A Nashville Release

Good Evening Everyone!

This is not the final photography, but I thought

you might like to see

"Home ~ A Haven. . ."

This will be released at the Nashville Trade

Show and we plan to ship to our Automatic

 Shoppes next week.  Sometime over the weekend

I'll show the other designs being released

next week.

Good night

 and 

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Belated Valentine Wishes

Good Morning Everyone!!

I'm so sorry I neglected to send good wishes on 

Valentine's Day, but I was with this little one.

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I know I'm his Grammie, but isn't Avery the

cutest thing ever?  His rosy cheeks are just

adorable.  It looks like he has

been into my blush (which I need and he
obviously doesn't).  He is going to hate his 

pretty coloring when he gets older.

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I hope all of you had a wonderful day.  I

wanted to send this from Richmond, but I

could not get into my Blogger account on

Hollis and Paul's computer.  It seems that

I have to change my password for some

reason.  I need to take care of that so I can

keep in touch with all of you when I'm

down there.  I may be back later today

with another update on designs.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Pre-Nashville Sampling

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope everyone is well this evening.  I have a list a

mile long of things I need to get done tonight and

sending out this post is high on that list.

The first thing I must tell you is just a little

business information.  On Wednesday, 

February15th, our FAX number will change to

540-371-6377, which is our primary business

number.  Additionally, on that date, that

telephone number may be down for a brief

time due to telephone work.  I hope we do not

run into any problems that will extend the

down time.  Hopefully,  changing over the

fax number will run smoothly too.  If you get

a busy signal or do not hear back from us,

please give us a call or email us.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, on to the fun stuff!

I'm hoping all of these designs will be released

at the Nashville show or before.  If released before,

they will be sent to the shoppes in my 

Automatic Program.

"SPRING EGGS III"

is finished.  This is not the picture

for the front of the publication, but you

can at least see the designs.  I hope you like

them.  The trim, charms, and buttons are available

from me as well.  

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

Now, another little sampling from

"A FAMILY HOMESTEAD"

I really like the way this is turning out.  It

will be a really sweet way to celebrate your

family members.

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

Now, for something I haven't shared with

you as yet.  There are three designs in this

publication.  Here is a little sampling from 

"MAKING MY HEART HAPPY".

These sweet little heart designs are just the

thing to stitch for that special family member,

friend, or yourself. 

They will be trimmed with the adorable

tiny rick rack shown and embellished with my

charms. 

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

I guess you can see why I have a lot to do. 

So, I will say "Good Night" now.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Weathervanes

Good Evening Everyone!

I am busy, busy as usual - stitching, printing,

shooting photos, graphing.  You name it,

multi tasking is the name of the game right now

and I'm tired.

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

But I just had to throw this out there to see what

you think.  I have been designing since 1979 which 

pretty much makes me older than dirt and makes

for thousands of products in stack after stack of

bookcases.  The other day I came across some of

these, long out of print --

"COUNTRY WEATHER VANES".

Do you love weather vanes?  I sure do.  This

publication has 13 designs, yes that is what we

used to do in this industry.  Give you lots of

designs in one publication and to think that I

and an old friend, Amyee Johnson, actually graphed

all of it by hand.

I am offering this publication for $10.00 plus $1.50 
shipping. You could used it for so many things - punch needle, 
appliques, needlepoint.  All of these are adaptations of

antique weathervanes owned by some lucky person.

I'll see how it does and then make a decision about

reprinting it, but for now I have a few to offer.

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

I take Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and personal

checks.

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

Be back soon.  Spring Eggs III is almost

ready to reveal as well as other stuff.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

More New Stuff

Good afternoon Everyone!!

We had a nice little birthday celebration yesterday.

Believe it or not pizza and apple pie is really

tasty together.  I didn't hear any complaints

from anyone, so they must have agreed. We got

home early evening so I had a little time to

get in some much needed stitching.

Thought I would let you see a little more

of a few things in the works.

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

"Home - A Haven . . ." is moving right along

and here is a little more for you to see.

Then there is 

"To Stitch Is Bliss".

There will also be a sweet little pin cushion

along with this.  

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

My Spring Eggs II will be available really

soon.  They are being put together right

now.  I should have them in my hands

this week and will be able to show you

more.  I think you will really like them

and there will be plenty of time to get

them stitched in time for Easter.

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

Well, I must go.  We are going to a Super

Bowl get together.  I must admit that I'm

not much for watching sports on TV,

but it's fun to gather with friends for this

event.  

Take care!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

Wanted to let you know that I am working

on a new sampler.  I think I am going to name

it "Family Homestead", but that could change.

Anyway, just wanted to let you see a little

of the design and feast your eyes on the

yummy rich Crescent Colours silks I am

using.  The fabric is Olde Mill Java from

R & R Reproductions, one of my favorite

colors.  Here goes, hope you like it.

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

I'm heading back to Richmond in the morning

and taking all of my stitching with me.  Hope to

make a dent in my new stuff if Avery will let me.

  Saturday we will be celebrating Cameron's birthday. 

Avery's Dad, Paul, had his birthday on January 28, so we 

are having a combination party.  Apple Pie and pizza, 

how is that for a combination of flavors?  

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

Hope all of you have a great weekend.  I hope

to catch up on some work and some sleep.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Birthday Wishes

Hi Everyone!

This was a very happy day 39 years ago.

Cameron will probably hate me for

mentioning his age, but that just means that

we have had our wonderful son around for

many happy years.

Here he is at Christmas, holding little

Avery.

Happy Birthday Cameron!!

We love you,

Mom and Dad

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

And I might add that if it wasn't for

Cameron, there probably would not be

a Homespun Elegance blog or anything

else that has to do with computers.  He

bales me out of trouble almost weekly.

Thanks Cameron!!!

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

Best Laid Plans

Hi Everyone!

I promised you would hear from me on Wednesday

when I got back from Richmond.  Well, I got back

and had to return on Thursday morning because

Avery was not getting well and could not go back

to daycare.  The DR had to put him on a steroid

and when that didn't seem to be helping, he added

an additional medicine to his nebulizer treatment.

We are all a little concerned at this point.

 He has been sick since before Christmas with this
virus.  It is just going to take more time for him
to get over this.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~

 I don't know if I mentioned

it, but I had made the difficult decision not to go

to the Nashville Trade Show this year.  It is only

a few weeks away so I guess my decision was a

good one.  There is no way I can have 

enough new things ready to take to the show.

I'm still designing though and will have new 

things to share with you.  In fact, this is a tiny

little sneak peak of Spring Eggs II.  You

might remember Spring Eggs I that I did

a few years ago.  Same format for the next one.

Sweet little eggs for your Easter decorating

or gift giving.

Here is a sneak peak of Spring Eggs II.

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

I had a birthday a few days ago.  My Aunt

says we must always celebrate our birthdays

and never fret about how many of them we

have had.  Sometimes that is hard to do

when we look in the mirror (a magnifying

mirror I have to admit.  Another peril

of getting older - declining eyesight)

I had a wonderful birthday, thanks to family

and friends.  I just have to share something

that Hollis gave me.

She knows how much I love antique frames

and family pictures, especially ones that

include little Avery.  This is when he was only

a few weeks old.  I will treasure this always. 

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

I have a bookcase in the living room where 

many of my pictures are displayed.  It looks

like I'll need to move some of those books

to make room for more pictures.

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

Well, enough chatter for one day.  I hope all of

you are well and I'll be back soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Peak

Hi There!

It has been a crazy Sunday and now I have

three posts in a row.  The weather man is calling

for icy conditions here tomorrow morning so my

trip to Richmond has been moved up to this

afternoon.  I have to be there in the morning

so that Hollis and Paul can get to work on time.

I knew this was coming.  We have been so lucky

in the weather that we have had.  Just a little

snow and ice on Saturday.  I hope this isn't

the beginning of our weather pattern changing.

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

Anyway, I have been printing my new things

like crazy.  Running up and down the stairs

between shoving paper in the printer and shoving

stuff in my suitcase and bags for Homespun

Elegance stuff that I lug to Richmond every week.

You would think I would lose a few pounds, but

oh no.  The middle age spread arrived and doesn't

want to leave.  Not happy about that either!!

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

Because of my schedule change, I need to

show you a little peak of something sweet

coming your way.

This will be released in time for the Nashville

show so I have to hurry up.

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

I'm also reprinting another old design.  I've

always loved this one.  It includes some of my

favorite things - pineapples and sampler motifs.

Hope you like it.  It will be in my Etsy shoppe

soon, but not this week.  Let me know if you

think I should reprint.  I love your feed back.

"Welcome Each New Day"

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

Well, I must go.  Be back in touch next

Wednesday.  Have a great week!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Stuff

Hi Everyone!

Two posts in two days, what is the world coming

to?  I need to do as much as I can because I will

be going back to babysit Avery on Monday

and then I'm gone for two days.  Playing with
the baby is much more fun than working, so
not much gets down when I'm there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Auto will be shipped next week and 

everything will be going to the distributors

as well.

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

 "Heart Posies Needle Case"Bits and Pieces

Retail $4.50

"Winter Joy" Bits and Pieces

Retail $4.50

 "Needles and Pins Pincushion"

Retail $7.50

"Star Light Sampler Pincushion"

Retail $7.50

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

Hope all is well with you and that you have time

for "Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Valentine Decorating

Good Afternoon Everyone!

First of all, I wanted to thank you for the orders

for my Valentine special in the last Blog

entry.  All have been shipped so you should

have them in plenty of time for your

Valentine decorating or gifting.

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

Speaking of Valentine decorating, do

you do very much?  I did more when my

children were at home, but now I just do

a little.  Of course, when Avery gets a little

older I'll be excited about decorating for him.

This is the extent of my decorating for this

year.

All of my red needlework accessories and a 

simple antique sampler.  I just got the table

runner -- perfect for Valentine's Day.

By the way, the antique sampler has been 

reproduced, so it is available if you like it.

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

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

This heart shaped basket is filled with "vintage"

valentines.  Most of these came from my

Grandmother.  She kept every card and letter

she ever received.  I am so thankful that I have

some of them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

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

A few heart shaped cookie cutters in my kitchen

bay window.  This time next year I'll be making

cookies for little Avery.

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

I hope all of you have a great weekend.  I'll be

back soon with my new things.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Some Goodies

Good Friday Afternoon!

Hope all is well in your little part of the world.

I think ours may blow away.  The winds are

howling and the temperatures are dropping.

Today is definitely a stay inside day for me,

so I thought I would take a couple minutes

 to share a glimpse of some new

things and offer you a "Fancy Friday" special.

I know I have really been neglectful on my

"Fancy Friday"promise of many months ago.

Life sure gets in the way of plans.

~~~NEW STUFF COMING ~~~

 Valentine Posies

 Winter Joy

 Star Light Sampler Pincushion

Needles and Pins Pincushion

All of these will be ready really soon.

Quick little projects for your stitching joy.

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In the meantime I waned to offer you a 

little Valentine Special.  Both of these can

be stitched up in no time and ready to give

to that special someone or keep for your

Valentine decorations.

The retail value of both of these designs is

$13.00.  Until next Friday you can have

both for $8.50 which includes the shipping

or $6.50 for either of them which includes

the shipping.  The hand-painted wooded

button in "Love Simplified" is available

from me as well as the Olde Brass "Heart"

buttons in "Love Always".  

I have made this sweet heart pillow for

someone out there.  It is constructed of

this wonderful old coverlet fabric with

a felted wool back.  I wrapped it with

aged scrim, vintage trim and a special

vintage button.  It is all hand stitched.

I hope someone out there loves it.

Measures 8" wide X 9" long.

$37.00 which includes the shipping.

If you are interested in any of my specials,

just email or call me.  I take personal

checks, Visa, MC, and Paypal.

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Well, I think that is enough for today.

I need to start graphing the new things.

Hope you all have a great weekend with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Do You Need Your Mittens?

Good Evening Everyone!

Do you need your mittens?

Is it cold where you are?  Have you had any snow

yet?  The weather here in Virginia is really strange.

I do not want to complain, but having to turn

on the air conditioning to take down the

Christmas decorations is just a little odd.

Maybe the temperature has something to do

with why I cannot get rid of this infection. 

 I have coughed so much that the DR

thought I had broken a rib.  After the xray

was negative, he said I have probably done

something to the cartilage.  The pain is really

bad and actually feels like something is

moving.  I am so over this.  The pain medication

knocks me out at night so at least sleep is

possible.  I need to get better so I can get

inspired to design.

Anyway, I'm sorry to be complaining so

much of late.  Hope things are better in your

world.  Please use your antiseptic hand wash

and stay inside and stitch.

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If you like the above design, it is 

"Mittens Each Day"

It is $8.50 which includes the shipping.

Just call or email if you are interested.

Stay well!!

Many Healthy Stitches,

Sandra

Happy New Year

Good Afternoon Everyone!

"Bless your heart, it's New Years Day,

May its gladness with you stay."

An adaptation of a verse from an

olde postcard.

I sincerely hope all of you had a wonderful

New Years Eve.  Ours was very low key but

exactly what we needed since some of us

are still suffering from whatever this

respiratory thing is. 

Avery started the New Year off right by 

sleeping through the night.  This may not 

sound very exciting, but it is just one of the

few times it has happened.  So hoping for many

more nights like it in the New Year. 

I hope my energy level picks up soon, as I need

to get inspired about Homespun Elegance.  I've

always had a hard time getting back to the

grind stone after such a long break.

Since I really do not have any stitching pictures

to share, I thought you might like to see some

of my needlework tools and vintage treasures

in my collection.  I love all of this stuff.

Just don't look too close, or you will see

all of the "vintage" dust that goes with it.

I will share some more another day.

This is another one of my collections.  There are

many more.  Just cannot help myself.

Wishing all of you a 

"Many Happy Stitches" day.

Sandra

Post Christmas Wishes!

Good Morning Everyone!

Just wanted to say how sorry I am to have not sent out 

Christmas wishes.  Unfortunately, the respiratory

thing I mentioned on the 17th only got worse,

resulting in two trips to the DR.  I really thought I

was developing pneumonia.  They gave me a breathing

treatment and medicine on the first trip.  After 5 days I

was having bad reactions to that and really not getting

any better, so the day after Christmas I got a new antibiotic 

and am finally starting to feel a little better.  Nothing was

really ready for Christmas - not the baking, the wrapping,

or the Christmas tree.  The tree was finally decorated by

Hollis and Lehmer Christmas Eve.  

Regardless of all the sick drama with me, we still had

a wonderful time.  Avery was just adorable and if

you will bear with me I'd like to share a few

pictures.  The block above is covered with my favorite

pictures of him since his birth.  The bottom has a

picture of Hollis, Paul, and Avery.  His

name and date of birth are stamped on the top.

I had so much fun making it.  I think it will be

my annual ornament for him.

This was the picture for Hollis and Paul's

Christmas card.  The huge Stieff bear is Hollis'.

When she was just a few years old, I found that

wonderful bear at an antique shoppe for just a

small amount.  What a treasure.  Even his growler

still works.

Here he is in his Christmas PJ's being read

"The Night Before Christmas".  Lehmer read this to

Cameron and Hollis on Christmas Eve for years.

So, the tradition continues.  Unfortunately, his Daddy,

Paul had to work on Christmas Eve.  I hope

that next year Avery will stay up later, so Paul

can take over.

Lastly, a picture of him in his "Radio Flyer"

push wagon - a gift from Lehmer and I and his

Uncle Cameron.

Our beautiful Christmas tree that got decorated

just in time.

To all of my friends out there, I wish you

"Merriness" for the rest of the year and

for all of your "New Year".

Sandra

Merry Christmas Ya'll

Good Evening Everyone!

I'm feeling a little better today.  My stress level

has  been over the top lately as I am sure you

could tell.  To add to that, my dish washer 

chose the week before the busiest cooking

week of the year to croak.  So,

instead of doing Christmas things last night,

Lehmer and I were out in the madness on 

a Friday night making a hasty decision about

a dishwasher.  Thank goodness they can

install it on Wednesday.  To add insult to injury,

I gave a lousy upper respiratory thing going on

(but a little better today due to lots of meds).

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Now, for the good news - the tree is finally up

and it smells so good (even with the respiratory

thing I can still smell it).  Makes me happy indeed.  

Even got a little decorating done today, but there

are boxes everywhere.  I sure hope we do  not

have any unexpected guests.  Went to my

friend's house today and cut lots of magnolia

for decorating.  I have plenty of boxwood and

holly on our property, so it is just a matter of

picking it.

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Going to Richmond tomorrow to see my sweet

Avery and celebrate my sweet Hollis' birthday. 

I am lugging all of my ingredients, pans,

and recipes so I can bake while babysitting

Monday and Tuesday.  This should be

interesting, but hopefully he will take

some good naps for me.

Anyway, just checking in with all of you

and thanking you for all of your sweet

comments of late.  To Mouse - I wanted to

say that I didn't dare mention how many

candles will be on her cake.  You know how

women are about those numbers, even though

she is still so young. 

Take care and "Be Merry"!!

Sandra

Happy Birthday

Good Morning Everyone!!

This is a wonderful day -

Hollis' Birthday. 

 She came almost a month early, so she

 was our Christmas present that year.  

~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLIS~~

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

Wishing Thee Merriness

Good Evening Everyone!

Are you as overwhelmed as I am?  I have ten days to

get my Christmas act together, and things are

not going too well around here.  I haven't put

a dent in my shopping (with the exception of

Avery of course), the tree is on the back porch

(not in the house), and not a single decoration is

in place.  I do have a beautiful boxwood wreath on

my front door, due to the generosity of my dear

friend Ethel.  We always have a massive wreath covered

with tiny white lights hanging from a huge 

tree in our front yard.  I replaced all the lights last year

because many were not working.  Well, guess what -- 

plugged it in this afternoon and two strands are not 

working. What a pain!!  All of the strands have to come off

and the bad ones replaced.  I have said many, many bad 

words over the years due to Christmas lights.  

They drive me crazy.

I'm trying to be optimistic that tomorrow will be a very

productive day and my "Merriness" will return.

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 ANNOUNCEMENT 

Our last day to ship will be Friday,

December 16th.  I know I should have

announced this sooner, but time just got

away from me.  Faye and I will be taking a 

much needed Christmas break.  I need time to 

get ready to spend time with one of the

reasons for my "Merriness".

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra

MORE GOODIES FOR SALE

Good Afternoon Everyone!

To all of you who have ordered from last

night's post, thank you very much.  Today

I am offering you a few more goodies.

Please note that I have also put some new

things in my ETSY Shoppe - in particular my 

Santa and Lady Silhouette 

Ornaments.

Just click on my ETSY shoppe in the left

side bar.  If you like these and don't want to

go through ETSY, just email or call me.

I also added and re listed a few publications.

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"Tiny Oval Boxes"

Unfortunately, I am sold out of the "Stitching Lady"

Ornament, but I have a few of the "Horn Blower"

and "Lady Silhouette".  These tiny little oval

paper mache boxes have been painted and

decoupaged.  A hole is drilled at the top for

the hanging cord and a little ball of bees' wax

is inside.  They are so sweet.  We used to sell

many of these at the shop.

They measure 1 1/2" High, 1 1/8" Wide, 

and 7/8" Deep -- tiny little treasures!
I have two of each.

 $9.00 which includes the shipping. 

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"Paper Mache Sheep"

Isn't he cute!  I used to have these for sale in the 

Shoppe too.  I made them using an antique cookie

cutter.  He measures a mere 2 1/2" Wide X 1 1/4" Tall.

He is adorned with a tinsel garland with a brass bell

hanging from it.  I think you will love him.

 $5.50 which includes the shipping.  I have 

eight of him.

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"Holly Star" Ornaments

I made these out of wool felt, and hand painted both

the front and the back.  They have wire hangers and

rusty bells for embellishment.  There is a special

finish applied to preserve the paint.  I think they 

will make a very primitive addition to your tree.

They measure 4 1/2" High X 3 1/2" Wide.

 $9.50 which includes the shipping.

This shows the front and the back.

I have eight of these.

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Well, I think that is enough for now.  I need to do

some baking for my Garden Club Christmas Party.

So much to do - so little time!!

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra