SOMETHING NEW!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I know you are saying, "Where's the picture?"

Well, I am sending this off today to be

stitched, but couldn't wait to tell you about

it, in case this is something you might

want to stitch for Christmas.

Here is the reason for this design.  One of the

first words Avery said was "Whooo".

He loved owls and they were the theme for

his first birthday party.  I am currently working

on a baby sampler with an owl, so cute, but

not quite finished.  Had to put it aside to get

all of the Halloween, Christmas, etc. taken 

care of.

So, if you are infatuated with owls, love

Christmas, candy canes, peppermint candies

and my "Delivering" series, you might like

this one.  Here are some peeks at the

graph.  Sorry they aren't stitched peeks~

but maybe they will peak your interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just thought I would let you know that

"Merry Eweies"

and

"Colonial Christmas"

are in my ETSY SHOPPE now.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Something New For You!

Good Evening Everyone!

I can't believe I'm on the computer at 10:30 at

night.  Avery, Hollis, and Paul came home

tonight for the weekend.  It is their fourth

wedding anniversary - which I cannot believe -

so they are enjoying a night on the town while

Grammie and Papa babysit.  Well, Avery had

other ideas about going to bed, but we finally

won out and he is blissfully asleep.  I'm absolutely

wired so here I am and happy to announce 

the models for

"MERRY EWEIES"

are finished.  If you love sheep as I do, I

cannot believe that you will not want these

added to your Christmas decorations.

There are actually four graphs.  Each of

the little ornaments are just a little 

different from the long Cupboard Tuck, 

pin cushion, or Hanging.

The wonderful rick rack and chenille are courtesy

of Elizabeth from Dames Of The Needle.  It is 

just the perfect color for these projects.  This new

line of trims is called "From The Cauldron".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"COLONIAL CHRISTMAS"

is also ready.

This was a design I did for the Just Cross Stitch

seminar in Colonial Williamsburg - hence

the colonial theme.  I'm calling it a Hanging

Pocket.  Fill it with fresh boxwood and some

holly berries and it will be wonderful in your home.

Now you can see the wonderful Week's Dye

Works' felted wool that makes the back of the pocket

Of course, the Olde Brass "Pineapple" adds

the perfect touch.  An alphabet is provided for

an initial in the center.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you like my new wares.  Am trying to ship these

late next week, so let me know if you are interested.

Have a great weekend!  You know what Lehmer and I will 

be doing.  There won't be much stitching going on 

around here.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Reason to Smile!!

Good Evening Everyone!

Just had to share one of my reasons for smiling

this week.  As you know, I am in Richmond, VA,

on Monday and Tuesday taking care of little

Avery.  He is a joy, and his personality is really becoming 

quite something.  He has no problem letting you know

exactly what he thinks of any given situation.

Well, when it was time for me to leave, I anticipated

a few tears, but this time his reaction was 

beyond cute.  This is one of his ways of

pouting.  He was so mad at me for leaving.

(Note the dinosaur bedroom shoes.  Aren't they

they the best.  He loves shoes!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the pouting didn't work, then he starting

crying.  Would not blow me a kiss, wave bye-

bye - nothing.  So, I just had to leave.  

Of course, once I was out of sight he was fine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just so cute.  Love this child.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I hope to be back tomorrow with

some Autumn decorating.

Have fun stitching tonight.  I plan to

stitch on 

"Merry Eweies".

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Merry Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

Just thought I would drop in tonight

with a tiny glimpse of the design

I am working on.  I was hoping to have

this finished by now, but things get in

the way, and I seem to never keep

up with my self-appointed deadlines.

Does that happen to you?

So frustrating!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, here is

"MERRY EWEIES"

There will be the main design and

then three ornaments for your

Christmas stitching pleasure.

I just got off of the telephone with

Elizabeth, of Dames Of The Needle

and she is sending me the most 

wonderful trims for the finishing.

It is just the perfect color.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know if you remember, but last

year I did

"MERRY BIRDIES"~

Do you see a pattern here?  I already know what

I'm doing for next year.  If I start right now

maybe I'll finish it on time.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll be back tomorrow with another cute

picture of Avery.  It is hysterical.

Many Happy Stitches!

Sandra

Thank You Soooo Much ~

Good Morning~

  This was an upsetting situation

 and certainly made for a long weekend.

 I did receive an email from the blogger so I am

putting this behind me and moving on.

Today is a new day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

In regard to all of you, I can never thank 

you enough for your kind words,

both on this Blog and Facebook.

Your kindness is overwhelming and

very much appreciated.  

Let's continue making

"Many HAPPY Stitches",

Sandra

In Response To "An Open Letter To Homespun Elegance"

Good Morning Everyone!

Something happened yesterday to make me question

myself and my designing, but after talking with some

people in the industry that know me and my work, 

I am feeling a little better.

I've been in this wonderful needlework business

for 34 delightful years (est. 1979) and the reason I 

have stayed in business that long is because I love

it so.  One of the many benefits of being in

this industry is that it is made up of kind and caring

people.  I started this blog nearly three years

ago with a great deal of uncertainty about

whether or not I could really do it.  You have

all kept me here with your encouragement,

heart-felt concern, appreciation of my work and 

your friendship.  I've never been the recipient of 

anything less than that until now.

I will continue designing MY OWN way~ 

(using whatever stitches I desire-
you do not have to use Colonial
Knots if you don't want to-
Substitute cross stitches, beads, seed
stitches, etc.)

Using hand-dyed fibers and linens~

(that sometimes fluctuate in dye lots)

Using MY OWN color palette~ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS~a great deal of time is spent in the 

preparation and proofing of my publications.  Floss  

is given to my model stitchers and it is returned to me
with the completed piece.  Don't get me wrong, we do
make mistakes, but No mistakes were made in
the floss colors in the designs in question.

By the way, everyone knows that photography

never reflects exact color and I DID NOT do

the photography for the designs in question.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unfortunately, one of the first things I learned

in the beginning days of my business was that I

cannot possibly please everyone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hoping you continue to do

 "Many Happy Stitches"

with 

Homespun Elegance~

Sandra

Pumpkin Time

Good Morning Everyone!

~~Welcome to October~~

If you aren't smiling already on this 

beautiful Autumn morning,  

 I bring you Avery in his Autumn

attire.  He was all dressed up for his Autumn

pictures at daycare Tuesday morning.  I just

love his little plaid vest.  He looks like

such a little man.

Adding to the cuteness is his infatuation

with baby pumpkins.  He loves hats, so he

was calling the pumpkin on his head his "hat".

I got a bunch of pictures, but this one is

my favorite.  There are more, of course,

that I have to share. 

 Would not let go of that pumpkin for anything~

So much for Hollis' Autumn decorating ~ 

As far as he is concerned, they are all his.

Small price to pay for such cuteness.

Saying "cheese" for the camera.

Hollis said "That is not a very good look", 

but it shows his cute personality.  Sometimes

he really poses for pictures and this was

one of those times.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wishing you a day

"With Smiles and Many

Happy Stitches,

Sandra