A New Year About to Begin

Happy New Year's Eve!

As the olde year is about to end and the

new one about to begin, I have three

favorite toasts/sayings that I want to

share with you.

"Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring happy bells, across the snow;

The year is going, let him go."

Lord Alfred Tennyson

"As we start the New Year, let's get down

on our knees to thank God we're on our feet."

Irish Toast

"May your troubles last only as long as

your New Year's resolutions!"

Anonymous

If the last one holds true, I should never

have any troubles.  

I wish joy, peace, and good health for

you and all those you hold dear.

See you in 2011!

Sandra

What To Do Next

Good Evening Everyone,

What do I do next.  I am in a real state of indecision.

I was reading what Robin from Millstone Mercantile 

 http://millstonemercantile.blogspot.com

had to say on her blog and I couldn't agree more.

She just cannot make herself do anything with

her craft or stitching projects.  I am always like

this too after I have been away from it for

a while. I have soooo much to do to get new designs

ready for the Nashville Trade Show in February.

It just seems overwhelming.

Homespun Elegance will not officially reopen

until January 4th, so I have a few more days

to enjoy Christmas, but it is still hanging over

my head.  At the very least, I need to sit

down with my ideas and try to decide which

ones to go with.  Once I make that decision,

I think focusing will be easier.

I do have one design that will be completed 

next week, so I'll give you a little peak.

In the meantime I am going to enjoy my

beautiful tree a little longer and have

another Christmas cookie.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

I Don't Want It To End

Good Evening Everyone!

The magic of Christmas is so special that I

never want it to end, but everyone has left now.

Hollis and Paul packed up the car and left

this afternoon.  So sad to see them go.

 Cameron and Ashley, our son and daughter-in-law, 
left early on Christmas day because of the weather.
 Normally, they spend the night, but were afraid the snow 
would keep them from getting home and going back to 

work.  What a disappointment that they had to go. 

 It is so rare that we all get together for an extended
time.  The snow was beautiful but I would

have rather had everyone here.  My usual family
 gathering on Christmas night was canceled
 because of our snowy weather.  Every Christmas 
I cook lots of desserts and everyone comes here

for that last sweet indulgence before it is over for 
another year.  Must get the desserts in the freezer, 
or you know what will happen. 
 This is how I feel tonight. . . . 

and I might add that it is also how I look after
all the holiday indulgences.  But it was fun!!! 
That's all for tonight.  
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Running Out Of Time

Good Morning Everyone!

Are you running out of time too?  Getting a

little frantic around here, but I just had to share

this finish with you.  I got a wonderful email

from Christie Lafranconi.  She shared with

me how she had been to my shoppe many,

many years ago and has been stitching my

designs for a very long time.  Here is what

she shared with me about how she did these

ornaments from "Four-Square Christmas".

"I love your patterns and especially the 

Christmas ornaments stitched on perfo-

rated paper.  This year I wanted to stitch 

new ornaments for friends and family and I 

decided to try using the "Four-Square

Christmas" pattern and see how these patterns

would look on perforated paper.  I stitched

the ornaments, backed them with brown

paper using Stitchwitchery to bind the

paper to the ornament, cut each one out 

separately leaving one square border from

the edge of the design and then sprayed

them lightly with adhesive and sprinkled 

with fine crystal glitter.  They look

wonderful and remind me of German

Springerle cookie. I've attached a photo...

the best I could take but really doesn't

show them off to their best advantage.

Thank you for your wonderful patterns

and for giving me many, many years of

happy stitching!"

 I would wish all of you "Merry Stitches", but if 

you are like me, there isn't much time to stitch

this week.  So, instead I will wish you joy in

your preparations.  

"Merry Noel",

Sandra

Christmas Miracles

XXXXX CHRISTMAS GREETINGS XXXXX

These are our two miracles, one born near Christmas

as you can see.  It seems like only yesterday

that we experienced that magical Christmas.

Hollis wasn't supposed to be with us on that

Christmas of 1977, but she surprised us all.

If I had known we were going to have a

Christmas baby, believe me I would have

had red bedding.

Doesn't Cameron look happy.  He loves

Christmas and she was a special present for

him too.  He might have disagreed with that

over the years, but I think she was.

Hope you enjoyed that little bit of a 

Sullivan family memory.

XXXXX   JUST A REMINDER   XXXXX 

 TODAY IS THE

 LAST DAY WE ARE SHIPPING.  IF YOU

 NEED SOMETHING PLEASE CALL.  FAYE 

AND I ARE TAKING A MUCH NEEDED 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.  WE WILL BE 

BACK ON JANUARY 4TH.

MERRY STITCHES,

SANDRA

First Snow

Greetings!

This is what is going on in Fredericksburg, VA.

We are expecting 3" to 5".  Every flake is here to

stay since it is sooooo cold.

 View out of family room.

 View from side porch.  I designed and had my

Santa flag made years ago.  Always wanted to

publish the pattern but never got around to it.

View from the front porch.

This is the kind of snow I like.  Pretty and not too much

of it.  Our winter last year was so horrible.  I worry

that we might have a repeat.  

XXXXXXXXXX

I know all of you are kind of tired of hearing about

the drama in my life, but I must tell you briefly about

our evening, or should I say morning.  My husband,

Lehmer, developed gastric issues late last night

and after about three hours of pacing the floor with 

no relief, we left for the emergency room, expecting

gallstones.  To make a very long visit short

(there from about 12AM to 5AM), through

tests, EKGS, and monitoring, they ruled out 

gallstones and heart issues.  After intravenous 

pain killers and something the nurse called a 

a Gastric or GI cocktail or something like that,

he finally got some relief.  We got home and went

straight to bed, but got up about 7:30.  I just

knew it would come back after the pain medicine

wore off, but so far so good.  Of course, he has

to follow up on this.  Remember I had my luncheon

yesterday.  He had it for lunch and again for dinner.

Very rich food.  I'm afraid it didn't agree with him.

XXXXXXXXXX

Should be taking a nap, but my nerves and nervous

energy have caught up with me.  I have baked

two pies and a cake so far.  Am going to take a

break and wrap for a while and then I am going to

take a nap.

I'm sorry I haven't personally answered your comments

from the previous blog.  Please know that I love

hearing from you.  It is just a crazy time so it means

even more that you take the time to send your thoughts.

Stay warm and do whatever makes 

you happy,

Sandra

Holiday Luncheon

Good Evening Everyone!

My luncheon!!

Some of my friends around the table.  That is Faye

at the head of the table.  I'm sure many of you have

talked to Faye over the years.

Well, it is Wednesday evening and everyone has gone

home from my luncheon.  Somehow I managed to

get it done, but not in a timely fashion.  We didn't 

set down at the table until about 2:00.  Am I getting

to old for this.  Decorating and entertaining until

all hours.  I love doing it but I am definitely 
not as efficient.

 In my last blog I was undecided abut my menu.

This is what I finally decided on.
XXXXXXXXXX

Mulled Cider

"Plains Cheese Ring" with Strawberry Preserves

on crackers for an appetizer.

Corn and Crab Chowder 

Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Sauteed Apples

Brown Butter Sage Muffins

Rustic Apple Caramel Tart

Coconut Custard and Chocolate Brandy Pie

Coffee, Tea, Wine

Not only am I exhausted from preparing this

meal but I am having a sugar low.  Carb overload!!
XXXXXXXXXX

Did I get my tree decorated - NOOOO!

This is as good as I could do.  

I threw on one strand of lights, some of my "vintage like"

tinsel, and some other odds and ends and called it a day.

Hollis and Paul are coming home this weekend for a Holiday

Dance, so they are going to help with the tree.

Bless their hearts, now I can use that time to cook

and wrap presents.

Here are some other pictures of the luncheon and
the house.  Still not finished, but getting there.

Dessert Table

Breakfast room center piece.  I stack up my old

pewter and fill with nuts, kumquats, and holly.

Window decor

Window decor

Guest bathroom.  Can you see the tiny candy cane

on the guest towel?

Guest bathroom

Guest bathroom

Keeping room

Keeping room.  Hollis game me the great lanterns

last year for Christmas.

Keeping room.  Notice the Amish child buggy seat.
Have a great night.  I'm moving on to the next
project.  No cross stitch for me tonight.
Merry Stitches,
Sandra

Decorating More and More

Good Evening Everyone,

First of all, thank you so much for your

care and concern about my car accident

and your comments about my decorating.

  Thank goodness it has not left me too sore

 and stiff because there is no time to waste.

Is everyone as frazzled as I am?  I have been

decorating all afternoon like a crazy person, but 

I am beginning to see the end.  I cut a whole

bunch of magnolia yesterday and will do some

pine and holly tomorrow after things dry out

a bit.  It has been raining for about twenty four

hours.  I'm not going to complain about that.

I feel so sorry for those who are suffering

with the blizzard conditions.  

This evening I hope to wrap a few presents, 

address a few Christmas cards, and begin 

prepping for my Christmas luncheon on 

Wednesday.  I've been hosting this

employee/friend luncheon for years and

I enjoy it so much.  For some reason though,

I just cannot make up my mind about the

food.  A real problem  - don't you agree.

I'll let you know what I decide.

Here are a few more pictures of the

marathon decorating.

My Charlie Brown tree in the kitchen. 
The rocking chair was my husband's.
Appropriately painted a Christmas red.

Living room.

Breakfast room. 

Dining room.
Many of the toys are ones that belonged
to me and my husband.  
Many of the other toys are antiques I
have collected.

The guitar was mine.  Can you believe
that.  No musical talent here! 

The glass ornaments in the bowl belonged to
my husband's parents.  We used to put them on
our tree.  Unfortunately, our tree fell years ago
and we lost many of them.  Now they are 
displayed in a safe place, I hope.

Kitchen window. 

Keeping room window. 

More to come.  I hope to put up our real tree
tomorrow.  I want it up before my
luncheon.  Have a good evening.  On to the
Christmas cards.
Merry Stitches,
Sandra 

Serious Decorating Time

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I hope I have a better afternoon today than

I had a few days ago.  After doing a little Christmas
shopping, I was on my way home, when I was 
rear ended at a yield sign.  If you have been reading
 my blog for a while, you know that Hollis and
 I were in an accident Labor Day.  I am still going to 
physical therapy for that.  To add insult to injury, 
it was our new car that was hit.  Significant damage

to the rear of the car.  It is drivable but the

trunk is unusable.  I was so upset that day I

was just worthless.  My mood is better today,

and physically I am OK, just a little stiff and sore.  
I am so thankful for that.  Emotionally not so good -
 beginning to feel like a target.  Trying to put it all
 behind me and get on with my decorating

and some more shopping. 

So, I thought I would share a view pictures

of the things I have put up so far.  The

real greens will come later so they will be

fresh closer to the big day.
XXXXXXXXXX

Basket filled with "vintage" goodies.  I love

the little feather tree in the old shoe.  How cute

are the little red buttons.  The cross stitch design

is one of Hollis'.

"Vintage" ornaments are on this feather tree.

This is a mismatched set.  I have been collecting these

nativity pieces for years and just keep adding my

favorites.

This is a Victorian Christmas tree.  I found it in an
antique shop in Fredericksburg years ago.  Have
you ever seen one before?  I've never seen another
one.  The tree is made of wire, and then there are
glass beads, glass ornaments, and other tiny 
embellishments.  Click on the picture for a
close up. 
I'll share some more pictures soon.
Hope you are having a wonderful day.  Please
be careful when out and about.  Everyone is in
such a hurry.
Merry Stitches,
Sandra

It's Christmas Tyme

Good Afternoon Everyone,

XXXX PROCLAMATION XXXX

We will be taking orders until

December 17th.  We will be back 

January 4th.  

If you are like me you are running from one

project to another.  I have made so many lists, but

 even my lists are not helping anymore.

I've finally started my Christmas decorating.  I'm

planning on sharing a few pictures of the house

as I proceed.  I hope I won't be boring you, but

I know I love to look at other decorated homes.

It is such an inspiration.

Collecting Christmas decorations is a 

passion of mine and I have been doing it for a

very long time.  Primitive, traditional, whimsical -- 

I love it all.

One of the things I have wanted to do for weeks

was to put a rather large assortment of things

for sale on Etsy.  Well, as you know that hasn't

happened because you would have been the

first to know.

Consequently,  I am just going to post a few things

here over the next few days.  Still in time to give as gifts

 or include in your home.  All the other things will have to 

wait until next Christmas.

I only have a few of each of the items below

and each price includes the shipping.  Just

email or call me with your payment information.

I take Visa, MC, Paypal, money orders, and

personal checks.

XXXX SANTA FACES XXXX

available in gold, blue, and red.

                                           

I painted these paper mache Santa faces.  I hope you like
them.  I have a couple in each color.  They measure
7" Wide X 9 1/2" High.  He looks really neat hanging
in a wreath, at the top of a tree, or just sitting anywhere.
Comes with a hanging cord.
The price is $25.00 including shipping.
XXXXXXXX
Next I have
xxxx SANTA BOOTS xxxx
I had these boots in the shoppe and they were 
very popular. They make great
gifts for the newly weds or a baby's first Christmas.
I wrote the name on one side and the appropriate
date on the other side.  I can do that for you too.
 Or just fill with greenery and Christmas finery.
For all of you mothers and grandmothers out
there, make a new tradition of putting a special little
gift in it for each Christmas to come.
It measures 7" tall X 7 1/2" Wide and is painted 
on both sides.  
These are $27.00 including shipping.

XXXXXXXX
"CHRISTMAS PUFF" ORNAMENTS
The last thing today are these ornaments
that I made using prints of my little paintings. 
 They are made from felt, with a little
added tinsel and then glittered.  The white one
has a gauzy fabric over the off white felt. for
a little more "vintage" look.  I have a few of 
each.  Just refer to them by the print shown.
They are 3 1/2" in diameter.

The price is $8.00 which includes the shipping.
I will combine shipping if you want multiple items.
xxxxxxxx
Well, I'm off to do dinner and then do some more
decorating.  I hope you are having a wonderful
day with 
"Many Merry Stitches",
Sandra

A Few More Goodies!

Good Evening Everyone!

The weekend is here and I'm already worried

that I won't do everything I need to do.

Happy to report though that we got our

beautiful Christmas tree Thursday.  It is

now setting on the back porch in a tub

of water.  It smells so good out there.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for all of your orders 
for the Christmas Candle Clips.  
I still have a few left.

~~~~~~~~~~~

For those of you who have artificial trees

and I have those too, Faye came to work

the other day and told me about the most

clever thing.  She found these at Walmart

and I went there I soon as I could to

got some.  I'll scan one so you can see it.

They are called ScentSicles and the one 

I like is Douglas Fir.  You hang them in

your tree and it says it will scent a regular

size room (whatever that means) for three

weeks.  I hope they do because it is 

wonderful.  I'm going to hang one in my

car.  I just had to share.

Now for some other "goodies".  None

of these items were made by me, but

they will still add a festive touch to someones

home.  I have one of each in my house.  

I only have a few of each of these

 wonderful things.  I call the first one a 

"Candy Container Santa". 

He has a sack on his back to 

load him up with whatever you want.

He is 10" X 3 1/4" at his widest point and is

only $11.00 which includes shipping.

I only have three.

Next is a great little Santa who is going

to visit good and bad little boys and

girls.  Notice the sticks and his bag

filled with candy canes.  I think he is

so sweet.  I call him

 "Santa With Gifts"

and he is 8"X 3".  He is $11.50

which includes shipping.  I have three 

of these too.

Last but not least is 

"Christmas Bird", 

but he could be enjoyed all year.  He measures

9" X 3 1/2" and is made out of the

perfect red cotton and a homespun looking

fabric was used for his under his body and wings. 

 Black bead eyes are the perfect finishing

touch.  He can fly to your Christmas house

for $12.50 which includes shipping.  

Unfortunately, I only have one of these.

That is all for tonight.  I hope you have a glorious

weekend.  You may not hear from me again 

until late Sunday. I intend to do some serious

Christmas shopping and decorating this weekend.

  I hope to add many items to my Etsy site next week.  

I'll let you know when to go there.

Merry Stitches,

Sandra