"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

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Need Your Input on Marking Sampler

Hi Again!
2nd post in one afternoon, what in the
world could that mean?
Well, what it means is I don't know what
to do and I need your input~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is my progress on the
"Marking Sampler "
reproduction.
So many of you have been asking
about its progress and I'm sorry
I've neglected to post some
pictures.
Well, believe it or not, I am almost
finished, with the exception of
the simple, dreaded border
situation.  As you can see
in the picture of the original,
the stitcher obviously meant to
fill in a lot more area with more
wonderful somethings.
Well, she didn't, so my question
to you is do you want me to graph
it with the entire area bordered in.
My thinking right now is that I
am not going to stitch the
sampler leaving the space blank.
I will just stitch that border 
that is at the bottom under the last
stitched line.  Once again, though
you may disagree with me
and I want to know what do you think.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note that the last line of short
letters was not completed, so I
am going to add my initials,
date, and a repeat of some of
the unique motifs that were 
used in the sampler.  Some of
you, I know are more of a 
purist and will probably leave
it blank.  I have pondered this
dilemma too, and I'm leaning
on stitching my name.  Of course,
that could change, who knows.
At my age I seem to have
a problem with making a 
decision.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I love this sampler and it has
been a long time coming, I know.
Hope it was worth the wait.
Of course, I still have to graph it
and print it.  Any volunteers on
the graphing?  HaHa  It is the least
favorite part of the designing 
process.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here goes~
My progress~
Showing the unfinished area and the space left 
for possible personalizing~
 Some of the wonderful motifs~
Another close up~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please let me know what you think.  I
will be waiting to hear from you.
"Many Happy Sampler Stitches",
Sandra

Open House Pictures

Hi Everyone!
I just received a newsletter from 
QUILTING ADVENTURES.
Remember~I went there a few
Saturdays ago to do an
Open House
with
Sue Hillis.
It was so much fun getting to talk
with Sue and the other
wonderful cross stitchers that
came to visit us.  Not to mention
the more than nice staff and owner
of this delightful shop.  If you
live in the surrounding area,
please go by and see them.  They
are trying really hard to make
cross stitch a big part of their
shoppe.  We so need every shoppe
we can get.  Richmond, the
capital of Virginia, hasn't had a
shoppe in many years, so this
is a real blessing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before I show you the pictures, I
must defend myself.  I had to fuss
at Sue.  She lives in the Richmond
area, so was able to come in the
day before and spent more
than a few hours setting up a
wonderful display.  NOT FAIR!
Faye and I had one hour Saturday
(9-10) to set up my display.
Somehow we managed to get
it done, but we were hustling.
Please go here to see all the
pictures.
This was not my whole display, just a
few shots.  We had three large tables 
filled with the designs.
If you click on here in the paragraph above the
pictures, you can see Sue's beautiful display.
Enjoy!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra


Sunday, March 23, 2014

Much Loved Bunny

Hi Everyone!
Just had to share, since it is that 
"Bunny Time"
 of the year.
I have had this little treasure for
many years.  He has been loved and
abused.  If you look closely you will see
all the pin marks, saw dust coming
out, and other damage,
but he is still priceless to me.
Would love to make a pattern
so all of us could love him.

Anyway, just though you might enjoy
a much loved treasure from long ago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra



Saturday, March 22, 2014

A Little Glimpse

Merry Spring Morning!
Believe it or not, I am actually doing something
a little ahead of time for a change.  Don't get used to
it, for it will probably never happen again.
My
"Seasonal Needle Case" 
series will have it's summer/patriotic theme
design available fairly soon.
Here is a little
"glimpse"
of
"UNCLE SAM CROW"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember, this is a series of six needle cases,
the first one being,
"SHAMROCK BUNNY".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can join this series through your 
favorite shoppe, or you can do it
with me.
Each one is $12.50, but that includes whatever
embellishments I decide to use.  The first
one includes the five buttons on the front, a
tiny brass carrot charm, and a ladybug brass
charm which is inside
Note the scissor fob with the wool shamrock.
Each one will have a scissor fob as well.
If you get it from me, it will be $14.00, 
because of the shipping.  Don't you
hate that.  It is also listed in my ETSY shoppe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a wonderful day and I'll be
back soon.
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Offerings!

Merry Spring Everyone!
I need to say that quickly because the weathermen
are saying that we may have another snow storm
early next week.  Will it ever end!!!!!
Just think, last year Easter was in March.
So glad it is the latter part of April this year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was looking for something else this AM
and came across two more of my journals.
They are blank now, but I can stamp
"Stitching Journal"
or
"House Journal"
on them for you, or leave them plain.
~*~SOLD~*~
~*~SOLD~*~
Thank You!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
They measure 8 1/4" X 6" with approximately
50 pages that are lined kraft paper brown.
I love these journals.
$12.00 
(which includes the shipping - US only)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I take Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and checks/
money orders.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Happy Spring Stitches,
Sandra



Saturday, March 15, 2014

Merry Spring Morning

Merry Morning!
This is a very "Merry Spring Morning" indeed.  We awoke to a 
sweet little voice yelling "Grammie" - "Papa".  Hollis and Avery 
are up for a weekend visit, so I tried to get some Spring-Easter 
decorating done.  Hope you have as wonderful a weekend 
as we plan to have.  I do hope to add my new publications
 to ETSY today-bunnies and Easter eggs if I can drag myself away-
A lazy Spring Morning with little Avery
"Merry Spring"
Sandra

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Quilting Adventures Open House

Hi Everyone!
Faye and I had a great time yesterday at the Open House
at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia.
Sue Hillis was there too.  I had a great time
reconnecting with Sue.  Since I haven't been to
a trade show in a few years, I have missed 
seeing her.
Quilt Adventures is mainly a quilt shoppe
but Joyce, the owner, has decided to include
cross stitch.  As cross stitch designers, we should all
be thrilled to hear this news.  There hasn't been a
cross stitch shop in Richmond for years.
There was a nice turnout, but we have to get the
word out to everyone in Richmond and those
who travel through Richmond.  It is very easy to
get to.  The link above will carry you to their
facebook page.
I was so annoyed with myself yesterday.  When
we were almost finished tearing down the
show, I remembered that I was supposed to
take pictures to show you, hence, there is only
one to post and that was taken by
someone at the shoppe.  
Sometimes I am amazed at how forgetful
I am.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to everyone who came and to Joyce
and her staff for a lovely day.  Always so much
fun to visit with stitchers.
"Many Happy Stitches"'
Sandra

Thursday, March 6, 2014

OOPS! A MISTAKE IN "LOVE YOU SO"

Hi Everyone!
I hate to admit this, but I have made a mistake
in proof reading.
 for
"LOVE YOU SO".
This just drives me crazy.  How can you make
a mistake when you read and read and read,
but it happens, rarely, thank goodness!
I am so sorry, but here is the correction -
it is in the COLOR CODE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

New "Goodies" Almost Ready

Hi Everyone!
Spring is coming believe it or not, even though
we had new snow and ice all day yesterday.
So much so that my appointment with the ENT
for my ear pain, had to be postponed.  
Wouldn't be such a big deal except for the
fact that I have waited 3 1/2 weeks to get it.
Now I have to wait another two weeks for
a new appointment.  Hope this ear thing
doesn't get even worse.  So over this
winter.  I know my area hasn't had it
as badly as other areas, but when it comes, it 
always manages to mess up something important.
Faye wasn't able to come to work today because
of the road conditions, so we are even more behind.
Will it ever end~
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hoping to get these new designs shipped next
week, so I wanted to let you know about them.
If you are interested please let your shoppe
owner know.  If you can't get them, just let
me know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Delivering Yummy Goodness"
The finishing is not done yet, of
course, but at least you can see
the finished design.  The rick rack
is from R & R Reproductions and
the embellishments are from me.
"Spring Eggs IV"
Three adorable little eggs with sweet sampler
borders and adorable Easter/Spring motifs.
The "Nubby" trim and embellishments are
available from me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
*~*~*Needle Case Series*~*~*
Some of you have asked if you can get the series
through your Shoppes.  Of course you can as long
as they are willing to take orders for the series.
The designs will be available to shoppes as the
design only, which they order from distributors and 
me, but if you want it with my embellishments included,
you must sign up for the series.
Hope this make sense to everyone~
Please let me know if you have any questions.  I 
am really tickled with the response so far.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Many Happy Stitches"
Sandra


Sunday, March 2, 2014

The Winner Is . . . . .

Hi Everyone!
The winner of my 
"SHAMROCK BUNNY" 
Needlecase and Fob 
is
 *~*~*~*~*~*
Barb!!!!!!
Barb, I have just sent you an email and all I need
is your mailing address.
*~*~*~*~*~*
A question for everyone!
How would you feel about a series
of six needlecases and fobs.  The
six would include the
"SHAMROCK BUNNY"
needlecase & fob.
I would start the series with this
one.  The next one would be for
the 4th of July.  If you sign up for
the series, each design sent to
you would include whatever
embellishments are featured.
Because of that, the price 
might change a little bit each
time.  Just thinking about it ~
please let me know if you are 
interested.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra