One Tree Up and More To Go

 Good Monday morning, Sunshine! I hope the 1st Monday of November is treating you well. We had a rainy day yesterday. It drizzled off and on all day long. 

As Mr. Pinker worked away smoking his venison jerky in the smokers, I made my way down to the garage in search for something to put my Christmas tree in . Last year I decorated the living room tree in the gingerbread theme and nestled it into a little wooden wagon that I had purchase nigh 20 years ago but never used . 

2024 Gingerbread tree

Hmmm what to do this year. Well it did not take me long to locate this rusty, crusty old trunk.

Time to clean this old trunk. 

I know. I know . Some of you are saying "Uggh ! Eeek ! That looks pretty crusty. Are you going to use that? "  LOL But that is why I love it! The rustier and crustier the better. It gives it character in my eyes. I bought this little treasure probably 23 years ago for just a couple of dollars at an auction. A great barn find!  Besides I think I can spiffy it up with a little elbow grease. 

As I pulled the trunk out of the depths of the back of the garage, Mr. Pinker quickly moved away from his smoker and carried it to the patio. I soon began to scrub this trunk to the bone. 

Decorations from my 2024 gingerbread themed tree

After a good scrubbing, I moved the trunk inside before the rain set in again.

 💡So here is my idea.💡 

I am thinking of decorating my tree in the "Candy theme" . I will put a small 6 1/2 " foot tree in the  old wooden trunk and fill  the trunk with vintage toys. Well that's my vision. We will see if I can pull it off without a hitch.

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"RING! RING! RING!"  - went the phone. 

"Are you coming over to decorate my tree? " asked my daughter. 

"Be there in a minute , " I replied and in 2 shakes of a lamb's tail I was at my daughter's home which is a hop , skip and a jump away from the ole' homestead. 

She had her tree up and all of the ornaments laid out for me to decorate. Her theme was "Santa". She just used the ornaments she had from last year. 

I think it turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so. 

 My daughter's 2024 Santa tree.

 

Have you decided how you are going to decorate your tree this year?  I am curious . Do you put up more than one tree? 

I finished quilting Pear Butter which I shared the measurements of a few weeks ago. I have made this little quilt before in different colors.  I do think I need a Christmas version . Don't you? 

Pear Butter is all quilted and ready for display. 

 Last night I watched The Christmas List, a 1997 movie with Mimi Rogers which I found on Youtube and then The Most Wonderful Time of the Year with Henry Winkler, a 2008 movie. Thanks, Gail for the recommendation. It was a great movie. Hmmm not sure what I will watch tonight. 

  Image from Pinterest

As I watched my nimble fingers stitched away  on the darling Blackbird Designs "Bird in Hand" a sweet gift from dear Sonja. Thank you Sonja.🤗 It warms my heart every time I work on it.

 

Well Sweeties, it is time for me to get off here. Today is Wally World day which means picking up groceries.  Then I am going to tackle my tree. Have a very Merry Monday! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Don't mind the mess; it is all part of the holiday magic. "😁😀- Unknown 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.

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🌞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.

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If you have the chance,  drop back by this afternoon . I will be posting a Thanksgiving Parade of previous stitches. 

Getting Tasks Done and "Oh Christmas Tree"- A Christmas Freebie

The turkeys are coming ! The turkeys are coming!"

Mr. Pinker jumped up and looked out the window. " I do not see any turkeys, "he replied. 

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"No, Silly. It is November! "

"Oh, " Mr. Pinker said with a nod. He knew what that usually means. "Mmmm  was that a hint ? Do you want me to help you get out your Thanksgiving decorations from the attic?" 

Happy November, Sweet friends! 

Politely, I smiled. "Nope, not today. I have other plans. See, I have a collection of fabrics. " 

"Aaw " said Mr. Pinker. "You do your thing. I am going to do mine. I am off to make some jerky . " And with that Mr. Pinker headed to the kitchen to begin the process of making a good supply of venison jerky for him and the grandsons. 

"Time to get to work, " I said to my thrifted Santa who was patiently waiting by my stack of fabrics. 

It did not take long for me to have an array  of 2 1/2" strips in reds, browns and taupes. 

2 1/2" strips cut. 

My mind was brewing over a  simple, small quilt to hang on my Hoosier cabinet. 

From the kitchen, I could here the hustle and bustle of Mr. Pinker clanking bowls about. " You need any help, Hun?" I called.  

"Nah, you just enjoy working on your quilt. " he replied back. I smiled. Such a good fella. 

With that I went back to the task at hand and cut the strips  into 2 1/2" squares . Then I began to play with the layout.  Gosh, I have already wrinkled my fabrics by manhandling them.😁😏 

 After a good pressing, it did not take long to sew those little squares into a wee quilt top. But I just knew I wanted to do something else to it. Hmmm a gingerbread would suit my fancy.  I ever so carefully cut out a gingerbread man from a scrap of dark brown calico.  

Soooo... to make a long story short.😁 That brings me to my slow stitch project today... I will be appliqueing this little fella to the quilt and then adding some features to his precious face. 

After I had pieced my red patchwork , I gave myself a big pat on the back and went into the kitchen to check on Mr. Pinker  who was a little flustered. 

"I am going to Wally World to get more supplies. Ya' wanta go? "  I looked around at the kitchen to see bowls , a sausage stuffer, grinder and such. 

"Nah, I will forgo that trip,  " I said with a smile. I knew that he would be quicker on his own, and I still had a few odd sized scraps leftover from my project.  

With  a ZOOM, ZOOM , ZOOM! The scraps were moved through the sewing machine, and as quick as a wink I had a little mug rug which I will be quilting  this week. 

As far as Mr. Pinker's project- well, he got his supplies and worked on making jerky sticks like Slim Jims. He will be smoking them today in his smokers. I think he is one happy fella about his project too. 

Can you tell  from my pictures that I am getting in the Christmas  mood? Hee ! Hee!  Later this evening , I will go to my daughter's to put up her Christmas tree. 🎄

Afterwards , I will settle down on the couch with a warm cup of apple spiced tea, and I will stitch away on my newest ornament called "O' Christmas Tree". 

"O' Christmas Tree" in the works. 

Last night I watched Christmas with the Kranks. I am not sure which movie I will watch tonight.  Do you have any suggestions? 

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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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So Sweeties, what are your plans today? Decorating? Quilting? Stitching? or Just plain relaxing?

Have a wonderful day, friends and thank you for the sweet Sunday visit. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. "- Mark Twain 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

I figured out the layout of my Halloween stamps for the larger sampler. I have laid the pillows out like I will stitch them . 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.

🌞 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.

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🌞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.

I have been removing the decor from the buffet and am going to switch out the quilt. Then onto Christmas decorating! Eeeeh! 

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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

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday