Berries, Butterflies and a Doodle- Spring Doodle Freebie

 It is another  beautiful Slow Stitching Sunday.  Yesterday I spent much of the day pulling weeds and working in the garden before the rains came.  I gave myself a good pat on the back for what I accomplished.    

Another peek at Melva's Heart block. I just adore it! 

Once I went inside,  I cut out more background squares for my Berries and Butterflies quilt. 

I need 25 butterflies total and I think I need 40 berries, but I will have to refer back to my notes just to make sure. 

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Dollar General has little faux wooden strawberries for a dollar. I thought this would make a good finishing piece later on for a stitch. 

The background fabric that I chose for the next batch of butterflies is more of a bubblegum pink. Oooh so pretty. 

So that is what I will be working on today- bookoos of butterflies. Well to be honest , I will be happy to get 1 or 2 butterfly bodies appliqued before I flutter to the next project which will be the   beautiful Hankie Butterfly quilt. 

This quilt top was a gift from dear Susan and  it went into the hoop earlier this month.  I am just in love with this quilt. ❤

This hankie butterfly is so elegant! 

Thank you, sweet Susan for such a precious gift. 🤗

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

A couple of weeks ago , Mom gave me her strawberry apron that she wore while selling strawberries on the farm.  The berries would be sold by 12:00 each day. Many customers would call and preorder just to make sure they could pick up fresh berries. Those were the good old days. I hung Mom's apron on the vintage Hoosier top for the season, but I will be changing out  this apron soon.

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

The other day I bought a vintage apron at the antique shop for $4.00.

 Isn't the vintage fabric so pretty? ❤💚💛

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1.Continue working in the gardens. There is plenty  of weeds to pull and I need to transplant some polka dot plants. ( My new favorite. )

🌞2. Work on Bee Haven Cottage

🌞3.  Work on stitching a new Strawberry Sampler

🌞4.  Piece more Four Patch Fun blocks. 

As I pieced Melva's Heart block earlier this past week , I also worked on Four Patch Fun. 

Two more Four Patch Fun blocks  to add to my growing bath. 

🌞5.  Whatever other mischief I can get into. Now that will not be too hard. Hee!Hee!

 

Yesterday , I shared Bunny's Harvest Roundabout. Well I am still playing catch up on posting the little doodles . So today I wanted to share May Flowers Roundabout.  Over the next few weeks, I will be working on these embroideries, and I will update the posts with photos as I make progress. 

My doodles are hand drawn and are never perfect. ❤

Graphic from Pinterest: Sara Kay artwork

UPDATE: June 15, 2026 May Flowers Roundabout is all embroidered.

 I used 2 strands of floss and used the backstitch, lazy daisy stitch for the leaves and French knots for the delicate flowers. 

I  used the following floss colors:

 

🌺DMC 3802 ( coneflower petals),

🌺  DMC 3687( coneflower center) 

🌺 DMC 469( coneflower stem and leaves)

🌺DMC 470 ( Cup shaped flower stems and leaves)  

🌺DMC 961 (Cup flower #1) 

🌺 931 ( Cup flower # 2) 

🌺 DMC 986 ( Delicate vine)  

🌺 DMC 783 ( small flowers on vine ; stitched in French knots  and French knots at end of Cup Flower's  Stamens )

🌺 DMC 312 ( scalloped border)

The Roundabout was stitched on 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"  (unfinished) white fabric. 

It is framed with 20 -  2 1/2" squares (unfinished) 

The Roundabout Block  with Scrappy Borders Measures:  12 1/2" x 12 1/2" ( unfinished)

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

That is what is going on in the holler on this lovely day. What are your slow stitching plans for the day? 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"A day with needle and thread in hand is a good day.   " 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy. Love and miss you, Amo. 

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 

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Amy Lou the Berry Picker 

A Slow Stroll in the Garden and a Roundabout. - A Doodle Freebie

Good morning , sweet friends. Please do come in and join me. The coffee is piping hot. Cream ? Sugar? Or do you like it black? Perhaps some iced tea? I am so happy that you joined me on this very lovely day. It is supposed to rain, but I am not sure if it will or not. We sure do need it. We are already in a drought- it is definitely dry as dust here in the holler. 

I have  enjoyed seeing all of the garden tours in blogland these last few days. It is so interesting to see what is blooming and where. Speaking of gardens , do you mind coming outside with me for a minute to see what is going on this week? We won't stay out to awfully long because it is hot and humid . 

I have been working on The Garden Is My Home. 

The snapdragons still look pretty. This is my 1st year growing them. 

One foxglove bloomed, and I have already snipped the  stalk with spent blooms. I still have not put down the mulch. And yes , there still are weeds. Hee! Hee! 

The day lilies will bloom soon. Ox- eye daisies are peeking beyond the yard art.

My Stella  De Oro Daylilies look mighty poor this year. Usually they put on a spectacular show.  Only a few are blooming. 😏💛

I have added a little bit of dianthus to the garden which is now drooping- like I said it is dry as dust. 

My oldest Annabelle Hydrangea is beginning to bloom. 

I must say I am one happy gardener.  The hummingbirds are happy too. I have a lot of hummers this year. 

Speaking of hummingbirds, when Mr. Pinker and I were in Arizona for the winter we visited the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Outside of the visitor center was the most unusual but wonderful raised bed with hummingbird feeders. There were hummers all around , but it was hard to get photos of them. 

While we are outside, let's sit on the porch for a minute or two. Shall we?  

Yesterday, I was on the top porch and walked down the steps to the bottom patio. Low and behold a big snake was sunning itself. Yikesters! I screamed as it started up the steps to the next patio. Mr. Pinker shooed it away. It was just a rat snake, but it scared the bejeebers out of me! 😱 Such is the life of living in the forest. 

I have already checked on the porch. No snakes will bother us as we chat. 🐍🐍🐍

Anywhooo.... After 6 years , I finally fully finished "Americana Sampler" by City Stitcher. I just adore it. I think because it is a  red log cabin. 

The grandsons spent the night last night. As we sat and watched movies, I worked on more Roundabout Doodles. I will be playing catch up  on posting  those over the next few days.  

 

So today I would like to share "Bunny's Harvest" . This was supposed to be my April Roundabout, but time got away from me. I will be cutting fabric for this block and begin the  embroidery this weekend.  

My doodles are hand drawn and are never perfect. ❤

UPDATE: JUNE 1, 2026 : I finished the embroidery on Bunny Harvest. 

I stitched this little bunny using 2 strands of floss using the back stitch and lazy daisies for the  carrots' leaves.

 

I used the following floss colors just in case you are interested: DMC 921 (  middle carrot) , 470 ( carrot greens) , 898, ( the bunny) , 517 ( jacket) , 3766 ( wind) , mystery light blue for the collar ( DMC 932 would look lovely) , mystery lilac for the scalloped border, and JP Coats 00169 orange for the two  end carrots. 

UPDATE: JUNE 6, 2026 

The Roundabout was stitched on 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"  (unfinished) white fabric. 

It is framed with 20 -  2 1/2" squares (unfinished) .

The Roundabout Block  with Scrappy Borders Measures:  12 1/2" x 12 1/2" ( unfinished) .

I also finished   Welcoming March Roundabout. It was stitched on an 8 1/2" square piece of fabric.  

Previous Roundabouts include:  Frosty Chill Roundabout,  Love Mail Roundabout , and Welcoming March Roundabout Doodle and Bunny Harvest Roundabout.

Well, I guess we best get in the house and cool off before the rain comes .  Have I talked your ears off? 😀😁 I sure hope not, but it was such a joy that you stopped by and visited me today.   

Remember to do something you enjoy today.❤

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.  "-  Janet Kilburn Phillips

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy 

 I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

 

 A collection of vintage cards- my latest thrifty find.

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 for 2025 A parade of sunflower freebies up to July 24, 2025

🌞Pumpkin, Leaves and Autumn Please- A Fall Parade 2025 A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 8, 2025.

🌞 A Parade of Stamps 2025  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to August 14, 2025

🌞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. 

🌞A Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October  4, 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. 

🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. 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

In a Bustle and the Little House Heart Block

 "Why are you in such a bustle? " asked Mr. Pinker as I brushed past him. 

"I have a block to piece. " I hurried into the quilt room as Mr. Pinker stood silently watching .

 When all of a sudden... "Clank , Thump, Crash! KaBlam!!!!" 

 "Oh Butterfingers! " I screamed in frustration as I dodged a small tote tumbling to the floor. 

Mr. Pinker rushed to the quilt room doorway. 

"What's going on in here?"   he inquired. 

"Grumble! Grumble! " I snarled. " My rolling cart gave way from the pressure of the totes  and .... Boo Hoo... look at all of this mess!"  

Mr. Pinker stood wide eyed saying nothing. Slowly but surely, he began to back out of the doorway as I gathered an armload of fabrics and rushed out of the room - only stopping briefly mind you to turn around and stick my tongue  out at the protruding mess bulging from the quilt room. 😜"I am out of here! " I said and with that  I went to the living room to sort and cut my fabrics. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Pinker had  quietly retreated to the safety of the downstairs. 

 Soon I was stroking and petting all of the pretty calicoes and prints . All was good again.

 After making a selection of fabrics, I began to cut out the strips for Melva's 8th block called Heart . 

"This looks like a fun one to piece. " I said to no one in particular. I could feel a sense of calmness wash over me.  

After cutting the fabrics , I went to a spare sewing machine that I had tucked in the corner and began piecing the block.  And a short time later,  the  Heart  block was all pieced. 

 Soon a sweet aroma drifted from the kitchen. Mr. Pinker was baking.  I proudly took my block to the kitchen. 

" How are you doing? " asked Mr. Pinker. 

" I am in love- look at my block."

"Pretty " said Mr. Pinker.  "Lookie what I have here. "  Mr. Pinker then pulled a Toll House pie from the oven.  

"Eeeh" I squealed in delight.  Yes, all was good . Well except for the mess in the quilting room. But I will have to muster up some strength to tackle that . Perhaps that is a weekend job. 😏😜

 Today Melva at Melva Loves Scraps is posting  the last block - that is  Block 9 in the Little House on the Prairie Sew Along . So run don't walk and head over to Melva's so you can join in all of the fun. 

Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along Posts:

INTRODUCTION of the Little House on the  Prairie Stitching Along - January 29, 2026

Block 1 Maple Leaf- February 5, 2026

Block 2 Native Star- February 19, 2026

Block 3 Harvest Basket- March 5, 2026

Block 4 Shoo Fly- March 19, 2026

Block 5 Rails- April 2, 2026

Block 6 Snowflake- April 16, 2026

Block 7 Kitten in the Corner- April 30, 2026

Block 8 Heart- May 7, 2026

Block 9 Prairie Rose - May 21, 2026

As Always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting,

 y'all

Melisa 

" Courage and kindness, loyalty, truth and helpfulness are always the same and always needed. - Laura Ingalls Wilder.  

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 for 2025 A parade of sunflower freebies up to July 24, 2025

🌞Pumpkin, Leaves and Autumn Please- A Fall Parade 2025 A parade of Fall themed stitches and doodles up to September 8, 2025.

🌞 A Parade of Stamps 2025  A parade of stamp cross stitch design freebies up to August 14, 2025

🌞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. 

🌞A Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October  4, 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. 

🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. 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 using Rit dye. 

 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

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for Home Matters

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday