Berries, Butterflies and a Doodle- Spring Doodle Freebie

 It is another  beautiful Slow Stitching Sunday.  Yesterday I spent much of the day pulling weeds and working in the garden before the rains came.  I gave myself a good pat on the back for what I accomplished.    

Another peek at Melva's Heart block. I just adore it! 

Once I went inside,  I cut out more background squares for my Berries and Butterflies quilt. 

I need 25 butterflies total and I think I need 40 berries, but I will have to refer back to my notes just to make sure. 

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Dollar General has little faux wooden strawberries for a dollar. I thought this would make a good finishing piece later on for a stitch. 

The background fabric that I chose for the next batch of butterflies is more of a bubblegum pink. Oooh so pretty. 

So that is what I will be working on today- bookoos of butterflies. Well to be honest , I will be happy to get 1 or 2 butterfly bodies appliqued before I flutter to the next project which will be the   beautiful Hankie Butterfly quilt. 

This quilt top was a gift from dear Susan and  it went into the hoop earlier this month.  I am just in love with this quilt. ❤

This hankie butterfly is so elegant! 

Thank you, sweet Susan for such a precious gift. 🤗

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A couple of weeks ago , Mom gave me her strawberry apron that she wore while selling strawberries on the farm.  The berries would be sold by 12:00 each day. Many customers would call and preorder just to make sure they could pick up fresh berries. Those were the good old days. I hung Mom's apron on the vintage Hoosier top for the season, but I will be changing out  this apron soon.

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The other day I bought a vintage apron at the antique shop for $4.00.

 Isn't the vintage fabric so pretty? ❤💚💛

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Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1.Continue working in the gardens. There is plenty  of weeds to pull and I need to transplant some polka dot plants. ( My new favorite. )

🌞2. Work on Bee Haven Cottage

🌞3.  Work on stitching a new Strawberry Sampler

🌞4.  Piece more Four Patch Fun blocks. 

As I pieced Melva's Heart block earlier this past week , I also worked on Four Patch Fun. 

Two more Four Patch Fun blocks  to add to my growing bath. 

🌞5.  Whatever other mischief I can get into. Now that will not be too hard. Hee!Hee!

 

Yesterday , I shared Bunny's Harvest Roundabout. Well I am still playing catch up on posting the little doodles . So today I wanted to share May Flowers Roundabout.  Over the next few weeks, I will be working on these embroideries, and I will update the posts with photos as I make progress. 

My doodles are hand drawn and are never perfect. ❤

Graphic from Pinterest: Sara Kay artwork

UPDATE: June 15, 2026 May Flowers Roundabout is all embroidered.

 I used 2 strands of floss and used the backstitch, lazy daisy stitch for the leaves and French knots for the delicate flowers. 

I  used the following floss colors:

 

🌺DMC 3802 ( coneflower petals),

🌺  DMC 3687( coneflower center) 

🌺 DMC 469( coneflower stem and leaves)

🌺DMC 470 ( Cup shaped flower stems and leaves)  

🌺DMC 961 (Cup flower #1) 

🌺 931 ( Cup flower # 2) 

🌺 DMC 986 ( Delicate vine)  

🌺 DMC 783 ( small flowers on vine ; stitched in French knots  and French knots at end of Cup Flower's  Stamens )

🌺 DMC 312 ( scalloped border)

The Roundabout was stitched on 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"  (unfinished) white fabric. 

It is framed with 20 -  2 1/2" squares (unfinished) 

The Roundabout Block  with Scrappy Borders Measures:  12 1/2" x 12 1/2" ( unfinished)

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That is what is going on in the holler on this lovely day. What are your slow stitching plans for the day? 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"A day with needle and thread in hand is a good day.   " 

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 

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Amy Lou the Berry Picker 

A Day of Junkin' and Quiltin'

My newest apron. 

  I went junkin' the other day, and it was a delight! 😀

Welcome,  Sweet friends and Happy Happy Thursday! 

Mr. Pinker and I took some stolen moments the other day to get away from all of the hustle and bustle . Where did we go? Well the thrift stores of course. And let me tell you ! I was in Heaven! 

Tin Heaven that is! I hit the mother load in reproduction tins and by golly,  I loaded my buggy down with one tin after another. 

All of the tins were just a dollar. Can not beat that with a stick! 

"Did you get all of the tins?" asked the cashier. 

"Nope, but I sure wish I could have! " I said with a grin.

 

I then went on to explain how Mr. Pinker and I each had grandparents that once owned  old general stores, and that we like to recreate that "general store" look with advertising tins, signs and such.    My Grandpa's and Granny's store was in Fulton County , KY in the early 1920-1940's. Mom said it was on stilts. According to Granny , she and Grandpa would have to pull items off the floor if a flood arose. I sure would have liked to have seen the old store. 

Anywhooo... Back to the junkin. Not only did I come home with tins, but on the Dime Table , I found some hand painted ceramic birds, a small lamb and a vintage Mother's poem.  

Treasures from the  "Dime Tables" at the thrift store. 

And to top it off I found a bit of enamelware. I was one happy gal to say the least. 

What else has been going on? ....Hmmm well I finished Block 4 in Melva's Little House on the Prairie SAL.   

The Shoo Fly block is one of my favorites. Oh what fun I had at the machine. 

 

Since I was showcasing the Shoo Fly block , I pulled out my vintage "bug sprayers" that my sweet sister gave me. She liked rusty crusty vintage items like me. 

Four blocks completed . Now it's time for me to work on Block 5 Rails. Eeeh! Another favorite block to work on!  Melva released it last Thursday. 

Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along Posts:

INTRODUCTION of the Little House on the  Prairie Stitching Along - January 29, 2026

Block 1 Maple Leaf- February 5, 2026

Block 2 Native Star- February 19, 2026

Block 3 Harvest Basket- March 5, 2026

Block 4 Shoo Fly- March 19, 2026

Block 5 Rails- April 2, 2026

Remember, that Melva's Stitch Along is free until the end of the event. So run don't walk over to Melva's blog and join in.  It is always a joy to see what Melva is working on ; plus on Sundays she does a Sew and Tell Link Party , another fun event.

Alrighty Sweeties, that is my rambles for today. I am changing out my Easter decor for Spring so I will continue working on that today. 

Spring Farmhouse  and  1869 Spring Chick Crock.

Thank you for joining me today. I am sorry I have been so scarce lately. As many of you know, we have had some family illness and have been caregiving here lately.  Please be patient with me as I try to get into a "new" groove. 

Have a fabulous day and remember to do something that you love even if you have to sneak in a few stolen moments. Love ya'!😘

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Kindness can transform someone's dark moment with a blaze of light. "- Amy Leigh MerCree 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

I also picked up some Sugar 'n Cream yarns at the thrift store.  Yummy colors. 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes 2026- Early 2026 parade of home freebies.

🌞2026 Love Parade- A Parade of Previous Valentine Freebies- Valentine themed stitches up to Feb. 4, 2026.  

🌞 Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 

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

🌞A Chilly Parade of Winter Stitches 2025- A parade of Winter themed freebies up to the date of Dec. 21, 2025

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.

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday  Wait Loss- Wednesday

Denise at For the Love of Geese for Put Your Foot Down- 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

Busy in the Kitchen and Merry Christmas - A Christmas Freebie

 No Bake Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie ✅

Cornbread Salad ✅

Dressing prepped ✅

Next up -prepping the potato salad

Busy, busy, busy! I know many of you are hustling and bustling about the kitchen prepping for family gatherings or for just a quiet holiday meal at home, but I did want to pop in to wish you a lovely day.

If you can spare a minute, I would love to show you my latest  cross stitch finish which is simply called 

Merry Christmas. 

Let's get out of that hot kitchen and take a gander shall we. 

I made it into a long skinny pin pillow . I bordered the stitch with a small scrap of homespun fabric which I left unfinished on one end so you could see the frayed edges.  

The edge of the homespun is frayed.  . 

I think I am happy with it. 🤗

This pillow is stuffed with fabric scraps

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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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 Oooh I have potatoes boiling so I better get back to the kitchen and I know you have much to do as well. Hey, if you are in the neighborhood, drop in , grab an apron and spoon! We can tackle this Thanksgiving meal together and  better yet, you can be the taste tester! Hee! Hee! 

OK Back to the Kitchen, I go! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"What if today we were grateful for everything? "- Charlie Brown 

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 Berry Nice Parade- A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025- Early 2025 berry 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 Gotta Make That Block

I have really enjoyed seeing all of the Stay At Home Round Robin quilts in progress. I was not able to participate since I was traveling, but I sure wanted to. Recently , Brenda at Songbird Designs shared the prompt for Round 5. She challenged the other quilters to make  quarter log cabin blocks for the next round.

 I became smitten with the block as soon as I saw it and I knew that I would have to make one. Brenda gives the instructions for a 3" and 4" block in her post.  Soon I was looking at quarter log cabin quilts on the internet when I   ran upon  Rita's log cabin quilt  at Red Pepper Quilts . Rita's unfinished blocks measure 7 1/4" square.   

Since I already had a pile of pretty fabrics on the cutting table, I chose 6 colors  and began cutting the fabrics. 

Soon I had my own Quarter Log Cabin block completed.   My block measures 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished. 

 More blocks are sure to be in the works. 

Since I have the tendency to forget, I have listed the measurement that I used for easy reference the next time I piece  a block.  

 My Quarter Log Cabin Block

UNFINISHED SIZE : 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

 CUTTING MEASUREMENTS FOR ONE BLOCK

Corner Block -3 1/2" square

Log 1- 1 1/ 2" x 3 1/2"

Log 2 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" 

Log 3  - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" 

Log 4  - 1 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Log 5  - 1 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Log 6  - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Log 7  - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Log 8  - 1 1/2" x 7 1/2"

Log 9  - 1 1/2" x 7 1/2"

Log 10 - 1 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Thank you, Brenda and Rita for enabling me into another project. Hee! Hee! I am excited to build more log walls. 

 As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Be bright . Be happy. Be you!  " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy . Love and miss you, Amo. Also dedicated to my Granny and Grandpa who lived in a little log cabin filled with love. 

I changed out the apron on the old Hoosier top. I removed the red apron and replaced it with a pretty pink one- perfect for Springtime! 

Do you like to wear aprons? 

 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

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for This and That Monday