Blog Archive

Showing posts with label Leaves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leaves. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2026

Whitney Square - A New Thrifty Quilt Find

 It took some time , but the leaves are finally beginning to change  here in the holler. 



Up on the hill behind the well house , I spy  hints of red, gold and a tad of orange! Aaaw... the beauty of fall. 🍁🍂🍁


Wednesday rain brought a number of leaves tumbling to the ground. Once the trees are bare, Mr. Pinker will mow and mulch the leaves, but for now they are slowly creating a colorful carpet in the holler. 


In September, Mr. Pinker and I visited the small town of Whitney , Texas. I fell in love with this small community a couple of years ago. I was hoping we would spend a night at the campground, but alas we did not. Boo Hoo! LOL . ( You know me and how much I love to camp. ) 

We did go to the antique shops on the square where I found a little treasure to take home- A QUILT!     

EEEH!  That certainly brightened my day!

I am going to call this quilt "Whitney Square" since I bought it on the square.  Real creative name huh? Hee! Hee! Oh well. 😏😂😁 My mind will come up with something different later. LOL

The quilt is full size. 

This quilt is  machine pieced and hand quilted. Most of the quilting is in the ditch.   The backing is a soft muslin.  It is not perfect, but it is oh so charming, warm and snuggly! And most important it  was made with  a whole lot of love! ❤


I would like to think that a sweet Grandma made this quilt using old shirts and dresses  from the family that  were too worn to be used for clothing. I am sure there were lots of memories stitched into this quilt. 
I  can imagine Mrs. Grandma sitting back in her rocker in the late evening with the quilt  on her lap as she quilted by the flicker and crackle of the fire burning brightly in the hearth.  
 
 There are so many lovely fabrics. Of course, I am smitten with the red fabrics. 🤗 ❤



  I believe this quilt block is called The Garden of Eden according to Nancy Cabot in the 1930's.



Newspaper clipping found on Pinterest


 Mmmm.... Look at this scrumptious yellow green plaid! Love it! 


The plaid reminds me of the bright yellow hickory tree which is putting on quite a show of color this fall, but I digress. 




Anywhoo... The backing was turned toward  the front to create a folded binding . If you look carefully , you can see the  stitches used to tack down the binding along the edge of the binding. 


For a mere $28.00 , I could not leave this quilt behind. 


 So what do you think? Did I do good on this purchase?  I consider it a little souvenir from my  trip, plus a reminder of the town that I adore. 

I think it will look charming on Grandpa's old iron bed. When I change out the quilt, I will snap a photo to show you. 


Alrighty, Sweeties, I best get to movin' . Shhh don't tell anyone... but I am already decorating some of the house for Christmas.  

I know . I know . Some of you are saying "Whooa there Nelly! Hold  your Horses! It isn't Thanksgiving yet." Hee! Hee! Well, I have to start early , plus I just couldn't resist the urge  any longer.  I will admit it - I am a jolly weakling. 😁

I haven't decorated the buffet, but the quilt is hung on the wooden  quilt shelf for the Christmas season. 


I watched The Grinch and The Christmas Carol last night! Pull out the candy canes and pour me a cup of hot cocoa!  I am getting ready for Christmas! 

I hope your day is sprinkled with joy , laughter and all things stitchy!  

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"THRIFT CONFESSIONS: I saw it. I loved it . I have absolutely no place to put it . Bought it anyway.  "- Unknown.    

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who loved thrifting and camping as much as I do.  
 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 Buzzy Bee Parade An early 2025 bee freebie parade.
🌞A Sunny Sunflower Parade- 2026 A parade of sunflower freebies up to September 3, 2026
🌞Autumn Parade March- 2026 Fall Parade A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 10, 2026.
🌞 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. 
🌞Ghosts, Goblins and Jacks Galore - 2026 Halloween Parade - Halloween freebies up to September 16, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.
🌞Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Parade 2026- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 2, 2026. More Thanksgiving freebies followed  this date. 
🌞A Christmas in July Parade of Past Freebies- 2026 A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of July 6, 2026. 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
🌞Color Tinting Embroidery Designs - Explanation on how I use crayons to color my designs for hand embroidery. - July 9, 2026

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

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday

Donna at Modern on Monticello- Home Matters


Friday, March 13, 2026

Late to the Party

I may be late to the party, but I am joining in anyway. 😀

Welcome , sweet friends and a beautiful day to you. What party am I talking about? Well, Melva's Little House Sampler Quilt Along. I was hooked as soon as Melva posted about  it in her January 29th post, but am just now getting to join in. This quilt along is based on the life and stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  

Are you a big Little House on the Prairie fan like me? 


"The attic and cellar were full of good things once more and Laura and Mary had started to make patchwork quilts. Everything was beginning to be snug and cosy again. " - Laura Ingalls Wilder

It did not take long for me to rummage through my stash and find fabrics to begin the first block- The Maple Leaf.  


You know me and my love affair with the color red.  So the leaf had to be a pretty country red. 


"Then all of the leaves stopped being green. They were yellow and scarlet and crimson and golden and brown. " Laura Ingalls Wilder  - Little House in the Big Woods.

I will be working on the 2nd block, Native Star next. If I am diligent , hopefully, I can catch up .

Fabrics chosen for Native Star
 

There is still time for you to join in all of the fun. I do invite you to visit Melva. She always has so many beautiful projects in the works.  Thank you , Melva . 

And thank all of you for the sweet as maple syrup visit. Love ya'! 



As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

" A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other thing. " - Laura Ingalls Wilder 

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 needleworkers to meet. 

Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday  Wait Loss- Wednesday

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

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Little House on the Prairie Quilt Sew Along Link Party





 


 


Saturday, September 28, 2024

Leafy Table Scrap Challenge

 Red , yellow , orange and brown

 Leaves falling  to the ground

Whispering softly  Autumn is here

Cooler weather and Autumn's cheer- MV


 Have you started yet?   Started raking leaves ? No, we haven't ,but they are tumbling to the ground especially after the rain that came down this weekend.  We did not lose any trees here in the holler, but on the farm, one cedar tree and an old pear tree came tumbling down from the winds. 

Happy  Friday evening, y'all and welcome. 

 My newest Campbell's mug that I found in north TN at a thrift shop. 

  It has been a spell since I have participated in Joy's  Tablescrap Challenge at The Joyful Quilter, but as soon as I saw her theme , I decided to jump in with both feet with a wee mug rug. 

 Of course, I used the "dark" colors " as Angela has suggested for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for the month of September. This was an easy peasy  quilt to piece using leftover strips as I pieced my autumn 16 patch. 

 I mostly worked with 2" strips for the mug rug. 

 A few of the logs in the mug rug use leaf fabric.

 The backing is a  print by Cranston that I bought this summer on the World's Longest Yard Sale for pennies. 

More 16 patches have been constructed.  More on this quilt in progress in a future post. 

Alrighty Sweeties, this is just a quick drop in. I had hoped to post earlier, but it was one of those lazy daisy days. Hee! Hee! 

Have a wonderful and restful evening and ...

As always,

Happy Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

"Be leaf in yourself."🍁🍂🍁

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗🧵

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


Eeeh ! Another red house in the works! I began this stitch last night. Fingers crossed my borders will meet. 

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.

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

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday




Sunday, October 1, 2023

"October! There is Magic in the Name"

October! October!

There is magic in the name.

A clear sky , A blue sky,

And sunsets all a flame ...

October! October! 

The hills are all aglow

With red leaves, with gold leaves

That dance when the soft winds blow...

-D. Maitland Bushby


Good morning, Sunshine and Happy October! 

With Thy Needle and Thread's October Word Play. 


Shall we start the day off with a little October doodle? 

This is October Pumpkin Patch with a sweet plump cat and a big ole' pumpkin. 


Ten redwork monthly embroideries completed.  

I am using DMC 498 to stitch my monthly doodles. 


 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

 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.

  🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

My little doodles are hand drawn so they are never perfect. 



Each block is stitched  on a 7 1/2 squared piece of fabric and then trimmed it to 6 1/2" . The block is then framed  with 2" strips .

The leaves are all falling and they're falling like they're falling in love with the ground" - Andrea Gibson

A sweet scarecrow quilt embroidered a few years ago.

Four little scrappy leaves ready to be placed into a quilt. 

On Friday, Kathleen Tracy of a Sentimental Quilter shared Step Two in the Autumn Leaves SAL  Are you working on Autumn Leaves? 


I have neutral fabrics to pull and cut for Step 2. That is on the agenda today.  Hmmm what else should I work on?  Aah the November Doodle !!!  What should I draw? Do you have any suggestions? I do believe a turkey should be in the November doodle. What do ya' think? 

Oooh do you hear that? Black cats, jacks and witches are haunting my attic . I do believe they will be creeping out today.

 Lots of Halloween decor needs to be pulled out. I wish you were here to help me. I am sure I could rustle up some treats to eat as we worked and then when we finished, we could relax on the porch and enjoy some stitching.  Doesn't that sound delightful?

Well, Punkins, if I am going to get all of this done, I better get to scootin' . Have a beautiful 1st day of October and...


As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Happy October ! May your month be golden and be filled with many blessings.  

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear baby sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much, Amo. ❤❤❤  I can imagine how you would be decorating for the Halloween season. You loved it so. 


se 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












Sunday, September 24, 2023

Sweet Sunday Stitching

It is time for some sweet Sunday stitching. 

Happy Sunday, dear friends and welcome. 💓

I will be working on Butterfly Kisses today.  It is such a nice day , I do believe I will enjoy my stitching time on the porch.  Please join me. 🤗


Six butterflies to go, but today I will enjoy working on the blue one. 


I have been diligent this week about  keeping up with my stitching time- 15 minutes a day at a minimum. And I am happy to say I achieved my goal each day. 


This is the view from my front  porch.  Lots and lots of trees.  Soon they will be losing their leaves. 


On the other side of the porch is more trees and the well house. Hmm that door needs a good painting. 


Oh, I better be  very quiet . Someone is fixing to come into view beyond the pear tree. 


There she is -skinny baby deer!!! 🦌  My how she has grown. She has come for an afternoon snack . Her spots are slowly fading. 


Isn't she the sweetest? 


As I pulled out of my driveway , yesterday, she and Mama crossed the road over to the river for a drink of water.   On my return 5 minutes later, the two crossed back into my yard for their evening snack. I do enjoy watching all of the wildlife. 

Now back to quilting. 

Kathleen Tracy of A Sentimental Quilter is generously sharing an Autumn Leaves SAL. She will share the steps each Friday through mid October. If you are interested , visit, Kathleens's  blog and get Step 1 before the end of the week.   She posted Step one on September 22, 2023.

Fabrics are pulled for Step 1 of the Autumn Leaves SAL

That's what is going on in the holler this  sunny September Sunday. I am so delighted that you joined me. It made the day even sweeter.  Have a blessed day, Sweeties! 🤗

 As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa 

Autumn is a second spring when every falling  leaf is a fluttering butterfly. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

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



Popular Posts

Whitney Square - A New Thrifty Quilt Find