Your Shopping Pleasure

Good Afternoon Everyone!

How cold is it in your neck of the woods.  It is

freezing here, the wind is howling, and the 

leaves are blowing.  Definitely feels like

Christmas is on its way.  I'm devoting this

afternoon to offering you some little gift

items you might like.  If I have time I hope

to offer you some more after

Thanksgiving, but still in plenty of time

for Christmas giving or maybe for

gifting to yourself.

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

If you see anything you want, just email me.

All prices include the shipping.  You can pay

using Paypal (need your email address), Visa,

Mastercard, and check.

Sorry, but I am only shipping in the USA

at this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Pincushion Basket Necklace

I have distressed a tiny basket and added

a pincushion and two black pins.  The

little spool is wrapped with floss.  If

you want another color floss, it can be

easily removed and rewrapped.  The black

cord is finished at a generous 38".

$19.50 includes the shipping.

 Pincushion Basket Stitching Necessaire 

 I added a "vintage" pin.

Measures 5 1/2" high including the handle.

It is 4 1/2"  wide and 2 1/2" deep.

$18.50 includes the shipping.

I only have this one.

  Scissor Stitching/Pincushion Box 

with my sheep

waxer included.  It is made from paper mache which

I distressed.  It measures 3 1/2" long X 2 1/2" wide X

and 2 1/2" high.

$18.50 includes the shipping.

I only have this one.

 Ornaments hand-painted by me.

8" Snowman

$8.50 includes the shipping.

Only have one.

 4" Sheep

$7.50 includes the shipping.

I have 4 and will adjust shipping if

you want more.

4" Reindeer

$7.50 includes the shipping.

I have 4 and will adjust shipping if

you want more.

 4" Christmas Landscape

$7.50 includes the shipping.

I have three and will adjust shipping if

you want more.

 "Joy Hanging" 

was hand appliqued by me.

It is applique using wool felt and trimmed

with "vintage style" tinsel.  It is stuffed with

polyfil and would be perfect as a pillow too.

It measures 12" high (not counting the hanger)

X 7" wide.  The holly berries are made with

Colonial Knots.

$29.00 includes the shipping.

I only have one.

  Christmas Stockings  

Made from "Warm and Natural" that I have

distressed and embellished with glitter.  The stars

are appliqued and embellished with "vintage" buttons.

A wonderful curly wool trim is added to the point.

They are about 18" long not counting the hanger.

$11.50 includes the shipping

 "Sampler Gift Bags"

You will receive 15 bags for your gift giving.  Won't

your stitching friends love receiving a little gift in

these.  They are the standard lunch bag size.

$8.50 includes the shipping.  If you want more than

one collection, just add $1.50 more in shipping.

 "Reproduction Redware Plates"

About 6" in diameter.  I love these ~ they look so

antique.  I have two of these.

$13.00 includes the shipping.

"Ironstone Platter Fillled With

Lovely Things"

$28.00 includes the shipping

Platter measures 10" X 7 1/2"

Includes three sections of "Vintage" edging,

4 "Vintage" buttons, a sheep waxer poured by me,

a good size piece of crocheted medallions that 
could be cut apart if you wanted to, 
and a Shirt Waist Set (missing one pin but still

wonderful).  What a great gift for someone who loves

these "Vintage" items, to be displayed as is.

"Scissor Pin"

Do you like a little bling or know someone who

does?  How much fun would it be to wear this to 

a needlework function!!!!

I found this at an antique shop, although it is

not an antique, but just couldn't leave it there.

I just knew someone would love it.

$20.00 includes the shipping,

 "Hooked Corn"

Set of three hooked ears.  

Corn is 5" long - 10" long including husk.

$15.00 includes shipping

"Abundant Compote" 

Decoupaged Box including a bag of "Balsam"

$17.00 includes the shipping

I have three of these.

This print of my painting inspired a cross 

stitch pattern which I will include for an

additional $3.00.

"Needles and Pins"

Stitching/Pincushion Necessaire Box

The box is distressed with a lovely stencil border.

Box measures 4" X 4" and is 2" tall.

Embellished with a brass scissor charm.

$35.00 which includes the shipping.

I only have one.

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

I hope you find something you cannot live 

without.

"Many Merry Stitches",

Sandra

Simple Abundance

Good Afternoon Everyone!

In the week before Thanksgiving, just wanted to

share a few little vignettes in my house.  

Having a few problems getting my decorations

done for the season, but I do have a few days

left.  So far, this is it!

I like to decorate using my stitching.  Note the framed

piece is not hanging on the wall and the pillow is

not nestled on my sofa.  Who says you can't put

your needlework wherever you want it.

You say, where are the turkeys.  I have some

wonderful papermache turkeys, etc., which I

hope to pull out soon, but until then,

this is what you see in my house.

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

Where are the turkeys you ask!!! 

Well, here they are ~

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

Wish me luck pulling out all of my other

decorations.  Maybe tonight, who knows.

"Many Abundant Stitches",

Sandra

A Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

I cannot believe it has been so long since my last post.

It is impossible to tell you everything I have been

doing, but believe me it has been a busy time.

The main thing that has been taking up most

of my time is getting ready for the boutique

that I will be in at the Just Cross Stitch Seminar

in Williamsburg the first week in December.

I know, it sounds like a long time from now, but

they had to have a nearly complete inventory list

 by last week, so decisions had to be made 

about what to send, how many, if I have time

to make more "stuff", and on and on.  Once again

my house is destroyed with stuff laying everywhere,

much like it was when I was going to 

Norforgotten Farm.  This week we must finalize

all of this, pack it up and store somewhere

besides my home, because we are hosting

Thanksgiving as we always do.  I don't think

my family would appreciate the mess.

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

In the middle of this chaos, I did manage

to almost finish one design -  Here's a 

little glimpse of

"OWLS LIKE CHRISTMAS TOO!"

I know what you are thinking.  You cannot

believe I am doing an owl design, but you

must understand that Avery loves owls.

One of his first words was "Hoo, Hoo".

His lst birthday party had an owl theme.

So, you understand now that this just

had to be.  Also, I have an owl "Delivering"

design that is being stitched now.  Can't

wait for that to get here.

So, here is my little owl.  Hope you love

owls or know someone who does.  I hope

this will be ready for shipment next week.

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

Also, I finished graphing Avery's Christmas

ornament, so I must start stitching that this

week.

If you follow my Blog, you know he loves 

to pout right now.  So adorable! 

The title is

"YOU BETTER NOT POUT".

So much to do, it is really making me anxious.

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

Leaving in the morning to go to Richmond.  It's

Avery time, so I won't get much done while

I'm there.  Talk with you in a few days.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Almost Finished

Good Friday Morning!

I hope this post finds all of you well.  It is really

chilly here in Virginia and the leaves are 

everywhere.  We had a little rain so that wonderful

Autumn smell is in the air.  I hate having to deal

with the leaves (Lehmer does all of the

blowing and raking), I just fuss about them

and sweep them constantly off of the steps and

out of the house, but I do love that smell for

some strange reason.  Maybe it's just because

I love Autumn and the season that comes

after it.

Speaking of the season that comes after it,

here is my latest design, not in it's finished

form, but just had to share.  The larger

piece is on 30 Count "Espresso", stitching over

two threads, and the smaller piece is on 30 Count

"Mink", stitching over one thread.

This should be ready very soon along with

some other Christmas designs.

Please let me know what you think.

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

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

Hope to be back before the weekend

is over, but if not, have a 

 great weekend doing whatever

 makes your heart happy.  Surely that

will include,

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Down Memory Lane

Good Morning Everyone!

Sorry I didn't wish you a 

Merry Halloween 

yesterday.  The day just got away from

me as usual, but I was reminiscing last night

about Halloweens past.  This picture has

a permanent spot on my living room bookcase.

This was probably about 1979.  I always tried to make

Cameron and Hollis' costumes and we decorated

a lot.   I was always a hobo.  So much fun ~ so

many memories!

Can you see the resemblance.  Hollis looks like

a little Avery with a little more hair.  

Anyway, Hollis and Paul  didn't have such a good time 

with Avery last night.  I'll have to share later with a 

picture of him.

Be back later today.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

SOMETHING NEW!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I know you are saying, "Where's the picture?"

Well, I am sending this off today to be

stitched, but couldn't wait to tell you about

it, in case this is something you might

want to stitch for Christmas.

Here is the reason for this design.  One of the

first words Avery said was "Whooo".

He loved owls and they were the theme for

his first birthday party.  I am currently working

on a baby sampler with an owl, so cute, but

not quite finished.  Had to put it aside to get

all of the Halloween, Christmas, etc. taken 

care of.

So, if you are infatuated with owls, love

Christmas, candy canes, peppermint candies

and my "Delivering" series, you might like

this one.  Here are some peeks at the

graph.  Sorry they aren't stitched peeks~

but maybe they will peak your interest.

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

Just thought I would let you know that

"Merry Eweies"

and

"Colonial Christmas"

are in my ETSY SHOPPE now.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Something New For You!

Good Evening Everyone!

I can't believe I'm on the computer at 10:30 at

night.  Avery, Hollis, and Paul came home

tonight for the weekend.  It is their fourth

wedding anniversary - which I cannot believe -

so they are enjoying a night on the town while

Grammie and Papa babysit.  Well, Avery had

other ideas about going to bed, but we finally

won out and he is blissfully asleep.  I'm absolutely

wired so here I am and happy to announce 

the models for

"MERRY EWEIES"

are finished.  If you love sheep as I do, I

cannot believe that you will not want these

added to your Christmas decorations.

There are actually four graphs.  Each of

the little ornaments are just a little 

different from the long Cupboard Tuck, 

pin cushion, or Hanging.

The wonderful rick rack and chenille are courtesy

of Elizabeth from Dames Of The Needle.  It is 

just the perfect color for these projects.  This new

line of trims is called "From The Cauldron".

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

"COLONIAL CHRISTMAS"

is also ready.

This was a design I did for the Just Cross Stitch

seminar in Colonial Williamsburg - hence

the colonial theme.  I'm calling it a Hanging

Pocket.  Fill it with fresh boxwood and some

holly berries and it will be wonderful in your home.

Now you can see the wonderful Week's Dye

Works' felted wool that makes the back of the pocket

Of course, the Olde Brass "Pineapple" adds

the perfect touch.  An alphabet is provided for

an initial in the center.

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

Hope you like my new wares.  Am trying to ship these

late next week, so let me know if you are interested.

Have a great weekend!  You know what Lehmer and I will 

be doing.  There won't be much stitching going on 

around here.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Reason to Smile!!

Good Evening Everyone!

Just had to share one of my reasons for smiling

this week.  As you know, I am in Richmond, VA,

on Monday and Tuesday taking care of little

Avery.  He is a joy, and his personality is really becoming 

quite something.  He has no problem letting you know

exactly what he thinks of any given situation.

Well, when it was time for me to leave, I anticipated

a few tears, but this time his reaction was 

beyond cute.  This is one of his ways of

pouting.  He was so mad at me for leaving.

(Note the dinosaur bedroom shoes.  Aren't they

they the best.  He loves shoes!)

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

When the pouting didn't work, then he starting

crying.  Would not blow me a kiss, wave bye-

bye - nothing.  So, I just had to leave.  

Of course, once I was out of sight he was fine.

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

Just so cute.  Love this child.

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

Well, I hope to be back tomorrow with

some Autumn decorating.

Have fun stitching tonight.  I plan to

stitch on 

"Merry Eweies".

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Merry Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

Just thought I would drop in tonight

with a tiny glimpse of the design

I am working on.  I was hoping to have

this finished by now, but things get in

the way, and I seem to never keep

up with my self-appointed deadlines.

Does that happen to you?

So frustrating!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, here is

"MERRY EWEIES"

There will be the main design and

then three ornaments for your

Christmas stitching pleasure.

I just got off of the telephone with

Elizabeth, of Dames Of The Needle

and she is sending me the most 

wonderful trims for the finishing.

It is just the perfect color.

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

I don't know if you remember, but last

year I did

"MERRY BIRDIES"~

Do you see a pattern here?  I already know what

I'm doing for next year.  If I start right now

maybe I'll finish it on time.  

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

I'll be back tomorrow with another cute

picture of Avery.  It is hysterical.

Many Happy Stitches!

Sandra

Thank You Soooo Much ~

Good Morning~

  This was an upsetting situation

 and certainly made for a long weekend.

 I did receive an email from the blogger so I am

putting this behind me and moving on.

Today is a new day!

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

In regard to all of you, I can never thank 

you enough for your kind words,

both on this Blog and Facebook.

Your kindness is overwhelming and

very much appreciated.  

Let's continue making

"Many HAPPY Stitches",

Sandra

In Response To "An Open Letter To Homespun Elegance"

Good Morning Everyone!

Something happened yesterday to make me question

myself and my designing, but after talking with some

people in the industry that know me and my work, 

I am feeling a little better.

I've been in this wonderful needlework business

for 34 delightful years (est. 1979) and the reason I 

have stayed in business that long is because I love

it so.  One of the many benefits of being in

this industry is that it is made up of kind and caring

people.  I started this blog nearly three years

ago with a great deal of uncertainty about

whether or not I could really do it.  You have

all kept me here with your encouragement,

heart-felt concern, appreciation of my work and 

your friendship.  I've never been the recipient of 

anything less than that until now.

I will continue designing MY OWN way~ 

(using whatever stitches I desire-
you do not have to use Colonial
Knots if you don't want to-
Substitute cross stitches, beads, seed
stitches, etc.)

Using hand-dyed fibers and linens~

(that sometimes fluctuate in dye lots)

Using MY OWN color palette~ 

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

PS~a great deal of time is spent in the 

preparation and proofing of my publications.  Floss  

is given to my model stitchers and it is returned to me
with the completed piece.  Don't get me wrong, we do
make mistakes, but No mistakes were made in
the floss colors in the designs in question.

By the way, everyone knows that photography

never reflects exact color and I DID NOT do

the photography for the designs in question.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unfortunately, one of the first things I learned

in the beginning days of my business was that I

cannot possibly please everyone.

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

Hoping you continue to do

 "Many Happy Stitches"

with 

Homespun Elegance~

Sandra

Pumpkin Time

Good Morning Everyone!

~~Welcome to October~~

If you aren't smiling already on this 

beautiful Autumn morning,  

 I bring you Avery in his Autumn

attire.  He was all dressed up for his Autumn

pictures at daycare Tuesday morning.  I just

love his little plaid vest.  He looks like

such a little man.

Adding to the cuteness is his infatuation

with baby pumpkins.  He loves hats, so he

was calling the pumpkin on his head his "hat".

I got a bunch of pictures, but this one is

my favorite.  There are more, of course,

that I have to share. 

 Would not let go of that pumpkin for anything~

So much for Hollis' Autumn decorating ~ 

As far as he is concerned, they are all his.

Small price to pay for such cuteness.

Saying "cheese" for the camera.

Hollis said "That is not a very good look", 

but it shows his cute personality.  Sometimes

he really poses for pictures and this was

one of those times.

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

Wishing you a day

"With Smiles and Many

Happy Stitches,

Sandra

New Designs!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Believe it or not, I have finally finished my

newest designs and I so hope you like them.

Being in a Full-Fall mode, you won't be

surprised that these are

Halloween designs.

So, without further delay, here they are~

A HALLOWEEN YEAR II

"Ding~Dong"

 I used my Nubby Black trim and my "Mouse

brass charm.  These are both available to you.

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

COUNTRY SPIRITS COLLECTION

"Many Haunted Stitches"

This is embellished with my new "Bat" brass charm and

mounted in my new Orange/Distressed 4" X 8 1/2" frame.

I shared this design with those who were at "A

Gathering Of Primitive Friends" last weekend and 

everyone really seemed to like it, so I hope you do too.

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

Hope all of you have a great weekend.  Mine is going to

be very busy as usual.  I will be putting the finishing

touches on these designs and moving on to my

new Christmas things.  Remember "MERRY BIRDIES"

from last year, well there will be 

"MERRY EWEIES".  

I don't think there is any such spelling for

that word, so I have just made up my own.

If there are any English teachers out there, I'm open

to the correct spelling.  

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

"Many Haunted Stitches",

Sandra

The Gathering Of Primitive Friends Update

Good Evening Everyone!

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you 

about our wonderful time at

THE GATHERING OF 

PRIMITIVE FRIENDS

at 

Notforgotten Farm.

It was really great - just a little humid and

soggy at times.  Since we don't do outdoor

events, we were not prepared for bad

weather conditions or about how much

room we needed to show all the products

we took.  Faye and I learned a lot and 

we will do better next time.  I wasn't

happy with the way our booth area looked,

but it didn't seem to keep customers from

coming to see us.  We saw some old friends

and made some new ones.

I'm certain that a great time was had by

all.  I certainly encourage you to try to

come to this wonderful show next year.

Lori's shoppe is beyond description.

It is just delightful and full of wonderful

things.  You would just love it.

Of course, I was forced to spend 

some money there.  Impossible not to.

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

I want to take this time to thank Lori,

her husband Peter, and their employees

 for going the extra mile to help Faye

  and I.  They put up our canopy, found us an

extra table for display and a extra 

canopy to protect our things from

the elements.  Without the extra canopy

we would have had no way to protect

our stuff.  They certainly saved the day.

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

Here are a few pictures of our booth

area.  Not very pretty I'm sorry to say.

We will do better next time.

These pictures were taken at the end of the

show when we had things laying all

over the place.

Notice the wonderful plastic paint tarps.  We had

these attached to the canopies with clothes pens.

That is Lori and Peter's home behind our area.

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

Below are a few pictures of some of the

other vendors.

Some pictures of Lori's shoppe.

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

Hope you enjoyed the pictures of the show.

Please join us next year.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Tribute To A Dear Friend

Good Evening Everyone!

As you know, we were away for our family vacation

last week and had a wonderful time.

Unfortunately, a few days into our stay, I received

an awful email telling me that my long time friend

and stitcher of hundreds of Homespun Elegance

designs, Sandy Albert, had passed away unexpectedly. 
I'm sure you have seen her name on my publications
for a very long time.
 Granted she had been fighting ovarian cancer for many 

years, but was doing just that, fighting it and living her

life in the most beautiful way.  She never complained, 

just continued with her treatments and seemed to

be doing OK.  She didn't talk

about it very much (unless you brought it up)

 and because I live in Virginia

and she in North Carolina, I wasn't able to see her.

Consequently, I just assumed she was doing OK.

She had retired from her school position and had

said she could now stitch more and spend all

the time she could with her beloved granddaughter.
She had just finished my Annual Ornaments and my

Cinnamon Stick Santa design.  She will be forever

linked to those designs especially because I know

those were probably her last stitches.  Just saying that 

brings tears to my eyes.  She sent me "Waiting and Watching"

as soon as it was finished so I could add the charm

and make it into the ornament.  When I showed

it in this Blog, I got an immediate email saying

how much she liked the "Christmas Star".  Sandy

was a woman of faith and I think that ornament

really meant something to her.

God bless you Sandy. God bless your wonderful family.

I cannot imagine the grief you are feeling. 

Being a grandmother, I know how much she 

wanted to be around for that little girl.  She

said more than once, she had to stay well, to 

see her grow up.

Life is short and I seem to be reminded of that

more and more often of late.

I'll miss you my stitching friend.

Good Night, 

Sandra

Good Morning Beach!

Avery spelled out in pancakes.  He loved them!  Weather is great - having fun!

Notforgotten Farm Gathering

Good Evening Everyone!

I lied to you last night when I said you would not

hear any Homespun Elegance news until I returned

from my vacation, but I changed my mind.  

That's what happens when you get to my age

and you can't always remember exactly what

you said.  Please don't hold it against me.  I

must learn to not make promises.

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

This is exciting news.  I will be exhibiting at

Lori's 

Notforgotten Farm Gathering 

the weekend after I return from the beach.  Boy,

do I have my work cut out for me.  I will have

one week to prepare for this great show.  I have

been trying for three years to be a vendor at

this show, and something always gets in the

way.  I don't know if you remember this, but

three years ago, the weekend after Labor Day, 

Hollis and I were returning from a beach weekend 

(actually about one mile from her house)

 and we were broadsided.

It totaled my SUV and me.  Was in physical

therapy for a while after that.  Needless, to say,

dealing with my injuries and the lack of

my car, I didn't show up at the Gathering.

The next year Avery was newly born, so it was

out of the question.  Last year, I don't know what

happened (age again!), but I didn't go.  Well, I

am trying my best to be there this year.  

Really excited to see any and all of you who

happen to come and to meet all of the

fantastic vendors.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope to see many of you there!  I'll

talk to you about Homespun when I get back,

but I may have to post or Facebook some

pictures of my trip.

Take care while I am gone.

"Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Little Halloween Glimpses

Good Evening Everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that this will probably

be the last Blog post from Homespun Elegance

until the week of September 16th.

I am finally going on vacation to the 

Outer Banks of North Carolina.  

Please keep your fingers crossed that 

their will be no hurricanes while we are

there.  We all so need this little respite, holiday,
whatever you want to call it.

I cannot wait to see how little Avery reacts

to the sand and sea this year --  

he hated it last year.

If I can figure out my Iphone, I may be able

to send some pictures of our trip.   With

 Hollis and Cameron's help, I hope to
 keep in touch.  

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

Just had to show you my next Halloween

design, or at least a little bit of it.

This will be shipping shortly after I

get back along with the next in my
A Halloween Year II series.
"Many Haunted Stitches"

I am really having fun with this design.  I hope it
will bring a smile to your face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many Haunted Stitches,
Sandra

Another Little Glimpse

Good Evening Everyone!

Just had to let you know that my 

~2013~

Annual Christmas Ornaments

and

 Cinnamon Stick Christmas Santa 

"Joy~Toy Giver"

will be shipped to Distributors

tomorrow.

I am so excited.  I didn't think I would

ever get these designs finished.  They

should have been ready in July.

Oh, well, another well laid plan of

mine that did not happen as planned.

~ Better late than never though ~

Here they are

"Your State Holiday Home"

Sampler Ornament

I love this one.  You personalize this

ornament with the state where you live.

Hope you love it too.

 "Merry Merry Soul"

Santa Ornament

 "Waiting and Watching"

Snowman Ornament

Cinnamon Stick Santa XXIV

"Joy~Toy~ Giver"

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

I hope you like everything.  

I'll be back tomorrow with another Halloween

design that I cannot wait to share with you.

I designed for all of us stitchers.

Until tomorrow~~

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra