"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, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving Coma

Good Afternoon Everyone!
We are all suffering from food comas today,
but it certainly was worth it.  I was so exhausted
after cooking for mostly two days, doing a 
little decorating, and all the little things you
need to do.  Things like getting your serving
pieces out and ready to use, napkins ironed,
setting the table, a flower arrangement for
my big turkey soup tureen.  All the things that
I traditionally do and I so love doing it all.
We had a large group all gathered together
and it was wonderful.  The grandchildren
are tiny now.  I don't know what we will do
when they all need a chair at the table.
Oh, well, I'll worry about that another year.
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I just have to share this precious photo.
This was the first time Avery had seen his
little cousins.  It was so sweet to see how
much these little girls wanted to be with
him.  They were so excited, but I think it
was too much excitement for Avery.
Just look at how little Addyson and Piper are trying
to console him.  Addyson is about 2 1/2 and Piper is
about 9 months.  It is unbelievable how they reacted
to him being upset.  Of course, when he drops his
bottom lip, we all just melt.  Cameron, our son, was the
photographer again.  His timing was just perfect.
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Well, it will be back to work tomorrow for me, but
I am going to enjoy having them for one more day.
Hollis and and Paul will be leaving in the morning
and the house will feel so empty.
I hope you all enjoy the rest of the Thanksgiving
holiday.  
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra



Tuesday, November 22, 2011

New Stuff

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I know many of you have already started preparing
for Thanksgiving.  Not I!!  I've just finished my
last publication for 2011 and it will be on its way
to my Automatic Shoppes today.  Yeah!!
So here they are in all their Christmas glory.
Sweet little projects that can be stitched in just
a few hours.  The finishing is also easy.  You
know me, if it isn't simple to finish than it isn't
a Homespun Elegance project.
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"MERRY BIRDIES"
$8.00
and
"Rounds 'A Plenty I - Christmas"
$9.00
 This is a side view so that you can see that the design
goes all the way around.

A closeup so you can see the Amber Pearl Star
button at the top.
These designs are stitched on a 27 Count linen
banding.  I used Weeks Dye Works Pearl
Cotton and "Merlot Houndstooth" felted wool
for the top and the bottom.  Even a good 
quality wool felt would work for the top and
bottom.  We also have an Embellishment Pack
that includes one length of the linen banding
and the "Amber Pearl Star" button.
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I hope all of you have a great evening.  I can now
start my Thanksgiving preparations.  Lehmer and
I are so excited.  We will be spending Thanksgiving
with our family and we have 
 two new sweet babies to add to our joy -
Avery and Piper.  Piper is my sister's third little 
granddaughter.  We are definitely going to need a 
bigger dining room table soon.
We have been so blessed and are so thankful.
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Well, no "Merry Stitches" for me tonight.
The kitchen is calling.
"Merry Stitches" to you though,
Sandra


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Freebie

Good Evening Everyone!
Hope everyone had a great weekend.
Hollis and I got out this weekend to do
a little Christmas shopping.  We are 
very grateful to Paul, Avery's Dad, for
doing a little babysitting.  Proud to
report that he was pretty good, so maybe
we will be able to talk Paul into it again.
I think our main mission was finding
Avery's first Christmas outfit and we
were very successful.  Cannot wait to
share pictures.  He is going to be so cute.
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It probably isn't proper for me to reissue a
"Freebie" graph that I did last year, but
because I had so few followers at that 
time, I have decided to offer it again to
those who never saw it.
"BLESSINGS TO ALL"

XXX SPECIAL XXX
I have a few of these green frames left.  If you
would like a frame and an Olde Brass Angel
button, the set is $19.00 
(which includes shipping).  I accept
personal checks, MC, Visa, and Paypal. 
Just email or call me if you are interested.
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My last Christmas design will be ready in a
few days, so I will be sharing soon.  I know
everyone is thinking of Thanksgiving now,
but I hope you have time for a few
"Merry Stitches."
Sandra


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Some Goodies!

Good Evening Everyone!
You will not believe what happened this
week.  I went to Hollis' on Sunday to babysit
for Avery as usual.  By early afternoon Hollis 
starts feeling sick and Paul is at work and he is 
also sick.  We all thought they had food poisoning 
from their dinner out the night before, so I wasn't  
 really concerned about getting sick.  Besides I 
  had to take care of Avery.
Well, by Tuesday afternoon I am sick, so
sick that Lehmer has to come get me on
Wednesday.  Anyway I am finally feeling
better.  It has been a long time since I have
had an intestinal virus, and hope it will be
even longer before it happens again. 
The most important thing is that Avery is
still OK.  
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Wanted to share a little glimpse of
something I am working on.  I hope to
get these ready in time for your gift giving.
Do you like Scherenschnitte - paper cutting?
I do and I particularly love silhouettes.
These will make lovely Christmas 
decorations or just as Cupboard Hangers.
There will be other silhouettes, not just
pretty ladies.
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I ask you, is this not one of the cutest things
you have ever seen.  Fat and sassy he is!!
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Thanks for taking a break from your stitching
to read my blog.
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra




Sunday, November 13, 2011

Autumn Decorating

Good Morning Everyone!
It is going to be a beautiful day in Virginia, and
I am heading back to Richmond in a few minutes
to take care of Avery.  I so look forward to these
few days a week with him.  He is changing so
quickly and growing so much.  I want the
growing to slow down a little, but I think he is
in charge of that.  
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Some more Autumn decorating!



 This is our sweet but weird Marly.  Still hanging in
there at about 15 years old.  
 Do we have leaves or what.  There are millions
more to come since we are surrounded by woods.
If you look closely you can see where the
squirrels are snacking on my pretty pumpkin.

 Next week I will
be pulling out my turkey collection.  I'll have
to share that with you.  Don't you love that little
squirrel in the first picture.  I have had him for years and 
he has appeared in many photo shots.  He
is a windup toy and scoots around a bit when wound
up.  Hard to believe that he still works after all of
his years.  Hope I still work that well when I'm his 
age.  HaHa!
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Thanks for all of your sweet comments about my
"Merry Birdies".  They will be ready by the end
of next week.  I'll be showing you the other two
publications next week too.
"Many Merry Stitches"
to all of you!
Sandra


Friday, November 11, 2011

New Stuff

Good Evening Everyone!
Another beautiful Autumn day here in
Virginia.  A little on the chilly side and
more than a little windy.  It is snowing
leaves in our yard.  I really need to take a
picture of our yard when it is in leaf
overload.  Poor Lehmer, he spends 
so much time trying to get rid of the
leaves.  It is a thankless job, but thank
goodness for leaf blowers and that
he can blow them into our woods.
Bagging them is out of the question.
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I have had requests for a complete 
viewing of my "Merry Birdies".  Since
I hope to release them later next week or
the beginning of the following week, I
decided to go ahead and show them to you.
  I do think they are cute and definitely a
 quick stitch.
"Merry Birdies"
Also, I know many of you are starting
to think about your Christmas 
shopping.  With that in mind, I decided
to do a Christmas scissor fob ~
"Santa Profile".
The heart is made out of wood and I have 
decoupaged it with one of my original
little paintings.  Nicely aged and sealed
for durability.  Waxed linen thread
is attached for your scissors.
Sorry, scissors not included!
Measures 2 5/8" high X 1 3/8" wide.
If you would like one of these, they
are $11.50, shipping included.
Just email or call.  We take Visa, MC,
Paypal, money orders, and personal checks.
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Wishing you a wonderful weekend with
 "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra


Sunday, November 6, 2011

What Do YOu Think?

Good Evening Everyone!
It has been a beautiful day here in Virginia.  My husband,
Lehmer, belongs to the Dominion Club here in 
Fredericksburg.  It is a social club that was organized
many years ago.  They have a few delightful
get togethers each year that include us women.
The first Sunday in November is the Oyster
Roast.  If you like oysters, this is the place to be.  
They fix them all kinds of ways and all are delicious. 
I can't do the raw ones, but any other way is fine with me.
They also have grilled tenderloin and all kinds of delicious
things to go with it.  The weather was just perfect -
just cold enough to need your gloves by the end of
the afternoon.
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Back home now and I wanted to share with you a
design I did many years ago.  The book is long out
of print.  Having always loved this design, I 
thought you might like to see it reprinted.
If you like Sewing Birds and the color blue,
this just might be for you.  Of course, you can
make it any color you like.
I added the little stuffed pincushion.  It gives
it a a little dimension.  Hope you like it.
I drastically aged the fabric with coffee and
mounted it in an antique frame.  Let me
know what you think.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Friday, November 4, 2011

Something New!!

Good Early Morning!!
Thank you so much for your comments about
our Baby Chef.  You are all so right.  I knew
I would love being a Grandmother, but it is
impossible to describe the feelings that I have
for this child.  He is such a blessing.
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Have a few things to share this morning. A little
 "snippet" of something new and a reprint of an "oldie
but goodie".  The "oldie" first.  This book is out of print, so 
 I thought I would take the main design and reprint it. 
I put it on the Online Show and it was my best seller.
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"All Hearts Come Home For Christmas"
~~~~~~~~~~
Through the years I have literally published over a 
thousand designs and this is still one of my favorites.
It is always part of my Christmas decorations.
The saying touches my heart because it is so true.
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This new design was inspired by Avery.  I didn't
have time to get his stocking design finished for
this year, but it will be coming your way in plenty
of time for next year.  Of course, this doesn't
take the place of a stocking, but I did my best
for this year.  Hopefully, you will have a little
one to honor with this sweet design.  Of course,
you are only seeing a "snippet", but I think
you will get the idea that it will a "little"
something special to do for someone,
maybe even yourself.  
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Well, I must go for today.  More new things
to come for the holidays.  Talk to you 
soon.  Wishing you a great weekend
with
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Better Late Than Never

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I hope you are all having a great day.  I have gotten
some much needed things finished, so I'm going to
take a "coffee break" and share something adorable.
Speaking of "coffee breaks" first, every afternoon
about this time I have to relax a little and have a 
small dose of caffeine.  This started many years
ago and it really helps me keep going later in the
day and believe me I need all the hours I can
get in every day.
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Anyway back to my most favorite subject!
A Halloween baby that is beyond cute.
You might remember me mentioning at some point
that Avery's Daddy is Head Chef at a restaurant
in Richmond.  Well, months before Avery was born,
Hollis Goggled baby chef hat, and this is what 
she found.
A complete outfit with a double breasted chef's coat
and checkered pants.  We stuffed the hat with
plastic bags.  
Do you love the food channels like I do?  If so, you are 
probably familiar with The Naked Chef - 
Jamie Oliver.  Well, we now have our own!!

Of course, we had to have a daytime Halloween
outfit.  His Granddaddy said he looked like 
a convict.  
You all know Faye, who has worked with me
for years.  Well, she is forever giving something
wonderful to this baby.  This is an adorable lion
costume, so we had to wear that one too.
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What a great time we had.  I think it will be
really hard next year to top the Chef costume though.  
If he ever finds out that I put his little naked
body with a huge hat on a BLOG, I may lose
the Grandmother Of The Year Award.
Oh, well, you can only get away with pictures
like that when they don't have any say in the matter.
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I have new stuff to share, so stay tuned.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra