Pinker n Punkin Quilting & Stitching

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.

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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?

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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 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.