"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

Friday, March 25, 2011

Fancy Friday

Good Evening Everyone!
It has been a crazy day around here, but I am happy to report that 
Lehmer has had a pretty good day.   Hopefully, tomorrow will be 
even better.  Because he has been doing so well I have been able 
to put the finishing touches on my design for the annual Just Cross Stitch
 Christmas ornament magazine.  This deadline always sneaks up on me.  
It has to go in the mail tomorrow and there is 
much left to do.  So, before I start dinner, I am going to have a cup 
of coffee (to rejuvenate myself for a long night), take a break, and
 post my "Fancy Friday" offerings.
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I have a sweet little paper mache "Shabby Sheep" Button Box that 
I hand painted, distressed, and trimmed with a charming 
paper trim.  It measures 3 1/2" wide X 2 1/2" high X 1 5/8" tall.
The price is $12.00 + $2.25 shipping.

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Next, I have two journals that I hand-painted.  They measure
 8 1/4" tall X 5 3/4" wide.  There are approximately 50 sheets of 
wonderful brown lined paper for your notes.  
 "Bluebell Pot" Journal
SOLD - THANK YOU!!!
"Sunflower" Journal
Each of these journals are $14.00 + $2.50 shipping.
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Remember these are first come - first serve.  
If you would like either of these "Fancy" offerings, please
email me with the name of the journal.  
I accept Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and personal check.
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I hope you have a great evening with 
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Good News!

Good Morning Everyone!
This design reflects how I feel about those of you
who expressed your concern for Lehmer.  We appreciate
all of you so much.
He had his gall bladder surgery yesterday and other
than the normal problems that everyone has, he is doing
as well as expected.  I will be keeping close tabs on him
for the next few days.  We are so thankful that it is over
and that he didn't have any major issues.  It will be 
interesting to see if he ever eats Corn Crab Chowder again.
That was the meal that gave him his first really bad attack.
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"FANCY FRIDAY" 
is here again.  I will be posting later in the day, so
stayed tuned and have a good day. 
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Monday, March 21, 2011

New Releases

Good Evening Everyone!
I hope all of you had a wonderful Spring weekend.  It
was beautiful here and so much appreciated.  But winter seems
to want to hang on because our temperatures are going back
 down this week. 
 We had a very busy weekend in Richmond helping Hollis and Paul 
pack up for their big move.  She is about half way through her 
pregnancy so is limited in what she can lift, etc.  Happy to report
 though that we got a great deal accomplished.  By mid afternoon
on Sunday she needed a break from it all, so we happily
went looking for fabric for the baby's room.  It is so much
fun doing these things and I think we were successful as well.
When the final decision is made I will have to share.  In
the mean time I want to share what is being shipped to my
distributors and AUTOS tomorrow.  I have three new designs
and here they are!!
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"A Woolly Story"
This design is based on a wonderful poem that was found in an old
periodical.  I chose to use part of the poem. otherwise it would have
been a really, really long design.  A smaller section of the poem was
used for the small pillow/cupboard hanger.  The frame is available
from me along with the "Tiny Bee" charm which embellishes both
models.  "Dolphin" hand-dyed felted wool from Weeks Dye works
completes the small pillow.  I also have a print of the entire poem
which is really sweet and will be in my ETSY shoppe soon.
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It's Keen To Go "Green"
This is a quickie design, but so relevant for all those who want to
protect our planet.  What better way to show our concern than this
little piece.
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You Make My Heart Happy
I am really happy to announce my new Collection - Tokens
Of Affection.  Just the thing for when you want something special
but do not have enough time for a large project.  I hope this
design and the ones coming will be the perfect solution.  
The beautiful "Pearl Blossom" button is mine too.  You use
your own "vintage" or new lace to make the pocket.  Just
imagine all the little treasures you can tuck in there for your 
special friend.  Many ideas for this collection are floating around
 in my head and are drawn on paper, so be watching for more soon.
Well, I think I have rambled on enough.  Here's hoping you
are having a wonderful evening with 
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Friday, March 18, 2011

FANCY FRIDAY

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Hollis and I have been talking about this for a long time,
but I have been afraid to commit to it.  
 What is a "Fancy Friday" you ask.
I have decided to offer you "something" or maybe a few
"somethings" on Fridays.  It will not happen
 every Friday, just whenever I have the time or something
 to offer.  At first I was thinking every Friday and that is 
where was having commitment issues.  
My plan is to offer these products to my Blog friends 
first, and if they have not sold by Sunday night, I will
then put them in my Etsy Shoppe.  Everything will be
first come, first serve and I will email you to let you know
I have gotten your order.  Because this is happening on a 
weekend, you may not hear back from me until Sunday 
evening.  Payment can be by personal check,
 credit card (MC or VISA), or Paypal.
Here goes.  I hope you find something you like.
Hand-painted Needlework Tray
This is a little wooden tray that I painted to hold your
stitching treasures or your everyday stitching needs.
It measures approximately 7 1/4" long X 4 " wide X
3 7/8" high.  The tray is painted a nice umber color 
with warm country colors for the design.  
 $22.00 + $5.00 shipping
SOLD - Thank You!!!
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 Nice mahogany box for your beautiful 
needlework.
Insert your design in the area on the top.  Pretty
brass closure and hinges.  
Measures  6" square X  2 1/2" deep
 $19.00 + $5.00 shipping
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Beautiful Sudberry Tray
Wouldn't this make a wonderful
wedding gift!!
(does not include glass).
Tray measures 16" Wide X 12" High
Oval cutout measures  12" Wide X 9" High  
$32.00 + $8.50 shipping.
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Rollup Necessaire No. 1
This is a one-of-a-kind Needlework Rollup Necessaire.
There are three pockets and a stuffed area at the bottom
for your needles and a linen pocket is for your stitching.
The finishing touch is a "vintage" button for the closure.
There is a graph full of sampler motifs and a pretty
alphabet to make it your own.
Measures 13 1/2" long X 4" wide.
$34.00 + $3.50 shipping
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Rollup Necessaire No.2
This is a one-of-a-kind Needlework Rollup Necessaire.
There are three pockets and a stuffed area at the bottom
for your needles.  The linen pocket is for your stitching.
The finishing touch is a "vintage" button for the closure.  
Included is a graph full of sampler motifs and a pretty
alphabet to make it your own.
Measures 14" long X 4" wide.
$34.00 + $3.50 shipping
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I won't be getting much stitching done this weekend. 
Lehmer and I are going to Richmond to help Hollis and
Paul pack for their big move.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend though
with "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Sharing

Good Evening Everyone!
I don't know if you remember, but I had a give away
a few weeks ago.  Stitchin Sweet Sue won and I just have
to share with you what she wrote on her blog.  It was
so sweet and meant so much to me.
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Also, I wanted to share with you some wonderful 
finishes that were sent to me a few days ago.  It is so
much fun to see how someone else finishes one of
my designs.  The creativity in the needlework world
is amazing.
These are from Heidi from Holland.  Don't you just
love her name?
This is my 2010 Christmas "Freebie".

Go here to get the freebie.  You'll have plenty of time
to finish it for next year.
This is my "Santa Button Sampler".
Go to her wonderful blog to see these finishes and
many, many more lovely designs that she has
creatively finished.  Don't you just love that green frame
and buttons.  The perfect finishing touches.
and
http://allmyscatteringmoments.blogspot.com/
Hope you enjoy.
I have had quite a few emails today about the reprints of
olde designs that I posted about last night.  They are
available in my Etsy shoppe.  Just go to the left column at
the top of the blog and click on Homespun Elegance under
my Etsy gallery.  It will take you right there.
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Have a wonderful evening.  I am working on my three new
publications tonight.  Hope to have them ready by next
week.  
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Oldies But Goodies

Good Evening Everyone!
It is very late I know, but I have been putting a
few more designs on Etsy.  As you know, I have
been designing since 1979.  Can you believe that!
I really cannot believe it.  The years have just flown
by and I have enjoyed every one of them, at least
the designing part of it.  It never gets old.
Anyway I have decided to start reprinting some
designs that have been out of circulation for many
years.  They will be some of my favorites and I
hope they will be yours too.  Many of you are too
young or too new to the cross stitch world to have
ever seen them.  Here are a few tonight and there
will be more to follow.
"In A Garden"
"Summer Hare"
"Country House Sampler"
"One For The Crow"
If you are still awake, I hope you are enjoying
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Monday, March 14, 2011

Easter Goodies

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Don't you love these tiny, tiny quail eggs.  About ten
years ago, I rode the train up to Philadelphia to go to
the Philadelphia Flower Show.  If you ever get the
chance to go, you must.  My friend and I left the show
and walked to the Philadelphia Farmers Market
(I think that is what it was called).  Anyway, it was
booth after booth of wonderful food stuff.  I bought
three dozen of these tiny quail eggs and very carefully
brought them home.  They all made it safe and sound.
After using them in my Easter decorations that year,
I put them back in their little plastic egg cartons and
stored them away.  I did not boil them, for fear of
cracking them.  They have kept beautifully and I
have been enjoying them ever sense.
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I've made some Easter decorations that I hope all
of you will like.  They are now listed on my Etsy
site.  If you do not use Etsy, just email me if interested.
Here is a peak at what is listed.

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I am so happy - I now have 300 followers.  It is amazing to
me that 300 wonderful people are even remotely interested
in what I have to say.  It is impossible to express how
grateful I am to all of you - for your comments, your concern,  
your good wishes, and your patience for all of the dumb things
 I have done while learning how to do this.  
You are truly appreciated.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Friday, March 11, 2011

A Few Sneak Peaks

Good Evening Everyone!!
First of all, a little more Spring decorating!
I've been trying to find "vintage" paper mache 
bunnies, but it has taken me years to collect these few.
I especially love the tiny blue one on the box and hope he 
is the real thing.  Unfortunately, they are making such good
 fakes now, that I'm not sure.  Oh well, I'm going to 
pretend he is the real thing because I like him so much.
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I hope all is well in your homes tonight.  I need to
be stitching, but I thought I would take a break and
send you a little sampling of things to come.
"Tokens Of Affection" is a new collection beginning
this month.  The designs will be dedicated to friends and
 family.  I plan to keep them fairly small but very special
 at the same time.  Sometimes you just need a little
something for that special someone and you need
it in a hurry.  Hopefully these designs will fill
that need.
"You Make My Heart Happy" is the very first one.
In my Bits & Pieces Collection I am adding,
It's Keen To Go "Green" is next.
I hope you see something you might like.
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Happily we sold out of my "Stitching Pocket -
Plus" in Nashville, but we just got in a few more this 
week.  I am adding it to my Etsy shoppe along with the
publication that goes with it.
Here is another picture and a good
view of the inside pockets.

Wishing all of you a wonderful evening,
with "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

BIG NEWS

Good Evening Everyone!!
Yesterday was a very happy day.  Lehmer and I went to 
Richmond to be with Hollis and Paul for the sonogram to find 
out what they are having.  I bought two little outfits, obviously
one pink and one blue and beribboned them appropriately.
I put both of them in the gift bag with "happy, happy day" on it 
and this is the one they got to open.

  
IT'S A BOY!!
We are so happy to finally know what it is.  Only
two of our friends thought it would be a boy, so I think
we had been brainwashed to think it was a girl.
Surprise! Surprise!  Paul was absolutely over the
moon.  He really wanted that boy.  
After the four of us had a really fun lunch, Hollis and 
I went shopping.  She finally got to buy something for her 
baby and I got to buy something for our grand baby.  
A day filled with love and happiness.  
Thanks for listening to me go on and on.
Sandra

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sneak Peak

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Two posts in one day.  Am I losing my mind? No, I wanted
 to show you a little peak at a new design that will be coming
your way soon.  
"Woolly Story"

For you sheep lovers - you know who you are!!
This is the sweetest verse.  It came from an old pamphlet
about wool.  Actually it was quite long, so I chose
the parts that I liked the most, otherwise we would
have been backstitching for a long time.  I hope you 
will love it.
No  more sneak peaks today, but a new series will be
 coming soon as well.  It is called "Tokens Of Friendship".
Heartfelt designs that I hope you will enjoy stitching
for those special friends and family members.
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Hope you don't mind me sharing some sweet
pictures.  We went to my sister's this afternoon
for a birthday celebration in her honor, but mostly we
spent our time with these two adorable children.
Remember on Valentine's Day - we had this addition
to our family - Piper.
Plus, here is my husband, Lehmer, and Piper's
big sister, Addyson.  Lehmer is practicing for
our grandbaby, due late July.  I think he looks
very relaxed, don't you?
Enjoy the rest of your evening.  I will be working
again on "The Lord's Prayer" reproduction sampler.
I hope we will begin stitching it this week.  Wish me
luck.  I think I need it.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Give Away Winner and Correction

Good Morning Everyone!
Do you think I like cookie cutters?  I really am just a 
little bit ridiculous about them.  It is exciting though
to think that in a few months I will have a special 
little one to make cookies for again.  
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The winner of my "Give Away" is
Sue
from  StitchinSweetSue.
I have already sent you an email this morning and all
I need now is your mailing address.  Hope you like it!! 
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Thank all of you who sent me a comment and became
followers.  It is so gratifying to know that their are
wonderful people out their who share my love of
needlework and all sorts of other things.  You all make
my days so much more special.
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A number of you commented and asked about the eggs.
Here is another picture of ones that I dyed.
Note the one on the top.  I used a fern frond for the design.
If you want to try this, you just place the fern or leaf
on the egg.  Wrap it tightly with cheese cloth and
use either a rubber band or twist tie to secure.  Place
it in your dye pot and pull out every few minutes
until you get it as dark as you want it. 
Some of you asked about them smelling.  
This is my experience.
I mentioned in an earlier blog that I hard boil the
eggs before dyeing and then keep them from year to
year in a plastic bin with a tight lid.  I have had a few
crack and they do smell awful if they haven't dried up
completely.  Eventually, the yolk dries though
and when you shake the egg you can hear it rattling
around.  I haven't had one crack in this state, so it
might still smell a little if broken, but if not broken
there is no smell.  They are well worth the risk.  I
have had these for years.  I forgot to mention this.
For added protection, I put them in egg cartons and
then put them in the plastic bin (the ones you use
for shoes works fine).  Hope this answers your
questions.  You still have plenty of time to have
them for Easter.  To get the onion skins, I just
asked at the grocery store if I could have their
loose skins and they gladly let me.  Of course,
if you eat enough onions, you can collect
your own.  The more onion skins you use in
your pot, the darker your dye will be.  It is
really just trial and error.  I like for them to be
different shades of brown.
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CORRECTION
I hate to tell you this, but in the crazy state of
mind Faye and I were in before Nashville, we
really messed up.  If you bought "Delivering Spring
Blossoms", look at the cover picture.  Note the
lack of a pull cord.  Not only did I not graph the
cord, I didn't stitch it either.  If you look on the
right side of the blog you will see the omission.  A 
 very nice lady called this to our attention.  She wasn't 
upset about it so I hope none of you will be either.  Here
 is the section of the graph that now has the pull cord.
I'm so sorry, but I'm soooo happy that she found it
before anymore of them were shipped.  We sold
out of it in Nashville so their are many of the
floating around.
For those shoppes who read the blog, I will be
fixing the problem on future books.  I will send
a corrected graph to my Autos so you can put it in
any remaining leaflets or give to your customers
who have already purchased it.  
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I hope you have a wonderful Sunday filled with
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra