"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

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Some Finishes!

Good Morning Everyone!
Can you believe it~two posts in one week~
almost a record for me.
It is beautiful here in Virginia. We had
an unbelievable amount of rain yesterday
evening.  Nothing like Texas, but a lot for us.
Lehmer and Paul (my son-in-law) 
 put in a new back yard this week.  
Luckily, they put down a layer of straw so 
I hope it protected the
seed from washing away.  If not, they will
have to do it again.  Should know in about
a week.  Keeping my fingers crossed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have some wonderful finishes to share with
you this week.  If you like sunflowers, you
should love these.  
The first one is by Lauralee Spence.  She
bought my Ltd. Ed. "Sunflower Love" kit
at the Prim Stitchers' Retreat about a 
month ago.  She made some fantastic
changes and this is what she had to say~
Here is
"Sunflower Love" 
"Just finished this!  This was a Limited Edition Mini
Kit sold at the Retreat by Homespun Elegance.  I
substituted a piece of wool in my stash for the felt in 
the kit.  The metal candle base was a Good Will
Hunting find.  I spray painted it with my
Oil-Rubbed Bronze then glued the pincushion to
it.  I took two pearl-tipped corsage pins and 
"painted" them with a black Sharpie"
       
Isn't this fantastic!  
If you are interested, this design,"Sunflower Love" 
is now available as pattern only.  Just email
me or go to my ETSY shoppe. 
Here are my versions~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now for another lovely sunflower related piece.
This is from 
"Crows 'A Plenty".
If you know Homespun Elegance, then you 
probably know Faye, who has worked with
me about twenty years.  She loves cross stitch
as much as all of us do.  I guess she would
have to if she has worked for me that long.
Well, she did this for her sister Ann.  Just a
great idea and so easy.
She stitched a table runner that is just stunning.
 Luckily she was able to find the
pre-finished burlap runner, but it would be
so easy to make yourself~just a piece of
burlap and fringe it.  So neat!
Here is my version~
This design is available in my ETSY Shoppe
as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope this post added a little sunshine to your
Saturday.
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Some News!!!

Good Afternoon!
I don't believe that I ever shared with you that
I was honored some months ago with an invitation
to do a design for the premier issue of 
PUNCH NEEDLE AND
PRIMITIVE STITCHER
magazine.
Well, the magazine has been shipped and it is
truly wonderful.  If you love either of these
forms of needle art, you will be thrilled with
this magazine.
Here is a picture of the cover.  Note the
little circle with black birds, that is a 
"snippet" of my design.  I even made the
front cover~so exciting!
Here is the design itself~
"LIBERTY PARADE"
 
I stitched this patriotic design on
30 Count "Mink" hand-dyed linen by
R & R Reproductions.  It is embellished
with my Olde Brass "Flag" button.
If you would like a button, they are
$3.75 each (includes the shipping~
free with purchase of the frame
The buttons should be available
at your needlework shoppe too.
It is mounted in my Red Grained
Courting Frame with three pegs
for hanging some of your favorite
little things.  I grain this frame myself.
Love graining~it is so much fun, especially
on a unique frame like this.
It measures 11" X 11". 
I have a very limited number of these.
The cost is $48.00 +$7.00 shipping +
 I will give you the Olde Brass "Flag"
button as a bonus!
The frames are only available from me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are so many wonderful designs
in this magazine ~ a total of sixteen to 
choose from. You will think you have
died and gone to needlework heaven~truly!
Please go here to order your 
subscription or this issue.
 I know there are a number of needlework 
shoppes carrying it as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for letting me brag a little.
I am so honored~
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra


Wednesday, May 13, 2015

New Designs!

Good Afternoon Everyone!
To those of you who wrote to me yesterday~
thank you so much.  I just want you to know
that I do not intend to close down my Blog.  I
have always enjoyed it and hope that 
others do to.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanted to share my newest designs
with you.  Each of these are Revised and
Reprinted pin cushions.  I think they
turned out to be really sweet and hope
that you like them too.  Quick, easy, and
timeless designs~I hope.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"STITCHING THINGS"
I used Dames of the Needle's 1"
"Silver rick rack and tiny "Silver" chenille~
 "STITCHING THINGS II"
 "SUNFLOWER LOVE"
I used Dames of the Needle's 1" 
"Silver" rick rack~
 "SUNFLOWER LOVE"
Isn't this a cute finish?  Just glue the pin cushion
 to the top of a Shaker Box!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
These are all now in my ETSY shoppe!
So hope you like them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Just Catching Up!

Good Afternoon!
I hope this post finds all of you happy and well!
My apologies for being so long in sharing
wilh all of you, but if you will recall~Hollis, Paul,
and Avery have been in the process of selling their
home and then moving home with us while their 
new home is being built.  
This is going to be a fun filled few months,
but getting moved out and moved here was
less than fun for Hollis and her family.  
In fact, it was beyond
exhausting for everyone.  Things are still
not perfect here.  Trying to find space
for all of their necessities involved
cleaning out closets and drawers and then
finding someplace to put all of our
stuff.  It is coming along though and all
should be well soon.
What a joy it has been having little Avery 
here every day.  You know he will be
four in August~I just can't believe it.
I want to enjoy all of these little boy
"moments" while they last, so this
is going to be a special time for me
and his "Papa".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope all of you had as wonderful a 
"Mother's Day" as I did.  Here is a
picture of me and my children~
Cameron and Hollis, and my grandson,
little Avery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
And, here is a wonderful picture that
Cameron took "Mother's Day in my garden   
He named it
"Birdhouse Motel".  Perfect name
don't you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I promise to be back more often this
summer.  I find myself putting more
on Facebook because it is just so
much faster.  Although, I will say, the
fact that very few people comment
on my Blog anymore makes it hard
to keep doing it.  I don't fault anyone
for that.  I think we just all lead such
busy lives and Facebook is so much
easier for everyone.  Regardless of how I 
keep in touch with you, I'm thankful for
Facebook, my Blog, and for all of
you.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Many Happy Stitches"
Sandra