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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Friday, February 13, 2026

Vintage Becomes New


A few months ago, I saw this cute little crazy quilt block on Kelly Cline Quilting (fb) that included an embroidered piece. I love the block, and I was pretty certain that I had a pillowcase with one of these kittens on it somewhere in my "vintage items to keep" box.  

This "VITK" box lives under my sewing table...

I kept thinking about it as I pieced my scrappy green wonky star blocks for my RSC (rainbow scrap challenge) quilt.  I made a few dark, I made a few light... positive and negative.  I was pleased with how they look. 💚 (why am I mentioning this project again?  Keep reading ;))


It was as I was digging for the embroidered pillowcases that I found a collection of green blocks that came from another quilter a few years ago.  The blocks were pieced so that they were a little (quite) imperfect but had lovely greens.  I sat down with my good friend, Jaqueline and started to part them out... in the end, I added two more lovely RSC blocks to my collection... left side top and middle.

While I did not find the pillowcases I was in search of, I did find lots of other treasures... some linen hand towels stitched by my Grandma T - Tressie - and a crocheted pansy doily.

Grandma was born February 16, 1915.  She loved the color yellow.  The two pieces looked like they belonged together and the vintage pieces quickly became something new... in her honor!

I marked the centers of both pieces (by pressing creases with a hot iron), made my quilt sandwich using Hobbs fusible batting (being careful to leave the center crease marks) and then pinned the doily into place.


I machine stitched the outer edges of the white portion of the doily down and then quilted the center star, following the wider lines.  

I pushed the pansies to the center so that they were out of the way and marked my quilting lines to reflect the scalloped edge of the center of the doily.  

The pansies were then pressed back into place, pinned.  I then hand-stitched the outer edges.


The binding matches the backing from Connecting Threads - Swallowtail Grove.  I sewed the binding to the front and then hand-stitched the binding to the back with an exposed running stitch.  I made sure I added in two labels.  One to show I had made it... and one was just for fun!

If you are interested in making a purchase from Connecting Threads, you can use the code ACTMelvaLovesScraps to receive 15% off, including sale items.



This was a fun and quick project and I love the result.


Here's one final look at the piece all washed and ready for its new home. 💜💛


I wanted to offer a brief update about the grandson's basketball game... He only had a few minutes of playing time in each quarter, but each time he scored!  His skills have improved since we last watched him in December and he was happy to see us.  


Heather dropped him off at the game and was picking him up but did not stay.  While disappointed, we made the most of our time with Ty.  I was able to use him as a courier for the valentine's cards I had with us.  I had fun making these up and Mom had fun as we made the stained-glass cards from her.
For those that offered up prayers for our time together... Thank you! 💗

Now... where did I see those embroidered pillowcases???

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Dreams... My latest Wordy Wednesday

I've been having some strange dreams lately... 

Most recently, I was in the studio quilting and considering some of the prompts for the Connecting Threads ambassador program.  Among them... Valentines Day (duh) and Team USA.

In my dream I was using two of the patterns that are to be included in the Little House Sampler quilt.  I had the first block finished (My Heart) in red and white... and I loved it!  And then I realized that I could combine it with the Indian Star block in blues and I loved it even more!

This is where the dream gets a little weird... I was getting ready to press the red/white heart block and my left hand, sitting on top of the block didn't/wouldn't move and the iron went onto the back of my hand.  I felt the burn from the iron and no matter how I moved my arm, the iron would not get off of my hand!  I was screeching out in pain, and I knocked the ironing board over...

And then I woke up but was able to get back to sleep right away.  I know... weird!  I think my arm had fallen asleep and that was the reason I couldn't move it.  It was strange.  When mentioned the dream to Dave, he cautioned me to be careful when using the iron.  Yes sir!

But since I was so impressed with the blocks in my dream, I just HAD to give it a try...  I was to alternate the r/w strips in each row...

Not what I had dreamed.   LOL!  Maybe if I used navy or a blue fabric as the background pieces (triangles and the corner square) that shape the heart. Hmmmm...

I have another idea using a chimney & cornerstone sort of layout... stay tuned! 



No great loss.  I tried a second block, this time using red and blue.

Much better.  

Now I need to give the star block a remake for this project.


I recently saw this meme, and it reminded me of a dream I had almost 10 years ago...

I was working at a quilt shop named "The Quilty Conscience".  I was having a great time! 

When I shared the dream with my friends on fb, I asked who wanted to open a shop and hire me. LOL

In response many of them encouraged me to open a shop myself.  Hahaha.

I do remember that the dream occurred shortly after I had been given a huge collection of fabric that came from the mother of a friend.  Bolts and bolts of fabric.  Many of them were panels for wall hangings and baby quilts.  I think I still have a few of them... time to clear a few more items out of the stash closet!


This panel is under the needle and will be ready for binding very soon!

Tell me what you would name your quilt shop... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, February 8, 2026

Bookish Journal - Chapter 2 ~ Sew & Tell - 2/9/26


Welcome back!  I've been busily and happily content in the studio lately.  I've been playing in my scrap bins making RSC blocks - blues and greens so far... 

I've also been re-writing and re-testing a few block patterns for the Little House Sampler Quilter Sew Along... All as I listen to audio books.

BTW, if you missed it, the first LH Sampler block pattern has been released!  You can find it here.  NOTE:: There has been a correction made to the log cabin frame pattern.  I think I notified everyone that had downloaded the original (incorrect) pattern.  The cutting instructions were off by 1/4" in length of 6 strips.  No biggie... and you may not have noticed it.  Thanks to Karen W. for catching that!


Before I ramble on about part of my week, let's take a look at the randomly selected feature for the week.  Nancy at Grace & Peace Quilting shared two baby quilts that will be donated to a charity that provide a bundle of baby items to families in need with newborns.  Both quilts have their beauty enhanced by her choice of quilting and the backings.  Two families will certainly be blessed by receiving these quilts that are not only lovely but filled with her love and prayers.  Be sure to take a side tour to her blog to see the closeup shots of the quilting, backings and bindings.

If you missed the fact that I decided to document my book journey by piecing one 9-patch block for each book read or listened to.  In January I completed 8 books...  I've included a few links to the previous books and my thoughts on them above.


Since I last shared... Breaking Free was a story of redemption... Maggie Roberts found herself in prison after a tragic accident killed her son.  While serving her 10-year sentence, she had the opportunity to work with horses and found a renewed purpose in life. 

Charlotte's Web... Short, sweet and familiar. I loved it!

The Things We Leave Unfinished was an interesting book focused on the risks we take for love, the scars too deep to heal and accepting endings that are unexpected.

I'm having such fun making each block
to reflect the cover of the book

I skipped a few portions because of "mature themes."  Hahaha.  That's what the description included!  I felt like I was reading a harlequin romance novel!  Overall, the sex scenes were "fluff" to the story and not necessary to the storyline.  

Essentially, a book manuscript telling the love story and life story of the original author was left behind, unfinished, and another author was asked to finish it.  

It reminded me of the various UFOs I have been given to finish.  Most recently, the vintage rose quilt blocks.  I could relate to the fact that to be most successful at finishing it (whatever "it" may be) in a way that would honor the original maker or writer, you need to get to know them in the best way that you can... Study previous work, ask family members about their personalities, their likes and dislikes, what were they knowledgeable in and what were their hobbies.

The ending certainly surprised me! 

My next read was What You are Looking for is at the Library.  The librarian had an uncanny knack of making book suggestions for patrons of the community library that were seemingly unrelated to what they had asked for.  It was fun to follow the characters as they found the answers to what they were looking for in unexpected ways, and how their lives connected.


The most recent book was The War Outside.  

This historical fiction takes place during WWII - one of my favorite historical periods to read about - and loosely based on actual events.  

I have been aware of the fact that there were camps for Americans of Japanese descent.  There was one not far from the town I grew up in.  But this story takes place in Crystal City, TX and was a "family camp" for both Japanese and German Americans.  (And Italians, but there were no Italian characters in this story.)

I was shocked to learn that the US Government had done the same thing they did to the American-Japanese citizens, to other nationalities.  My Mom was unaware of it as well.  I realized then that my story/life could have turned out very different had my paternal grandparents been among those sent to an internment camp.  

Had that happened, they never would have been on the receiving end of the letters from former German POWs that worked on their farm... The very foundation of the Pieces from The Past Sew Along that I hosted in 2020.  The likelihood of not ever meeting Dave... the likelihood that my parents would not have met and married... WOW! I recently made all of the stories from this sew along available again on the blog. :)  More to come regarding that.  

I realize this is a nightmare for some living in similar situations right now in the US.  It saddens me... It breaks my heart, really.  It also overwhelms me.  What can I do to change their stories?

I can pray... That's what I can do... That's what I will do.  I want to do a little more research into this topic.  But right now, I need something a little lighter to listen to and enjoy.  I've got a childhood classic and Newberry Medal winner ready to go!  Caddie Woodlawn.  

I've having a grand time selecting the fabrics from my stash for the blocks... digging through the stacks in search of the "perfect" piece for each cover.  As I started The War Outside I had a fabric in mind for those two girls... And I may have squealed when I saw the scrap that I used for the barbed wire.  LOL.  I don't know if I'm gaining more joy out of all the books, or in making the block!  Doesn't really matter... I am joy filled!

Thanks for tagging along with me on this Bookish Journal.  And thanks for joining the Sew & Tell party.

I've got my long list of book suggestions from all of you in January, and I look forward to each one!  Thanks!

Before you go... tell me...

What is bringing joy to your life lately?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Thursday, February 5, 2026

Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along ~ Maple Leaf - Block #1


Welcome to Melva Loves Scraps and the Little House Sew Along.  The first block is the Maple Leaf block representing the first book of the Little House series - Little House in the Big Woods.

In the Big Woods book we are introduced to Laura's family - Pa (Charles), Ma (Caroline) and their children - Mary, Laura and Carrie.  They lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin in a little gray house made of logs.  Laura said there were no other houses or people that lived nearby in the woods... only wild animals such as bear, huge wild cats, muskrats, mink and otter and foxes and deer.

The family lived off the land.  Pa hunted the wildlife, they grew a garden, and they tapped the maple trees to make maple syrup. The inspiration for block one!

I remember as a child wanting to make the small molasses and sugar candies like Laura and Mary did in preparation for Christmas. Ma showed them how to pour the dark syrup in little streams over the clean white snow that was in a pan.  The syrup would harden at once and become candy.  

While growing up, my parents made lots of Christmas candy - Peanut brittle, cinnamon candy, butterscotch candies and more.  We would put together a tray of cookies and candies and deliver to family.

I seem to recall that in addition to the use of sugar, a lot of Karo Corn Syrup was used in the candy making.  I don't remember ever having real maple syrup as a kid.  In fact, it wasn't until well into my adulthood that I started using pure maple syrup.  Maybe it was because I grew up in the plains and river bottom area where we had primarily cottonwood trees.  Maple trees simply didn't grow in the area.  As a young couple with two children and a limited income, pure maple syrup was expensive compared to other pancake syrups.  You know the ones... Auntie J and Mrs. B. ;)

After getting married and living in the Midwest I grew to love maple trees.  So much so, that we now have two maple trees growing in our front yard.  They are a special hybrid of maple to live in the higher elevations and drier climate.  But they still turn bright red in the fall and that is what I wanted.  There isn't much that I miss about living in the Midwest, but the brilliant fall colors that included reds and oranges is one of them.  Sure, the golden aspens cottonwoods here in Colorado are nice, but there's nothing like the brilliance of the Midwest fall colors (in my opinion).  (We have New England in the fall on our bucket list of travel destinations, as the photos are stunning there too!)

Laura's story tells of the process of tapping the trees, cooking down the syrup and how to tell when the cooking process was done.  They had a family gathering and a dance to celebrate the extended sugaring season due to a change in the weather... and, of course, Pa played the fiddle. ;)

Times have changed and people simply go to the store to purchase all they need... Though there are an increasing number of people beginning to "homestead" and figure out how to live off the land.  

Admittedly, I find the convenience of purchasing ingredients from the store more appealing than trying to grow and harvest what we need for life.  I do have the skills and knowledge though.  

Gardening was easy in the Midwest... and I did so much food preservation in the 1980s and early 1990s.  Tomatoes, green beans, apples, berries, and so much more.  The deer were numerous in the area and Dave had connections with the local police to obtain deer that were involved in a car accident.  "Road Kill" can be considered a gross thing... but I'm not talking road pizza - Now that's GROSS!  Dave would be selective in the deer he would bring home.  We would grind for burgers (mixed 50/50 with 70% ground beef) and even make our own bratwurst and sausages.  

Along with the meat from his deer and goose hunting, we ate well on a very small budget.  How about you... 

Do you have skills that could help you to live as a homesteader?

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

Now for the "math lesson."  My original Maple Leaf Pattern was a 9-inch (finished) block.  I needed this block to finish at 6-inches.  My process for making this block the correct size was this:

The block is laid out in 9 sections - each section needs to finish at 2-inches.  That means that the individual units of the block need to be cut to 2-1/2" square before piecing them.

Always take the finished size and then add your 1/2" seam allowance.

For half-square triangle units (HST) you add 1-inch to your desired finished size.  Again, you want the HST to finish at 2" square - in this block you will cut the pieces to 3" square.  This will make the HST over-sized - trim to size for more accurate piecing.


To calculate the size of strips for the log cabin frame I first determined that I wanted the finished blocks to measure 16" square.  I had to calculate the width of each "log".

Step 1:  16 - 6 (finished size of the center block) = 10

I have 10 inches all around to fill.  Divide that by 2.  You are only concerned with side to side.  What you do for the sides, will be done for the top and bottom.  

Step 2:  10 divided by 2 = 5.  We have 5" on each side of the center block.

Step 3:  I knew I wanted to have 3 strips of fabric on each side... 5 divided by 3 = 1.66.  You then add the 1/2" seam allowance which equals 2.16.  I rounded up to (2.25) 2-1/4 inches.  I made the final two strips of the block 2-1/2" to help those of us with a less than perfect scant 1/4" sewing seam.  The blocks will be trimmed to 16-1/2 inches, unfinished.

I'll stop there with the math lesson. I hope that the steps are clear... if not, leave me a comment and I will try to explain in a better way.

If you skipped out on the math lesson, no problem!  You can find the Maple Leaf and Log Cabin Frame patterns in my Payhip store.

The linky party is open for you to share your Little House in the Big Woods block.  Participants that link up (blog, facebook or Instagram) will be entered for chance to win a fat quarter of Lady Eliza fabric from Connecting Threads.

If you are interested in making a purchase from Connecting Threads, you can use the code ACTMelvaLovesScraps to receive 15% off, including sale items.  I am using the Butterfly Sonata fat quarter bundle in this quilt.  You can find all the fabric requirements and additional info here in the announcement post.

The second block will be released on February 19th.  See you then!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, February 1, 2026

January Review ~ Sew & Tell - 2/2/26


The first chapter of 2026 is complete, and we are beginning the new chapter we call February.  It is the shortest chapter of the year... though, sometimes, it can feel like the longest. 

I'll be reviewing all that I did during the writing of that first chapter.  But first, let's take a look at the featured quilter from last week's party.  You all kept me really hopping all week!  There were 32 links shared!  I think this was the largest party I've hosted.  Thanks!  I am thrilled (and honored) that so many of you are willing to share updates, progress, finishes and personal thoughts and comments.  I feel that I've come to know many of you on a more personal level through your comments and blogs.  I love hearing about how you made decisions on pattern choices and options, color selection in addition to hearing bits here and there about your personal lives. 

With each link, I feel like I'm sitting across the table with you enjoying a cup of tea or glass of lemonade and perhaps a "crumpet" (as my grandma called any sweet treat or cookie).  Joy at Days Filled with Joy has been busy filling her design wall with some blocks for a quilt for her husband that is intended for their caravan.  While many here in the US are dealing with the polar vortex, she is down under in the middle of a heatwave.  If you like any of these blocks and have an interest in the patterns, she includes the links for the patterns.

Now, on to my January summary... 


I completed two quilts - The Vintage Rose quilt and Caroline (the second Little House Sampler quilt).  I also announced the beginning of the Little House Sew Along.  Details for that can be found HERE.



I made six blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - 3 positive and 3 negative Scrappy Wonky Stars.  I am ready to begin a new color, which is going to be green.  My neutral bin of scraps has expanded since I finished "Caroline" for the sew along so I think that making the negative blocks will not be much of an issue. :)


I listened to 8 books and have pieced 8 Bookish Journal blocks.

And I wrote up the tutorial on how to make a NPS shirt using a reverse applique technique.

January was a fun chapter...  I've enjoyed the slower pace and managed to get 2 years' worth of photos & memories in a photo album.  I'm ready to tackle 2021 and part of 2022. I even pulled out a few photos from a calendar that I saved to do paper embroidery.  I have them tucked away for now.  I will pass on as a small gift to friends or rotate the few that I have framed an on the walls with the seasons. :)  


I look forward to the second chapter of the year and am confident that the "Shalom" - the wholeness and completeness and state of nothing being broken or missing, well-being, harmony and prosperity - will continue in our lives.  

We are coming up on the 1-year mark of the fiasco centered around the baptism of our granddaughters and the separation/chasm in our family that resulted.  It's been too long since we saw and hugged them.  We did see our (step)grandson at a basketball game in December.  It was wonderful to love on and hug on him and his mom was so appreciative of the support we showed him.  

If my calendar calculations are correct, he should be with his dad and our daughter on the 7th as we plan to go watch another of his games.  Since it is a weekend that he's with our daughter, the girls may be in attendance of the game as well.  We've missed them all deeply.  Prayers appreciated!


We visited a local thrift shop recently and this panel called out to me.  It was a little like the Marco Polo game... Marco!  Polo!  As I took it off the hanger it was on, it got louder... "Take. Me. Home!"  I obliged... I have no idea what I will make.  But I'm open to suggestions!

Leave a comment... 

Time to go... I have green scraps calling out to me.  I need to set them FREE!!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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