Leaping dances were strictly for the men.  These dances were meant for fertility as well as for war, and were to rile up the men for battle to create some kind of mental exhilaration.
During medieval Christmas feasts, folk dancers leapt higher and higher into the air as the music from pipers and drummers became more and more intense. One of the most enjoyable Christmas ‘leaping’ performances of today is The Nutcracker.  
To send a gift of performers was a guarantee of holiday merriment.  Now, I can assure you that you would not want to have the Homespun Hearth staff show up on your doorstep and start to leap in the air … but, we do suspect that you probably do some of your own leaping when you receive a package from Homespun Hearth.  Ladies and Gentlemen … arm yourselves!

Today receive $25 Instant Cash on  your $75 order!  Simply Enter Code XRF25 to receive your Instant Savings!
Offer valid 12/21-22 through 11:59pm EST

Nine Ladies Dancing

Through the ages and to this day, one of the customs of mid-winter holidays is the lighting of bonfires, ceremonial dancing around the blazing circle, and the singing of heartfelt songs. The round dance, originally a “carole,” survived early religious attempts to associate it with evil and deviltry.

After the Middle Ages, the same dance took other forms, such as the waltz and the jig, and is still enjoyed by many during holiday seasons.    Sending nine dancing ladies to amuse one’s true love was one more promise of happiness and joy.  It may be a bit of a shock to have 9 ladies come suddenly dancing through your home, but we hope that you all will be dancing at your own happiness and joy!

Today and Tomorrow — All Orders over $5 will receive a FREE Quilts N More Winter 2011 Magazine with your order … Automatically! 

Eight Maids a Milking

In the 18th century, to ask a girl, or maiden, to “come-a-milking” was more or less a proposal of marriage.  (Boy, we sure have come a long way!  I can only imagine the size of those bruises on his shins!).

For those not intending to marry, to send a gift of eight cows each with a milkmaid more likely meant that the recipient would be able to enjoy an abundance of fresh dairy for the making of custards, curds and soured milk dishes, and especially cheeses during the holiday feasts (or perhaps the giver was thinking these wonderful goodies would come his way…??).

Well, I think that a gift of 8 elves would be appropriate right now!  While we can’t send 8 elves to each of you, we do have elves waiting here for your beck and call!   And, the elves are giving out Mystery Discount to all orders today and tomorrow!   Use code MYS84TTR to get your discount!    Have fun!

Today – Bonus – Save 40% on All In-Stock Magazines!  Click Here for the Selection 

Seven Swans a Singing:

Finally, the last of the bird!  In some ancient myths, lost loved ones were believed to have been transformed into swans, whose migrations were symbolic of the journeys of lost souls.  Swans have also been heraldic emblems of heroism and royalty in Britain for centuries.  Therefore, a gift of seven live swans showed that the giver had a majestic regard for the recipient.

King Edward of England, in 1304 took his vows of knighthood over two white swans decorated with gold nets and crowns.  Since then, the swan became associated with royalty; and having swans was strictly exclusive to the monarchy.  In Britain today, the swan is still considered a symbol of royalty.

As we have shown before, you are all royal to us .. .and what better way to pass on our feelings than to grant you the ‘flight’ of the swan … today and tomorrow only (in honor of National Free Shipping Day), we are offering Free US Shipping on All Orders.   Nothing special to do … just place your orders while the shipping is free!

Six Geese a Laying:

Yes, more birds!   In the 18th century, no other bird was considered more proper for Christmas dinner than the goose. A gift of six geese would have been exceedingly generous and testimony of the giver’s deep affection. (And we think Thanksgiving left-overs last and last!)…

Now, you all know how deep our affection is for you, right? But, no matter how true, I’m thinking that six geese and their offspring would make a terrible racket, would aggressively chase everyone around the house, and would scatter their feathers even deeper than those Christmas Tree Needles!  What a mess!

Instead, why don’t you let your friends know how ‘Sweet’ they are by giving them a Notion’s Armour Scissor & Rotary Cutter Set!   Today save $2 on the set … and you may need one for yourself, too!   Click here for the Armour

Again, “fowl” play!  Just when you thought we’d moved away from Partridges, Turtle Doves, French Hens, and ‘Calling’ Black Birds, we find that the ‘Glorious’ Five Golden Rings, sadly, are NOT jewelry!   Instead, these triumphant rings are the ring bands on the necks of pheasants!

In past centuries, owning, hunting and dining on pheasant was a privilege reserved only for royalty. Five pheasant, whether eaten or not, were a truly generous gift.  And, while we think of you, our royal customers as deserving of such, we do believe that you might find 5 pheasants a bit overwhelming in your yard…. and that yards of fabric in lots of quarters is a much more magnanimous gift, at least for you and your quilting friends!

So, today we are offering one of our favorites…. any 5 Fat Quarters … for just $10!   That’s a huge savings on these Singles, and not something we do often.   There is a limit of 30 Fat Quarters per customer, but hurry in because some are limited.   Be sure to enter code 12Day5 to receive your savings!   Click Here for the Fat Quarters A-La-Carte!   Please note — no free FQ per dozen with this savings.

Now, while blackbird pie may be a frippery for some, we would bet that our Homespun Hearth customers would much prefer to see blackbirds that are stitched in place … especially by somebody else.  So, today you get to choose what’s on sale for you on all of our gift items – all made up and ready to go!     Today choose 3 different Gift Items … and receive 40% off Each One!  Simply enter code 12Day4 to receive your discount!   Click Here for the Gifts

Today and Tomorrow (December 6 & 7), save 20% on all Lighting … from tweezers to seam rippers and sew much more!  Enter Code 12Day3  Click Here for the Lighting!

Two Turtle Doves:
Did you know that in Christian art, the Turtle Dove is a symbol of purity, and more commonly doves are a symbol of love, faithfulness, and devotion?  Even the chariot of Venus, the mythological goddess of love, was drawn by doves!  While a gift of turtle doves suggested the giver’s romantic intentions, we’re thinking your favorite friends may really like some practical gifts … chosen with their needs in mind.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I love the idea of magnified AND lighted tweezers!  These are great stocking stuffers, too!

Go on a Reindeer Romp Today! Featuring Laurel Burch Holiday Celebration fabrics, these are available Exclusively at Homespun Hearth. The Table Runner measures 19″ x 56″ and the Wallhanging is 56″ square. Both designs are available in 3 Striking colorways! They will go together in a Snap, so they are perfect hostess gifts, quick Christmas decor, and something for a special friend.

Save on Hooking Frames… Today and Tomorrow we are offering 10% off all Hooking Frames – these take about 2 weeks to ship, so order yours today! Use Coupon Code FRAME15 to receive your discount.
Savings valid through 12/5/2011 11:59 EST – Product Code must begin with “ZN-K” to be valid.   Click Here for the Hooking Frames

The Twelve Days of Christmas have various representations, from cultural, social, political to religious meanings, with fertility as a common theme in most of the items?   Please join us as we meander through this traditional song with some fun little bits of information we hope you will enjoy!

A Partridge in a Pear Tree:
Now, folklore claims that a young maiden is suppose to walk around a pear tree three times on Christmas Morning – backwards!  Then, she gazes into the branches, where she would see the image of her future husband.  My only question to this is, is she supposed to marry a partridge?

Well, we don’t want you getting too dizzy on Christmas morning, or any other time for that matter, so we are going to help you make some EASY decisions this year.  So, we are starting out with a ‘ $2 Savings on Every Yard of Fabric!’  Enter Code DecFab2 to Receive your Discount.   Minimum Cut – 1 yard  Click Here for the Fabrics! !   Perhaps if you look hard enough at them, you may see an image of your smiling husband because you  saved so much!