"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

Friday, October 25, 2013

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

Friday, October 18, 2013

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

Thursday, October 10, 2013

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


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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






Tuesday, October 8, 2013

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

Saturday, October 5, 2013

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


Thursday, October 3, 2013

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