Raining Cats and Jacks! And a Prim Halloween Freebie

It's raining cats and "jacks"  in the holler! 🌧🐱🎃

Happy Happy Saturday, sweet friends.  We finally are getting a spot of rain after a long dry spell. 

But before I get into my post , let me thank everyone for the sweetest compliments and visits on my last couple of posts. Blogger is giving me the blues and is not allowing me to reply back. Aaargh! 😜Maybe it will be better behaved tonight. Fingers crossed!

But back today's happenings. What to do on a rainy day? Well stitch and quilt ! Hee! Hee!

  Last night , cats and jacks jumped out of my attic as the rain began to fall. That is my Halloween decorations. 

Soon they were making their way onto the hutch. The theme of the hutch all started with Walmart's newest cat cookie jar. Swoon! Meow! Thumpity Thump!  I love it! 🤗😺🧡🎔

The cat cookie jar is my newest Halloween piece from Walmart. They have the dog cookie jar too. 

By night's end, most of the goodies were on the hutch . Today I will continue to wrangle those Halloween pieces and change out the quilts.

But I do want to work on a little Prim Cat and Pumpkins Pinkeep . 

UPDATE: OCTOBER 3, 2026- It did not take long to stitch up Prim Cat and Pumpkins Pinkeep , and I fully finished it - all in a few short hours. I added a gourd pin with a scrap of fabric and some buttons to one corner. Prim Cat and Pumpkins is stitched on 14 count coffee/ tea dyed Aida. 

Prim Cat and Pumpkins Pinkeep was stitched on 14 count coffee/ tea dyed Aida. 

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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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Have you started decorating for Halloween yet? 

Oooh While I am thinking about it , let me skip down memory lane for a moment and share some snippets and links to past Halloween hutch tours. 

Ghostly Hutch Tour 2025- My hutch was filled with lots of ghosts.

 

Boo Hoo, 😢 there was no Halloween Hutch Tour in 2024. Mr. Pinker and I were camping in Texas.

BUT  What about 2023? Hmmmm

Aaah yes, I shared my Witch Apothecary Halloween Hutch  for 2023. 

2023 Halloween Hutch - Witch Apothecary 

2022 was dedicated to all things Jack- o- lanterns in my  Jacks, Jacks and More Jacks  October hutch theme. There were 45 Jacks on this hutch. Wheww! That's a lot! 

A Modge Podge of Halloween was the theme of my 2020 Halloween hutch. 

So how are you spending your day today? Is it starting to feel like Fall in your neck of the woods?

Well Punkins, I am off to see what I can get into. I hope you find a little joyful mischief to brighten your day too. 

Thank you for the sweet Saturday visit! Love ya'! 😽🧡

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"I'm  so glad  I live in a world where there are Octobers.  "- L. M. Montgomery

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

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🌞 Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 

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🌞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 Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. 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

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🌞Color Tinting Embroidery Designs - Explanation on how I use crayons to color my designs for hand embroidery. - July 9, 2026

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Yesterday, I shared my Pumpkins, Pumpkins and More Pumpkins Hutch Tour. If you would like to see all of that country clutter, just click on the link. 

Tiny Pumpkin House - A Fall Freebie

Roll out the pumpkins and bring on the spice! Today is National Pumpkin Spice Day! 

Hmmm... I think I will celebrate with a dash of Pumpkin Spice in my black coffee , AND  ...

My daughter gifted me my newest coffee mug . A little pumpkin spice in my coffee will be perfect on this hot autumn day. 

 I do think the warm aroma of a pumpkin spice candle is in order for the day. 😀

The Walmart pumpkin Spice candle has a nice fragrance but not too overwhelming. 

AND... since I have an extra small quilt hoop open- why not start quilting on another project. 

This little four patch is going to be going into the hoop today. I think I will call it Pumpkin Spice- it looks spicy doesn't it. LOL. 

I pieced this little four patch quilt using leftover fabrics from The Autumn Sixteen Patch which I pieced last year. 

The little four patches include fabric from my Four and Twenty Blackbirds Quilt. 

And what a perfect day to roll out a new tiny house for the month! Little roly poly pumpkins are growing in the yard. 

May I introduce to you  the Tiny Pumpkin House . It was actually the first Tiny house I stitched and it started the whole series. So I do have a soft spot for it. 

"A Pumpkin and A Crow" ( an upcoming freebie), Tiny Pumpkin House and "Pumpkin Basket" ( Hmmm... I do not believe I have shared it yet. 🤔) 

If you decide to stitch any of my designs , feel free to choose your own floss colors. I always use whatever floss colors I have on hand at the time and what suits my home decor. ❤

    The following DMC floss colors were used in the making of Tiny Pumpkin House (aka Tiny Pumpkin Patch House):

🍂 301-  right/ left pumpkins

🍂 722-  middle pumpkin

🍂 729-  main house

🍂 732- grass

🍂782-  house additions

🍂898 border, pumpkin stems

🍂 3371 roof, windows, doorway 

 Tiny Pumpkin House was stitched on 14 count tea/ coffee dyed Aida.  I posted on how I dye my Aida in 2024  in my Time to Dye- post. 

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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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A finishing tutorial was shared in January 2026

Like all of my Tiny Houses, the Tiny Pumpkin House is finished in the same manner into a wee pin pillow with a bit of print fabric and lace. I shared the measurements in  my January 13, 2026 post along with the 1st house in the series, Tiny Winter's Day House. ( There will be 12 houses all together.)

If you have missed any of the other houses and are interested , just click on the colored links and you will be transported back to the post and the charts.

 

 Tiny Winter's Day House, Tiny Love House , Tiny March House , Tiny Tulip House ,

 Tiny Tomato House,   Tiny Butterfly House

Tiny Summer House,    Tiny House in the Beeyard,

 and Tiny Sunflower House

With Thy Needle and Thread's October Word Play

 Today, I hope to sit down to the sewing machine for a few "pieceful" hours but I also want to start pulling out my Halloween decor. - Mmmm decisions , decisions. 

Clipart from Vintage Fan girl blog 

So tell me . How are you  going to celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day and the 1st of October? 

I sure hope you spend a few minutes of your day doing something that you love. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Pumpkin spice makes everything nice!   "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

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🌞 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

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🌞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. 

🌞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 

If you have the chance , pop back in for an afternoon visit. I will be sharing the latest roundabout doodle around 1:00 p.m. CST. 

The Maize Basket Sampler - A Thanksgiving/ Fall Freebie

 Good Tuesday morning, Autumn Sunshine! Welcome! It would be such a joy if you joined me for a cup of coffee or perhaps some tea.

 This morning I will be enjoying some apple slices for breakfast. Please don't be bashful and do grab you a plate of some as well. 

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. 

 I would love to show you my latest Fall stitch. Yes, I am still stitching fall as well as Christmas . What's a girl to do? I am a seasonal stitcher , but I do love working on all of the holiday pretties. 

Anywhooo... my latest stitch is called The Maize Basket Sampler which could be whipped in no time. It has a simple basket of a bountiful harvest of corn  and a big, plump, prim pumpkin followed by a pretty alphabet. 

 I stitched mine on 14 count Aida which I coffee/ tea dyed myself. 

Six DMC Floss Colors were used in this piece including: DMC 301, 610, 782, 831, 844, 3011. But of course if you decided to stitch it you could  use any color that your heart desires. 

I thought I would give you a break down on where the colors are. 

BASKET: DMC 610

CORN: DMC  3011, 782

PUMPKIN: DMC 301, 610, 831

ALPHABET: 844

This little sampler will go along with a house stitch called "The Maize House"  that I will be sharing hopefully next week. When I fully finish  The Maize House , it will join my bowl of fall houses which I have shared previously.  The links to all of the houses can be found in yesterday's Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025. 

My finish for  The Maize Basket Sampler  was inspired by the ever so talented and my sweet friend, Carol of  Stitching Dreams blogspot. In September, she shared her Little House Needlework's "Be Merry" finish where she used a bit of fabric and trim and fitted her piece into a frame- just darling.     I was able to fit mine in a thrifted 5" x 7" frame. Thank you , Carol for always being an inspiration. Please do hop over and visit , Carol. You will be so delighted by her beautiful  blog. ❤🤗

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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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Alrighty , Sweeties, I will not keep you any longer. I know you have a busy day ahead of you so do take care and enjoy each and every moment. 

I will leave you with a photo of one of my favorite stitches that I keep out year round . It is a darling freebie from Lori at Notforgotten Farm. - "Keep A Thankful Heart".   Thank you Lori for sharing it with us. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. "- Willie Nelson 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

. 

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 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.

🌞 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. 

I will be taking down the foyer shelf decorations. Time for Santa to pull his sleigh of reindeer in and nestle in for the upcoming Christmas holiday. 

Harvest Moon Home- A House Freebie

Ooooh, tonight the Harvest Moon will grace our skies. Are you going to put on your robe and slippers and go out to see it?  I think I will. Of course, I may have to do some convincing of Mr. Pinker to take me out to the farm for a better view. These old trees in the holler  are too much of an obstruction to view the moon properly.  Besides we can go see  ole' Edna, Rodster, Molly and the twins as we  gaze at the moon in all its glory. LOL

Molly and her twins, Mutt & Jeff are doing well. The twins are growing like a weed. 

How about a little Harvest Moon trivia? My girls has always said I have a mind for random facts. LOL I  really do! I just love tid bits of information on this and that no matter how useless the information is. 😀🙄🤣

🌝 HARVEST MOON TRIVIA 🌝

🌝From my understanding, the moon will be 224, 600 miles miles from Earth compared to its usual 238, 900 miles. And... it is supposed to appear 30 % brighter and 14 % larger than normal. How exciting! 

🌝3 more super moons will follow in November, December and January. On November 5th , the moon is supposed to be at its closest to the earth. 

Excuse Rodster. He has been eating. 😀🐮🐄

In celebration of this month's Super Moon, I have a new house stitch to share with you. It is called The Harvest Moon House.

A small pumpkin patch was planted in the front yard of the warm autumn cabin. 

Hoot ! Hoot! call  the owls as the moon begins to rise. 

And then of course there is the big, glorious Harvest Moon. 

"The Harvest Moon glows round and bold, 

In pumpkin shades outlined in gold, " - Richelle E. Goodrich

I have to admit I had so much fun stitching this one, and this house may be  my favorite for this year.  

"Aim for the moon. If you miss, you might hit a star. "- W. Clement Stone

Harvest Moon House has a design size of 76 x 74. I stitched mine on 14 count Aida that I coffee / tea dyed which brought this to about 5 3/ 8" x 5 1/4". 

Sixteen floss colors were used in this piece including  DMC 301, 435, 730, 739, 780, 829, 832,844, 919, 920, 934, 975, 977, 3012, 3781,  and 3853 . I actually did not realize I used so many floss colors until I had finished. Of course, you could use as many or as few as you liked.

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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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I finished Fall Checklist  which I shared earlier. I embroidered mine in DMC 898. If you have a chance, pop over to Di's blog , Quilting is Blissful . Not only does she show the gorgeous projects that she finished this past week, but she shared how she finished the Fall Checklist  into a darling pillow. Thank you, again, Di for stitching so many of my pieces. ❤🤗

I will keep it short and sweet today. Have a beautiful day and enjoy the Harvest Moon. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"May your dreams be sweet under the beauty and magic of the Harvest Moon. "- 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- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.

🌞 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. 

Vintage pottery and crocks on the fall foyer shelf .