Pinker n Punkin Quilting & Stitching

Monday, April 13, 2026

Four Patches and a Tomato Freebie

Over the last few days, I have been thumbing through a new cookbook. I know. I know . It is much easier and quicker to look up recipes on the Internet, but I do enjoy looking at a good ole' cookbook from time to time, especially when it is a vintage one.🤗

Last week, I picked up this cookbook called Favorite Mormon Recipes Casseroles Edition for a mere 50 cents.

It was published in 1962 and is choked full with not only casserole recipes but breads and sweets as well. The original owner placed check marks beside favorite recipes. Perhaps she prepared them or was going to in the future.

I found several recipes that caught my eye.

FRESH TOMATO CASSEROLE

6 tomatoes ,sliced

1/2 tsp. of salt

1/8 tsp. of pepper

1/2 tsp. of celery salt

1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup on onions, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups of crushed potato chips

DIRECTIONS : Place half of the tomato slices in a casserole dish; sprinkle with half of the seasonings. Top with half of the cheese and onion slices; repeat layers. Cover with crushed potato chips. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

🥣 🥣 🥣 🥣 🥣

I am sure I will find more yummies to prepare as I continue looking through this wonderful cookbook.

The other day, I finished a A Basket of Pincushions

into a a little pin pillow. The trim is yarn that I simply twisted and tacked along the seams.

Since I finished one tomato stitch, it is time to start a new one( Hmmm ... Should that be my new rule for Spring and Summer stitching? Maybe. Hee! Hee!)

I am working on a simple stitch called "Tomatoes" . If you are interested in stitching it, just snatch the charts below . This is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS chart. I will certainly update this post as I decide on the colors. At this point , these are my thoughts on what colors I am going to use --

POSSIBLE FLOSS COLORS:

WORDS: DMC 3371

TOMATOES: 815 & 895

SPOOLS: 840 (wooden spool) 931 and 782 (threads)

NEEDLE and PINS- 413

DOOHICKEYS ( bottom border) 931

If I change my mind on the colors, I will let you know, but again choose whatever colors make your heart sing.

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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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A few weeks ago I told you about 9 four patches that I found sitting sad and forlorn in the "Quilt Nest. " "Work on us?" they replied as I passed by. Gently , I scooped them up and went to the task at hand.

The four patches were made up of 1 1/2" squares ( unfinished).

I added 2 1/2" squares and strips (unfinished).

It was not long before I added the borders which measured 3 1/2" wide (unfinished). The little four patches were quite gleeful to be made into a wee quilt.

Today this little quilt will go into a hoop.

Do you like to make little quilts? If so, do you decorate with them?

In the works: "Where the Strawberries Grow"

Oh gosh, I have been chatting your ears off. Please do forgive me. I know you have much to do, and I do not want to keep you too long . I so appreciate that you stopped by to visit me today. If you are in the neighborhood tomorrow , please stop by. We can enjoy some coffee as we chat about Summer stitching and a little bit of this and that. I wish you the most delightful day!

I will be decorating with strawberries today.

As Always,

Happy Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit.

"The fabric may fade, but the memories stitched within will last a lifetime. . " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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🌞A Berry Nice Parade- A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025- Early 2025 berry Freebies.

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🌞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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🌞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.

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Sunday, April 12, 2026

Butterflies and Hot Cocoa

The wild and woolly flower garden is looking- well "wild and woolly " of course. 🌷🌷🌷

Hello, Sweet friends. How are you doing on those bright and beautiful Sunday morning? Did you wake up with a pep in your step? I certainly had a pep in mine after a piping hot cup of morning coffee.

As the weather warms, slowly but surely, my garden is waking up.

The tansy is filling out.

Wee marigolds are sprouting, and I was quite surprised to see Bee Balm in an unexpected spot. "Where did you come from, Pretties?"

Soon the wild and woolly garden will be even woollier ( Is that a word? Hee! Hee!) Of course there are weeds to pull, but I am carefully observing and examining to see what other sweet surprises may appear in my garden.

Do you have any gardening plans?

The other day I was overjoyed to see a bright and beautiful butterfly enjoying the quince in the yard.

And it was gracious enough to allow me to get a closer look at its beauty.

Of course, anytime I see a butterfly I whisper, " I love you " in hopes that it will whisk the message to my sweet sister who looks down upon our family from Heaven.

In the late evenings, I have been working on my "Pretty in Peach" Butterfly quilt.

I have moved to the 2nd row and have completed another nine patch variation block with "flower motif" quilting.

The nine patch variation blocks measure 15" finished.

Today is "Santa Sunday" and that means Christmas stitching. The border is complete on "Hot Cocoa" , a darling freebie from my sweet friend, Dianet at Parchesdeamor blogspot. Soon I will be adding snowflakes, a mug and 2 jolly snowmen marshmallows - pure sweetness ! Thank you, Dianet for sharing your sweet amazing talent with us. 🤗❤

"Hot Cocoa" is in the works.

Well Sweeties , I will not keep you any longer. I have butterflies to quilt and weeds to pull . Hey, if you are in the neighborhood, I have an extra pair of garden gloves. Hint . Hint. Or better yet we can skip the weeding and just sit and stitch. Whatever suits your fancy.

Butterfly kisses!

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued , is always beyond our grasp, but , if you will sit down quietly may alight upon you. "

As Always...

Happy Stitching and Quilting,

y'all

Melisa

"The wings of transformation are born of patience and struggle. "- Janet Dickens

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. You are always on my mind and forever in my heart.

I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo.

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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