembered that Mr. Pinker was sitting in the truck admiring the horses on the farm. 

Sooo I  was good and just bought a few pieces of fabric and soon was on my merry way with the biggest smile on my face. 

Mr. Pinker had waited patiently in the truck for me . I opened up the door with my small bag of fabric and plopped into the seat.  His eyes were as wide as saucer when I handed back his moolah. "I just got a few pieces of fabric,"  I said feeling quite proud.  

"What?! I can not believe that! I thought you would be in there for hours. "  Mr. Pinker said smiling. 

"Well, I can go back in," I joked.

And then all of sudden Mr. Pinker said "There it is ! There it is! The greenhouse!!!"  He started up the truck, spun up the gravels  and down the road we went . 😂😲

  "Whew" I heard him mumble "I adverted that". 

I just smiled  and rolled my eyes .Little did he know that I had a Goodwill trip planned for him a little later. 😊😜  

Any whoo off we went in search for plants.  

We went to two greenhouses where we found plants for my sister's garden.  I didn't go hog wild on buying plants either - just tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. 

A long line of laundry 

The farms are always so lovely to look at . 

Rows and rows of cabbage

No children were at the school. Do you see the school bell near the roof?  I have an affection for schoolhouses. 

Later in the day, Mr. Pinker and I made our way to the ball field and there I caught up on the free Spring  Mystery SAL  hosted by Joy at Days Filled with Joy   

Are those rubber boots not the cutest? 

Joy has such a generous heart. She is sharing a small motif for five weeks in this stitch along. Below are the links to the portions she has shared so far. 

 Week 1  

Week 2 

Eeeh! Friday she will be sharing Week 3's  motif. Hmmm! I wonder what will be in the next block? 

Have a beautiful day , my sweeties!!!

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine. - Eeyore

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

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

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- Thursday

Darlene's Quilt

 Merry Monday, sweet friends. Let's start the week off with a  hip hip hooray for we have a new week to enjoy all the things we love!!! 

My fabrics are pulled  !!! Today I will be working on a darling quilt using reproduction Depression era fabrics. 

  My dear friend Darlene  on IG ( Hi Darlene 😀 ) has been sharing the most gorgeous mini quilts on Monday. Of course I want to copycat all of them. But anywhoo! A  few  Monday's ago she posted two sweet  mini pinwheel quilts . I could not get them out of my mind.  So off to the Quilt Nest I went. 

The Quilt Nest is located in the loft of our garage/barn. Up the steps I went in search for fabric. I had not been in there since early winter because of the cold  ; boy, does it need a good cleaning, but I digress.  Soon I found the fabrics I wanted to play with and I hustled back to the house to sew on the machine there. 

Darlene's blocks were 3 inches- tee tiny and cute as a button. I am working with 2 1/2" strips.  I am not sure how many blocks I will make, but  I can tell you one thing!!!!-  I am going to have a whole lot of fun!!! Thank you Darlene for the constant inspiration and for being such a sweet friend. 

Now onto the plans for the week. 

LAST WEEK'S GOALS

✅1. Piece  Butterfly blocks into a quilt. You will see that soon.

✅2. Finish new saltbox cross stitch

✅3. Finish Spring Stamp SAL

✅4. Work on embroidery for upcoming SAL

✅5. Go Thrifting 🛒🛍

✅6. Post quilt  for the Say What Blog Hop . I posted my "Burley Tobacco Grower " quilt in the hop. 

Woo Hoo! 100%!!!! Here I go again doing the Quilt Hip Hop Happy Dance !!!!💃💃💃

 

THIS WEEK'S GOALS

1. Quilt a block in the Summer Days Quilt

2. Quilt on the Easter Quilt 

3. Work on an Autumn Saltbox

4. Work on new embroidery

5. Ballgames and embroidery

And thank you, my sweeties for dropping by to see  what I am up to. 

 I hope you have  a wonderful day and enjoy every minute of it and...

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Stay positive . Work hard. Make it happen . 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I miss and love you so much, Amo. I send my love with butterfly kisses. 

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. 

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell- Sunday

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for This and That

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday