"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, December 30, 2012

Oh No!

Good Evening Everyone!
Oh, no, I can't believe I have to go back to work
in a few days.  I'm not ready.  Don't want to 
face reality.  All the things I promised I would
stop doing after Christmas are looming.  What am
I to do?  Well, I'm going to Richmond tomorrow for
New Years Eve for one last hurrah for 2012.
  It will not be a wild and crazy night because
I am long past that.  Just some more good food, a few
 glasses of champagne, some sinfully delicious 
desserts and time spent with my love ones and that 
sweet thing lounging in his new chair.  
***********
Just wanted to remind everyone that we will not
be in the office until Wednesday.  The emails and 
orders have started, so please do not think we
are ignoring you, just continuing with our
holiday vacation.  
************
I want to wish you a New Year filled with
happiness, good health, peace, and lots and lots of
"Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Thursday, December 27, 2012

So Honored . . .

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Did you know that I have been designing 30+ years ~
and I might add they have been wonderful years,
all of them.  I actually published my first design
in 1979!  You ask, what has that got to do with
anything~~~~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Many years ago, in 1983, Just Cross Stitch
magazine made its entry into the needlework world
and they are now celebrating their 30th year.
They have planned a year long celebration by 
planning "revisit/catchup" articles with designers.
I am so honored to have been chosen to be the
first designer to be featured.  Do you think that
might have something to do with the fact that I am 
probably one of the designers who has been around 
the longest and maybe one of the oldest?  Oh well, 
whatever the reason, it is very special to me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Another thing that makes me very happy is
that I was featured in their very first
magazine ~ May-June 1983.
Here is the cover.  My, have things changed.
Magazine covers do not look like this anymore.
The beautiful design on the cover is by
Ginnie Thompson, one of the wonderful
leaders that our industry was so lucky 
to have.
I still haven't received my copy, but I understand
that the magazines are in book stores, and those of 
you who have subscriptions should have yours
by now.  I was asked to do a design for the
readers, so here it is.  Hope you like it.
I wanted it to say how I feel about all of you
out there who have supported me during
all these many years.  Thank you so much.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

A Joyful Day

It was a glorious day, filled with laughter, love,
good food, wonderful family moments, and
the endless joy of a small child.  I could 
not have asked for more.
~~~This was our joy~~~
 A peaceful scene in my kitchen window tonight.
 Wishing you peace and joy my friends!
Good night 
and Merry Christmas,
Sandra


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Getting Ready

Good Evening!
Can you believe how late it is?  I need to call it
a night, but if I don't do this blog post,
it isn't going to happen.
I wanted to share some of my decorations with
you.  Still not finished, but I will tomorrow.
Hope you enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
































Hope to be back tomorrow to share  
some more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Christmas Blessings to you and yours,
Sandra

Hallmark Moment

Good Afternoon!
I'm taking a break from cooking and wrapping.  My 
back and head are screaming.  So, I'm 
 just sitting here with my afternoon coffee
  looking at some recent
pictures and just had to share.
~~A true Hallmark moment~~
This was soon after Hollis and Paul put up the tree.
Wouldn't you love to know what is going through 
his mind.  Believe it or not, he has paid little attention
to the packages under the tree.  
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I hope to be back later today to share some 
Christmas spirit.
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra



Sunday, December 16, 2012

A Special Day for A Special Daughter

Happy Birthday Hollis!
Our Christmas baby is another year older -
much to her horror and dismay, but she is just
as pretty and adorable as ever.
That is her big brother Cameron, giving her a sweet
kiss many years ago.  
************
I cannot believe all of these years have passed and
now she has a little one of her own.  
************
HAPPY BIRTHDAY 
SWEET GIRL!
************
Thanks for sharing in our special day, 
my Blog friends.

Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra

Thursday, December 13, 2012

A Little Gift For My Friends

Merry Morning!
My Christmas Gift To You, 
My Friends!  
"MERRY, MERRY"
I'm sorry it is
a wee bit late, but it is a quickie.
Just use your favorite Christmas colors.
My favorite linens right now are 30 Count
"Putty" from Weeks and 30 Count
"Mink" from R & R Reproductions.
A think all the rich colors of Christmas as
well as the muted colors show up so well
on these backgrounds.  I would use two 
plies over two threads and two plies for the
Colonial Knots for the holly berries.  In the
spot to the right of the bottom holly leaf, I
would add a little embellishment of your
choice or another little motif like the one
to the left of the same leaf.
Hope you enjoy it!
************
When you get your ornament finished, I
would love to see it.
*************
*****ANNOUNCEMENT*****
Our last ship date will be Dec. 18th!
(NOTE:  If you live a long way from
Virginia, this may be too late for you)
We will return to the office Jan. 3rd!
************
"Many Merry Stitches",
Sandra

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Decorating Time I Hope

Good Evening Everyone!
I hope I will be able to start some decorating in the next
few days.  Cannot believe that I am so far behind this year.
If it hasn't been one thing, it has been something else.
The tree is still naked and I can hardly stand to look at it.
I think my husband is feeling my stress now.  He handed me
an early Christmas present a little while ago, the new
Rod Stewart Christmas album,
"Merry Christmas, Baby".  
So, I just put it in the CD player and hope it works its
magic quickly.  Even if it doesn't, it is Rod Stewart,
so it can't be bad.  He is definitely one of my favorites.  
Thank you Lehmer!  You are great!
***********
Just have to share this great picture.  I was at Hollis'
Monday night.  We were sitting on the sofa and Chloe, their
crazy cat, jumped up and was just staring at me.  Luckily
I had my camera right there (ever ready for Avery - haha) and
snapped this.  I thought it was really special with the
Christmas tree in the background.
At least someone has their Christmas tree decorated.
Avery is really enjoying it too. Candy canes are his
favorite decoration.
************
I'm happy to report that the CD is fabulous.  I highly
recommend it!
************
Hope to be back tomorrow.  Good night!
Sandra

Friday, December 7, 2012

Good Evening Everyone!
I told you I might be back tonight.  I have added
some more things to my ETSY shoppe.  I must say
"thank you" for all the orders I received
today.  We will be shipping next week. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I need to
offer you this adorable tree on the Blog because
I did not make it.  It was from my shoppe.  I
don't think I will ever be able to offer you everything
that I have left, but I'll keep trying.
"Faux Feathertree"

 This wonderful little faux feathertree is covered with
wonderful glitter and little red berries.  I just love
the base.  I use two of these in my decorations.
Note the stenciled border around the base.  You
will not be disappointed.  It is 13" tall.  The base is
3 1/2" square and 1 1/2" high.
It is $24.00 which includes the shipping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I have to show you how much decorating I
have done.  I think you will get a good laugh out of
this picture.  So pathetic!
Maybe tomorrow!
Wish me luck!
Sandra

New Stuff!

Good Afternoon!
ALL GONE!  THANK YOU
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Have a bunch of new stuff in my ETSY shoppe and I
hope to be adding more tonight.  I've been at it all
morning.  It takes forever to add things to the
SHOPPE.  Now I need to get myself ready and 
 go Christmas shopping.  This will be my
first real shopping day, so am excited.  
 Avery is the only one I have been shopping for.
 Bet you aren't surprised?  Tomorrow I hope to 
begin my decorating and then I will start sharing 
some pictures.
Merry Christmas!
Sandra

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Fun Stuff for Christmas

Good Evening Every One!
What a day it has been!  Computers are just going to
drive me crazy.  Hollis and I spent time last week 
doing Avery's Christmas pictures.  She needed these
for her Christmas cards.  I thought all was well -- well
forget that.  The card company didn't like the size of my
 pictures, resolution, etc.  Do you know what any of that means?  
No - me either.  I was absolutely having a panic attack
that none of these pictures were going to work and there
was no time to do it over again.   To the rescue comes 
Cameron, my son.  What would I do without him.  He figured 
it out and talked me through it and all is well.  Hollis
found the card that she loves and the pictures of Avery
are just adorable.  Yah!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Candy Cane Cutie"
was shipped to my Autos and Distributors today.  
I hope you have a little one to stitch this for.
You get the button with the design.  Just stitch
over the button to make it look like a peppermint candy.
The design is $7.50 + $1.50 shipping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Wondrous Joy"
Still time to get this stitched.  An ornament that says
the true meaning of Christmas in just a few stitches.
The design is $6.00 + $1.50 shipping.  If you 
want the "Christmas Star" charm, just let me know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOLD - THANK YOU!!
I have something for your immediate Christmas pleasure.
These are so"vintage" without the price of being
"vintage".  You will get three of these great
candy canes for $9.00 and $3.00 shipping.
They measure 9" high with a great sprinkling
of glitter.  You will love them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
ONE LEFT ~ STILL TIME
TO ORDER!
***Another quick stitch for you ***
"Christmas Candle Clips"
I offered these to you before and luckily I came across
two more clips.   A tiny project that you can stitch
in no time at all.  It includes the rusty tin star shaped
clip, the linen banding, the design and the candle.  The cost is
$15.00 which includes the shipping.  Wouldn't this
look sweet nestled in your Christmas tree, but I 
wouldn't advise lighting the candle.  Can you believe
 they used to do this very thing.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will be adding lots of "goodies" to my ETSY 
shoppe soon.  All are handmade by me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good evening every.  My eyes are crossing so I
think I need to stop.  I plan to be back tomorrow
with more "goodies".
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra