Corrected Freebie

Hi Again!

I think I need to hire a professional proof reader

in my old age.  Amazing that I can do a large

graph and not have an error (not saying that I

haven't of course) but something so tiny and

uncomplicated and I mess it up.  

Here is the corrected graph.

The new Stitch Count is

48 Wide X 37 High

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Spelling Error in Freebie

I'm So Sorry!

Obviously I need to go back to school.  There is

a graphing/stitching error in the "freebie" graph

that I just sent you yesterday.  I will be sending a

corrected graph out in the next few hours.  I

hope none of you have already started it.

The "A" is missing.

I'm so embarrassed!

Hoping you haven't made any 

"Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Free Design

Good Afternoon Everyone!

This is a very quick post this afternoon.  I just wanted

to let you know that I did a free design for all of you

that was featured in Norden Needleworkers a few 

days ago.  The interview I did was before that.

If you would like to read the interview and get the

freebie graph than go here.  This is a wonderful

feature that Norden Distributors started several 

months ago.  They are interviewing designers and

shop owners, so I think you will find it a fun read.

I have certainly enjoyed reading the interviews.

Anyway, scroll down to August 8th for the interview

and August 24th for the "freebie".

The "freebie" is titled

"Treasured Friend",

which is how I think of all of you.  I hope you enjoy it.

If you need the "Open Crown" charm, hopefully 

your favorite shoppe will have it.  If not, you can

get it from me.
Since so many of you cannot find the graph on Norden's
Blog, here it is.  Just click on the graph and enjoy!

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

Also, I wanted you to know that I have updated my

Etsy Shoppe.

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

Be back soon with some new stuff!!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Almost Ready

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Are you glad it's Friday.  It has been a long but

productive week for Faye and I.  I didn't go to Richmond

but one day this week.  Needed a little extra time at

home to make a dent in my design work.   We were

fortunate to get out all the ornaments and two other

publications at the start of the week.  Since then

we've been working away at the next Auto, which

will include

"ALPHA BOO"

"ROUNDS 'A PLENTY II"

FOR HALLOWEEN

and

"WICKED CAT SAMPLER"

from

"A Halloween Year"

The first design in my new collection.

Here is another glimpse of

ALPHA BOO

and

"WICKED CAT SAMPLER"

I just showed you a glimpse of the "Halloween Rounds"

a few days ago, so I won't bore you with another look.

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

Well, that is all for now.  Back to work.  Our long

awaited summer vacation comes the week after

Labor Day week, so I have big deadlines to meet

before I can go.  All I want to do at the beach is eat

good seafood, read good books, sit on the beach, play 

with Avery, and enjoy my family.

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Glimpse!

I don't know if you recall, but last year I promised

a design for Halloween that didn't get finished.  I

did get 

"Rounds 'A Plenty I" 

for Christmas

finished, but not 

"Rounds 'A Plenty I"

for Halloween.

Well, I'm trying again this year, so I thought

I better let you know that they are coming. Here is

a little glimpse of some of the other designs.

There will be a total of five.

So quick and easy.  What more could you ask

for.  Just hang them from a spooky twig

tree and you are set for Halloween.

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

The Annual Ornaments, "Scenes Of Summer"

and "Sampler Stitcher" are being shipped to

Autos and Distributors today.

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

Hope you have a great day with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

A Little Update

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope you are all looking forward to a fun

and relaxing weekend.  I'm sorry to report that

I'm a little stressed.  I guess I have good and

bad news.  The MRI's that I had last week showed

 that the swelling in my wrist is not a a tumor or a cyst 

involving the ulnar nerve.  That is the good news.  The bad 

news is that I have a torn ligament in my right wrist.

So, they gave me a steroid shot and put my hand and 

arm in a brace for five weeks.  The Doctor

would have preferred a cast, but I chose the brace.

If it does not heal, then I will probably have to have 

surgery.  The tingling in my fingers may be coming from

degeneration in a cervical disk.  I'll be seeing

a spine specialist in about a month.  Hopefully, all

they will do is steroid injections and physical

therapy. 

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

I'm having a hard time stitching and working on the

computer and am getting a little concerned about

all the work I have to do.  My Cinnamon Stick 

design this year is another stocking and, of course, it

is for Avery.  Well, I had to send it off to be stitched

because I cannot get it finished with this bum hand.

So upsetting on several levels. 

I want you to see a little of the stocking in case some

of you out there are looking for a stocking design

for a special little one.  Here is a little glimpse

and a very reduced rough graph, but maybe you can 

get an idea.  

 There will also be a "Bed Post" sack or "Door Hanging"

sack for a special gift from Santa.  I cannot wait to

fill up both of these for little Avery.

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

Take care.  Talk to you soon!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

SHIPPING NEXT WEEK

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Believe it or not, I have finally made some headway 

this weekend.  If all goes well, we will be shipping

five new designs to our AUTOS next week.

Thought I would share the finished models with

you in the hope that you will see something you

really need.  So here goes!

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

"Scenes Of Summer"

Remember this is part of a series.  "Scenes of

Winter" and "Scenes of Autumn" are already

available and can be viewed here.

"Sampler Stitcher"

I made this into a pocket for your needle needs,

some fresh flowers, or some dried flowers as pictured here.

It could even be the gift wrap for a great little something

for your special stitching friend.

2012 ANNUAL ORNAMENTS

"Spirit of Christmas" Sampler

"Joy To All" Santa

"Snowman Parade" 

All of the ornaments are stitched on 30 Count "Mink"

from R & R Reproductions, using a variety of fibers.

I absolutely love this fabric.  Dark fibers and light

fibers show up so well.  Embellishments are included.

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

Hope you've enjoyed my little "show and tell".

It has been a long time coming hasn't it?

Let me know what you think.

Before I go I want to thank all of you once again

for your concern for my problem arm and for your

birthday wishes for adorable Avery.  

You are all so wonderful.  

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

LOTS OF NEW COMING

Hi Everyone!

Well, it has been quite a day.  Up at the crack of dawn

for a 7:30 appointment for two MRI's, one on my wrist

and the other on my neck.  I should have the results the

latter part of next week.  The good news is the pain let

up again Wednesday of last week so I could help Hollis

and Paul with Avery's birthday party.  I was so thankful

because I truly could not have enjoyed the day if

the pain had continued.  This is the third time since

April that this pain has flared up and then subsided.

So thankful for the pain free times, but so sick of

 worrying that everything I do is going to set it off.

Thank all of you for your concern.  I appreciate it

so much.

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

I cannot believe how far behind I am, but I have

nearly finished the annual ornaments (they just need 

their trim).  The first design for "A Halloween Year" is 

stitched and several others are being graphed.

"Scenes Of Summer" is finally ready.  I hope all

of these designs will be on the way to shoppes

and distributors in a week or so.

"ALPHA BOO" 

is being stitched right now.  Do you love samplers?

Do you love Halloween?

I am so excited about this sampler and hope you will

be too.  Here is a little glimpse of the colors and 

the graph.  Much more to come!

The colors are really great.  I am so ready for Fall.

What about you?

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

Well, let me get back to work.  

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Let Him Wear Cake!

Hi Everyone!

August 2, 2011 was one of the most special days

in our lives and Saturday we celebrated that wonderful

day with a birthday party for Avery.

  Hollis spent hours planning for his first birthday and she

and Paul hosted a fabulous party.  He was the perfect little one 

(of course).  Never shed a tear the entire time.  I thought

he might be a little intimidated by all of the people and other

children, but he wasn't.  I have hundreds of pictures, but

I'm going to restrain myself and just share a few.

Thank you everyone for allowing me to share our

precious grandson with you this past year.  Sometimes

Grandmothers get a little obnoxious, and I am certainly

guilty of that.  Just cannot help myself!

Let him wear cake!

Had to bathe away the cake!

 ~~~Happy family~~~

 ~~~Proud grandparents~~~

~~~Proud daddy's masterpiece "owl" cake~~~

 ~~~What was left after Avery attacked it~~~

 Rice crispy treat owls that

Hollis and I did. They were a hit. 

YUMMY!

This was her design.  So cute.  The nose and feet were

made out of the old fashion peanut candies that we

flattened with a rolling pin and cut into triangles.

This was just a fluke.  I couldn't find candy corn to

use and was desperate, when I came upon these

at the drug store.  So much better than candy corn

would have been.  These were iced with chocolate

frosting and the wings were royal icing. 

When he got his first glimpse of a bunch of people.

Look at me with my sweet bib.  Grammie made this

for his first birthday.  Needless to say we changed it

when it was cake time.

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

A wonderful time was had by all.  A special celebration

for a the sweetest little boy ever.

Proud Grammie here,

Sandra

A Very Trying Week!

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone had a better week than I had.

It was a real bear.  I really don't like to be

negative and complain too much on my blog, but

I do want you to understand why my designing /

production level has not been up to par of late.

This past week was just the crowning blow.  On 

Monday Avery got sick and we had to take him to 

the emergency room at 11:00 at night, Hollis had

 some medical issues earlier in the day and then,

I began to suffer with a recurring problem that I

have been dealing with since April.  All is well

with Hollis and Avery is recovering from some

nasty virus/bacterial thing that resulted in two

ear infections.  The way he was coughing and

crying that night I thought he had whooping 

cough and it scared me to death.  Grammie

overreacting, but he was in terrible pain and

so sick.  He needed to be seen immediately.

It is just amazing how quickly they can go

from being OK to that.  He had a slight cough

on Sunday and Monday night it mushroomed.

As for me, I have been dealing with a nerve problem

 in my right arm and wrist (Ulnar Nerve Compression),

that starting with tingling in my little finger and next

finger.  This all began in April.  A few days after

it began I developed an excruciating pain that

went up my arm into my shoulder.  When this

is occurring I can do nothing but try to deal

with the pain.  Working on the computer is

impossible because I cannot reach to the keyboard

or move the mouse without sending it into orbit.

Unfortunately, I am the only one who designs,

graphs, types up the publications, prints them, etc.

The end result of this is probably going to be

surgery of some sort.  I had the nerve study done

and it was inconclusive, so the next step will be 

 an MRI on my wrist and neck.  Everything takes 

forever, I have to wait three more weeks before

seeing the Doctor again.  I am calling tomorrow to

see if they can at least set up the appointment

for the MRI's.

This week the pain has been the worst and lasted

the longest period of time.  Had to start taking

some real hard core pain medicine.

With that, I'm a little groggy but can function.

Sorry to go on and on.  I hope you will bear with

me and be patient if orders are late and my designs

are not forthcoming as quickly as usual.  I will

keep you informed.  Old age is really the pits!

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

On the bright side, my 

2012 Annual Christmas Ornaments

are stitched and ready to be made into ornaments,

so I wanted to share a little glimpse of them with you.

Once again I am the one to put these together.  Never

ending problem here.

The first of my "A Halloween Year" is finished, so that

will be ready to ship soon.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Good Morning Everyone!

Sorry I have been away for so long.  We had a terrible
time getting the "awful ad" off of my Blog.  Cameron
finally had to step in and change my template.  This
had been suggested by several of my wonderful blogging
friends, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.  
It is a very simple look, but I really like it.
My new website will have a similar feel, if I ever
get it finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Also wanted to let you know that I have made some
more "Ewe be Patriotic" scissor fobs.  
My new designs
are coming along.  Will be continuing my popular
"A Halloween Year" series.  The first one will be
ready really soon.  A new sampler, entitled
"Alpha Boo" will be sent to one of my stitchers
this week.  Hollis thought of the cute name.  I think
this has the makings of a new series.  We'll see!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm in Richmond for the next two days and Faye is
on vacation this week.  She is so lucky, but she surely
deserves it.  If you don't get the quick care this week
that you are used to, it's because ever-efficient Faye is
not "in the house".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, take care and I hope you have time to make
"Many Happy Stitches!"
Sandra

Help -- Awful Ads on Blog

Good Afternoon Everybody!

This is just a short post to ask you to please ignore

the ugly ads running up and down the left side of

my Blog.  I have no idea how this happened, it

just appeared this morning, and Blogger is impossible

to talk to.  I am so disgusted right now.  I'm afraid

to fool with it because you are suppose to backup

before attempting changes. I cannot backup to my hard 

drive because I am in Richmond.  Just another

computer problem that sends me over the edge and

unfortunately Cameron doesn't do Blogger, so without

Blogger assistance I am stuck.  An email was sent

to them (which took Hollis to find a way to do that)

about my problem, and still no response.

Have any of you had something like this happen to

you?  If you have, would you mind sharing how

you corrected it.  Also, have any of you ever

been able to talk to a real person at Blogger and

if so, how?

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Christmas Is Coming

Good Morning Everyone!

Wanted to share with you the first 

2012 Annual ornament

"Snowmen On Parade"

I still have to embellish it and make it into

an ornament, but I didn't think you would mind

seeing it in this state.  Hope you like it!!

The other ornaments are being stitched

and will be finished soon.

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

"HANG-UP FRAMES" FOR SALE
Opening on front 4 1/2" High X 3 1/2" Wide
Raw Hide Hanger included

A while ago I told you I needed to let you

know about frames that were left over from

my shoppe or just inventory in general.

I have a limited supply of these so I cannot

use them in publications.  I will put a slight

glaze on each of them for more depth.
The frame shown does not have the glaze.

Blue - 3 in stock

Vanilla (creamy gold) - 1 in stock

Umber (soft black) - 2 in stock
Red - 4 in stock
$14.50 which includes the shipping
(Shipping will be more to other countries.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you are interested, please email me.  I take Visa,
Master Card, checks, money orders, and Paypal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I am devoting to some new Halloween designs
and preliminary work on my
Cinnamon Stick Santa for 2012.  So I must get busy!
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Winners!

Happy Belated 4th!!

Avery's first 4th!

I'm so sorry I haven't announced the winners of my drawing.

We have had an interesting week to say the least.  Along

with everyone else in the country, it seems that most of

Virginia lost power.  We are very fortunate to have a

generator that helps with part of our house, so Hollis

and Avery came here for almost a week.  They lost power

last Friday and it didn't come back on until Thursday.

She was here trying to work from our house and was

able to get some work done.  We had electrical cords

running all over the place to put electricity where it

was most needed, while trying to protect a crawling

baby from stuff being everywhere.  If that wasn't enough,

Hollis had driven back to Richmond to work on Monday,

and that afternoon while Lehmer and I were taking

care of Avery, he spiked a fever.  Of course, being the

calm person that I am (Ha! Ha!), I went into panic

mode.  I just didn't know what to do.  I don't know

any pediatricians anymore.  Made several calls and

finally decided to take him to one of those walk-in

offices.  Of course, you don't get to see a real

pediatrician who is up on what is going around.  All

he could do was rule out the obvious things and

say that it was probably a virus.  Hollis called her

pediatrician and they said it probably was a virus and

to only be concerned if his fever went above a 

certain point.  Well, for four days his fever went up

and down like crazy and we all went crazy too.

The good news is the fever broke for the last time

on Thursday and they were able to go home that

evening.  We did manage to set outside for a very

few minutes on the 4th so we can record his first

4th of July.  He was so cute even though he was sick.

So, I hope you can understand why I haven't been

up to date on anything to do with Homespun Elegance.

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

WINNERS OF MY DRAWING ARE ~

Keepers of the Crows

Sharee

NatalyK

I will be sending each of you an email sometime today.

  Congratulations!

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

Stay cool if you can!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Candle Wrap Freebie Graph

Hi Everyone!

Here is the "Freebie" I promised you!  I am
so excited about the positive
reaction to this idea, that I am now planning a
new publication with seasonal "Candle Wraps".
Stay tuned!

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

Don't forget that there will be a drawing to win the linen 

banding, the straw ribbon, and the waxed linen cording.

You have until Sunday evening and then I will draw

three winners of the project pack.  

Good luck to everyone!

"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra

A Drawing

Good Morning Everyone!

Do you like candles as much as I do?  My absolute

favorite scent for several seasons of the year is "Citrus and 

Sage" by Yankee Candle and we all know how expensive 

Yankee Candles are.  But I pay the price because I

love it so.  I did sigh up for their email so I get

coupons occasionally.  

But, I have found a little treasure, in of all places.  -

Walmart.  They have a candle right now that is

called "Lemongrass and Verbena".  It is a much lighter

scent than my favorite but is really nice and it is a

lovely green which is great for decorating this time

of the year.  I liked it so much, I bought all they had at

 my local Walmart, (which wasn't many) so it is a good thing 

you don't live near me.  I'm afraid they will not restock it for

the rest of the season.  If you do take a chance and

get one, I hope you will like it.

Here it is on a cupboard on my back porch.  It

goes so well out there with the plants and other

touches of green on the porch.   I wrapped it in this

great straw type ribbon.  The stitching is done on

linen banding and tied on the candle.

This little candle wrap will be a free graph for all

of you, but you will have to wait until I get back

home later in the week.  I don't have access to

my graphing software and all the other things I

need to post it for you.  But I will get it done.

*****BUT*****

I AM DOING A DRAWING

You have to be a follower and send me a comment.

I will be sending THREE of you a little project pack

which will include the straw ribbon, the linen

banding, the waxed cording, and the graph

to make a candle wrap.  You have until Sunday

evening to make a comment.

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

I did make great progress on all of my 2012

Annual Ornaments.  One is almost finished and 

I have to pick the colors for the other two and

start the stitching.  I'm very excited about how

they are turning out.
Plus, Cameron and I made a little more progress
on my new website.  So exciting!

Well, I am in Richmond, and Avery is taking a nap,

so I must go and get as much done as possible 

before the little crawling/almost walking person

wakes up.  No working for me after that. 

Have a great day.  Hope to hear from all of you.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Glimpse

A Good Afternoon To You!!

Today was set aside to work on my new website with

Cameron.  It is beginning to take shape now.  The boring

part is about to start and that is loading all of the images

and text.  I cannot imagine how long this is going to take.

It is tempting to open it before it is completely

uploaded, just to get it out there.  My old website

is so horrible it is embarrassing. 

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

2012 Annual Snowman Ornament

"SNOWMEN ON PARADE"

A little glimpse of the Snowman ornament.

Hoping to get everyone in the Christmas

stitching spirit.  

The annual sampler has been graphed and

Santa is still just a drawing, but never fear,

I will get them done.  

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

Hollis, Paul and Avery are on the way home

from the beach.  I believe from all the pictures

and the fun texts, they had a wonderful

first family vacation.

One of their great memories from the first vacation

with him --  he began saying "Mama".  I bet I

know who is grinning from ear to ear.

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Taking A Break

Good Afternoon!

My eyes are about to cross from graphing.  I have

to say that this is not my favorite part of the design

process.  I'm happy that I don't have to use rub

on symbols anymore (showing my age), but still

have to complain every now and then.

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

"The Way To A Friend's House 

Is Never Far"

A long out-of-print publication prompted me to 

update a popular design from it.  I have changed

it a good bit and updated fibers and fabric.

I hope you will like it.  I have always loved

the sentiment and believe it is so true.  In our world

today, so many friends and family members live

so far away.

Let me know what you think.

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

ANOTHER GRAMMIE REPORT

Can you believe this!  They were heading back to

the beach this morning in what looks like matching

sunglasses.  It is unbelievable that he is keeping

his hat and glasses on.  Usually he pulls off a 

hat within seconds of putting it on him.  I told

you yesterday that he is scared of the ocean, well

he still is, but he loves the pool.  Loves his bath, so

it was just a giant bath tub to him.  I hope Paul and

Hollis are making lots of videos.

Thanks for letting me share Avery with you --

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

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra