They Start Young These Days

Good Afternoon Everyone!

This post has nothing to do with needlework, but

was just too cute not to share.  Do you have a 

computer geek in your family?  Well, I do, in the

form of my son, Cameron.  Thank goodness for

that fact, or I wouldn't be doing this blogging thing.

Well, we might have one in the making.  Cameron 

is so proud of his little nephew.  

  Isn't this the cutest thing!

Just look at him sitting on the table holding his

foot.  He is mesmerized by the computer.

Avery ad Papa Sullivan on Skype.

It was such fun!

  Lehmer is feeling left out of the fun with

  me spending so much time in Richmond.

We're hoping this helps both of them.  He

misses seeing him and is afraid Avery will not

recognize him or his voice.  Avery is getting a

little afraid of strangers and strange voices.

I put the telephone up to his ear yesterday so

 Faye could talk to him.  Usually he turns to

the telephone, grabs it, and starts smiling.  Well,

I guess Faye's voice was unfamiliar and he broke

down in a puddle of tears.  It was awful and made

Faye feel terrible.  We know it is only a phase,

but we cannot have that happen to his Papa.  So

we'll continue to do this every few days.  

Sometimes I just hate technology, but other 

times it is wonderful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Be back later with some needlework news!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Reprints 'A Plenty

Good Evening Everyone!

Well, I guess everyone is packing up what

they have left and preparing to head home

from Nashville.  I hope everyone had a wonderful 

show and that you all have safe travels back home.

Probably tonight the internet will begin to fill with 

all the wonderful new designs that were shown

 in Nashville.  I really did miss not being there

this year.  It is the only time I get to see my

old friends and make new ones. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have been going through old publications

that are now sold out and there are some that

I really feel need to be printed again.

Here are two that will reprinted soon.

~PRIMITIVE LANDSCAPES~

Some designs are classic and I think this is

one of them.  I published this in 1992 so

you can see how long I have loved sheep.

Hope you love this one too!

Three designs for

$10.00 + shipping
~~~~~~~~~~~~

~LAND OF PEACE AND PLENTY~

This one was published in 1990.  The tray is a

wedding design.  You probably cannot see it, but 

our initials and wedding date are under the ground.  

This sits on the side board in my dining room - 

have never tired of it.

$10.00 + shipping
~~~~~~~~~~~~

~WELCOME EACH NEW DAY~

This is definitely being reprinted.  I

asked for your opinion on this one and had

many positive comments.

$9.00 + shipping

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I finished updating my Etsy Shoppe with

my newest designs.  Hope you see something

you like.  I will get the above in there soon, but

if you want anything before then, just email

or give us a call.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Loving Life!

Good Saturday Afternoon!

Hope you are all having a great day.  I'm home

and trying to make a dent in my ever-growing list.

Hope to upload all of my new things in my ETSY

Shoppe today.  Tomorrow I am dedicating to working

on the new Website.  It will still be quite a while

before it is done, but at least we have begun the

process.  I really hate this because it is going to

take away from my designing time, but in this

technological world we live it, it is a must.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you want to smile?  If this doesn't make you

smile, then I don't know what will.  

I'm titling this

"LOVING LIFE".

Not only for Avery but for Hollis and Paul.

He actually fell asleep without being in his

swaddle and slept for quite a while.  If you

are wondering what that thing is in his mouth,

well, it is a "Wub-A-Nub".  Hope I spelled 

it correctly.  I thought it was the silliest thing I

had ever seen, but believe me it works.  Not

 only does it stay in place on a sleeping baby,

but they can reach for it themselves and

put it in their mouth.  Much easier than

chasing those little pacifiers.  He has three

of them with different little stuffed animals

attached to them.

Hope you enjoyed this adorable picture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I plan to be back tomorrow with something

new to share. 

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Nashville News and A Question

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Well, the Nashville Trade Show is

this weekend.  My designs will be

shown by Hoffman Distributors

and Norden Crafts.

Hopefully, everyone will like them,

order them, and have them in their

shoppes soon.  If you cannot find my

things, you can get them from me.  I

am going to try to catch up my Etsy

Shoppe this weekend with all of my new 

stuff, but if you don't do Etsy, just call or 

email me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 If you have known we very long, you know 

that I like to paint.  Unfortunately, there is never

much time to devote to it, but through the years I

have accumulated a little stash of paintings.

Your opinion will be 

greatly appreciated.

Do you think I should convert the three

I am showing you today to cross stitch,

prints etc?  I have some other ideas too, but

I won't bore you with them right now.

These are just a few I am considering at the

moment.  They are tiny little things ~ the

largest one only measures 2 1/2" X 2 1/4".

Of course, I can make them larger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Ready To Ship!

Good Evening Everyone!

So much for a leisurely weekend.  I'm 

 working!!  We are expecting our first snow storm 

tomorrow, so I have to leave Fredericksburg 

 early tomorrow before it starts to be

 sure I'm in Richmond to babysit Avery on 

Monday morning.  Therefore, last night and all 

day today I have been printing my new

publications for the Nashville Show.  If this snow
 storm wasn't predicted, I would have
 tomorrow too to get all of this finished. 

NOT!!  I usually like Winter, until it gets in the
way of my plans.  I sound like a spoiled brat,
don't I.  Oh, well, never a

dull moment around here.  Believe it or not

I am not usually this far behind, but for

some reason my multi-tasking skills seem

to be on vacation. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I thought I would let you see the final

products.  Hope you like them!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"MAKING MY HEART HAPPY"

Note the tiny "Heartlet" brass charms and the

adorable antiqued thimble.  The rick rack is

courtesy of R and R Reproductions.

"HOME ~ A HAVEN. . ."

There are two little dove charms available for 

this sampler, as well as the frame.

"SPRING EGGS III"

This design features a "Tiny Carrot", a "Dragonfly"

and a "Tiny Bee" charm.  The "Nubby Yarn" is

available as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you are enjoying a great evening with

"Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Nashville Release

Good Evening Everyone!

This is not the final photography, but I thought

you might like to see

"Home ~ A Haven. . ."

This will be released at the Nashville Trade

Show and we plan to ship to our Automatic

 Shoppes next week.  Sometime over the weekend

I'll show the other designs being released

next week.

Good night

 and 

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Belated Valentine Wishes

Good Morning Everyone!!

I'm so sorry I neglected to send good wishes on 

Valentine's Day, but I was with this little one.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXX

I know I'm his Grammie, but isn't Avery the

cutest thing ever?  His rosy cheeks are just

adorable.  It looks like he has

been into my blush (which I need and he
obviously doesn't).  He is going to hate his 

pretty coloring when he gets older.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

I hope all of you had a wonderful day.  I

wanted to send this from Richmond, but I

could not get into my Blogger account on

Hollis and Paul's computer.  It seems that

I have to change my password for some

reason.  I need to take care of that so I can

keep in touch with all of you when I'm

down there.  I may be back later today

with another update on designs.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Pre-Nashville Sampling

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope everyone is well this evening.  I have a list a

mile long of things I need to get done tonight and

sending out this post is high on that list.

The first thing I must tell you is just a little

business information.  On Wednesday, 

February15th, our FAX number will change to

540-371-6377, which is our primary business

number.  Additionally, on that date, that

telephone number may be down for a brief

time due to telephone work.  I hope we do not

run into any problems that will extend the

down time.  Hopefully,  changing over the

fax number will run smoothly too.  If you get

a busy signal or do not hear back from us,

please give us a call or email us.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, on to the fun stuff!

I'm hoping all of these designs will be released

at the Nashville show or before.  If released before,

they will be sent to the shoppes in my 

Automatic Program.

"SPRING EGGS III"

is finished.  This is not the picture

for the front of the publication, but you

can at least see the designs.  I hope you like

them.  The trim, charms, and buttons are available

from me as well.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, another little sampling from

"A FAMILY HOMESTEAD"

I really like the way this is turning out.  It

will be a really sweet way to celebrate your

family members.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, for something I haven't shared with

you as yet.  There are three designs in this

publication.  Here is a little sampling from 

"MAKING MY HEART HAPPY".

These sweet little heart designs are just the

thing to stitch for that special family member,

friend, or yourself. 

They will be trimmed with the adorable

tiny rick rack shown and embellished with my

charms. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I guess you can see why I have a lot to do. 

So, I will say "Good Night" now.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Weathervanes

Good Evening Everyone!

I am busy, busy as usual - stitching, printing,

shooting photos, graphing.  You name it,

multi tasking is the name of the game right now

and I'm tired.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

But I just had to throw this out there to see what

you think.  I have been designing since 1979 which 

pretty much makes me older than dirt and makes

for thousands of products in stack after stack of

bookcases.  The other day I came across some of

these, long out of print --

"COUNTRY WEATHER VANES".

Do you love weather vanes?  I sure do.  This

publication has 13 designs, yes that is what we

used to do in this industry.  Give you lots of

designs in one publication and to think that I

and an old friend, Amyee Johnson, actually graphed

all of it by hand.

I am offering this publication for $10.00 plus $1.50 
shipping. You could used it for so many things - punch needle, 
appliques, needlepoint.  All of these are adaptations of

antique weathervanes owned by some lucky person.

I'll see how it does and then make a decision about

reprinting it, but for now I have a few to offer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I take Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and personal

checks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Be back soon.  Spring Eggs III is almost

ready to reveal as well as other stuff.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

More New Stuff

Good afternoon Everyone!!

We had a nice little birthday celebration yesterday.

Believe it or not pizza and apple pie is really

tasty together.  I didn't hear any complaints

from anyone, so they must have agreed. We got

home early evening so I had a little time to

get in some much needed stitching.

Thought I would let you see a little more

of a few things in the works.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Home - A Haven . . ." is moving right along

and here is a little more for you to see.

Then there is 

"To Stitch Is Bliss".

There will also be a sweet little pin cushion

along with this.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Spring Eggs II will be available really

soon.  They are being put together right

now.  I should have them in my hands

this week and will be able to show you

more.  I think you will really like them

and there will be plenty of time to get

them stitched in time for Easter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I must go.  We are going to a Super

Bowl get together.  I must admit that I'm

not much for watching sports on TV,

but it's fun to gather with friends for this

event.  

Take care!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

Wanted to let you know that I am working

on a new sampler.  I think I am going to name

it "Family Homestead", but that could change.

Anyway, just wanted to let you see a little

of the design and feast your eyes on the

yummy rich Crescent Colours silks I am

using.  The fabric is Olde Mill Java from

R & R Reproductions, one of my favorite

colors.  Here goes, hope you like it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm heading back to Richmond in the morning

and taking all of my stitching with me.  Hope to

make a dent in my new stuff if Avery will let me.

  Saturday we will be celebrating Cameron's birthday. 

Avery's Dad, Paul, had his birthday on January 28, so we 

are having a combination party.  Apple Pie and pizza, 

how is that for a combination of flavors?  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope all of you have a great weekend.  I hope

to catch up on some work and some sleep.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Birthday Wishes

Hi Everyone!

This was a very happy day 39 years ago.

Cameron will probably hate me for

mentioning his age, but that just means that

we have had our wonderful son around for

many happy years.

Here he is at Christmas, holding little

Avery.

Happy Birthday Cameron!!

We love you,

Mom and Dad

~~~~~~~~~~~~

And I might add that if it wasn't for

Cameron, there probably would not be

a Homespun Elegance blog or anything

else that has to do with computers.  He

bales me out of trouble almost weekly.

Thanks Cameron!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best Laid Plans

Hi Everyone!

I promised you would hear from me on Wednesday

when I got back from Richmond.  Well, I got back

and had to return on Thursday morning because

Avery was not getting well and could not go back

to daycare.  The DR had to put him on a steroid

and when that didn't seem to be helping, he added

an additional medicine to his nebulizer treatment.

We are all a little concerned at this point.

 He has been sick since before Christmas with this
virus.  It is just going to take more time for him
to get over this.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~

 I don't know if I mentioned

it, but I had made the difficult decision not to go

to the Nashville Trade Show this year.  It is only

a few weeks away so I guess my decision was a

good one.  There is no way I can have 

enough new things ready to take to the show.

I'm still designing though and will have new 

things to share with you.  In fact, this is a tiny

little sneak peak of Spring Eggs II.  You

might remember Spring Eggs I that I did

a few years ago.  Same format for the next one.

Sweet little eggs for your Easter decorating

or gift giving.

Here is a sneak peak of Spring Eggs II.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had a birthday a few days ago.  My Aunt

says we must always celebrate our birthdays

and never fret about how many of them we

have had.  Sometimes that is hard to do

when we look in the mirror (a magnifying

mirror I have to admit.  Another peril

of getting older - declining eyesight)

I had a wonderful birthday, thanks to family

and friends.  I just have to share something

that Hollis gave me.

She knows how much I love antique frames

and family pictures, especially ones that

include little Avery.  This is when he was only

a few weeks old.  I will treasure this always. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a bookcase in the living room where 

many of my pictures are displayed.  It looks

like I'll need to move some of those books

to make room for more pictures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, enough chatter for one day.  I hope all of

you are well and I'll be back soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Peak

Hi There!

It has been a crazy Sunday and now I have

three posts in a row.  The weather man is calling

for icy conditions here tomorrow morning so my

trip to Richmond has been moved up to this

afternoon.  I have to be there in the morning

so that Hollis and Paul can get to work on time.

I knew this was coming.  We have been so lucky

in the weather that we have had.  Just a little

snow and ice on Saturday.  I hope this isn't

the beginning of our weather pattern changing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, I have been printing my new things

like crazy.  Running up and down the stairs

between shoving paper in the printer and shoving

stuff in my suitcase and bags for Homespun

Elegance stuff that I lug to Richmond every week.

You would think I would lose a few pounds, but

oh no.  The middle age spread arrived and doesn't

want to leave.  Not happy about that either!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Because of my schedule change, I need to

show you a little peak of something sweet

coming your way.

This will be released in time for the Nashville

show so I have to hurry up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm also reprinting another old design.  I've

always loved this one.  It includes some of my

favorite things - pineapples and sampler motifs.

Hope you like it.  It will be in my Etsy shoppe

soon, but not this week.  Let me know if you

think I should reprint.  I love your feed back.

"Welcome Each New Day"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I must go.  Be back in touch next

Wednesday.  Have a great week!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Stuff

Hi Everyone!

Two posts in two days, what is the world coming

to?  I need to do as much as I can because I will

be going back to babysit Avery on Monday

and then I'm gone for two days.  Playing with
the baby is much more fun than working, so
not much gets down when I'm there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Auto will be shipped next week and 

everything will be going to the distributors

as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 "Heart Posies Needle Case"Bits and Pieces

Retail $4.50

"Winter Joy" Bits and Pieces

Retail $4.50

 "Needles and Pins Pincushion"

Retail $7.50

"Star Light Sampler Pincushion"

Retail $7.50

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope all is well with you and that you have time

for "Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Valentine Decorating

Good Afternoon Everyone!

First of all, I wanted to thank you for the orders

for my Valentine special in the last Blog

entry.  All have been shipped so you should

have them in plenty of time for your

Valentine decorating or gifting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of Valentine decorating, do

you do very much?  I did more when my

children were at home, but now I just do

a little.  Of course, when Avery gets a little

older I'll be excited about decorating for him.

This is the extent of my decorating for this

year.

All of my red needlework accessories and a 

simple antique sampler.  I just got the table

runner -- perfect for Valentine's Day.

By the way, the antique sampler has been 

reproduced, so it is available if you like it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This heart shaped basket is filled with "vintage"

valentines.  Most of these came from my

Grandmother.  She kept every card and letter

she ever received.  I am so thankful that I have

some of them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few heart shaped cookie cutters in my kitchen

bay window.  This time next year I'll be making

cookies for little Avery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope all of you have a great weekend.  I'll be

back soon with my new things.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Some Goodies

Good Friday Afternoon!

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

I think ours may blow away.  The winds are

howling and the temperatures are dropping.

Today is definitely a stay inside day for me,

so I thought I would take a couple minutes

 to share a glimpse of some new

things and offer you a "Fancy Friday" special.

I know I have really been neglectful on my

"Fancy Friday"promise of many months ago.

Life sure gets in the way of plans.

~~~NEW STUFF COMING ~~~

 Valentine Posies

 Winter Joy

 Star Light Sampler Pincushion

Needles and Pins Pincushion

All of these will be ready really soon.

Quick little projects for your stitching joy.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

In the meantime I waned to offer you a 

little Valentine Special.  Both of these can

be stitched up in no time and ready to give

to that special someone or keep for your

Valentine decorations.

The retail value of both of these designs is

$13.00.  Until next Friday you can have

both for $8.50 which includes the shipping

or $6.50 for either of them which includes

the shipping.  The hand-painted wooded

button in "Love Simplified" is available

from me as well as the Olde Brass "Heart"

buttons in "Love Always".  

I have made this sweet heart pillow for

someone out there.  It is constructed of

this wonderful old coverlet fabric with

a felted wool back.  I wrapped it with

aged scrim, vintage trim and a special

vintage button.  It is all hand stitched.

I hope someone out there loves it.

Measures 8" wide X 9" long.

$37.00 which includes the shipping.

If you are interested in any of my specials,

just email or call me.  I take personal

checks, Visa, MC, and Paypal.

XXXXXXXXXX

Well, I think that is enough for today.

I need to start graphing the new things.

Hope you all have a great weekend with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Do You Need Your Mittens?

Good Evening Everyone!

Do you need your mittens?

Is it cold where you are?  Have you had any snow

yet?  The weather here in Virginia is really strange.

I do not want to complain, but having to turn

on the air conditioning to take down the

Christmas decorations is just a little odd.

Maybe the temperature has something to do

with why I cannot get rid of this infection. 

 I have coughed so much that the DR

thought I had broken a rib.  After the xray

was negative, he said I have probably done

something to the cartilage.  The pain is really

bad and actually feels like something is

moving.  I am so over this.  The pain medication

knocks me out at night so at least sleep is

possible.  I need to get better so I can get

inspired to design.

Anyway, I'm sorry to be complaining so

much of late.  Hope things are better in your

world.  Please use your antiseptic hand wash

and stay inside and stitch.

XXXXXXXXXXX

If you like the above design, it is 

"Mittens Each Day"

It is $8.50 which includes the shipping.

Just call or email if you are interested.

Stay well!!

Many Healthy Stitches,

Sandra