Red , White and Blue Freebie

Happy Tuesday, dear friends. I just finished a little quick stitch and thought I would share it with you. 

 This is a simple little stitch with sweet buntings and 2 small houses - one of which is a blue log cabin. 

Now I have to be honest, in my eyes I think the design is cute , but I am not crazy over my stitch. 😒 Why you ask? Well let me tell you. It all started with the fabric. I Rit dyed mine with charcoal gray which usually turns my fabric a dark blackish-brown. But oh no not this time- it was very light. So I added more dye, dipped it again and let it sit. After several minutes, I took it out and rinsed it  ; it wasn't dark, but ok I thought I will go with what I have. 

Since I was anxious to stitch, I rushed to the bedroom to put the fabric under the fan and in about 30 minutes I was ready to go. So I started pulling flosses. Now here comes the 2nd problem I had . Eeek - my blue!  I floss tossed my blues and had so much trouble finding a blue that remotely stood out on my drab and dreary fabric. Lol.  DMC 798 was what I settled on because that's all I had.  

                 

After I had it all stitched up , I thought, "Hmmm , this is not too bad", but then hubby walked in. Now he rarely says anything about my stitching other than "That's pretty", but  as he passed by he said "The blue does not stand out" .  

Aaaah! for him to notice means it really is dull. lol . 😲😀😆After getting over my shock that hubby noticed a detail over my stitching, I decided to go ahead and finish it. This was such a quick stitch that when I get new floss I can always stitch it over.  This was one of the easy finishes because I knew ahead of time that I wanted an ornament for my patriotic tree. I mounted the stitch on batting covered foam board. The finishing fabric is one of hubby's old shirt and the ribbons were from the Dollar Tree. 

                  

If you are interested in this stitch, I would be so delighted for you to check out the pdf's below. This is one where you choose your favorite Red, White and Blue floss and your favorite colored fabric. I did list mine but I strongly encourage you to do a floss toss on your fabric.

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 and white chart .

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what I have been up to. I hope that whatever you are doing today, that you are finding joy  and as always...

Happy stitching, ya'll

Melisa

My Patriotic Heart beats for the red, white and blue! 

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

Stars , Stripes and Chickens - Oh my ! A Patriotic Freebie

Woo Hoo!  They are back! Oh, how I am so excited to share with you my newest stitch of Annie and the gang. So put on your apron and grab a bag of chicken feed and let's go out to the hen house and  check this stitch out!

  Now if you are new to my blog,  you may not be familiar with Annie, but she is a sweet gal who is raising 3 wild and woolly hens, and they are as busy as a moth in a mitten.  Annie is always working whether  tending to bees or  gathering pumpkins , blooms, or eggs . Sometimes she even has to tote her 3 gals , Edna, Dorothy Mae and Alma, around. Now of the 3 hens- Edna is the fiesty one and can be quite the character . Dorothy Mae is a bit more series. Alma is as sweet as a apple pie.  

What is the crew up to in this stitch? Celebrating the red, white and blue. Annie is marching with a flag while the gals are running a muck with stars and flags all around.   

This is a small  measuring 54 x 51 which on 14 count aida would be around 3 7/8" x 3 5/8" .  I finished mine on foam board  and placed it on the little wooden box that I bought at the Goodwill last year. 

          

Each season. I just change the stitch out.  Easy Peasy.  

                      

If you are interested in adding Annie to your stitching , please check out the pdfs below. 

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

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 and white chart. 

If you missed the other charts, I sure hope you click on the links below and check them out. 

  Bees, Blooms and Chickens 

 Cornstalks , Pumpkins and Chickens , 

Snowflakes, Sledding and Chickens  ,  Roses, Hearts and Chickens , and Bunnies, Baskets and Chickens .

I am so grateful that you visited me today. This is one of my favorite little series of stitching that I am working on, and  I am so thrilled to share it with you.  I hope your day is filled with many blessings and   as always ...

Happy stitching, ya'll

Melisa

It is always an honor and a delight to see your stitches. You can always tag me on Instagram and please use #pinkernpunkinquilting. You can also Direct Message or email me. 

Hand on your heart for the stripes and stars. 

Hugs and Stitches 

A Lovely Mother's Day and A Sweet Surprise

Hello, dear friends. I am a bit late on my Sunday Slow Stitching update, but after a lovely Mother's Day I am now ready to settle down for some stitching. 

Mother's Day started out nice, warm, and very windy. I went over to my mom's where most of the family gathered. My sister and her husband cooked a fabulous meal of barbecued chicken and Kentucky Hickory Smoked ham. The ham was amazing as was all of the food. Of course we had sides - potato salad , broccoli casserole, mac and cheese and coleslaw.  Boy, did we all stuff. 

Mom received lots of pretties and of course hugs from the grandkids . It was a great day! We enjoyed the day on the patio watching all of the kids and grandkids. 

My sister gave me the prettiest flowers which normally I put in a vase , but I decided to put these in a little mason jar with a sorghum label on it. 

                     

My oldest daughter surprised me with a patriotic metal truck.  

I think it is time to change out the mantle and put my truck on it. 

                

She also got me the sweetest itty bitty camper. 

By 4:00 p.m. the skies opened up and the rain fell. Time for the party to end. 

I have been hopping back and forth between projects. 

Eyes are being added to the chickens. 

Grass is being filled in on a new stitch. 

Last night I began sewing  flags together in neat little rows.  More sashing will be added soon.

Can I tell you about my sweet surprise? The other day Mr. Pinker  handed me a little envelope after going to the mailbox.  I was brought to tears when I saw the sweetest cross stitch and note from my friend, Karen.  Isn't it precious!

 I adore it Karen; thank you so much.  I can not wait to frame it and display it where I can see and treasure it  everyday. 

She also sent me Deck the Halls by Blackbird Designs. I'm already dreaming of a bowl of Christmas  berries. 

Well I am off to stitch. Have a wonderful week and hope you stay awfully busy in a good way. And 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

Tish at   The Madd Quilter  for UFO Busting #144

 A mother is like a flower; each one beautiful and unique. 

Hugs and Stitches

Life is Better On A Farm- freebie

 It is an overcast Saturday, here in my neck of the woods, but it feels nice and comfy outside. It is a great day!  Happy Saturday, my dear sweet friends. How are you? 

  I've been sitting by the window, watching the chipmunks , squirrels and birdies frolic and fight among the feeders - quite  a sight to see them all together. Amazingly, the mourning doves are the ones who try to run some of the birds off. And the cardinals could care less, and they do their own thing. 

                        

I thought I would pop in for a quick post with glimpses from the farm and a little simple freebie for those farm lovers . 

Little sheds on the farm hold treasures tucked on the walls. 

Rusty horseshoes unearthed from the ground days long ago. 

An old tractor seat waiting to be repurposed. 

An old weathervane made by my uncle in the early 1980's. 

 A little birdie resting on a muscadine vine. 

 An old corn husker 

The gate heading to the barn. 

The old tobacco barn and corn crib. 

Last night I worked on this little stitch into the wee hours of the morning. This is called "Life is Better On A Farm" . 

 I had an idea on how I wanted to finish it, but that idea fell through. I was wanting to stitch it and attach it to a little blue jean pocket and tuck some flowers in , but my girls' denim pants pockets were too small.

After searching through my finishing stash of this and that, I could not find anything. Sooooo. .. 

I can never go wrong in my eyes by just turning something into a little min quilt. 

The red fabric was from my daughter's red sun dress she wore in the 1st and 2nd grade. Such sweet memories. 

If you are interested in this little stitch , just click on the pdfs below and choose your favorite floss color. I used DMC 498 for mine because I am a red girl. Hubby would have red it in John Deere colors though. lol. 

Click here for the instruction page. 

Click here for the colored chart. 

Click here for the black and white chart. 

I am so delighted you stopped by for a farm visit . I hope you have a very blessed Mother's day weekend and as always...

Happy stitching, ya'll

Melisa

And into the field I go to lose my mind and find my soul!

Hugs and stitches

Ya'll come back , you hear!