"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

Saturday, August 27, 2011

What A Week!!

Hi Everyone,
I usually begin by saying Good Morning, Afternoon,
or Evening, but not today.  I'm just hoping we get
through this day without too many problems.
Haven't we had a week!! Earthquakes and now
a hurricane.  Hollis has quite a story to write
in Avery's baby book.  In the month of his birth
he has had quite a few experiences.  She and I
 had just gotten back from taking Avery to the DR.  
I was on the telephone with Faye at home when she
starting yelling something and then the house
 starting shaking.  Hollis said "It's an earthquake,"
grabbed the baby, and we went out on the deck.
What an awful experience.  I never want to go
 through that again.  In 2003 there was an
earthquake in Richmond, so she knew what
she was feeling.  According to her the one in
2003 was nothing compared to this one.  Two
days later, an aftershock woke me up about 1:00
am.  Hollis and Paul were in baby comas and felt
nothing.  Nothing since then, thank heavens.
The earthquake was stronger in Fredericksburg.
I had pictures off the wall, things fell off of shelves,
the door on my linen press opened and some of
my glass items fell out and broke.  It certainly 
could have been worse though.  I don't know
how people in California deal with that threat.
I'm back home for a while and am in serious
need of more time to get all of my new 
designs finished.  I want to share with you
my almost complete Cinnamon Stick Santa.
There is another design in this publication, which
I will show you later this week, I hope.  Plus,
I will share some of the designs from my
Christmas Stocking publications.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little parting picture of Avery?  Can you believe 
how much he has changed.  He has finally gotten
back to his birth weight, plus a few ounces, and
grown 2" in length.  Gosh, I hate to leave Richmond.
I miss him so much. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope to get some much needed stitching done
during this hurricane.
"Many Happy Stitches" 
to all of you,
Sandra


Sunday, August 21, 2011

Thank You

Good Morning Everyone!
I know it is really early on a Sunday morning, but
we are preparing to leave for a short visit to see
Hollis and Avery.  Cannot wait to get there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had to take a few minutes to thank all of you
wonderful people out there for your care, concern,
well wishes, congratulations, and heart felt comments.
You will never know how much it has meant to
me.  I read every one of them, many with tears in
my eyes.  It is such an emotional time for me and
my family.  We have waited a long time for this
little one.
Once again, you are so appreciated. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I'm sorry I could not answer everyone of them 
individually, but I'm sure you understand that I have been
otherwise occupied.  Faye has been here some of the 
time, but if we have not answered a question, missed an
 order, etc., please do not hesitate to resend it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
I promise to get back to stitching soon, in fact
I will stitch on the way to Richmond.  Must
hurry and finish my Cinnamon Stick Santa
and my Halloween Rounds 'A Plenty.
I hope you have a joyous day.  I know I am.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Family News

Good Evening Everyone!
I hope all is well with everyone.   It has been such
a long time since I visited with you.  Things are 
doing fairly well with Hollis and Avery.  There 
have been a few bumps in the road, but things are getting 
better.  I am back in Fredericksburg for a little visit only,
so I needed to touch base with all of you.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
If you will bear with me, I want to brag a little 
about our son, Cameron.  Here is a picture of the
proud uncle with baby Avery.
Recently, someone found his photography on
his Flickr account and one of his pictures was
shown on Fox News.  Because of that, a
gallery in New Jersey contacted him about
a showing of his work.  How exciting
for him.  He has thought about trying to sell
his work at art shows, but just never got around
to it.  It forced him to think about pricing,
framing, etc.  A little stressful when you have
never done anything like this before.  
Anyway, I just wanted to share.  This is the
picture that was on Fox News - Air France 
descending over the beach at St. Martin.
If you would like to read more about the Gallery
Showing and his other works, go to
When you get to the Gallery page, click on Future
Exhibits and then on Cameron Sullivan.
Here is another one of my favorites ~
We are so excited and happy for him.  
Way to go Cameron!!!!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXX
I promise to be back soon with many new
designs.  Christmas is coming so we must
get our Christmas stitching started.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Little Avery Is Here

Good Evening Everyone!
With much relief and happiness, I want to announce
that we have been blessed with a healthy and adorable
grandson.  Avery was born August 2nd.  Both Hollis
and Avery are doing beautifully.  Unfortunately,
things didn't happen easily.  Hollis had to have a
C-section, so her recovery will be a little longer.
I want to take this time to thank you so much for
all of your well wishes over the months and for
listening to me and looking at all the things I
made for this little guy.  It has meant so much to
me that there are so many of you out there who
think about us and care enough to write.  It
touches my heart.  You are all wonderful.
XXXXXXXXXX
Now that he is here I will be gone for a little
while, spending time in Richmond helping
Hollis recover and do whatever I can to help.
Time permitting, I may share some of my happiness
with you, if you don't mind.  Faye will be manning
the telephones and shipping.  Unfortunately, I'm the
one who does all of the printing, so some orders
may be delayed.  I hope you will understand.
I'll be in touch,
Sandra