"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, November 29, 2013

Basking In The Glow

Good Evening Everyone!
I am still basking in the "glow" of a most
wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.  
So much to give thanks for.  We are
indeed fortunate to have so much. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
As much as I love to decorate for
and enjoy the Christmas season, I do
hate to put away the simple, natural
elements of autumnal decorating.  
It must go away in a few days, but
before it does, I just wanted to share
a few more pictures at the Sullivan home.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I'm going to put the finishing touches on
Avery's Christmas ornament.  I will have three more
designs to show you tomorrow.  If all goes well,
they will be shipped this coming week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be back tomorrow.  Hope you have a 
peaceful night with
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra




Wednesday, November 27, 2013

My Wish

Good Evening Everyone!
I am thankful for each and everyone of you.

May you have a glorious Thanksgiving
 with those that you love.

Blessings to all of you,
Sandra

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Your Shopping Pleasure

Good Afternoon Everyone!
How cold is it in your neck of the woods.  It is
freezing here, the wind is howling, and the 
leaves are blowing.  Definitely feels like
Christmas is on its way.  I'm devoting this
afternoon to offering you some little gift
items you might like.  If I have time I hope
to offer you some more after
Thanksgiving, but still in plenty of time
for Christmas giving or maybe for
gifting to yourself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you see anything you want, just email me.
All prices include the shipping.  You can pay
using Paypal (need your email address), Visa,
Mastercard, and check.
Sorry, but I am only shipping in the USA
at this time.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Pincushion Basket Necklace
I have distressed a tiny basket and added
a pincushion and two black pins.  The
little spool is wrapped with floss.  If
you want another color floss, it can be
easily removed and rewrapped.  The black
cord is finished at a generous 38".
$19.50 includes the shipping.
 Pincushion Basket Stitching Necessaire 
 I added a "vintage" pin.
Measures 5 1/2" high including the handle.
It is 4 1/2"  wide and 2 1/2" deep.
$18.50 includes the shipping.
I only have this one.
  Scissor Stitching/Pincushion Box 
with my sheep
waxer included.  It is made from paper mache which
I distressed.  It measures 3 1/2" long X 2 1/2" wide X
and 2 1/2" high.
$18.50 includes the shipping.
I only have this one.
 Ornaments hand-painted by me.
8" Snowman
$8.50 includes the shipping.
Only have one.
 4" Sheep
$7.50 includes the shipping.
I have 4 and will adjust shipping if
you want more.
4" Reindeer
$7.50 includes the shipping.
I have 4 and will adjust shipping if
you want more.
 4" Christmas Landscape
$7.50 includes the shipping.
I have three and will adjust shipping if
you want more.
 "Joy Hanging" 
was hand appliqued by me.
It is applique using wool felt and trimmed
with "vintage style" tinsel.  It is stuffed with
polyfil and would be perfect as a pillow too.
It measures 12" high (not counting the hanger)
X 7" wide.  The holly berries are made with
Colonial Knots.
$29.00 includes the shipping.
I only have one.
  Christmas Stockings  
Made from "Warm and Natural" that I have
distressed and embellished with glitter.  The stars
are appliqued and embellished with "vintage" buttons.
A wonderful curly wool trim is added to the point.
They are about 18" long not counting the hanger.
$11.50 includes the shipping
 "Sampler Gift Bags"
You will receive 15 bags for your gift giving.  Won't
your stitching friends love receiving a little gift in
these.  They are the standard lunch bag size.
$8.50 includes the shipping.  If you want more than
one collection, just add $1.50 more in shipping.

 "Reproduction Redware Plates"
About 6" in diameter.  I love these ~ they look so
antique.  I have two of these.
$13.00 includes the shipping.

"Ironstone Platter Fillled With
Lovely Things"
$28.00 includes the shipping
Platter measures 10" X 7 1/2"
Includes three sections of "Vintage" edging,
4 "Vintage" buttons, a sheep waxer poured by me,
a good size piece of crocheted medallions that 
could be cut apart if you wanted to, 
and a Shirt Waist Set (missing one pin but still
wonderful).  What a great gift for someone who loves
these "Vintage" items, to be displayed as is.
"Scissor Pin"
Do you like a little bling or know someone who
does?  How much fun would it be to wear this to 
a needlework function!!!!
I found this at an antique shop, although it is
not an antique, but just couldn't leave it there.
I just knew someone would love it.
$20.00 includes the shipping,
 "Hooked Corn"
Set of three hooked ears.  
Corn is 5" long - 10" long including husk.
$15.00 includes shipping
"Abundant Compote" 
Decoupaged Box including a bag of "Balsam"
$17.00 includes the shipping
I have three of these.
This print of my painting inspired a cross 
stitch pattern which I will include for an
additional $3.00.
"Needles and Pins"
Stitching/Pincushion Necessaire Box
The box is distressed with a lovely stencil border.
Box measures 4" X 4" and is 2" tall.
Embellished with a brass scissor charm.
$35.00 which includes the shipping.
I only have one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you find something you cannot live 
without.
"Many Merry Stitches",
Sandra



Thursday, November 21, 2013

Simple Abundance

Good Afternoon Everyone!
In the week before Thanksgiving, just wanted to
share a few little vignettes in my house.  
Having a few problems getting my decorations
done for the season, but I do have a few days
left.  So far, this is it!
I like to decorate using my stitching.  Note the framed
piece is not hanging on the wall and the pillow is
not nestled on my sofa.  Who says you can't put
your needlework wherever you want it.
You say, where are the turkeys.  I have some
wonderful papermache turkeys, etc., which I
hope to pull out soon, but until then,
this is what you see in my house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where are the turkeys you ask!!! 
Well, here they are ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wish me luck pulling out all of my other
decorations.  Maybe tonight, who knows.
"Many Abundant Stitches",
Sandra

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!
I cannot believe it has been so long since my last post.
It is impossible to tell you everything I have been
doing, but believe me it has been a busy time.
The main thing that has been taking up most
of my time is getting ready for the boutique
that I will be in at the Just Cross Stitch Seminar
in Williamsburg the first week in December.
I know, it sounds like a long time from now, but
they had to have a nearly complete inventory list
 by last week, so decisions had to be made 
about what to send, how many, if I have time
to make more "stuff", and on and on.  Once again
my house is destroyed with stuff laying everywhere,
much like it was when I was going to 
Norforgotten Farm.  This week we must finalize
all of this, pack it up and store somewhere
besides my home, because we are hosting
Thanksgiving as we always do.  I don't think
my family would appreciate the mess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the middle of this chaos, I did manage
to almost finish one design -  Here's a 
little glimpse of
"OWLS LIKE CHRISTMAS TOO!"
I know what you are thinking.  You cannot
believe I am doing an owl design, but you
must understand that Avery loves owls.
One of his first words was "Hoo, Hoo".
His lst birthday party had an owl theme.
So, you understand now that this just
had to be.  Also, I have an owl "Delivering"
design that is being stitched now.  Can't
wait for that to get here.
So, here is my little owl.  Hope you love
owls or know someone who does.  I hope
this will be ready for shipment next week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also, I finished graphing Avery's Christmas
ornament, so I must start stitching that this
week.
If you follow my Blog, you know he loves 
to pout right now.  So adorable! 
The title is
"YOU BETTER NOT POUT".
So much to do, it is really making me anxious.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leaving in the morning to go to Richmond.  It's
Avery time, so I won't get much done while
I'm there.  Talk with you in a few days.
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Friday, November 8, 2013

Almost Finished

Good Friday Morning!
I hope this post finds all of you well.  It is really
chilly here in Virginia and the leaves are 
everywhere.  We had a little rain so that wonderful
Autumn smell is in the air.  I hate having to deal
with the leaves (Lehmer does all of the
blowing and raking), I just fuss about them
and sweep them constantly off of the steps and
out of the house, but I do love that smell for
some strange reason.  Maybe it's just because
I love Autumn and the season that comes
after it.
Speaking of the season that comes after it,
here is my latest design, not in it's finished
form, but just had to share.  The larger
piece is on 30 Count "Espresso", stitching over
two threads, and the smaller piece is on 30 Count
"Mink", stitching over one thread.
This should be ready very soon along with
some other Christmas designs.
Please let me know what you think.
************
************
Hope to be back before the weekend
is over, but if not, have a 
 great weekend doing whatever
 makes your heart happy.  Surely that
will include,
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Friday, November 1, 2013

Down Memory Lane

Good Morning Everyone!
Sorry I didn't wish you a 
Merry Halloween 
yesterday.  The day just got away from
me as usual, but I was reminiscing last night
about Halloweens past.  This picture has
a permanent spot on my living room bookcase.
This was probably about 1979.  I always tried to make
Cameron and Hollis' costumes and we decorated
a lot.   I was always a hobo.  So much fun ~ so
many memories!
Can you see the resemblance.  Hollis looks like
a little Avery with a little more hair.  
Anyway, Hollis and Paul  didn't have such a good time 
with Avery last night.  I'll have to share later with a 
picture of him.
Be back later today.
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra