A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

Hope you've had a great weekend.  It has been really

busy around here.  Hollis and I got to go do some long

over due antiquing on Saturday.  We made the trek

to Luckett, Virginia for a huge Spring show.  The

weather was threatening the whole day.  It rained

the whole way there, so much so that we thought

about turning around and going home, but we

stuck it out and it stopped raining.  It was amazing.

When we left in the late afternoon, it started

raining again.  We were so lucky.  Another first

was that Lehmer-Papa, and Paul-Dada baby sat

for Avery so we could go.  They survived without

a scratch, so I hope this won't be our last day out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I head back to Richmond in the morning

to take care of Avery, I wanted to share a 

"little glimpse" of some new designs coming

your way soon.  Hope you like them!

Please let me know what you think~

I'll be back in a few days.  Take care.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Something New!

Good Evening!

We had a beautiful day here in Virginia, a little

on the warm side though.  It has been a really

strange Spring for Virginia.  Usually it is really

hot by now, but we have had mostly cool days

and a lot of rain.  I'm not complaining about

the rain.  Last year was really dry.  Lehmer has

been cutting the grass every few days.  He hasn't

started fussing yet, but it won't be long now.

I need to find the time to get my flowers and

then get them in pots and in the ground.  Where

does the time go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~On to my news ~

I hope you like Sewing Birds.

I've always loved them and was lucky to find

a few to add to my collection many years

ago.  Now they are so pricey.  In fact, any

stitching tool is over the top expensive,

unless you just get lucky.  Well, I have one for

you that you don't have to pay a fortune

for, plus you get the fun of stitching it.

 ~SEWING BIRD~

You get two designs, plus the small design is shown

stitched over one for a wonderful ornament,

scissor fob, or even a pendant to wear.

I did the original design years ago, but it is

timeless and I still love it.  I did bunches of

3/4 stitches in the original (which is pictured),

but I will regraph it without those annoying

3/4 stitches.  There may be a few if necessary,

but I hope not.

Anyway, let me know what you think.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Stuff!

Good Afternoon!

Hope all is well with all of you.  Faye and I have 

had a really busy day trying to get these two new books

out to our Distributors and we made it.  Yeah!!

Now let me tell you about them.  The first is, of course,

"Peacock Manor"

Sampler & Runner.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you have been following Homespun Elegance

for years, then you know I have a collection

of Annual Christmas Ornaments, including

Santas, Samplers, and Snowmen.  Well, I have

decided to retire some of these as individual

designs and put them in collections.  The

first one will be of the Santas ~ from

1995 ~ 2002.  You will get eight Santa designs

in this first collection. 

"Annual Santa Ornaments"

1995~2002

I hope you will think this is a good idea.  A great

value for $12.00.  These are normally $8.50 each.

The only difference is you will not receive

the embellishment as in the single design, but

they are available Open Stock.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have many new things to show you in the

days to come.  So, I'll be back soon.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Quick Post

Hi Everyone!

"Peacock Manor" Sampler~Runner

is almost ready, so I thought I would share.

I found a frame in my collection of olde frames.

I think it is great.  Of course, it is not perfect

the way a professional framer would do it, but

I'm happy with it because I like imperfection.

I hope to ship next week.  Please let me

know what you think.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are celebrating Mother's Day tomorrow,

I hope it is wonderful.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Mother's Day Wishes

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Have you ever felt like a Mother Hen?  Well, if you have,

then I think you are a good Mother.  I know I have been

accused of over mothering, but I can't help myself.  

Is it a bad thing?  I don't know.

I just love my children ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't you

love my chalk ware hen and her babies.  I've had 

her for years and she usually resides on my porch.

But, since Mother's Day is fast approaching, I 

felt she deserved coming into the house for a while.

Anyway, I hope each and every one of my friends

who have had the joy of being a Mother, have the

most wonderful day tomorrow.  

Blessings to all of you,

Sandra

Do You Remember This Post?

Hi Everyone!

Back on January 12, 2012, I posted about

this "vintage" runner and asked you what you

thought I should do with it.

Well, this is what I decided t do with it ~~

"PEACOCK MANOR" sampler.

The stitching is finished, but not the finishing.

I have to find the perfect frame.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When it is published, you will receive the entire runner plus

the "Peacock Manor" sampler.  I hope you are pleased with

my decision.  I think it is great.  Please let me know what

you think.

Wishing you "Many Happy Stitches" and a

wonderful weekend.

Sandra

May Is Here!

Happy May!

If there was any doubt about what month it is,

just look at this.  Azaleas from my yard in a loose

arrangement.  I did this last Friday and it still

looks wonderful today. 

Wishing you a wonderful Spring filled 

with stitching pleasures,

Sandra

Update

Good Morning!

Just wanted to let you know that all of my new things

have been added to my ETSY site.  Also, winners

of the Online Show drawing will be announced

mid week when I return.  I will also have new things

to show you then.

Hope you are all well.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Online Show Preview

Good Evening Everyone!

It is with great sadness that I write this post.  The tragedy

in Boston has once again broken our collective hearts.

When will this evil stop.  When such overwhelming

sadness happens, it makes it hard to go on with our

normal lives, and makes us feel guilty for having done

so.  I know that is how I feel today.  I had to finish doing

all the work for this Online Show that starts Thursday.

Even though I didn't feel like it, I had to do it.  Also,

little Avery had to have surgery this morning to have

tubes put in his ears.  He has had one ear infection after

another one, so it had to be done.  Everything went OK.

Hollis has had a tough time today because he really

did not feel well.  Unfortunately, he has a really bad ear

infection now, but they had to do it anyway, so I 

believe that is what made it harder for him.  We are

hoping that tomorrow will be a better day for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to let you see the NEW things that I am

offering in the Online Show.  Everything will be

going out to my AUTOs in a few days as well.

SAMPLER FRIENDS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BEE HAPPY

The scissor fob is sold separately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEEK JOY - STITCH

The pre-finished Pin Poke is sold separately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

SNIPPETS & STITCHES COLLECTION

"ELEGANT LACE SAMPLER"

LTD. EDITION

This is a Ltd. Ed. because you will

receive the beautiful antique lace

to embellish this piece along with

the sweet "Antiqued Crown"

brass charm.  

This particular project pack will

end when the lace is gone.  I hope

to find something equally as nice and

offer it again, but that will only happen 

if I am really lucky.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

SNIPPETS & STITCHES COLLECTION

"WEEPING WILLOW"

LTD. EDITION

This is another Ltd. Ed. piece because of the

availability of the trim forming the limbs

of the willow tree.  I have been having such

fun coming up with these designs.

The Online Needlework Show opens at 2:00 EST

on Thursday.  To read all the details and descriptions

of these new designs, please visit the show

and enjoy.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

ONLINE SHOW SPECIAL

My Stitching Lady

canvas bag, which retails for $15.00 will be 

offered to you through the shoppes for $11.00,

for the duration of the show.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As usual, I will have a drawing each day for

a wonderful assortment of goodies.  All you have

to do is be a FOLLOWER and leave a comment.

If you have any questions about these new things,

just email me or wait and read about them

at the Show.  Remember to let your shoppe know

if you would like to have any of these things.

I hope you see something you like.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Things!

Good Afternoon!

I'm so happy to show you my two new designs and

hope so much that you will like them.

So here goes --

A HALLOWEEN YEAR II

~March~

"PARTY CATS"

Aren't they funny!  I had a great time designing

this one.  To see all the other designs in this

fun collection for this year and last year, just

look in the left hand column.  Continue scrolling

down to find all of them.The "Nubby" trim is

available from me as well as the "Mouse" charm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

PURELY SAMPLERS

 COLLECTION

"OUR NEST"

I love this design.  Home is so important to me, with

all the memories we have accumulated through the

years.  Of course, you don't have to live somewhere

as long as I have to become attached to your "NEST".

There is room on the left side for two sets of initials.

Of course, it has mine and Lehmer's.  On the right

is the date that we moved into our home.

You could remove that and add more initials for

children if you would like.  The frame and the

"Antiqued Crown" are available from me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please let me know what you think.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

I'm Back

Good Evening Everyone!!

First, I want to apologize for not sending out

Easter wishes to everyone.  I was still not feeling well,

and just dealing with what I had to do was all

I did.  In fact, I didn't go to Richmond on Monday or

today, as I have done for 20 months.  Just needed the 

time to try to get this IBS under control.  I hope none of

you have this stuff.  It is wretched.  Feeling a little

better today.  The DR gave me several things to

try, so I hope something is starting to help.

Anyway, enough complaining.  Just wanted you to

know why I have been absent from blog world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wanted to share some sweet Easter pictures of

Avery.  He was so cute.

Avery last Easter-

 Avery this Easter with the same bunny ears.

Can you believe the difference!

 In his cute Easter outfit

 Saying "Oh my" about his Easter goodies.

I love the way he puts his hand up to his

face and says. "Oh my".  So sweet!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope to be back tomorrow with new stuff

to share.  Until then, wishing you

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Catching Up

Hi Everybody,

I have so many things to tell you and so little time.

First and foremost, Lehmer's procedure went very

well.  The concern about the two stints put in

place in November is over.  They are working

as intended.  So, no fear of another bypass surgery.

I shudder every time I think of him, or anyone, 

going through that again.  The only problem is

that they have to find out what is causing the

heart pain.  I won't be content until then because

I worry about him over exerting himself, etc.

He goes back to his cardiologist soon, so I'll let

you know.  Thank you again for all of your

thoughts and prayers.  It meant so much to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you can imagine it was a stressful week and

has been for some time.  As for myself, my

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is back in full force.

I guess it is the stress.  Who knows, but I cannot

stop it no matter what I try.  Not feeling well

and trying to work is just not "working".

I stitched on one of my new designs this week.

Worked on it at the hospital and

maybe I wasn't focused, because I made

what seems like a million mistakes.

So fed up with myself.  Even after the hospital

I continued to make mistakes.

I sure hope you like this design, because it has

just about put me over the edge.

Here's another glimpse of

"Our Nest"

And, here is a glimpse of

"Sampler Friends"

You can see at the bottom, my name and the

beginning of Faye.  I think I have thought of a unique 

wayof finishing this one.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to leave you with some sweet pictures.

He loves books and

he loves to pose for the camera.

So sweet!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The reason I said I didn't have much time is because

they are calling for snow "again".  Cannot believe

this weather.  It is forcing me to leave this evening

for Richmond, so I will lose my computer time

tonight.  Oh, well, I must be there to take care

of little Avery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Many Happy Stitches Everyone!

Sandra

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

First of all, I'm sorry I have been absent all week.

Faye was sick this week with an awful intestinal

thing.  She wasn't here so everything just kind

of fell apart.  Since I'm only here two days

with her, we have to work like crazy to

get everything done.  When one of us is

not here, everything goes to pot.  

We needed to get so much done because

this coming week is a bad one.  

I don't know if you remember about

my husband, Lehmer, having two heart

catherizations back in November.  Ever since

then we have been living with the fact that

something was still not right.  Well, he will

be going back for a third procedure Thursday

morning.  The older I get the harder it is

to deal with the stress of major health

issues.  I really have a hard time functioning,

sleeping, etc.  I will be so glad when this

is behind us with a good outcome.  Please

wish us luck.  Hopefully, all will go well

and I can get back to my old self.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to give you a little glimpse of two

new designs.  I had hoped to release

them this week, but that will not be

happening.  If all goes well, maybe next

week.

~~~PARTY CATS~~~

This continues my "A Halloween Year II".

"OUR NEST"

This design celebrates the family and the home.  As 

you can see I have a ways to go. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope to be back with an update on Wednesday

when I get back home.  Tell then, I hope you

are making

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Shipping Soon!!

Three visits in one weekend.  That is surely a record.

I started to wait until I get back on Wednesday, but

wanted to show you this before then.

"ACORN LOVER"

is ready and will be shipped next week.

This is the second in my seasonal 

Bird Stitching Necessaires.  I know this is

a little out of season but it couldn't be

helped.  I happen to love stitching all

the seasons any old time, so I hope you do too.

Note that there is a little felted wool scissor fob 

included.  So easy to do, you can stitch it up

in no time.

The acorn top is done with tall skinny cross stitches.

How easy is that.  I started to do Colonial Knots,

which would be wonderful, but this is cute

and a little different.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you like it.  Let me know what you think!

Be back Wednesday.  Promise not

to bother you again tonight.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Some Goodies!

Good Sunday Afternoon!

First of all I want to thank you for your orders a

few days ago.  I have a few more fun "goodes"

to offer you today.  Once again I wanted to

offer these things to you before they go to

my ETSY shoppe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"BUNNY PIN BOX"

This is a darling little Spring goodie, or if

you are like me, you like bunnies all year.

I have painted and glazed the paper mache

box.  The inside is nicely glazed and the

underside of the lid is lined with linen.

You will also receive a wooden faux finished

egg nested in paper grass.

~~~3 1/2" long X 2 1/2" wide X 1 1/2" deep~~~

$20.00 (shipping included)
SOLD ~ THANK YOU!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"VERY PRIMITIVE 

PIN POKE"

This is one of my pre-finished Pin Pokes that I have

distressed heavily.  It is stuffed with a combination

of walnut shells and sawdust.  Great for your 

needles.  It is embellished with one of my

Amber Pearl buttons.  Unfortunately, the vintage

needles are not included.   It is made out of a

wonderful "olde" looking tiny check.  I think you

will love it.  

~~~~ 4" round ~~~~

$23.00 (shipping included)

~NOTE~

 Needles, scissors, and thread spools are not included.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you see something you like.  I take Paypal.

Visa, MasterCard, and checks.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Happy Spring!

Good Evening Everybody!

What a  wonderful "spring-like" day it has been.

Lehmer and I actually got out in the yard.  I supervised

and he did a major pruning on our dozens of

boxwoods.  If you have seen pictures of our yard,

you know they are massive.  After 30+ years of

growing, it is a never ending process.  Every few

years they have to get a major hair cut to whip

them back in shape. 

He has some more to do tomorrow, but we 

definitely put a dent in it today.  Next on the list

is digging up ugly, overgrown azaleas.  I'm going

to let them bloom and then bye-bye.

I'm also killing my front flower bed.  The 

perennials and seeding plants have just taken

over, to the point that it just look like a tall

field of stuff last year.  I can't stand it anymore.

Sometime it is just good to start over.  This

time I'm going to do a large mulched area

with specimen plants.  I'll have to share my

progress as it happens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I've done a little Spring decorating.  I

won't do a lot for Easter, since no one is 

coming home.  We will be going to Richmond

and having brunch where Paul is Head Chef.

Unfortunately, he never gets to share holiday

meals with us because he is feeding hundreds

of people in Richmond.  So sad!  

Here is my kitchen window all decked out

with my "vintage" Easter rabbits.

The eggs in the white bowl are ones that I dyed

with onion skins years ago.  I store them in egg

cartons and they have survived all this time.

Just love them!

Do you remember these guys.  They are back in print.

I was so tickled to see Mr. Hare shown here.

I hope Samplers and Santas doesn't mind me linking

to her Blog.  Love her blog by the way.

 Look closely at the wonderful "vintage" hand painted

egg.  A lot of the paint has come off but it is still

wonderful.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope all of you are fine.  I have had a good and

productive day.  Now I am heading to my chair with

my heating pad and my stitching.

Hope to be back tomorrow.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra