Nashville Trade Show

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I thought I would share some pictures of our

 trade show adventure.  This is picture heavy so

I hope I don't bore you.

This is how we travel!! Can you believe that mess.  

We can hardly see out of the back of the car, 

but we still managed to antique a little on the way

home.  Little treasures only!

 We always try to have a few little treasures to sell.

The little sheep pin on the box lid is one that I

sculpt.  It is for sale by special order.

"Heart In Hand" needlecase coming soon!  In the back
left is another reproduction coming soon.  It is a
bookmark on perforated paper with the word "Think"
at the top.  Really beautiful.  There is gorgeous satin 
ribbon at the top and bottom.  Hope to find some to
go with it.

 "The Lord's Prayer" reproduction sampler coming soon.

It is not the complete prayer.  Don't you love that

great house.  This is a wonderful sampler.

 "The Woolly Story" coming soon!  Aren't those
tulips just perfect.  Cannot wait for Spring.

 Closeup of our rollup that we sold out of very

quickly.  I'm looking for some more beautiful fabric

so I can make some more.

 Closeup of "Heart In Hand" Needlecase.  The "vintage" piece is 

on the left. I took the liberty of adding heart pockets for your

 scissors etc.  Coming soon! 

This is my "Stitching Pocket Plus".  We sold out of

the set very quickly, but more are on order and

should be here next week.  It is a foldover and

inside are several pockets.  The little piece is a

scissor case with a magnet on the back to attach

to your board.  I stitched the scissor fob over one

and it is adorable. 

 Here is my tote bag at the door.

 Watch for my "give away"!!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Back from Nashville

Good Evening Everyone!

We are back from Nashville and happy that we went.

It was a great show for us and we had a wonderful

time seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  The 

weather cooperated, always a worry, especially

this winter.  One of my new designs, "I Love Winter",

brought more than a few comments.  One shop owner said, 

"You expect me to buy that after the winter we have had".

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Well, I can now give you a complete run down on all

of the new things we had.  Hopefully, you will be able

to find them at your local or online shoppe.

If not, please let us know if we can help you or

answer any questions.

"FRESHNESS IS IN THE AIR"

This design features our new "Woolly" sheep brass 

charm, nestled in the grass, and our "Blue" Gently Swirled  

frame.  This is a seasonal series.  "A Chill Is In The Air"

will be the next design.  It was offered as a kit for

a while, but will now be in leaflet form.

Continuing our "Halloween Year", here is "EEK"

and "BITS OF HALLOWEEN".

"I LOVE WINTER"

I'm ashamed to even put this on the blog after
the horrible winter we have had and continue
to have, but this completes the seasonal series
 and I know some of you have been waiting
for it to be finished.
Moving on to a more pleasant season to come,
here is 
"SAMPLER BUNNY".
The wool yarn trim is available from us too.

"DELIVERING SPRING BLOSSOMS"
This is the third in this seasonal series.  I hope
you like it.  It has been so much fun using soft
Spring colors after the reds and greens of
Winter and the oranges and blacks of Halloween.
I'm going to start getting out all of my Spring
and Easter decorations soon.  I'll share some
of that with you soon.

I hope to have all of these designs on Etsy soon,
but if you need something sooner, just let me know.
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I will be back tomorrow with some more plus a
fun "give away", and some pictures from the show.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

New Stuff

Good Morning Everyone!

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's

Day.  Ours was a quiet one, except for the 
arrival of little Piper.  Thank all of you who 
commented. I'm probably not going to have 
time to answer your comments this time. 
 Nashville preparations have definitely taken

precedence over almost everything.  Plus,
I have to take time to go to the hospital
to see that precious little girl.
We will be leaving at the crack of dawn
tomorrow morning.  I am getting excited
now.  It will be so much fun to see everyone
and I have made a few new friends blogging
that are going to be there  as well.
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I don't know if you remember or not,

(at this stage of my life I usually cannot),

but I told you about some new stuff

that would not necessarily involve

stitching.  Well, here it is.

Years ago I found a wonderful painting

on glass of a lady at her stitching frame.

I think you might recognize her because 

I have used the image on other products

including the 
"Stitching Lady" Button

Sampler.

My new canvas tote bag!!  Isn't she great. 

It retails for $18.00

I am calling this new collection,

"Frills and Flourishes - Or Not!"

She is silk screened on cream or unbleached linen

and available in several ways.

Silk screen design only in black on natural, black

on cream, and brown on cream linen.
You finish it as you like.

Retail $27.00

Finished as a pillow case and you stuff it -

Retail $31.00.
This product has been so much fun to develop.
Your imagination can just run wild because you
can embellish her in so many ways or just
leave her plain.  If you look closely at the framed
piece, you will see that I added "vintage" trims
to her dress where lace would have been,
colonial knots for the buttons down her back,
pearl seed beads for a necklace, little motifs
on her skirt, and I back stitched the design
on the linen in the frame, ran the floss up to
her hand and added a gold needle.  I also
stitched over one to give her an eye.
These are in limited supply now, but I will
be getting more if she does well at the show.
Let your shoppe know if you would like
any of these things.  Everything will be put on
Etsy when I return or email me.
I so hope you like her.
If this concept does well, I will add more and
more designs. What a quick but really
effective finish.
Talk to you later.
Many Happy Stitches,
Sandra

Happy Valentine's Day

Good Valentine's Evening!

Don't you love "vintage" Valentines.  This

one is so pretty.  I want to wish all a very

Happy Valentine's Day.  We have even

more reasons to celebrate on this sweet

day.  A special nephew and his adorable

wife have a new Valentine in their life -

Piper Renae was born today and we

will obviously never forget her birthday.

Our family has been blessed again.

Congratulations Cory and Ashley

and my sister and brother-in-law,

Carla and Dean.

Still getting ready for Nashville.  The

SUV is partially packed.  I still have 

framing to do, a pillow to make, package

dropins to print and drop in, buttons to sew

on my rollup necessaires and so on.  Not to 

mention getting myself ready, which

believe me is getting harder and harder

to pull together.  I'm still hoping to

post some of the things I will be

showing - just running out of time.

Wish me luck!!

Sandra

Tasty Treat

Good Evening All!

This has nothing to do with needlework, but

I just had to share a great appetizer recipe

that I fixed for Super Bowl Sunday.  I might

add that I did more eating than watching

the game.  There was a bunch of great

food at the gathering of our friends.  If you like 

cheese, sweet, and a little heat this the the treat 

for you.  It is an old fashioned recipe that lots of

people have been serving in the Fredericksburg area

 for a really long time.  I think it fell out of favor for 

a while, but it is back.

The reason for the big platter is to serve

crackers to go with it.  I use a simple wheat cracker 

because you do not want anything to add to the 

flavors of the spread.  You simply spread a little

of the yummy cheese mixture on your cracker 

and then a little of the strawberry preserves. 

 I know it sounds odd, but it is a 

fantastic combination.

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PLAINS CHEESE RING

--1 lb grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

(I grate my own, it is so much better.  I

think the shredded stuff is too dry.)

--1 cup mayonnaise (I use light)

--Black pepper to taste

--1 cup chopped nuts

(I use pecans and I toast them)

--1 small onion finely diced

--Dash of cayenne

--Strawberry preserves

--Small wheat crackers

Chop and toast your nuts.   

Shred the cheese when it is still cold.

 Dice the onion. Mix together everything but

 the pepper and cayenne.  Mix your pepper 

and cayenne together.  Sprinkle it evenly over 

everything.  Mix all ingredients again.  Select

 a small bowl to hold your preserves.

Place it on your serving piece and

mound the cheese mixture around

your bowl, shaping it into a ring.

I like to put my preserves in a little dish

instead of in the center of the ring.  I

do this in case there is any cheese left,

it can be refrigerated or even frozen

for a later date.  The preserves makes

it messy.  I have also done this for wedding 

showers, engagement parties, etc.  I then shape 

it as a heart and put the preserves in the center.

One day I'll find a little heart shaped dish

to use.  Men and women like this, but you might

have to give a little tutorial at your party.

They don't know what to do with the

preserves.

I hope you like it. I'm going to take some

to the Nashville trade show to munch on.

We'll need a little sustenance to survive.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

I'm Back!

Good Evening All!

Back again so soon.  I'm sure you think

I have lost my mind.  I'm taking a break

from taking pictures.  I have run out of

good light and luck for this last shot of

the day.  I give up.  Photography is not

my thing.  When I get a good shot I

thank my lucky stars.  Really need to

take a class.

Thanks for all of your good wishes 

for Lehmer.  We will take all of them.

Thought I would show you some more

stuff.  This is
 "Delivering Spring Blossoms"

and continues my latest Delivering

series.  I have one more to go and it

will be for Summer.

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I am very excited about my Limited

Edition Stitching Rollup.  It is pre-

finished for every one's convenience

and is limited because of the

beautiful fabric.  I bought this piece

some years ago.  My intention was

to make some "window rags" as I

call them - very simple swags for

a guest bedroom.  Obviously, I

never got around to it.  It is made out

of a wonderful toile type fabric in a soft 

brown palette.  One day I will regret not

making those "rags", but I do love

this rollup.  It has three pockets -

one to stitch on.  The most perfect color
 felt piece for your needles, and mother-

of-pearl buttons for the closure.

Here is a peak.

You get the most wonderful old alphabet for

the monogram.  It is so pretty,

you could just stitch that.

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Maybe more tomorrow if I can get the

picture right.  Talk to you then.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

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.

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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