Sunday Musings , Strawberries , Tomatoes and a Freebie

 Sunny Sunday Salutations. How are you doing on this lovely warm day? 

I have been puttering around pulling my plants out of the greenhouse. Not all of my ferns made it, but a few survived the few months that we were gone. I have been clipping and cutting dead leaves, stems and fronds. And giving my surviving plants a good watering and a dash of epsom salt. 

   Over the years I have had great success rooting different plants. This year I decided to pull out my pretty Dollar Tree tea glasses and line the windowsill with little clippings in high hopes that they will take root. More cuttings in pretty glasses will soon join these.  Do you have a favorite plant that you like to root? I usually work with Spiderwort, Spider plants, Coelus,  and Sedum ( I just stick it in the dirt)  . Last year I gave myself a big pat on the back when I rooted an Annabelle Hydrangea and 2 rose bushes. 

Gardening season is fast approaching. I am sure we are in store for more cold days, but I will place my plants in the greenhouse if there is a cold snap. 

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A few years ago when the "strawberry farm " was still in operation , Dad and sometimes us youngins' would be busy in the field cleaning chickweed from the plastic that peeked out from the plastic near the strawberry plants. The first harvest was usually around mid April . If there was a cold snap beforehand, the sprinklers were ran during the night which made for a long day for Dad. By morning time, the strawberry blooms would be covered in ice to protect them from the frigid temps. ( That is funny how that works, but it does. ) 

I have been appliqueing strawberries for my Berries and Butterflies quilt. 

 Such warm memories. I do miss those busy but simple days when the whole family was around. 

The berries are appliqued on 8 1/2" backgrounds. I need to add the berry caps this week. 

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I can tell you "many a stories" of all of us dragging the irrigation pipes through the fields and putting them in place. Whew, you talk about back breaking work.

 But I guess I should be talking about other things shouldn't I? Like today's and this week's stitching plans. I have a lot of slow stitching that I have high hopes to work on . Can I do it? Hmmm... I am not sure , but if I can get half of it done I will be one happy stitcher.  

Now onto the plans for the week. 

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1.Work on Berries and Butterflies quilt blocks. 

🌞2. FFO Blooms for You. 

🌞3. Quilt Pretty in Peach Quilt.

This has been my 15 minute a day piece this week. Kate at Life in Pieces keeps me motivated  with the 15 minute challenge. 🤗

🌞4. Work on A Sampler for Lois Ann.

I began this little sampler while camping last month. I am stitching it using a palette of pastels on gray Rit dyed Aida. 

🌞5. Work on Little House Needlework's Farm Life.

Progress as of January 30, 2026

🌞6.Work on red four patch mini quilt. 

🌞7. Work on March Roundabout embroidery. 

🌞8.  Plant marigold seeds in pots.

  

Well, I think this list should keep me busy . Don't you? Will you be making a "To Do List for the week? 

A little Sunday quilt stack. The 3 gallon churn was my Christmas present from Mr. Pinker. Swoon.

Oh my, I almost forgot. I do need to add TASK #9 to the list. Continue working on  A Basket of Pincushions. It is just a super simple basket filled with tomato pincushions.  If you are interested in stitching with me, grab the chart below, your favorite floss colors and fabric . You can then go to town on it. 😁 This is a Choose Your Own Color Chart. These are the colors that I am thinking of using-

POSSIBLE FLOSS COLORS  I MAY USE: 

 DMC 924 (border) , 610 (basket), 815 and 3011 ( tomato and strawberries) .

Of course these colors are subject to change. I will certainly update this post as I progress. 

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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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Hmmm, I am curious . What floss colors would you use? Would you stitch the tomatoes in different shades of red? 

It is stitching time so I best get to work. Thank you so much for the sweet Sunday visit. You always make the day ever so special.  Have  a blessed day.  🤗 And enjoy your stitching time too! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness ."- Frank Tyger

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 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