Apple-icious Hutch Tour

 "Uh-oh!" replied Mr. Pinker as he stared at me wide- eyed. I was busy dismantling all of the bee decor displayed on the little country pine hutch. 

Bye Bye, Bee decor! 

"Is it redecorating time? " he asked with a grin. 

"It sure is, " I said  as I began to pull out my new themed decor.

"What is it this time?" he inquired. 

"Apples, silly. Didn't you notice all of the reds?" I replied with a smile.  

Blessed 4 YR IG Anniversary Chart

Mr. Pinker nodded and retreated to the safety of downstairs for he knew it would be no time that plates galore and lots of knick knacks and stitching would be flying this way and that as I puttered with my little country hutch.

Little saucers, plates and a vintage Betty Crocker cook book

 

"Hmmm... now how many plates can I pack onto this wee hutch? " I asked myself. 

I layered in lots of thrifted and Dollar Tree red and white plates on one shelf after the other. 

Then bits of Watt's pottery was tucked here and there. Some stacked on little saucers. 

It was not long before the first 2 shelves were filled to the brim. I have to admit that I stepped back and gave myself 2 pats on the back. My "Apple-icious Hutch " was coming together. 

I even added in my Dolly Parton cookie jar.- So sweet. 

Once I reached the bottom shelf, I began to throw in a modge podge of all things red and apple related. 

The vintage juicer was filled with a bowl of old jello molds.

 The newly thrifted potato masher was good to hold some tins and I even included a little stitch called STAMP 1 - A BASKET OF APPLES,

The darling hand appliqued and quilted apple pie quilt gifted to me from dear Donna inspired me to add my Betty Crocker Pie Parade  Cookbook.  

"Ooooh that looks pretty! " I said to no one in particular. 

As I continued layering , I ran to my "stitching basket" and snatched up my newly completed Apple Jam Jar  which I shared a few weeks ago. 

"Eeeh perfection!"

The Pear Stamp soon followed. 

It was not long before the 3rd shelf was overflowing with apples galore!

After stepping back, taking a look and dusting myself off, I went to the downstairs door and yelled , "Honey, come here. Quick!"

Mr. Pinker came barreling up the stairs. 

"What's up buttercup?" he asked. 

"Lookie! Lookie! My hutch is all decorated for September.

My kitchen is decorated in reds so the apples themed hutch fits in perfectly. 

"OOOPS wait! " I ran back over to the hutch, surveyed around me and chose a red tin to add to the top of the hutch. Most of the items on the top of the shelf always stay there, I just change out a little nook each month which this time I added an "Old Maid Raisin Cookies" tin. 

"Now look , Sweetie. "

The old hutch is decorated with all things red. 

"Hmmm... Yeah, " replied Mr. Pinker. " A lot of stuff. "

"Yep! Just the way I like it, " I replied with a twinkle in my eye.

"I know . " Mr. Pinker replied ( Hmmm... I swear I saw him roll his eyes. Hee! Hee!  Oh well) 

 Finally, Mr. Pinker nodded and said , "It's pretty, but I would rather see an apple pie. "

"We shall see. We shall see, " I said with a grin and with that I began thumbing through my recipe books . 

STAMP 3 RAKING LEAVES

Well, Sweethearts, that is my "Apple-icious Hutch " Tour in a nutshell. I know it is a lot to take in, but loads of color and clutter is my style. I am so very grateful that you dropped by for visit. 

Just give me a few hours and I will have that apple pie out of the oven.  

Have a super duper day, friends and remember....

You are the apple of my eye! 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Hope is like an apple seed- it grows into sweetness.  "- 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

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

🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

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The Tale of Prairie Rose

 "Where are  you going? " asked Mr. Pinker as I dove into the messy quilt room. 

" I am searching for fabric, " I said with a smile. 

Mr. Pinker nodded and walked back to the den and settled in his recliner. 

As I entered the room , my mind went back to the avalanche of fabric that took place a couple of weeks ago. Some of you may remember me telling you about it. 

 Anywhoo... I ever so carefully, found my bin of fabrics that I had selected for Melva's Sew Along. Being careful mind you, to not disrupt the ever so precarious stacks of lovely calicos and prints. 

 It did not take long for me to rummage through my scraps and strips to find perfect fabrics for Melva's Prairie Rose  block in the Little House on the Prairie Sew Along.   

I worked on Melva's Prairie Rose Block. 

I found 3 perfect strips of 2 1/2" strips of fabric that were sent to me from sweet Elaine a couple of years ago.  These had to go into the Prairie Rose  block.  Thank you , dear Elaine. 💗

 

Soon my sewing machine was zooming away . I hummed a few tunes as I was having such a lovely time and in 2 shakes of a lamb's tale ( Yes , it was that quick! ) The Prairie Rose  block was completed. 

"Yee Haw!" I cheered! "Hip , Hip , Hooray!" 

Mr. Pinker soon sauntered into the room . "What's all of the excitement?"

" Lookie! Lookie!  Another block is pieced . Isn't  it pretty?" 

Mr. Pinker nodded and then retreated back to his recliner. 

I jumped up and headed out the door. A pretty block like this had to be photographed in the garden. But oh bother , my roses look pitiful so I pinned the block to a volunteer Burning Bush which grew among the lilies and Purple Majesties.  

High in the tree above, a little bird chirped. I imagine it was saying how pretty my block was. 

"I agree, " I replied as I looked up at the bird above only to spot 2 staring down at me.  "Hmmm... what kind of birds are you? " I asked. They just stared unamused by my question.  Shrugging my shoulders, I continued on. 

It was a dreary day. But I snapped a few photos of not only my block but of the garden as well.  The oldest Annabelle Hydrangea was beginning to bloom

And the Ditch Lilies were smiling despite it being a drizzly day. 

After taking a few photos,  I moseyed back into the house to see all 9 blocks in the Little House on the Prairie Sew Along together on my "design floor".  Swoon. 🤗❤

After admiring all of the pretty log cabin blocks, I  gave myself a good pat on the back and then gathered the blocks  and put them away. "It has been a good day , "  I said to myself. And with that I went to retire in my recliner. But only for a spell ( You know I can't stay still for too long).🤪 😀

Today Melva will be sharing the Instructions on the Assembly and Finish for the blocks. I am looking forward to the final step. So if you haven't joined in on the Sew Along, there is still time. 

Thank you Melva for sharing this wonderful Sew Along with all of us. It has been fantabulous! 

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

Block 6 Snowflake- April 16, 2026

Block 7 Kitten in the Corner- April 30, 2026

Block 8 Heart- May 7, 2026

Block 9 Prairie Rose - May 21, 2026

Assembly and Finish - June 4, 2026

Well  Sweeties, that is my tale for the day. Mr. Pinker and I enjoy the entertainment of 2 young grandsons on  Thursdays so they will be here soon. I am not sure what kind of mischief they will want to get into but I am sure we will be outside- perhaps splish splashing in the pool. I will have some embroidery work in hand - well maybe that is unless I find myself in the pool too. 

Have a beautiful day . Stay cool and enjoy your Summer day. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet simple things of life which are the real ones after all. " - Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy . You always had so much fun during the winter time when snow blanketed the ground. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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In a Bustle and the Little House Heart Block

 "Why are you in such a bustle? " asked Mr. Pinker as I brushed past him. 

"I have a block to piece. " I hurried into the quilt room as Mr. Pinker stood silently watching .

 When all of a sudden... "Clank , Thump, Crash! KaBlam!!!!" 

 "Oh Butterfingers! " I screamed in frustration as I dodged a small tote tumbling to the floor. 

Mr. Pinker rushed to the quilt room doorway. 

"What's going on in here?"   he inquired. 

"Grumble! Grumble! " I snarled. " My rolling cart gave way from the pressure of the totes  and .... Boo Hoo... look at all of this mess!"  

Mr. Pinker stood wide eyed saying nothing. Slowly but surely, he began to back out of the doorway as I gathered an armload of fabrics and rushed out of the room - only stopping briefly mind you to turn around and stick my tongue  out at the protruding mess bulging from the quilt room. 😜"I am out of here! " I said and with that  I went to the living room to sort and cut my fabrics. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Pinker had  quietly retreated to the safety of the downstairs. 

 Soon I was stroking and petting all of the pretty calicoes and prints . All was good again.

 After making a selection of fabrics, I began to cut out the strips for Melva's 8th block called Heart . 

"This looks like a fun one to piece. " I said to no one in particular. I could feel a sense of calmness wash over me.  

After cutting the fabrics , I went to a spare sewing machine that I had tucked in the corner and began piecing the block.  And a short time later,  the  Heart  block was all pieced. 

 Soon a sweet aroma drifted from the kitchen. Mr. Pinker was baking.  I proudly took my block to the kitchen. 

" How are you doing? " asked Mr. Pinker. 

" I am in love- look at my block."

"Pretty " said Mr. Pinker.  "Lookie what I have here. "  Mr. Pinker then pulled a Toll House pie from the oven.  

"Eeeh" I squealed in delight.  Yes, all was good . Well except for the mess in the quilting room. But I will have to muster up some strength to tackle that . Perhaps that is a weekend job. 😏😜

 Today Melva at Melva Loves Scraps is posting  the last block - that is  Block 9 in the Little House on the Prairie Sew Along . So run don't walk and head over to Melva's so you can join in all of the fun. 

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

Block 6 Snowflake- April 16, 2026

Block 7 Kitten in the Corner- April 30, 2026

Block 8 Heart- May 7, 2026

Block 9 Prairie Rose - May 21, 2026

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

" Courage and kindness, loyalty, truth and helpfulness are always the same and always needed. - Laura Ingalls Wilder.  

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

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 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. 

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A Bad Day with Behulah

 "Today is the day!" I shouted .

 

These blocks measure 8 1/2" squared unfinished. 

I was as excited as a kid in a candy store for I was going to finish piecing my Peppermint Pinwheels quilt which has been in the works for a few weeks. Well that is what I had in mind. But .... Behulah my Brother sewing machine had something else in mind... 

"We are going to get to work, sweet Behulah," I said as I patted her arm. 

" Grrrrr," she moaned. 

I busily worked on cutting 2 " inner border strips from my green Santa fabric which was a gift from my sweet nephew that he gave me two short years ago .

Then I cut  4 1/2" strips from the red polka dot fabric for the outer border. While I was busy cutting away, Behulah sat on the table unamused as to what was in store for her.

 

 As soon as the cutting was done, I turned to Behulah and said with a smile,  "Here we are! Are you ready to get busy? " 

 

I flipped the "ON " switch  and Behulah sighed with a big "Hmmmpph"

" What's up Buttercup?" I inquired. 

But she said nary a word.    I soon began to try to sew, but Miss Behulah was not having it. 

"Grumble Grumble, Clankity Clankity," she rattled. I knew she was not in a good mood, and I could feel the tug of the needle . I peeked underneath the fabric and saw the bobbin thread was all tangled. 

" Now Miss Behulah, I just cleaned you the other day, " I said. 

Again silence. So I changed out the bobbin, changed the thread and gave her a little pat . 

"Are you good, girl? " I asked. Again silence. So I shrugged my shoulders and tried to sew the inner border for the second time. 

"Clankity Clankity, Clank" went Behulah! 

 "EEEK! " I screached when the needle broke!  I rummaged through my cabinet and found another needle. 

"Come on , girl, " I pleaded with Behulah. 

 " Grumble , Grumble, Snap! " said Behulah as she broke the 2nd needle. 

"Double EEEEK! " I screamed. Now I would be fibbing if I said I was as cool as a cucumber at this point.  But I gathered my wits all ten of them  and calmly said" Well, Behulah, you have had a good run. Maybe it is time to put you out to pasture. " 

From the corner of my eye, I could see Behulah quiver. "What are you saying? " she asked. 

 "Aaah nothing other than there may be another  place for you. "

 Behulah had heard the stories of where the other naughty sewing machines go- down to the cold and dusty garage to sit all alone forever and ever - long forgotten. 

"I don't want to go there. " she replied. 

"Hmmmpph " I replied. I looked out the window over the hill. 

Behulah then screamed,  "NO NOT THERE! NOT JUNK YARD HILL!" she pleaded.  

 I smiled and winked at her.  Two can play at this game I thought.  Junk yard hill is a place on the farm where some junk goes . Most farms around here have one for old equipment and such. 

"I will give you one more chance," I told Behulah. Quietly, I picked her up and took her downstairs and explained the situation to Mr. Pinker. Mr. Pinker then looked her over and found where a piece of metal had came loose in the bobbin case. He gave her some tender love and care and then returned her to me to test. 

Miss Behulah began to hum and buzzed right along . I gave her a pat. "No Junkyard Hill today, Behulah. " 

Wow ! What should have taken just a couple of hours took all day long. I will finish up Peppermint Pinwheels today.  That is if Behulah does not get her "bobbin panties" in a wad. 

Have you ever had to give your sewing machine a good talking to? Hee! Hee!  I hope your machine is not as ornery as  Miss Behulah. 

Have a beautiful day, Sweet friends and thank you for dropping by. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

"Any day spent sewing is a good day. " 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅 

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🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅 

 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