Tie One On Tuesday

Welcome to another episode of Tie One On Tuesday, where we give you helpful hints on how to get respectfully sauced. With it being the Christmas season and all, I thought I would take a look at one of my favorite books written just for the season. “Merry Kitschmas, The Ultimate Holiday book” written by Michael Conway back in 2004 and published by Chronicle Books, is a treasure trove of Christmas Tacky wrapped in a bow flavored cover.

There is a whole chapter on unusual drinky drinks and I am going to share a couple with you now.

First off: Rudolph the Rehab Reindeers Nose

Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar

3 oz. Sparkling Wine

1 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. Orange Flavored Vodka

Pinch of Granulated Sugar

Maraschino Cherry

Take a Champagne flute and rim it with the powdered sugar, carefully combine the Wine, Cointreau, Vodka and granulated sugar into glass. Drop your cherry into the bottom and the result is one drunk member of the Deer family!

Next up: The Sugar Plum Fairy

Ingredients:

2 oz. Citrus Vodka

1/2 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. lemon juice (fresh squeezed of course)

splash of cranberry juice

Now – there is a whole crafty segment regarding the presentation of the beverage before you make it, so we are kind of tying all this back to the original main theme of this here blog.

You need:

hot glue gun

mini ballerina cake decoration

pink swizzle stick

Pink straw

small strip of Pink tulle

rubber band

Take your hot glue gun and glue the ballerina to the swizzle stick, insert the swizzle stick into the pink straw and set aside.

Making the drink:

Take a Collins glass and put it in the freezer to chill. In a blender, combine the vodka, Cointreau, lemon and cranberry juice with ice and 2 tsp sugar. Blend until it is a frothy pink slush. Remove your glass from the freeze &  rim it with sugar. Take your tulle and the rubber band and fashion a small tutu for the glass. Pour in your beverage and top with your Ballerina and there you have it. Crafts and booze all in one!!

Just a couple of fun recipes from this crazy book, AND you can pick it up relatively cheap at a local or online bookstore near you! Bottoms up and until next time, leave the driving to Santa!

 

Feel Good Friday!

Greaseball (mascot to the Steven's airport) 1943

Here I am flying off to San Francisco for Bizarre Bizaare but I thought before I got on the plane, I would give ya a little bit of Feel Good Friday, cause ya know, I'm nice like that. Yeah, it's true!

Do the holidays have you in a crunch and you're not sure what you're gonna make for that special someone? Well then, you need to check out  Sew Lovely Embroidery on Etsy. Their patterns are SO COOL! From Pin up girls to spacemen, they have you covered. The coolest thing, they won't set you back a pretty penny and you have a totally kick ass pattern to stitch up. I'm currently working on a spacemen but I can't wait to stitch the cowgirls, cause they are adorable! The detail is amazing.

I love advent calendars. This was stitched up by gnatlaiet. Check out how Santa goes through the house depending on the day. Isn't it just about the cutest thing ever?

Speaking of super cool-have you guys seen the Hand Embroidery Network yet? It's an online community promoting hand and contemporary hand embroidery. There is a community forum, tutorials and even an online magazine-Needles.I could spend hours and hours there-just don't tell my boss!

 

I also want to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah (December 12th). Hanukkah- A tradition of freedom, courage, and peace. A time of renewed faith and hope. Have a Joyous Celebration.

This is for my friend Casey, cause it makes her happy-and me too.

 Have a great weekend everybody-I'll be back on track Monday.

As I grow to understand life less and less,
I learn to love it more and more.
Jules Renard

It's a Major Award

Giggly Mama aka Shannon nominated me for a Beautiful Blogger. Isn't she the sweetest? Thanks Shannon! So, here's the deal!


The rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated me for this award. (done and done!)
2) Copy the award & place it on my blog. (hee hee...Major award)
3) Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4) Tell us 7 interesting things about yourself.
5) Nominate 7 bloggers.
6) Post links to the 7 blogs I nominate.


Here's Shannon's blog-she's super cool-if you read later next week, you'll find out why.

7 Bloggers...only 7?
1. Always Inspired
2.Feeling Stitchy
3. Posie Gets Cozy
4. Sew It's For You
5. Average Jane Crafter
6. Oh Merci!
7. doe-c-doe


7 Interesting things about myself
1. I love Lucha Libre
2. I create silly DIY craft videos
3. I'm childless by choice although I do have 3 furry children that keep me busy
4. I want to one day own a farm and rescue small dogs.
5. I drive a huge grandpa car that was given to me by my late father in law and I love it. She was originally the cream puff but I renamed her Betty.
6.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas and Christmas music and all things cheesy that go along with it.
7. I am a bath person and not a fan of showers.

Who Wears The Pants?

Sometimes a person comes along that you just know instantly you are going to be friends. This is what happen when I met Amanda. She is a smart, sassy and a  knock down beautiful woman that can stitch like nobody's business. Once you find out more about her, you will want to be her friend too cause, yeah, she is just that cool.

Who is the real Amanda Panda Pants?
I am a relatively happy lady with a goofy personality
that can be a bit assertive, obnoxious and aggressive(this is
how the "Pants" of my moniker came about) at times. I love
music (currently British Rock), reading, and watching
movies, although right now I am deep into Season 1 of
Arrested Development. I also talk too much :)

Your embroidery is AMAZING! What or who inspires you?
Thank you!! I find inspiration EVERYWHERE!!! I
recently saw some posters at work that were an art deco
style and I thought "Hmmm I wonder where I can get some of
those so I can turn them into a embroidery pattern?"

A lot of my Flickr friends inspire me; Kunderwood, Penny
Nickels, Johhny Murder, Porterness, Bookwormbethie, Early
Bird Special, Jenny Hart, Bascom Houge, Mr. X Stitch,
Beefranck, Kromo - Threadstar, Themisstrest, Knottyknitty,
Giggly Mama, Follow the White Bunny, Georgia McDonald,
Allthestuffilike, Sewsew-a-gogo, Laura Hartrich, Badbird,
Snarkypants, Floresita, Glazedangel101, Sewitsforyou,
Lovestitches, Rachel McKay, Katiekutthroat, Claudia Marchan,
Ohsweetie, Karina Ascencio, Mimilove Forever, Ruby0042,
Jenni Waterloo, Moster8me, Ritapizza, Doe-c-Doe, Barncat1
and of course you Ms. Kittykill............really the list
goes on and on.

I feel inspired by all embroidery that I see on Flickr, and
what a great community the embroidery crowd is! Someone is
always willing to share methods, where to buy supplies,
share new books and vintage patterns. I truly feel like
you guys are my friends, even though we haven't met in
person.

I am also inspired a lot by print ads that I see in
magazines or images that catch my eye on the internet. Lord
Shiva was inspired by some clip art I stumbled into on the
net.

I think I love everything you do but do you have a favorite piece of embroidery?
Oooooh, this is a toughy. I think the one that truly stands out for me is the Thom Yorke piece. This is where I
saw my embroidery markedly improve. All the comments I got on Flickr cosigned the pride I felt.

Do you have any advice for the masses?
Just go for it. Don't worry about making mistakes, it
takes time to get it right. Always remember that it's about
having fun! Embroidery gives me a sense of freedom. I can
express myself and make something that is distinctively
mine, even if I am using a pattern developed by someone
else.

I saw that you like antiques and vintage finds. Do you collect anything?
I LOVE vintage anything! I am like a Magpie, I just
collect indiscriminately :) I have a good collection of
Chuck All Stars, purses and classic movies going at the
moment. I am currently having a love affair with earrings
from Target :)

I just saw a picture of your family and can I tell you they are BEAUTIFUL! What's their secret ? ;)
Goodness!!! Thank you so much :) Well I
am not sure what the secret is. My mom and dad are just
flat out cute good looking people. My sister was born
beautiful, she has the smoothest skin I have ever seen! I
call her brown alabaster :) For me I use A LOT of Vasaline.
I am of the school that moisturizer is key. I refuse to
wear makeup (I somehow manage to get it all over my clothes)
so I take great strides in making sure my skin looks the
best it can.

And you thought I was making the cool part up! Told you so! I simply adore Amanda. I'm betting her laugh is as infectious as her smile. I'm so glad that I can call her my friend.  Watch out for more of her amazing embroidery on Flickr. She will not disappoint.

Tie One On Tuesday

I want to give a big highball glass up to those waitresses in the sky, those ladies and gents who keep us filled with half glasses of soda and snack mix. I'm talking about a little salute to the flight attendants of the airways.

Now before you say, "Pam, I detect a little hint of sarcasm in your voice." I say, "au contrare", anyone who can put up with 70+ screaming demanding people and serve up a great cocktail while walking backwards in pumps, is okay me with me and although a lot of them I have run into lately have lost their passion for their job, they still deserve kudos.

So, what does an awesome Replacements song, flight attendants and cocktails have in common, well, I'm getting to that. One of the best, if not THE BEST Bloody Mary I have EVER had in my life has been on a plane. I'm not sure what they put in it, but brother, let me tell you. It is mighty fine! So, the next time you are on a flight and want a nice cocktail to ease your nerves and give you your daily dose of veggies, order a Bloody Mary-you will be pleasantly surprised.

Now, let's say you're not a Bloody Mary kind of person. That's cool, cause a lot of airlines now have their own "signature" drink. Alaska Airline has a special tiki cocktail for those going to Hawaii. It has fresh guava and mango juice in it and sounds so yummy. I bet if you ask real nice, they would give you an umbrella.  Mexican Airline has their very own mixologist coming up with new cocktails as we speak. Currently, you can get a Mai Tai, a pomegranate martini or their drink of choice-sweet turbulence (I have a feeling after a few of these, it's what you head will be doing)

Okay, you're not going to Hawaii or Mexico-you're just heading to San Francisco (cause I am this weekend-stop by the Craftster booth and say hello) well, if you fly Horizon they have local wines and beers for your tasting and they are free! I was so happy to have a wonderful Oregon Pinot last time I flew with them and as an added bonus-they give you yummy cookies.

If cocktails aren't your thing-a lot of airlines are offering specialty sodas now. Alaska offers Jones soda to their passengers.Other specialty airlines offer the local flavor soda.

Wherever you are going and no matter what airline you are flying-you can wet your whistle with yummy cocktails. Just remember, as always-moderation. We all want you to get to your final destination safe and sound. I will be back next week with some sensational cocktails for your holiday pleasure.

I'll be right back!

Hi everybody!
I'm just checking in to let you know that I'm still here and around! I am in Chicago right now for Renegade Craft Show with Craftster and I'll be in San Francisco next weekend for Bizarre Bizaare. So....posting will be a little spotting for the next week or so, but never fear-I'll be back in full force with drinky drinks and lots of goodies!


Take care!

Feeling Stitchy with Floresita

Floresita is one sassy, crafty lady! So many of us in the embroidery/needlework world would not be friends if it wasn't for her. She has brought a group of amazing talented people together and help us create a stitchy world. Let me tell you, she is crazy talented herself! Every piece she does, her personality really shines through. It's like she is giving you a big hug with every stitch she does.

Who is the real Floresita?
The real Floresita is snarky, goofy, nerdy, irritable, crafty, creative, bookish, easily bored, and quite shy. Mostly, she sits in comfortable chairs and goofs off. A LOT.

How did you start Feeling Stitchy and what is on the horizon for the site?
I started up Feeling Stitchy as an offshoot of the Flickr Embroidery group - we recruited a great group of bloggers (who totally volunteer their time, and rock, I might add) and blog on whatever we like. Mostly I limit myself to pointing out awesome stuff that catches my eye in the pool and being a general dorkwad.

In terms of future plans - more bloggers! More contests, maybe monthly themes. When it's right and it fits, maybe some ads, but I'm trying my hardest to keep us ad-free for now.

 I love all your vintage patterns, where do you find them and do you have a favorite?
I found all of my patterns on Ebay - my favorites, hands-down are the Vogarts. So kitschy cute, weird, and slightly creepy! Also, I've had wonderful strangers, out of nowhere, just mail me their collections. My collecting has slowed down lately, but I really recommend the Hoop Love pool on Flickr - there is so much awesomeness there.

Any advice for the masses?
Do what you love to do, all the time, and don't be afraid to share it with the people around you. That's advice to me, because I'm very private with a lot of my endeavors, but blogging has shown me that there are SO many people who "get" and love those things you do and make, even the weird crap that you make and think, "Uh, no one but me is gonna get this." :) Take chances, don't limit yourself, have faith in yourself, and use every opportunity to get to know people, to be generous, and to have fun.

Who or what inspires you?
Oh geez - I'm inspired by so much. Squirrels inspire me, and sparrows. I love their tenacity,
how they're both brown, dull-colored little things with so much life and pluck and energy. Flickr inspires me, all the people I've met and follow online - Jenny Hart, Craft, Craftster. Any movie about a weirdo, freak, or someone who doesn't fit in is usually up my alley. Music rocks my world and is a huge part of my life. God inspires me. Life inspires me. You inspire me!!! :)

Favorite food:
Panang curry beef (and any Thai food I can get my hands on)
Least favorite food:
White wedding cake (you know with the super-sweet frosting - yech!)

I don't have to tell you but I adore Floresita. She is one amazing woman! Her outlook on life, her kindness really can not be compared. I am so blessed to call her my friend and my inspiration. I can't wait for the next chapter n her adventures. Thank you Flor-for being such a wonderful mentor and friend to so many.