Blog Archive

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

A Fall Farm Stroll and a Little Quilt

 Good morning from the ole' farmstead. How are you doing on this lovely Wednesday morning?



Cows are being moved from one section of the farm to the other.
 


We are getting ready for the winter season. Bev is one of our favorites. She is as smart as a whip.
 
Meet Miss Bev. 

Do you remember Big Bad Brad who was as gentle as a lamb? Well he has been sold to another farm. A new bull will arrive in months to come.  

Old Big Bad Brad and Gertie

In the Bee Yard, the bees are doing great. Mr. Pinker says one hive is as mean as a bunch of rattlesnakes, but he enjoys working with all of the hives. 


Edna says "Howdy". It has been a spell since you have seen a close up of her. She has a soft spot in my heart. 


Back at home, a new little quilt is completed and ready to be displayed for these last few days of the fall season.  


By the way if you are interested in the little "Gobbler" in the background drop back by around noon . He is my latest freebie- in the Mason Jar Series.  Anywooo...

A few years ago, I worked on this simple wool applique using clothing from the thrift stores.  
I drew out the motifs wiley niley and used the buttonhole stitch to applique them down. 
The background fabric is an old  shirt. 


I framed the block using fabrics from more shirts creating a little churn dash. 


It did not take long to bind this little quilt. 


Now since this fall project is done, I am on to the next little quilt. I am not sure which one will go into the hoop next. 



Thank you for  taking a stroll with me on the farm today and for looking at my little quilt. 
See ya' later! 🤗 

Oreo  is making his way along the tobacco sticks. 

As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Life is good when the farm is where your best memories are made. " Unknown 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who was a country farm gal through and through.  I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃 

 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 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.
🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 
Oreo  is making his way along the tobacco sticks. 

As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Life is good when the farm is where your best memories are made. " Unknown 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who was a country farm gal through and through.  I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃 

 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 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.
🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 


 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

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

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

The Tale of Miss Iron's Mishap

"Oh, BUTTERSCOTCH!" I exclaimed with a furrow brow. 
Mr. Pinker quickly looked up. 

"What happened, Hon? What is wrong?"

"Ooops! I did it again!" I said as I eyed my iron ladened with fusible webbing. "DOUBLE BUTTERSCOTCH!" I shrieked.


Mr. Pinker immediately bounced from his chair. "I'm outa here. This means trouble," he said with a smile. As he excited the room,  he shouted over his shoulder, " Do you need any help?"

"Nope! I got this. It is me or the highway for this sticky fusible webbing, and it is not going to be me! Hee! Hee!  " I chuckled. 

I made a mistake I got fusible webbing on my iron. Eeek! 

"Hmmm, Think! Think! Think! What did I do the last time I did this?" I asked myself.


 I searched the world wide web for solutions. Hmmm - the dryer sheet method. "Yep ! That is what I did the last time!" I said to no one in particular. 


I ran to the laundry room and grabbed  few Bounce dryer sheets and some paper towels. 


Soon I was ready to  tackle the task at hand. First step-  heat up the iron to a low/ medium heat- no steam. Check! ✅  I then began to tackle the melted fusible in small circular motions with a dryer sheet. 

Time to get to work and try to remove the residue. 

"Around and around , I go", I sang. "Ouch! Eeek! Ouch! Watch  those fingertips! " I reminded myself. 

 As I worked, Miss Iron said "Squeak! Squeak! ." I smiled for I knew she was quite happy that the residue was getting thinner and thinner . Her plate was shining up. 

Slowly but surely the gunk is coming off. 

" Mama's sorry. You are ok, Baby, " I reassured Miss Iron. " I will get you all cleaned up. " 

 Miss Iron again squeaked, "Thank you, Mama . " She sighed in relief.  


What was so special about Miss Iron that I wanted to save her?  Well not so long ago,  she was a poor lonely orphan Sunbeam iron , sitting all alone on a dusty shelf  at the thrift store . She was as happy as a clam when  I popped her in my buggy and  brought her home to live out her lifelong dream of pressing pretty quilting fabrics. Of course she has gone through some hard knocks, and it shows, but that is ok.   She is well loved. ❤


Slowly but surely the gunk was coming off, but it was a process of patience, perseverance and a whole lot of elbow grease. It took about 8 dryer sheets.  I would have to cut the iron off for a few minutes and then start back to the task at hand, mainly to give myself a rest. 

Afterwards, I wiped the iron down with a paper towel to remove any leftover residue from the webbing and dryer sheets. 

Miss Iron is back in business and so am I ! Now back to finishing my projects!

Has this ever happened to you? Do you have any tips on how to clean the iron plate? I am quite curious. You know me- being Mrs. Scatterbrain running at lightning speed- well, this may happen again but Shhh don't tell Miss Iron. 😀😁😂


Thank you for the sweet visit, y'all and have a blessed day. 


As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other. "- Walter Elliot 

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- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.
🌞 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 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.
🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date.  










Monday, November 17, 2025

The Case of the Missing Santas- A Tall Tale

 " I think someone broke into the house," I said to Mr. Pinker with a frazzled look on my face. 

"Hmm I don't think so . Why do you say that ?" he asked.  

"Well it's just not here! It's not here!"  I replied frantically as I  rummaged through the shelf. 

" Calm down, dear. Now tell me.  What is missing ? " he asked puzzled. 

                                            

"Three of my Santa cross stitches!  There is Candy Cane Sprinkles , A Cup of Christmas Cheer- Santa Mug  and Candy Canes, Holly and Evergreens !"


 " I always store them in the same place , and they are just not here, " I cried as a lump in my throat tightened and I choked back the tears.😢🥲
 

Mr. Pinker rolled his eyes. "Hmm I think I have heard this story before. Didn't you lose a cross stitch a couple of years ago, and you swore up and down a bandit had stolen it  while all along it was sitting in plain sight? "

Immediately my mind raced back to the  Case of the Mysterious Disappearance of Prim Winter Blessings in January 2022.  Do you remember that caper? 


"Hmmm I have no recollection of that ." I slyly fibbed. In my defense, I needed immediate help to have this newest case of "cross stitch abduction" solved. So what's a girl to do.  🤷

                                                     

"Are you going to help me find them?" I asked as I bit my lower lip nervously. 

 "Of course, I am, dear. I am sure they are right where you left them.  " ( Oh boy, I have heard that one before. 🙄🤣 Isn't that a Mom Quote?) 


Mr. Pinker and I looked high and we looked low. But no Santas were to be found.  

With tears in my eyes, I finally said, "I just don't think I can go on without them.  How can I  decorate my buffet while they are being held hostage by some loathsome, wily Santa loving bandit?"

Mr. Pinker just shook his head." I am sure you can put something in their place until you find them , he reasoned.

 So with my shoulders dragging and my head slumped, I went to the "she shed" and pulled out some Santa cookie jars. I soon began to put them on the buffet and added in some other stitched pieces to fill the spaces while all along my heart was aching for the kidnapped "Santas".  After working for a few moments, I paused and looked over my work.  Hmmm,  maybe a new themed buffet was developing-  Santas and Gingerbread. We shall see I thought. 


I will continue working on the Case of the Missing Santas" this week. If you hear of any word  on the streets  on any of the 3 missing Santas , let me know ASAP! Meanwhile , I may see about renting a billboard in town to get the word out. Hee! Hee!  Sniffle ! Sniffle!  I hope this case  will not be a similar to  the Case of the Lizzie Kate Summer Smalls . I stitched  one of the Summer Smalls over 7 years ago ,and it too mysteriously disappeared and is still missing to this very day. A real mystery indeed. 

Alrighty , Sweeties, I am off to put my sleuth hat on and do more detective work. Watch out for those Santa cross stitch bandits. Or as Mr. Pinker advises " Just remember where you put your stuff! " Hee ! Hee!  Sniffle ! Sniffle! 



Have a fantastic day. Love ya'! 

As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing. " 

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- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.
🌞 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 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.
🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Birthday Candles, Gingerbread, and A Christmas Freebie- Tree Farm

 Good morning, Sunshine. It is a glorious day!  How has your weekend been thus far? 

 I am pretty excited about today !  Pull out the streamers and blow up the balloons. 🎈🎈🎈🎉🥳We are having a party!  

My darling nephew will be celebrating his upcoming birthday, and of course, the whole family will be there to watch him blow out  each and every  candle.

 

 It is hard to believe that just a few short days ago the temperatures dropped to a bone chilling 27 degrees, and we had snow flurries. It is supposed to be in the low 70's today which sounds good to me. 

Some of the trees are still sporting their autumn colors. 

Mr. Pinker mowed the  leaf quilted yard the other day to mulch up some of the leaves. It was a bumpy lumpy ride on the mower as he puttered along with all of the black walnuts on the ground as well. Our squirrels will slowly but surely clean up the walnuts as winter approaches. 

The yard looks spiffy since it has been mowed. 

On Friday, Mr. Pinker and I made our way to the grocery store for some of the items that we need for Thanksgiving.  Lots of people were hustling and bustling about doing the same. 

I found these cutie patootie little squares that I cut a few months ago. Actually, I cut the wrong size, and so for a spell they have sat lost and forlorn in the Quilt Nest. I think I will do something with these this week. 



Earlier this week I shared a new house stitch. Did you see it? It is called The Maize House.


Well anywhooo... that prompted me to start a new house stitch called "Santa's Visit". My nimble fingers will fill the sleigh with pretty packages today that is if I do not change the colors of the sleigh. 

 I will also be working on a darling Halloween Freebie from my sweet friend, Dianet. It is called the Halloween Potion Jar and can bee found on Dianet's blog Parchesdeamor blogspot. It is time to fill my jar with a magical potion. Breeew Hah Hah! 👻

I will be filling in the Halloween Potion Jar today. 

On Friday, dear Jocelyn, canadianneedlenana.blogspot  showed her progress on her Moda Holiday Stitch Along. She provided a link to the site for the free patterns. Of course, I was immediately smitten and hopped over and printed the 1st embroidery block. I will begin it today.  Thank you, Jocelyn for the inspiration and spreading holiday cheer. 🤗

Ready to begin the embroidery

Speaking of holiday cheer. I finished my super simple Gingerbread quilt.

 It was made from 2 1/2" squares ( unfinished) . I drew out little Gingerbread man and appliqued to it.

A little cookie cutter gingerbread applique. 

 

A couple of weeks ago I began creating a new series of cross stitches- I am going to call it " Speaking of Christmas" . I am not sure how many I will make, but each one will be a simple stitch with a Christmas word or two.  

The 1st one I shared was called O' Christmas Tree ".  I finished it as pillow to tuck into a bowl. It is as sweet as sugar plums- well at least in my eyes.🤗

 Today I am sharing stitch number 2 called Tree Farm

Do you have warm memories of visiting a tree farm and cutting down a Christmas tree? 

 When we were youngins,' we would trudge  to the fence row on the farm. Dad would have his chain saw in hand. Once we found the most perfect cedar tree,  Dad would lop it down and back to the house we would go.  Before we would make it home, Dad always would take the time to cut a small cedar tree for me. Yep, I was decking the halls even as a youngster.  🎄🎄🎄😀😁 The cedar Christmas tree smelled divine. It would not be long before Mom was bustling about decorating the living room tree with red bows, tinsel, colored lights and silk spun ornaments. My humble tree had bits of tinsel and ornaments that I would make myself- usually drawings.

Have you ever had a cedar Christmas tree? 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

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. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵 🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵




A little Autumn quilt stack. 

Now what are my plans for the week? 
 I will be checking off the projects that I mentioned above. I think that will keep me busy don't you?

Well, I better go put my party shoes on . I have a birthday party to get to! 👠👠🎈🎂

 I hope your day is a great one. 


As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"A smile can brighten the darkest days. Just smile. " - unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. who was proud as a peacock when she had her son  and he still looks like her. ❤❤I love and miss you so much.  Love you , Amo. 

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃 

 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 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.
🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date. 

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 

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A Fall Farm Stroll and a Little Quilt