"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

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Birthday Wishes

Good Evening Everyone!!
All of you who have known Homespun Elegance
for a long time, know Faye.  She has worked with
me forever.  She is the backbone of everything
here.  I couldn't produce all of my designs 
without Faye.  She stitches, proofs publications,
does all the billing, shipping, listening to me,
planning with me, etc.  I could go on forever but
you get the picture.
Faye's birthday is is July 2.  She won't be
here that day, so we had a little celebration
today.  Join with me in wishing Faye a
wonderful birthday.  I am not at liberty to
divulge her age.  That will remain our 
secret.  She is younger than me and I 
don't like that, but what can I do.

I cannot take credit for the cake, but it certainly was
good.  A pedestal cake plate and a sweet rose
dress it up and hopefully make up for my lack
of cooking.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAYE.   I WISH
YOU MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY
AND HEALTHY YEARS.
LOVE, SANDRA

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

July 4th Offer

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I've been going through stuff in my storage unit/
warehouse, the upstairs in my garage, my
little shed, and my basement ~~ 
all of which are filled with stuff left
from my shoppe.  We have been closed about
2 1/2 years now.  It does not seem possible.
But what seems even more impossible is that
I haven't gotten rid of all of this stuff.  I am still
paying rent on the warehouse space and that 
has to stop.  This is silly.  So, in my spare time,
and who knows how much spare time I can
possibly have, I want to start having a
HOMESPUN ELEGANCE YARD SALE
every now and then.  This will be a random
event, but every now and then I will offer
you something at a really good price and 
I hope I will find someone who wants it.
Today will be a 
4th of July Offer.
I have several of these prints.  They are
from the original watercolor painting that
I did. 
Each print is $6.00 and if you want a frame
to go with it, the total for the two is $34.00.
I will not put the print in the frame, you will
have to do that.  The print will have an 
applied finish, so you do not have to have
glass to cover it.
The print measures 5" X 8".  
This is a special price on the frame, only
offered with this print and
does not include shipping.
XXXXXXXXXX
This design is also available in cross stitch.
PATRIOTIC LANDSCAPE
Just email me if you are interested.  I take Paypal,
personal checks, Visa, and MC.
Hope everyone is having a great day.  Must get back
to designing now, so I will talk to you later.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Thank You

Good Morning Everyone!
This is a picture I forgot last night.  My 
sister, Carla, crocheted this beautiful baby
blanket for Avery.
Thank you for your wonderful comments both
on the blog and the emails that I am receiving.
Hollis had a vision of what she wanted.  It took
work on her part to find everything, but she "did 
good".   Some of you asked where she got things.  
The rug and the prints came from the internet. 
 I agree, the rug was just the finishing touch she was 
looking for.  The prints are so cute and she just put 
them in great big white frames with a mat.  So a 
little print became something special.  
The old corner cupboard she bought years ago
for hardly any money.  All it needed was a new
coat of paint.  The cute little table beside the
chair was Paul's and he agreed to let us paint
that too.  The chair was a find at IKEA, as
well as the curtains.  If you want  beyond 
reasonably priced curtains that is the place to
go.  That great mirror came from Hobby Lobby.  
Hollis is a shopper and a bargain hunter
like her mom.  We have fun looking for a deal.
Anyway, thanks again. 
Sandra 

Monday, June 27, 2011

Avery's Stuff

Good Evening Everyone!
Some time ago I promised an update on the things
I have been making for Avery and his nursery.
Well, I think the nursery is finished.  We have had
the most wonderful time planning his nursery and
making it all happen.  Now, all we need is Avery.
Hollis is due 4 weeks from today, and according to
her,  not a moment too soon.  Me too, I just want to
meet this little guy.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here are some of my projects for Avery.
Everywhere you see something that had to be sewn 
by machine, I have to thank my wonderful friend Ethel.
I did all of the hand work and then she put it together
for me.
Three little bears made out of a sample of decorator
fabric.  The colors were just perfect.
I cut all of the birds from wonderful scrap booking
papers and hung them from a branch from our woods.
When the fan is on they move just slightly.  They
have different papers on each side, so hopefully
he will be fascinated by them.
The fabric Hollis chose for his room has tiny butter cream
dots.  I used them as my guide and did rows of 
Colonial Knots within the outline stitched "A".
Then I hand quilted the three layers together.  It was
my first quilt.
The receiving blanket is reversible flannel,
with polka dots on one side and stripes on the
other.  An outline stitch was used for his name.
Hollis found this neat rack, but of course the finish
just wouldn't do.  So I used the wall paint and rubber
stamped the rest.
The stool was so much fun to do.  I am thinking of
doing this as a cross stitch pattern.  What do you think?
And here is his room. A real labor of love.
 Sasha., Hollis' cat, loves his room, but will
she love Avery!!  I think we may have a 
jealous cat on our hands.  The beautiful dust
ruffle and sheet were made by Ethel.
Another view.
Here is the top of the sweet armoire that Hollis found.  
Isn't the detailing great?  When
she bought it the finish was white with pink feet.
Needless to say, it had to be painted.
Hope you enjoyed my little tour.  Not exactly cross
stitch related,  but now you know why I haven't had as
many new designs as usual. 
I'll be back with cross stitch next time.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Saturday, June 25, 2011

All Gone

Good Afternoon Everyone,
Thank you so much ~
all the boxes are SOLD!!
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Friday, June 24, 2011

Fancy Friday

Good Morning Everyone!!
I found something in my Doll House (shed in 
our backyard) from the stash from my old shoppe.
I have three of these little paper mache boxes that
I decoupaged with a print of one of my
paintings.  The boxes are then glazed for that
"prim" look.  They measure 4" square and 2"
deep.  Just in time for your July 4th decorating,
I give you ~
XX  CROW PATRIOTIC  XX
($15.00 ~ this includes shipping)
Note the "garland stencil".  Two of the 
boxes are adorned with this design.
The first person wanting a box gets to choose
the stencil they want.
Fill with some of your stitching necessities
and tuck in anywhere.  Note the chenille in the
box.  That is "Cinnamon" chenille by
R & R Reproductions.  You will be seeing a lot
of these fabulous trims on my designs.
When I was in Nashville this past February, I
discussed with Ann and Pat of R & R fame,
if it would be possible to get the cotton or wool
tape that was used so much years ago.  I
think they are working on that.  Cannot wait~
the possibilities for use are endless.
If you would like one of my boxes, I take
Paypal, Visa, MC, and personal checks.
Just email me.
I hope you have a great weekend filled with
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Sneak Peek

Good Evening Everyone!
The color of my type should give you an idea of
the theme of my sneak peak.   It is getting to be
that time of year.   I always find it difficult to think
Christmas, but it a necessary evil of this industry -- we
must have time to get these designs stitched!!!
So I have persevered and hopefully will have these
2011 Annual Ornaments
available in a few weeks.
I hope I have intrigued you with these tiny glimpses
of what is to come.  
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Mistake about Cookie Cake

Good Morning Everyone!!
Hollis just told me that it is the
 ~~JULY~~
 issue of Martha Stewart, not JUNE.  The good
thing is that the June issue is no lomger available.
I'm sorry if you have been out looking for it.

I hope to be back later today with a few
sneak peaks.
Have a great summer day!!
Sandra

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Recipe

Good Afternoon Everyone!!
I am going to share with you the recipe that Hollis
used to make her Dad's Father's Day Cake.
It is a Martha Stewart recipe (June issue),
but she adapted it and it was wonderful.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
ICEBOX CAKE
(This cakes needs to sit in the refrigerator overnight
or if you make it early in the day, it might be OK
by evening.  It softens after sitting and can be cut
as a cake.)
Instead of making the homemade cookies, Hollis
just used a roll of refrigerator cookies and baked as
directed on the package.  If she wasn't 9 months pregnant, 
she might have considered making scratch cookies,
 but that wasn't happening now.   
If you want the original recipe you will need to buy
the June issue of Martha Stewart, but here is what
Hollis did.
First of all she only did half the recipe and it will
easily make eight slices.  It is very rich, so a small
piece is just right.
2 cups heavy cream
4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
2 TBSP sugar
1 roll of cookie dough
Garnish - Chocolate shavings
Whisk together cream and cream cheese
in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form.  
Add sugar and whisk together until stiff
peaks form.  Refrigerate until ready to use or
 about 3 hours.
She used a small cake stand.  She covered the
bottom of the stand with a layer of cookies and
 poured on a cream layer.  Hollis made smaller and 
smaller layers, but Martha's recipe shows the 
cookies stacked evenly.  (Do not come out to 
 the edge with the cream.) She continued doing
layers of cookies and cream, until she used
up the cookies.  Make sure you reserve a
little cream, so you can put some on the
top.  Sprinkle on your chocolate shavings.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and store
in the refrigerator. 
Martha's recipe is more complicated and
certainly makes a much larger cake, but
this was just fine for us.
Hope you enjoy!!
Sandra  


Monday, June 20, 2011

Had To Share

Good Morning Everyone,
I just had to share the dessert that Hollis made for
her dad, Lehmer, for Father's Day.  I asked her
permission to share this photo.  Her response was
"I guess...if you're trying to embarrass me...it's so ugly".
This recipe came from the June issue of Martha Stewart's
magazine.  It may not look like her cookie cake, but it is
beyond delicious.  She made it Sunday morning
and you are suppose to make it the day before so all
of the "creamy sauce"soaks into the layers of chocolate
chip cookies cookies.  OMGoodness!!  This will absolutely
destroy any diet that you might be on, but who cares.
Please forgive the quality of the photo.  She sent this to
me on her cell phone.  I wish I had taken a picture 
before we cut into it.  
You really do need to make it the day before or at
least in the morning, if serving at night.  Then it will
cut really well.
I left the recipe at Hollis', but if anyone wants it, I'll
put it on the Blog in a day or two.
Have a delicious day!
Sandra

Friday, June 17, 2011

Fancy Friday At Last

It's A "Fancy Friday" At Last!!
I should have never started my "Fancy Friday" idea.  I
was so excited about doing it and then becoming a
Grandmother took over.  I'm so sorry for not doing 
this as often as I wanted.  Anyway, it will definitely
now be an occasional thing, but hopefully, it will be 
worth waiting for.  There are so many things to 
offer you.  My little "doll shed" is full of things
left from my shoppe days, as well as a storage 
unit (which I really need to stop renting), and the
upstairs of my garage and my basement.  Can you
believe this?  I really need to have a massive
Homespun Elegance Yard Sale.  It is in my 
plan for maybe next Spring.  I hope some
of you live close enough to come.  In the mean
time I will muddle through offering a few things
on Fridays and on Etsy.
XXXXXXXXXX
~~This is my Hanging Stitching Caddy~~


Made from an unfinished piece that I grain painted.
It measures 13 1/2" high, 5 5/8" wide, and 1 1/4" deep.
Perfect to hang next to your stitching chair, or just
anyplace that you would like to display some
favorite stitching stuff.  The pincushion is made from
a "vintage" coverlet.  I poured the little waxer from
bees' wax.  
Linen, floss, and scissors are not included.
~~$48.00 which includes the shipping.~~
If you would like my Stitching Caddy, I take Paypal
(need your complete email address), Visa, Mastercard,
and personal checks.  Just email me and I will get 
back to you.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Thursday, June 16, 2011

New Designs Are Ready

Good Evening Everyone!
I hope this message finds everyone well this evening.
We just had a big thunderstorm.  It didn't last very long,
but we got some much needed rain.  This area is in
dire need, while other areas of the country are flooding.
It makes no sense.
XXXXXXXXXX
I am in a mad race to get a lot of designing done before
Avery gets here.  Hollis' due date is July 27.  Can you believe 
that!!  I'm afraid my days of constantly designing   
are quickly coming to a halt.  I used to thrive on this kind
of pressure, but not any more.  My days are just too
full and my lists too long.  My annual Christmas ornaments
are being stitched though.  That makes me happy.  My 
Cinnamon Stick Christmas design is also being stitched,
so I am making headway.  Wish me luck, please.
XXXXXXXXXX
The long awaited reveal of 
"Mary Lamin's The Lord's Prayer" 
Reproduction sampler.
I hope you love it as much as I do.  Mary Lamin definitely
had a unique way of using color, or very little access to
fibers.  We'll never know, but it certainly resulted in a
unique and special sampler.  The original was found in
New England and was probably stitched mid 19th C.
XXXXXXXXXX
Next is 
"Blessed Liberty"
The Olde Brass "Flag" button and the frame are
also available from me.  
I hope you see something you like.  Both of these
designs will be shipped to our AUTO shoppes
and our distributors early next week.  If you cannot
find them, just let me know. 
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra 

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Winners Are . . .

Good Evening Everyone!
Meet Elsie, our little ferrel cat, who loved to spend 
her lazy, hazy summer days in my window box.
This was her favorite spot until I planted my flowers
a weeks or so ago.  I had to fill around them with
rocks to keep her out of the boxes.  I'm sure she is
one irritated kitty now.
XXXXXXXXXX
It is so much fun to announce winners when I do one
 of my "Give Aways".  Thank you to everyone for leaving
such wonderful comments.  I read every one of them and 
you are all so kind.
XXXXXXXXXX
I have emailed the first two winners and they are
Carol of Stitching Dreams blog
and
Patty C of Hanging On By A Thread blog
Please email me with your shipping address.

The third winner is Natalia of Stitching-4-Joy blog.
I do not have an email address for you, so I'm hoping
you read this.  I need a complete address for you as
 well.  Tomorrow I will send each of you the publication
  you won and hope that you enjoy it.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Give Away Time

Good Evening Everyone!
It has been a miserably hot summer day here
in Fredericksburg.  A great day to stay inside
and work on something special for Hollis' baby
shower on Saturday.  Also, putting the finishing
touches on a new patriotic design "Blessed Freedom"
 and the graphs for my three annual Christmas ornaments. 
 Here is a little sneak peak of the patriotic design.  It
will be released soon along with "The Lord's
Prayer" reproduction sampler.
XXXXXXXXXX
I am way overdue for a drawing, so I decided to
give away one of each of my new publications 
shown below.


If you would like to put your name in, just leave
a comment on this post.  I will make random
drawings Monday night.  Good luck!!
XXXXXXXXXX
Back to something special for Avery.  
Have a great evening.
Sandra

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

New Stuff

Good Morning Everyone!!
This is a quick post this morning.  Just wanted to let you
know that I am still around.  So, so busy with all manner
of things.  Between the yard, baby things, and designing,
there is never much left of the day.  
I did manage to ship my Auto, so my new designs should be 
available for you soon.  If you cannot find them, they are listed 
on the right side panel and I hope to have them in my Etsy 
Shoppe soon.  Just email me if you need something.
First are the 9th and 10th designs in 
"A Halloween Year".
For your Halloween stitching pleasure, here are --
"Spooky Feline and Friends" and 
"House on Pumpkin Hill"
For all of us who love patriotic themed needlework,
and sheep, here is
"Delivering Liberty".
Of course, all of the charms, buttons,
and the frame are available from
Homespun Elegance.
XXXXXXXXXX
Have a happy day everyone with
"Many Happy Stitches,"
Sandra