Slow Sunday Porch Stitching

Happy Slow Stitching Sunday. Please do join me on the porch as we enjoy some spicy talk and a bit of stitching. 🤗

There is enough room for us all on the front porch swing. I will just scooch over, and we will have a grand ole' time. 

Please forgive me . I forgot to offer you a cup of coffee or perhaps some tea. 

So what are you working on today? Me? Well,  my needle and thread are weaving in and out of my  Tumbleweeds quilt that I began quilting in January.

 Do you want to see my progress? I would love to show you. 

I have moved down to the 2nd row. One block complete and time to move the hoop to the next one. 

Quilting wavy lines in the 1" sashings. 

Oh, and let me show you what else I am working on . Bent Creek's freebie Surrounded By Joy. The border is complete and now onto the letters. This is my "Santa Sunday" stitch. I will continue working on it as we sit and chat. 

Hmmm... I don't think I showed you my peg rack on the door all dressed for Easter . Did I? Last year, I was inspired to pull out an old peg rack and hang it on the door after seeing a Youtuber do the same.  For Easter , I filled it with baskets, vintage children dresses and of course quilted stockings waiting to be filled by the Easter bunny.  I even hung up one of my girl's baby shoes. I am still looking for the mate. I have seen several of my favorite Youtube decorators use children's shoes in their decor so I thought I would do the same.  Lots of warm memories are hanging from the peg rack. 

I certainly wasn't ready to take down my peg rack yet. But I did want to change it for the month. Sooo...down came the stockings and a new bunch of "clutter " took their place. The theme: Strawberries! 🍓🍓🍓🍓

The peg rack has aprons, a bonnet and vintage treasures. 

   

The vintage scale is my newest find.

On Friday, I shared the strawberry themed quilts that I am decorating the small foyer with. 

More strawberries are coming out. 

The foyer shelf is being filled to the brim with strawberry goodness. 

Hmmm ... What else? Well I have a finish! Hip Hip Hooray! I finished  Blackbird Designs' "Bird in Hand". This darling chart was sent to me from dear Sonja. Thank you Sonja I have loved every stitch . ❤ I will be making it into a pin pillow similar to the one shown. 

Later this evening, I hope to work more on my gardens. Late yesterday , I posted a garden update showing it in transition. 

 Well, Sweeties, I guess we have some stitching and quilting to do . Don't we? So let's get started. Thank you for joining me on the porch today. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"I return to my front porch to find a place where the air smells sweeter and the sun feels warmer than at any other bend in life's long road.  "- John Sarris

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. 

I spy "heart " leaves. My redbuds are wakening up. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

A Basket for Lois is in the works. 

 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.

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

Warm Days and "Blooms For You" - A Spring Freebie

 A couple of locals told us that it has been unseasonably warmer compared to  usual.  Some days have reached into the low 80's . Gosh, it is going to be hard to return back home to the cold winter's chill. 

I put out 3 hummingbird feeders. It has been a joy to watch the hummers each day. 

But the desert has been green and full of beautiful blooms in shades of bright yellows,  warm purples and lush greens.

 The other day Mr. Pinker and I drove an hours drive to Wally World for a few groceries. In the garden section, workers were busy putting out planters and such . I immediately spotted a display of gardening seed packets. It made me yearn to play in the dirt. 

A pleasant rock creation made by another camper. Hmmm looks like a bird's foot. 

 I was quite tempted to buy a few packets, but I was good and walked away. I do miss my wild and woolly gardens even though they look quite drab during this time of the year.  

Have these winter days been making you dream of Spring flowers and running amuck planting here and there and everywhere? 

January progress on Bird in Hand , a sweet gift from dear Sonja. 🤗

 Have you bought any   seeds for planting yet ? I have boxes upon boxes of seed packets, but every year I buy more.  I just cannot resist. 🌼🌺🌸

I found this rock that looks like a bird's feather. So neat! 

 Marigolds and zinnias grow best in the holler, but that does not stop me from trying other seeds in hopes that they will take hold. 

 Anywhooo... today I am going to work on a new project that I am calling "Blooms for You" which is just a simple row of blooms standing in a neat little row all proud and pretty. I sure wish my flowers would behave that way. Hee! Hee! 

A start on Blooms for You. 

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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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 I already have a finishing idea! Maybe finishing "Blooms for You " on top of a box for seed packets- that would be cute. What do you think? 

UPDATE: April 9, 2025 I finally finished Blooms for You after finding the perfect wooden box at the thrift store. 

I now have my seed box for the planting season. 🤗

Happy Stitching, Sweeties and...

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Warm days invite us to embrace the sunshine. " 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

 A knobby tree trunk near our camp. 

One Tree Up and More To Go

 Good Monday morning, Sunshine! I hope the 1st Monday of November is treating you well. We had a rainy day yesterday. It drizzled off and on all day long. 

As Mr. Pinker worked away smoking his venison jerky in the smokers, I made my way down to the garage in search for something to put my Christmas tree in . Last year I decorated the living room tree in the gingerbread theme and nestled it into a little wooden wagon that I had purchase nigh 20 years ago but never used . 

2024 Gingerbread tree

Hmmm what to do this year. Well it did not take me long to locate this rusty, crusty old trunk.

Time to clean this old trunk. 

I know. I know . Some of you are saying "Uggh ! Eeek ! That looks pretty crusty. Are you going to use that? "  LOL But that is why I love it! The rustier and crustier the better. It gives it character in my eyes. I bought this little treasure probably 23 years ago for just a couple of dollars at an auction. A great barn find!  Besides I think I can spiffy it up with a little elbow grease. 

As I pulled the trunk out of the depths of the back of the garage, Mr. Pinker quickly moved away from his smoker and carried it to the patio. I soon began to scrub this trunk to the bone. 

Decorations from my 2024 gingerbread themed tree

After a good scrubbing, I moved the trunk inside before the rain set in again.

 💡So here is my idea.💡 

I am thinking of decorating my tree in the "Candy theme" . I will put a small 6 1/2 " foot tree in the  old wooden trunk and fill  the trunk with vintage toys. Well that's my vision. We will see if I can pull it off without a hitch.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

"RING! RING! RING!"  - went the phone. 

"Are you coming over to decorate my tree? " asked my daughter. 

"Be there in a minute , " I replied and in 2 shakes of a lamb's tail I was at my daughter's home which is a hop , skip and a jump away from the ole' homestead. 

She had her tree up and all of the ornaments laid out for me to decorate. Her theme was "Santa". She just used the ornaments she had from last year. 

I think it turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so. 

 My daughter's 2024 Santa tree.

 

Have you decided how you are going to decorate your tree this year?  I am curious . Do you put up more than one tree? 

I finished quilting Pear Butter which I shared the measurements of a few weeks ago. I have made this little quilt before in different colors.  I do think I need a Christmas version . Don't you? 

Pear Butter is all quilted and ready for display. 

 Last night I watched The Christmas List, a 1997 movie with Mimi Rogers which I found on Youtube and then The Most Wonderful Time of the Year with Henry Winkler, a 2008 movie. Thanks, Gail for the recommendation. It was a great movie. Hmmm not sure what I will watch tonight. 

  Image from Pinterest

As I watched my nimble fingers stitched away  on the darling Blackbird Designs "Bird in Hand" a sweet gift from dear Sonja. Thank you Sonja.🤗 It warms my heart every time I work on it.

 

Well Sweeties, it is time for me to get off here. Today is Wally World day which means picking up groceries.  Then I am going to tackle my tree. Have a very Merry Monday! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Don't mind the mess; it is all part of the holiday magic. "😁😀- Unknown 

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.

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

If you have the chance,  drop back by this afternoon . I will be posting a Thanksgiving Parade of previous stitches. 

Scrappy Hourglass Piecing

 I am mooving right along! 

Happy Thursday y'all. The other day while Mr. Pinker was out, I spent uninterrupted time at my sewing machine and enjoyed every minute of it.

 I finished  32 Scrappy hour glass blocks. 

These blocks will go along with the 25 patches that I made last week. 

All  fun blocks in The Ribbon QAL offered by Alycia at Quilty Girl. Alycia shared Step 3 this Wednesday. Soooo I better get to work..

Have a fabulous day!

 As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"The secret to making progress is to get started. " - Mark Twain.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

I have a wee start on Bird in Hand , a sweet gift from dear Sonja. Thank you Sonja. 

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

🌞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. 

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

 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

You are my Sunshine!

 Can I give you a big ole' hug? 🤗

Good morning, sweet friends and welcome. Gosh , I am  uplifted by all of the love and words of sweet encouragement to persevere. Thank you from the bottom of my pea pickin' heart for lifting me up when I was  feeling down. 🤗😘 

You are all the best! You are a ray of sunshine! And you are right. I should pick myself up, do what I love and just be me! And that is what I am going to do. Thank you, friends. 🙏🫶

You are my Blooms of Sunshine! 

 So sorry this looks crooked. 😏

Soooo... what did I do this weekend? Well a little messin' and gommin' as my Nanny would say. LOL. 😀

I was watching some videos of several textile artists who were dying fabrics for dresses , dolls and quilts using "pickings from nature". So I moseyed outside and picked a few muscadine leaves and decided to see what would happen if I dyed some 14 count Aida. 

Gathering muscadine leaves for dyeing. 

Out came the big red pot. I added the leaves, a smidge of salt - again I was just messin' and gommin'. 

Adding the muscadine leaves, water, and salt to the big pot. 

The fabric soon went into the pot as well. I brought it to a boil and then turned it down to a simmer . It brewed for quite a while. 

Oh yes, I worked with all of the kitchen stuff on my stove. I was right there with it so no danger. 😀😁

Fabric added to the pot to brew. 

The fabric turned out nice- just a soft antique look to it.  I am not sure what to I will stitch on it yet.  

 Have you ever dyed fabric with "pickins' from nature"? 

Muscadine leaf  dyed aida and  white aida

I fully finished "Tiny Blackbird from Blackbird designs. This was a gift from ,dear Barbara that I started last year. I used scraps of thrifted fabric to finish it. I look forward to using it in a fall display come autumn.  Thank you , Barbara. 🤗

And I pieced more Kitchen Sink aka Paper Chain blocks

Well, Sweeties that was my weekend in a nutshell. 

Again, I must say, you are a blessing in my life. Love ya'! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"The best happiness in life is friendship.  "- unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

Rusty crusty  garden farm equipment. 

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

Merry Christmas is my Merry Monday stitch. I will be sharing it soon.