"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

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

They Start Young These Days

Good Afternoon Everyone!
This post has nothing to do with needlework, but
was just too cute not to share.  Do you have a 
computer geek in your family?  Well, I do, in the
form of my son, Cameron.  Thank goodness for
that fact, or I wouldn't be doing this blogging thing.
Well, we might have one in the making.  Cameron 
is so proud of his little nephew.  
  Isn't this the cutest thing!
Just look at him sitting on the table holding his
foot.  He is mesmerized by the computer.
Avery ad Papa Sullivan on Skype.
It was such fun!
  Lehmer is feeling left out of the fun with
  me spending so much time in Richmond.
We're hoping this helps both of them.  He
misses seeing him and is afraid Avery will not
recognize him or his voice.  Avery is getting a
little afraid of strangers and strange voices.
I put the telephone up to his ear yesterday so
 Faye could talk to him.  Usually he turns to
the telephone, grabs it, and starts smiling.  Well,
I guess Faye's voice was unfamiliar and he broke
down in a puddle of tears.  It was awful and made
Faye feel terrible.  We know it is only a phase,
but we cannot have that happen to his Papa.  So
we'll continue to do this every few days.  
Sometimes I just hate technology, but other 
times it is wonderful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be back later with some needlework news!
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Reprints 'A Plenty

Good Evening Everyone!
Well, I guess everyone is packing up what
they have left and preparing to head home
from Nashville.  I hope everyone had a wonderful 
show and that you all have safe travels back home.
Probably tonight the internet will begin to fill with 
all the wonderful new designs that were shown
 in Nashville.  I really did miss not being there
this year.  It is the only time I get to see my
old friends and make new ones. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have been going through old publications
that are now sold out and there are some that
I really feel need to be printed again.
Here are two that will reprinted soon.
~PRIMITIVE LANDSCAPES~

Some designs are classic and I think this is
one of them.  I published this in 1992 so
you can see how long I have loved sheep.
Hope you love this one too!
Three designs for
$10.00 + shipping
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~LAND OF PEACE AND PLENTY~

This one was published in 1990.  The tray is a
wedding design.  You probably cannot see it, but 
our initials and wedding date are under the ground.  
This sits on the side board in my dining room - 
have never tired of it.
$10.00 + shipping
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~WELCOME EACH NEW DAY~
This is definitely being reprinted.  I
asked for your opinion on this one and had
many positive comments.
$9.00 + shipping
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finished updating my Etsy Shoppe with
my newest designs.  Hope you see something
you like.  I will get the above in there soon, but
if you want anything before then, just email
or give us a call.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Saturday, February 25, 2012

Loving Life!

Good Saturday Afternoon!
Hope you are all having a great day.  I'm home
and trying to make a dent in my ever-growing list.
Hope to upload all of my new things in my ETSY
Shoppe today.  Tomorrow I am dedicating to working
on the new Website.  It will still be quite a while
before it is done, but at least we have begun the
process.  I really hate this because it is going to
take away from my designing time, but in this
technological world we live it, it is a must.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you want to smile?  If this doesn't make you
smile, then I don't know what will.  
I'm titling this
"LOVING LIFE".
Not only for Avery but for Hollis and Paul.
He actually fell asleep without being in his
swaddle and slept for quite a while.  If you
are wondering what that thing is in his mouth,
well, it is a "Wub-A-Nub".  Hope I spelled 
it correctly.  I thought it was the silliest thing I
had ever seen, but believe me it works.  Not
 only does it stay in place on a sleeping baby,
but they can reach for it themselves and
put it in their mouth.  Much easier than
chasing those little pacifiers.  He has three
of them with different little stuffed animals
attached to them.
Hope you enjoyed this adorable picture.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I plan to be back tomorrow with something
new to share. 
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Nashville News and A Question

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Well, the Nashville Trade Show is
this weekend.  My designs will be
shown by Hoffman Distributors
and Norden Crafts.
Hopefully, everyone will like them,
order them, and have them in their
shoppes soon.  If you cannot find my
things, you can get them from me.  I
am going to try to catch up my Etsy
Shoppe this weekend with all of my new 
stuff, but if you don't do Etsy, just call or 
email me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 If you have known we very long, you know 
that I like to paint.  Unfortunately, there is never
much time to devote to it, but through the years I
have accumulated a little stash of paintings.
Your opinion will be 
greatly appreciated.
Do you think I should convert the three
I am showing you today to cross stitch,
prints etc?  I have some other ideas too, but
I won't bore you with them right now.
These are just a few I am considering at the
moment.  They are tiny little things ~ the
largest one only measures 2 1/2" X 2 1/4".
Of course, I can make them larger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for taking the time to look.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Ready To Ship!

Good Evening Everyone!
So much for a leisurely weekend.  I'm 
 working!!  We are expecting our first snow storm 
tomorrow, so I have to leave Fredericksburg 
 early tomorrow before it starts to be
 sure I'm in Richmond to babysit Avery on 
Monday morning.  Therefore, last night and all 
day today I have been printing my new
publications for the Nashville Show.  If this snow
 storm wasn't predicted, I would have
 tomorrow too to get all of this finished. 
NOT!!  I usually like Winter, until it gets in the
way of my plans.  I sound like a spoiled brat,
don't I.  Oh, well, never a
dull moment around here.  Believe it or not
I am not usually this far behind, but for
some reason my multi-tasking skills seem
to be on vacation. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I thought I would let you see the final
products.  Hope you like them!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"MAKING MY HEART HAPPY"
Note the tiny "Heartlet" brass charms and the
adorable antiqued thimble.  The rick rack is
courtesy of R and R Reproductions.
"HOME ~ A HAVEN. . ."
There are two little dove charms available for 
this sampler, as well as the frame.
"SPRING EGGS III"
This design features a "Tiny Carrot", a "Dragonfly"
and a "Tiny Bee" charm.  The "Nubby Yarn" is
available as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you are enjoying a great evening with
"Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Thursday, February 16, 2012

A Nashville Release

Good Evening Everyone!
This is not the final photography, but I thought
you might like to see
"Home ~ A Haven. . ."
This will be released at the Nashville Trade
Show and we plan to ship to our Automatic
 Shoppes next week.  Sometime over the weekend
I'll show the other designs being released
next week.
Good night
 and 
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Belated Valentine Wishes

Good Morning Everyone!!
I'm so sorry I neglected to send good wishes on 
Valentine's Day, but I was with this little one.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
I know I'm his Grammie, but isn't Avery the
cutest thing ever?  His rosy cheeks are just
adorable.  It looks like he has
been into my blush (which I need and he
obviously doesn't).  He is going to hate his 
pretty coloring when he gets older.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
I hope all of you had a wonderful day.  I
wanted to send this from Richmond, but I
could not get into my Blogger account on
Hollis and Paul's computer.  It seems that
I have to change my password for some
reason.  I need to take care of that so I can
keep in touch with all of you when I'm
down there.  I may be back later today
with another update on designs.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Sunday, February 12, 2012

A Pre-Nashville Sampling

Good Evening Everyone!
I hope everyone is well this evening.  I have a list a
mile long of things I need to get done tonight and
sending out this post is high on that list.
The first thing I must tell you is just a little
business information.  On Wednesday, 
February15th, our FAX number will change to
540-371-6377, which is our primary business
number.  Additionally, on that date, that
telephone number may be down for a brief
time due to telephone work.  I hope we do not
run into any problems that will extend the
down time.  Hopefully,  changing over the
fax number will run smoothly too.  If you get
a busy signal or do not hear back from us,
please give us a call or email us.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, on to the fun stuff!
I'm hoping all of these designs will be released
at the Nashville show or before.  If released before,
they will be sent to the shoppes in my 
Automatic Program.
"SPRING EGGS III"
is finished.  This is not the picture
for the front of the publication, but you
can at least see the designs.  I hope you like
them.  The trim, charms, and buttons are available
from me as well.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, another little sampling from
"A FAMILY HOMESTEAD"
I really like the way this is turning out.  It
will be a really sweet way to celebrate your
family members.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, for something I haven't shared with
you as yet.  There are three designs in this
publication.  Here is a little sampling from 
"MAKING MY HEART HAPPY".
These sweet little heart designs are just the
thing to stitch for that special family member,
friend, or yourself. 
They will be trimmed with the adorable
tiny rick rack shown and embellished with my
charms. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I guess you can see why I have a lot to do. 
So, I will say "Good Night" now.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Weathervanes

Good Evening Everyone!
I am busy, busy as usual - stitching, printing,
shooting photos, graphing.  You name it,
multi tasking is the name of the game right now
and I'm tired.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
But I just had to throw this out there to see what
you think.  I have been designing since 1979 which 
pretty much makes me older than dirt and makes
for thousands of products in stack after stack of
bookcases.  The other day I came across some of
these, long out of print --
"COUNTRY WEATHER VANES".
Do you love weather vanes?  I sure do.  This
publication has 13 designs, yes that is what we
used to do in this industry.  Give you lots of
designs in one publication and to think that I
and an old friend, Amyee Johnson, actually graphed
all of it by hand.
I am offering this publication for $10.00 plus $1.50 
shipping. You could used it for so many things - punch needle, 
appliques, needlepoint.  All of these are adaptations of
antique weathervanes owned by some lucky person.
I'll see how it does and then make a decision about
reprinting it, but for now I have a few to offer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I take Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and personal
checks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be back soon.  Spring Eggs III is almost
ready to reveal as well as other stuff.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Sunday, February 5, 2012

More New Stuff

Good afternoon Everyone!!
We had a nice little birthday celebration yesterday.
Believe it or not pizza and apple pie is really
tasty together.  I didn't hear any complaints
from anyone, so they must have agreed. We got
home early evening so I had a little time to
get in some much needed stitching.
Thought I would let you see a little more
of a few things in the works.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Home - A Haven . . ." is moving right along
and here is a little more for you to see.
Then there is 
"To Stitch Is Bliss".
There will also be a sweet little pin cushion
along with this.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Spring Eggs II will be available really
soon.  They are being put together right
now.  I should have them in my hands
this week and will be able to show you
more.  I think you will really like them
and there will be plenty of time to get
them stitched in time for Easter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I must go.  We are going to a Super
Bowl get together.  I must admit that I'm
not much for watching sports on TV,
but it's fun to gather with friends for this
event.  
Take care!
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!
Wanted to let you know that I am working
on a new sampler.  I think I am going to name
it "Family Homestead", but that could change.
Anyway, just wanted to let you see a little
of the design and feast your eyes on the
yummy rich Crescent Colours silks I am
using.  The fabric is Olde Mill Java from
R & R Reproductions, one of my favorite
colors.  Here goes, hope you like it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm heading back to Richmond in the morning
and taking all of my stitching with me.  Hope to
make a dent in my new stuff if Avery will let me.
  Saturday we will be celebrating Cameron's birthday. 
Avery's Dad, Paul, had his birthday on January 28, so we 
are having a combination party.  Apple Pie and pizza, 
how is that for a combination of flavors?  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope all of you have a great weekend.  I hope
to catch up on some work and some sleep.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Birthday Wishes

Hi Everyone!
This was a very happy day 39 years ago.
Cameron will probably hate me for
mentioning his age, but that just means that
we have had our wonderful son around for
many happy years.
Here he is at Christmas, holding little
Avery.
Happy Birthday Cameron!!
We love you,
Mom and Dad
~~~~~~~~~~~~
And I might add that if it wasn't for
Cameron, there probably would not be
a Homespun Elegance blog or anything
else that has to do with computers.  He
bales me out of trouble almost weekly.
Thanks Cameron!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~