"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, June 27, 2012

Candle Wrap Freebie Graph

Hi Everyone!
Here is the "Freebie" I promised you!  I am
so excited about the positive
reaction to this idea, that I am now planning a
new publication with seasonal "Candle Wraps".
Stay tuned!

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't forget that there will be a drawing to win the linen 
banding, the straw ribbon, and the waxed linen cording.
You have until Sunday evening and then I will draw
three winners of the project pack.  
Good luck to everyone!
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Monday, June 25, 2012

A Drawing

Good Morning Everyone!
Do you like candles as much as I do?  My absolute
favorite scent for several seasons of the year is "Citrus and 
Sage" by Yankee Candle and we all know how expensive 
Yankee Candles are.  But I pay the price because I
love it so.  I did sigh up for their email so I get
coupons occasionally.  
But, I have found a little treasure, in of all places.  -
Walmart.  They have a candle right now that is
called "Lemongrass and Verbena".  It is a much lighter
scent than my favorite but is really nice and it is a
lovely green which is great for decorating this time
of the year.  I liked it so much, I bought all they had at
 my local Walmart, (which wasn't many) so it is a good thing 
you don't live near me.  I'm afraid they will not restock it for
the rest of the season.  If you do take a chance and
get one, I hope you will like it.
Here it is on a cupboard on my back porch.  It
goes so well out there with the plants and other
touches of green on the porch.   I wrapped it in this
great straw type ribbon.  The stitching is done on
linen banding and tied on the candle.
This little candle wrap will be a free graph for all
of you, but you will have to wait until I get back
home later in the week.  I don't have access to
my graphing software and all the other things I
need to post it for you.  But I will get it done.
*****BUT*****
I AM DOING A DRAWING
You have to be a follower and send me a comment.
I will be sending THREE of you a little project pack
which will include the straw ribbon, the linen
banding, the waxed cording, and the graph
to make a candle wrap.  You have until Sunday
evening to make a comment.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
I did make great progress on all of my 2012
Annual Ornaments.  One is almost finished and 
I have to pick the colors for the other two and
start the stitching.  I'm very excited about how
they are turning out.
Plus, Cameron and I made a little more progress
on my new website.  So exciting!
Well, I am in Richmond, and Avery is taking a nap,
so I must go and get as much done as possible 
before the little crawling/almost walking person
wakes up.  No working for me after that. 
Have a great day.  Hope to hear from all of you.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra




Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Little Glimpse

A Good Afternoon To You!!
Today was set aside to work on my new website with
Cameron.  It is beginning to take shape now.  The boring
part is about to start and that is loading all of the images
and text.  I cannot imagine how long this is going to take.
It is tempting to open it before it is completely
uploaded, just to get it out there.  My old website
is so horrible it is embarrassing. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
2012 Annual Snowman Ornament

"SNOWMEN ON PARADE"
A little glimpse of the Snowman ornament.
Hoping to get everyone in the Christmas
stitching spirit.  
The annual sampler has been graphed and
Santa is still just a drawing, but never fear,
I will get them done.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hollis, Paul and Avery are on the way home
from the beach.  I believe from all the pictures
and the fun texts, they had a wonderful
first family vacation.
One of their great memories from the first vacation
with him --  he began saying "Mama".  I bet I
know who is grinning from ear to ear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Friday, June 22, 2012

Taking A Break

Good Afternoon!
My eyes are about to cross from graphing.  I have
to say that this is not my favorite part of the design
process.  I'm happy that I don't have to use rub
on symbols anymore (showing my age), but still
have to complain every now and then.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Way To A Friend's House 
Is Never Far"
A long out-of-print publication prompted me to 
update a popular design from it.  I have changed
it a good bit and updated fibers and fabric.
I hope you will like it.  I have always loved
the sentiment and believe it is so true.  In our world
today, so many friends and family members live
so far away.
Let me know what you think.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
ANOTHER GRAMMIE REPORT
Can you believe this!  They were heading back to
the beach this morning in what looks like matching
sunglasses.  It is unbelievable that he is keeping
his hat and glasses on.  Usually he pulls off a 
hat within seconds of putting it on him.  I told
you yesterday that he is scared of the ocean, well
he still is, but he loves the pool.  Loves his bath, so
it was just a giant bath tub to him.  I hope Paul and
Hollis are making lots of videos.
Thanks for letting me share Avery with you --
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Little Beach Bum

Good Evening Everyone!
Look at those sweet little rosy cheeks!!
Avery is at the beach for the first time, enjoying
his bottle in his own personal little tent, which is
is also under an umbrella.  Hopefully, they are protecting
 his tender skin from the sun.  Hollis called this morning to
share that he was scared of the ocean.  Had a total
melt down with the waves crashing.  It was the first
time that he had wrapped his arms around her neck.
He must have been terrified.  Liked the ocean from
a distance - just not too close.   I can't wait to hear
from her tomorrow.  Maybe he warmed up to it before
the day was over.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wish I was at the beach -  instead graphing is on my
plate.  Christmas ornaments are in the works.  I will 
share some little glimpses soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

  

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Continuing A Series

Hi Everyone!
First of all I wanted to share with you a wonderful
gift I received from Hollis.  Bless her heart, she 
gave it to me just because she knew I would love it
and I do.  Sorry it isn't morning anymore, but I took
it this AM and couldn't get to the blog.  I think she
believes my memory needs some help.  
Unfortunately, she is right!
It has a scalloped tin back with the chalkboard 
painted on top of it.  It is hanging from a set of
shutters that covers the side of my frig.  Just perfect!
In another post, I want to show you a chalk board
that I made for Hollis.  This chalk board paint 
has opened a whole world of possibilities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, on to cross stitch.  I don't know if you have ever
seen these designs.  It was meant to be a seasonal
series and I just didn't get it finished in a timely
fashion.  Well, it is finally coming together, and
the next season, Summer, will be ready soon.  So,
to refresh your memory, here are the first two and
a glimpse of Summer.  

SCENES OF SUMMER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I want to wish all the Father's in your lives, a
wonderful Father's Day.  Paul will be having his
first Father's Day.  So special for him I am sure.
Lehmer has had many Father's Days, but we
try to make everyone of them more special
than the last.  He is so great, so special, and
so loved by all of us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you have a great weekend and can squeeze
in a few 
"Happy Stitches",
Sandra


Monday, June 11, 2012

NEW STUFF READY

Good Morning Everyone!
I am home on a Monday.  Seems so strange.  Hollis
and Paul's scheduled was unexpectedly changed, so 
mine was too.  I'll be there Tuesday and Wednesday.
I haven't seen Avery since last Tuesday which is the
longest period of time without holding that little guy.
Boy do I miss him.   I hate to complain because I know
some of you don't get to see your grandchildren as often
as I do.  In fact, my best friend's grandchildren live
in Belize and New York City, so she doesn't want
to hear me complain  -- ever.  
Today will be very busy.  I am going to be one of
the featured designers in Norden Craft's Needleworkers
series.  I have to get all of my questions answered and
do a free design for all of you guys.  I will let you
know when it goes up on their website so you can
get the "freebie".  Also, my 2012 Annual Christmas
Ornaments are on the drawing table.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just wanted to let you know that my new things are ready
and will be shipped soon to my distributors and Auto Shoppes.
"Ewe Be Patriotic"
Scissor fob will be available separately!
"A Family Homestead"
Note the new frame which is available!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also, wanted to share a little glimpse of something new
that will be coming later.  Don't you love the colors?
If you don't, there are only two main colors, so you can
easily make it your own.
If you are familiar with this series, they are all finished
as Cupboard Hangers or Pin Keeps.  A quick stitch for 
you or a needle friend.  
"Sampler Lady"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wishing you a great Monday with 
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!
I hope you are all having a great week.  I had
a really special two days this week with our
sweet Avery.  He just started crawling a few
days ago and today he took his first steps
pushing his Radio Flyer wagon.  So cute!
Hollis was able to video part of it so Lehmer
and I got to see this milestone. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"EWE BE PATRIOTIC"
If you have followed me for many years, you
know that I love to  paint.  I don't have much
time to devote to it, but periodically I need the
diversion.  I have decided to interpret some
of these little paintings into cross stitch and
then use the paintings to make wooden
scissor fobs.  This is the first one.  The design
will be sold separately from the fob, but I
hope you will find it fun to have the set for
your collection.  
Please let me know what you think.  This will
be ready in a few weeks (just in time for the
Columbus market) along with
"A FAMILY HOMESTEAD".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Saturday, June 2, 2012

Good Morning Everyone!
I am happily preparing for the arrival of our
  Mr. Avery.  
Unfortunately his Papa is
away on a golf trip, so he won't get to spend
any quality time with him on this visit.  Can you 
see what a ham this guy is turning into.  When Hollis
picked him up from daycare yesterday, his
teacher said he never cries.  He is such a happy
little thing.  Unless he is sick or over-tired,
he is just full of himself.  This has been a big
week for him.  He officially started crawling and
waving.  He was a little behind on the crawling
because of some minor surgery, but is making
up for lost time.  He has officially "found his
wings", and I am a little wary of keeping up with
him.  I think I need some more vitamins to
build up my stamina.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My new publications are ready and will be shipped
next week.  Here they are and so hope you like
them.
"TO STITCH IS BLISS"
The color is a little off in this picture.  Way too blue, much
better on the book cover.
"NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP"
"LOVE THY COUNTRY"
I  hope these will all be in your shoppes in the 
near future.  I plan to ship to our AUTOS on
Tuesday - Wednesday at the latest.  If you do
not have access to a Shoppe, we will be happy to
help you.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I'm off to vacuum my dirty floors, thanks
to Zeus, the resident St. Bernard.  This needs to be
a daily event. So exhausting, but the floors need
to be spotless for little Avery.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I wish you a great weekend!
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra