Pacific Coastal Inspiration...

     Earlier this year, My husband, Bob, and I took a much needed mini vacation to the coast. Specifically, Monterey, California. Here are some photos of Mother Nature's beauty that inspired my "Sand-tastic Summer" designs...enjoy!

The deep aqua in the center of the wave was the inspiration for the color of the crystals I chose to use in my Vintage Mother-of-Pearl Button Scissor Fobs and Earrings...

Hearing the waves crash against the coastal rocks made me think of all the broken shells used to make Mother of Pearl Buttons... 

 

                                          Such grace...

I'm guessing that they named this for me?

 

 

Morning (Left)

     Evening (Right)

 

Peace....and more of that deep aqua!

Military Emblems - Needlepoint Canvases

 Sandy Grossman-Morris Designs 
         NeeDLePoiNT & MoRe!

✶ 

Stitching  memories!
CUSTOM NEEDLEPOINT

 A military emblem that is framed, made into a pillow top or a hanging
ornament is destined to become an everlasting heirloom. We will put your customer's loved one's military emblem on needlepoint canvas.
 

The canvas above is the emblem of my granddaughter Savannah's Air Force Basic
Training Flight, and will be finished as a Christmas Ornament. As she progresses
through her military career, I will continue to add to her collection.  

 Emblem Ornaments are fast and easy to stitch and finish...order yours today!
Please note that highly detailed emblems are not suitable for ornaments as they
lose too much detail in the resizing.  They are more appropriate for framing,
pillow inserts, etc.. 

 All designs are available on #13, #14 or #18 canvas.

Visit my website!  

www.sandygrossman-morris.com

Crib Sheets

We have a new baby arriving very soon in our family, so today found me turning a double fitted sheet into 2 crib sheets.  It was a lucky find....a cute Pooh print sheet, new, at a local thrift shop. For those in the know, a double size fitted sheet is exactly twice the size of a crib sheet.  

DiReCTioNS FoR MaKiNG A CRiB SHeeT

Fabric:  45" x 70"

48" of 3/8" elastic

thread to match

sewing machine, scissors, ruler

ease level: lots simpler than it looks

cost: less than store bought

time required: 30 minutes to an hour, depending on skill level. 

note: it took me just under 30 minutes to make both sheets, but I used my serger and it's a speed demon...6,000 stitches per minute! 

#1. Cut fabric and elastic to size.

Since I used a double sheet, I first cut in half, 

from side to side.(NOT LENGTHWISE!!!) 

You'll want the top half for one crib sheet and the bottom half for the second crib sheet. 

 Yup, with some prints it might make the  sheet look like it is on sideways, 

but with the sheet that I am working with, it's not a problem. 

#2.  Remove existing elastic if you are using a double sheet, as I did in this project.

Skip this if you are using regular fabric. 

#3 Cut a 9" x 9" Square from each corner

note:  if using a double sheet, you can leave the 2 corners that have already been sewn.  You will only cut 2 corners.

#4:  Take 

The MacBoo Brothers....

3 Scottish Ghosts add a bit of highland cheer to your Autumn Festivities. They are 9.5" to 10.5" tall. 

Maxx has a plaid vest and Tedd sports a kilt.  On #18 canvas.  

A Stitch Guide is included with each canvas. 

SFD012-P  Tedd   SFD013-K  Fredd   SFD014-P  Maxx

Available at your local needlepoint shop.  

Visit my website to view canvases.

If you are unable to purchase these canvases at a nearby shop, 

they can be purchased online: 

CLICK HERE

Note: It's best to purchase the MacBoo's at a shop, as they have threads and fibers needed to complete these projects.  The online shop carries canvases only.  However, you may have fibers and such in your stash that you may wish to use.  

Fredd                                 

Maxx

Tedd

Barrel Garden

This is my Barrel Garden. I have 15 half barrels that reside on a bed of rock. There is a special mat beneath the rock so that weeds don't grow.The garden is on timed watering, which is very helpful. I rotate my crops each season and I remove some soil and replace with new top soil every other year.

As you can see, I've still got a bit of my winter lettuce still growing, and I have an established rosemary bush . I've planted nearly all of the other barrels, except for 2, which I need to pick up more seeds for. These barrels are on the east side of the house, so I plant the tomatoes on the west side for more sun. The barrels get plenty of sun until early afternoon, so nothing gets scorched in the hot Brentwood summer sun. And the tomatoes get lots of hot sun on the other side. I'm planting sugar peas and green beans along the back fence (to the south), with little marigolds in front of them. 


I also give all of my plants a healthy dose of Miracle Grow every so often. The barrel garden looks great all year long, so the yard doesn't look shabby at all. The garden is about 6 years old. 

Autumn in Spring?

Ok....I know that this is Springtime, but I just had to share my new Needlepoint Design.  Besides, ordering this canvas now will give you lots of time to complete it before there's frost on the pumpkin!  And, the good news is, the night sconce and stitch guide are included with the canvas!

This is a fun project to stitch, as it incorporates the use of hardware embellishments, needle weaving, french knots and plaid.  Don't worry!  The stitch guide will lead you through the process.

Available!  on April 7th,   you can pre-order now purchase this design at your favorite needle point shop.  CLICK HERE to locate a shop that carries my designs.

Can't fine a shop that carries this design? CLICK HERE to purchase it online.  You can pre-order it now.

Visit my website

Military Emblems - Needlepoint Canvases

  Sandy Grossman-Morris Designs 
NeeDLePoiNT and MoRe!
✶ 

Stitching  memories!
CUSTOM NEEDLEPOINT

 A military emblem that is framed, made into a pillow top or a hanging
ornament is destined to become an everlasting heirloom. We will put your customer's loved one's military emblem on needlepoint canvas.
 

The canvas above is the emblem of my granddaughter Savannah's Air Force Basic
Training Flight, and will be finished as a Christmas Ornament. As she progresses
through her military career, I will continue to add to her collection.  

 Emblem Ornaments are fast and easy to stitch and finish...order yours today!
Please note that highly detailed emblems are not suitable for ornaments as they
lose too much detail in the resizing.  They are more appropriate for framing,
pillow inserts, etc.. 

 All designs are available on #13, #14 or #18 canvas.

Visit my website!  

www.sandygrossman-morris.com

Beach Buggy

 

Needlepoint Photo Frame!

For those of you not familiar with these type of frames, after stitching the canvas, remove the "windshield". Be sure to leave enough to turn under.  I'll include the directions for making a frame in a future blog.  

Please visit my website for more canvases....

www.sandygrossman-morris.com

From My Little Corner of the World~Sandy 

Personalized Needlepoint - CRZPL8Z!

Just off my drawing board....

A full sized (12" x 9") personalized needlepoint canvas!

This one's heading to:

 Quail Run Needlepoint Shop 

Mercado del Lago Shopping Center

8320 North Hayden Road,  Suite C112

Scottsdale, AZ  85258

800-635-9750

Stop by or contact this shop to order your very own 

personalized 

needlepoint "license plate"

All states, plus D.C. Available. 

I can even do many vintage plates for hot rods and such.

These "license plates" can be framed with a real license plate frame, or made into a pillow.  Ask your favorite needlepoint shop to place your order with me, or contact me to be put in touch with a shop that will be happy to process your order. 

Great gift for someone with a new car, a vintage car or hot rod, a new driver, college bound students...

How about a pillow to match their "real" plate? 

Here's another one that went out recently:

This one went to:

Stitches By The Bay

380 Foam Street

Monterey, CA  93940

831-373-5518

Contact Colleen to place an order!

MeeT MiSS VioLeT!

♥ Miss Violet ♥

 My NeWeST NeeDLePoiNT DeSiGn!

At 18" Long, this stocking is roomy enough for your favorite Valentine 

confections,  gifts to treasure and many fond memories, year-after-year.

Available on #13 or #18 Canvas

I had so much fun designing Miss Violet! From the toe of 
her granny boot to the strands of pearls, the sprinkling of African 
Violets, a few sweets and on up to the vintage valentines.  I was true 
to my signature squiggly stocking shape and, of course, the toe faces to
our right.  Only my Halloween Stockings face to our left!

This Needlepoint Canvas is now available through needlepoint shops. If your fav shop doesn't have this design, please ask 
them to contact me!

For a list of shops nationwide that carry my designs

click here

Choo Choo Cookies

Last NIght we attended grandson Max's Christmas Program. Max is in PreSchool and I made these Choo Choo for him to share at the after party. Each Christmas Season, I make them for our neighbors and they are always a hit.


Gingerbread never tasted so good!  Here's the recipe....skootch on down the page to see how they get built...

GiNGeRBReaD CooKieS

Prep: about 30 minutes

Chill: 3 Hours or so

Bake: 5-6 minutes 

Oven: 375〫F

Makes 3-4 dozen small/medium cookies or 15 large train cookies

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg

1 tablespoon vinegar

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 

1 recipe of Powered Sugar Icing

assorted candies as desired... for these, I used candy Spearmint Leaves, Red & Green M & M's

Please Note:  I use my heavy duty KitchenAid Mixer as this is a very dense dough. It mixes all of the dough, without having to add any by hand. Just be sure to switch to the bread dough kneader when adding the flour!

1. In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, & cloves.  Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in molasses, egg, & vinegar until combined.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.  Divide dough in half. Cover and chill dough (I put the dough in larger zip-lock bags) 

about 3 hours or so.

2.  Lightly grease cookie sheets and set aside.  On a lightly floured surface (I use a hugh plastic cutting board for this part), roll half of the dough at a time until 1/8 inch thick,  Using a cookie cuter, cut into desired shapes.  Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheet. I cook 1 sheet at a time in the center of the oven. 

3. Bake in a 375〫oven for 5-6 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.  If desired, decorate cookies with Powdered Sugar Icing & Candies.  ENJOY!

  PoWeReD SuGaR ICiNG  

Start to Finish: 10 minutes

Makes: 1/2 cup

1 cup sifted powered sugar

1/4 teaspoon pure almond flavoring

2-3 tablespoons milk  

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, almond flavoring & milk.  Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach spreadable consistency.  

Note:  You may substitute Vanilla flavoring, for the Almond flavoring if desired. 

Gather Ingredients....

Mixing, Mixing, Mixing. 

The Mighty KitchenAid at work....Lovin' My Power Tools

 Divide and Conquer!

Then, off to do a bit of Chillin' in the Fridge.

After chilling, roll out to about 1/8" and cut your shapes. 

Don't be a slow poke, you do not want unchilled dough!

Out of the oven and stacked, after cooling on wire racks.

Choo Choo's decorated with Icing, Spearmint leaves

 (cut in half, so that they are not so thick),

& red and green M& M's.

 Holiday Express!

All Wrapped up in cello bags and tagged for the Big Event!

Merry Christmas from Max!

compliments of his Nana