Serious Decorating Time

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I hope I have a better afternoon today than

I had a few days ago.  After doing a little Christmas
shopping, I was on my way home, when I was 
rear ended at a yield sign.  If you have been reading
 my blog for a while, you know that Hollis and
 I were in an accident Labor Day.  I am still going to 
physical therapy for that.  To add insult to injury, 
it was our new car that was hit.  Significant damage

to the rear of the car.  It is drivable but the

trunk is unusable.  I was so upset that day I

was just worthless.  My mood is better today,

and physically I am OK, just a little stiff and sore.  
I am so thankful for that.  Emotionally not so good -
 beginning to feel like a target.  Trying to put it all
 behind me and get on with my decorating

and some more shopping. 

So, I thought I would share a view pictures

of the things I have put up so far.  The

real greens will come later so they will be

fresh closer to the big day.
XXXXXXXXXX

Basket filled with "vintage" goodies.  I love

the little feather tree in the old shoe.  How cute

are the little red buttons.  The cross stitch design

is one of Hollis'.

"Vintage" ornaments are on this feather tree.

This is a mismatched set.  I have been collecting these

nativity pieces for years and just keep adding my

favorites.

This is a Victorian Christmas tree.  I found it in an
antique shop in Fredericksburg years ago.  Have
you ever seen one before?  I've never seen another
one.  The tree is made of wire, and then there are
glass beads, glass ornaments, and other tiny 
embellishments.  Click on the picture for a
close up. 
I'll share some more pictures soon.
Hope you are having a wonderful day.  Please
be careful when out and about.  Everyone is in
such a hurry.
Merry Stitches,
Sandra

It's Christmas Tyme

Good Afternoon Everyone,

XXXX PROCLAMATION XXXX

We will be taking orders until

December 17th.  We will be back 

January 4th.  

If you are like me you are running from one

project to another.  I have made so many lists, but

 even my lists are not helping anymore.

I've finally started my Christmas decorating.  I'm

planning on sharing a few pictures of the house

as I proceed.  I hope I won't be boring you, but

I know I love to look at other decorated homes.

It is such an inspiration.

Collecting Christmas decorations is a 

passion of mine and I have been doing it for a

very long time.  Primitive, traditional, whimsical -- 

I love it all.

One of the things I have wanted to do for weeks

was to put a rather large assortment of things

for sale on Etsy.  Well, as you know that hasn't

happened because you would have been the

first to know.

Consequently,  I am just going to post a few things

here over the next few days.  Still in time to give as gifts

 or include in your home.  All the other things will have to 

wait until next Christmas.

I only have a few of each of the items below

and each price includes the shipping.  Just

email or call me with your payment information.

I take Visa, MC, Paypal, money orders, and

personal checks.

XXXX SANTA FACES XXXX

available in gold, blue, and red.

                                           

I painted these paper mache Santa faces.  I hope you like
them.  I have a couple in each color.  They measure
7" Wide X 9 1/2" High.  He looks really neat hanging
in a wreath, at the top of a tree, or just sitting anywhere.
Comes with a hanging cord.
The price is $25.00 including shipping.
XXXXXXXX
Next I have
xxxx SANTA BOOTS xxxx
I had these boots in the shoppe and they were 
very popular. They make great
gifts for the newly weds or a baby's first Christmas.
I wrote the name on one side and the appropriate
date on the other side.  I can do that for you too.
 Or just fill with greenery and Christmas finery.
For all of you mothers and grandmothers out
there, make a new tradition of putting a special little
gift in it for each Christmas to come.
It measures 7" tall X 7 1/2" Wide and is painted 
on both sides.  
These are $27.00 including shipping.

XXXXXXXX
"CHRISTMAS PUFF" ORNAMENTS
The last thing today are these ornaments
that I made using prints of my little paintings. 
 They are made from felt, with a little
added tinsel and then glittered.  The white one
has a gauzy fabric over the off white felt. for
a little more "vintage" look.  I have a few of 
each.  Just refer to them by the print shown.
They are 3 1/2" in diameter.

The price is $8.00 which includes the shipping.
I will combine shipping if you want multiple items.
xxxxxxxx
Well, I'm off to do dinner and then do some more
decorating.  I hope you are having a wonderful
day with 
"Many Merry Stitches",
Sandra

A Few More Goodies!

Good Evening Everyone!

The weekend is here and I'm already worried

that I won't do everything I need to do.

Happy to report though that we got our

beautiful Christmas tree Thursday.  It is

now setting on the back porch in a tub

of water.  It smells so good out there.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for all of your orders 
for the Christmas Candle Clips.  
I still have a few left.

~~~~~~~~~~~

For those of you who have artificial trees

and I have those too, Faye came to work

the other day and told me about the most

clever thing.  She found these at Walmart

and I went there I soon as I could to

got some.  I'll scan one so you can see it.

They are called ScentSicles and the one 

I like is Douglas Fir.  You hang them in

your tree and it says it will scent a regular

size room (whatever that means) for three

weeks.  I hope they do because it is 

wonderful.  I'm going to hang one in my

car.  I just had to share.

Now for some other "goodies".  None

of these items were made by me, but

they will still add a festive touch to someones

home.  I have one of each in my house.  

I only have a few of each of these

 wonderful things.  I call the first one a 

"Candy Container Santa". 

He has a sack on his back to 

load him up with whatever you want.

He is 10" X 3 1/4" at his widest point and is

only $11.00 which includes shipping.

I only have three.

Next is a great little Santa who is going

to visit good and bad little boys and

girls.  Notice the sticks and his bag

filled with candy canes.  I think he is

so sweet.  I call him

 "Santa With Gifts"

and he is 8"X 3".  He is $11.50

which includes shipping.  I have three 

of these too.

Last but not least is 

"Christmas Bird", 

but he could be enjoyed all year.  He measures

9" X 3 1/2" and is made out of the

perfect red cotton and a homespun looking

fabric was used for his under his body and wings. 

 Black bead eyes are the perfect finishing

touch.  He can fly to your Christmas house

for $12.50 which includes shipping.  

Unfortunately, I only have one of these.

That is all for tonight.  I hope you have a glorious

weekend.  You may not hear from me again 

until late Sunday. I intend to do some serious

Christmas shopping and decorating this weekend.

  I hope to add many items to my Etsy site next week.  

I'll let you know when to go there.

Merry Stitches,

Sandra

With Best Christmas Wishes

Good afternoon Everyone,

Well pumpkins and turkeys are out of my mind

 and all things Christmas have

taken their place. 

Before I get started, I have a few 

 things to share with you today.  

One is a very special thank you for all of the

orders for the Angel Collection.  They are

all sold and have gone to great homes to

be stitched and enjoyed.  

Thanks also to everyone for their kind

words about my "Freebie" graph.  I'm

so happy that you are enjoying it.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm always looking for cute ways to add

a "little" Christmas cheer in a unique way.

Here are my Candle Clips for your tree

with a tiny little design that you can stitch

in no time.

  

This Christmas Candle Clip Collection includes

the rusty tin star-shaped clip, the linen banding,

and the candle.  The cost is $15.00 which

includes the shipping.

Wouldn't this look sweet nestled in a 

Christmas tree, but I wouldn't advise lighting

the candle.  Can you believe they used

to do that very thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 I wanted to get a gallery of all of my Christmas

designs on the Blog, but it never happened,

(hope to work on that later)

 so I think I'll show you some designs 

occasionally that are a quick stitch.  

Today's "Quick Stitch" is Santa Sampler.

He comes with the gold tinsel pipe cleaner

for the trim.  The directions for finishing

with the felt backing are included.

If you would like Santa, he is $10.50 which

includes the shipping.

~~~~~~~~~~

Please check back often over the next few

weeks.  I'm going to share some of my decorations,

 traditions,  and tasty recipes around  the 

Sullivan house. 

~~~~~~~~~~

I'm going to be putting items on my Etsy cite

soon.  I'll let you know when to look.

Wishing you "Merry Stitches",

Sandra

Happy Turkey Day!

Good Evening Everyone!

I had finally recovered from stuffing myself,

and now we are thinking about doing it 

again.  Left overs are always my undoing.

I have about three weeks to lose a bunch

of weight and I am definitely not on

the right track.  I love Thanksgiving,

but the scales do not.

Thought I would share a few scenes of

Thanksgiving at the Sullivan house.

It was a wonderful time.

Blessing to all of you on this 

Thanksgiving night.  

Sandra

I Must Be Tired!

Good Afternoon Again!

I must be tired from all of this cooking.

I forgot to add that you my purchase

all of the stuff to go with the Freebie.

You get the frame, the "Putty"

linen, and the Olde Brass button

for $29.00.  That includes the

shipping.  If you would like one

just email me with your address

and payment information.

Now back to Thanksgiving.

Merry Stitches,

Sandra

I'm Thankful For. . .

Good Afternoon Everyone!

As Thanksgiving draws near I think about what

I am thankful for and there are so many things that I could

never list them all.  At this time though I would like to

 mention a few.  I am thankful that my husband, Lehmer,  

recovered from a serious illness, Hollis and I 

avoided serious injuries in an automobile accident,

 new members were added to our family and the

families of our friends, and Faye, Lehmer, Cameron,

 Hollis, Ethel, Doris and all those that help with

 Homespun Elegance.  Also, that all of my friends and

 other family members are doing well.  Last but not least 

I am thankful for all of the friends I have made through

 this Blog.

Since I closed my shoppe I have missed being

with people who love needlework, so in a way, 

you have helped fill that void and I am so

grateful to you.

This little "freebie" graph is a little thank you

 for becoming my friends.  Bless you and

"Blessings To All"

(Just click on the graph and text
and then print.)
I want to take this time to thank all
of you who have sent me comments and
emails about my Blog. It means a great deal 
to me. I wish you and yours a blessed 
Thanksgiving. Hope you will find time 
for some
"Merry Stitches during the holiday.
Sandra 

Last Designs for 2010

Good Morning Everyone!

I know everyone is getting excited about

the holidays coming up, but I have to

let you know that the next two designs

in "A Halloween Year" have been sent

to my Autos and Distributors.

That leaves eight more to go in the

coming months.

"H" Is For Halloween

Owls' Night Out

I posted my 

Santas 'A Plenty II

last night and the picture was very 

blurry.  I worked on it but could not

make it any better.  So here is a 

new and improved picture.

I wish all of you a happy and productive weekend.

I am finally going to get to do a little more

decorating and planning for Thanksgiving. 

 I will share a few pictures in the coming days.

Also, I plan to have a little "treat" for all of

you soon.  Be on watch.

Merry Stitches,

Sandra

Last Christmas Design

Good Evening Everyone!

I think I am finally finished with the designing

for this year.  What a year it has been.  I 

have many more Christmas ideas on the

drawing board but they will have to wait

until next year.  As much as I hate to

admit it, I am just running out of time

and I guess you are too.

This last Christmas design is a must

for those last minute gifts though - six tiny 

Santas finished into adorable ornaments

or little bags.  Each is adorned with one

of our brass charms for a little extra glitz. 

I made the little hanger on the bag with some

"Vintage-Inspired" tinsel.

"Santas 'A Plenty II"

will be shipped to my Automatics and

distributors tomorrow.

Merry Stitches,

Sandra

Back From Williamsburg

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope everyone had as nice a weekend as I 

had.  Hollis and I took off to Williamsburg,

Virginia, for what has become our annual

Christmas shopping/delivering to Haus

Tirol - The Stitching Well.  For many years

Just Cross Stitch has held a seminar in

Williamsburg the first weekend in December.

Haus Tirol, the local shoppe, hosts a 

reception each year.  Many designers

send their trunk shows for this 

wonderful event.  Since I live so close,

I usually deliver my designs and combine

it with a great visit to Williamsburg.  I

am very familiar with this wonderful

town.  Cameron, my son, graduated

from William and Mary, so our family

visited very often.  Such great memories

we have of that time.  

Anyway, Hollis and I had a nice visit

with Lydia and Paula, the lovely owners 

of Haus Tirol, and then we took off for

our adventure.  We shopped and

shopped and shopped.  I was exhausted,

but very satisfied with the results.  I was

getting a little stressed that I had not

given Christmas gifts much of a thought,

but now I am feeling much better.

XXXXXXXXXX

I am offering you another little

Christmas goodie tonight.  I did a publication

a few years ago called "Merry Heart

Ornaments I", which contains four

great heart-shaped ornaments.  

Note the heart second from the right.  Well, here
is an ornament that I have made from wooden

plaques with a similar saying decoupaged on the

plaque.  It measures approximately 6" by 1 1/2", not 

counting the hanger and is aged for that "primitive"

 look that we all love.  Just the perfect little gift for a 

friend if you do not have the time to stitch  the heart 

ornament.  Or even better, give them both!!

"Merry Heart Ornaments I" retails for $7.50 

and the wooden plaque is $6.00.

Let me know if you would like either or

 both and I will determine the shipping.

XXX PROCLAMATION XXX

New designs will be appearing on ETSY

soon, along with stitched models, and other

great Christmas and gift items.

"MERRY STITCHES",

Sandra

Another Goodie

Good Evening Everyone!

Thank you for all of your orders for my

"Be At Peace" Angel project.  I still have

a few left.   Also, there have been some

inquiries about the "Merry Stitches" design

in last night's blog.

It is definitely available for purchase.

The package includes the gold tinsel

stems for the trim and hanger.  The cost

is $8.00 which includes shipping.

XXXXXXXXXXX

This is my offering for tonight ~

"Flower Protectors"

This is a great little sack for all of your 

stitching necessities, glasses, etc.  I only

have a few of these left and am not going

to make any more of them.  Originally it

sold for $14.00, but now it is $8.50 which

includes the shipping.  It is a zippered,

lined sack, measuring 6" X 4" with a cream 

linen stitching band.  The butterfly brass 

charm is also included.  What a great little 

gift for a stitching friend, especially one that

 likes sheep. 

Keep watching for more goodies.

Merry Stitches,

Sandra 

Something Special

WISHING YOU

xxxxxxxxxxx

I'm really thinking about the holidays.  

So to get everyone in the spirit 

(as if you need any help), I want to

start offering my Blog friends a few

"goodies".  I have an angel design

called "Peace To All".  Along with it

I will send you this adorable 

tin angel mold. 
XXXXXXXXXX

You cannot use it for cookies,

but it can be used to make great

beeswax ornaments or simply hang

it on your "Primitive" tree.  This

collection includes a "Star" brass charm,
the design, and the tin mold. 
 All for $10.00.  This

includes the shipping.  If you would

like some of the "vintage-inspired"

tinsel trim, the total will be $11.50.
I have a limited number of molds.
If you would like this collection,
just email or call me.  I take Paypal,
VISA, MasterCard, and checks.
Please give me all of your payment
information and your shipping address.
Wishing you many 
"Merry Stitches",
Sandra

Coming Really Soon

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Can you believe it is Friday.  We have been so 
busy getting some of our new things ready.

It is so much fun coming up with new ideas

and then designing them, but getting them

ready to sell is not my favorite part.

I just want to design and stitch.
Hope to ship these to my AUTO shoppes
and my Distributors this week.  Hopefully 
you will be able to find them at your favorite
shoppe, but if not, I will have them
 posted on my ETSY site soon.
"A Hospitable Ewe"

This design was done several years ago for the 
Just Cross Stitch Seminar in Colonial Williamsburg.
 They host  this event every year at Christmas Tyme. 
Hence the traditional apple cone with a
pineapple on top.  On the back of the blanket
it says "Merry Christmas" and the date.  Plenty of 
room is there to personalize for a gift. Wouldn't he be 
cute nestled in a bed of greenery with some holly berries 
and pine cones or hanging on your tree or cupboard.
You can have him design and pattern only, but
we are also doing a Project Pack that will include
everything but the floss and polyfil.
He is the beginning of a new series.  There will
be a Ewe for each of seasons.  
So cute and so easy to do!  
All hand sewing - no machines needed.
xxxxxxxxxx
"Delivering A Few Of My 
Favorite Things" 

is ready to be made into a pillow, but I
thought I would let you see him completely
stitched.  Hope you see something you like.
Have a great weekend with
"Many Happy Stitches",
Sandra