It's a Start and a Doodle!

 Buzz ! Buzz! Buzz!   🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

For 4 months now a block has been buzzing away in my head- "Saying make me! Make me!" And it all started way back in February when sweet Linda of Texas Quilt Gal blogspot  shared her Stay At Home Round Robin quilt in progress. As soon as I saw her Puss in the Corner block, I was smitten, and I knew I wanted to make a few. 

The other day,  I could not take the buzzing any longer, I hopped, skipped, and jumped to my quilting room . After much debate, my eagle eye spotted the beautiful bundle of fat quarters that , dear Jennifer of The Inquiring Quilter sent me  a few years ago in a giveaway. 

Timeless Treasures  "The Coop Collection" 

I had been saving them as I built up a stash of more "farm themed" fabrics. 

Oink! Oink! This fabric reminds me of our days raising pigs! ❤🐷

"Today is the day," I crooned to them as I lovingly scooped the Timeless Treasures fabrics up into my hands. They smiled happily. 

Here Chick , Chick! Isn't this fabric precious? 

Soon I was off to the cutting table with pretty fabrics in hand and sweet friends on my mind. 

The fabrics are cut for the 1st block. 

Block Size: (Unfinished) 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

CUTTING: 

Cut 4 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" fabric  A

Cut 4-  2 1/2" x 4 1/2" fabric B

Cut 1- 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" fabric C

Four blocks are now made. More will come later.

 Perhaps I will add some other colors from the wee "farm collection" that I have been gathering. Hmmm maybe some blues. 

This may be a new leader/ ender project. 

 Oh shucks , that reminds me - I do need to pick up my speed on the Four Patch Fun quilt. This was Bonnie Hunter's 2025 Leader / Ender design. 

I am piecing my blocks using 2 1/2" units. (unfinished)

❤  A little Doodle just for you! ❤

Use for applique, coloring, embroidery or whatever your dream up! 

❤ My doodles are hand drawn and are never perfect. ❤

So tell me . Do you have a project buzzing about in your head - just begging to be started? Buzz! Buzz! 

There is no time like the present!  Hee! Hee!

🐝🐝🐝

Thank you for the sweet visit. I am off to piece more blocks. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"In the barnyard of life, sow kindness and reap joy.  "- 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 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 Stomping Stamp Parade 2026  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to June 2, 2026

🌞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

🌞Let's Dye Some Fabric- A tutorial on my process of dyeing Aida 

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

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

☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃

OOOPS In my previous February 1, 2025 post about my Winter Stamp Collection , I failed to post the link for Stamp 3 called  Sledding Friends Stamp. I have since went back and corrected it.  On Wednesdays , I am working on stitching the pin pillows to this collection. 

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

Just a Quilting Along

Fabrics are pulled !!! I have been pulling some fabrics for Barbara Brackman's QAL. 

Welcome, ya'll. Is this pink as pretty as a posy?  I sure think so. 

 I pulled it  to use in Barbara's Atlanta Garden Quilt. Block # 2 Grandmother's Choice  was posted on Feb. 8, 2023 .  Barbara gives you the measurements to make the choice of 2 sizes. I am creating 10" blocks. 

Such a lovely block. 

 Block #1  in the Atlanta Garden Quilt is called  Garden of Eden. 

       

Earlier this month, Kathleen Tracy of  A Sentimental Quilter hosted a free Valentine's QAL in 3 easy steps. The end result was a darling quilt called Love Letters. 

I am quite smitten over the sweet envelopes.  It was such a joy that Kathleen broke  down the steps over a few days; it felt like I was piecing along with her. 🤗  As of right now , it is still available on her blog , the final step was posted in her Feb. 6, 2023 post.  This will be going in the hoop soon. 

I have a few farm doodles for you. 

Luv Ewe , Luv Chick,  and Luv Moo were stitched in  2021. I usually pull them out in February and leave them out as little bowl fillers until Fall. Some new additions will be quite nice. I will be working on them today. 

 

Though it is not Thursday, I am still working on a bit of embroidery

I am dreaming of a new Embroidery Stitch Along. Last year I shared the Summer Days embroidered blocks over several weeks.

 It was a slow paced enjoyable stitch for me .

 I bought a couple of yards of white fabric for embroidery with some ideas in mind. Are you game for another one. 

Let me give you a hint as to what I am thinking of embroidering.👇🐔

That's my Friday ramble! May your day be filled with blessings, love and all of the stitching and quilting your heart desires. Hugs and love and 

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

I finished my Shamrock Mini Sampler that I shared Wednesday. 

 Smores and Campfire!!!  Eeeh! Mr. Pinker and I are headed out on our 1st camping adventure of year. 

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. 

Pat at  Life in  the Scrapatch for Stitch , Sew and Show- 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

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

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant - Friday

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party - Friday

Sarah at  Confessions of a Fabric Addict  for Whoop! Whoop! - Friday

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday

Angela of  So Scrappy  for Scrap Happy Saturday

Hankering for Some Stitching- Chicken Mitten Doodle

 Good morning, sweet friends.  It is another Slow Stitching Sunday. Are you ready to put up your feet, pull out a hand work project and stitch or quilt the day away? Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun ? I am going to do it so I think you should too!

Let me start out with a little Housekeeping 

1. ) OOOPS - There was an oops in yesterday's post. The instruction page had the wrong title on it. It said "Spring Farmhouse" , but it is actually the "Summer Farmhouse" . So I corrected the title on the page . Click here to revisit that post. 

2. ) Blogger is no longer using Feedburner for email subscribers. I have had my daughter  working on transitioning me over to "Follow It". She has added two "Follow by Email" gadgets on my blog- One at the top and one at the bottom. For those who had originally subscribed by email, she is working to import those emails to Follow It.  If you have been getting an email notification this week , that I have posted a blog post , I would love to know if it is working. 

Okay! Now that's done. Let's get to the fun stuff. First off how about a little Sunday Quilt Stack. 

                 

 I shared this cheerful stack last Sunday on Instagram.  I love seeing the little sweet stacks on IG. 

  I rode out to the farm the other day . Hubby was going to check the bees.🐝🍯 . 

Those little honey makers were as busy as can "bee" .  The barley is starting to grow too. So they will enjoy that soon. 

My sweet friend, Pat, sent me the loveliest package!🎁❤. Look at this darling bee skep that she sent me.

             

 Her sister made this . Didn't she do a beautiful job?  I was so excited to add this to my growing bee decor. She also sent me this darling doily that her mother made.😍  I am beyond touched.

The design is stunning! Both of these will be going in a place of honor. Thank you so much , dear Pat. The  delicate lace she sent will be used to embellish future projects. 

So what about my Slow Stitching Sunday projects? Well 1st off is my Rudolph Quilt! Woo Hoo!

I pieced this last year. The Rudolph fabric was actually from a "scrub" shirt. It was just screaming to be put into a quilt though. So I gladly cut that shirt up into usable pieces and got to piecing. 

Maybe I will have it quilted by Christmas. Fingers crossed. 

Last Sunday's cross stitch start was "Shhh" By Just Another Button Company. 

"Shhh" is all stitched and ready to be fully finished. 

This Sunday's new start will be Creative Needle Arts "Patterned Pumpkin #4" which was gifted to me by my dear friend, Karen. It is all kitted up.  Eeeh!  Thank you, Karen

For Monday's Design Wall Project. I think Preeti's Positivity Blocks are in order.

 I have so enjoyed so many quilters working on these.Visit Preeti's  Positivity QAL  to learn more about her quilt along. I am not officially in the quilt along but seeing Preeti's block sure did put a spark in me to work on this "Red Cross Quilt" . 

I have 9 blocks completed. Now to decide how to set them.  Oh, I am thinking of the decorating possibilities for a little red and white quilt.  Christmas, Valentines, Patriotic season.

 You know what? It has been a while since I have shared a doodle with you.  So today I am sharing "Chicken Mitten" . 

I drew this little gal out the other day and had her whipped up in no time.  I was originally going to embroider her in redwork, but chose to use DMC 498, 890, and 3371. 

 I bet you could have her stitched up lickety split. If you would like this little doodle for your own crafty ideas, just click on the pdf below. 

Click here for the Chicken Mitten doodle.

I think I have enough projects to keep me busy so I am off to work on one of them. Thank you so much for the sweet Sunday visit, and if you have a hankering, let me know what you are working on. 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 needle workers to meet.  

      Kathy at  Kathy's Quilts   for Slow Stitching Sunday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap

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

This is your Sunday reminder that you can handle whatever the week throws at you. 

Hugs and Stitches