Sharing Time

Good Evening Everyone!

I have been promising an update on my new

things for so long now, that I am sure you

think I just don't have anything new.

Not so, just so confused and rattled

by all the preparations for the trade show

 that I just couldn't sit down at the

computer and pull it all together for my blog.  

I have actually been sitting at the computer,

but it is for typing my publications or

  making updated price sheets and order blanks.  

Believe me, these are not fun things to do.  

On the creativity scale, it ranks about a #1.  

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Before I get started though, I have to

apologize for not thanking everyone

who has commented or emailed me

recently.  I read everyone of your

comments and emails and they make 

these long days of preparation more

bearable.  Thank you so much.   

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OK, here goes with some of my sneak

peaks.  I will be breaking this up into

several days because there are many

new things.  

Continuing my "Halloween Year",

I give you "Bits Of Halloween" and "EEK".

There are six more months after these.
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This next design is definitely more timely--
"I Love Winter".  Although, because of the
winter that most of the country is experiencing,
this may not be so appealing.  I guess we have
to remind ourselves that there are good parts
to this season to, but thank goodness it
cannot last much longer.

This is the last design in this fun series.  They would
look so cute stitched together.  Hope you have
enjoyed them.
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Now we are getting to the season that we are
all waiting for. 

This is "Freshness Is In The Air" and is the
second in a seasonal series.
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This is "Sampler Bunny".  There is
another design in this series, "Sampler
Woolly", that
goes really well with my bunny.  I'll
try to show him to you another time.
Well, that is all the previews for tonight.
Stay tuned for the next batch.
I even have some things that you don't
have to stitch.
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But before I go, remember that my
husband, Lehmer, had those awful
intestinal attacks.  Well, he has been
through numerous tests, all negative.
So, the final test they do is the
abdominal scan.  Well, the problem
is his gallbladder.  So, when I get
back from Nashville, he will have
the surgery.  We are very happy that
it is not something more serious, but
when we went to the emergency room
after the first attach, they did a sonogram
of his gallbladder and said it was not
that.  His doctor said he does not 
understand how they could have 
missed it.  Because of the oversight, he 
went through a lot of unnecessary tests
that took preparation, time, and money.
Not to mention the anxiety.
Hopefully, in the end, this will be
taken care of without too much 
discomfort.  I never want to see him
have another one of those attacks.
Hope all of you are having a warm,
cozy night with 
"Many Happy Stitches."
Sandra

Telling My Age

Good Evening Everyone!

I'm sorry it has been so long since my last visit.

We are so busy here getting ready for Nashville

and the weather, though not that bad, has 

kept us from working sometimes.  Consequently,

we are even more behind.

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Enough about that, I just had to wish our

son, Cameron, a Happy Birthday.  I cannot

believe that 38 years ago today this cute

little boy was born.  He is still cute but

a tad bit bigger.  He is going to kill me for

using this picture.  I love it!  He was 2 1/2.

Happy Birthday Cameron!!  We hope you

had a great day.

XXXXXXXXXX

Be back in the next day or two with lots of

previews of my new designs.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

No Greater Love

Good Afternoon Everyone!

In December I showed you a picture of

Hollis with her big brother Cameron

in front of the Christmas tree. 

 For obvious

reasons, that was the most wonderful

Christmas ever.  She came early, but

was healthy and perfect, so we had

much to celebrate.

Well, now we have another reason to

celebrate.  That little girl in the basket

will be using that basket in a few months.

We are all going to be blessed with

a new little one.  We are beyond 

thankful and overjoyed. 

Lehmer and I have been looking forward

to this for so long.  We cannot wait.

Thanks for letting me go on and on.

Unfortunately, for my business, I am

having a really hard time keeping my

mind on stitching.  I keep thinking of

baby designs.  So guess what you'll

be seeing in the future.  

I promise to let you see new designs

really soon.  Maybe even this weekend.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Entertaining Evening

Good Evening Everyone!

Hope all is well with you.  We seem to be

finally on the mend around here.  

We had to get well because Lehmer

and I had to host a party last night.

About once a year he has what is known

as a Pre Rotary.  It is a gathering of fellow

Rotarians and some guests before the

weekly meeting.  If you choose to participate,

you host the party when your turn comes and

you go to the other Pre Rotary parties each

week.  It takes me a few days to do all the

food and get our house ready for guests.

Coming at the end of the Christmas holidays

is not the best time, but at least I do not

have to concern myself with the yard.

I always fret about my centerpiece for

the dining room table.  Somehow flowers

do not seem very appropriate for a bunch

of business men.  So, this year I chose to be 

very minimalistic and went with a 

pineapple and kumquats, on a pedestal

cake plate and a globe.  I think it worked

and it didn't cost me a bunch of money.

Plus, we get to eat the pineapple.  I might

even be able to call that recycling.

Stay tuned.  I have bunches of new designs

to share very soon.  We are working

really hard but having fun too.  The

designing is what I love.  I'll also have

some things that you don't have to stitch.

Many Happy Stitches!

Sandra

Love Is In The Air

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope everyone is safe, warm, and tucked

into their homes.  The weather is so scary

in so many parts of the country.  Normally 

I really like this time of the year.  Being

stuck in the house is OK with me, but it is

unsettling when you cannot get about

when you want to without being scared

to death.  So, please be careful. 

I guess everyone is starting to think about

the next big day -- Valentine's Day.

I thought I would share a few designs

with you that are quick but heart felt.

Just email me if you are interested in either

of these designs.  

I am busy, busy preparing for Nashville.

Little snippets of new designs will be coming

soon.

Wishing you a warm and cozy night with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Have To Share

Good Evening Everyone!

I think I am finally on the mend from this

disgusting sinus, etc. thing I have had.  Not

totally gone but I can actually breathe for

a little while without some kind of medicinal

aid.  The bad news is I think Lehmer may be

coming down with it.  I sure hope not.  I would

not wish this on my worst enemy.  

I'm sorry I have not been replying to your

comments.  I have been doing a little work

but beyond that not much has been done

around here.  

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Ever since Christmas I have wanted to share

one of my really unique Christmas presents.

Hollis and Paul gave me this.  

It is an upright Lazy Susan of sorts.  It looks

like an antique but it is from Pottery Barn.  It

spins around and has many openings and little

drawers along the bottom.  I am slowly filling

it up with things that I use a lot, such as 

herbs, sugars/sweeteners, salt, pepper etc.  I'll

have to find some more containers that will

fit in the openings.  Gives me a reason to go

antiquing (as if I needed one).  The only 

problem I have had is that it had to go where

my coffee pot has been for the last 32 years.

Old habits are very, very hard to break.  I

have gone to that corner every morning to

fix the coffee.  Maybe tomorrow will be

the day that the habit is broken.  I feel so

stupid continuing to do this.

Well, I hope you have a good night.  Hope to

be sharing some needlework soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Just For A Good Laugh

Good Evening Everyone!

Hope everyone is doing well.  I came down

with a nasty cold/sinus thing New Year's Eve

and have been miserable ever since.  I will 

finish one of those Z Packs tomorrow and

 I'm not much better, so I guess I will be 

going back to the doctor.  Trying to take 

down and put away Christmas decorations

when your head is about to explode,

 cannot breath, and are coughing

constantly is just great fun.  I hope none

of you get this stuff.  

In the misery of dismantling Christmas,

there was a little bit of merriment.

Do you remember Zeus?  He came to

stay with us early last summer, while Hollis 

and Paul's house was on the market.  Well,

the house is still on the market and guess

who is still here.  I don't think he found

this very amusing, but Lehmer and I did.

My designing is suffering as well as my head.

I just cannot focus at all and this is not good.

Faye comes back to work tomorrow and we

have so much to do.

Hope to have something new to show you 

very soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A New Year About to Begin

Happy New Year's Eve!

As the olde year is about to end and the

new one about to begin, I have three

favorite toasts/sayings that I want to

share with you.

"Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring happy bells, across the snow;

The year is going, let him go."

Lord Alfred Tennyson

"As we start the New Year, let's get down

on our knees to thank God we're on our feet."

Irish Toast

"May your troubles last only as long as

your New Year's resolutions!"

Anonymous

If the last one holds true, I should never

have any troubles.  

I wish joy, peace, and good health for

you and all those you hold dear.

See you in 2011!

Sandra

What To Do Next

Good Evening Everyone,

What do I do next.  I am in a real state of indecision.

I was reading what Robin from Millstone Mercantile 

 http://millstonemercantile.blogspot.com

had to say on her blog and I couldn't agree more.

She just cannot make herself do anything with

her craft or stitching projects.  I am always like

this too after I have been away from it for

a while. I have soooo much to do to get new designs

ready for the Nashville Trade Show in February.

It just seems overwhelming.

Homespun Elegance will not officially reopen

until January 4th, so I have a few more days

to enjoy Christmas, but it is still hanging over

my head.  At the very least, I need to sit

down with my ideas and try to decide which

ones to go with.  Once I make that decision,

I think focusing will be easier.

I do have one design that will be completed 

next week, so I'll give you a little peak.

In the meantime I am going to enjoy my

beautiful tree a little longer and have

another Christmas cookie.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

I Don't Want It To End

Good Evening Everyone!

The magic of Christmas is so special that I

never want it to end, but everyone has left now.

Hollis and Paul packed up the car and left

this afternoon.  So sad to see them go.

 Cameron and Ashley, our son and daughter-in-law, 
left early on Christmas day because of the weather.
 Normally, they spend the night, but were afraid the snow 
would keep them from getting home and going back to 

work.  What a disappointment that they had to go. 

 It is so rare that we all get together for an extended
time.  The snow was beautiful but I would

have rather had everyone here.  My usual family
 gathering on Christmas night was canceled
 because of our snowy weather.  Every Christmas 
I cook lots of desserts and everyone comes here

for that last sweet indulgence before it is over for 
another year.  Must get the desserts in the freezer, 
or you know what will happen. 
 This is how I feel tonight. . . . 

and I might add that it is also how I look after
all the holiday indulgences.  But it was fun!!! 
That's all for tonight.  
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Running Out Of Time

Good Morning Everyone!

Are you running out of time too?  Getting a

little frantic around here, but I just had to share

this finish with you.  I got a wonderful email

from Christie Lafranconi.  She shared with

me how she had been to my shoppe many,

many years ago and has been stitching my

designs for a very long time.  Here is what

she shared with me about how she did these

ornaments from "Four-Square Christmas".

"I love your patterns and especially the 

Christmas ornaments stitched on perfo-

rated paper.  This year I wanted to stitch 

new ornaments for friends and family and I 

decided to try using the "Four-Square

Christmas" pattern and see how these patterns

would look on perforated paper.  I stitched

the ornaments, backed them with brown

paper using Stitchwitchery to bind the

paper to the ornament, cut each one out 

separately leaving one square border from

the edge of the design and then sprayed

them lightly with adhesive and sprinkled 

with fine crystal glitter.  They look

wonderful and remind me of German

Springerle cookie. I've attached a photo...

the best I could take but really doesn't

show them off to their best advantage.

Thank you for your wonderful patterns

and for giving me many, many years of

happy stitching!"

 I would wish all of you "Merry Stitches", but if 

you are like me, there isn't much time to stitch

this week.  So, instead I will wish you joy in

your preparations.  

"Merry Noel",

Sandra

Christmas Miracles

XXXXX CHRISTMAS GREETINGS XXXXX

These are our two miracles, one born near Christmas

as you can see.  It seems like only yesterday

that we experienced that magical Christmas.

Hollis wasn't supposed to be with us on that

Christmas of 1977, but she surprised us all.

If I had known we were going to have a

Christmas baby, believe me I would have

had red bedding.

Doesn't Cameron look happy.  He loves

Christmas and she was a special present for

him too.  He might have disagreed with that

over the years, but I think she was.

Hope you enjoyed that little bit of a 

Sullivan family memory.

XXXXX   JUST A REMINDER   XXXXX 

 TODAY IS THE

 LAST DAY WE ARE SHIPPING.  IF YOU

 NEED SOMETHING PLEASE CALL.  FAYE 

AND I ARE TAKING A MUCH NEEDED 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.  WE WILL BE 

BACK ON JANUARY 4TH.

MERRY STITCHES,

SANDRA

First Snow

Greetings!

This is what is going on in Fredericksburg, VA.

We are expecting 3" to 5".  Every flake is here to

stay since it is sooooo cold.

 View out of family room.

 View from side porch.  I designed and had my

Santa flag made years ago.  Always wanted to

publish the pattern but never got around to it.

View from the front porch.

This is the kind of snow I like.  Pretty and not too much

of it.  Our winter last year was so horrible.  I worry

that we might have a repeat.  

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I know all of you are kind of tired of hearing about

the drama in my life, but I must tell you briefly about

our evening, or should I say morning.  My husband,

Lehmer, developed gastric issues late last night

and after about three hours of pacing the floor with 

no relief, we left for the emergency room, expecting

gallstones.  To make a very long visit short

(there from about 12AM to 5AM), through

tests, EKGS, and monitoring, they ruled out 

gallstones and heart issues.  After intravenous 

pain killers and something the nurse called a 

a Gastric or GI cocktail or something like that,

he finally got some relief.  We got home and went

straight to bed, but got up about 7:30.  I just

knew it would come back after the pain medicine

wore off, but so far so good.  Of course, he has

to follow up on this.  Remember I had my luncheon

yesterday.  He had it for lunch and again for dinner.

Very rich food.  I'm afraid it didn't agree with him.

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Should be taking a nap, but my nerves and nervous

energy have caught up with me.  I have baked

two pies and a cake so far.  Am going to take a

break and wrap for a while and then I am going to

take a nap.

I'm sorry I haven't personally answered your comments

from the previous blog.  Please know that I love

hearing from you.  It is just a crazy time so it means

even more that you take the time to send your thoughts.

Stay warm and do whatever makes 

you happy,

Sandra

Holiday Luncheon

Good Evening Everyone!

My luncheon!!

Some of my friends around the table.  That is Faye

at the head of the table.  I'm sure many of you have

talked to Faye over the years.

Well, it is Wednesday evening and everyone has gone

home from my luncheon.  Somehow I managed to

get it done, but not in a timely fashion.  We didn't 

set down at the table until about 2:00.  Am I getting

to old for this.  Decorating and entertaining until

all hours.  I love doing it but I am definitely 
not as efficient.

 In my last blog I was undecided abut my menu.

This is what I finally decided on.
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Mulled Cider

"Plains Cheese Ring" with Strawberry Preserves

on crackers for an appetizer.

Corn and Crab Chowder 

Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Sauteed Apples

Brown Butter Sage Muffins

Rustic Apple Caramel Tart

Coconut Custard and Chocolate Brandy Pie

Coffee, Tea, Wine

Not only am I exhausted from preparing this

meal but I am having a sugar low.  Carb overload!!
XXXXXXXXXX

Did I get my tree decorated - NOOOO!

This is as good as I could do.  

I threw on one strand of lights, some of my "vintage like"

tinsel, and some other odds and ends and called it a day.

Hollis and Paul are coming home this weekend for a Holiday

Dance, so they are going to help with the tree.

Bless their hearts, now I can use that time to cook

and wrap presents.

Here are some other pictures of the luncheon and
the house.  Still not finished, but getting there.

Dessert Table

Breakfast room center piece.  I stack up my old

pewter and fill with nuts, kumquats, and holly.

Window decor

Window decor

Guest bathroom.  Can you see the tiny candy cane

on the guest towel?

Guest bathroom

Guest bathroom

Keeping room

Keeping room.  Hollis game me the great lanterns

last year for Christmas.

Keeping room.  Notice the Amish child buggy seat.
Have a great night.  I'm moving on to the next
project.  No cross stitch for me tonight.
Merry Stitches,
Sandra

Decorating More and More

Good Evening Everyone,

First of all, thank you so much for your

care and concern about my car accident

and your comments about my decorating.

  Thank goodness it has not left me too sore

 and stiff because there is no time to waste.

Is everyone as frazzled as I am?  I have been

decorating all afternoon like a crazy person, but 

I am beginning to see the end.  I cut a whole

bunch of magnolia yesterday and will do some

pine and holly tomorrow after things dry out

a bit.  It has been raining for about twenty four

hours.  I'm not going to complain about that.

I feel so sorry for those who are suffering

with the blizzard conditions.  

This evening I hope to wrap a few presents, 

address a few Christmas cards, and begin 

prepping for my Christmas luncheon on 

Wednesday.  I've been hosting this

employee/friend luncheon for years and

I enjoy it so much.  For some reason though,

I just cannot make up my mind about the

food.  A real problem  - don't you agree.

I'll let you know what I decide.

Here are a few more pictures of the

marathon decorating.

My Charlie Brown tree in the kitchen. 
The rocking chair was my husband's.
Appropriately painted a Christmas red.

Living room.

Breakfast room. 

Dining room.
Many of the toys are ones that belonged
to me and my husband.  
Many of the other toys are antiques I
have collected.

The guitar was mine.  Can you believe
that.  No musical talent here! 

The glass ornaments in the bowl belonged to
my husband's parents.  We used to put them on
our tree.  Unfortunately, our tree fell years ago
and we lost many of them.  Now they are 
displayed in a safe place, I hope.

Kitchen window. 

Keeping room window. 

More to come.  I hope to put up our real tree
tomorrow.  I want it up before my
luncheon.  Have a good evening.  On to the
Christmas cards.
Merry Stitches,
Sandra