"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, October 27, 2012

Three New Designs!

Good Morning Everyone!
If you live on the East coast, I know what you are doing-
worrying about the weather.  It will be decision
 time around here soon.   It seems that every time there
is a major weather event, Hollis and Paul lose their 
electricity.  So, figuring that will probably happen again,
we are planning her possible move to Fredericksburg.  The 
weather will be the same, but we have a generator.  The last 
two times they have also lost most of their food, so we will
move her food too.  Luckily we have a cleaned-out freezer.
This appears to be a monster storm.  I am really concerned
about the wind, since we are surrounded by major trees.
So scary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Decided I better let you know about a few new things for
fear that many will be without power for a while.  
I hope all of these designs will be ready to ship week 
after next.
"HALLOWEEN IS A HOOT"
from
A Halloween Year II
I will resume releasing the Halloween Year II
designs in January 2013.
Sorry that he isn't in his finished state, but I will
work on that this weekend.
If you loved "Holiest Of Nights" then you will probably like
"REJOICE IN THE GIFT"
and last but not least 
"SANTA AND THE CHILDREN"
Christmas Silhouettes 
The sweet frame will also be available.  It only
measures 4" X 4" so it can easily hang on
your Christmas tree.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I hope you see something you like.  
My wish for all of you, please stay safe this weekend
and I hope you have time for
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A Winner!

Good Afternoon Everyone!
<<< CONGRATULATIONS >>>
The winner of my "Pumpkin Lover" pillow is
Margaret.
I have notified Margaret by email and am waiting
for her to send me her address.
If any of you out there love him, I have a few
extras painted.  He is 
$18.00 which includes the shipping.
ALL GONE!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for all of your kind comments about
"Pumpkin Lover".  It seems that we all love black
cats, especially this time of the year.  Wish I could
give all of you one.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Didn't Have Any Fun

To Say The Least!
Well, I hadn't mentioned last week that Lehmer and I were
going to keep Avery last weekend.  This was to be
the first time for him to be away from Hollis overnight,
let alone two nights.  She was not handling it very well,
but it was time.  After all, he is 14 months old now.  It was
their anniversary weekend so they really needed to
do something special and Hollis needs some "me"
time.  Lehmer and I were a little apprehensive also,
but really looking forward to it.  I was going to get to show 
him off to all of my friends, even if they didn't want to 
see him.  Needless to say, I had to do some major 
"baby proofing" - meaning lots of baby gates, locks on cabinets, 
covering outlets.  Oh my gosh, so many things to worry about 
when a little one is in the house.
Well, he arrived late Friday afternoon and all was going
well until dinner time, when he was fussy and not
eating.  Not eating just doesn't happen with Avery, but
I chalked it up to him being tired and not being at home.
Well, I put him to bed and about 15 minutes later
he was crying.  At this point I am going to shorten
this story.  He had gotten really sick.  It was awful.
Brought him downstairs and he got sick again.
We didn't know what to do - take him to Richmond,
keep him with us.  What a mess.  Well, he stayed
with us.  He ended up running a fever much later
that night and was really up all night.  Early Saturday
morning we packed everything up and took him
back to Richmond.
By Saturday afternoon Hollis was not feeling
well and was really sick all day on Sunday.
Sunday morning Lehmer got sick, Sunday afternoon
I got sick, Monday night Paul got sick.
What a nightmare.
The good news is that everyone is finally on the
mend.  I was literally up all night for two nights,
so was a walking zombie.  Yesterday I managed
to blog about my "Give Away" and then I went
to bed again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry you had to listen to my sad story but I guess 
that goes along with being friends, even in the Blog world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a happier note, I know all of you are familiar
with the wonderful magazine, Early American Life.
Well, I got my newest issue the  other day and was
very shocked when drooling over this wonderfully
decorated and appointed home.  You are going to flip
over this house.  On top of everything else, 
it is full of antique samplers. To have a design
of mine in this home is a true honor.  This design,
"This House Believes In Santa" is one I did 
many years ago and is out of print.  Believe it or
not, it is one that I've considered reprinting. What do
you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
I'll be announcing the winner of the pillow
tomorrow.  Good luck!!
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Sunday, October 21, 2012

Give Away Tyme

Good Afternoon Everyone!
~~~ A GIVE AWAY ~~~
"Pumpkin Lover"
I know all of you have been decorating for
Halloween/Autumn, so I figured I needed
to get this done today.  I have a few of these
pillows that I painted so I thought I would
offer them to you and give away one.
I painted this on jute and lightly stuffed it
with polyfil.  Just big enough to reside on
your sofa or chair, or tuck into a
cupboard.  I will even add a jute hanger
to it, if you would like to hang it
somewhere.
It is backed with jute and put together with
a running stitch.  He has a tiny black button
for his eye.  Measures approximately 12" X 8".
$18.00 which includes the shipping.
I take Paypal, Visa, MC, and personal checks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you would like to be entered in the
drawing, you must be a Follower and
leave me a comment.   I will pick Wednesday
evening and ship to you by the end of
the week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Monday, October 15, 2012

Christmas Joy

Good Afternoon!
<<< CHRISTMAS JOY >>>
I was going to wait for the book cover to
reveal this, but just couldn't stand it.
I know I am partial, but he is just so
cute.  Hollis and Paul came yesterday to
try to get this photo.  When you are
dealing with a 14 month old, you never
know what you are going to get, but
he was very cooperative.
The little red rocking chair was Lehmer's
(Papa as he is called).  It is really too big
for him, so we were afraid he was going
to tumble forward, but we got lucky.
Try to get a visual image of this.  Hollis
was behind me jumping up and down
and generally making a fool of herself.
It worked.  I've told her she needs
to become a children's photographer.
Anyway, this may not be the one we 
choose.  There were other good ones.
Just thought I might be able to put a smile
 on your face.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Just Cross Stitch Ornament

Good Evening!
I hope all of you have had a great weekend.  Mine
has been very nice.  I didn't get everything done
on my list, but I did make a big dent.  Heading back
to Richmond in the morning so I have to go pack
up everything in a few minutes.  Before I go 
though I wanted to share with you my ornament
that is in this year's 
Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament magazine.
I have had several requests for the "Burgundy
Star" button.  The button is available from
me.  It should be available at your local
shoppe but if it isn't,  just let me know.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll be back mid week so talk to all of you
then.  I hope you have a really great week.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Reveal

Good Evening Everyone!
Avery's Stocking is finally complete and I am ready to
share.  The second design for "A Halloween Year II"
is also ready to share.  I am hoping to ship both of
these to my distributors and Autos the end of next week.  
Still have lots to do on
the actual publications, but both are coming along.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINNAMON STICK STOCKING III
"Cheer & Delight"
Avery's Stocking
Gift Tag from Grammie to Avery
Door/Bed Post Bag
Pocket on the back for a "Note From Santa"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"CROW HOUSE"
from 
"A Halloween Year II"
This is the 2nd in this year's collection.  The frame is
also available, but is limited.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you have enjoyed my reveal.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Few Little Glimpses

Good Afternoon Everyone!
My day isn't going as planned.  I wanted to make
Navy Bean soup this am.  Thought I had everything
I needed.  Should have known better - got my 
country ham out of the freezer and it looked way too 
dry.  Just couldn't bring myself to use it.  So off to
the grocery store, uck, on a Sunday morning.  Here
it is 2:00 in the afternoon and it is finally cooking
away.  The last couple of weeks I've been
trying to make something (doubling the recipe)
that I can take to Richmond and have for dinner
on Monday night.  Avery is a lot more active now
which doesn't leave much leisure time in the
afternoons for cooking.  Last week I made 
Brunswick Stew.  So good - just says Autumn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming your way soon, I hope, will be
"Crow House"
from my
"A Halloween Year" Collection.  This is the second
one in the new series.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Moving on to Christmas -
"Christmas Silhouettes"
AND FOR YOUR SHOPPING
PLEASURE, I HAVE FOR YOU ~
Note the painted wooden disk
embellished with a faux berry
wreath, well I have a few of
these available.  
$13.00 which includes shipping
He is hand painted by me on a 3" wooden
disk that is 1/2" thick.  Hanging cord
is included. 

Also, I have this hand-painted (by me)
pumpkin pillow.  I painted it on jute
and then stitched it to a wool felt
pillow.  The pillow measures 
11 1/2" Wide X 9" High and is
lightly stuffed with polyfil.
 ~~~$32.00 which includes the shipping~~~
SOLD - THANK YOU!
Something from my former shop inventory.  I promised
to start offering these things to you.  Just never seem
to have the time to go to my bulging storage unit.
These are hooked ears of corn.  I have some and they
are so much fun to decorate with.  
The ear is about 5" long.  Including the raffia
top they are about 10" long.
You will receive both of them.
~~~$9.00 which includes the shipping~~~
SOLD - THANK YOU BONNIE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just let me know if there is anything you are interested
in.  I take Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, and personal checks.
Have a great rest of the day.  I'm looking forward to my
soup and some more designing.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Saturday, October 6, 2012

A Little Autumn Decorating

Good Evening Everyone!
I took a few minutes today to do a little
decorating outside for one of my favorite seasons.
It is suppose to be really ugly here tomorrow so I decided to 
take advantage of the beautiful weather.  I still want more 
pumpkins, especially white ones, but I haven't found any
 yet.  I have much more to do, but at least it is a start.


Don't you love this flag.  Hollis gave it to me.
Can't bring myself to throw away the summer plants just yet.
Found this wreath at Michaels.
Just love it and my 40% off coupon made
it all the better.

 Have to bury these down in the dirt a little.  They look
a little strange sticking up out of the urns.  
Plus, I like to fill in around the bottom with
spanish moss.
Sweet potato vines and pumpkins look pretty
good together.
The beginning of the inside decorating.  Love to stack
my orange hued tomato pincushions.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Hope to be back tomorrow with some more
decorating and some "little glimpses" of new designs.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Almost Finished

Good Evening Everyone!
I am pleased as punch to tell you that 
Cinnamon Stick XXIV 
Avery's Stocking
"Cheer & Delight"
is almost ready for publication.
It is going to my finisher tomorrow,
but I am so excited that the last stitch
has been done, I just had to share.
In addition to the stocking, there will
be a bed/post or door hanging that I
think you might like too.  If all goes well,
I hope this will be available in a few
weeks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It has been a few years ago, but here
are the two Cinnamon Stick stockings
I designed for my children, Cameron and 
Hollis.  They proudly hang from my
fireplace mantle every year.  Now, I will
have Avery's to hang with them.
Cinnamon Stick Stocking I
 "Stitched With Love"
for Cameron
 Cinnamon Stick Stocking II
"Stitched With Joy"
for Hollis
Both of these designs are still available.
I think they are timeless and hopefully they
will be a part of their Christmases for
years to come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope to be back tomorrow with some
more new things to share.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra