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 

Oh My Stars and Pumpkins

"Whatcha' working on? " asked Little Mrs. S., my youngest daughter.

"I am quilting up a storm, " I replied. 

Little Mrs. S. smiled and went back to work as I quilted away .

 Mr. Pinker and I  have been visiting Little Mrs. S. for the last few days, but after a long and delightful visit we have made our way home. 

Little Mrs. S. has decorated her side table with pumpkins for the fall season. 

" One row  quilted and two more to go!" I shouted as Little Mrs. S. retreated to her home office. She gave me a thumbs up and disappeared.

This  darling quilt  was sent to me from sweet Cheryle. Thank you , dear friend . I am enjoying it so much. ❤🤗

I think I will call it "Oh My Stars and Pumpkins!" 

I am quilting swirls in the pumpkins using a taupe thread.

 

Time to move the hoop and tackle another row. 

Autumn Patchwork  is all stitched up. I shared this little design a few weeks  ago inspired by the sweet quilt Cheryle sent me. 

Autumn Patchwork  was a CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS chart. 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

Pretty fabrics from Hobby Lobby. 

Little Mrs. S. and I spent a few days shopping. I picked up some yummy fabrics. 

And...

This fall plaque at Hobby Lobby which was 40 % off. 

 A small piece from Hobby Lobby . 

I thought the backside would make a good finishing piece for a small piece of cross stitch.

I may take the sticker off the backside and use it as a cross stitch finishing piece. 

AND...

I picked up a few skeins of floss. 

Alrighty, I still need to unpack and work on the dreaded laundry pile and then-- maybe then I can squeeze in some stitching  time. 😁

Have a wonderful evening. 

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"family where life begins and love never ends.  "- 

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

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

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 

Donna at Modern on Monticello- Home Matters

A Foyer Filled with Crows!

 Crows, Crows and More Crows!

Welcome, Sweet friends and Happy, happy Thursday! 

Do you think you are up for another country clutter tour today? 

Aaaw come on. It may make your head swim and your eyes cross . LOL, but I promise you there is a whole lot to see.🥴🤪🤓 

Hmmm... How much can I cram into a small space? Well I whole lot Hee! Hee! 

Let's go check out the thrifty shelf dressed in its "Autumn Glory!"

Lots of stitching and vintage items on the old shelf.

A whole lot of crows came to roost for the fall season in my little foyer including the darling crow stitch. Hmmm... Think! Think! Think! 🤔 Here we go again! My mind escapes me. Do you know what this stitch is called and who is the designer?

UPDATE: Thank you to all my stitching friends who reminded me of who the designer was of the crow stitch. It is called "Salem Event" by Irena Veber sold by Oleysa at More Little Stitches.

Usually I hang Blackbird Designs freebie called the "First Offering" in the foyer, but not this year.

My little thirfted bookcase was filled to the brim with my old brown pottery and other treasures.

There are bowls layered in bowls with little stitches including an old acorn stitch and Pumpkin Crow .

There are checkerboards, stacks of plates and brown pitchers.

The little checkeboard pumpkin was painted years ago using a thin wooden pumpkin form found at the Dollar Tree. The little Harvest Crow was a freebie from 2009 that I stitched years ago from Pinterest. You can see the chart on Robby's blog called Cash Strapped Crafting.

More crocks and bean pots with little doilies and rolled quilts.

Salt and Pepper shakers, old utensils and a vintage tin completes the fall look.

The darling Old Dutch Cleanser tin was a gift from sweet Gail. Swoon. I love it! Thank you, Gail. 😘🤗

Oh, yes the shelf is filled to the brim! Can I add one more thing? Hmmm.... I am not sure. 😁

A little pumpkin and doily sits perfectly for the harvest season on an old potato masher.

In the pitcher is Heart in Hands' "Harvest Alphabet". I think that is what it called. Oh gosh, my mind is failing me again.

In the teeny cedar chest is a freebie called "Just A Little Autumn" from San- Man Originals.

Below the cake stand is the "Sunflower 1869 Crock". I don't believe I have shared it yet.

More crows, pumpkins and gourds on Granny's old drawer that is used as a shelf.

Little Bits Pumpkin Haul

Amber bottles are a favorite to display during fall season.

Harvest Home was finished on a thrifted tin plaque.

The warm glows of orange , yellow and browns warms my heart for the fall season.

Most of the items have been collected or crafted over the years. Lots of memories are displayed on those old bookcase.

So that is my fall shelf in a nutshell.

Overflowing, yes! But I sure am happy with it!

If you would like to get a closer look at the quilts hanging in the foyer, check out last week's post The Changing of the Quilts- Autumn Crows.

Do you have a favorite area that you like to decorate for the Fall season?

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Autumn has arrived. I hear it in the whispering of the leaves.  "- Anujj Elviis

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy  who enjoyed all that Autumn had to offer.

 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.

🌞Ghosts, Goblins and Jacks Galore - 2026 Halloween Parade - Halloween freebies up to September 16, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.

🌞 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. 

🌞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

Mr. Pinker and I have been thrifting as we travel. I picked up a small Pyrex bowl along with some doilies .

Are you familiar with this Pyrex pattern? The pretty peachy pink will be perfect for spring decorating to add to my vintage Christmas decor. For a $1.99, I couldn't leave this sweet bowl behind.

The doilies match the bowl perfectly and were just fifty cents. Have I told you , I have an addiction to doilies? LOL