Itching to Stitch- Christmas Country Doodles and More

I'm itching for some stitching. How about you?  Welcome, ya'll  and a very Merry Monday  to you. 

Elmer says Hi too!!! This is our 2nd donkey on the farm. Don't let him fool you; he is a happy ole fellow that is ready for a new week. 😀🐴

  Joy at Days Filled with Joy  has been hosting the sweetest Christmas stitch along called Tis the Season. 

  Week Two's and Week Three's embroidery is in the works. Isn't it cute as button?  Joy shared Week Four on Friday.  I better get on the stick and catch up. Thank you , Joy. 

 Not only is Joy hosting a free SAL , but she is also hosting  a Christmas Quilt Along too. 

Progress has been made on the quilt along as well. My fabrics are not very Christmasy but that is ok. 

 

Step 2 completed. 

Woo Hoo! Week 3' s Steps are complete. Easy Peasy , Fun and Cute!!!   

Blocks from Joy's QAL . The stitches in the background are Tree of Life Samplings "Beauty and Grace" and my  freebie Sew Stitch Tomato Pinkeep. 

I finally finished my Country Christmas Doodles from last week. Those little pretties are on the wee tree for Christmas in July . Soooo... that means it is time for week 3's doodles. I meant to share these last Thursday , but the days got away from me. 

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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.

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My little doodles are hand drawn so they are never perfect. 

Yesterday , I spent the evening finishing these little embroideries.  Click here to see how I finished mine.  They look awfully sweet in Granny's round dough bowl too.  

Behind my dough bowl is Plum Street Sampler's freebie  called 12 Days of Christmas which was posted on Paulette's blog in 2015. Click on the colored text to visit her post. 

If you missed any of the doodles, just click the links below. 

Country Christmas Doodles Week 1  and Country Christmas Doodles Week 2. 

The foyer shelf decked out in watermelon decor. I will be changing this out soon. 

Well that's what's going on in the holler today. I hope your week is off to a very lovely start. Thank you for dropping by and ...

As always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa

Christmas magic is silent. YOu don't hear it- you feel it.  You know it. YOu believe it. - Kevin Alan Milne

Hugs and Stitches !!!🤗❤🧵

Dedicated to my sweet baby sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much. 

I have been working on Autumn Blooms by Scissor Tail Designs. I am always drawn to stitches with the word "Autumn" in it. 🍂🍁🍂🍁

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

Bee Skep 1869 Crock

Junk Drunk

Good evening, ya'll!  I  have to admit that I have been a stranger on IG and my blog this past week. But I have  been on cloud nine visiting one yard sale after another on the  World's Longest Yard Sale.

 It was such a fun week especially since I did not get to go shopping last year .  I have to confess that I am junk drunk. 😀 I did find a bunch of goodies. Old, rusty, crusty and a bit dirty, but that doesn't matter to me. 

The most I spent on an item was $8.00 for this cupboard. The owner told me it came from an old country store and was a display shelf for bread. I would leave it all roughed up and prim , but my girls thinks it needs to be painted. Lol. 

                    

 One gentleman was selling his mother's McCoy and cookie jar collection. I got a few pieces for a quarter up to a couple of dollars.  

Sorry for the poor photo. 

 I was jumping for joy when I got this large sampler at a church yard sale.  Do you know who the designer is? I would love to know more about it. The frame is huge , so I am going to have to reframe it. 

                  

And a junk haul would not be complete without me finding some old tins.Eeeeh ! Look at the Charles Chips tin!!!

                   

 I am dreaming of a small fall tree in it. 

So what do you think?  I think I did pretty good this year. 

 Earlier today we had a back to school bash for the kiddos.

 I can not believe how early they are going back , but the grandkids are anxious to see their friends which is a good thing. 

Lots of good food was made by my sister and her hubby . 

                  

Shrimp, BBQ, hamburgers, stuffed peppers and lots of sides.  Yum Yum!

                 

After dinner, the kids went out to the field to help with the pick up of the square hay bales, and then off to the river where they went to fish. They rounded out the evening with a dip in the pool. Such a great day. 

Later this evening, I found myself  in a comfy chair ready to  bind a little quilt. 

                 

After more that 10 years, I finally am sitting down to bind this little wall hanging called "Family is Everything". It will be completed in no time flat- well at least I hope so. It is made from homespun and gifted fabrics. 

It will look so cute in the downstairs living room come fall time. 

It has been awhile since I have shared with you my "Hart to Hart " stitch .That is the cross stitch that I work on as I watch the 1980's television show "Hart to Hart" . I work on it Monday- Friday for about an hour which eases me along and allows me to slowly enjoy it. For the last few weeks , the stitch has been  Tree of Life Samplings "Beauty and Grace". I have made some mistakes but I love it anyway. A few more episodes and I think it will be done. 

I started a new cross stitch piece earlier this past week. It is an autumn piece that I hope to finish and share soon. 

Strips have been cut for a new small quilt. It is going to be another red, white and blue one. 

I hope to share this little quilt soon. 

Well, the big yard sale is  over, the grandkids are going back to school, and I guess it is time for me to get back into my routine. I hope more stitching and quilt time , but we will see.  Thank you my dear friends for stopping by for visit.  It is always such a joy. As always...

 Happy quilting and stitching, 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 needle workers to meet.  

      Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt  for Monday Making

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Lynette at What a Hoot!  for BOMs Away Monday

I've always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. First are best because they are new beginnings.

Hugs and Stitches!

I See Red!

Happy Sunday, my dear friends. I hope you have had a delightful weekend. Mine has been fantastic! My youngest daughter came home  Thursday for a long weekend visit which is always a  joy. I only wish she could stay longer, but she has a busy work week ahead. She did however make her rounds to see family members and was able to relax a bit. 

Yesterday, I hit my first yard sale for the year. I always tell hubby that if he sees  a good yard sale or a church yard sale to call me. Well, he had spotted one on Friday at a little church in a neighboring community. So yesterday around lunch time, I decided to go see if they had anything, but to be honest I thought they would have very little considering how late it was. I was pleasantly surprised to see several vehicles pulled up to the community room, and when I walked in,  there were lots of treasures to explore.  

I began my initial walk through just scanning for items and prices . No, I did not spot any labels or signs with prices. Eeek. I thought; I do like to see prices.  As I wove in and out of the tables, I looked up to scan the room and then I spotted  IT!!! I saw RED!!! With a clickity clack of the speed of my heels. I was across the room in a flash! I just found a BIG RED BEAUTY-  a bow tie handquilted quilt.

 Oh, my mind was racing, but no prices! Aaah! It is going to be expensive I thought. I looked around and no one was near so I walked over and asked one of the ladies how much was the quilt. She  asked "Which on?"  Hmmm. I just saw one maybe she is thinking of the  blankets there too. We walked over , and she picked it up.  She said she would find out. As she was walking she said, "I am sure it is $2.00."  WHAT? I thought. There is no way.  So I followed behind her in complete and utter confusion and when she asked the nice lady who dealt with pricing,  I about fell over when she said yes it was $2.00! I tell you I could not get my money out fast enough!

Oh, this is going to be a great haul I thought!  I went back to shopping and found a number of little odd and end treasures - knitted dish clothes, milk glass, a doll chair,  but  I soon found myself back at the sheets and blankets .  She did say "Which one" I thought so I began rummaging and tucked underneath a pile of blankets was another quilt! Yippee!!!! How can this be I thought. I almost felt a little light headed. lol .  I pulled the quilt out which was made of soft light colored shirtings  and saw that it had a hole, but for $2.00 I could not pass it up. It couldn't be more than that I thought.  And yep I was right. I think I did a little jig right there in front of everybody. Lol I was so excited.  Oh what a fabulous day!!  I ran to the car in glee with 2 quilts and a box of this and that . I have to admit I was on having  "Yard Sale Rush" ! 

After leaving the yard sale,  I visited my mom and had to pull out the Big Red Beauty to show her. Of course she was not as excited as I am , but I was flying high.

 Later I came home to spread it out.

 There are a couple of repairs that I need to make but it is in good condition.

 It was machine pieced and hand quilted.  

The other quilt which I will share after the repair work is done was actually 2 quilts- it is reversible. 

Since I had the quilt all spread out, it was a perfect time to sit in the yard as hubby cooked Kent Rollins Oklahoma's Fried Onion hamburgers.   We could have a little picnic. 

 I was intent on trying to capture photos of a blue indigo bunting on the bird feeder too, but he was sort of skiddish.

 As I sat trying to look inconspicuous to the birdies, I worked on my flag quilt that I pieced last year with all sorts of scraps. 

This quilt is on the fast track to being completed and is a my project for today. I am not going to say that I will get it completed this week, but boy would I be overjoyed if I did. 

Every since Wednesday which was a big day in the Quilt Nest, my stitching has sort of fell down the wayside. Not much has gone on . Today however I hope to remedy that and continue working on Tree of Samplings Beauty and Grace.

 Since I finished Abby Rose Designs " A Joyous Day" this past week, "Beauty and Grace" has moved into its stitchy spot. 

Well that has been my weekend in a nutshell . I sure hope you had something bring you lots of joy, and I am so grateful that you allowed me to share my happenings with you. 

As always, 

Happy quilting and stitching, 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 needle workers to meet.  

      Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt  for Monday Making

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Lynette at What a Hoot! for BOMs Away Monday

Tish at The Madd Hatter for UFO Busting #144

Not all who wander are lost, they are looking for good yard sales.

Hugs and Stitches

Chicks and Berries

Good morning, sweet friends and happy Sunday. There is no porch stitching today or garden update ; it is a little bit on the soggy side out there, but that is ok. I have lots of plans for the day.  Would you like to hear about them? 

Last week, I shared some little chick embroidery doodles.

 I worked on those this week and have them all pieced into a small quilt.  The plan today is to put it in the hoop and begin the quilting process.

 Hopefully by the end of the week , there will be a finish. Fingers crossed. 

I also plan to do a little prep work on a new embroidery quilt. It is called "Fresh Strawberries" . I think this one will be completed in redwork. If you would like to join me, just click on the pdf's below and stitch away.

Fresh Strawberries Doodles page 1  Click here

Fresh Strawberries Doodles page 2 Click here .

 

 These are hand drawn so they are not perfect but sweet at least to me. 😄🍓🍓 When I babysit my grandbabies, embroidery work is a great no brainer project for me to work on between play time activities.

Speaking of strawberries ,  Woo Hoo! I got two more blocks completed on my strawberry quilt- a rolling pin and a wooden spoon. 

The blocks are slowly growing.  Though where they are going, I do not know. I rarely have a concrete plan. 

As far as stitch work, tonight's plan is to work more on Tree of Life Samplings " Beauty and Grace". It sure would be nice to fill in the windows and door and just  maybe start construction on the roof, but we will have to see . 

Last night, I worked on a little Stars and Stripes Saturday Stitching with this patriotic stitch called "In God We Trust " by The Primitive Hare. It was in the May 2015 Primitive Stitcher and Punch Needle Magazine. 

 At the beginning of the month, I joined Elm Street Quilts in the One Monthly Goal challenge. My goal was  to quilt one hoop on my Easter Quilt. I have been working on this quilt since 2019. I got a hoop's worth of quilting done. Goal met. But it looks like I will have to wait until next  Easter to enjoy a finish. 

So do you have stitching or quilting plans for the day? And have you already started planning for the week? Several sweet ladies share their goals list on their blogs each week, and I love reading them.  I often write mine down in my little journal. It does help me keep a little focused.

Thank you so much for the sweet visit. I know it was a short post, but I sure hope you come back for a visit soon. I hope to share another saltbox sometime this week. Have a beautiful day and as always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll

Melisa 

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts  for Slow Stitching Sunday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt  for Monday Making

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Lynette at What a Hoot! for BOMs Away Monday

A little quilt stack in a vintage child's suitcase. 

Listen to the strawberries- Soak up the sun. Let your ideas ripen and jam to your own beat. 

Hugs and stitches, 

 

Porch Stitching Sunday

Happy Sunday, dear friends.  Please join me on the porch for a little chat and stitching. It is nice and warm outside ,and I have ice tea and sugar cookies to munch on. 

I have been enjoying this nice weather today . I planted a bit of lettuce in a small bed, and then strolled through the yard to look at my beds. 

The buttercups are blooming and more are peeking through the English Ivy. 

Afterwards, I decided to pull some projects out on the porch and stitch the evening away. 

 I haven't pulled the cushions out for the swings or chairs ,but I was comfy nonetheless. The main quilt project I am working on is my Easter Quilt .  The quilting looks so pretty playing off the sun and shadows.  

The Baptist Fan pattern is the design I am using.  I plan to work on this quilt more this week. 

Would you like to see my view as I stitch?

 We live in a holler in the woods so the view is mostly trees. The gardens need to be cleaned.

 I have several large walnut trees in the yard. I enjoy gathering walnuts to use for my dyeing. 

Earlier this week I found an unfinished small quilt  in the Quilt Nest. 

It was a quilted mat that I worked on in the early 2000's . All it needed was some binding which I completed. The only thing is there was a little stain so I have been working to get it out. 

A dear stitching friend sent me a number of charts the other day.  One of those that she sent was  Abby Rose Designs " A Joyful Heart". I dyed some fabric and immediately began it . 

This is going to be my "Hart to Hart" project.  (  I know you are saying " What does she mean?" Lol) Well I designate a certain project to a TV show that I watch daily and stitch on it during that time. I have a Days of Our Lives project too. I have found old episodes of Hart to Hart with Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers on TV late at night. So I will be pulling this out during that time to work on.  I am so grateful to my sweet stitchy friend for sharing with me. Thank you, hun. 

I have completed a pretty good amount in a couple of days and even pulled it out for some porch stitching. 

My 2nd stitching project that I work on every Sunday and Monday is Tree of Life Samplings "Beauty and Grace'. I am still building on the house and yes I have made some mistakes, but I am going to roll with it. 

It has been a slow stitching Sunday , but I do have to say  it was quite relaxing. I am so happy that you joined me. It made the day even better. I hope you have a very blessed week  and as always...

Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll, 

Melisa

I am joining these lovely ladies in their link parties as they come available. I know they would love for you to visit. You will find lots of inspiration. 

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework for Oh Scrap

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Friends are the sunshine of life- john hay.