Three New Designs!

Good Morning Everyone!

If you live on the East coast, I know what you are doing-

worrying about the weather.  It will be decision

 time around here soon.   It seems that every time there

is a major weather event, Hollis and Paul lose their 

electricity.  So, figuring that will probably happen again,

we are planning her possible move to Fredericksburg.  The 

weather will be the same, but we have a generator.  The last 

two times they have also lost most of their food, so we will

move her food too.  Luckily we have a cleaned-out freezer.

This appears to be a monster storm.  I am really concerned

about the wind, since we are surrounded by major trees.

So scary.

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

Decided I better let you know about a few new things for

fear that many will be without power for a while.  

I hope all of these designs will be ready to ship week 

after next.

"HALLOWEEN IS A HOOT"

from

A Halloween Year II

I will resume releasing the Halloween Year II

designs in January 2013.

Sorry that he isn't in his finished state, but I will

work on that this weekend.

If you loved "Holiest Of Nights" then you will probably like

"REJOICE IN THE GIFT"

and last but not least 

"SANTA AND THE CHILDREN"

Christmas Silhouettes 

The sweet frame will also be available.  It only

measures 4" X 4" so it can easily hang on

your Christmas tree.

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

Well, I hope you see something you like.  

My wish for all of you, please stay safe this weekend

and I hope you have time for

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

A Winner!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

<<< CONGRATULATIONS >>>

The winner of my "Pumpkin Lover" pillow is

Margaret.

I have notified Margaret by email and am waiting

for her to send me her address.

If any of you out there love him, I have a few

extras painted.  He is 

$18.00 which includes the shipping.
ALL GONE!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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

Thank you for all of your kind comments about

"Pumpkin Lover".  It seems that we all love black

cats, especially this time of the year.  Wish I could

give all of you one.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Didn't Have Any Fun

To Say The Least!

Well, I hadn't mentioned last week that Lehmer and I were

going to keep Avery last weekend.  This was to be

the first time for him to be away from Hollis overnight,

let alone two nights.  She was not handling it very well,

but it was time.  After all, he is 14 months old now.  It was

their anniversary weekend so they really needed to

do something special and Hollis needs some "me"

time.  Lehmer and I were a little apprehensive also,

but really looking forward to it.  I was going to get to show 

him off to all of my friends, even if they didn't want to 

see him.  Needless to say, I had to do some major 

"baby proofing" - meaning lots of baby gates, locks on cabinets, 

covering outlets.  Oh my gosh, so many things to worry about 

when a little one is in the house.

Well, he arrived late Friday afternoon and all was going

well until dinner time, when he was fussy and not

eating.  Not eating just doesn't happen with Avery, but

I chalked it up to him being tired and not being at home.

Well, I put him to bed and about 15 minutes later

he was crying.  At this point I am going to shorten

this story.  He had gotten really sick.  It was awful.

Brought him downstairs and he got sick again.

We didn't know what to do - take him to Richmond,

keep him with us.  What a mess.  Well, he stayed

with us.  He ended up running a fever much later

that night and was really up all night.  Early Saturday

morning we packed everything up and took him

back to Richmond.

By Saturday afternoon Hollis was not feeling

well and was really sick all day on Sunday.

Sunday morning Lehmer got sick, Sunday afternoon

I got sick, Monday night Paul got sick.

What a nightmare.

The good news is that everyone is finally on the

mend.  I was literally up all night for two nights,

so was a walking zombie.  Yesterday I managed

to blog about my "Give Away" and then I went

to bed again.

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

Sorry you had to listen to my sad story but I guess 

that goes along with being friends, even in the Blog world.

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

On a happier note, I know all of you are familiar

with the wonderful magazine, Early American Life.

Well, I got my newest issue the  other day and was

very shocked when drooling over this wonderfully

decorated and appointed home.  You are going to flip

over this house.  On top of everything else, 

it is full of antique samplers. To have a design

of mine in this home is a true honor.  This design,

"This House Believes In Santa" is one I did 

many years ago and is out of print.  Believe it or

not, it is one that I've considered reprinting. What do

you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

I'll be announcing the winner of the pillow

tomorrow.  Good luck!!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Give Away Tyme

Good Afternoon Everyone!

~~~ A GIVE AWAY ~~~

"Pumpkin Lover"

I know all of you have been decorating for

Halloween/Autumn, so I figured I needed

to get this done today.  I have a few of these

pillows that I painted so I thought I would

offer them to you and give away one.

I painted this on jute and lightly stuffed it

with polyfil.  Just big enough to reside on

your sofa or chair, or tuck into a

cupboard.  I will even add a jute hanger

to it, if you would like to hang it

somewhere.

It is backed with jute and put together with

a running stitch.  He has a tiny black button

for his eye.  Measures approximately 12" X 8".

$18.00 which includes the shipping.

I take Paypal, Visa, MC, and personal checks.

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

If you would like to be entered in the

drawing, you must be a Follower and

leave me a comment.   I will pick Wednesday

evening and ship to you by the end of

the week.

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Christmas Joy

Good Afternoon!

<<< CHRISTMAS JOY >>>

I was going to wait for the book cover to
reveal this, but just couldn't stand it.
I know I am partial, but he is just so
cute.  Hollis and Paul came yesterday to
try to get this photo.  When you are
dealing with a 14 month old, you never
know what you are going to get, but
he was very cooperative.
The little red rocking chair was Lehmer's
(Papa as he is called).  It is really too big
for him, so we were afraid he was going
to tumble forward, but we got lucky.
Try to get a visual image of this.  Hollis
was behind me jumping up and down
and generally making a fool of herself.
It worked.  I've told her she needs
to become a children's photographer.
Anyway, this may not be the one we 
choose.  There were other good ones.
Just thought I might be able to put a smile
 on your face.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Just Cross Stitch Ornament

Good Evening!

I hope all of you have had a great weekend.  Mine

has been very nice.  I didn't get everything done

on my list, but I did make a big dent.  Heading back

to Richmond in the morning so I have to go pack

up everything in a few minutes.  Before I go 

though I wanted to share with you my ornament

that is in this year's 

Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament magazine.

I have had several requests for the "Burgundy

Star" button.  The button is available from

me.  It should be available at your local

shoppe but if it isn't,  just let me know.  

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

I'll be back mid week so talk to all of you

then.  I hope you have a really great week.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

The Reveal

Good Evening Everyone!

Avery's Stocking is finally complete and I am ready to

share.  The second design for "A Halloween Year II"

is also ready to share.  I am hoping to ship both of

these to my distributors and Autos the end of next week.  

Still have lots to do on

the actual publications, but both are coming along.

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

CINNAMON STICK STOCKING III

"Cheer & Delight"

Avery's Stocking

Gift Tag from Grammie to Avery

Door/Bed Post Bag

Pocket on the back for a "Note From Santa"

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

"CROW HOUSE"

from 

"A Halloween Year II"

This is the 2nd in this year's collection.  The frame is

also available, but is limited.  

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

Hope you have enjoyed my reveal.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Few Little Glimpses

Good Afternoon Everyone!

My day isn't going as planned.  I wanted to make

Navy Bean soup this am.  Thought I had everything

I needed.  Should have known better - got my 

country ham out of the freezer and it looked way too 

dry.  Just couldn't bring myself to use it.  So off to

the grocery store, uck, on a Sunday morning.  Here

it is 2:00 in the afternoon and it is finally cooking

away.  The last couple of weeks I've been

trying to make something (doubling the recipe)

that I can take to Richmond and have for dinner

on Monday night.  Avery is a lot more active now

which doesn't leave much leisure time in the

afternoons for cooking.  Last week I made 

Brunswick Stew.  So good - just says Autumn.

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

Coming your way soon, I hope, will be

"Crow House"

from my

"A Halloween Year" Collection.  This is the second

one in the new series.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Moving on to Christmas -

"Christmas Silhouettes"

AND FOR YOUR SHOPPING

PLEASURE, I HAVE FOR YOU ~

Note the painted wooden disk

embellished with a faux berry

wreath, well I have a few of

these available.  

$13.00 which includes shipping

He is hand painted by me on a 3" wooden

disk that is 1/2" thick.  Hanging cord

is included. 

Also, I have this hand-painted (by me)

pumpkin pillow.  I painted it on jute

and then stitched it to a wool felt

pillow.  The pillow measures 

11 1/2" Wide X 9" High and is

lightly stuffed with polyfil.

 ~~~$32.00 which includes the shipping~~~
SOLD - THANK YOU!

Something from my former shop inventory.  I promised

to start offering these things to you.  Just never seem

to have the time to go to my bulging storage unit.

These are hooked ears of corn.  I have some and they

are so much fun to decorate with.  

The ear is about 5" long.  Including the raffia

top they are about 10" long.

You will receive both of them.

~~~$9.00 which includes the shipping~~~
SOLD - THANK YOU BONNIE!

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

Just let me know if there is anything you are interested

in.  I take Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, and personal checks.

Have a great rest of the day.  I'm looking forward to my

soup and some more designing.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Autumn Decorating

Good Evening Everyone!

I took a few minutes today to do a little

decorating outside for one of my favorite seasons.

It is suppose to be really ugly here tomorrow so I decided to 

take advantage of the beautiful weather.  I still want more 

pumpkins, especially white ones, but I haven't found any

 yet.  I have much more to do, but at least it is a start.

Don't you love this flag.  Hollis gave it to me.

Can't bring myself to throw away the summer plants just yet.

Found this wreath at Michaels.

Just love it and my 40% off coupon made

it all the better.

 Have to bury these down in the dirt a little.  They look

a little strange sticking up out of the urns.  

Plus, I like to fill in around the bottom with

spanish moss.

Sweet potato vines and pumpkins look pretty

good together.

The beginning of the inside decorating.  Love to stack

my orange hued tomato pincushions.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Hope to be back tomorrow with some more

decorating and some "little glimpses" of new designs.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Almost Finished

Good Evening Everyone!

I am pleased as punch to tell you that 

Cinnamon Stick XXIV 

Avery's Stocking

"Cheer & Delight"

is almost ready for publication.

It is going to my finisher tomorrow,

but I am so excited that the last stitch

has been done, I just had to share.

In addition to the stocking, there will

be a bed/post or door hanging that I

think you might like too.  If all goes well,

I hope this will be available in a few

weeks.

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

It has been a few years ago, but here

are the two Cinnamon Stick stockings

I designed for my children, Cameron and 

Hollis.  They proudly hang from my

fireplace mantle every year.  Now, I will

have Avery's to hang with them.

Cinnamon Stick Stocking I

 "Stitched With Love"

for Cameron

 Cinnamon Stick Stocking II

"Stitched With Joy"

for Hollis

Both of these designs are still available.

I think they are timeless and hopefully they

will be a part of their Christmases for

years to come.

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

I hope to be back tomorrow with some

more new things to share.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Beach Time

Good Evening Everyone!

I talked so much about going to the beach for our

vacation and then never shared any pictures.  I 

took a lot of pictures (surprise, surprise), but 

Cameron is the photographer in the family

so I have been waiting to get some of his.

I won't bore you with many, but I do want to

share a few.

Here we are on the beach!

Left to right -- me, Lehmer, Cameron, Avery (of course),

Paul and Hollis.  We were hoping for a beautiful

sunset, but it was still pretty.

 Sweet family picture.

 Uncle Cameron and Avery playing with the bubbles.

 Liked the sand for the most part.

Did not like the ocean.  I think it was the noise.

We always have a Dairy Queen Blizzard night.  

 Avery having his first taste.  He loved it!

 Loved the deck!

 Our gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Paul and Hollis.  

Lobster and shrimp pasta with mussels on the side.  

It was really delicious as well as beautifully presented.

Papa and Avery enjoying a beach morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~

We had such a wonderful time.  I did not want

it to end.  Such special memories.

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

I'll be back soon with needlework news.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Away Too Long

Good Evening Everyone!

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

My corner has been more than busy and more than

a little stressful.  I cannot believe that we have been

back from the beach for over a week and I still haven't

chatted with you.  Because it is Sunday night and I

have to pack to go back to Richmond, I haven't much

time, but wanted to check in.  My week (after returning

from our wonderful vacation) has been crazy.  It seems

like you get punished for getting away for a few

glorious days with your family.

Anyway, I will be back mid week with some news

about designs in the works and pictures of our 

wonderful vacation.

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

 I do want to share a few

sneak peaks of the progress on Avery's stocking.

It came back from a wonderful new stitcher just

after returning from the beach.  As usual when I have 

someone else stitch something from the beginning,

 I end up making a few changes.  What you see in your mind's 

eyes isn't always the way it should be.  But this time it was 

almost perfect, so it is well on its way to being released.  

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

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

I love it and cannot wait to find all the goodies to

fill it to the brim with "Cheer and Delight".

Hope you have a little one that needs a stocking too!!

Talk to you soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Taking A Break

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that the whole

family is going to the beach for a few days.

I cannot wait, it seems like forever since I

have gotten away for some rest and relaxation.

I don't know if you remember, but last year

we all went to the beach the same week in

September and Avery was a mere five weeks old.

Although we had a special time, it was 

definitely not our usual beach week.  Hollis

was still not up to par and Avery was so

tiny.  Looking back on it we were probably

crazy to drag that little thing and a recovering

"new mommy" that far away from home,

but we survived and can look back on it

with amazement now that he is 13 months

and all over the place.  Needless to

say we are lugging many baby gates to

keep him away from the two flights of

steps we will be dealing with.  

Before I leave Homespun Elegance behind

for a short time, I wanted to share a few

little "glimpses" of some things in the 

works.

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

"UPDATE"

Avery's Christmas Stocking is nearly

finished.  I should be able to show you

the progress when I get back.  I think

you are going to love it.

~~~"GLIMPSES"~~~

"Rejoice In The Gift"

Continuing my Christmas Ornament Heart

Collection.  Not your typical Christmas

colors, but very soft and pretty.

 "Treats For Thee"

A must for a special person in your life

and especially appropriate for a

special child.  I bet you know who is going to get 

one of these.

Well, that is all for now.  Hope you are

all having a great week and will continue

to do so while I am away.  Don't worry, I

will still be stitching.  I will be stitching

in the car, so I will have about nine

hours of uninterrupted stitching time.  

Can't wait!

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Almost Ready

Good Afternoon!

Hope all of you are having a wonderful Labor Day.

I am truly laboring on Labor Day.  Doing my best

to get these three new publications ready this week.

I will be away week after next, so I really have to

get these to my Auto Shoppes and Distributors

before then.

  Hope you like them.  Please let me know what

you think.

"ALPHA BOO" SAMPLER

I had so much fun doing this sampler,

putting in all of my favorite Halloween

motifs and using the wonderful colors

of Autumn.   It is stitched on 30 Count

"Mink" from R & R Reproductions.  I

love this fabric!  The frame is by me

and it is embellished with my Olde Brass

"Star Pumpkin" button.

************

"WICKED CAT" SAMPLER

This is the first ornie in my new collection for

A Halloween Year II.  

It is stitched on 30 Count "Havana"

from Weeks Dye Works.  It is embellished 

with "Cinnamon" chenille from R & R Reproductions

and my "Mouse" brass charm.

************

"ROUNDS 'A PLENTY II"

for Halloween

These are all stitched on 27 Count linen banding.  I used

wool felt for the top and bottom and each is embellished

with my "Amber Pearl" Star  button on the top.  The

design goes all the way around to the back.   I tried

to show you most of the design.  A very quick stitch

and very easy to put together.   Start a Halloween tree

or wreath this year.

************

Hope you enjoyed my little "Show and Tell".  I've been

so anxious to get these ready to share.

Well, I must get back to work.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra