Good Times

What a contrast to last week when I was having a major meltdown.  
We had a great weekend.  Hollis and Paul came home on Friday and
 took Lehmer and I out to dinner.  It was a very unnecessary thing
 for them to do, but they insisted on thanking us for helping them get
 their home ready to sell and for babysitting their dog, Zeus while 
the house is on the market.  We didn't do anything special - 
just what most parents do to help their kids. 

We had a delicious dinner at a new restaurant called The Bavarian

Chef.  This restaurant has been in business for years in another town.

Thankfully, for Fredericksburg, they decided to open here.  Oh, my, what

a meal.  I have never seen so much food.  About half of everyones' 

meal came home in doggy bags.  On Saturday Hollis hosted a jewelry party at my house.  We had a

great turnout and had a really nice time.  Lots of goodies to eat and

drink.  The jewelry was stunning from a company called Stella & Dot.

Business wise, Hollis helped me set up an Etsy shop and I got that

infamous Paypal account straightened out.  I had a great response to

my "Boo Tyme" Project Pack.  All gone - thank you very much!!

Today I reached 100 "followers", in fact, I think I am at 102.  I am

so excited and grateful that so many stitchers have found me and

want to be a "follower".  I am delighted to do my first "give away".  Just

leave a comment on this entry and I will randomly pick a winner
 on Thursday evening.

Here is a sneak peak of my 2010 Sampler Ornament -

"Waiting For Santa"  --  hope you like what you see!!

"Many Happy Stitches"

Sandra

Crazy Couple Of Days

Tomorrow is going to be a better day I keep telling myself, and so 

far that has not proven true for the last two days.  As all of you know

 the first disaster was when I found a mistake in my first "freebie" 

design.  Correcting that was stressful enough.  Our Automatic

 shoppes had also gotten a hard copy in their shipment, so all of them 

had to be contacted.  Unfortunately, we didn't have all of the 

email addresses, so we had to call, explain the situation, and get 
their email.

Back to the basement I went to email them the corrected copy.

I tried to send a mass email.  After loading all of the emails

it did not send, so I had to send them individually, attaching the

graph each time.  Are you getting the picture, but I least I could

feel good about having corrected the problem.  Wrong!  A little

while later one of my shoppes emailed to tell me it was blurry

when it printed and looked even worse when they tried to make 

copies from it.  What in the world had I done wrong this time.  It

seems that I had not put it in a pdf.  Boy, this tech stuff is not

for sissies.  
So, back to the basement, figure out how to do that,

and then send them all individually again.  Remember, I still

had not figured out why I couldn't do a mass email.  I was so

frazzled and to add to that we got some really awful health news

about a dear relative.  At 3:00 this morning I was still awake.

The day's events had taken their toll and my mind just would

not shut off.  Six thirty came awfully early this a.m.
But remember today is suppose to be a better day. Wrong!

What is the first thing I see in my email.  One of the shoppes

said the attachment was not there.  So I had to go back to

the basement and redo hers, praying the whole time that

it was just a fluke, and everyone else got theirs.  So far I have

not heard from anyone else.  So I hope all is well with the

 graph - finally!

But I'm not finished complaining yet.  Are you ready for this?

 We have gone through the whole process to set up a Paypal 

account.  We were told to wait for them to make small deposits 

in our checking account to confirm our account.  When I went to

 Paypal tonight to do my first transaction, they informed me 

that I had waited too long since the deposits were made,

 and now my account was null and void and I have to start all 

over again.  

I think I am going to go to bed now. . . tomorrow is going to

be a better day.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Corrected "Freebie"

Only I could do this!!!!!

I was so excited about getting a "freebie" out there, that I

moved too quickly.

 I was making some hard copies of the "freebie"

and my eye caught a spacing error on the graph.  In looking closer,

it was definitely an error.  Fortunately, it will stitch fine with that

graph, but it will not be exactly like the stitched piece.

Therefore, I have replaced the graph on the original post, and

am posting it again here.

I am so sorry.  How many years have I been graphing and

proofing, 30 plus!  Faye and I both proofed this tiny little graph 

and we still made a mistake.  You would think I would never make a

graphing error after all these years. 

Please forgive me.  I'll try to better next time. 

Many Happy "Corrected" Stitches,

Sandra

My First Blog Freebie

Hi Everyone!
I had to run out for a few errands today, one of my least
favorite things to do, but guess what I saw?  My first glimpse
of fall - mums in all the wonderful colors.  Too soon to
buy them I think, but there they were, and I was so tempted.
Perfect timing for my post today.  It really put me in the mood
to share some Halloween spirit.
I didn't think I would ever be able to do this, but once again, I

am learning more and more about this computer stuff.  For a long
 time I have wanted to give "free" graphs on my website, but because

it is so old and has so many problems, it was just too difficult.

But I now have a Blog and am determined to make this work.

So here goes -- this is "Boo Tyme".  Just a cute, quick Halloween

fix.  I stitched this in a very short time, so it would make a great

gift for a Halloween loving friend.

For my Blog friends, I am offering the hand-painted frame

(retail value $31.00) for $20.00.  Along with the frame you will

receive our Olde Brass "Pumpkin" button (retail value $3.00) and a

piece of Weeks' hand-dyed linen - "Gingham Straw/Linen" (28 CT.) 

What a deal!!

The problem is I only have TEN Project Packs to offer.

First come -- first serve!!
ALL SOLD ~ THANK YOU SO MUCH!

You may choose either the Halloween Dot or the Brown

Grain Wood.  Just let me know.

The frame prices will revert back to $31.00 after the ten

are gone.  

I hope you like it.

This is  Halloween Dot    

 This is Brown Grain Wood 

This is a corrected graph.  Please use this one instead of
the previous graph.

This design is stitched on 28 Count Gingham Linen Natural/Straw,
using two plies over two threads of Week's Dye Works
"Bark" for all of the design (X), except the inside of the
pumpkin which is DMC 834 (O).
Just click on the design to highlight it and print the selection.


Hope you enjoy "Many Happy Halloween Stitches,
Sandra

Show and Tell

Good Evening Everyone!

I am so tired I probably shouldn't be doing a post, so forgive me if

I have some horrible punctuation or spelling error.  Even though

I'm tired I wanted to share my latest designs with you.  They

are finally finished and will be shipped early next week.

I promised them this week but that didn't happen.  Life

keeps getting in the way of my best intentions.

"Snowman 'A Gathering" is my Annual Ornament.  It

is stitched on 30 Count "Mink" hand-dyed linen by R & R

Reproductions with a variety of fibers.  The "Tiny Dove" 

brass charm is included.  Retail is $8.00.  The last in the

annual series, the Sampler, will be available soon.

Several years ago I started a series called Majestic Christmas.

This is the third in that series and I did it with my daughter,

Hollis.  We adapted an antique border and filled it with charming

little Christmas motifs for the ornaments.  The pillow simply

says "NOEL" and has so few colors that you can change them to suit 

your decor.  She and I are so much alike in that we like

both primitive and vintage, but also love that elegant olde style.

I think this publication can mix with both.  The pillow is stitched on 

30 Count "Mink" linen by R& R Reproductions, and the ornaments

are on 32 Count "Sandstone".  Retail is $9.00.

Last but not least by any means is "Witchville".  When it comes

to fun designing I think Autumn designs top the list.  They can be

warm and inviting or scary and spooky (not really by style), and

all things in between.  Throw in all of my favorite colors and

I am a happy person.  I hope you like my latest.  It is stitched

on 28 Count "18th Century Brown" hand-dyed linen, with a 

variety of fibers, and embellished with our "Ghost" brass charm.

Retail  is $7.50.

The frame is available from us as well. 

   

Well, that is it for tonight.  I have an exciting announcement that I

will be making soon.  So stay in touch for that.  

If you are still awake I hope you are making "Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Almost Ready!!

Just a quick note to let you know that my new designs will be ready next week and will be shipped to my distributors and automatics then.  Plan to post pictures in a few days so you can see the final products.

We have so many new things coming.  This is such an exciting time of the year for designing.

I must quit working for the moment though and head out to the garden.  We are experiencing our second day in the 80's and I have to take advantage of it before the sauna returns.  Hope to move mountains of weeds, dead annuals and transplant some edging plants.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Autumn Slide Show

Good morning everyone. 

 I am so tickled with myself today.  I don't know how long that feeling may last, but for the moment it is good.  With Cameron's help, as usual, I was able to make my first slide show.  I have been anxious to do something like this because my website has been experiencing difficulties.  The site was made years and years ago and after more than a few crashes, we have lost information and it is just impossible to fix it.  Most of the time we don't even know we have lost pictures until my customers say they cannot find something.  I'm hoping slide shows might be a quick fix for this problem while we are working on making a new website.  So, I am proud to announce that 99% of my Autumn/Halloween designs are on my first slide show now.  I plan to do other slide shows in other categories as time permits.  Naturally, Christmas would be the next logical choice, but I have dozens and dozens of designs.  That will be a project!!

Hope you will take a look at the slide show.  If you want a close up view of a design just click on it.  There you will also find the name of the design.  All of these designs are available from me.  Many are not carried by shoppes anymore because they are older, but you can still have them if you like.  Just email me and I will let you know the price and  the shipping. 

DECORATING WITH NEEDLEWORK

Over the years I've been asked many times what I do with all of my needlework.  Obviously I couldn't possibly put everything I have designed in my house.  Much of my wall space is taken up with my collection of antique samplers, so that limits my framed pieces.  I do change out designs for the seasons, and I will share that with you when the time comes.  For now, I'll share with you some photos of some of my pieces in places other than the usual.  I think you'll notice from the pictures that my house is a mix of "traditional" and "country primitive".  My dining room and living room are definitely a mix of the two leaning toward "traditional", but the keeping room (family room), kitchen, breakfast room are all very much "country primitive".  I love both looks and am constantly trying to tie the two together.

Here goes.  I hope you enjoy!

That's it for today.  Let me know if you liked seeing these and I'll do some more.

Hope you are enjoying a day with 

"Many Happy Stitches"

Sandra

Oh Happy Day!!

Hello Everyone,
I've been complaining so much about the heat that I just had to say what a wonderful day we are being blessed with.  I keep opening the door to see if it still feels that way and so far, so good.  Knowing it won't last forever, I'm going to go outside in a little while and enjoy watering my half dead flowers.  But before I do that, I wanted to share a few more sneak peaks of upcoming designs.  Here goes . . . .

Continuing with my 2010 Annual Ornament Series, here is a little of 
"Snowmen 'A Gathering" -

Several years ago I started a Collection called Majestic Christmas.  This next design is one I have been working on with my daughter, Hollis.  We have had a great time working together again.  A while ago she was doing more designing, but has been taking quite a long break.  Starting a new job and getting married became a little more important.  I'm hoping we'll be doing more again.  She is currently graphing an antique sampler for me that should be ready in a few months. 

Below is a sampling of "Pomegranate Holidays".
This publication will have multiple projects.

If you like to recycle and be good to planet earth, I have a project for you.  Not only is it cute, but useful and so easy to do.  It would also make a great Christmas present for those that practice - 
"It's Keen To Go Green".

I just did a Proclamation to my website of the just released publications with all of their particulars.  If you have never been to our website, there are hundreds and hundreds of my designs and other products.  You might want to allow a little time for a visit.  Thirty plus years of designing results in a big web page.  Hope you enjoy it.  Many of our products are not carried by shoppes anymore because they cannot carry everything forever, but they are still available from me.  Just email or call if you would like more information.

Have a glorious weekend with "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

Strawberry Goodness

SUMMER TYME AND THE LIVING IS MISERABLE

100 degrees plus in Fredericksburg, VA.  I believe it will be a record setting temperature.  Are you as ready for Fall as I am? But before summer is over and the fresh strawberries are gone, I just had to share this recipe.  A group of us gave a baby shower for my best friend's daughter recently.  She is having twins, so believe me, she needs a shower or two.  It was my assignment to do the desserts, something I truly love to do.  One of the recipes I made is a cookie called Strawberry Shortcake.  I'm pretty sure it is a Martha Stewart recipe, but because I rip recipes out of magazines and just stuff them in a chest that has drawers full of recipes, I'm not sure.  Anyway, it is beyond delicious.  If you love strawberries you must give this a try.  You won't be disappointed.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE COOKIES
(Makes about three dozen)

12 ounces of strawberries, hulled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (2 cups)

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup plus 1 tbs granulated sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp coarse salt

3 ounces (6 tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

2/3 cup heavy cream

Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375.  Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.  In a separate large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining 7 tablespoons granulated sugar.  Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, or rub in with your fingers, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in cream until dough starts to come together, then stir in strawberry mixture.

Using a 1 1/2" ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment, spacing evenly apart.  Sprinkle with sanding sugar, and bake until golden brown, 24 to 25 minutes.  I set the baking sheet on a cooling rack for a few minutes before taking them off.  Then I let them cool completely on the cooling rack.  They are delicate, so be careful.  Serve the same day if possible, but they will keep a day.  I put them in an air tight container and stored in the refrigerator.  I don't know how long they will keep, because they didn't last long.   The recipe said to store at room temperature, but I put the few that were left in the refrigerator.  ENJOY!!

"WITCHVILLE" is coming along nicely.  Will share soon with another new design.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Designs Are Finished

Just checking to see if any of you have melted yet.  I really am sick of talking about the heat, but really, this is just ridiculous.  I am just drained and so is my yard.  Oh, well, enough about that.  Let's talk about something much more fun.  My designs are finally ready.  They will be shipped to our AUTOMATICS and our Distributors tomorrow.  Hope you can find them, if not just let us know.

Here is "DELIVERING TRICKS".  This is the start of a new DELIVERING SERIES. It is stitched on Weeks Dye Work's 30 Count "Straw" linen with an assortment of fibers and embellished with our Mini Black buttons and our Rusty Tin Star.

The frame is ours as well.  It is a 5 X 7

Gently Swirled Grained frame.

I cannot remember when I started my Annual Ornament Series,

but it was a long time ago.  I am kicking off the 2010 series with

Santa - "Stitching Joy".  Included is the Open Star brass charm.  

It is stitched on R & R Reproduction's 30 Count "Mink" using

an assortment of fibers.  The sampler and snowman ornaments

will follow soon.  To view many years of ornaments, just go

to our website.

Here is a sneak preview of "Witchville". 
Stay tuned, it will be ready soon!!

Stay out of the heat and do "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

New Stuff!

Hello everyone.  Hope all is well in your part of the world and that you aren't suffering with the heat as we are here in Virginia.  I planted four rose bushes and a variegated boxwood this spring and I am so afraid that I might lose them.  When you water, which we are having to do almost daily, the water just dries up so quickly. We came back from vacation a few weeks ago and had lost a number of potted plants and some of my perennials.  I wanted to replant but if this continues we will have water restrictions soon.  Thank goodness for air conditioning!!

Well, here it is, a sneak preview of my next "DELIVERING" series - "Delivering Tricks".  It will start with Autumn - the beginning of my favorite seasons of the year.  There will be four seasonal designs in the series.

Also, the first in my ANNUAL ORNAMENT series is just about ready.  It is called "Stitching Joy", which is what I do every time I pick up my needle.  Here is a little snippet.

Stay cool.  A great time to stay inside and make
 "Many Happy Stitches".

Sandra

Time to share with you

Time to share with you what I worked on during my vacation.  Quite a while ago I started talking with The George Washington Foundation about doing a piece of needlework to commemorate Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington and his family.  The original site of the Washington house was excavated in July 2008.  Exciting times for sure. Many, many items have been excavated from the grounds before and since then.  It is an ongoing adventure.  This summer the archeologists will be investigating areas believed to be the location of some of the farm's outbuildings.  For all of the exciting details, visit their wonderful site.

During the archeological digs, many enameled creamware fragments were found, dating from 1765 to 1775, dates which coincide with the end of Mrs. Washington's residence at Ferry Farm.  The artifacts represent pieces from such vessels as teapots, tea bowls, saucers, slop bowls, milk jugs, and sugar pots.  The ceramics are hand-painted over a lead glaze with red, black, yellow, and green floral designs.  Believe it or not, shards were found with a "cherry" motif!  I'm sure you remember the legends about George and the cherry tree.  To have found a "cherry" on a ceramic piece is just perfect.  This was the inspiration for the cherry at the center of the sampler I recently designed. 

 Here is a picture of the shards that I worked with.  Note that the colors are not as bright as they probably were at the time of their use.  Having been buried all this time has softened them.  The colors I chose are more like what the shards look like today.  Even with all the DMC floss available, I was still not able to match the shards perfectly.

  The design is based on a typical 18th century sampler style.  It features the initials of all family members that lived there, the dates of residence, and other motifs of the period.  The center oval contains my interpretation of the cherry and cherry blossom motif.  I feel so honored to have been involved in this project.  I am also working on needle necessaires, such as a scissor and needle case and a pinball 

featuring the "cherry" motif.

If you are ever in the historic Fredericksburg area, you might enjoy the tour and all the artifacts on display.  Visit the website to find out all the interesting things going on at Ferry Farm.

The Ferry Farm "Cherry" Sampler will be sold for the first time at the July 4th festivities, actually the festivities will take place on July 3rd in Fredericksburg this year.  The actual sampler will be displayed at the gift shop at Ferry Farm.  I do not know if this design will be available in your area shops because of the subject matter.  So, if you would like to have it, please email me or call me at 540.371.6377.  The price is $11.00 plus postage (the frame is also available) and a portion of each sale of this design will go to The George Washington Foundation to further the wonderful research and many activities that will continue at the site. 

Here it is!   

Just so you know, I will be starting a new "DELIVERING" series really soon.  A sneak peak will be in my next Blog entry.  It will be seasonal starting with Halloween.  If you would like to be on an Automatic for this new series, just let us know.  I think you'll like it. 

Wishing you "Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra   

Back to reality!

Well, we are back from our vacation.  We spent a great week with our son, his wife, and her family.

They very graciously invited us for a week at the beach.  What a wonderful time we had.  I ate enough for two people, sat under their canopy reading my books, and generally did nothing but enjoy myself.  The only drawback was the awful heat, in the upper 90's every day.  Thank goodness there was a delightful wind blowing all the time.

 I did a pretty good job of not thinking about Homespun Elegance, which is a miracle.  The plan was to take my new MAC computer with me, but I decided against it.  I still did quite a bit of stitching, mostly in the car going and returning.  I'll let you see the results of that in a few days.

 Getting motivated to work is hard after being away so long.  Hopefully, I will wake up tomorrow

with a new attitude.

Wishing you "Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Computer Issues

First of all, I want to thank all of you so much who have made comments or emailed me about my Blog.

I appreciate your kind words and encouragement.  Believe me, I need your encouragement!!

You will not believe the week I have had. My old PC had been having major issues.  I knew I needed a new computer before something unfixable were to happen.  Consequently, I have purchased a new Macintosh computer.  Cameron, my son,  has one and thinks they are wonderful.  The question, however, is can I adjust not only to a new computer but one different than what I was used to.  Cameron assures me that I am capable of making this change.  After spending countless hours with him and this machine, he left me and went back to Richmond, thinking foolishly that I had mastered this monster.  Little did he know that that would not be the last he heard from his mom.  Countless telephone calls later, I am feeling a little better, but far from comfortable.  I need a step by step list of what to do.  He has promised me one of those.  I am thankful everyday that I have Cameron to help me.  He has been very patient with me, but I know he wonders how his Mom could be so computer illiterate, when he is just the opposite.  Who knows, maybe there is hope for me yet.

 Stress never seems to end when technology is involved.  Not only do I have this new toy, but I am also trying to do this Blog thing.  If that is not enough, my old printer, which I will admit needed to be replaced (but not now with the cost of the MAC) decided that it doesn't like the MAC.  My pictures are now even more unacceptable.  So I now have another decision to make quickly (which printer to buy) because I have  new pictures to print. Maybe my old computer will hang in there just long enough for me to get a few more things done.

We leave for vacation soon.  Guess what is going on the vacation with me.

On to a more pleasant topic.  Here are my two new publications.  Hope you like them.

The first one "Recycle - Buy Antiques" is great if you are an antique lover, as I am.  How perfect! This makes something that is a passion of mine into something that is good for the environment.  What could be better!  A great argument when your husband says, "Why do we need another pair of antique scissors or another cookie cutter?  I rest my case.

"I Love Autumn" is the third in this seasonal series.  I truly do love Autumn.  The colors of the season, the beautiful crisp weather,  and the anticipation of all the wonderful holidays coming.  Autumn designs are also great because I start decorating with them as soon as Labor Day is over and they stay out until I start decorating for Christmas.  Go to Homespun Elegance to see "I Love Spring" and "I Love Summer".  Some have asked what is the significance of the year, 1727.  That is the year that

Fredericksburg, Virginia (where we live) was incorporated.  

That is all for today.  
I wish you "Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

I'm back for my second post!!

I sent my first Blog post along with my Website Publication.  I hope you all got it.  If you didn't and would like to be notified of new Posts and Proclamations, just to to www.homespunelegance.com to sign up.

All is well in Virginia except for the sweltering humidity,  high temperatures, and thunderstorms.  We are having late summer in late spring.  Storms are always problematic, but Lehmer and I are babysitting Hollis and Paul's St. Bernard, Zeus.  

The big baby (127 lbs!) is afraid of storms and kept me up from about 11:00 pm to 3:00 am whining, pacing, and literally trying to get in my lap.  What an experience!  We had another storm on Tuesday during the day.  He tried to get on Faye (who works with me).  We had to force him to lay down and then she put her feet and legs on him for the duration of the storm.  I hate to think what he might do if we were not at home.  The things we do for our children!  Hollis and Paul's house is for sale and while it is on the market the dog cannot be in the house.  It has been over two weeks now and no buyers.  Please keep your fingers crossed for us and them.

As for the needlework world, I am teasing you with a little bit of a new design.  If you like antiques, stay tuned.


Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

My first blog entry

I told everyone at the spring Online show that I was going to start a blog. This is so stressful for me. I think I am just too old, so be patient and bare with me. I will be offering handmade items, antiques, and other "Neat" stuff. I hope you will enjoy some of my things as much as I love all of it. I'm still learning how to put everything on the blog, so it may take me a while to get going. In the mean time I want to show you my new designs that should be arriving at your shoppes soon. The first one is "Live In Harmony", something I believe we need to do. I loved designing this sampler. It is a very easy stitch. Note the little pincushion in the insert. I designed this "Pin Poke" and they are available as a prefinished item. All you do is the stitching and stuffing.  You can go to my website to see the fabrics offered for the Pin Poke and another publication called Pin Pokes I.  We plan to offer more fabric choices and more designs for this fun stitching necessaire.
"Blessings" is the fourth in my Merry Noel Collection of Christmas ornaments.  This is a fun design because it can be stitched for anytime.  Everyone needs to be blessed.

Don't you agree?
The little version can be used for a scissor fob or emery.  If you would like to see the first three ornaments just go to my website.

Luckily, both of my children live in Richmond, Virginia, just fifty miles from Fredericksburg. I went there Friday so my son-in-law, Paul, could use my SUV to deliver his second wedding cake.  He is head chef of a wonderful restaurant and is just starting to do cakes in his spare time.  Of which he really has none.  Anyway, while in Richmond Cameron helped me with the blog. Lehmer and I just need to move to Richmond.

I hope this first attempt with my blog was not a total failure.  With any luck it will get more interesting soon. 
Have a wonderful day with many happy stitches,
Sandra