"DESIGNS THAT REFLECT OUR
AMERICAN HERITAGE"

Welcome to my blog. I'm probably very much like all of you who love the needlearts. My life revolves around family, friends, home and all things that help to make for a more contented life. When time allows; cooking, gardening, decorating, and collecting are my joys. I look forward to sharing all of these things with you. I also hope to keep you up to date on what is going on at Homespun Elegance, in regard to the needlework designs and the "Plain & Fancy Wares" that we offer.

Wishing you "Many Happy Stitches".
Sandra

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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

Sunday, September 23, 2012

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

Thursday, September 6, 2012

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




Monday, September 3, 2012

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