Just Stitching and Quilting

In 2 shakes of a lamb's "cat's" tail ,   Prim Cat and Pumpkins Pinkeep   was all stitched up, and it didn't take long to fully finish it into a simple little pillow either ! 

Sometimes it feels good to work on something super simple. Doesn't it? 

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

 Yee Haw! A new house is in the works.

Oh bummer, I am sorry to inform you that the house under construction already has an infestation problem. 🐿 Hee! Hee!  Should I shoo the squirrels away?! Hmmm... I don't think so. I will see what mischief they get into first.

The Squirrel House is nearing completion. 

On the Halloween Stitching Front...

Witch Hazel has cast a spell on  me and has me  going out of my comfort zone. She was adamant that her house must be purple, and there was no convincing her otherwise. 💜

What's a girl to do? But to STITCH! STITCH! STITCH! on a  plum purple house as ghostly spirits watch  my every move. 👻👻👻

ON THE QUILTING FRONT... Well...

Four more blocks were pieced on Melva's Irish Chain Stitch along. 

I thought I was on a roll and ready to sew my blocks into rows when..... SCREECH!  STOP! 

I laid my blocks out and realized I did not have enough. Oh Fiddlesticks! I had miscounted. I need 8 more chain blocks and 7 more yellow blocks. So I will be working the "Chain Gang"! 

As I was stacking my blocks I paused when I saw one block had a mistake. EEEEK! Do you see it ? I placed a green square in the corner when there should have been a red one. Thankfully, that will be a super quick fix. Sooo.... Mrs. Jackie Ripper will be coming out today.  And I may rework some of the other blocks with the dark blues. Sigh. 😏😊

Oopsie - daisy! I made a mistake. I need to do some ripping! 

So these are  my projects for the week. 
Have you made your plans for the week?  I  would love to hear what you are working on. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"A busy day is a good day.  "-

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

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

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

A fall Sunday quilt stack on my favorite sunny child's chair. 

 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

The little crocheted pumpkin was a thrifty find from Texas and the green glassware was picked up in Arkansas on my recent trip. 

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

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday 

Just Scrappin' Along!

"What's on the plate ?" asked Mr. Pinker.

"A whole lot of crumbs and scraps, "I replied "And I am bound and determined to whittle those little suckers down. "

I earnestly began piecing the scraps from the orange and brown bin . 

With a Zooom, Zooom, Zooom and a Snip, Snip, Snip,

I soon had a little bitty quilt mat pieced into small rows . I am  calling this quilt  "Tobacco Row" because it reminds me of the tobacco fields once that the burley tobacco was cut and removed from the field in late August.  

Tiny crumbs are pieced in wonky fashion into 2" rows. 

A  tobacco field in Kentucky

"Look, Sweetie! " I yelled to Mr. Pinker . A little quilt. 

Mr. Pinker glanced up and gave me a nod. Clearly he was not as excited as I was. Oh well. 😏😁

Next I moved to piecing the larger orange scraps in the bin.  From the large crumbs, I pieced a big patchwork of "oranges".

More crumbs and scraps pieced into a larger piece of fabric. 

"Are you about done, dear? " asked Mr. Pinker as he poked his head into the quilt room. He dared not to enter too far for he might be put to work or God forbid an avalanche of fabric might come tumbling down from their precariously stacked perch on the shelves. 🥴🤪

 

"No, a roly poly patchwork pumpkin is on my mind. Give me another 30 minutes or so, " I cawed. 

I then went merrily back to work. With chalk and scissors in hand, I cut out a round happy scrappy pumpkin and a tall crow and leaf. 

I then cut out a background square measuring 18 1/2" unfinished and added 3 1/2" ( unfinished borders). 

Rough cut applique pieces being auditioned to applique. 

Seeing that I made some progress and knowing that I emptied a few scraps out of my orange bin, I decided to take a break and head to the living room to see what Mr. Pinker was up to.  

To my surprise and delight, Mr. Pinker was busy bustling about in the kitchen. "Super is ready, " he said with a smile.

"Yee Haw! " I exclaimed. 

Creamy pasta with tomatoes, peppers and homemade biscuits

I think I am one lucky gal! 

I will be working on the scrappy pumpkin quilt this week. I plan to use needleturn applique to stitch that wonky punkin down . If all goes well, I will have this quilt on the wall in no time. This will be my 15 minute a day project for the week. 

Alrighty, Sweeties! I am grabbing my needle and getting to work! What are you working on today? 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"When life gives you scraps, make a quilt.  "- 

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 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

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday 

In and Out of the Hoop , Plus Autumn Patchwork - A Fall Freebie

 One quilt out of the hoop and another is going in!

Eeeh, it is moving day for the quilt hoop!

I finished quilting the border on my Roll and Bake quilt. This has been my 15 a minute a day project for the week.

So now, Roll and Bake is officially out of the hoop.

If you missed these little free doodles that I posted a few years ago, just click on the colored links to visit the posts.

 Roll and Bake  ,   A Bowl of Gingerbread,  A Plate of Gingers  and   Gingerbread and Marshmallows

But there is binding to be added. I am using the Christmas fabric that came from the "Great bag of fabric" that my nephew gifted me a few years ago. So you can guess what I am going to be up to today. Binding!

2 " wide strips cut for binding

And then.... I will begin quilting this darling quilt sent to me by my sweet friend, Cheryle. She gifted me this quilt last year, but I wanted to save it to quilt during the "fall season". Isn't it gorgeous?

Swoon .🧡🤗 Just love those four patch pumpkins. Thank you, dear Cheryle. ❤😘

Inspired by Cheryle beautiful quilt , I drew up a little stitch to work on called "Autumn Patchwork" . I will be working on it today.

"Autumn Patchwork" is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS CHART so you choose whatever colors your sweet heart desires .

The colors that are depicted in the chart MAY NOT be the colors that I choose when I stitch my piece.

I will certainly let you know what colors I settle on as I work on this little pumpkin patchwork.

UPDATE! UPDATE!

Sept. 29, 2026- Autumn Patchwork is all stitched up.

 If you are interested, here are the floss colors I used. 

FLOSS  : SYMBOL  MOTIF:

DMC 301 ( C) Rail Blocks

DMC 437 (W) Nine Patch blocks, Center block 

DMC 601( X) Pumpkin  Stem

DMC 730 ( V) Border

DMC 921(B) Corner blocks, Pumpkin

DMC 3371 ( • )  Border, Nine Patch blocks , Rail blocks

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵
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. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

FREEBIE ALERT:

Herrschners posted a Fall Bird freebie this week. It is a darling piece.

Herrschners Fall Bird Embroidery Freebie

Well Sweeties, I think I have enough to keep me busy on this Slow Stitching Sunday . Don't you?

Have a beautiful day stitching away your dreams and...

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"A day spent with needle and thread is a good day.  "- 

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

A little Sunday quilt stack from days past.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

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

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

💙💙💙 BLOGGER BLUES 💙💙💙

Oh dear, Blogger is  "acting  wonky " 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.  

A Little Bit of This and That

It's that time! 

For the kids to pack up  their books, pencils and paper.

Old school books ready to be leafed through. 

For the teachers to dust off the chalkboard. 

Old children's chalkboards

And for Mamas to celebrate!  Yeehaw! 😀😂

My daughter joked that she would be at school with the kids as soon as the doors opened. 😅

It's Back to School Time!!!!

A Sunday quilt stack all ready for school time. 

Well it is for some kiddos. Our grandsons' first day of school was last Friday. The Little One was thrilled to pieces that he got the teacher that he wanted ( She taught his brother a couple of years ago. ) 

Do you remember the excitement of the first day of school? Carrying the latest trendy Trapper Keeper , a school box of crayons, pencils and scissors?   

⭐ "Reach for the stars."   ⭐

2024 Back to School Display. 

🍎"Encouragement is oxygen to the soul."- George M. Adams 🍎

I sure do wish all of the students and teachers a wonderful school year. 🤗

ON TO QUILTY NEWS! 

Buttercream fabric and a plethora of scraps is what I am using on Melva's  free Quilt Along called Lala's Irish Chain SAL. 

Y'all, I will be honest. I am a bit behind not only on my quilting but on my stitching too . Still, I am plugging right along though.  😊

Melva is recreating her great grandma Lala's antique Irish Chain quilt and has invited us to sew along. It is a nine week sew along and like all of Melva's SAL ; it is sure to be loads of fun. In fact, she is sharing stories and photos of her Great Grandma Lala. I do hope you will hop over to visit, Melva. 

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

WHAT ABOUT CROSS STITCHING?

 Well, in other news, I fully finished  Tomatoes into a pin pillow with a scrap of fabric and some crocheted lace.  I shared this stitch a few months ago, and it has been waiting in the wings patiently to be finished. 

Now onto the Plans for the Week

This past week I was out of commission due to a fall , but hopefully, I will be moving around better and  will have the strength to do a little more. My mojo has been waning as well. Does that ever happen to you? Anywhooo... I will keep the "To Do List" short and sweet . 

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1. Work on Melva's QAL

🌞2. Embroider September's Roundabout. 

🌞3. Begin a new saltbox cross stitch.   

🌞4. Quilt on Pretty in Peach Butterfly quilt.

 

As you can see I am not going to overdo it  this week. Hee! Hee! But I am sure more projects will come into play. They often do. 

Thank you for taking the time to join me on this lovely day. 

 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"some of the best discoveries are made when we simply try.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy  who loved to host "Back to School Bashes" for the kiddos. I do miss those times. 

 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 

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

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday