"DESIGNS THAT REFLECT OUR
AMERICAN HERITAGE"

Welcome to my blog. I'm probably very much like all of you who love the needlearts. My life revolves around family, friends, home and all things that help to make for a more contented life. When time allows; cooking, gardening, decorating, and collecting are my joys. I look forward to sharing all of these things with you. I also hope to keep you up to date on what is going on at Homespun Elegance, in regard to the needlework designs and the "Plain & Fancy Wares" that we offer.

Wishing you "Many Happy Stitches".
Sandra

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Back to reality!

Well, we are back from our vacation.  We spent a great week with our son, his wife, and her family.
They very graciously invited us for a week at the beach.  What a wonderful time we had.  I ate enough for two people, sat under their canopy reading my books, and generally did nothing but enjoy myself.  The only drawback was the awful heat, in the upper 90's every day.  Thank goodness there was a delightful wind blowing all the time.
 I did a pretty good job of not thinking about Homespun Elegance, which is a miracle.  The plan was to take my new MAC computer with me, but I decided against it.  I still did quite a bit of stitching, mostly in the car going and returning.  I'll let you see the results of that in a few days.
 Getting motivated to work is hard after being away so long.  Hopefully, I will wake up tomorrow
with a new attitude.

Wishing you "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Computer Issues

First of all, I want to thank all of you so much who have made comments or emailed me about my Blog.
I appreciate your kind words and encouragement.  Believe me, I need your encouragement!!

You will not believe the week I have had. My old PC had been having major issues.  I knew I needed a new computer before something unfixable were to happen.  Consequently, I have purchased a new Macintosh computer.  Cameron, my son,  has one and thinks they are wonderful.  The question, however, is can I adjust not only to a new computer but one different than what I was used to.  Cameron assures me that I am capable of making this change.  After spending countless hours with him and this machine, he left me and went back to Richmond, thinking foolishly that I had mastered this monster.  Little did he know that that would not be the last he heard from his mom.  Countless telephone calls later, I am feeling a little better, but far from comfortable.  I need a step by step list of what to do.  He has promised me one of those.  I am thankful everyday that I have Cameron to help me.  He has been very patient with me, but I know he wonders how his Mom could be so computer illiterate, when he is just the opposite.  Who knows, maybe there is hope for me yet.
 Stress never seems to end when technology is involved.  Not only do I have this new toy, but I am also trying to do this Blog thing.  If that is not enough, my old printer, which I will admit needed to be replaced (but not now with the cost of the MAC) decided that it doesn't like the MAC.  My pictures are now even more unacceptable.  So I now have another decision to make quickly (which printer to buy) because I have  new pictures to print. Maybe my old computer will hang in there just long enough for me to get a few more things done.
We leave for vacation soon.  Guess what is going on the vacation with me.

On to a more pleasant topic.  Here are my two new publications.  Hope you like them.

The first one "Recycle - Buy Antiques" is great if you are an antique lover, as I am.  How perfect! This makes something that is a passion of mine into something that is good for the environment.  What could be better!  A great argument when your husband says, "Why do we need another pair of antique scissors or another cookie cutter?  I rest my case.



"I Love Autumn" is the third in this seasonal series.  I truly do love Autumn.  The colors of the season, the beautiful crisp weather,  and the anticipation of all the wonderful holidays coming.  Autumn designs are also great because I start decorating with them as soon as Labor Day is over and they stay out until I start decorating for Christmas.  Go to Homespun Elegance to see "I Love Spring" and "I Love Summer".  Some have asked what is the significance of the year, 1727.  That is the year that
Fredericksburg, Virginia (where we live) was incorporated.  




That is all for today.  
I wish you "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Friday, June 4, 2010

I'm back for my second post!!

I sent my first Blog post along with my Website Publication.  I hope you all got it.  If you didn't and would like to be notified of new Posts and Proclamations, just to to www.homespunelegance.com to sign up.

All is well in Virginia except for the sweltering humidity,  high temperatures, and thunderstorms.  We are having late summer in late spring.  Storms are always problematic, but Lehmer and I are babysitting Hollis and Paul's St. Bernard, Zeus.  


The big baby (127 lbs!) is afraid of storms and kept me up from about 11:00 pm to 3:00 am whining, pacing, and literally trying to get in my lap.  What an experience!  We had another storm on Tuesday during the day.  He tried to get on Faye (who works with me).  We had to force him to lay down and then she put her feet and legs on him for the duration of the storm.  I hate to think what he might do if we were not at home.  The things we do for our children!  Hollis and Paul's house is for sale and while it is on the market the dog cannot be in the house.  It has been over two weeks now and no buyers.  Please keep your fingers crossed for us and them.







As for the needlework world, I am teasing you with a little bit of a new design.  If you like antiques, stay tuned.


Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra