Friday Happenings

It's Friday! It's Friday Yeee Haw! It's Friday!

 Good morning, Sweet friends . How are you on this lovely fall day? 

I have had a long week of cleaning and organizing in the quilt room. Slowly but surely, I am making progress, but I will spare you the photos of the room bulging of stacks of fabrics and UFO's galore. 

QUILT ALONG ALERT! QUILT ALONG ALERT!

Kathleen Tracy of Sentimental Stitcher is hosting a Scraps Stars QAL. She posted the introduction information and tips on making star points in her October, 2, 2026 post. 

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This week, I have been working on Little House Needlework's Sheep Virtues. A sweet gift from dear Donna.  ( Thank you Donna. I am loving every stitch. 🤗)

Sheep Trifle

Today , I will work on the sheep and the border.  I am stitching the Sheep Virtues as one large piece. There are 5 stitch spaces between each design. 

Time to move onto the sawtooth borders in "Oh My Stars and Pumpkins" , a sweet gift from Cheryle.💗 Thank you , Cheryle ; this is bringing me so much joy. 

 

A wavy line was handstitched in the tan border using an off white thread. 

Soon it will be time to turn down the black binding and whip it into place. 

Oooh Let me show you a couple of my thrifty finds from a couple of weeks ago. 

While in Texas, I picked up a vintage pottery pitcher from the 1990's and the darling crocheted pumpkin. 

The pitcher was made by Ellis Pottery from Marshall , Texas. The family began their business in the late 1800's.

Ok Sweeties, that is my update this week - cleaning, stitching and quilting. Now I best put on my apron and head back to that quilt room. There is more cleaning to be done. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"I can't get finished cleaning up my room because I get distracted by all of the cool stuff I find.  "- 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- 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 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

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

Paw Paws, Sheep and Quilting

 Muscadines and Paw Paws are getting ripe. 

The Paw Paw is not too pretty , but it is sweet and yummy .

Have you ever had a paw paw before?

There is not much to them, but they are oh so sweet.

The inside of a Paw Paw. 

Each paw paw usually has 6 to 8 large seeds which are about an inch in length. You just have to eat the pulp around the seeds and along the skin of the paw paw.  They are yummy!

If you would like to learn more about Paw Paws check out this article from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 

8 blocks pieced and 8 more to go on the  Irish Chain blocks .

Did you notice the Santa fabric? I always try to sneak some Christmas fabric into my scrappy quilts. 😀

Dear  Melva of Melva Loves Scraps blogspot has been hosting a wonderful Stitch Along recreating her Great Aunt Lala's Irish Chain quilt. 

In fact, she shared her final installment of the stitch- along yesterday.

But I am as slow as molasses so I am a little behind. 

I am aiming for 32 pieced blocks in my Irish Chain. 

I will be piecing 2 more blocks today. 

Thank you so much, Melva for sharing this quilt with us. You do so much for the quilting community. ❤😘

Melva's Schedule for Lala's Irish Chain SAL: 

Week 1 Cutting Instructions and Introduction: 

Week 2 Setting Blocks with Cornerstones

Week 3 Frame Setting the Blocks. 

Week 4 Patchwork Set 1

Week 5 Patchwork Set 2

Week 6  5 x 5 Patchwork Blocks

Week 7 Layout and Top

Week 8 Border

Week 9 Sandwich and Quilt

Oh what else can I show you? 

Hmmm ... Well

Last month I finished "Gratitude " in the Little House Sheep Virtues series which was gifted to me from sweet Donna. Thank you dear friend. I am loving these.

I am stitching the Sheep Virtues as one piece with 5 stitches separating each design.  The fabric is 14 count Aida which I tea/coffee dyed. 

It is time to move on to the next group of ewes . This chart is called "Kindness" .

 

Well I best get to work if I am going to catch up with Melva. Hee! Hee! If you are in the neighborhood , drop by . I have an extra machine or two and with all of us we can whip those blocks out in 2 shakes of a lamb's tail. 😀🐑🐑

Have a fantabulous day! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Begin each day with love and joy in your heart.  "- 

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- 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. 

🌞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

🌞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

Angela of  So Scrappy  for Scrap Happy Saturday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for Home Matters

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell- Sunday

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

My 2020 Country Patriotic Thrift Hutch 

Plum Street Sampler has a darling patriotic freebie called "Happy Birthday , Mr. President " in her blog post dated February 18, 2018. 

NOTE: After trying to download "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" , I found the link does not go to the chart. I am not sure if Paulette is aware or if she will fix the link in the future. But it was a darling design. 

💙💙💙 BLOGGER BLUES 💙💙💙

Oh dear, Blogger is  "glitching" again. I am not receiving updates on my Reading List. So I do apologize if I miss any of my sweet blogging friends posts. I am trying to pop in to see if you post each day.  

Tuesday Rambles

 

Do you remember a couple of months ago when I told you that Mr. Pinker found a hutch at a thrift shop for 25 smackeroos?!  It wasn't perfect. It was unstained and  missing the front doors, but it was homemade, well built,  and big .❤

 Well, Mr. Pinker stained it  with my favorite stain ,Early American, and moved it right on  into the house into the small laundry room. 

It was not long before I began filling it to the brim with what most people call "good old fashion junk!" 😀😁 I call the junk thrifty treasures though.

The hutch is tucked into a small laundry room and will be used for storage - mostly storing my blue enamelware and pottery.  The enamelware pots on the top shelf store more enamelware and  floral picks

I am happy as a clam with this new storage piece. 

The baby finches will soon be leaving their nest. It has been a joy for the grandsons to watch the little ones grow. 

 Over the weekend, Mr. Pinker and I took a road trip to Alabama where we enjoyed the beautiful farmland scenery which included vast cornfields.

The huge American flag waving in the cornfield was glorious! 

Old Glory waving in the breeze at the Walker Ranch. 

My travel stitch was Little House Needleworks, "Sheep Virtues". My sweet friend, Donna gifted me the darling charts. 

I finished  "Joyfulness" .  ( The precious felt sheep needle holder was a gift from my dear friend Patricia. Isn't it as cute as a button with the googly eyes? 🐑💗)

I then began "Gratitude". Mr. Ripper did have to come out once when I miscounted and moved the border over a row, but thankfully it was a quick and easy fix.  

Look at the splotchy  grungy Aida. I love it! 

I am stitching the Sheep Virtues  as one large pieced on 14 count coffee/ tea dyed Aida .  Five spaces separate each design.  Today I will continue working on the "Gratitude's" border. Thank you , dear Donna . I am enjoying each and every stitch. ❤😘

Well Sweeties, I guess I have rambled long enough. I do have more to share, but that will have to wait until another day. Meanwhile, I look forward to catching up and seeing what has been going on with all my stitchy friends. 

Have a Sun Shiny Day! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Do all the good you can , and make as little fuss about it as possible.  "- Charles Dickens

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. 

🌞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 

Signs of Spring- A House Freebie

 Welcome, Sweet friends. Do join my on the porch. We can listen to the sweet melody of the chirping birds, watch  the butterflies flutter and admire the flowers in bloom. Aaah Spring time is a a wonderful time of the year.  In celebration  of this season, I stitched a new house in soft greens, and it even has a porch . 

 As I worked on this piece, I would reminisce back to the good ole' days when I was a child and would visit my grandparents  in the evenings. 

Most often you would find my Papa and Nanny on the porch of their old farmhouse. Papa would watch the cows in the field as Nanny chatted away telling about the "goings on" of the day. 

Spring Farmhouse   which is modeled after my Nanny's home and Spring on the Farm

 Come springtime, Nanny would plant petunias in the concrete planters  which lined the long front porch and front steps. Us youngins' would jump off the porch which stood tall and  would scamper to the mountain stone sidewalk to pick daffodils which lined the sidewalk. We would soon take our bouquets to Nanny . She would lovingly place them in a  water filled mason jar and sit them on the farmhouse table. Such sweet memories. 

The  Signs of Spring  house does not have a pasture with cows nearby , but there are sweet ewes grazing in the front yard. I hope they do not get into the flower gardens. 

"Signs of Spring" was stitched  on 14 coffee/tea dyed Aida using 13  DMC floss colors which included:  356, 436, 610, 730, 829, 840, 918, 924, 926,  3013,  3021, 3363, Blanc

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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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The "Sister " house to "Signs of Spring is the  The Ewe House . They are similar in color and of course there are those sheep. 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me on this lovely day as I strolled down memory lane. Perhaps fond memories of "days gone by" came back to you as well. Have a blessed day  and...

 As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Sometimes you do not realize how good the good old days were until they are gone.    " - Unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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