A Day of Junkin' and Quiltin'

My newest apron. 

  I went junkin' the other day, and it was a delight! 😀

Welcome,  Sweet friends and Happy Happy Thursday! 

Mr. Pinker and I took some stolen moments the other day to get away from all of the hustle and bustle . Where did we go? Well the thrift stores of course. And let me tell you ! I was in Heaven! 

Tin Heaven that is! I hit the mother load in reproduction tins and by golly,  I loaded my buggy down with one tin after another. 

All of the tins were just a dollar. Can not beat that with a stick! 

"Did you get all of the tins?" asked the cashier. 

"Nope, but I sure wish I could have! " I said with a grin.

 

I then went on to explain how Mr. Pinker and I each had grandparents that once owned  old general stores, and that we like to recreate that "general store" look with advertising tins, signs and such.    My Grandpa's and Granny's store was in Fulton County , KY in the early 1920-1940's. Mom said it was on stilts. According to Granny , she and Grandpa would have to pull items off the floor if a flood arose. I sure would have liked to have seen the old store. 

Anywhooo... Back to the junkin. Not only did I come home with tins, but on the Dime Table , I found some hand painted ceramic birds, a small lamb and a vintage Mother's poem.  

Treasures from the  "Dime Tables" at the thrift store. 

And to top it off I found a bit of enamelware. I was one happy gal to say the least. 

What else has been going on? ....Hmmm well I finished Block 4 in Melva's Little House on the Prairie SAL.   

The Shoo Fly block is one of my favorites. Oh what fun I had at the machine. 

 

Since I was showcasing the Shoo Fly block , I pulled out my vintage "bug sprayers" that my sweet sister gave me. She liked rusty crusty vintage items like me. 

Four blocks completed . Now it's time for me to work on Block 5 Rails. Eeeh! Another favorite block to work on!  Melva released it last Thursday. 

Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along Posts:

INTRODUCTION of the Little House on the  Prairie Stitching Along - January 29, 2026

Block 1 Maple Leaf- February 5, 2026

Block 2 Native Star- February 19, 2026

Block 3 Harvest Basket- March 5, 2026

Block 4 Shoo Fly- March 19, 2026

Block 5 Rails- April 2, 2026

Remember, that Melva's Stitch Along is free until the end of the event. So run don't walk over to Melva's blog and join in.  It is always a joy to see what Melva is working on ; plus on Sundays she does a Sew and Tell Link Party , another fun event.

Alrighty Sweeties, that is my rambles for today. I am changing out my Easter decor for Spring so I will continue working on that today. 

Spring Farmhouse  and  1869 Spring Chick Crock.

Thank you for joining me today. I am sorry I have been so scarce lately. As many of you know, we have had some family illness and have been caregiving here lately.  Please be patient with me as I try to get into a "new" groove. 

Have a fabulous day and remember to do something that you love even if you have to sneak in a few stolen moments. Love ya'!😘

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Kindness can transform someone's dark moment with a blaze of light. "- Amy Leigh MerCree 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

I also picked up some Sugar 'n Cream yarns at the thrift store.  Yummy colors. 

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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

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.

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

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

A Creepy Crawlie Finish

A little spider told me that I needed to finish a quilt!

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Little Eeek and Jack Stamp

Good morning, Sweetie Pies!   

Just in time for Halloween , I finished Shoo Spider Shoo! 

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Shoo Fly Shoo measures 16 " x 16". 

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I started this little quilt a couple of years ago using Halloween fabrics that had been in my stash for eons. Though it is not perfect, I think it turned out pretty cute despite all of the creepy crawlies.🕷🕷🕷 Hee! Hee! 

 I shared the measurements in my Sept . 15 2021 post.

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I think I will start a little Christmas themed quilt next. 

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Boo Hoo!  Ole' Edna is sad and lonely! 

 

Her bestie-  Rodster the bull has returned to his home farm after spending many months courting the gals. Most of the time he and Edna would be seen grazing together .  When Rodster was hauled away, Edna was none too happy and was quite a spectacle.😊😏 Thankfully, she has calmed down now. Bless her  pea pickin' heart. ❤

Goodbye, Rodster. I hope you return next spring. You are adorable! 

Alrighty, y'all that is what is going on in the holler today. I hope your day is a delightful one and watch out for any creepy crawlies.  🕷🕷🕷 🕷🕷🕷 🕷🕷🕷 🕷🕷🕷 🕷🕷🕷 🕷🕷

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Because of you , I laugh a little harder, cry a little less and smile a lot more. "- unknown 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

Top Hat Jack a freebie from Lori at Not forgotten Farm available on her website. 

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

 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.

Down the Rabbit Hole, I Go!

 Does Pinterest get you in trouble? 

Good morning sweet friends and Happy Monday! 

I have pulled out my fall mugs.  Do you have a mug obsession . I do . Lol

So how about it ? Do  you find yourself falling down rabbit holes when you visit, Pinterest. I sure do.  

The other day I was searching for primitive cupboards when low and behold I spotted an antique quilt behind a cupboard and there I went falling way, way, way down the rabbit hole. "Oh, I just have to replicate this quilt, " I thought.  Soon I was running like a very furry white rabbit to my quilt nest. 

Mr. Pinker  turned and asked "What race are you running?"  

"I'm late ! I'm late for a very important date! " , I said as I began to scramble out the door. 

Graphic from the Graphic Fairy

 Mr. Pinker  just rolled his eyes as he saw me high tail it to the quilt nest ;  he knew what was going on. 

Soon I came out holding a pile of fabrics in arm, and I skipped and jumped  all the way back to the house and straight to the cutting  table. 

With a swish and a swoosh, I was soon cutting fabrics up a storm into  3 1/2" and 3 7/8" squares.  

My intentions were to wait until the next day to piece a block or two, but of course I could not contain my excitement and soon  my sewing machine was buzzing along . 

Several Shoo Fly blocks were pieced. 

 I am using what fabrics that I have on hand, but the quilt that I saw was composed of sweet Shoo Fly blocks in reds and greens. They were set on the diagonal with mustard yellow squares as the secondary blocks. 

Aaah Swoon! 🤗❤💚💛 So today, I will continue down the rabbit hole and work on more Shoo Fly blocks. 

Now onto the plans for the week. 

 Did I Get'r Done... Well   -  Last Week's Goals were... 

❌🌞1. Quilt on border in the  Summer Days Quilt.

❌🌞2. Quilt at least 1 block in my Butterfly Kisses quilt.

❌🌞3. Start a new cross stitch saltbox house.

✅🌞4. Post a new cross stitch. 

✅🌞5. Enjoy time with my daughter. We had a great time with my daughter. We spent time at the lake, went to the kiddos ballgames  and enjoyed family time together. 

Yikes! I give myself a great big F on this past week's goal. Oh well, I enjoyed every minute with my kiddos and I can always try to make up for it this week. 

 Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1. Quilt on border in the  Summer Days Quilt.

🌞2. Quilt at least 1 block in my Butterfly Kisses quilt.

🌞3. Start a new cross stitch saltbox house.

🌞4. Finish the quilting on a small quilt that I will  post soon. 

🌞5. Piece more flag blocks. 

6. Create a new Halloween stamp.

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Well, I better get busy if I want to get some of these Shoo Fly blocks completed. I sure do wish you were here then this quilt would be whipped up in no time flat.  Have a beautiful day, sweet friends. 

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

Memories at the lake will last a lifetime. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

This little fox reminds me of my sister.  So sweet. 

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. 

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for This and That

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday 

Pink is my new Obsession!

 A very Happy Groundhog's Day to you!

Did you know that it is Hedgehog Day too!!! 

Our nearest prognosticator was Chuck the Groundhog, but after his untimely death  in 2019 , Luna the Hedgehog took over. I am waiting on pins and needles to see what she predicts. I do believe our family of groundhogs at the strawberry field  will not see their shadow for it is a rainy day-- so should I predict an early spring? 😁

I wanted to thank everyone for the kind words on my February stitch that I posted on IG yesterday. It was a freebie from Rainbow Gallery in the 2004 series. I used my own floss colors to stitch it. If you click the colored text it will take you to the Rainbow Gallery freebie section.

🎵♬Pink is my  new obsession

Pink is not even the question...

Pink its the color of passion

Cause today it goes with the fashion... - Aerosmith.  🎵♬

Ooooh! I love pink !!! I really do! Well to be honest there is not a color that I do not like but pink ranks at the very top of my favorites. In fact, I have 2 bedrooms painted in shades of pink and loads of pink in my living room. So when Angela said pink was the color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I broke out in song to the tune of Aerosmith's "Pink" as I rummaged through my scrap bins for pinks.

 

Thankfully I already had a few pinks pulled out for my Wild Wild Rose Quilt. 

 I finished piecing 20 blocks earlier this week. I didn't have room to lay them all out here, but you get the idea of where they are going.  I was inspired by Beth at Love Laugh Quilt blog and from  her Youtube My Sewing Room where she shared a tutorial on how to create these blocks. Soon I will have these pieced into a top. 

I then moved on to creating  Shoo Fly blocks and 54-40 or Fight Blocks. 

The Missouri Star Quilt Company shared how to create the 54-40 or Fight Freestyle Quilt on their Youtube channel. It is a lot of fun since the points do not have to be "real " precise. 

Do any of you recognize the white fabric? A 2000 print though the selvage has it dated at 1997. It was time to put this fabric to use! 😀🗓

Speaking of pink . Lookie at my new "ball bag" my daughter bought me!!!👀❤ I will be taking this bag to the baseball and football games later this year, and it will be loaded down with snacks , projects, and toys for the kiddos as we watch the ball games.  But for right now it holds stitching and quilting and is nestled right by my stitchy chair. 

Well today is embroidery Thursday, and I am behind on Joy's stitching along at Days Filled With Joy. She is hosting another fun filled embroidery stitch along . This one being Winter Themed. Oooh!  A perfect way to spend the winter evening for Joy creates the cutest designs.   On Friday, she will be releasing Week 3 on the stitch along. So if you have a chance hop over and grab the sweet design . 

NOTE: I just wanted to tell ya'll that as of last week, I can not reply back to you through email if you comment on my blog. I am not sure what has changed that made that happen , but I will respond back in the comments below. It might take me a day or so. I truly appreciate you all. Hugs and love!!!🤗❤ 

I am off to stitch the evening away. Keep those fingers nimble and create something beautiful. Have a perfectly pink day!!!💘💗💝Hey! And don't forget - You are awesome!!!!!

As Always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa

No matter how long the winter is, spring is sure to follow.  

          

Hugs and Stitches and Warm Winter Wishes !!!🤗❤🧵

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy   . Love and miss you., Amo ❤❤ And dedicated to my dear Granny whose birthday is today. 

Ya'll come back now, ya hear !

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

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

Piecing Along on Quilt Alongs-

Hello there , Sunshine!!!! It is another beautiful winter's day. 

      

Earlier this week , I rummaged through my fabrics and found 4 lovely fabrics to use for Block #1  in the Atlanta Garden Quilt which is a free QAL with Barbara Brackman of Civil War Quilts blog. 

She posted this block called "Garden of Eden in her Wednesday Jan. 11, 2023 post along with the story of Carrie Mabry Berry who lived in Atlanta during the Civil War and kept a diary- very interesting. I hope you will drop by Barbara's blog to read more about Carrie and to see different versions of the block. 

 This block was a super easy one to piece and so enjoyable. 

Barbara gave an "Introduction to  the Atlanta Garden BOM" in her December 21, 2022 post along with information on the alternate blocks and yardage.  Each month on the 2nd Wednesday, Barbara will release a new block and in March she will begin a applique BOM. How exciting!!!

 My shoo fly blocks have increased by 21 blocks.  These are for Kathleen Tracy's Shoo Fly Quilt Along. 

 I think I have enough to create a mini quilt for the month , but I will be making more this next week. 

There is always something fun going on in the quilting and stitching communities. Isn't there? 

          

Yesterday was Farmhouse Friday and I failed to show you what I was working on .  

This is my Granny's log cabin . She didn't live on a farm , but it was more like a little mountain homestead with an apple orchard and lots of grape vines . 

Well , sweeties,  I have the grandbabies' ball games to head to and then a bit of shopping will round out my day. Hopefully, by the evening I will be able to sit down and sew a bit. I hope you have the chance to do something you enjoy today. Have a fabulous weekend and... 

 As Always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa

Be happy with the beautiful things that make you you! - Beyonce

Hugs and Stitches and Warm Winter Wishes !!!🤗❤🧵

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

Ya'll come back now, ya hear !

 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

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- 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

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