Sunday, March 8, 2026

Studio Hostage ~ Sew & Tell - 3/9/2026

 

Spring has begun to spring! Though it is very early, and we will likely still see another snowstorm or two... the tulips and hyacinths are poking their little noses out of the ground.  Our irises are turning green with new growth, as are the day lilies.

It is evident that the ground that has been dormant is waking up and releasing pollen... it happens every year... my allergies have made me miserable.  I've muddled through so far with no infection settling in and no horrible coughing spells.  Whew! It does help that I don't feel a bit of guilt by staying inside as much as possible.  The studio and fabric have accepted me as one of their own and really don't want to let me go. ;)


But before I share what I kept busy with in the studio, let's take a look at this week's featured link...  Allison at A Messy House is a Sign of a Happy Quilter summarized her green scrappy blocks from February for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

My favorites were the green pineapple blocks.  Make a visit over to her blog to see all of the other scrappy blocks she made.


Hexagon pansies were the first project to go on the design wall.  These pansies were made with a template of a 1/2 hexagon and jelly roll strips.  I won the jelly roll strips at the quilt retreat in November.  As the coordinator congratulated me, she suggested requested that I make a quilt with them and bring it back to the spring retreat.  

Since the spring retreat is a couple weeks away, I thought that I would get that item marked off the "To-do list".  I didn't really feel up to trying free-motion quilting, so I simply did an outline of the flowers and flower centers... I had asked for suggestions on how to quilt it on social media but received no help.  It seems as though they have changed the algorithms again.  :(  Trying to keep up with them is exhausting.  I'll stick to blogging for the joy of sharing my ideas and thoughts with you.  

Sorry 'bout that rabbit hole... back to the pansies. :)  No border... nothing fancy... but it is done.  If we are to have a gift exchange I will use it.  I added two little tags. It measures 28" x 32".


On Tuesday Lee Anna and I attempted to overcome technological challenges to a video call and finally settled for a phone chat.  As we chit-chatted and got to know each other better, I made the wonky star points of my Red scrappy stars, positive & negative.  

She was working on her hexagons.

Block number 3 of the Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along - Harvest basket was released.  

The quilt math lesson was a fairly simple one.  the block has lots of pieces in it and since it is only a 6" block, the smaller pieces will be the challenging part.  The fat quarter winners from the first two blocks were notified.  Linda won the FQ from the maple leaf block party and Diann was the winner of native star party.  Who will win the FQ from the Harvest Basket party?  It could be you!  You can find the link for the post with all the details on finding the pattern here.

While I was hiding away in the quilt studio early in the week, Dave was out helping a neighbor and fixing a leak in the water system.  This meant that I had plenty of time to enjoy my books.  I finished four bookish journal blocks.  

With This Pledge is a Civil War historical book based on actual events and documents.  I enjoyed it.

Bookshop by the Sea was a light-hearted, Christian romance novel.

I f i n a l l y finished Table for Five by Susan Wiggs.  This has been on my nightstand since at least November.  It is the first physical book block for the journal.  I only read for about 15 minutes before turning out the lights.  So, it was a slow read.  Should there be some sort of designation for that?  How would I do it?  

I'm open to suggestions.

It's a clean romance novel that I would rate as a PG for some language.

I am still currently listening to the Briar Club.  It is set in the 1950s in Washington DC.  A murder mystery novel. I'm currently writing this on Saturday morning, so the likelihood that I finish it by Monday is strong.


I have the cutting table cleared, the machine had a little pedicure, and the design wall is empty.  What's Next?

I have a box of t-shirts for a custom memory quilt waiting for me!  Good thing too! I was about ready to start cleaning. LOL!

Oh, and this finally happened!  We attended a softball game for our 1st granddaughter.  She's not in any of the pictures, but she had a great game.  SIL was there and not two words exchanged... though I did witness him reminding Emma that she needed to go give hugs to us after she changed her shoes.  Continued prayers for healing in the family relationships!


Before you go... let me get to know you.  Let's play a game of this or that...  I'd go FQ bundle... they can always be cut into strips. ;)

THIS:  Fat Quarter bundle?  Or THAT:  Jelly Roll strips?

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Thursday, March 5, 2026

Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along ~ Harvest Basket - Block #3

 

Welcome back!  It is time for block #3 of the Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along.

Book #3 is the story of Almonzo Wilder's childhood.  Unlike the other books, which follow Wilder’s own life growing up on the American frontier, Farmer Boy tells the childhood story of Almanzo Wilder, Laura’s future husband. Set in 1866 in upstate New York, this book offers a vivid and detailed look at what life was like for a prosperous farming family in the post-Civil War Northeast.  Farmer Boy is structured around the calendar, offering readers a month-by-month account of life on a working farm in the 1860s. 

The inspiration for this block comes from Chapters 19 & 20 (Early Harvest & Late Harvest) with the stories of harvesting hay, oats and wheat, as well as beans, pumpkins, carrots, turnips and potatoes.

There was no time for rest and play for anyone in the family.  While the boys were all out in the field harvesting, the girls were in the house preserving.  Cucumber pickles, green-tomato pickles, and watermelon-rind pickles; they dried corn and apples and made jams and jellies.  Nothing was wasted of all the summer's bounty.  Apple cores were saved for making vinegar and a bundle of oat-straw was soaking in a tub on the back porch.  Whenever there was a spare moment, Almonzo's mother braided an inch or two of the straw for making next summer's straw hats.

The block that accompanies this book is the Harvest Basket.  It was originally a part of my Pieces From the Past series (Basket of Diamonds) and measured 9" finished.  For this quilt, like all of the LHS blocks, it needs to be 6" finished.  As you can see in the photo above, the block layout is 4 x 4 units.  Each unit needs to measure 1-1/2", finished.

The square pieces simply need 1/2" added for the seam allowance.  And like the Native Star block last time, when making Half-Square Triangle units you add 1" to the finished unit size = 2-1/2".  For a more precisely sized unit, many will add 7/8".  I prefer to use the oversized method because it allows me to square up the unit when trimming and the end result is a proper sized finished block.  Remember, you get two HST units from each set... In this pattern you will have a few extra HSTs, as noted on the pattern.  (The extras can be placed in the spare parts department.)  



Add the log cabin frame around the block and then come back to link up your finished block for a chance to win a prize!

Now for a little fun, here's a trivia question for you to answer before you go to payhip for the pattern.  

What does Almanzo win first prize for at the country fair?

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Please NOTE:  This linky party is for Little House Sampler Quilt blocks only. ;)

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Sunday, March 1, 2026

That's A Wrap ~ Sew & Tell - March 2, 2026


Another month gone.  Poof! 💥 Just like that February is gone! I'll give a quick review and to wrap it up, I'll tie a pretty little bow on it. ;)  But first, let's take a look at this week's feature.  Nan at With Strings Attached shared a picture of a few placemats she made... 


"we Rotarians cooked, assembled, and delivered 130 spaghetti dinners for area seniors/shut-ins.   
This is the service project for which I made placemats all last year.  I don't know how the recipients reacted, but Rotarians liked them!  Admiration is great encouragement.  I've decided I'll make placemats for 2027. " 

It sounds like a great service project as well as an opportunity to empty those scrap bins I have!  I think the local senior center might appreciate some.  

In this second chapter of 2026, ten blocks were pieced to represent the second chapter of my reading journal. Ten books finished... some better than others, but isn't that part of life?  You have to try different things to help determine what you like and dislike... And just because you may not like something doesn't mean that it isn't important.  

The most challenging read was The Names.  It addressed domestic violence... not a topic many really want to delve into.  Does domestic violence need to end?  YES!  But much like alcoholics, the abused needs to make the decision to make it end and leave.  I've never been in such a situation, so I'll stop right there.


 

Some of the more enjoyable books I listened to were Hurricane Season, by Lauren K. Denton and Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink; Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse and the Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick.  The two latest listens were A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor a story of children saved from the streets of London in the late 1800s and early 1900s; and Smitten which is a collection of short stories about four friends trying to turn Smitten, Vermont into the most romantic town in America.  Cheesy, goofy, predictable stories with the four friends eventually falling in love and admitting their love for four different guys.  The stories did address some serious topics such as overcoming the emotional trauma of an abortion, learning to trust others despite previous hurts and breaking free from the emotional control and manipulation of others (people pleasing)... All the makings of a light-hearted Hallmark-style love story that saves a town.  As goofy as it was... I liked it. What can I say???  LOL!


I finished four quilts this month... The quilted panel, the vintage doily and this scrappy green baby quilt for a customer which will be delivered at the end of this week.

And my vintage linens quilt!  It is my favorite.  💗

What started out as a whim and no real plan has turned out beautiful!


I am so pleased with the finish that includes linens stitched by hand by my Grandma, Tressie Teegarden.  (You can learn more about in the Pieces in the Garden posts.  Follow the link on her name or click the Pieces in the Garden tab at the top of the page.)

According to a note she left pinned to them (click the link to see a photo of it), she and her friend Alice would sit and sew together, making samplers, pillowcases and other items for their hope chest. Since she married in 1935, at age 20, some of these pieces are approaching 100 years old.

I backed some pieces with fusible interfacing to keep them from going all willy-nilly. The alternating 16-patch blocks include linens and fabric from vintage aprons my Mom used to wear... most from the 1960s.


The backing matches the binding and the small border. Both the print and the vintage looking linen colored border are from @connectingthreads Perfect for this finish! 

As promised... here's the pretty little bow 


It is a new month... which means a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, which is red.  Red is not one of my go-to colors for projects, but I'm sure I will be able to make several blocks of my scrappy, wonky star blocks in positive and negative... I even have some new red scraps from the Linen Quilt Border. ;)

While Dave was away with the guys, I sorted my stash... It should be fairly easy to pull out what I want.  How long will it stay so nicely organized?

How do you sort/store your stash and fabrics?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, February 22, 2026

This, That & the Other ~ Sew & Tell - 2/23/26


Welcome back!  I say that to my readers and participants of the Sew & Tell party, but also to Dave, the mighty hunter camper, has returned and I am so happy. 💓 He returned empty-handed of any game but filled with stories and memories to share.

But before I get to my week of This, That & the Other... let's take a look at this week's feature.  Leeanna at Not Afraid of Color has been participating in the Stay At Home Round Robin challenge and shared her interpretation/creation for the "curves" prompt.  I've enjoyed reading about and seeing all of the various responses to the prompts in the challenge, but Leeanna has a knack for some amazing art quilts.  She has not disappointed me with this water lily in the lower left corner of the photo.  She shows us all the steps she took (and thought process) to get to her finished block... go check it out! 


I don't do much with art quilts... but I often go through a similar process with most of my quilts.  Sometimes the end result is so very different from what my initial thought or plan may have been.  Just like last week when I was working with the vintage linens.  I had thought a small crazy quilt wall hanging was my intention.  

When I realized that I didn't have enough embroidered pieces to do that I started adding in some of the crocheted edges... but then the blocks needed something more.  As I woke early one morning, I knew exactly what they needed... alternating 16-patch blocks!  But I was short enough linens.  I decided to dig a little deeper and found some vintage aprons (1960s?) from my Mom.  

I mixed them in with 3-1/2" linen squares and smiled.  The colors are washed out a bit at the bottom of the photo... indoor lighting. :(  This top is ready for borders but will wait for the delivery of the fabric I purchased from Connecting Threads with my monthly ambassador credit.  My machine was in serious need of a quick pedicure since the linens produced so. much. lint!  Follow the highlighted to link to see just how much.

As I pieced and pressed and rearranged blocks on the design wall, I listened to books... uninterrupted since I was the only one in the house.  

When I was satisfied with the layout of the linens I moved into cleaning mode and finished two books over 3 days as I sorted and reorganized my fabric stash and thoroughly cleaned my kitchen... top to bottom!

The Girl in the Blue Coat was a WWII story. After listening to that historical fiction and serious topic, I needed something a little more familiar and lighter... Mary Poppins was just the ticket... though I was surprised at how different it was from the movie. 🤷‍♀️


The next morning, I started three different books before settling on The Restoration of Celia Fairchild. I love the way Marie Bostwick can bring humor into her stories while revealing serious subjects and events.  I will say I shed a few tears for Celia but cheered as her friends gathered around her in support... Celia was indeed restored in the end.  I'm a sucker for a happy ending!


By mid-week, I was tired of the quiet.  I switched things up and pulled out all of the photos from 2021 and the beginning of 2022.  I gathered together my scrapbooking supplies and literature I had saved and set up a table in the living room.  I enjoyed reliving our travels and events of just a few years ago as I moved onto the book The Names.  It was a difficult book to listen to.  Domestic violence was in the forefront as three different storylines were told... all based on the mother's decision on registering a child's name.  Two names were against the father's (the abuser's) wishes and the third revealed their lives when she registered the name she had been told to use.  

Not only was the topic an uncomfortable one, but I also found it difficult to follow as the three stories were told in chapters that paralleled the same time by name - Bear, Julian and Gordon.  I would have had an easier time of following along had the entire story of one character at a time had been the format.  None the less... I finished the book and the block. ;)  I had discovered the floral print as I sorted my stash by color and knew immediately that it was destined for this book cover block.

If you missed it... The second block of the Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along was released - Native Star.  You can find the link to the post that includes a math lesson and photos of the block as well as the link to the pattern... HERE.

Linda, Texas Quilt Gal was the randomly selected winner of the Little House Maple block draw.  The link for the maple leaf block is still open and will remain open until the end of the sew along.  

I have another fat quarter to be given away with the Native Star link up.  Get your pattern and join the fun!  No blog? No social media?  No problem!  Send me an email with a photo of your finished block and I will get you entered.

I picked up some new garden/farm themed fabrics this week...  which has me longing for spring. The duck print has small packets of seeds on it and is so cute!

You may recall that I don't do much gardening, but I do have a small area in front of Dave's shop that has parsley and oregano growing in it.  I harvest several times each summer and enjoy the leftovers of when my daughter Heather wanted to have a small garden during her college summers.  She definitely has her Grandpa's green thumb!  She has a container garden at her home and has it set up with an auto root watering system that she built.  It's really impressive!  

I want to start in on a new Pieces From The Past quilt, but that will need to wait until I get a commissioned baby quilt made.  My customer has requested that it be in greens.  How convenient that it happens to be the color of the month in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  💚

That's all I have for now... but before you go...

Have you started thinking toward starting your garden?
Do you start from seeds?  
Or do you start your garden with small plants?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Thursday, February 19, 2026

Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along ~ Native Star - Block #2


Welcome back to Melva Loves Scraps and the Little House Sampler Sew Along.  The second book of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series is probably the most popular, favorite and familiar to LIW fans, thanks the television series... Little House on the Prairie.

The adventures of the Ingalls family continue as they leave the little house in the big woods of Wisconsin and set out for the big skies of Kansas Territory.  They were feeling settled with the completion of a cabin and small barn. They were planting and plowing, hunting wildlife and gathering grass for the animals... and then they had a visit from the Natives while Pa was out hunting.

They indicated they wanted something to eat so Ma carefully and calmly pulled cornbread from the fire and offered it to the men.  They ate every morsel and crumb and then turned and left (with Pa's tobacco) as silently as they had entered the house.  

And now you know the inspiration for the second block of the sampler quilt!  The original pattern "Indian Star" is from Pieces from the Past and a 12" block.  In the photo below clockwise: Upper left the block in my first LH Sampler quilt; 2nd LH Sampler quilt; 2-color Native Star (my favorite!); and finally, the original Indian Star block from Pieces from the Past.  


All four blocks are from the same pattern.  By going with just 2 colors and adjusting the color placement you get a quarter star block which, I think, resembles the feathers on the Native's heads. (Picture from my vintage book, illustrated by Garth Williams.)

I have left the pattern as the original was written requiring the three colors, but you can probably figure out what you need to make the 2-color block on your own. 

Time for the math lesson. 😁 This one is easy...  We are reducing the block size by 50% or dividing the unit size in 1/2.

The original pattern block pieces for a 12-inch block were cut to 3-1/2" and 4" squares.

First up, the 3-1/2" squares unfinished have a finished size of 3". 
3 divided by 2 is 1-1/2", add your seam allowances (1/2") = 2 inches.

When making Half-Square Triangle units, you need to know your finished unit size - which in this case is 1-1/2"... add 1" = 2-1/2".  For a more precisely sized unit, many will add 7/8".  I prefer to use the oversized method because it allows me to square up the unit when trimming and the end result is a proper sized finished block.  Remember, you get two HST units from each set... so you would need 4 sets to make the 2-color version of Native Star.

Whew! The math lesson is complete...  I need a break.  Won't you join me for some tea or coffee and a few Prairie-inspired biscuits?  These are a slightly sweet biscuit and the crunch from the chopped pecans and a dab of butter melted on top make them a special treat.

It's now time to hop over to Payhip to get the Native Star pattern.  If you didn't get the log cabin frame pattern yet, you can get that one as well.  The patterns are free for the duration of the sew along.

Before you go... tell me which version you will be piecing.

Will you choose the original 3-color block?
or will you choose the 2-color block?

When your block is finished, be sure to come back and link your blog or social media post for a chance to win a prize.  (Must have a US mailing address.)  No blog or social media?  No problem.  Send an email with your photo attached and I will link you up. (Please note that a social media link must be made public so that everyone can enjoy the block.) MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

m

Please NOTE:  This linky party is for Little House Sampler Quilt blocks only. ;)


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Sunday, February 15, 2026

Books, Vintage Linens & Sew & Tell - 2/16/2026


The house is quiet... after the frenzy of Dave preparing to leave on a hunting camping trip with three other guys.  Preparation for a trip can be busy, and he gets a little overwhelmed with trying to focus on what needs to be done and what he would rather be doing. We both suffer from that syndrome.  LOL! Technically it is a hunting trip.  He paid for a license and is taking all that he needs to take along.

I, admittedly, was a little disappointed that he left with the camper without me.  He did politely invite me, saying I could be the camp cook.  I politely declined guessing that at least two of the four would not be pleased to have a woman in-tow.  I would grow tired of their antics and language as well.  So... the house is pleasantly quiet for 1 week. :)


I enjoyed seeing everyone's items shared in the Sew & Tell party as well as the visits to each link as I read the thoughts and stories from the various authors.  This week's feature is from Cheree at Lively Latte.  Cheree has jumped onto the Patriotic-250th USA Birthday Celebration wagon.  

Her Star Spangled quilt is just the first she has planned for the year.  I love the colors and fabrics that give it a rustic and traditional look.  You can visit her blog to see what she has planned for the next patriotic quilt.


As Dave was in a frenzy and distracted mode I was in my own little world as I listened to Caddie Woodlawn.  It is a childhood classic and Newberry Medal winner.  The story of a young girl in the late 1800s as she was allowed to run with her brothers and be a tomboy to her heart's content.  I enjoyed the stories of her adventures and mishaps with her brothers.  As well as a gentle turn toward the end as she decided that behaving as a girl might not be so bad.  Sorry if I give way too much... but I loved that her brothers decided that learning some girl stuff, like cooking, cleaning and even quilting wasn't so bad and still afforded them time with their sister that they loved so much.  It is based on the life of the author's grandmother (maybe great grand?)... perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much!

Hurricane Season was the story of two sisters... one a single mom, the other with no children because of the painful journey of infertility.  It was about taking the time in life to find the correct path in life for YOU... not always taking the path that would please others.  It was about healing and it was about reconciliation... it was about communication and honesty and understanding.

I thought I had the storyline figured out very early in the book... the sister with children dropped her children off at the farm of the sister with no children... for just 2 weeks.  which then turned into 8 weeks!  Given the title of the book, I thought someone was going to die during a hurricane or that the mother of the children was going to end up abandoning her children to follow her dream career... 

I'm glad I had mis-assumed the scenarios that I had conjured up!  I enjoyed the book and had fun (once again) selecting fabrics for the block.


As I enjoyed these books I puttered away in the studio.  I tried a few more variations on the mini-heart blocks that I shared last week in my Wordy Wednesday post.  None were stellar, but worth the effort to see what works and what does not.  I have several weeks before I need to have that finalized pattern worked up for the Little House Sampler Sew Along.  

But that star block???  That one is worth keeping and happens to be coming up later this week with the release on the 19th for the second pattern that accompanies the Little House on the Prairie book.  

I finished my second LH Sampler quilt a few weeks ago... is it too late to replace the star block in the sampler quilt with this star?  I'll ponder this and let you know what I decide.  It certainly wouldn't be the first time I've done such a crazy thing!  

Have you seen the Maple leaf blocks from some of the LH Sampler participants?  You still have time to get the block pieced and linked up!  The pattern is free for a few more days. The pattern will be $2 beginning the 19th.  Go grab it now and join the fun!  You will find the link for the pattern when you click the link above in this paragraph.

No blog or social media account to link up?  Send me an email and I will get you linked.  MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com

Remember there is a chance to win prizes with each finished block. (US mailing address only, sorry.)


I eventually grew tired (frustrated) of messing with those hearts and set them aside.  That was when I pulled out a few vintage linens out of the Vintage-Things-I-Keep box.  Then I pulled out of storage a pattern and templates for a crazy quilt and just played.  

I found the pillowcases I was searching for last week(mentioned here)... some of them. I found the little kittens, but there is still another set that had pink and black embroidery on them.  Those are still MIA.  But here's what I have so far.  I have NO idea of what I will do with them.  I'll figure it out eventually... probably add some 16-patch blocks made with leftovers of these CQ blocks and some old aprons from my Mom.  Just how big is that box, you ask?  LOL!


When I shared my crazy dream with you last week, I had I showed you that I had a winter panel ready for quilting... Ta-da!  One of the main reasons I chose it was to be able to practice the FMQ feathers. I didn't want to lose that skill again.

I did some FMQ in the scene, outlined the picket fence, made scallops on the peak of the house, stippling around the ivy, did a twisted ribbon on the vine of the ivy and the narrow border in addition to the peak & valley or zigzag quilting in the frame around the scene.

It was quick, it was easy and an excellent refresher for my FMQ skills.
Don't forget the label!


With Dave gone for the entire week I plan to get some scrapbooking done this week.  I have pictures from 2021 and about 1/2 of 2022.  I'll work on that in the evenings when I can spread everything out in the living room as I enjoy the Olympics. :)

What will I be doing in the quiet of the day?  In the studio?  I don't quite know yet... I have a short list that includes reorganizing and sorting fabric and scraps in the guestroom closet and continuing with the vintage linen blocks... and give my machine a little mani/pedi since the linens seem to create excessive lint.

What are your plans for the week?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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