Beach Time

Good Evening Everyone!

I talked so much about going to the beach for our

vacation and then never shared any pictures.  I 

took a lot of pictures (surprise, surprise), but 

Cameron is the photographer in the family

so I have been waiting to get some of his.

I won't bore you with many, but I do want to

share a few.

Here we are on the beach!

Left to right -- me, Lehmer, Cameron, Avery (of course),

Paul and Hollis.  We were hoping for a beautiful

sunset, but it was still pretty.

 Sweet family picture.

 Uncle Cameron and Avery playing with the bubbles.

 Liked the sand for the most part.

Did not like the ocean.  I think it was the noise.

We always have a Dairy Queen Blizzard night.  

 Avery having his first taste.  He loved it!

 Loved the deck!

 Our gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Paul and Hollis.  

Lobster and shrimp pasta with mussels on the side.  

It was really delicious as well as beautifully presented.

Papa and Avery enjoying a beach morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~

We had such a wonderful time.  I did not want

it to end.  Such special memories.

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

I'll be back soon with needlework news.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Away Too Long

Good Evening Everyone!

Hope all is well in your little corner of the world.

My corner has been more than busy and more than

a little stressful.  I cannot believe that we have been

back from the beach for over a week and I still haven't

chatted with you.  Because it is Sunday night and I

have to pack to go back to Richmond, I haven't much

time, but wanted to check in.  My week (after returning

from our wonderful vacation) has been crazy.  It seems

like you get punished for getting away for a few

glorious days with your family.

Anyway, I will be back mid week with some news

about designs in the works and pictures of our 

wonderful vacation.

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

 I do want to share a few

sneak peaks of the progress on Avery's stocking.

It came back from a wonderful new stitcher just

after returning from the beach.  As usual when I have 

someone else stitch something from the beginning,

 I end up making a few changes.  What you see in your mind's 

eyes isn't always the way it should be.  But this time it was 

almost perfect, so it is well on its way to being released.  

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

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

I love it and cannot wait to find all the goodies to

fill it to the brim with "Cheer and Delight".

Hope you have a little one that needs a stocking too!!

Talk to you soon.

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Taking A Break

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that the whole

family is going to the beach for a few days.

I cannot wait, it seems like forever since I

have gotten away for some rest and relaxation.

I don't know if you remember, but last year

we all went to the beach the same week in

September and Avery was a mere five weeks old.

Although we had a special time, it was 

definitely not our usual beach week.  Hollis

was still not up to par and Avery was so

tiny.  Looking back on it we were probably

crazy to drag that little thing and a recovering

"new mommy" that far away from home,

but we survived and can look back on it

with amazement now that he is 13 months

and all over the place.  Needless to

say we are lugging many baby gates to

keep him away from the two flights of

steps we will be dealing with.  

Before I leave Homespun Elegance behind

for a short time, I wanted to share a few

little "glimpses" of some things in the 

works.

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

"UPDATE"

Avery's Christmas Stocking is nearly

finished.  I should be able to show you

the progress when I get back.  I think

you are going to love it.

~~~"GLIMPSES"~~~

"Rejoice In The Gift"

Continuing my Christmas Ornament Heart

Collection.  Not your typical Christmas

colors, but very soft and pretty.

 "Treats For Thee"

A must for a special person in your life

and especially appropriate for a

special child.  I bet you know who is going to get 

one of these.

Well, that is all for now.  Hope you are

all having a great week and will continue

to do so while I am away.  Don't worry, I

will still be stitching.  I will be stitching

in the car, so I will have about nine

hours of uninterrupted stitching time.  

Can't wait!

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Almost Ready

Good Afternoon!

Hope all of you are having a wonderful Labor Day.

I am truly laboring on Labor Day.  Doing my best

to get these three new publications ready this week.

I will be away week after next, so I really have to

get these to my Auto Shoppes and Distributors

before then.

  Hope you like them.  Please let me know what

you think.

"ALPHA BOO" SAMPLER

I had so much fun doing this sampler,

putting in all of my favorite Halloween

motifs and using the wonderful colors

of Autumn.   It is stitched on 30 Count

"Mink" from R & R Reproductions.  I

love this fabric!  The frame is by me

and it is embellished with my Olde Brass

"Star Pumpkin" button.

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

"WICKED CAT" SAMPLER

This is the first ornie in my new collection for

A Halloween Year II.  

It is stitched on 30 Count "Havana"

from Weeks Dye Works.  It is embellished 

with "Cinnamon" chenille from R & R Reproductions

and my "Mouse" brass charm.

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

"ROUNDS 'A PLENTY II"

for Halloween

These are all stitched on 27 Count linen banding.  I used

wool felt for the top and bottom and each is embellished

with my "Amber Pearl" Star  button on the top.  The

design goes all the way around to the back.   I tried

to show you most of the design.  A very quick stitch

and very easy to put together.   Start a Halloween tree

or wreath this year.

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

Hope you enjoyed my little "Show and Tell".  I've been

so anxious to get these ready to share.

Well, I must get back to work.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Corrected Freebie

Hi Again!

I think I need to hire a professional proof reader

in my old age.  Amazing that I can do a large

graph and not have an error (not saying that I

haven't of course) but something so tiny and

uncomplicated and I mess it up.  

Here is the corrected graph.

The new Stitch Count is

48 Wide X 37 High

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Spelling Error in Freebie

I'm So Sorry!

Obviously I need to go back to school.  There is

a graphing/stitching error in the "freebie" graph

that I just sent you yesterday.  I will be sending a

corrected graph out in the next few hours.  I

hope none of you have already started it.

The "A" is missing.

I'm so embarrassed!

Hoping you haven't made any 

"Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Free Design

Good Afternoon Everyone!

This is a very quick post this afternoon.  I just wanted

to let you know that I did a free design for all of you

that was featured in Norden Needleworkers a few 

days ago.  The interview I did was before that.

If you would like to read the interview and get the

freebie graph than go here.  This is a wonderful

feature that Norden Distributors started several 

months ago.  They are interviewing designers and

shop owners, so I think you will find it a fun read.

I have certainly enjoyed reading the interviews.

Anyway, scroll down to August 8th for the interview

and August 24th for the "freebie".

The "freebie" is titled

"Treasured Friend",

which is how I think of all of you.  I hope you enjoy it.

If you need the "Open Crown" charm, hopefully 

your favorite shoppe will have it.  If not, you can

get it from me.
Since so many of you cannot find the graph on Norden's
Blog, here it is.  Just click on the graph and enjoy!

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

Also, I wanted you to know that I have updated my

Etsy Shoppe.

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

Be back soon with some new stuff!!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Almost Ready

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Are you glad it's Friday.  It has been a long but

productive week for Faye and I.  I didn't go to Richmond

but one day this week.  Needed a little extra time at

home to make a dent in my design work.   We were

fortunate to get out all the ornaments and two other

publications at the start of the week.  Since then

we've been working away at the next Auto, which

will include

"ALPHA BOO"

"ROUNDS 'A PLENTY II"

FOR HALLOWEEN

and

"WICKED CAT SAMPLER"

from

"A Halloween Year"

The first design in my new collection.

Here is another glimpse of

ALPHA BOO

and

"WICKED CAT SAMPLER"

I just showed you a glimpse of the "Halloween Rounds"

a few days ago, so I won't bore you with another look.

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

Well, that is all for now.  Back to work.  Our long

awaited summer vacation comes the week after

Labor Day week, so I have big deadlines to meet

before I can go.  All I want to do at the beach is eat

good seafood, read good books, sit on the beach, play 

with Avery, and enjoy my family.

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

A Little Glimpse!

I don't know if you recall, but last year I promised

a design for Halloween that didn't get finished.  I

did get 

"Rounds 'A Plenty I" 

for Christmas

finished, but not 

"Rounds 'A Plenty I"

for Halloween.

Well, I'm trying again this year, so I thought

I better let you know that they are coming. Here is

a little glimpse of some of the other designs.

There will be a total of five.

So quick and easy.  What more could you ask

for.  Just hang them from a spooky twig

tree and you are set for Halloween.

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

The Annual Ornaments, "Scenes Of Summer"

and "Sampler Stitcher" are being shipped to

Autos and Distributors today.

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

Hope you have a great day with

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

A Little Update

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope you are all looking forward to a fun

and relaxing weekend.  I'm sorry to report that

I'm a little stressed.  I guess I have good and

bad news.  The MRI's that I had last week showed

 that the swelling in my wrist is not a a tumor or a cyst 

involving the ulnar nerve.  That is the good news.  The bad 

news is that I have a torn ligament in my right wrist.

So, they gave me a steroid shot and put my hand and 

arm in a brace for five weeks.  The Doctor

would have preferred a cast, but I chose the brace.

If it does not heal, then I will probably have to have 

surgery.  The tingling in my fingers may be coming from

degeneration in a cervical disk.  I'll be seeing

a spine specialist in about a month.  Hopefully, all

they will do is steroid injections and physical

therapy. 

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

I'm having a hard time stitching and working on the

computer and am getting a little concerned about

all the work I have to do.  My Cinnamon Stick 

design this year is another stocking and, of course, it

is for Avery.  Well, I had to send it off to be stitched

because I cannot get it finished with this bum hand.

So upsetting on several levels. 

I want you to see a little of the stocking in case some

of you out there are looking for a stocking design

for a special little one.  Here is a little glimpse

and a very reduced rough graph, but maybe you can 

get an idea.  

 There will also be a "Bed Post" sack or "Door Hanging"

sack for a special gift from Santa.  I cannot wait to

fill up both of these for little Avery.

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

Take care.  Talk to you soon!

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

SHIPPING NEXT WEEK

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Believe it or not, I have finally made some headway 

this weekend.  If all goes well, we will be shipping

five new designs to our AUTOS next week.

Thought I would share the finished models with

you in the hope that you will see something you

really need.  So here goes!

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

"Scenes Of Summer"

Remember this is part of a series.  "Scenes of

Winter" and "Scenes of Autumn" are already

available and can be viewed here.

"Sampler Stitcher"

I made this into a pocket for your needle needs,

some fresh flowers, or some dried flowers as pictured here.

It could even be the gift wrap for a great little something

for your special stitching friend.

2012 ANNUAL ORNAMENTS

"Spirit of Christmas" Sampler

"Joy To All" Santa

"Snowman Parade" 

All of the ornaments are stitched on 30 Count "Mink"

from R & R Reproductions, using a variety of fibers.

I absolutely love this fabric.  Dark fibers and light

fibers show up so well.  Embellishments are included.

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

Hope you've enjoyed my little "show and tell".

It has been a long time coming hasn't it?

Let me know what you think.

Before I go I want to thank all of you once again

for your concern for my problem arm and for your

birthday wishes for adorable Avery.  

You are all so wonderful.  

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

LOTS OF NEW COMING

Hi Everyone!

Well, it has been quite a day.  Up at the crack of dawn

for a 7:30 appointment for two MRI's, one on my wrist

and the other on my neck.  I should have the results the

latter part of next week.  The good news is the pain let

up again Wednesday of last week so I could help Hollis

and Paul with Avery's birthday party.  I was so thankful

because I truly could not have enjoyed the day if

the pain had continued.  This is the third time since

April that this pain has flared up and then subsided.

So thankful for the pain free times, but so sick of

 worrying that everything I do is going to set it off.

Thank all of you for your concern.  I appreciate it

so much.

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

I cannot believe how far behind I am, but I have

nearly finished the annual ornaments (they just need 

their trim).  The first design for "A Halloween Year" is 

stitched and several others are being graphed.

"Scenes Of Summer" is finally ready.  I hope all

of these designs will be on the way to shoppes

and distributors in a week or so.

"ALPHA BOO" 

is being stitched right now.  Do you love samplers?

Do you love Halloween?

I am so excited about this sampler and hope you will

be too.  Here is a little glimpse of the colors and 

the graph.  Much more to come!

The colors are really great.  I am so ready for Fall.

What about you?

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

Well, let me get back to work.  

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra

Let Him Wear Cake!

Hi Everyone!

August 2, 2011 was one of the most special days

in our lives and Saturday we celebrated that wonderful

day with a birthday party for Avery.

  Hollis spent hours planning for his first birthday and she

and Paul hosted a fabulous party.  He was the perfect little one 

(of course).  Never shed a tear the entire time.  I thought

he might be a little intimidated by all of the people and other

children, but he wasn't.  I have hundreds of pictures, but

I'm going to restrain myself and just share a few.

Thank you everyone for allowing me to share our

precious grandson with you this past year.  Sometimes

Grandmothers get a little obnoxious, and I am certainly

guilty of that.  Just cannot help myself!

Let him wear cake!

Had to bathe away the cake!

 ~~~Happy family~~~

 ~~~Proud grandparents~~~

~~~Proud daddy's masterpiece "owl" cake~~~

 ~~~What was left after Avery attacked it~~~

 Rice crispy treat owls that

Hollis and I did. They were a hit. 

YUMMY!

This was her design.  So cute.  The nose and feet were

made out of the old fashion peanut candies that we

flattened with a rolling pin and cut into triangles.

This was just a fluke.  I couldn't find candy corn to

use and was desperate, when I came upon these

at the drug store.  So much better than candy corn

would have been.  These were iced with chocolate

frosting and the wings were royal icing. 

When he got his first glimpse of a bunch of people.

Look at me with my sweet bib.  Grammie made this

for his first birthday.  Needless to say we changed it

when it was cake time.

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

A wonderful time was had by all.  A special celebration

for a the sweetest little boy ever.

Proud Grammie here,

Sandra

A Very Trying Week!

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone had a better week than I had.

It was a real bear.  I really don't like to be

negative and complain too much on my blog, but

I do want you to understand why my designing /

production level has not been up to par of late.

This past week was just the crowning blow.  On 

Monday Avery got sick and we had to take him to 

the emergency room at 11:00 at night, Hollis had

 some medical issues earlier in the day and then,

I began to suffer with a recurring problem that I

have been dealing with since April.  All is well

with Hollis and Avery is recovering from some

nasty virus/bacterial thing that resulted in two

ear infections.  The way he was coughing and

crying that night I thought he had whooping 

cough and it scared me to death.  Grammie

overreacting, but he was in terrible pain and

so sick.  He needed to be seen immediately.

It is just amazing how quickly they can go

from being OK to that.  He had a slight cough

on Sunday and Monday night it mushroomed.

As for me, I have been dealing with a nerve problem

 in my right arm and wrist (Ulnar Nerve Compression),

that starting with tingling in my little finger and next

finger.  This all began in April.  A few days after

it began I developed an excruciating pain that

went up my arm into my shoulder.  When this

is occurring I can do nothing but try to deal

with the pain.  Working on the computer is

impossible because I cannot reach to the keyboard

or move the mouse without sending it into orbit.

Unfortunately, I am the only one who designs,

graphs, types up the publications, prints them, etc.

The end result of this is probably going to be

surgery of some sort.  I had the nerve study done

and it was inconclusive, so the next step will be 

 an MRI on my wrist and neck.  Everything takes 

forever, I have to wait three more weeks before

seeing the Doctor again.  I am calling tomorrow to

see if they can at least set up the appointment

for the MRI's.

This week the pain has been the worst and lasted

the longest period of time.  Had to start taking

some real hard core pain medicine.

With that, I'm a little groggy but can function.

Sorry to go on and on.  I hope you will bear with

me and be patient if orders are late and my designs

are not forthcoming as quickly as usual.  I will

keep you informed.  Old age is really the pits!

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

On the bright side, my 

2012 Annual Christmas Ornaments

are stitched and ready to be made into ornaments,

so I wanted to share a little glimpse of them with you.

Once again I am the one to put these together.  Never

ending problem here.

The first of my "A Halloween Year" is finished, so that

will be ready to ship soon.

"Many Happy Stitches",

Sandra

Good Morning Everyone!

Sorry I have been away for so long.  We had a terrible
time getting the "awful ad" off of my Blog.  Cameron
finally had to step in and change my template.  This
had been suggested by several of my wonderful blogging
friends, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.  
It is a very simple look, but I really like it.
My new website will have a similar feel, if I ever
get it finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Also wanted to let you know that I have made some
more "Ewe be Patriotic" scissor fobs.  
My new designs
are coming along.  Will be continuing my popular
"A Halloween Year" series.  The first one will be
ready really soon.  A new sampler, entitled
"Alpha Boo" will be sent to one of my stitchers
this week.  Hollis thought of the cute name.  I think
this has the makings of a new series.  We'll see!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm in Richmond for the next two days and Faye is
on vacation this week.  She is so lucky, but she surely
deserves it.  If you don't get the quick care this week
that you are used to, it's because ever-efficient Faye is
not "in the house".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, take care and I hope you have time to make
"Many Happy Stitches!"
Sandra

Help -- Awful Ads on Blog

Good Afternoon Everybody!

This is just a short post to ask you to please ignore

the ugly ads running up and down the left side of

my Blog.  I have no idea how this happened, it

just appeared this morning, and Blogger is impossible

to talk to.  I am so disgusted right now.  I'm afraid

to fool with it because you are suppose to backup

before attempting changes. I cannot backup to my hard 

drive because I am in Richmond.  Just another

computer problem that sends me over the edge and

unfortunately Cameron doesn't do Blogger, so without

Blogger assistance I am stuck.  An email was sent

to them (which took Hollis to find a way to do that)

about my problem, and still no response.

Have any of you had something like this happen to

you?  If you have, would you mind sharing how

you corrected it.  Also, have any of you ever

been able to talk to a real person at Blogger and

if so, how?

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

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

Many Happy Stitches,

Sandra