Here A Chick

Here a chick ! There a chick! Everywhere a chick, chick! 

Happy Happy Friday y'all. It is another beautiful day and today I am working on chickens. Now tell me can one have too  many chickens?  I think not!   

I finished appliqueing my wonky hens and baskets in the Spring while I was in camping in  Mississippi and Texas. They are appliqued on a buttercream  cotton.

Lots of 2 1/2" squares are cut and ready to be pieced. 

 I will be making  6 1/2" ( unfinished) nine patches to accompany these blocks. 

Right now I have 24 hens and baskets. I am not sure where this is going - I guess you could say I am playing in the hen house right now.

My Here A Chick blocks are stored in this Dollar Tree container that I found in the kitchen  section. 

I drew out a little chicken label to remind me what is stored in the box. Perhaps the chicken on the label will be a future quilt-  maybe.

 

Oh gosh lookie there! , How did Edna get into this post? 

"Edna, this post is about chickens!" I think I heard her neigh that she would like a quilt about her- she is such a diva! "We shall see, Edna!  We shall  see." 

 Isn't she a doll?  It is hard for me to resist that face! 

Well I am off and running ! Have a sun shiny day and ... 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa 

Life is better with chickens! 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

Nina at Creations, Quilts, Art , Whatever by Nina for Off the Wall Friday

Alycia's of Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for Home Matters

 

Chasing Butterflies

What's up Buttercup?  Good morning and a very Happy Friday to you , sweet friends. 

The last time I left off on my camping tales, Mr. Pinker and I were at Grenada Lake at Skuna Turkey Campground. 

This is a free primitive camping area, and at this time of the year, we had the whole place to  ourselves except for an occasional 4 wheeler going down to the lake with an eager fishermen on board🎣.

Cypress Knees at Grenada

 Across the road was Stevens Cemetery. 

" Do you want to visit the cemetery?" I asked Mr. Pinker. 

"Whatever you want to do, Sweetie, " replied hubby.  

"Aaah right answer, dear. " I said with a grin. 

Into the woods we went  . Soon we came to the site. "Is this it? Oh my, how sad, " I said with a frown. 

Do you see the headstone? 

" I can not believe this  cemetery is so  overgrown with briars and shrubs."

 I began to buzz about the sites studying the gravestones. 

 

Many of the graves were sunken. The oldest dated back to 1871 and the newest to 1930. There were at least 51 graves here, but there were some that were unmarked. So sad to see this resting place in such a state. 

After saying a few prayers and quiet contemplation , we soon made our way out of the woods and back to the camper. 

 

"Let's move camp, " said Mr. Pinker.

 "Ok, I thought you liked this spot. " 

 " Well, I want to see if we can get closer to the water." 

"I should have guessed that, "I said with a smile.

 Soon we were packed up and puttering down the road  and around the lake. We stopped at the visitor center and at the dam. The dam is an earthen dam that measures 13, 900 feet in length and stands 80 feet above the streambed. 

 A conduit runs under the dam and is used to control the water . There were a lot of fishermen along the channel where the  water was coming out of the conduit.  Mr. Pinker chatted with a fellow as I sat on a swing. 

A fish stake bed- habitat for fish when there is water. 

Soon we were on our way. "Now where? I asked. "Well I guess we are going right back to where we were- that's the only primitive camping that is available. "  Hee! Hee! See I told you!  We do fly by the seat of our pants. 😂👖

The next day, I woke up to an empty camper. Mr. Pinker was gone. I looked out the window to see fishing rods missing. "Aaah he found his fishing spot, "I said to myself.

  I puttered around and soon found myself setting up my stitching table.

 Today's plan was to work on some applique. 

I brought my Little Chicken appliques that I had started year ago. 

 So with needle and thread in hand, I appliqued 3 wonky baskets and worked on a new hen. I need at least 1 more hen and basket and then I will have 24 blocks. 

As I was stitching away, I felt a tap on the head. I quickly snapped around to see Mr. Pinker tapping me on the head with his fishing rod. "You catch anything?" I asked. 

"You!" exclaimed Mr. Pinker. I just smiled. 

"Soooo that means NO fish . Right?".  Mr. Pinker laughed, "Yep! How about you?"

"Oh I caught a lot of ZZZZZ's this morning and caught up on some chicken stitching. "

"Sounds like a good day!"

The water was low at Grenada Lake. 

"It has been so far".  

A cat fish noodling box at Grenada Lake. 

Mr. Pinker and I then sat down for lunch.  As I was eating I gazed out the window and eyed a big yellow butterfly. I quickly scampered up to the cabinet above my bed, pulled out some fabric and with a jump and a skip was out of the camper.  "What's going on ? " asked Mr. Pinker. "Have you spotted something? "he asked in confusion. 

 "I am off to chase butterflies," I chimed. 

The yellow butterfly flew away, but lots of small ones were nearby enjoying the early spring blooms which carpeted the forest floor. 

After taking a few snapshots, I appliqued a little yellow butterfly. It still needs it's body, but it is a start. 

So all in all Mr. Pinker and I had a grand but simple day.  I will leave you with a few photos of the lake. We stayed here for a few days before moving on. 

Thank you for the sweet visit and have a beautiful day! 

      A new house is on the finishing table. Hopefully, it will be posted tomorrow as a freebie. I would be thrilled if you come back by for a visit. Hugs! 

Happy quilting and stitching, y'all

Melisa

"Finding some quiet time in your life, I think  is hugely important. " Mariel Hemingway

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗❤🧵

Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2024 parade of home freebies.

🌞A Blooming Parade A Look at Spring and Easter Previous Freebies-   2024 Parade of Spring freebies

🌞Buzzin Bee Parade 2023-  An early 2023 bee freebie parade. 

🌞Messin and Gommin in the Kitchen -  2022 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 

Do you think this rock looks like a heart?  I thought so. It was on the beach at Grenada. 

 

Cluck , Cluck Merry Christmas- Eggs and Chicken Doodle Freebie

HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas in July!!!   Hee! Hee! 😄

You know Christmas will be here in no time.

In fact 166 days!!!! 😲🎄🎅

Welcome, ya'll and Happy Wednesday!  

I know ! I know ! Some of you are saying" Eeeeh Christmas!"  And some of you are rolling your eyes and saying. "Oh no Christmas!" Lol , but that's ok. We are just going to be jolly ole' souls- aren't we? 😀❤🤗

 OOOH! Have you heard?  Joy at Days Filled With Joy  has a whole lot of fun in store for us for the month of July . Not only is she hosting  a new  free SAL called Tis the Season , but she is also hosting a holiday Quilt Along  too. She is giving us Christmas gifts early. Isn't she? Eeeh!  I am so excited!!!😊😃❤ Thank you, Joy. 

 Joy posted Week 1's information in her July 8th post for the Stitch Along with the schedule.   I will be will be working on the embroidery today. 

My fabrics are pulled for the QAL.

 They are not very Christmasy are they? But I will see how this quilt goes in these colors. Of course I can always make another one in more traditional colors- any excuse to make another quilt. Right?  😀 

You should see Joy's fabrics - so light and cheerful . You can see her fabric selection in the "Christmas in July Mystery QAL Introduction." 

Joy gave out Week 1's work on the quilt along yesterday. In no time , I had a bowl full of scrappy four patches. Easy Peasy. 

🎅   🎄   🤶   🎅   🎄   🤶   🎅   🎄   🤶  🎅   🎄   🤶

Now  to another subject!!  Chickens! Lol ! 🐔

I am like a dog with a bone when I get on a kick, and right now I am back on the chicken kick!   

I thought I would share the little quilt that I pieced a couple of years ago called "Eggs and  Chickens" . 

From what I remember I was just trying to use up itsy bitsy scraps.  I believe I pieced mine and then embroidered it with black floss, but you could certainly do it however you like. 

The quilt measures 9"x 9" finished. Now that is small isn't it?  You could have it whipped up in no time . Since I pieced this ages ago, I will not give a tutorial  but instead just leave you the measurements and the doodle for your sewing pleasure if you so choose. 

FABRIC AND CUTTING:

WHITE FABRIC - Cut 4  - 3 1/2" squares for embroidery

BLUE FABRIC- Cut 6-  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strips. 

RED FABRIC-  Cut 6-  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strips

GREEN FABRIC-  Cut 9 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares. 

That is what is going on in the holler on this fine summer day.  I hope you are enjoying some fun at something that you love to do too. 

Ya'll stay cool and safe . The heat has been awful for some of you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and...

 As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg not by smashing it. - Arnold Glasow

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who was a crazy chicken lover too. . Love and miss you. 

Santa's Hens

Santa and his hens say,  "Ya'll come back now ya' hear!  Cluck! Cluck! "

 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. 

Susan at Quilt Fabrication for  Midweek Makers Wednesday

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

TGIFF at Melva Loves Scraps for Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday- Friday

Nina at Creations, Quilts, Art , Whatever by Nina for Off the Wall Friday

Welcome to the Hen House - Summer Hutch Tour

 Cock- a Doodle Doo!!! Good Tuesday morning, sweet Chicks ! Welcome!!! 

It wasn't a  week ago that I shared my  country clutter, but here I go again.  More clutter to share.  It's time for another summer  hutch tour    .  This time the little hutch is all a flutter with feathered friends and a few heifers to boot. 

So grab you a cup of tea or coffee and come on in and join me for a tour of the Hen House Hutch. 

I kept the red gingham buffalo checked shelf runners , but changed out my plates. I wanted to use some of my blues so I pulled out my blue enamelware plates  to use as a backdrop. I find these all the time at the thrift stores, and I pick them up if they are a dollar or less. 

🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

We will start the tour on the top shelf. 

Why look! There is ole' Daisy, the dehorned holstein cow, sitting front and center. . She is a ceramic bank that I bought years ago at Big Lots. Over the years, she lost a horn, but she is a good sport . Daisy is always ready to join in any country clutter fun. 

An old blue cookie jar sits in the corner.  I turned the lid upside down so I could place one of my wool applique pillows. It is called Chicken Scratch. I made it about 9 years ago, and I still love it. 

Lots of little treasures from my stitchy friends  are displayed too- like my metal milk can from Sue and the John Deere tractor from Gwen, and of course I always have the mini glass milk advertisement bottle from my sis. 

Summer Pasture  is one of the three stitches that I created based on my Nanny and PaPa's farm. I shared it in 2021.  It has a country garden, calves and a pond of ducks. Such sweet memories. 

Hanging just off the side of the top shelf is a little chicken stitch that I always get the sweetest compliments on. I stitched it years ago . It was a freebie that I found on Pinterest , but I am not sure who the designer is. If you know, I would love to give them credit for such a darling hen. If you are interested in it , you can find it on my Pinterest page. I think in my Chicken Stitching board. 

In the opposite corner is "Hen Party" by Little House Needleworks. It is another one of my favorite farm stitches that I enjoy bringing out each summer. 

 Sitting in the vintage jello mold is a vintage chicken salt shaker that I found in NC last year.   

I kept my wire basket of eggs hanging off the side of the hutch. I am still loving it. 

Below the wire basket is Heart in Hand Designs piece called "Summer Whirligig" which was finished in 2019. 

🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

Let's strut on down to the 2nd shelf shall we. 

Center stage on the 2nd shelf is Summer Farmhouse. It depicts my Nanny's white house with dad's red truck in the front drive and the old clothesline in the backyard with a quilt on it. Every evening we would sit on the porch and watch the cars drive by and come dusk we would catch fireflies- more sweet summertime childhood memories

Lori Holt's tractor stitch is by the blue splatterware ceramic milk jug. Gotta love a red tractor.  For as long as I can remember, dad has always had a red tractor. 

In the corner is a blue pitcher of flowers. . Lots of little salt and pepper shakers  are scattered about including the little red hen in the vintage mason jar lid  which I found in the creek. 

I tucked Bent Creek's  "Chicken Flatbed "in the milk jug. 

 Lazing about in the blue splatterware bowl is another heifer. She just had to join the hen party. 

🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

There is still more country clutter packed on the bottom shelf, and you may find a hen or two clucking about. 

One of my favorite summer quilts is this teeny chicken quilt that I embroidered a couple of years ago. 

I kept the large rooster in the corner on the hutch and moved the vintage juicer. In front of it is Summer Chicks a freebie that I shared awhile back.  

Now I ask you. Who can resist a stack of chickens? Lol Not me that is for sure.  

I am in love with this chippy blue frame that I thrifted a few years ago. In it is  my "Hen House "which I stitched in 2020, but only finished it last year. It is placed willy nilly in the frame. It may be a future Farmhouse Friday freebie soon . 

In the small blue bowl is Lizzie Kate's "Farm Sampler - Flora McSample" . I  believe it is still available  for purchase at 123 Stitch. It is  downright farm cuteness!!! 

Finished in the Dollar Tree tray is the 3rd of the Summer on the Farm stitches. Guess what is called? Lol  Summer on the Farm 😀  I hope to create a Fall on the Farm series soon which would be based on Nanny's farm.  I have already shared the Spring on the Farm series. 

The little red truck is a Walmart Christmas ornament.  I always have something Christmas out somewhere in the house. 

The vintage scales has layers of bowls and doiles on top as well as a painted watermelon slice. 

When a tree is cut down, I always grab any wedges of wood that resemble a watermelon. They are quick, cheap, easy crafts to create. 

Well ya'll that's all she wrote!  

Wheww! I bet you can see why Mr. Pinker thinks I am a bit chicken crazy! In my defense I say " Cluck Cluck!" 🐔🐔🐔😁

.  Ya'll have seen so much of this clutter and the stitches in previous posts, but I always enjoy changing it up a bit.  I can not tell you how much it means to me that you take the time to drop by to visit me.  Ya'll are the sweetest and I feel so blessed. 

Have a beautiful day and ...

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Life is better with chickens!

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who was a crazy chicken lover too. . Love and miss you. 

       🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

Previous Summer Hutch Tours are below. If you are interested , please pop in to see all of that clutter too. 😀

2021 Summer Farm Hutch was a Down on the Farm / Cow themed hutch. 

2021 Summer Hutch 

2022's Chicken Lickin' Watermelon Hutch