Quilting, Stitching & Baking

 Good Sunday morning , friends.  Grab you a plate.   Fresh out of the oven is  Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are yummy!!!  Milk? Iced Tea?  

Have you seen these little dessert plates at the Dollar Tree? I couldn't resist getting a set of these. 

Pulled out my Barnyard Christmas ornaments this week. 

This week  is going to be  all about reindeer. Well one reindeer in particular. Sweet little Rudolph. 

Did you know that Rudolph is 57 years young ?  For Slow Stitching Sunday I am going to put in some handquilting on my Rudolph quilt that I started last year. Swirls and twirls throughout. 

                     

My friend, Patricia, and I are working on Plum Street's Sampler's "Mary's Sampler" which is a freebie.

 I dyed my fabric with Rit Charcoal Gray and Dark Brown. 

I stitched one version of Mary's Sampler a couple of years ago on tea/coffee dyed aida. I still love it. 

Well that's what I got going on this week on the quilting and stitching front. 

It is baking season here in the holler so I am baking up a storm.So let me share with you this little cookie recipe. It might be one you would like to include in a cookie exchange. 

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
YIELDS: 2 1/2 dozen

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/4 cup of all purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda 

1 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of butter; softened

3/4 cup of sugar

3/4 cup of packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 2/3 cups of peanut butter and milk chocolate morsels

1 cup of chopped nuts

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl. 

3. Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until creamy. 

4. Add eggs one at a time and beat. 

5. Gradually add in flour mixture.

6. Add morsels and nuts. Stir.

7. Drop by rounded tablespoons on ungreased cookie sheets.

8. Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown. 

9. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes ; then remove and place on wire racks to cool.

Enjoy ! 

 My sweet friend, Gabriele sent me some of her floss cards. I was so honored that not only that she stitched   Aunt Bea's Summer's house but she included it on her floss cards. Thank you , Gabriele. 

I sure hope you have a wonderful and blessed day, my friends and thank you again for the sweet visit. I am truly grateful. 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 needle workers to meet.  

      Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap - Sunday 

Frederique at  Applique Patchwork Quilting for Patchwork & Quilts on Saturday

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

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

Wendy at Wendy's Quilts for Peacock Party - Friday 

Kindness is like snow; it beautifies everything it covers. - Kahlile Gibram

Hugs and Stitches and Warm Winter Wishes!!!

Dedicated to my sweet sister, Amy. Going to the Christmas parade was not the same. Love ya, Amo. 

New Starts and Thrifty Finds

Welcome ya'll and happy Friday.   Are you gearing up for a fun and productive weekend? I sure hope so. Today starts Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts-  Quilt Archaelogy "Glad Tidings" Sew Along. I started mine last night.

 Little four patches and half square triangles were pieced though I alternated the colors compared to Pam's Quilt.  I have been playing with the layout.

 I am tempted to stitch this baby up today even though the event lasts for 3 weeks. I may hold back though. 

I went thrifting this week and the quilt gods were shining down on me. I purchased 2 little Christmas quilts for just a couple of bucks each and guess what . They are hand quilted!!! 

             

 The first one is a Santa Claus quilt with sweet pine trees. 

               

Santa 's hat even sports a jingle bell. 

               

The 2nd quilt is a little appliqued pine tree quilt. So pretty and love those country fabrics. 

Last night , I worked into the wee hours of the morning to finish a little cross stitch. This is a Prairie Schooler which I stitched a few years ago. 

I just used some scrap fabrics, Dollar Tree twine and lace and stitched it into a pin pillow/ ornament. This St. Nick will be joining my tree shortly.

          

I am dreaming of a new Christmas quilt. My sweet friend Connie sent me some gorgeous novelty fabrics to play with. 

I am keeping it short and sweet today. I hope ya'll have a Fantastic Friday as you are gearing up for the Christmas holiday. 

 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 needleworkers to meet. 

Alycia's of Alycia Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

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

All I want for Christmas is more time to quilt !!!

Hugs and Stitches!!!

Dedicated to my sweet sister, Amy who loved Christmas just as much as I do. I miss and love you.

I love this ornament , Shelly . Thank you so much. 

Frosty McChill Block 5 "Chasing Snowflakes" and Mr. Chill freebie

Good morning, Winter Sunshine! Do you "Got Snow?"

Nah! No snow here. It is still too warm for that, but I am dreaming of a December snow with a big dollop of snow cream on top. 

So how are you doing on this beautiful Thursday?  I hope your day is off to the most spectacular start. 

Frosty Stamp

               

Mr. Pinker and I will pick up the grandbabies and take them to school . The wee one who I call "Itty Bitty Angel"  is only there for a few hours,  and then he is home for playtime with "Mae Mae" . ( That is what the grandbabies call me.) My oldest grandbaby whom I call "Angel " will be home soon there after. Then off to the woods we will go in search of slimy salamanders and  other  critters that are brave enough to peek out of their  hiding place  to  take a gander at two  roaming inquisitive youngins in search of animals and adventure .   

In my spare time, I am going to be working on some embroidery work, and it is going to be another Frosty McChill block.  I tell, ya'll, I am plumb tickled pink to share this block. 

              

 In fact, this is my favorite block so far. It is called "Chasing Snowflakes".  Oh! Frosty is too stinkin' cute ; well at least in my eyes. 

                

 Did you notice that he is sporting a pair of ice skates as he tries to nab a few snowflakes? 

                

Blocks shared so far are " Let it Snow"  and " Sled Time  " and ...

The Tree March  and "Just a Sweeping!!!" 

 

INSTRUCTION TIME !   Now remember , I am no expert, but am just sharing how I embroider mine. Please prepare your fabric, embroider in whatever manner that  makes you happy. The number one rule is to always have FUN FUN FUN!!!  

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut your fabric to 8 1/2 "x 11 1/2" . This will  be trimmed later.  

2.  Place the pattern between a light box or a window and center the design as best as possible. Trace the design onto your fabric using your favorite transfer fabric pen or pencil . 

3. Embroider the design .  I used a back stitch using 2 strands of DMC 498  on most of the design. A stem stitch would look  quite lovely if you prefer.  I used 1 strand of 498 for the details in the snowman's face.   

4. On the snowflakes , I used a French Knot at the end of 4 of the points . You do not have to include the French Knot or you may want to add a teeny bead at each point . How cute would that be!!!

5. Press and trim to block size 7 1/2 x 10 1/2".

          

Are you ready to snatch this little design? Well go ahead and just click the link below . Now pull out your needle, thread and fabric and let's go to town!!! 

Click here for embroidery pattern.

Before you leave, I would like to share with you another snowguy, but this one is a cross stitched one. Mr. Chill. Now I haven't stitched him yet. I usually like to stitch  my little designs and make adjustments as I go. I hope you do not mind if I share him before that process. Since I haven't stitched him, the colors are just suggestions or ideas that I had . They may change when I begin Mr. Chill so I highly suggest to do a floss toss and use the flosses that strike your fancy.  When I get him stitched, I will definitely share photos here. I'm dreaming of a round finish. Any whooo. Let me introduce you to  Mr. Chill. I think he will be a precious little stitch. 

(UPDATE : As I started to stitch Mr. Chill, I realized that I need to change the floss color of the band in his hat from 930 to 931 - so it will show up better.  I'll keep you updated as I stitch him) 

UPDATE: JAN. 2025- Mr. McChill is finally completed after all of these years. LOL. 

Click here for the Instruction page. 

OOOPS! / CORRECTION -On the instruction page , I made a mistake . I said that I stitched the Pine needles with 1 strand of 3344. I meant DMC 3345. 

Click here for Colored Chart.

Click here for Black/ White chart. 

Thank you so much , my dear sweet friends for popping in for a visit today. You made my day . Oh , by the way I am loving seeing your Frosty's that are being posted !!!💙💙💙☃❄⛄

Happy stitching, ya'll

Melisa 

Happiness is catching snowflakes with your tongue. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!

Warm wishes and Snowman kisses, 

Dedicated to my sweet Baby sister, Amy. Amy loved a good ole' snow just as much as I do. I hope you are chasing snowflakes in heaven, Amo.  Love ya,!

Prim Winter- Gifts

Happy December, ya'll! 

This sweet Santa was a gift from a dear friend. Isn't he adorable? 

 It is a beautiful day in my neck of the woods.

 A little chilly,  but it should warm to the mid 50's by noon.

                      

 Mr. Pinker is going to work on a little greenhouse for me later on today. I am so looking forward to puttering around in the dirt especially come spring time. 

Right now I am enjoying some coleus cuttings that I have in little jars of water. They are rooting nicely.  

 I am officially calling today a "Stitching Holiday" . I plan to stitch and quilt the day away on holiday projects. Ya want to join me. Boy, would I just love the company! I bet I could even rustle up some pumpkin pie for us to snack on between stitches.

 Well today I wanted to share with you Prim Winter Gifts; its another ornament that goes along with my Prim Winter series that I stitched last year.  

            

    The previous ornaments include: 

Prim Winter Love , 

 

Prim Winter Home, Prim Winter Peace   Prim Winter Joy ,   Prim Winter Faith  

and Prim Winter Angel 

  

and Prim Winter Hope 

Prim Winter Gifts pairs nicely with Prim Winter Love because the same 2 cardinals appear in the stitches. 

This time presents are in order. Oh I just love these cute patootie birdies! 

 If you are interested, just check out the pdfs below  and my little disclaimer. 

 Many of you know , but I always like to leave this little disclaimer.  

I stitch my little designs for fun and to decorate my home. I feel very blessed by this community and love sharing my little charts, but I am not a professional designer. And I do not have professional software. Thank you for understanding that I  have to put each page on separate pdf downloads because of the devices I use. I apologize for that.  And I am always grateful for your kind encouragement , your visits, and stitching my little designs. 

Click here for the instruction page.

Click here for the colored chart. 

Click here for the black/white chart. 

        

 I have my needle and thread all ready. Projects are laid out and The Christmas Story is playing on the TV so now let's get down to some serious stitching.😀🧵  Thank you so much for joining me today and hope you pop back in for a visit real soon. There are still 2 more Prim Winter ornaments coming in the next couple weeks and Eeeeh! Tomorrow is another snowman embroidery block!! As always...

Happy Stitching, ya'll

Melisa

The greatest gifts are not wrapped in paper but in love. 

Hugs and Stitches and Warm Winter Wishes !!!

Dedicated to my sweet sister, Amy who had one of the most generous hearts. I love you ,Amo.