"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, January 29, 2012

Best Laid Plans

Hi Everyone!
I promised you would hear from me on Wednesday
when I got back from Richmond.  Well, I got back
and had to return on Thursday morning because
Avery was not getting well and could not go back
to daycare.  The DR had to put him on a steroid
and when that didn't seem to be helping, he added
an additional medicine to his nebulizer treatment.
We are all a little concerned at this point.
 He has been sick since before Christmas with this
virus.  It is just going to take more time for him
to get over this.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I don't know if I mentioned
it, but I had made the difficult decision not to go
to the Nashville Trade Show this year.  It is only
a few weeks away so I guess my decision was a
good one.  There is no way I can have 
enough new things ready to take to the show.
I'm still designing though and will have new 
things to share with you.  In fact, this is a tiny
little sneak peak of Spring Eggs II.  You
might remember Spring Eggs I that I did
a few years ago.  Same format for the next one.
Sweet little eggs for your Easter decorating
or gift giving.
Here is a sneak peak of Spring Eggs II.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had a birthday a few days ago.  My Aunt
says we must always celebrate our birthdays
and never fret about how many of them we
have had.  Sometimes that is hard to do
when we look in the mirror (a magnifying
mirror I have to admit.  Another peril
of getting older - declining eyesight)
I had a wonderful birthday, thanks to family
and friends.  I just have to share something
that Hollis gave me.
She knows how much I love antique frames
and family pictures, especially ones that
include little Avery.  This is when he was only
a few weeks old.  I will treasure this always. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have a bookcase in the living room where 
many of my pictures are displayed.  It looks
like I'll need to move some of those books
to make room for more pictures.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, enough chatter for one day.  I hope all of
you are well and I'll be back soon.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra




Sunday, January 22, 2012

A Little Peak

Hi There!
It has been a crazy Sunday and now I have
three posts in a row.  The weather man is calling
for icy conditions here tomorrow morning so my
trip to Richmond has been moved up to this
afternoon.  I have to be there in the morning
so that Hollis and Paul can get to work on time.
I knew this was coming.  We have been so lucky
in the weather that we have had.  Just a little
snow and ice on Saturday.  I hope this isn't
the beginning of our weather pattern changing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyway, I have been printing my new things
like crazy.  Running up and down the stairs
between shoving paper in the printer and shoving
stuff in my suitcase and bags for Homespun
Elegance stuff that I lug to Richmond every week.
You would think I would lose a few pounds, but
oh no.  The middle age spread arrived and doesn't
want to leave.  Not happy about that either!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Because of my schedule change, I need to
show you a little peak of something sweet
coming your way.
This will be released in time for the Nashville
show so I have to hurry up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm also reprinting another old design.  I've
always loved this one.  It includes some of my
favorite things - pineapples and sampler motifs.
Hope you like it.  It will be in my Etsy shoppe
soon, but not this week.  Let me know if you
think I should reprint.  I love your feed back.
"Welcome Each New Day"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I must go.  Be back in touch next
Wednesday.  Have a great week!
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Saturday, January 21, 2012

New Stuff

Hi Everyone!
Two posts in two days, what is the world coming
to?  I need to do as much as I can because I will
be going back to babysit Avery on Monday
and then I'm gone for two days.  Playing with
the baby is much more fun than working, so
not much gets down when I'm there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Auto will be shipped next week and 
everything will be going to the distributors
as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

 "Heart Posies Needle Case"Bits and Pieces
Retail $4.50
"Winter Joy" Bits and Pieces
Retail $4.50
 "Needles and Pins Pincushion"
Retail $7.50
"Star Light Sampler Pincushion"
Retail $7.50
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope all is well with you and that you have time
for "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra



Friday, January 20, 2012

Valentine Decorating

Good Afternoon Everyone!
First of all, I wanted to thank you for the orders
for my Valentine special in the last Blog
entry.  All have been shipped so you should
have them in plenty of time for your
Valentine decorating or gifting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Speaking of Valentine decorating, do
you do very much?  I did more when my
children were at home, but now I just do
a little.  Of course, when Avery gets a little
older I'll be excited about decorating for him.
This is the extent of my decorating for this
year.
All of my red needlework accessories and a 
simple antique sampler.  I just got the table
runner -- perfect for Valentine's Day.
By the way, the antique sampler has been 
reproduced, so it is available if you like it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This heart shaped basket is filled with "vintage"
valentines.  Most of these came from my
Grandmother.  She kept every card and letter
she ever received.  I am so thankful that I have
some of them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few heart shaped cookie cutters in my kitchen
bay window.  This time next year I'll be making
cookies for little Avery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope all of you have a great weekend.  I'll be
back soon with my new things.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Friday, January 13, 2012

Some Goodies

Good Friday Afternoon!
Hope all is well in your little part of the world.
I think ours may blow away.  The winds are
howling and the temperatures are dropping.
Today is definitely a stay inside day for me,
so I thought I would take a couple minutes
 to share a glimpse of some new
things and offer you a "Fancy Friday" special.
I know I have really been neglectful on my
"Fancy Friday"promise of many months ago.
Life sure gets in the way of plans.
~~~NEW STUFF COMING ~~~
 Valentine Posies
 Winter Joy
 Star Light Sampler Pincushion
Needles and Pins Pincushion
All of these will be ready really soon.
Quick little projects for your stitching joy.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
In the meantime I waned to offer you a 
little Valentine Special.  Both of these can
be stitched up in no time and ready to give
to that special someone or keep for your
Valentine decorations.

The retail value of both of these designs is
$13.00.  Until next Friday you can have
both for $8.50 which includes the shipping
or $6.50 for either of them which includes
the shipping.  The hand-painted wooded
button in "Love Simplified" is available
from me as well as the Olde Brass "Heart"
buttons in "Love Always".  
I have made this sweet heart pillow for
someone out there.  It is constructed of
this wonderful old coverlet fabric with
a felted wool back.  I wrapped it with
aged scrim, vintage trim and a special
vintage button.  It is all hand stitched.
I hope someone out there loves it.
Measures 8" wide X 9" long.
$37.00 which includes the shipping.
If you are interested in any of my specials,
just email or call me.  I take personal
checks, Visa, MC, and Paypal.
XXXXXXXXXX
Well, I think that is enough for today.
I need to start graphing the new things.
Hope you all have a great weekend with
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Do You Need Your Mittens?

Good Evening Everyone!
Do you need your mittens?
Is it cold where you are?  Have you had any snow
yet?  The weather here in Virginia is really strange.
I do not want to complain, but having to turn
on the air conditioning to take down the
Christmas decorations is just a little odd.
Maybe the temperature has something to do
with why I cannot get rid of this infection. 
 I have coughed so much that the DR
thought I had broken a rib.  After the xray
was negative, he said I have probably done
something to the cartilage.  The pain is really
bad and actually feels like something is
moving.  I am so over this.  The pain medication
knocks me out at night so at least sleep is
possible.  I need to get better so I can get
inspired to design.
Anyway, I'm sorry to be complaining so
much of late.  Hope things are better in your
world.  Please use your antiseptic hand wash
and stay inside and stitch.
XXXXXXXXXXX
If you like the above design, it is 
"Mittens Each Day"
It is $8.50 which includes the shipping.
Just call or email if you are interested.
Stay well!!
Many Healthy Stitches,
Sandra

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year

Good Afternoon Everyone!

"Bless your heart, it's New Years Day,
May its gladness with you stay."

An adaptation of a verse from an
olde postcard.

I sincerely hope all of you had a wonderful
New Years Eve.  Ours was very low key but
exactly what we needed since some of us
are still suffering from whatever this
respiratory thing is. 
Avery started the New Year off right by 
sleeping through the night.  This may not 
sound very exciting, but it is just one of the
few times it has happened.  So hoping for many
more nights like it in the New Year. 

I hope my energy level picks up soon, as I need
to get inspired about Homespun Elegance.  I've
always had a hard time getting back to the
grind stone after such a long break.

Since I really do not have any stitching pictures
to share, I thought you might like to see some
of my needlework tools and vintage treasures
in my collection.  I love all of this stuff.
Just don't look too close, or you will see
all of the "vintage" dust that goes with it.


I will share some more another day.
This is another one of my collections.  There are
many more.  Just cannot help myself.

Wishing all of you a 
"Many Happy Stitches" day.
Sandra