He Didn't Like Santa

Good Evening Everyone!

~~~I like Santa~~~

~~~I bet you like Santa~~~

~~~Avery does NOT like Santa~~~

I was afraid this was going to happen, but there is 

always hope.

We got him all dressed up in his Christmas

attire - corduroy pants with little embroidered

trucks with Christmas trees in the truck bed and his

adorable red sweater, and what good did it do.

* * *NONE* * *

He took one look at the big hairy man and the tears

started to flow.  It didn't help that Santa was not

very kid friendly.   Where do they get these people?

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

The only way to stop the crying was to put MOM

and DAD in the picture.  Actually I thought this

was really nice of them to allow this.

Mom and Dad were not dressed for the occasion, but

as you know, you do what you have to do.

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

When it was all over and we

were waiting for the actual (over-priced) pictures,

Avery was still not happy.  He was definitely giving

Santa the evil eye.

As we all know, he will come to love Santa, but not this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~

So cute.  I loved every minute of it.  Just so happy 

I was there to share in this special event.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra

Christmas Goodies for Sale

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I have some things for Christmas that I think

you might like for yourself or for gifts.

I don't know that I can list everything today, so

there may be more tomorrow or next week.

I keep going back to my storage unit and finding

more things from my shoppe.  Hope you find 

something you like.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Santa With Gifts

He measures 8" X 3 1/2".

He is $11.50 which inclues the shipping.

Santa is adorable with his sticks, candy

canes, and glass beads around his

waist.  I think you will love him.
He is adorable.

I have two of these.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mini Notebooks

I have a few of these left!  (three snowmen,

two red Santas, and one blue Santa)

They are $6.00 each which includes shipping

for one.  I will adjust shipping for multiples.

The pages are a wonderful lined craft paper.

The images are vintage

and are decoupaged, sealed, and distressed

for a nice "olde" look.  

I think you will like them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Next I have for you some pillows that I have
made for Christmas giving or decorating.  I
hope you like them.

 "Pomegranate" 
hand-painted pillow.
Hand painted on a nice quality even weave jute
and mounted on wool felt.
Measures 11" Wide X 8" High
Stuffed lightly with polyfil.
$29.00 which includes the shipping.

 "Candy Cane"
hand-painted pillow.
Hand painted on a nice quality even weave jute
and mounted on wool felt.
Measures 10 1/2" Wide X 9" High
Stuffed lightly with polyfil.
$29.00 which includes the shipping.

 "Snowman"
hand-painted hanging or pillow.
Hand painted on a nice quality even weave jute
backed with the same jute and sewed together
with a running stitch.  A twisted gingham cotton
makes the hanger.
Measures 8 1/2" High X 6 1/2" Wide not
counting the hanging cord.
$22.00 which includes the shipping.

"Embroidered Snowman" 
pillow.   He is embroidered on Warm and Natural
and sewed to a background of felted wool.  Then
it is attached to a pillow of of Warm and Natural, trimmed
with a "vintage" edging.
I used running stitches, straight stitches, and Colonial 
knots for this "cutie".  It measures  8 1/2" Wide X
8 1/2" High.
It is lightly stuffed with polyfil.
$26.00 which includes the shipping.

"Santa Sleigh" 
pillow.  Pillow is constructed of a beautiful felted
wool with a gorgeous piece of "vintage" linen edged
with an elaborate crocheted edging.  The sleigh
is made from a heavy brass.
It measures 8" Wide X 5 1/2" High
$17.00 which includes the shipping.

"Joy Stocking"
embroidered pillow.  I embroidered this pillow
using chain stitch, running stitch and Colonial knots
on a beautiful piece of felted wool.  It is backed with
wool felt.  It measures 9" High X 7" Wide.
It is lightly stuffed with polyfil.
$33.00 which includes the shipping.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I hope you found something you like.  If so I
take Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, and personal
checks.  
I will be adding more things in the coming days.
Wishing you 
"Many Merry Times",
Sandra

New Stuff

Good Morning Everyone!

We are back from my wonderful short trip to Williamsburg, 

Virginia - one of my most favorite places in the world.

Faye and I dropped off my Trunk Show and lots of

other goodies for the Just Cross Stitch Boutique.  Got

to visit with lots of old friends from the needlework world.

It really made me realize how much I have missed going

to the trade shows.

Williamsburg was as beautiful as ever.  It was all decked

out in its "colonial finery" for the festive holiday season.

Every doorway is more beautiful than the next.

The natural beauty of the decorations is and always will

be my type of holiday decorating.

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

I want to show you my last Christmas design for 2012.

I will be shipping this next week, so if you are interested

please let me know.  I know it is getting very late for

stitching, but it is a "quickie" and may be perfect for

that little one in your life.

"Candy Cane Cutie"

I made this into a little pouch to hang on the

tree/cupboard, filled with treats for your "Cutie".

If you look really closely on the left next to

the "c" in candy, I have stitched over a pearl

button to make it look like a peppermint candy.

The little button is included, as well as an

alphabet for your special person's name.

Just think of all the cute little things you can

tuck in the pouch.  Can't wait to fill with

"goodies" for little Avery.

The "Dirty Chenille" trim is available from me.

If you cannot find this at your local shoppe, you

can order from me.  It is $9.00 which includes

the design, button, and shipping.

This will be available in a few days.

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

"Goodies Basket"

Also wanted to show you the little basket that

is part of the "Goodies Basket".  You cannot see

it very well in the model picture, so here it is.  It is available

in brick red, green, gold, and antique white.

The "Goodies Basket" (basket and design) is available for 

shipment now.  It is $12.00 (+ shipping) and extra baskets are 

$6.00 each (+shipping).

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

Well, it is time to call it a night.  

"Many Merry Stitches",

Sandra

New Ornament

Good Evening Everyone!

Hope you had a good weekend.  Mine was

busy, busy.  I am sooooo behind as usual.

Just Cross Stitch asked me to participate in

their Trunk Show/Boutique for the annual

Seminar in Williamsburg this coming week.

 Faye and I have been spending every minute we could 

spare to prepare for it.  She worked today (on a 

Sunday, so you know we are desperate).

We will be driving to Williamsburg on Wednesday

morning to hand delivered my stuff.

Hope it is well received.

After we deliver everything, we are going to take

a well deserved day off and shop in historic

Williamsburg and then go to a huge antique

mall.  Hope to find some special gifts.

Wish me luck!!

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

Wanted to share a new design 

"WONDROUS JOY"

Hopefully, it will be ready this week to ship to

Autos and Distributors.

I hope you will be able to find it at your local 

shoppe, but if not you can get it from me.

It is $7.50 which includes the shipping.

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

Lastly I want to share a happy, happy picture.

Lehmer and Avery relaxing on Thanksgiving Day.

Could I be more blessed!!  A healthy husband 

and the most special little grandson ever.

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

Many Merry Stitches Everyone!

Sandra

Thanksgiving Bliss

Good Evening!

This is my dining room tonight after everything has been

cleaned and put away.  What a simply

wonderful day it has been.  We have been truly blessed

all Thanksgivings, but this one even more so because

Lehmer came through his second cardiac procedure.

He has to take it easy and be really careful for a while,

but everything should be OK.  What a stressful couple

of weeks it has been.  Tuesday was another day at the

hospital and he had to spend the night again, so getting

ready for Thanksgiving was hard because I had so

little time.  But I had help.  Cameron and Hollis came

home on Wednesday and were really great.  I could

not have done it without them.

My sister and her family were here as always and they

bring tons of food, so we are all over fed as usual.

We are so fortunate to be able to have this special time

together.  I hope your day was just as special as ours.

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

I guess the peacefulness of Thanksgiving now gives

way to the hustle, bustle, and joy of Christmas ~

my other favorite holiday.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Good night everyone,

Sandra

New Things

Good Evening Everyone!

I am really under the gun here, having to go to

Richmond tomorrow to babysit, and preparing

myself mentally to have Lehmer go through

this whole medical procedure again on Tuesday.

Just to show you how far behind I am, I talked 

Lehmer into going with me tomorrow to help

with our "busy" little grandson.  I'm taking 

ingredients to cook some dishes for Thanksgiving

and all the parts of two new designs to colate.

Lehmer helped today putting new designs

together and will help tomorrow when Avery

is napping.  Please Avery, take good naps

tomorrow for your Grammie.

I am so far behind with all of my Christmas

designs this year.  Typically I have at least

six Christmas designs each year, which are

available long before now.  But this has not

been a typical year.

Anyway I want you to know what is coming

next week and the following week.  All

very quick and I so hope you like them.  

So here they are in the order of shipment.

SANTA AND THE CHILDREN

SILHOUETTES

Frame Available

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

REJOICE IN THE GIFT

Includes "Crown" charm

~~~~~~~~~~~

GOODIES BASKET

This sweet little project includes the basket and

the design.  You can have the basket in brick red,

green, gold, and antique white.  I do have extra

baskets if you want to make more than one.  What

a sweet little gift to fill with some "Goodies".

Retail $12.00.  The extra baskets are 

Retail $6.00.

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

NATIVITY JOY

-a little glimpse-

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

CANDY CANE CUTIE

-a little glimpse-

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

I surely hope you can find the time in this

busy season for one of these little designs.

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

After Thanksgiving I hope I will be offering you a

nice selection of merriment for your home

and for your gift giving.  

Once again I am so far behind, but trying hard

to get it all together.

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

"Many Merry Stitches,"

Sandra

Absence Explained

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope this post finds all of you well and happy.

This picture of Avery in exhaustion mode is how 

I feel right now.  

So sorry for being so long since I last posted and

for not getting my latest designs out to all of you.

It has been a very stressful time around here.

I've had so many irons in the fire, things that I

will be able to share with you soon - wonderful

things that have taken time away from my

normal schedule. Then all of a sudden, life

takes a bad turn and things come to a halt.

Eighteen years ago in July my husband, Lehmer,

had bypass surgery.  He has been very fortunate to

have been well all of these many years, but that

all came to an end with chest pain returning.

With that came the unending worry and stress.

This kind of stress makes it very difficult for me 

to be creative and to get products finished.

The good news I have to share is that the first

procedure was successful and further surgery looks
to be unnecessary. Unfortunately, he

has to go back next Tuesday for another 

procedure.  We are hoping and praying for

a repeat of the success of the previous

procedure.   

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know why

you have not heard from me for a while.

With any luck two new designs will be

shipped soon.  Thank you for your patience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope to be back later this week with some
fun news and "little glimpses" of things to 
come.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

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