Sunday Musings , Strawberries , Tomatoes and a Freebie

 Sunny Sunday Salutations. How are you doing on this lovely warm day? 

I have been puttering around pulling my plants out of the greenhouse. Not all of my ferns made it, but a few survived the few months that we were gone. I have been clipping and cutting dead leaves, stems and fronds. And giving my surviving plants a good watering and a dash of epsom salt. 

   Over the years I have had great success rooting different plants. This year I decided to pull out my pretty Dollar Tree tea glasses and line the windowsill with little clippings in high hopes that they will take root. More cuttings in pretty glasses will soon join these.  Do you have a favorite plant that you like to root? I usually work with Spiderwort, Spider plants, Coelus,  and Sedum ( I just stick it in the dirt)  . Last year I gave myself a big pat on the back when I rooted an Annabelle Hydrangea and 2 rose bushes. 

Gardening season is fast approaching. I am sure we are in store for more cold days, but I will place my plants in the greenhouse if there is a cold snap. 

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A few years ago when the "strawberry farm " was still in operation , Dad and sometimes us youngins' would be busy in the field cleaning chickweed from the plastic that peeked out from the plastic near the strawberry plants. The first harvest was usually around mid April . If there was a cold snap beforehand, the sprinklers were ran during the night which made for a long day for Dad. By morning time, the strawberry blooms would be covered in ice to protect them from the frigid temps. ( That is funny how that works, but it does. ) 

I have been appliqueing strawberries for my Berries and Butterflies quilt. 

 Such warm memories. I do miss those busy but simple days when the whole family was around. 

The berries are appliqued on 8 1/2" backgrounds. I need to add the berry caps this week. 

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I can tell you "many a stories" of all of us dragging the irrigation pipes through the fields and putting them in place. Whew, you talk about back breaking work.

 But I guess I should be talking about other things shouldn't I? Like today's and this week's stitching plans. I have a lot of slow stitching that I have high hopes to work on . Can I do it? Hmmm... I am not sure , but if I can get half of it done I will be one happy stitcher.  

Now onto the plans for the week. 

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1.Work on Berries and Butterflies quilt blocks. 

🌞2. FFO Blooms for You. 

🌞3. Quilt Pretty in Peach Quilt.

This has been my 15 minute a day piece this week. Kate at Life in Pieces keeps me motivated  with the 15 minute challenge. 🤗

🌞4. Work on A Sampler for Lois Ann.

I began this little sampler while camping last month. I am stitching it using a palette of pastels on gray Rit dyed Aida. 

🌞5. Work on Little House Needlework's Farm Life.

Progress as of January 30, 2026

🌞6.Work on red four patch mini quilt. 

🌞7. Work on March Roundabout embroidery. 

🌞8.  Plant marigold seeds in pots.

  

Well, I think this list should keep me busy . Don't you? Will you be making a "To Do List for the week? 

A little Sunday quilt stack. The 3 gallon churn was my Christmas present from Mr. Pinker. Swoon.

Oh my, I almost forgot. I do need to add TASK #9 to the list. Continue working on  A Basket of Pincushions. It is just a super simple basket filled with tomato pincushions.  If you are interested in stitching with me, grab the chart below, your favorite floss colors and fabric . You can then go to town on it. 😁 This is a Choose Your Own Color Chart. These are the colors that I am thinking of using-

POSSIBLE FLOSS COLORS  I MAY USE: 

 DMC 924 (border) , 610 (basket), 815 and 3011 ( tomato and strawberries) .

Of course these colors are subject to change. I will certainly update this post as I progress. 

UPDATE: April 10, 2026 A Basket of Pincushions is  all stitched and finished.

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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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Hmmm, I am curious . What floss colors would you use? Would you stitch the tomatoes in different shades of red? 

It is stitching time so I best get to work. Thank you so much for the sweet Sunday visit. You always make the day ever so special.  Have  a blessed day.  🤗 And enjoy your stitching time too! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness ."- Frank Tyger

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  

Spinning Hearts, Four Patches, and A Pot of Gold- A St. Patrick's Day Freebie

Eeeh! It's Tiny Tuesday! Do you have a teeny weeny project in the works for today? Perhaps a quilt or a stitch? Anything will do as long as you are having fun. 🤗

Welcome,  precious friends. Please do come in and join me. May I offer you a cup of coffee? It is piping hot. Or how about a big glass of sweet iced tea?  I would love for you to join me as we sit , chat and stitch away. 

The other day, I went to the Dollar Tree. It has been a spell since I had been there so  I thought I would drop in and take a gander at their Spring decor and such.  Well my wondering eye spotted a pair of little boxes in a 2 pack which I thought would be fabulous finishing pieces. Sooooo, I snatched them up for a $1.25.  😀

When I got home , I pulled out one of the teeny stitches that I shared with you when I was camping, Spinning Hearts. I just knew I could finish it on one of the little boxes. Though I had cut my fabric small, with a wee bit of effort I was able to stretch it over a piece of cardboard and attach it to the lid of the smallest hexi paper mache box. Besides I do have another hexi box waiting in the wings. 😀

I used DMC floss colors 3011, 223 and 371. 

  I then rummaged through my scrap bin, tore some fabric and glued it to the box. Wahlah! A new finish to display with my Spring decor!  Looking back , I wish I had stitched the hearts in red.  Oh well, I may stitch another in the near future. 

Oooh ! Look at these teeny four patches. I know . I know. 😏 They are nothing fancy-, but they have possibilities of being turned into something sweet . Don't ya' think? Perhaps I will work on this project later this afternoon. 

Meanwhile, I am just itching to share just one more St. Patty's Day stitch with you, and then I am headed full force into spring stitching. 

May I introduce  a Pot of Gold Stamp ? 

It didn't take long to stitch this little stamp up. If I timed it correctly , it only took 2 shakes of a lamb's tail. Hee! Hee! 

Anywhooo,  I just used 4  DMC floss colors including DMC 783, 3345, 3364 and 3371.

Fabric scraps and a bit of lace made for a good pillow finish. 

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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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Gosh, we best get to the task at hand- stitching and quilting. Thank you so much for joining me today. 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Leave a little sparkle wherever you go!  " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

Spinning Hearts is stitched on 14 count tea/ coffee dyed fabric . 

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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

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Bee Yard - A Bee Freebie

 Hello there, Beeeautiful! Welcome! 

Mr. Pinker went out to the bee yard the other day and checked the bees.

 He said one hive did not look too good.  Oh, bother!   I have my fingers crossed that it will make it. 

These bees look healthy though.  Aren't they amazing? 

Though I have my bee stitches on display somewhere year round , at the end of July and August I pull them out to be on full display.  

Mini Bee Sampler   and , Honey Jar- From the Mason Jar Series, Home

I will continue stitching bees and sunflowers into August. What do you stitch this time of the year? 

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My newest bee stitch is called Bee Yard. It is a super simple stitch and fairly quick too. 

I finished Bee Yard on a wooden plaque that I purchased at the Dollar Tree in the craft section a couple of years ago.  The burlap ribbon is also from the Dollar Tree. 

 I painted the board white and then mounted my stitch on foam board along with some batting. I also covered two other boards with complimentary fabrics.  

Black / White gingham fabric and a yellow fabric were used for finishing. 

Lots of little bees are buzzing about in this bee yard. 😀🐝🐝🐝

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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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Well Sweeties, I better buzz. I know you have places to go, x's to be crossed and quilts to quilt! Have an awesome day doing what you love! 

Love ya!

As always,

Happy Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

"Spread  a little sweetness wherever you go!🐝🍯"

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗🧵

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I miss and love you so much.   ❤👼

Shaggy the stray  is still  hanging about. I can not get close to her, but she is not running away which is a good sign. 

Prim Rudolph Ornament- A Christmas Freebie

May I tell you again how excited I am to have my Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer quilt finished? Lol! 

I shared my finish yesterday, and I am still over the moon. I think because it took so long.  Oh, and of course there is a lot of red in the quilt- you know me and my love affair with the color red!!!❤❤❤

Welcome, y'all and a very lovely Tuesday to you. 

Finishing this little quilt inspired me to create a quick stitch, called Prim Rudolph. 

Isn't the white plastic reindeer the cutest? It is from the Dollar General this year. 

 It is just a simple flying reindeer with some scattered snowflakes. A winter blizzard is Rudolph's favorite weather to fly in.  

Santa Clause sampler and Prim Rudolph

So let me tell you about my finish.  I bought this string of unfinished wooden snowflakes at the Dollar Tree this year. 

Because I have been into junk journaling here of late, I decided to do what my Nanny would say is "Messin' and Gommin". That means playing messily with paint,  glue ,  paper and even the glittery stuff.  Eeeh! I just love a bit of  sparkle!  

After stitching the piece , I drew out a circle on a piece of cardboard and added 2 layers of batting. I layered my cross stitch on top and using needle and thread gathered the stitch on the back . In order for my stitch to fit on the Dollar Tree snowflake, I lost some of my stitched snowflakes, but I was ok with that. 

Then I took off one of the snowflakes from my string and painted the snowflake white. After it dried thoroughly, I decoupaged a small section of Rudolph sheet music which I found as a freebie from Pam Kessler on her blog House of  Hawthornes.  In order to cut the holes into the paper of the snowflake, I pushed a toothpick through the front side of the covered wooden snowflake and smoothed it over on the back. It took some time and was sticky, but I sure do enjoy making a mess. 😁😀✨  Next, I  decided to add a little sparkle an sprinkled iridescent glitter on the snowflake.  Once everything was dry, I centered my Prim Rudolph in the center of the snowflake and adhered it. You can not see much of the music sheet, but it was all about the process for me. 

 Prim Rudolph is a "Choose your own colors " chart, but if you are interested I used DMC 610, 3371, Blanc and 815. The design size is 43 x 33 and if stitched on 14 count aida like mine it would measure around 3 1/8" x 2 3/8".

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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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My designs are for personal use  and enjoyment only. 

Tomorrow my youngest daughter will be arriving home for the holidays. 

I am very excited to have her home for the next few weeks! So today I will be refreshing her room , washing linens and such.  Well I am off to get some of those chores completed and then perhaps I can enjoy some stitching time in the afternoon. 

 Are you enjoying a day of crafting or is it a chore day for you?

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with me and I wish you the most lovely day. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

Love , Create, Enjoy! 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who loved he Christmas season as much as I do.  I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

Rudolph Freebies that might interest you. 

Yukon's Christmas List and other freebies-  Cross stitch freebies from Beth at Heartstring Samplery. 

Printable Rudolph Sheet Music- free printable vintage sheet music provided by Pam Kessler on her blog House of  Hawthornes

Rudolph Cross Stitch Freebie- A free cross stitch from The Stitcherhood. 

Reindeer  Embroidery Hoop Ornament- A darling quick embroidery from Heather at Homemade Heather blog.