Thanksgiving Coma

Good Afternoon Everyone!

We are all suffering from food comas today,

but it certainly was worth it.  I was so exhausted

after cooking for mostly two days, doing a 

little decorating, and all the little things you

need to do.  Things like getting your serving

pieces out and ready to use, napkins ironed,

setting the table, a flower arrangement for

my big turkey soup tureen.  All the things that

I traditionally do and I so love doing it all.

We had a large group all gathered together

and it was wonderful.  The grandchildren

are tiny now.  I don't know what we will do

when they all need a chair at the table.

Oh, well, I'll worry about that another year.

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I just have to share this precious photo.

This was the first time Avery had seen his

little cousins.  It was so sweet to see how

much these little girls wanted to be with

him.  They were so excited, but I think it

was too much excitement for Avery.

Just look at how little Addyson and Piper are trying

to console him.  Addyson is about 2 1/2 and Piper is

about 9 months.  It is unbelievable how they reacted

to him being upset.  Of course, when he drops his

bottom lip, we all just melt.  Cameron, our son, was the

photographer again.  His timing was just perfect.

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Well, it will be back to work tomorrow for me, but

I am going to enjoy having them for one more day.

Hollis and and Paul will be leaving in the morning

and the house will feel so empty.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of the Thanksgiving

holiday.  

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra

New Stuff

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I know many of you have already started preparing

for Thanksgiving.  Not I!!  I've just finished my

last publication for 2011 and it will be on its way

to my Automatic Shoppes today.  Yeah!!

So here they are in all their Christmas glory.

Sweet little projects that can be stitched in just

a few hours.  The finishing is also easy.  You

know me, if it isn't simple to finish than it isn't

a Homespun Elegance project.

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"MERRY BIRDIES"

$8.00

and

"Rounds 'A Plenty I - Christmas"

$9.00

 This is a side view so that you can see that the design

goes all the way around.

A closeup so you can see the Amber Pearl Star

button at the top.

These designs are stitched on a 27 Count linen

banding.  I used Weeks Dye Works Pearl

Cotton and "Merlot Houndstooth" felted wool

for the top and the bottom.  Even a good 

quality wool felt would work for the top and

bottom.  We also have an Embellishment Pack

that includes one length of the linen banding

and the "Amber Pearl Star" button.

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I hope all of you have a great evening.  I can now

start my Thanksgiving preparations.  Lehmer and

I are so excited.  We will be spending Thanksgiving

with our family and we have 

 two new sweet babies to add to our joy -

Avery and Piper.  Piper is my sister's third little 
granddaughter.  We are definitely going to need a 

bigger dining room table soon.
We have been so blessed and are so thankful.
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Well, no "Merry Stitches" for me tonight.
The kitchen is calling.
"Merry Stitches" to you though,
Sandra

Freebie

Good Evening Everyone!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Hollis and I got out this weekend to do

a little Christmas shopping.  We are 

very grateful to Paul, Avery's Dad, for

doing a little babysitting.  Proud to

report that he was pretty good, so maybe

we will be able to talk Paul into it again.

I think our main mission was finding

Avery's first Christmas outfit and we

were very successful.  Cannot wait to

share pictures.  He is going to be so cute.

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It probably isn't proper for me to reissue a

"Freebie" graph that I did last year, but

because I had so few followers at that 

time, I have decided to offer it again to

those who never saw it.

"BLESSINGS TO ALL"

XXX SPECIAL XXX

I have a few of these green frames left.  If you

would like a frame and an Olde Brass Angel

button, the set is $19.00 

(which includes shipping).  I accept

personal checks, MC, Visa, and Paypal. 

Just email or call me if you are interested.

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My last Christmas design will be ready in a

few days, so I will be sharing soon.  I know

everyone is thinking of Thanksgiving now,

but I hope you have time for a few

"Merry Stitches."

Sandra

Some Goodies!

Good Evening Everyone!

You will not believe what happened this

week.  I went to Hollis' on Sunday to babysit

for Avery as usual.  By early afternoon Hollis 

starts feeling sick and Paul is at work and he is 

also sick.  We all thought they had food poisoning 

from their dinner out the night before, so I wasn't  

 really concerned about getting sick.  Besides I 

  had to take care of Avery.

Well, by Tuesday afternoon I am sick, so

sick that Lehmer has to come get me on

Wednesday.  Anyway I am finally feeling

better.  It has been a long time since I have

had an intestinal virus, and hope it will be

even longer before it happens again. 

The most important thing is that Avery is

still OK.  

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Wanted to share a little glimpse of

something I am working on.  I hope to

get these ready in time for your gift giving.

Do you like Scherenschnitte - paper cutting?

I do and I particularly love silhouettes.

These will make lovely Christmas 

decorations or just as Cupboard Hangers.

There will be other silhouettes, not just

pretty ladies.

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I ask you, is this not one of the cutest things

you have ever seen.  Fat and sassy he is!!

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Thanks for taking a break from your stitching

to read my blog.

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra

Autumn Decorating

Good Morning Everyone!

It is going to be a beautiful day in Virginia, and

I am heading back to Richmond in a few minutes

to take care of Avery.  I so look forward to these

few days a week with him.  He is changing so

quickly and growing so much.  I want the

growing to slow down a little, but I think he is

in charge of that.  

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Some more Autumn decorating!

 This is our sweet but weird Marly.  Still hanging in

there at about 15 years old.  

 Do we have leaves or what.  There are millions

more to come since we are surrounded by woods.

If you look closely you can see where the

squirrels are snacking on my pretty pumpkin.

 Next week I will

be pulling out my turkey collection.  I'll have

to share that with you.  Don't you love that little

squirrel in the first picture.  I have had him for years and 

he has appeared in many photo shots.  He

is a windup toy and scoots around a bit when wound

up.  Hard to believe that he still works after all of

his years.  Hope I still work that well when I'm his 

age.  HaHa!

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Thanks for all of your sweet comments about my

"Merry Birdies".  They will be ready by the end

of next week.  I'll be showing you the other two

publications next week too.

"Many Merry Stitches"

to all of you!

Sandra

New Stuff

Good Evening Everyone!

Another beautiful Autumn day here in

Virginia.  A little on the chilly side and

more than a little windy.  It is snowing

leaves in our yard.  I really need to take a

picture of our yard when it is in leaf

overload.  Poor Lehmer, he spends 

so much time trying to get rid of the

leaves.  It is a thankless job, but thank

goodness for leaf blowers and that

he can blow them into our woods.

Bagging them is out of the question.

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I have had requests for a complete 

viewing of my "Merry Birdies".  Since

I hope to release them later next week or

the beginning of the following week, I

decided to go ahead and show them to you.

  I do think they are cute and definitely a

 quick stitch.

"Merry Birdies"

Also, I know many of you are starting

to think about your Christmas 

shopping.  With that in mind, I decided

to do a Christmas scissor fob ~

"Santa Profile".

The heart is made out of wood and I have 

decoupaged it with one of my original

little paintings.  Nicely aged and sealed

for durability.  Waxed linen thread

is attached for your scissors.

Sorry, scissors not included!

Measures 2 5/8" high X 1 3/8" wide.

If you would like one of these, they

are $11.50, shipping included.

Just email or call.  We take Visa, MC,

Paypal, money orders, and personal checks.

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Wishing you a wonderful weekend with

 "Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

What Do YOu Think?

Good Evening Everyone!

It has been a beautiful day here in Virginia.  My husband,

Lehmer, belongs to the Dominion Club here in 

Fredericksburg.  It is a social club that was organized

many years ago.  They have a few delightful

get togethers each year that include us women.

The first Sunday in November is the Oyster

Roast.  If you like oysters, this is the place to be.  

They fix them all kinds of ways and all are delicious. 

I can't do the raw ones, but any other way is fine with me.

They also have grilled tenderloin and all kinds of delicious

things to go with it.  The weather was just perfect -

just cold enough to need your gloves by the end of

the afternoon.

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Back home now and I wanted to share with you a

design I did many years ago.  The book is long out

of print.  Having always loved this design, I 

thought you might like to see it reprinted.

If you like Sewing Birds and the color blue,

this just might be for you.  Of course, you can

make it any color you like.

I added the little stuffed pincushion.  It gives

it a a little dimension.  Hope you like it.

I drastically aged the fabric with coffee and

mounted it in an antique frame.  Let me

know what you think.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Something New!!

Good Early Morning!!

Thank you so much for your comments about

our Baby Chef.  You are all so right.  I knew

I would love being a Grandmother, but it is

impossible to describe the feelings that I have

for this child.  He is such a blessing.

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Have a few things to share this morning. A little

 "snippet" of something new and a reprint of an "oldie

but goodie".  The "oldie" first.  This book is out of print, so 

 I thought I would take the main design and reprint it. 

I put it on the Online Show and it was my best seller.

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"All Hearts Come Home For Christmas"

~~~~~~~~~~

Through the years I have literally published over a 

thousand designs and this is still one of my favorites.

It is always part of my Christmas decorations.

The saying touches my heart because it is so true.

~~~~~~~~~~

This new design was inspired by Avery.  I didn't

have time to get his stocking design finished for

this year, but it will be coming your way in plenty

of time for next year.  Of course, this doesn't

take the place of a stocking, but I did my best

for this year.  Hopefully, you will have a little

one to honor with this sweet design.  Of course,

you are only seeing a "snippet", but I think

you will get the idea that it will a "little"

something special to do for someone,

maybe even yourself.  

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Well, I must go for today.  More new things

to come for the holidays.  Talk to you 

soon.  Wishing you a great weekend

with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Better Late Than Never

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great day.  I have gotten

some much needed things finished, so I'm going to

take a "coffee break" and share something adorable.

Speaking of "coffee breaks" first, every afternoon

about this time I have to relax a little and have a 

small dose of caffeine.  This started many years

ago and it really helps me keep going later in the

day and believe me I need all the hours I can

get in every day.

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Anyway back to my most favorite subject!

A Halloween baby that is beyond cute.

You might remember me mentioning at some point

that Avery's Daddy is Head Chef at a restaurant

in Richmond.  Well, months before Avery was born,

Hollis Goggled baby chef hat, and this is what 

she found.

A complete outfit with a double breasted chef's coat

and checkered pants.  We stuffed the hat with

plastic bags.  

Do you love the food channels like I do?  If so, you are 

probably familiar with The Naked Chef - 

Jamie Oliver.  Well, we now have our own!!

Of course, we had to have a daytime Halloween

outfit.  His Granddaddy said he looked like 

a convict.  

You all know Faye, who has worked with me

for years.  Well, she is forever giving something

wonderful to this baby.  This is an adorable lion

costume, so we had to wear that one too.

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What a great time we had.  I think it will be

really hard next year to top the Chef costume though.  

If he ever finds out that I put his little naked

body with a huge hat on a BLOG, I may lose

the Grandmother Of The Year Award.

Oh, well, you can only get away with pictures

like that when they don't have any say in the matter.

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I have new stuff to share, so stay tuned.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Another Little Look

Good Saturday Morning!!

Hollis and Paul wanted to take Avery to the

Pumpkin Patch today, but so much for that idea.

The weather here is just horrible, raining now 

with a chance of snow.  The mountains of

Virginia are definitely getting snow.  I keep

trying to remind myself that it really is fall.

Here are a few of my minimalist ideas of

decorating this year.  Christmas decorating 

will be better - I hope.

Never did find my white pumpkins.  I found

one tiny one at Walmart, can you believe that,

and being a good MOM, I gave it to Hollis.

Looks great in her bathroom.

Still hoping to find some before Thanksgiving.

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Before I get to my little peak for you, wanted to

share the most adorable hat on the most adorable

baby.  Don't you think he would have been a hit at the

Pumpkin Patch?  Cannot wait to share his

Halloween costume.  Stay tuned for that.

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Now for the reveal.  This is 

~~MERRY BIRDIES~~

So sweet, so cute, so prim, and so

quick.  I hope you will love them.

These will be available soon with

some more "quickies" for your

Christmas decorating and giving.

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If you are in my part of the world, try to stay

dry and warm.  The coffee will definitely be

flowing today.  I have to finish my last two

publications to go out next week and move on

to the next.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Stuff

Good Morning Everyone!

Hope all is well in your part of the world.  This

is a really busy day for me and before I get started,

I wanted to share with you my two new publications.

If all goes well, they will ship next week.

Hope you like them.

"CHRISTMAS WON'T BE CHRISTMAS. . ."

I know you will all recognize the origin of this special

quote from Little Women, one of my most favorite

stories and movies of all time.  I have always loved

this quote and wanted to do something unique to use 

in my Christmas decorating.  This will occupy a special

spot on my sofa with all of my other Christmas pillows.

  All the fancy magazines talk about the packaging being

part of the gift, well this time the packaging could be

the gift as well.  I made the pillow out of Weeks felted

wool and the ribbon is just something from the

craft store that just happens to match the color

of the cross stitched gifts.  I may have a little of

this to sell if you are interested.  It is stitched on

Old Mill Java with a variety of fibers.  Would be

quite special over one for an ornament.

Next is

"QUAKER REJOICE ORNAMENT"

This continues my heart ornament collection.  So simple

and elegant at the same time.  It is stitched on 36 Count

"Wheat" from R & R Reproductions, with a Stitch

Count of 39 Wide X 69 High.  The brass charm is

included.

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Just so you know, I will have another heart ornament,

some Christmas birdies, and Christmas Silhouettes in

the coming weeks.  Can't wait to share.  

Love Christmas designing so much.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend with
 Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

A New Little Something!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I hope you are all having a grand day.  We are

having a gray and windy day with leaves

blowing everywhere.  Fall has definitely

arrived in Virginia and I love it.  I haven't had

much time for fall decorating and it is driving

me crazy.  I so love this time of year.  Have

yet to find a white pumpkin or bittersweet.

What in the world am I going to do.  I may

have to paint one and age it.  

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Just wanted to let you know that the Online

Show is up and running.  If you would like to

take a peak just go to Online Show.

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Thought you might want to see a little snippet

of two of my new designs.  If all goes well 

they be released next week.  

CHRISTMAS WON'T BE CHRISTMAS

and

REJOICE

"Rejoice" continues the Heart Ornament 

series that I started several years ago.

I'll let you see the complete designs in a

few more days.  Just a few more finishing

touches to go.  

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Now for something really cute and special!

I know I'm being obnoxious again, but cannot 

help myself.

Have a great rest of the day with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

I'm Still Here!

Hi Everyone!

I cannot believe that it has been almost a month

since my last post.  I guess you all thought I had

gone to Richmond for good.  Well, I just about

have for various reasons.   Avery went to day

care for his first three days and what happens -

he gets a cold with a slight fever, etc.  Poor

Hollis and Paul, welcome to parenthood.  Anyway,

he is better now, so I came home Wednesday

and have been working on the Online Show

and trying to catch up.  We had to get things

shipped to Attic Needlework for a Trunk Show.  

 If you are in the Meza, Arizona area, many of my 

models will be there for about a month.

If you have never read a newsletter from Attic

Needlework, then you are in for a real treat.

Please go to

www.atticneedlework.com

You won't be sorry!!!!!

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I was so shocked when I opened an email from

Terri Stanley and saw this fabulous display of my

"HALLOWEEN YEAR" collection. 

Everyone of them is finished in her own special

way.  She definitely has a flare for finishing.

Thank you Terri for sharing this with me!!!!!

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Well, I have to get back to the Online Show.  I still

have a lot to do and the deadline for everything to

be in place is Monday.  Before I go back to Richmond

(I am taking care of Avery on Mondays and Tuesdays)

I hope to show you a little glimpse of new designs.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Stuff!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

 I want to share

with you the last of the three new publications

that were shipped to shoppes and distributors

a few days ago.

"Be Truly Thankful"

What a wonderful time of the year and it is fast

approaching.  Just enough time though to stitch

this quick design and have it ready for your

Fall displays.  Everyone at the Sullivan household

is even more thankful this year.  Cannot wait to

see little Avery at our Thanksgiving table.

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Also, wanted to share with you that I have a design

in both the new publications from

~~ Just Cross Stitch ~~ 

Halloween Collection Book

and

the 20ll Christmas Ornaments Magazine.

The pre-finished stocking was designed

and made by Olde Colonial Designs. 

They should be available at your shoppe.

If not, you may get them from me.

Both of these publications are the bargain of

the year.  Filled with dozens of unique

designs for your stitching pleasure.  You

won't be disappointed!

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I hope you are having a great day.  I am playing

catch up around here ~ printing publications, working

on new ones, working on some special things

for the Online Show in October, etc.  Never a dull

moment.  I hope to have time this weekend to

update my ETSY site.  Many of you have asked 

where the new things are.  I just haven't had

time to do it.  If you want something though

all you have to do is a Conversation on the

ETST site or call/email me.  It is never a 

problem.

Be back soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra