Hey, there Sunshine! How are you doing on this lovely Summer's Day? I sure hope you are feeling as fit as a fiddle and as fine as dandy!
It has been a good week in the holler thus far. As my Nanny would say- "I've been keeping the roads hot "which means I have been out and about for the last few days. Not doing anything special but visiting family and dipping in and out of thrift stores. So you know I am one happy gal! 😀
This bright sunshiny yellow afghan is my latest thrifty find for only $1.99. 😲 Eeeh what a steal! I have already draped it onto my stitching chair . It will be nice to throw over my legs during the chilly evenings.
I will show you some of my other finds in the next coming days.
Sweet Gail, sent me a Blessing Box with a couple of advertising tins to add to my collection. 💛💙
But wait. What makes them extra special is they were from her collection . AND...
They are musical tins. 😀 Just turn the little key and sweet melodies delight the ears.
The Morton's Salt tin plays "Singin' in the Rain." If you would like to enjoy a little "ear worm" just click the colored link to listen to Gene Kelly singing "Singin' in the Rain" on Youtube. Such a delight.
Right now I have the sweet musical tins sitting on my "mitten table" ( The table where I store the boy's winter mittens and tobaggans). But I am already dreaming of moving the Morton's Salt to the blue hutch and the Old Dutch Cleaner will be incorporated into my fall display with my brown crocks.
Oh, what fun I will have weaving them in and out of displays throughout the year. Thank you so much, Gail for blessing me with your treasures and kindness. 🤗 You brought me such joy.
Hmmm... what else is going on?🤔
Have you ever made a berry? A couple of years ago, I posted a Berry Making Tutorial. My advice when making a berry is to cut your fabrics large. You can trim down as you go if you decide the berry or cap needs to be smaller.
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| The Berry Sampler (Amy's 2026 berry sampler) which I have not shared, Blooms of the Heart Berry and Berry Bouquet- A Sampler for Amy |
Usually , I stuff my berries with a combination of polyfil and sawdust from Mr. Pinker's workshop . But this year, I decided to fill it with something different- oodles and oodles of fabric scraps that I have collected. I will show you the project that these scraps are from later this week. I simply cut the little scraps to wee pieces and stuffed them into the berry.
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| Scraps from a quilting project were used to fill "Blooms of Heart" |
I made my berry oversized and stitched wonky "X's" along the seam line . I always do this on my berries.
Usually, I like to add bits of lace and all kinds of things to my strawberry caps. But I really did not frou-frou the strawberry cap up much this year; I just kept it simple.
I cut a strawberry cap from a gray wool skirt. I tacked it down over the top of the strawberry using blanket stitches. I then cut strips of silk from a jacket . I created loops from the strips and secured them with 2 overlapping buttons on top! Wahlah! My strawberry cap was complete! Easy Peasy!
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| Amy's 2023 berry which I have not shared, In My Heart She Blooms 2024 berry, and Berries for Amy the 2025 berry |
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| The basket was stitched in blues . My sweet sis had beautiful gray blue eyes. |
As Always...
Happy Stitching and Quilting, y'all
Melisa
"Friendship is a blessing that warms the heart and soothes the soul. "
Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤
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Good Morning, my friend! You've had a very productive time! Love your berries. I've never made one but maybe I'll give it a shot after all my other projects (HAHAHAHA) - sorry - couldn't resist! I love how you make things in memory of your dear sister. Yes, she'd love it! .
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your projects with us - I appreciate it. Blessings
Happy Happy Thursday, dear Donna. I hope your day is off to a lovely start and it is not too hot. Oh, thank you so much for the kind compliment on my berries. I enjoy creating them and especially sharing them. Aaw I bet you could whip up one in a minute, but I know you are on a mission to get your Christmas gifts done. Gosh, I do need to be doing the same. Stay cool and enjoy your day and thank you for the sweet visit. Hugs.
DeleteA vey pretty finished berry. It's a different way to finish off those pretty cross stitch projects.
ReplyDeleteI have such trouble figuring out how to finish my cross stitches, Kate. Doing something different is always a little fun plus I know my sis would have liked the berries . They were a joy to stitch. I hope you are enjoying time in the quilting room. Thank you for the sweet visit. Hugs.
DeleteWhat treasures you received from Gail! I hadn't heard of a musical Morton container!!! Your sister would enjoy your berries that you made with her mind. Sending you hugs.
ReplyDeleteAren't those tins the cutest? It had been years since I have heard a music box . These brought back such fond memories. I cannot tell you how many times that I have wound them up and listened to them. Thank you for the sweet visit, Terry. Have a beautiful day. Hugs.
DeleteLove those musical vintage containers...how fun is that:)))
ReplyDeleteYour berry collection is so neat--love the "frou-frous" on their tops...
Isn't that the cutest little heart mini..nice works, Melisa ;)))
Hugs, Julierose
I feel very blessed by Gail that is for sure and they fit right in with my collection and already have a place of honor where I can enjoy them each and every day. Oh I like frou frouing the berries- that is the fun of it when I have a chance. LOL. Thank you for the sweet Thursday visit, Julierose. Stay out of that heat and enjoy a day of stitching. Hugs.
DeleteAlways fun to stop in for a visit with you! Aforable berry for your sister. Those jars are so fun. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteAaw you are always so kind, Deb. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me. I hope you and your family are doing well. I had a great time creating these little berries. Each one has a special story and meaning in its own way. Have a beautiful day and Happy quilting. Hugs.
DeleteDarling berry! Lovely afghan and gifts, Melisa!
ReplyDeleteAaw thank you so much, Robin. I am so touched that Gail would share her treasures with me. I haven't seen an afghan at the thrift store in years especially at that price. It will be nice to use in the evenings. Have a wonderful evening and Happy stitching. Hugs.
DeleteYou do make the best of your trips to the thrift stores! I have never heard of a musical tin before. As always your stitcheries are just the best!
ReplyDeleteLOL I try, Vicki. Hee! Hee! Sometimes I score ; sometimes I walk out without a thing. So goes the it and the thrill of the hunt. LOL. I had never seen a musical tin before either. These are just delightful and a treasure. Thank you for taking the time to drop by, Vicki. I hope you are enjoying some quiet time in the quilting room. Hugs.
DeleteLove your little berries for Amy, they are so pretty. And yes, stitching those things does bring comfort. That is a lovely afghan, and so glad you rescued it and will put it to use on those chilly days!
ReplyDeleteI came here frustrated and cranky and ended up feeling better, so thank you Melisa. :)
Aaw Linda, I have been thinking about you . I know you have a lot on your plate right now. I do hope your hubby is feeling better. I am sure the heat does not help as well. It warms my heart that I could brighten your day even for a second. It really means the world that you stopped by and visited me today. Thank you, sweet friend. If you have a chance , slip into that quilt room and enjoy some quilting. Warm hugs.
DeleteWhat a great find. That sunshiny yellow afghan is lovely. Those musical tins are so special. I have a Morton salt tin but mine isn't musical. Your annual berry tribute is beautiful and I think you are right that Amy's smiling, seeing all the stitching you do in memory of her. Such a show of love.
ReplyDeleteI was smitten with the afghan as soon as I spied it across the aisle and to my surprise it was cheap. You couldn't buy the yarn for that price. It was a steal that is for sure. Oh I agree the tins are very special as is Gail. I certainly feel blessed. It feels good to have finished Amy's Berry even though it should have been completed earlier. She had a strong sense of family and would have loved them. I hope you are having a lovely day, Ginny. Stay cool and enjoy your quilting time. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteYour berry projects are so sweet, Melisa! I believe your sister is smiling about them right now. That's a great idea to stuff the newest one with fabric scraps! I'm going to remember that for the next time I have a bowl filler pillow to finish up. Have a wonderful Thursday!
ReplyDeleteAaw I think she is too, Diann. My sis was one of a kind that is for sure and I try to stitch a memory in each and every berry. Oh yes, I do hope you give it a try. Sometimes when I stuff my cross stitch pillows with scraps I add a little polyfil; sometimes not. I stuff them tight. The scraps make the pillow or berry a little heavier than polyfil and sometimes lumpy, but I take my fingers and shape and mold smoothing out the lumps. I really like the feel of it in some of my pieces. Let me know if you give it a try . Of course if you don't like it you can always pull out the stuffing before you stitch it up. Have a blessed day and thank you for dropping by, Diann. Hugs
DeleteWhat darling berries, Melisa! I love your latest design and I'm sure your sweet Amy would have, too. Would you believe I've never made a stitched berry? I appreciate your tutorial and your chart--thank you! You always find such great stuff when you go thrifting--the yellow blanket is so cheerful and will brighten up any room. Looking forward to seeing what else you brought home :)
ReplyDeleteAaaw well, you ought to give Berry making a try sometime, Carol. Your finishes are always so beautiful and inspiring so I know you would knock the ball out of the park on finishing a berry. I was telling someone the other day what an inspiration you are to me. I dream of being half as accomplished at stitching and finishing as you are. Thank you for the sweet Thursday visit. I hope you and the family are doing well. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteI love your new yellow afghan, Melisa and your strawberry is so sweet and pretty with the blue cap. I hope you have a great day. Hugs, B
ReplyDeleteAaw thank you, Brenda. I couldn't pass up the sweet afghan especially at that price. My Nanny and sis always had afghans on the couches and chairs and I tend to do the same. The grandkids love to snuggle in them. I hope you are having a lovely day; enjoy your quilting time. Warm hugs.
DeleteWhat a beautiful thrift store find and those tins you got, wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice pattern. It is important to remember and you do it in a very special way!
Happy Thursday, Annelies. Aren't the tins fabulous? I and the tunes just brighten my day. Oh yes, I had a good day thrifting. Just being out and about was very nice. Thank you for the kind compliment on my berry ; it was a joy to stitch. I hope you are enjoying some time with needle and thread today. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteIt’s been a cool, rainy week around here, but it looks like summer is coming back next week.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your finds and the gifts you received. Those tins are great!!
Hugs
Oh gosh, the cooler temps and gentle rain sounds delightful, Isabel. It has been a scorcher here. My gardens are drying up and it is smothering to go outside. I guess we are paying for the mild early summer that we had. LOL. I do hope that it doesn't get too awfully hot for you next week. Thank you so much for the sweet visit and kind words. It is always joy to hear from you , Isabel. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteYour berry stitcheries are so pretty, and a wonderful tribute to your beloved sister Amy.. I bet you had an awful lot of fun together growing up.
ReplyDeleteOh we did, Jenny. I was much older and ran after her most of the time like a mom. So the loss of her hurts on so many levels, but she was a hoot and into everything as a kid. LOL. Thank you so much for the sweet Thursday visit. I hope you had a wonderful day. Hugs.
DeleteI love all of these designs. I have stitched a few and hope to stitch all of them. They're a lovely tribute to your sister.
ReplyDeleteAaw Janet, I am so very honored that you have stitched some of these little designs. That truly means so much to me. I hope you enjoyed stitching them as much as I did. These are very special to me so it warms my heart to hear that you have added them to your stitch list. Have a wonderful evening and a great weekend. Hugs and Blessings.
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