All Is Well That Ends Well Monday

It is another beautiful Monday here in the holler. Welcome y'all. Is your week off to a marvelous start? I sure hope so. It is supposed to be  cooler today , and  no rain is in sight so that will be nice.  The oldest grandson had a wonderful birthday celebration yesterday. He celebrated in true Hogwarts style with a Harry Potter themed party. 

 Thank you for the sweet birthday wishes.  

Are you ready for another tale from the road? 

One evening while camping , Mr. Pinker and I made a "supply stop" at Wally World aka Walmart. After getting a small but expensive supply of "off brand items" , we made our way back to Big Red (the truck) and ole raggedy Annie (the camper). Normally, Mr. Pinker loads the groceries on his side of the truck, but he opened the  back door on the passenger side . Soon I heard a "Grumble Grumble!"  

"Oh dear. What's wrong?" I asked. 

"I am afraid I will break these. " I turned around to see him adjusting my quilt hoops which were placed in a strategic position and spot for their safe keeping.  "Darlene's Quilt" was in the large hoop and after giving a quick glance it looked like all was well. 

Soon we were trucking down the road to the next camping spot- a lovely site in the woods along  Brazo River.

 It was not until 2 days later that I went to the back of the truck and pulled out Darlene's quilt which was snuggly placed in my favorite 18" hoop. Soon I sat down for some Monday morning stitching. 

After stitching one block, it was time to move the hoop. As I loosened the hoop and moved my fingers around the band, I felt a slither of wood giving away. "Hmmmm. Yoo hoo , Mr. Pinker , dear What did you do?" 

Mr. Pinker was sitting beside me. He looked at the the quilt hoop. "I don't think I did anything," as he looked at the hoop with a worrisome look.  I am sure the grocery loading scenario was being replayed in his mind.  He quickly got up and went to the camper in search for super glue.  A few minutes later he came back with Elmer's glue and gorilla tape. Eeeh! 🦸 Mr. Pinker to the rescue . 🦸❣ He took the poor bedraggled hoop into the "emergency room" aka  picnic area to repair .   

Meanwhile I pulled out   Love Letters ,  a free quilt design by  Kathleen Tracy of  A Sentimental Quilter which was posted as a Quilt Along in February of 2023.   I put Love Letters into the small hoop and diligently worked on it. Soon an envelope was quilted. 

When it was time to quilt the center block, I drew out a heart as a template from a piece of  scrap paper .

 I pinned the heart in place and stitched around it. Easy Peasy!  

 In the coming days, I planned to work on the border.  

If you are interested in this quilt, please visit Kathleen's blog where the steps are still available.   Step 1 , Step 2, and Step 3. 

   Shortly afterwards, Mr. Pinker returned back to our chairs with the hoop in hand.

"Your quilt hoop is fine and dandy! " It was sporting a black bandage and looked quite happy to be repaired.  . I set it aside to dry for a few days. 

"Thank you ,dear, " I said . "I will take care of the groceries next time. " I  jokingly said with a grin. 

"Sounds like a plan, " said Mr. Pinker. "How about I take care of dinner for you now? "  

Eeeh ! Mr. Pinker to the rescue again. "Aaaah, thank you Mr. Hoop Breaker ; you are a gem."

  A few days later Darlene's Quilt was back in the hoop, and the quilting commenced. All's well that ends well. 😀💗

Well that's another tale from the trip. Can you tell that Mr. Pinker is one of my biggest supporters on my quilting and stitching ventures? I am so fortunate.  I really did not blame Mr. Pinker for the hoop breaking; it is just one of those things that happen. LOL. 

This is a view of how we set up camp. The kayak was strapped to the steps and scooted over so we could open the door and climb up the steps to the roof when needed. Because I had trouble getting up and down  the camper steps, we found a cinder block while on the road that I could step on. I bet you guessed that I am not a tall gal. 

Now tell me have you ever broke a quilt hoop? I have broke a few in my days, but I always try to repair them. How do you make repairs? 

Well , Sweeties, "Darlene's quilt" is still in the works so I better get to quilting. May you day be filled with joy , happiness and loads of crafty fun!!!! 

As always...

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, ya'll

Melisa

Do one thing everyday that makes you hapy

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

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

These are a couple of my thrifty finds from Texas. Now tell me. Who can resist a vintage red sewing box? Not me!

Blooms , Blooms , and More Blooms! And Strawberries and Cream Stamp Freebie

Hello there Sunshine! Smile, Be Happy and Enjoy the day!  It is going to be a good one! 

 We will be celebrating the oldest grandson's birthday today- just a few days early  . So that means a whole lot of fun is in store for my day, and I am sure I will get some sweet hugs and kisses from 2 munchkins. 

 Hopefully, the weather will be lovely enough for the boys to play outside. You never know this time of the year when a Spring Shower will make an appearance.  

The kiddos have been busy 6 days a week  playing ball ! The Little One is down and ready!

The birthday boy is fixing to pitch! 

Did you see my latest heart block that I shared on Thursday? It is called Early Birds and is the 4th block in my Heart series which is a monthly SAL. 

 The blocks are coming along.  Do you have any suggestions on how I should set them when all 12 blocks are complete?  I am making a small quilt out of these. 

Blooms, Blooms, Blooms!!!  

QUILT ALONG ALERT

Joy at Days Filled wit Joy is hosting another quilt along. She is always so generous with her talent. Every year she posts gorgeous stitch alongs and quilt alongs. 

 Right now Joy is sharing  SAY IT WITH FLOWERS QAL !  Each design will be FREE FOR A MONTH . 

  My flower is drawn and hopefully by the days end the 1st block embroidery will be complete.  

Click the colored links to join Joy in all of the fun!   Thank you , Joy!

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS INTRODUCTION

SAY IT WITH FLOWER BLOCK 1 

Speaking of Blooms.  I pulled out my Jeannette Douglas Mini Bouquet Sampler and have been giving it a little love. Last night I worked on the bottom vine. Today I will begin the July bouquet. Jeannette offered these designs as a free SAL in 2022. They are no longer free, but you can find the designs in needlework shops. 

This wee mini quilt will be going in the hoop. See it has a few flowers in it too. I made this using 2 1/2"x 6 1/2" scraps. Just one of those simple easy peasy quilts that soothes the soul. 

Do you think I have enough to keep me busy? I sure hope so . Of course, I do have the darling grandbabes to chase after as well. 😀💓🏍

Yikes I am a sucker for advertising tins. These are some of my thrifty  tin finds that I purchased while camping in Texas. The little boy on the cookie tin reminds me of my oldest grandson. 

QUILT FREEBIE ALERT - LAST DAY!

Run don't walk!!!!    Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts has posted a  Doll Dowry Quilt called Spring Burst . It is FREE through Sunday, April 21, 2024;  so I do hope you drop by her blog for the details. If you click the colored links, you will be sent to Pam's blog . The pattern can be found at her website under the Digital Downloads.  Pam is always so generous and creates such darling designs. 

Alrighty, Sweet Peas. I'm off to enjoy some birthday fun. Have a beautiful Spring Day!

HOLD THE PHONE!   

I can not let you leave before sharing a little strawberry stamp called Strawberries and Cream.  It is a Choose your Own Colors Chart . So use as many or as few colors as you want. 🍓🍓🥤

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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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Happy quilting and stitching, y'all

Melisa

Wishing you a big slice of happiness today! 

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗❤🧵

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. .Your love and laughter will be missed at today's party. Love and miss you., Amo .❤❤❤

I can not let you leave without me telling you how much I appreciate your sweet visits. 😊❤

Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2024 parade of home freebies.

🌞A Blooming Parade A Look at Spring and Easter Previous Freebies-   2024 Parade of Spring freebies

🌞Buzzin Bee Parade 2023-  An early 2023 bee freebie parade. 

🌞Messin and Gommin in the Kitchen -  2022 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 

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 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 

You Got Bunnies? And Bunny House Saltbox Freebie.

 Well, hello there Honey Bunny! And a very Happy Saturday to you. So how about it ? Do you have a fluffle of bunnies hopping about? 

 They are still multiplying here. But I guess that is what happens at The Bunny House - that's the name of my newest  saltbox. 😁🐇🐰👯

This little house was on my finishing table yesterday. I trimmed around my stitch a little over 1/2" before sewing it into a little pillow. 

Oh , I do hope you like this little house. It is nestled in a vine of flowers . The vine is stitched in DMC 469, 355, 352, and Blanc. 

Three little bunnies are hopping their were up and over the house. Wouldn't that be a sight to behold? 🐇🐇🐇  HOP! HOP! HOP!

The Bunny House was a pretty quick stitch with only 12 DMC floss colors including 168, 469, 352, 355, 610, 676, 831, 869, 844, 926, 3863 and Blanc. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

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. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

So what do you think? Do you think you could live in a house where you would hear the pitter patter of paws pouncing on the roof?  Hoppity ! Hop!   I think I could! 🐇🐰🐇

Soon I will be wrangling up all of my little hoppers that are scattered about.

Perhaps I need to put away the bunny bait first- like my carrot quilts.

 

 

While camping, Mr. Pinker and I also visited  few thrift shops. I purchased a few items that will be on display next year in the "carrot theme" . 

Isn't that teapot adorable? The vintage pot holder will be used in my bee and sunflower decor as will the piece of pottery. The little chick egg holder will soon move to my hutch.  I will show you more of my thrifty finds in future posts. These items were bought in Arkansas. 

Run don't walk!!!!    Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts has posted a  Doll Dowry Quilt called Spring Burst . It is FREE through Sunday, April 21, 2024;  so I do hope you drop by her blog for the details. If you click the colored links, you will be sent to Pam's blog . The pattern can be found at her website under the "Digital Downloads". 

Well , Sweeties, I better let you go. You may have your own bunnies to wrangle, but if you get finished early, hop on over to my house with your bunny net. I could use all the help I can get to catch these little happy hares. Have a hoppy happy day and...

As Always...

Happy quilting and stitching, y'all

Melisa

"Even the smallest one can change the world. "

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗❤🧵

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

Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2024 parade of home freebies.

🌞A Blooming Parade A Look at Spring and Easter Previous Freebies-   2024 Parade of Spring freebies

🌞Buzzin Bee Parade 2023-  An early 2023 bee freebie parade. 

🌞Messin and Gommin in the Kitchen -  2022 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 

Chasing Butterflies

What's up Buttercup?  Good morning and a very Happy Friday to you , sweet friends. 

The last time I left off on my camping tales, Mr. Pinker and I were at Grenada Lake at Skuna Turkey Campground. 

This is a free primitive camping area, and at this time of the year, we had the whole place to  ourselves except for an occasional 4 wheeler going down to the lake with an eager fishermen on board🎣.

Cypress Knees at Grenada

 Across the road was Stevens Cemetery. 

" Do you want to visit the cemetery?" I asked Mr. Pinker. 

"Whatever you want to do, Sweetie, " replied hubby.  

"Aaah right answer, dear. " I said with a grin. 

Into the woods we went  . Soon we came to the site. "Is this it? Oh my, how sad, " I said with a frown. 

Do you see the headstone? 

" I can not believe this  cemetery is so  overgrown with briars and shrubs."

 I began to buzz about the sites studying the gravestones. 

 

Many of the graves were sunken. The oldest dated back to 1871 and the newest to 1930. There were at least 51 graves here, but there were some that were unmarked. So sad to see this resting place in such a state. 

After saying a few prayers and quiet contemplation , we soon made our way out of the woods and back to the camper. 

 

"Let's move camp, " said Mr. Pinker.

 "Ok, I thought you liked this spot. " 

 " Well, I want to see if we can get closer to the water." 

"I should have guessed that, "I said with a smile.

 Soon we were packed up and puttering down the road  and around the lake. We stopped at the visitor center and at the dam. The dam is an earthen dam that measures 13, 900 feet in length and stands 80 feet above the streambed. 

 A conduit runs under the dam and is used to control the water . There were a lot of fishermen along the channel where the  water was coming out of the conduit.  Mr. Pinker chatted with a fellow as I sat on a swing. 

A fish stake bed- habitat for fish when there is water. 

Soon we were on our way. "Now where? I asked. "Well I guess we are going right back to where we were- that's the only primitive camping that is available. "  Hee! Hee! See I told you!  We do fly by the seat of our pants. 😂👖

The next day, I woke up to an empty camper. Mr. Pinker was gone. I looked out the window to see fishing rods missing. "Aaah he found his fishing spot, "I said to myself.

  I puttered around and soon found myself setting up my stitching table.

 Today's plan was to work on some applique. 

I brought my Little Chicken appliques that I had started year ago. 

 So with needle and thread in hand, I appliqued 3 wonky baskets and worked on a new hen. I need at least 1 more hen and basket and then I will have 24 blocks. 

As I was stitching away, I felt a tap on the head. I quickly snapped around to see Mr. Pinker tapping me on the head with his fishing rod. "You catch anything?" I asked. 

"You!" exclaimed Mr. Pinker. I just smiled. 

"Soooo that means NO fish . Right?".  Mr. Pinker laughed, "Yep! How about you?"

"Oh I caught a lot of ZZZZZ's this morning and caught up on some chicken stitching. "

"Sounds like a good day!"

The water was low at Grenada Lake. 

"It has been so far".  

A cat fish noodling box at Grenada Lake. 

Mr. Pinker and I then sat down for lunch.  As I was eating I gazed out the window and eyed a big yellow butterfly. I quickly scampered up to the cabinet above my bed, pulled out some fabric and with a jump and a skip was out of the camper.  "What's going on ? " asked Mr. Pinker. "Have you spotted something? "he asked in confusion. 

 "I am off to chase butterflies," I chimed. 

The yellow butterfly flew away, but lots of small ones were nearby enjoying the early spring blooms which carpeted the forest floor. 

After taking a few snapshots, I appliqued a little yellow butterfly. It still needs it's body, but it is a start. 

So all in all Mr. Pinker and I had a grand but simple day.  I will leave you with a few photos of the lake. We stayed here for a few days before moving on. 

Thank you for the sweet visit and have a beautiful day! 

      A new house is on the finishing table. Hopefully, it will be posted tomorrow as a freebie. I would be thrilled if you come back by for a visit. Hugs! 

Happy quilting and stitching, y'all

Melisa

"Finding some quiet time in your life, I think  is hugely important. " Mariel Hemingway

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗❤🧵

Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2024 parade of home freebies.

🌞A Blooming Parade A Look at Spring and Easter Previous Freebies-   2024 Parade of Spring freebies

🌞Buzzin Bee Parade 2023-  An early 2023 bee freebie parade. 

🌞Messin and Gommin in the Kitchen -  2022 post on how I tea/ Coffee Dye my fabric. 

Do you think this rock looks like a heart?  I thought so. It was on the beach at Grenada.