Down the Rabbit Hole

Good morning, dear friends.  Grab you a cup of tea or coffee and a plate of freshly baked raspberry coffee cake. I would like to say that the cake is  homemade, but alas it is not. But I promise  you, it is still downright yummy. 😋🍵

Well it certainly is a beautiful day and I have some hexies to work on.

 I never intended to work on a hexie quilt until I finished my yo yo quilt, but I came down right smitten when I saw Diann's quilt at  Little Penguin's Quilts.   I just could not get it out of my noggin'  . So down the rabbit hole I went with hexies dancing in my head. 🐰🐇🕳

 If you click the link, you can see Diann's quilt which is as cute a button, but beware for you may find yourself falling down the same rabbit hole. Thank you Diann for the sweet inspiration and enablement. 😀❤

Graphic from the Graphic Fairy

Joy at Days Filled With Joy is hosting another wonderful free stitch along. This one is  a Winter stitch. Each week on Friday she releases  a small segment of the stitchery. I will be working on catching up on mine today.  I have completed the stitching in 2 of her SAL's. 

I completed my 2nd ornament for the #12in23stitchalong hosted by Carol at Stitching Dreams. It is one of Prairie Schooler "A Merry Mini Surprise Santa". 

I would like to say that I am doing the happy dance, but alas, I am not  . Why ? you ask. Well,  I do not like my finish. So I have learned a lesson  : NEVER FULLY FINISH A STITCH WHEN I AM TIRED. Lol. Yep! I was plumb tuckered when I finished this one and it shows. 😄🥴  I didn't stretch the fabric good enough  and.... Oh well, I could go on and on, but I won't.  But on the bright side-  with all of the boo boos it I still think this wee Santa is going to look pretty stinking cute on my tree come December.   

Speaking of Christmas - Christmas Alert !!! 323 Days until Christmas .  "Booo!!!" some of you may be saying ." Don't speak of Christmas this early! " 😃😂  Mark my word it will be here in no time. 

Kathleen Tracy of the Sentimental Quilter is hosting another sweet free Valentine QAL like she did last year.  This was last year's quilt that I completed. 

Well I gathered in my fabrics earlier this week. Reds ,  pinks, and neutrals !

Step 1 is completed. Lots of cute HST. I will finish Step 2 today for tomorrow she will give the next step. I love how she gives small doable steps that do not take long at all. 

It's To Do List Time!! 

(I'm linking up with Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday . Carol for some reason I can not leave a  comment on your blog. , but I want you to know how much I appreciate and enjoy your blog. ) 

LAST WEEK' S GOALS.

✅1. Quilt more blocks on Grandma's Love. 

✅2.Continue piecing shoo fly blocks

✅3. Piece more Rose blocks. 

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA THIS WEEK?

1. Quilt 3 more blocks on Grandma's Love quilt

2. Piece Shoo Fly blocks

3. Start a new spring stitch

4. Joy's Winter SAL

5. Kathleen's Valentine's QAL

The wee tobacco basket is filled with wool hearts and a few stitches including-  "The Greatest Give is Love" is from Lizzie Kate and was in the Just Cross Stitch 2001 Christmas edition,  Hugs and Kisses by Charland Designs which is a freebie and can be found at the Silver Needle's website , and  my freebie "And Love Grows" 

Alrighty, Sweeties. That's it for me today. I have a full list of things on the agenda for the week  so I better get at.  If you have the chance , pop back in after 1:00 p.m. CST for a 2nd post- a Valentine's Parade of Stitches. I meant to post it yesterday, but I was exploring another rabbit hole. 🐰🐇 Ya'll have a wonderful and blessed day and ...

As always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa

The little girl could not sleep because her thoughts were way too deep, her mind had gone out for a stroll and fallen down the rabbit hole. - Alice in Wonderland

Hugs and Stitches !!!🤗❤🧵

A quilt heart from dear Patricia and Heart & Keys

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 needle workers to meet.

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

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt  for Monday Making

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 

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 unless you directly email me. 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!!!🤗❤

Hold On to Your Bloomers

Good morning, sweet stitchy  friends. Welcome.  

Last Friday night I was dreaming- dreaming of rainbows and quilting.

  As soon as I woke up on Saturday, I  ran to the computer like a kid on Christmas morning to see what would this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge color would be.  

Then I read the colors- teal or aqua marine.😳 Hmmm! This is going to be a challenge . Woo hoo! Bring it on! 

Then I began to skip to  the Quilt Nest -day dreaming  of the lovely colors of the ocean. Then I stopped mid skip and exclaimed to no one in particular " Oh No!  I do not have many of those colors in my stash at all!!!" What to do ? What to do? , I thought.   Will I be able to meet the challenge? Beads of sweat began to form on my forehead as I pondered this question. 

 I entered into the quilt nest eyes wide open scanning. "Yoo Hoo!" I chimed, " Are there any teals or aqua marine fabrics in here? " Complete silence except for a lone cricket. 

 I scanned the first shelf then the 2nd. Nothing! Third and fourth. Nadda!!!!

That's it I thought! I am diving into the bins!  "Hold onto your bloomers !"  I told myself. 

First bin - no teals. Second bin - no aqua marines. I'm diving down deep into the next bin. Fortunately, it was a good ole' trusty  bin of fabric from the Goodwill . "Yee Haw! " , I  screamed in glee. Happy teals and aqua marines danced their way into my greedy little  hands, and off I went skipping in glee  to the house to play with my scraps.

 But ... the sweet little bundle of scraps made it as far as the table ,and there they sat all week  smirking at me - just waiting - mind you for some action. Well that did not take place until yesterday.  "Ok you guys are you ready to play? " I asked my sweet little scraps. 

"Yes!" , they screamed. "What has taken you so long? "

          

Which color jumped into my happy hands first? None other than the Aqua Marine scraps. With a clip and a snip , I soon had a pretty little bowl cut out . Other happy colors even joined the party.  And Wah Lah!  A wonky posy bowl block .

 Two blocks down and more to go. "Uh hu! Oh yeah!  I'm doing the scrappy dance!!!"💃💃💃 

Later as I waited in the school pick up line, I began quilting a freebie from Temecula Quilt Company called  Box of Chocolates 

 By night's end, guess what? Yes! I was doing the scrappy dance again . I finished the quilting and binding.

                     

 "I am on a roll !"I cheered. I rewarded myself by starting a new cross stitch. 

Can I roll on today and complete it? I sure hope so.  Thank you sweetie pies for stopping by for a visit and as always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa 

P. S. Don't you forget- you are fabulous!!!  Hope you are happy dancing your day into a spectacular weekend. - Hugs!

Challenges are what makes life interesting. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!

Dedicated to my sweet sister, Amy who always was up for a challenge. Love ya. 

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. 

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- Thursday

Alycia's of  Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict  for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop-Friday

Rebecca Grace at Rebecca Grace Quilting for TGIFF- Friday

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant  - Friday

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party - Friday 

Frederique at  Applique Patchwork Quilting   for Patchwork & Quilts     - Saturday

Angela of  So Scrappy  for Scrap Happy Saturday

Sweet Ramblings Plus Heart & Keys - An Itty Bitty Stitch - A Valentine Freebie

Eeeh ! It is snowing outside! Just a few flurries. 

Welcome ya'll and happy, happy Friday. It is doubtful that the snow will lay here in the valley, but it is always exciting to see a flake or two. 

The mystery is solved !  Kathleen Tracy of Sentimental Quillter has been hosting a Valentine Mini Mystery Quilt Along . I completed the final step yesterday. 

Very few fabrics were used, and it was a quick and easy little quilt. Hop over to her blog for more info if you would like to create one yourself. 

I finished a new itty bitty stitch  called Heart & Keys. It took less than an hour to stitch . I finished it into a simple pin pillow. 

As I was stitching , I thought of my Granny's Log Cabin. She had a door between the kitchen and living room that had a window , porcelain door knobs and used a skeleton key. As a child , I was fascinated to see an old door like that. When Granny  received her angel wings ,  the door came home with me . 🚪❤😊

 Click here for chart. 

I am officially pulling out my Valentine's decor tonight. 

I have an idea for the hutch. I hope I will be able to create what I envision. 

My favorite Valentine stitch is still  Roses, Hearts and Chickens  that I stitched last year.    Next to it is Heart & Home , the companion piece for Heart & Keys. 

I finished the binding on Lizzie Kate's freebie Peace Joy and Love this week. Now this little piece will make its way into the Christmas cross stitch bin. Lol. See you in a few months, sweet stitch. 

Well that is my Friday evening ramble about quilting , stitching and such. Thank you so much for the sweet visit, my friends. 

As always....

Happy stitching and quilting, ya'll

Melisa 

 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. 

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- Thursday

Alycia's of  Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict  for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop-Friday

Rebecca Grace at Rebecca Grace Quilting for TGIFF- Friday

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant  - Friday

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party - Friday 

Frederique at  Applique Patchwork Quilting   for Patchwork & Quilts     - Saturday

Angela of  So Scrappy  for Scrap Happy Saturday

 A very little key will open a very heavy door. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!

Dedicated to my sweet sister , Amy.  Love  and miss you. ❤❤👼

A Box of Chocolates

Good evening, ya'll. Welcome. I am just popping in with a quick post  to show you what I've been up to today. 

I've been playing with scraps. Lots of reds. 

 My sewing machine has been humming along. 

Worked on Box of Chocolates by Temecula Quilt Company a free pattern on Temecula's blog in the January 25, 2019 post.

  It was a super quick quilt to piece. I made mine a bit bigger than the original pattern. 

 Well that was short and sweet  wasn't it? Thank you so much for stopping by . And as always...

Happy stitching and quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're gonna get- Forrest Gump 

Hugs and Stitches!!!

 A few Reds around the house. 

 

A little red rocker.  The sweet doily was a gift from dear Pat. 

The Mitten Tree 

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. 

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- Thursday

Alycia's of  Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict  for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop-Friday

Rebecca Grace at Rebecca Grace Quilting for TGIFF- Friday

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant  - Friday

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party - Friday 

Frederique at  Applique Patchwork Quilting   for Patchwork & Quilts     - Saturday

Angela of  So Scrappy  for Scrap Happy Saturday

    

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy . I love you, Amo. 

Happy President's Day & a Little Quilting

Happy President's Day. I pulled out a few patriotic cross stitch pieces to celebrate the day.  Digging through my picnic basket of patriotic stitching made me so excited . I think I need a patriotic start tonight, but I have not decided what it will be yet. 

 

The little round cross stitch is called "Flag Day in the Potting Shed" by With Thy Needle and Thread. I have 2 Lizzie Kate pieces  " Liberty " which  is a freebie  and can be found here  and "USA Squared" .  The little pin pillow is from Shepherds Bush called "Home of the Brave. 

I finished the binding on the Valentine's quilt last night. A great way to end Valentine's

                                         

I had strip pieced this quilt from strips and crumbs from other projects in 2020. I was thrilled to include 2 fabrics from my girls' childhood clothing. I had completed the piecing and quilting last year so all that was left was the binding.  I look forward to displaying this quilt next February.  

                           

I was so surprised on Valentine's Day by hubby.  About a month ago, we went to a little antique shop. I was on the search for some jadeite and vintage Santa or snowman mugs, but instead I spotted this quilt top. I mulled it over but ended up leaving it behind which I regretted.  Hubby snuck back and got it one evening. I was thrilled when he gave it to me last night along with a dozen roses and some sweet smelly candles. 

This quilt is hand pieced and a little wonky. There are so many wonderful retro fabrics from clothing and feedsacks. 

The color combination of scrap older quilts is what really tugs at my heart. 

Doesn't some of those fabrics look like the 1960's or 70's? 

I wonder how many decades are represented in these fabrics. Oh that bold red. 

I can not wait to get this full size quilt in a hoop. I have to search for some backing fabric in the Quilt Nest and order some batting and then we are good to go. 

So in the works this week will be the scrap blocks that I have been working on as a leader/ender project. It is a combination of some nine patches and rail fence blocks. 

I have been playing with the blocks on the floor. It is going to be a small quilt. I am planning on draping it over a bench in the future. 

Well I am off to the Quilt Nest to do a little piecing. Hope you have a lovely evening and thank you so much for the sweet visit and as always...

Happy quilting, ya'll. 

Melisa

I am linking up to these sweet ladies wonderful blogs. I hope that you will check them out. There is a lot of fun always going on there. 

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts with Design Wall Monday

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework for Oh Scrap

Turnip Greens, Hog Jowl and a New Start!

 Turnip greens, hog jowl and a new start- those were my plans for New Year's Day . So what about you ? Did you have a New Year's Day start or did work on WIPS or UFOs?   I would love to hear what you have been working on. 

 I had "sew" much fun on New Year's Eve. I spent the day in the "Quilt Nest " working on two small quilts- a green four patch and the beginnings of a blue nine patch.  

I love piecing 1 1/2" squares together. 

After dark it was time to settle into some stitching. 

On Dec. 31, 2019, I started "Winter Blessings" by Teresa Kogut. Since I had not finished it, how fitting for me to end 2020 stitching on the same piece. I just need to finish the snowman and add snowflakes.  Will it be finished in 2021? I hope so . Lol.

Winter stitching is coming out . 

Once the clock clicked over to 12:00, I rang in the new year with a new start -  Little House Needleworks, "Sampler Stitchers" . I was going to work on the Mary Hogg 1830 Sampler, but I did not have my fabric dyed so Sampler Stitchers it was.   I put in a few stitches till time to go to bed . 

On New Years, the day started with me sprinting around the house cleaning as hubby worked on the New Year's Day  meal- hog jowl, turnip greens, black eyed peas and cornbread. He did a pretty good job and all was delicious. 

Once the meal was over ,it was time for a little quilting time in the "Quilt Nest". Can you believe it? A new start on a small quilt too! I am doing a happy dance!

  Earlier this week I was "dream quilting"- lol I know you other quilters  or stitchers do it too --where you dream of quilting or stitching a new project. Well I dreamed of a pink snowman quilt. Yep, A Pink Snowman!   I just could not get him out of my mind. So today was the day to pull a few scraps out of the bin and lickety split in about an hour he was all stitched up and hand appliqued. He was strip pieced in pink fabrics as was the border. Hardly any measuring at all. Super fun.  

Though he is eyeless and mouthless right now, he will be getting some details and personality this weekend. I am tickled pink over my Valentine's Snowman.  😂💓⛄

 I am joining Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for the Get a Whoop Whoop Link Party,  Alycia at Alycia Quilts for Finished or Not Friday, and  Wendy  at Wendy's Quilts & More for the Peacock Party. 

I plan to spend the rest of the evening on Sampler Stitchers.  I hope your 1st day of January was just as  fantastic. As always...

Happy Stitching and quilting, 

Melisa

Thank you so much for  taking time out of your busy day to visit me. Your sweet visits bring me lots of joy.