Hopping on the Bunny Cart

A hoppy good day to you, sweet friends!!!   

It's official! I have gone bunny crazy!!!

 A glimpse of Waxing Moon's "Spring Trio", The Hopper House   and  Love Grows Here

  I have been itching to pull out spring decor and when I saw so many have started to decorate for spring and Easter , of course I had to jump on the bunny cart.  🐇🐰

With Thy Needle and Thread "Bunny & Co."  and  my 1869 Bunny Hop

Today I wanted to show you the cutest craft that  uses this Dollar Tree bunny. 

This sweet gal is cute as can be, but I am going to prim her up.

Lisa of Our Shabby Cottage posted this Spring craft along with other crafts on her  Youtube channel a couple of weeks ago, and I immediately became quite smitten. Using hot glue, fabrics, buttons, and lace,  I  swept up my little bunny and went to town   using Lisa's tutorial.  Soon my little bunny whom I named Flo,  received her bunny makeover .

The bunny looks quite different after her makeover. 

 Flo might not be as fancy or as cute as Lisa's bunny, but I sure enjoyed working on her.  If you are interested in watching the video  the bunny craft starts at 16.56 minutes. 

I added blush to Flo's cheeks. The whites of her eyes is scraps of cross stitch aida.

I also have a new Bunny Mini Sampler. 

 The other day I posted the Mini Tulip Sampler . I was so excited to  hear all of the ideas that many of you sent me for more minis. Thank you for the giving me so many fabulous suggestions and for the inspiration. So more minis will be on the way. 🤗

The little mini samplers have a lower case alphabet and a small motif. I try to keep them around the same size which is small. I am making mine into wee pin pillows to put into a dough bowl.

 I use yarn that I have in my stash as trim. I just twist it and whip stitch it to the seam around the pillow. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

On Tuesday , I completed this little Prairie Schooler mini. Another sweet rabbit to add to my Easter collection . I used my own floss colors which I had on hand which included DMC 898, 937, 221, 3371. 

Prairie Schooler mini finished as an ornament. 

Miss Flopsy 

Today is Embroidery Thursday. 

I am not working on a bunny stitch, but I am working on a prim spring stitchery called Spring Checklist.  I coffee dyed some cotton fabric to embroidery this little piece on. The fabric is very grungy looking. Don't you think?

A new Spring stitchery is going in the hoop. 

If you would like to stitch it , please grab the image and use for your stitching pleasure. 

 A little doodle just for you.   My doodles are hand drawn and never perfect. ❤

UPDATE: March 11, 2024. I finished piecing Spring Checklist and posted the measurements in the March 11, 2024 post.

Do you see the  empty bird's nest in the burning bush? Perhaps a birdie will move into it soon. 

I guess we better get hopping . I know you have places to go and things to do. 

A new bunny is in the works. 

 As always...

Happy quilting and stitching, y'all

Melisa

You are some bunny special!!!❤❤❤🐰🐰🐰

Hugs and Stitches !!!🤗❤🧵

Dedicated to my dear loving sister Amy . I love and miss you with all my heart, Amo!.❤🦋 ❤🦋 

Grandpa's little bench is "Bunny Central". 

Spring  is a freebie I posted last year in the March, 20, 2023 post. 

If you have the chance, pop back in after 12:00 pm, I will be posting a Spring/ Easter Parade of past stitches. 

Happy February and a Freebie or Two

Good morning, Sweethearts!!! EEEEH! It's the month of Love!!! Happy February!

From the Graphic Fairy

" I like February for the 

Hints that winter is going away

He seems to whisper in my ear

That soon the birds will sing and play. 

He tells me to get ready 

For warmer weather is on its way. - Lenore Hetrick  "

Country Cottage Needleworks February Cottage

 Today I will be taking down my Winter Decor - well at least some of it. 

Valentines and all things red and pink  will be coming out.  I have a confession to make- I do feel like I am way behind on everything for my Valentines decor should have been up a few days ago, but that is ok. It will get done. 

Tomorrow will be Groundhog Day-  day that is sometimes overlooked , but I do think the groundhog is an adorable critter. 

So what do you think he is going to predict? We have a number of groundhogs that live on the farm. In fact, there is a family of them at the strawberry field. I will have to keep my keen eye out for them . Hmmm ! Shadow or no shadow?   It has been awful warm these last few days so I am hoping for spring . Fingers crossed Mr. Groundhog does not see his shadow.  

Speaking of spring. Yesterday , I began a new spring stitch. It will be stitched up and shared on my blog soon. 

I have a couple of freebies for you if you are interested. 

They are small quick stitches- something you can whip up in a jiffy.  I haven't finished mine yet, but I was hoping to find some small wooden tags to mount them on.  I am keeping my eye out at the Dollar Tree for I am sure they will have the perfect piece soon. 

If you are interested in stitching Love Stamp and Snow Stamp  ,grab the images below. Many of ya'll know but I always encourage you to read my little disclaimer and note about getting my charts. 

NOTE: Normally I have been able to create links to the charts and instructions which were in JPG form. For some reason, recent updates on Google Docs. has prevented me from doing that and I am not able to create a pdf without having to deal with storage issues.  Many dear stitchers say they right click, save the image and then print.  I think some have copied and pasted it to a Word document that they can print off as well. I hope you are able to find a way to enjoy this chart. You will have to click each page to save. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding and for all of the helpful tips and ideas. 

I stitch my little designs for fun and to decorate my home. I feel very blessed by this community and love sharing my little charts, but I am not a professional designer. And I do not have professional software. Thank you for understanding . I am always grateful for your kind encouragement , your visits, and for stitching my little designs.

A little doodle just for you- a little groundhog beside a pot of pansies. 

My February Pansies and Groundhog Doodle  was stitched using DMC 498 using the back stitch. 

Last month I shared a January Snowman Doodle.  Is he not adorable?  I stitched him on a 7 1/2 squared piece of fabric and then trimmed it to 6 1/2" . I framed him with 2" strips . 

I hope to work on the March doodle very soon. 

A QUICK AND EASY CRAFT 

As I was pulling out some of my Valentine's decor, I found these little wax heart cookies that I made over 10 years ago and they still have held up nicely. Guess what they are made of other than wax?   BREAD!  Yep and they still look good.🍞🕯🍪

  I took a couple of slices of store bought white bread and sat them out on the counter for about an hour to get a bit stiff and then cut out little hearts with a small cookie cutter. I then dipped them in old melted candle wax several times - a bit messy but I enjoy pulling them out each year and sitting them  on the table. I have made some for every season. I can not tell you how many times family members have thought that they were cookies.🍪😋😀

Well sweetie pies, you have the most fantastic day!!! Thank you for stopping by and ...

As always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa

During this season of love, focus on loving those closet to you. Love everyone.

Hugs and Stitches and Warm Winter Wishes !!!🤗❤🧵

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

Ya'll come back now, ya hear ! 

Got Carrots?

 Good morning, dear friends. Welcome. 

                

As the days get warmer, my heart begins to sing. Do you have the same feeling? 

 I have been in the crafty mood. Over the weekend, I found the cutest carrots popping up on the internet, and I had to jump on the bandwagon. 

They are clothespin carrots. All you need is clothespins, hot glue, orange paint , paintbrush and twine , yarn or whatever you want to use for the carrot tops. If you google clothespin carrots, you will find different versions whether the crafter uses 1, 2 or 3 clothespins. I chose to use 3 for a chunkier carrot. 

 Let me show you what I did. I gathered 3 clothespins and   took off the metal holders .

 I then painted the clothespins . I used Apple Barrel Pumpkin paint from Walmart ; it was the only orange I had in the house. 

Then glue the segments together in pairs. 

Next glue 2 clothespins side by side and one on top.  

Other crafters used a variety of things for the greens, like twine, fabric, and floral sprigs. 

I had some yarn. I cut a green piece of yarn the length of my arm and wrapped it around 4 fingers to make loops. I then glued the yarn to the top of the carrot.

 I took another green yarn and wrapped around the top for a more finished look and added a twine bow. I think they turned out pretty darn cute if I say so myself.  

On a "carrot high" , I bunny hopped to the quilt nest in hopes of making a small carrot quilt.

 Eyeing some crumb fabrics that I had originally pieced for a snowman quilt, I decided to trim it and use for a background fabric.  Look at all those fabrics sewn willy nilly. 

I added a 2 1/2" border  and Wahlah , it was ready for applique. 

            

I drew a simple carrot shape and appliqued it in two shakes of a lamb's tale. 

            

Now all I have to do is some embroidery work which I hope to work on today. 

Since this is a carrot post, I thought I would leave you with a carrot recipe. 

CARROT CAKE COOKIES

YIELD : 2 1/2 dozen 

BAKE TIME: 25 minutes 

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

* 1 large egg

* 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided

* 2 cups all purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon baking powder 

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots ( about 3 medium carrots)

* 3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

* 1  1/2 cup of powdered sugar

* 3 Tablespoons of milk  

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°F with rack positioned in upper third of oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add egg and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla; beat on medium until combined, about 30 seconds.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating on low speed until just combined after each addition, about 20 seconds (dough will be slightly crumbly). Fold in carrots and walnuts until combined.

Scoop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, placing cookies 2 inches apart. Bake cookies in batches in preheated oven until bottoms of cookies are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies, and serve.

• Well I am off to make more carrots. But before you leave, let me tell you my goals for the week. 
• 1. Work on Blackbird Designs Antique Sampler 
• 2. Work on my Easter Quilt
• 3. Start a new jar cross stitch
• 4. Post a Spring cross stitch. 
• 5. Get into some crafting/ quilting mischief. 
• I think I can handle that list . Don't you? Lol. Have a blessed day, and I hope you get into a lot of crafting mischief yourself. 
• Thank you for  popping in for a visit. As always...
• Happy crafting and quilting, 
  
• Melisa
• Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable. 
• Hugs and Stitches!!!

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.  

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt  for Monday Making

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Lynette at What a Hoot!  for BOMs Away Monday

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal for To Do List Tuesday - Tuesday

•                  
• Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. Wish you was here to craft with me. Love ya. 

Dreaming of Autumn-

 Good morning, ya'll and happy happy Friday! Thank you so much for all of the sweet words of comfort and prayers sent to my family and myself. We can certainly feel your love and support, and it means so much. It may take me a few days, but I intend to respond to each and everyone. Can I give you a hug? 🤗🤗

                   

Well it happened. I just had to pull out some fall decor.😃 I just need a little distraction and a pick me up so I started out small in the little foyer where I always put out the same old thing- lots and lots of crows.  

                

Have I told you that crows are another one of my favorite birds?  I don't know why but I think they are soooooo cute.   I am still piddling with my decorating and will be tweaking for awhile , but I thought I would share my little fall tree.  

                       

Those of you who have been visiting me for awhile know how I am. Lol. I am a country clutter bug. My little tree is crammed full with everything - Hey maybe the kitchen sink is in there too! This little tree sits in an olive bucket and then it is nestled in an old enamel pot that my sister Amy gave me. I have  added  strips of homespun, Dollar Tree leaf garland, sunflowers and crows to this little  tree.The little pumpkins were from a yard sale as was the big wooden crow at the top of the tree. 

                      

A sweet little crow and raggedy scarecrow hang out at the bottom of the tree. 

                 

I pulled out some fall quilts too. They all are crow themed and have been made over the years. I have them draped over shutters from the Goodwill. 

                    

Well it is Friday and that means it is Finish It or Not Friday with Alyica. And Eeeh ! I have a finish! It is a small one- the little Kim Diehl quilt that I shared with you a few Sundays ago called Fair and Square  from Kim's book Simple Whatnots II. 

                   

It is made up of lots of little 1 1/2" squares.

 This little quilt  wandered around the house until it found its way among the country clutter hanging from the flour bin of the old hoosier top. 

                                       

Don't look too close; you may see some dust bunnies. 😆

As I was pulling out a few small quilts , I found this little piece called "Fall" that I embroidered last year.

     

 It was a freebie embroidery design that I found at Prim Mart where you can find all kinds of cute freebies. I colored mine with crayons and heat set it and then embroidered. It was sew much fun.  

                   

I also wanted to share a quick little craft that I did awhile back . Twig ornaments- Little stars made from sticks that I hot glued and added a bit of jute twine to each end.

                      

 I usually hang these on my fall tree or stick in my decor. Super cute and quick. 

                      

Well I am off to pull out more fall pieces. Staying busy is a great distraction plus the grandbabies really love seeing the pumpkins appear. lol. Now if we can only get that weather to cool down a bit . 

 I so appreciate you dropping by today and hope to chat with you real soon. Have a wonderful , safe weekend my friends and as always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll 

Melisa 

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. 

Angela of  So Scrappy  for Scrap Happy Saturday

Alycia's of Alycia Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict  for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant 143

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party 

Frederique at  Applique Patchwork Quilting for Patchwork & Quilts #61

Nostalgia- that's the Autumn; dreaming through September; Just a million lovely things;  I will always remember- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Hugs and Stitches! 

Dedicated to my sister , Amy . I love you.