"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

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Post Christmas Wishes!

Good Morning Everyone!
Just wanted to say how sorry I am to have not sent out 
Christmas wishes.  Unfortunately, the respiratory
thing I mentioned on the 17th only got worse,
resulting in two trips to the DR.  I really thought I
was developing pneumonia.  They gave me a breathing
treatment and medicine on the first trip.  After 5 days I
was having bad reactions to that and really not getting
any better, so the day after Christmas I got a new antibiotic 
and am finally starting to feel a little better.  Nothing was
really ready for Christmas - not the baking, the wrapping,
or the Christmas tree.  The tree was finally decorated by
Hollis and Lehmer Christmas Eve.  
Regardless of all the sick drama with me, we still had
a wonderful time.  Avery was just adorable and if
you will bear with me I'd like to share a few
pictures.  The block above is covered with my favorite
pictures of him since his birth.  The bottom has a
picture of Hollis, Paul, and Avery.  His
name and date of birth are stamped on the top.
I had so much fun making it.  I think it will be
my annual ornament for him.
This was the picture for Hollis and Paul's
Christmas card.  The huge Stieff bear is Hollis'.
When she was just a few years old, I found that
wonderful bear at an antique shoppe for just a
small amount.  What a treasure.  Even his growler
still works.
Here he is in his Christmas PJ's being read
"The Night Before Christmas".  Lehmer read this to
Cameron and Hollis on Christmas Eve for years.
So, the tradition continues.  Unfortunately, his Daddy,
Paul had to work on Christmas Eve.  I hope
that next year Avery will stay up later, so Paul
can take over.
Lastly, a picture of him in his "Radio Flyer"
push wagon - a gift from Lehmer and I and his
Uncle Cameron.

Our beautiful Christmas tree that got decorated
just in time.
To all of my friends out there, I wish you
"Merriness" for the rest of the year and
for all of your "New Year".
Sandra

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Merry Christmas Ya'll

Good Evening Everyone!
I'm feeling a little better today.  My stress level
has  been over the top lately as I am sure you
could tell.  To add to that, my dish washer 
chose the week before the busiest cooking
week of the year to croak.  So,
instead of doing Christmas things last night,
Lehmer and I were out in the madness on 
a Friday night making a hasty decision about
a dishwasher.  Thank goodness they can
install it on Wednesday.  To add insult to injury,
I gave a lousy upper respiratory thing going on
(but a little better today due to lots of meds).
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Now, for the good news - the tree is finally up
and it smells so good (even with the respiratory
thing I can still smell it).  Makes me happy indeed.  
Even got a little decorating done today, but there
are boxes everywhere.  I sure hope we do  not
have any unexpected guests.  Went to my
friend's house today and cut lots of magnolia
for decorating.  I have plenty of boxwood and
holly on our property, so it is just a matter of
picking it.
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Going to Richmond tomorrow to see my sweet
Avery and celebrate my sweet Hollis' birthday. 
I am lugging all of my ingredients, pans,
and recipes so I can bake while babysitting
Monday and Tuesday.  This should be
interesting, but hopefully he will take
some good naps for me.
Anyway, just checking in with all of you
and thanking you for all of your sweet
comments of late.  To Mouse - I wanted to
say that I didn't dare mention how many
candles will be on her cake.  You know how
women are about those numbers, even though
she is still so young. 
Take care and "Be Merry"!!
Sandra

Friday, December 16, 2011

Happy Birthday

Good Morning Everyone!!
This is a wonderful day -
Hollis' Birthday. 
 She came almost a month early, so she
 was our Christmas present that year.  
~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLIS~~
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wishing Thee Merriness

Good Evening Everyone!
Are you as overwhelmed as I am?  I have ten days to
get my Christmas act together, and things are
not going too well around here.  I haven't put
a dent in my shopping (with the exception of
Avery of course), the tree is on the back porch
(not in the house), and not a single decoration is
in place.  I do have a beautiful boxwood wreath on
my front door, due to the generosity of my dear
friend Ethel.  We always have a massive wreath covered
with tiny white lights hanging from a huge 
tree in our front yard.  I replaced all the lights last year
because many were not working.  Well, guess what -- 
plugged it in this afternoon and two strands are not 
working. What a pain!!  All of the strands have to come off
and the bad ones replaced.  I have said many, many bad 
words over the years due to Christmas lights.  
They drive me crazy.
I'm trying to be optimistic that tomorrow will be a very
productive day and my "Merriness" will return.
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 ANNOUNCEMENT 
Our last day to ship will be Friday,
December 16th.  I know I should have
announced this sooner, but time just got
away from me.  Faye and I will be taking a 
much needed Christmas break.  I need time to 
get ready to spend time with one of the
reasons for my "Merriness".
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra




Thursday, December 8, 2011

MORE GOODIES FOR SALE

Good Afternoon Everyone!
To all of you who have ordered from last
night's post, thank you very much.  Today
I am offering you a few more goodies.
Please note that I have also put some new
things in my ETSY Shoppe - in particular my 
Santa and Lady Silhouette 
Ornaments.
Just click on my ETSY shoppe in the left
side bar.  If you like these and don't want to
go through ETSY, just email or call me.
I also added and re listed a few publications.
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"Tiny Oval Boxes"
Unfortunately, I am sold out of the "Stitching Lady"
Ornament, but I have a few of the "Horn Blower"
and "Lady Silhouette".  These tiny little oval
paper mache boxes have been painted and
decoupaged.  A hole is drilled at the top for
the hanging cord and a little ball of bees' wax
is inside.  They are so sweet.  We used to sell
many of these at the shop.
They measure 1 1/2" High, 1 1/8" Wide, 
and 7/8" Deep -- tiny little treasures!
I have two of each.
 $9.00 which includes the shipping. 
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"Paper Mache Sheep"
Isn't he cute!  I used to have these for sale in the 
Shoppe too.  I made them using an antique cookie
cutter.  He measures a mere 2 1/2" Wide X 1 1/4" Tall.
He is adorned with a tinsel garland with a brass bell
hanging from it.  I think you will love him.
 $5.50 which includes the shipping.  I have 
eight of him.
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"Holly Star" Ornaments
I made these out of wool felt, and hand painted both
the front and the back.  They have wire hangers and
rusty bells for embellishment.  There is a special
finish applied to preserve the paint.  I think they 
will make a very primitive addition to your tree.
They measure 4 1/2" High X 3 1/2" Wide.
 $9.50 which includes the shipping.
This shows the front and the back.
I have eight of these.
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Well, I think that is enough for now.  I need to do
some baking for my Garden Club Christmas Party.
So much to do - so little time!!
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Stuff for Sale

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I am back home but only for a short time.
Will be heading back to Richmond, this time
to help our son, Cameron, move to a new 
home.  We will be going on Friday and will be
either helping him or babysitting Avery
until next Wednesday.  So, while I have
a few minutes, I wanted to offer you a few
good deals.  Also, I want to update
my Etsy site with my new books and some
handmade items, time permitting.  
All of these items are first come, first serve.
I take Paypal, Visa, MC, and personal 
checks.  You can call or email me your
information.  Your complete email address
is needed for Paypal.  If you want to use
a credit card, you can send all the information
in separate emails for security.
"Candy Container Santa"
He has a sack on his back to load him up with
whatever you want.  He is 10" X 3 1/4" at
his widest point and is only $12.00 which
includes shipping.  I only have one.
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Next is a great little Santa ornament.
I call him
"Santa Bearing Gifts"
He is going to visit both good and
bad little girls and boys because he has
sticks and candy canes.   He is 8" X 3" and
is $11.50 which includes shipping.
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Next are these great Red Aged Glass
Bead garlands.  The garland is 6'
long and is $7.50 which includes shipping.
I have four of these.
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I did some mini Christmas Journals, which
would make wonderful little gifts.  The designs
are all "vintage" which I have aged and 
decoupaged on to these tiny books.  They 
measure  approximately 4" High X 3" Wide
The first one is my 
"Holly Santa"
I have three of these.  Next is 
"Blue Santa".  
I only have one of these.
Lastly, I have this adorable "Daddy Snowman
and Babies".  I have three of these, each trimmed
differently.   Please specify the trim you want -
rick rack, ribbon, torn fabric.
specify the trim you want.  
"Daddy Snowman and Babies"
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Do you like "vintage style" Christmas ornaments?
If so, here are 20 candle clips for only $14.00
which includes shipping.  These are not old (but
made like the old ones) and
 do not include the candle. 
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Last but not least, I have a great salt glaze
Santa.  
He measures approximately 8" X 3 1/4".
$18.00 which includes shipping.
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Hope you enjoyed my little Christmas
Shoppe.  I will be loading things on my
Etsy site too.  
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra




Thursday, December 1, 2011

Something Free For You

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I have a little something special for you
or a special something for someone else.
It will only take a little stitching time,
an expensive jar, and a special treat.
This idea came from this inspiration
piece in my collection.  I found this
wonderful "vintage" jar at a fantastic
antique store in Ruckersville, Virginia.
You really must go if ever in the area.  It
is fantastic.  In the middle of no where
really, but well worth the trip.
Here is my interpretation.   I made these in
all colors for the different reasons to have
goodies around, Christmas, Halloween,
Easter, Valentine's Day etc.  Such a fun project.
"Goodies Jar Wrap"



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"Many Merry Stitches",
Sandra