Feel Good Friday!

 Courtesy of Neil Van Neirkirk. Please check out his site and other pictures.

Whew! Am I ever glad Friday is here. Seriously guys! I am ready for some relaxation this weekend!

I've been hearing about snow all around my neck of the woods, of course in my area I just see rain. C'mon snow gods! Show me some love! I'm not asking for a blizzard, just one little flake.

Maybe if I ask Iamdesigns' winter queen for some snow she will grant me one little snowflake.

Hmph! That doesn't seem to be working either. Maybe I'll just head over to Martha's website and make my own snowflakes.

I think you know the real reason I want it to snow. How cute would I look in the coat? I may even need to get Lola and Jujube a matching one.

Well, it doesn't look like my wishing for snow is going to work, so I guess I will just have to head up to Mt. Hood and get my fix and by fix I mean, sit at Timberline Lodge, drink some hot chocolate and watch it snow. Have a fab weekend no matter what you do-I hope it includes some form of chocolate, snuggling and cute red coats.

PS-Silencer, the Christmas dog came from lowes.com

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

~GustoNYC

A Little Stitching Cheer

It's been awhile since I've posted any patterns and I thought the holiday season would be the perfect time. These would go great on guest towels or as ornaments.

I posted these awhile back, but they are so cute, they need to be revisted.

38 More Days!

Only 38 more days until Christmas! AGGGGGHHHHHHH! I'm not ready!

I have featured RackyRoad several times before but I just can't help going back to her over and over again. She makes the best stuff EVER! She just put up some Christmas tins and I know I need that circus elephant.  He's carrying a present! The cuteness is killing me! You better get your order in before I do!

Let me tell you why I love Krissi aka Skelekitty so much. 1-Hello! She's adorable! 2- Three words...Jack Russell Terrier. 3-She makes great art! Her artwork incorporates vibrant colors with Day of the Dead images. She does custom work but you can also get one of her awesome pendants or prints to satisfy your Skelekitty needs.

Goodness me! Aren't these ladies just FAB-U-LOUS? Seriously! I'll take one of everything please! I better get my shopping on before all the goodies are gone.

Tie One On Tuesday

Oh my sweet babes! My modem went out last week and I have been without the internet for a few days. While I'm sure in the long run, it's a good thing, in the short run, I was having withdraws! To celebrate my new modem and Pete's first beach trip (which will be discussed at a later date) I give you celebration cocktails!

First to celebrate Pete's beach trip, I give you the Jagged Reef. Have you ever been to the Oregon coast? It's not a beach, it's a coast... jagged, harsh coast. People say you can swim in the ocean and OMP surfed there when he was YMP(young man Pedersen), but I don't buy it.  Anyhoo....here's the Jagged Reef and it's much better than the cold Oregon ocean.


Jagged Reef
1 ounce gin
1/2 ounce Cointreau
dash of bitters
a dash of blue Curaçao
scoop of vanilla ice cream
Add ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake it like a Polaroid picture and serve!    

While trying to figure out why and how my modem died, I finally resorted to making a game of it. Every time the tech person told me to reboot my computer, I took a shot. Tech person, this is for you!

Tech Support Shot
1/2 ounce cognac
1/2 ounce raspberry vodka
splash of grenadine 
splash of red bull
Throw everything into a shot glass and bottoms up. Trust me, it will help you more than tech support could. (except for the tech support last night, they rocked my socks!-shout out to Veronica and Joe!)



Whew! So much celebrating can be exhausting! I need to sit down and rest, plus OMP is eating the last of the smoked salmon. I need to get in there before it's all gone! Bottoms up! 
 

Feel Good Friday!

Yahoo! It's Friday! Time for get my dancing shoes on! While I practice my tap dancing, enjoy these extra special feel goods.

I am in love with this idea! A big cross stitch for your walls? How fab is that? Jessica Decker rocks the oversized cross stitch! Check out her blog and shop for other amazing things.

And while we are on the subject of awesome blogs, InspireCo. has a great blog and they just came out with their online magazine for the season. I can not wait to check out all the beautiful crafts.

I wonder if they make this in a Jack Russell or Min Pin, aww...who cares, I still want one even if they don't.

Oh my goodness! Look at the time! I need to get out of here and enjoy the weekend! The leaves are just screaming at me to jump in! Can't you hear them....Pam! Jump in the pile! It will be fun! Have a great weekend, stay warm and cuddled up, unless the leaf pile is calling you too.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~Albert Camas

She's Crafty!

Man! Have I been busy crafting! For our Thanksgiving table I decoupaged these pumpkins. Check out the video.

And if that's not enough for you, I finished my Halloween sampler, granted it's a few weeks late, but really...isn't every day Halloween?

Now on to Christmas crafting...let the glitter fly!

45 More Shopping Days

Are you panicking yet? 45 more shopping days until Christmas! Now I know what you are thinking, "Pam, it's not even Thanksgiving yet-give me a break." Well my little vittles, you need to get on it now if you want to order from your favorite artist and get your package in enough time.


Each Wednesday, I will be featuring my favorite artist and their shops just for you. Think of me as your personal shopper.

If you have ever been on Craftster, then you know Helen's work. Her mosiacs and glass pieces are absolutely breathtaking! Well guess what-she's opened up a shop and now you can purchase your very own piece of artwork. Check out her shop HRSGriffin. There are different price ranges so everyone can enjoy her work.

This has to be one of my favorite pieces from her. Head over there now, while you still have time! I'm sure everything will go fast!

Speaking of wonderful glass pieces, Lily Loves Bernie has some great rose pendants that are too die for. If that's not your thing, check out her excellent selection of vintage clothing. She has it all! You know you need a new dress for that Office Christmas party!

Are you drooling yet? Want to do something good for the economy and not buy at those big stores? Well, check out these two amazingly talented ladies!

Don't forget to stay tune for next week's installment and see what lovely treasures I have for you!

Kiss the Cook

Wanna know what I love, I mean besides OMP and the pups and of course all of you? I love cooking and baking. I've just "discovered" it and I absolutely love it and I must say, I'm pretty good at it. There is nothing better than a home cooked meal, unless it's a home cooked meal with a home cooked movie.

One of my favorite cooking movies also happens to be an excellent Christmas movie. Christmas in Connecticut stars Barbara Stanwyck as a journalist who claims that she can cook, farm and be the perfect housewife. In reality, she is single, can cook to save her soul and doesn't even know what a farm looks like. This movie is light hearted and perfect for a first date movie night. Watching this movie will definitely break the ice when you come clean about your own cooking skills.

Did I ever tell you how much I love Johnny Depp? ME-OW! Chocolat is one of my favorite Johnny Depp movies. It's romantic, inspiring, beautiful and I can literally smell the chocolate Juliette Binoche cooks up. A single mother, Johnny Depp, chocolate. Oh, I think you know where this one goes.

Babette's Feast is wonderful. It was originally a story in a women's magazine in the 1950's. It is a story of beauty, giving and love. Set in a small remote town in Denmark, two sisters live with their elderly father and take in Babette. Sharing her good fortune with others, Babette decides to make a feast for her friends. Warmth abounds in this breathtaking film.

These yummy movies will warm your heart and soul as that fabulous dish you created warms your belly.

PS-if your baking plans involve cookies, I'm a really good test taster!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Dinner time is a special time at Casa de Pedersen, let's take a look....




That little black blur jumping, that's the man around town, Pete. I'm pretty sure he missed his calling as a circus pup.

A Very Special Feel Good Friday

Today is a very special day for me. Five years ago I married my hero, my knight in shining armor, the notorious OMP. We have been through a lot of highs and lows in our marriage, but we have managed to hold eachother, rely on our love and kick adversity's butt! I can not imagine a single day without OMP. I cherish every ounce of him (especially that cute butt!).

Thank you, Mark, for making my life complete, for loving me unconditionally and giving me a life that is only possible in fairytales. I will now and forever, remain your dear wife.

I'm Still Standing!

Wanna know what chaps my hide? Sand...HA HA HA! I am so funny, but seriously, what chaps my hide is work and life getting in the way of me spending time with you! I haven't forgotten about everyone, really, I haven't!


Work has been kicking my butt and not in the good way. I come home and I just want to sit and eat left over Halloween candy. What? Don't judge!

Speaking of Halloween, I had a fantastic time at not one, but two parties! Oh yeah! I was a tightrope walker and OMP was a Mexican wrestler, in his casual attire. That tutu and hat, it's never coming off, I am going to wear it for every occasion. 

Now don't fret and think that I'm going away! I have lots more in store for you over the coming months. Just buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Feel Good Friday!

BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Scary Halloween Friday to you! Are you ready to get out there and get your spook on? I know I am!

Lacerslife did an awesome job on this Halloween Princess bag. It has the right combo of cute and saucy...hmmm...like someone else I know. You should also check out her Halloween banner-it is super spooky cool!

Whenever I'm at work and I feel like blowing the day off and kicking back to watch a scary movie online, I check out The Monsterclub (check out their facebook page-they have links to movies). I've featured these guys before, but I think you need a reminder of their awesomeness! Movies, old radio shows and great pictures are waiting for you.

A few years ago, I participated in a Halloween Swap with Racky from RackyRoad. She made me this kitty. Well, now you can have your own Halloween kitty or elephant or circus altoid tin. Racky's work is hauntingly beautiful and wildly vintage. I love everything in her shop and as an added bonus, she makes a mean cosmo (or so I've heard).

Picture via crestedcrazy

Someone's ready for Halloween!

Yahoo! Halloween weekend! Gonna get my costume on and do some early trick or treating! Have a great weekend all my guys and ghouls! Watch out for those things that go bump in the night!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Yahoo! Pete just helped me pick a winner and that person is....


CUPCAKE CATIE! Yahoo! Whoot! Whoot!

Now, before everyone gets all sad that they didn't win, never fear, cause I'm cleaning out my embroidery and there will be more giveaways in the coming weeks.


Thanks to everyone who entered and CupcakeCatie, if you could email me your address, I will get that embroidery out to ya.

Rocktober Rules!

What makes a good horror movie even better? I'll tell ya-Rock and Roll baby! Oh yeah! Tuning up my spooky air guitar!

This first one is from my teenage years, when I was a disgruntled punk rocker.  I had the soundtrack when I was  young and thought I was so tough, playing it on my cassette player. What? It was cool! Don't judge! Anyhoo, The Return of the Living Dead is over the top, gory and down right silly. It's chocked full of ridiculous giggles and slimy zombies. I don't think I really need to explain the story...chemicals....dead coming back to life...brains...yadda, yadda, yadda.. This movie is not for family viewing but if you are having a few friends over and don't want anything too scary-check it out. The Damned, 45 Grave and The Cramps lend their funky lyrics to this awesome soundtrack.

Speaking of not judging, this next movie is so bad. I just know OMP is going to say, "Really Pam? I don't think I can be seen in public with you anymore." Just for the record, he will be seen with me and he will love it! Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, my next bad pick. KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park is so awful but it has KISS in it! I can't help it! It's KISS! This was a television movie in which KISS must use their super powers to fight off an evil inventor and save the world. I know, I know...it's bad, but it's KISS!

How many of you grew up in the 80's? How many of you had a crush on almost all the cuties from The Lost Boys? Don't lie, you know you did and you were always wondering why Jami Gertz got to hang with the hotties, I mean, you were much cuter than her with your mall claw bangs and LA Gear shoes! Lost Boys, just like the ones mentioned above, had an excellent soundtrack with the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen and INXS. The best part about this vampire movie (besides the cute vampires) was that they weren't all "poor me....I sparkle,"  they were rough and tough and had style. The icing on the cake was this movie had the Coreys in it. 1980's heaven, baby!

Whether you are shredding your axe or wielding it, these movies are for you! They will get your fist pumping  and bring a giggle or two. Rock on my spooky little monsters!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

AGGGGGGHHHHHH! Run if you can! Close your eye! Gasp at the horror of the THREE LITTLE MONSTERS!!!!!!!! (da, da., DAAAAAAAAA)

You'll turn away in fright at the sight of FrankenPetey!

 
You will shake in your boots at the vicious snarling of WereLola!

You will laugh with delight at Jujube until she bites your neck and DRINKS YOUR BLOOD!

If you see any of these wild beasts in your area, give their mother your Halloween candy instantly! It's the only way to save yourself! No crappy old people's candy either-good stuff like whole chocolate bars! It's the ONLY WAY! 

Feel Good Friday!

 Oh yeah! Getting my Friday on! Spooky style! Whoop! Whoop!

This little Frankenstein cracks me up. He is so cute and his outfit totally reminds me of Granimals from the 70's. Remember those? You had to match up the animals to make an outfit. Anyhoo...my friend Crystal totally rocked this cross stitch!

Fighting zombies is really hard work, making dentures for them is even harder. They get all bitey. Bubble Off Plumb Productions aka Mistress T. did an excellent job uncovering these wonderful specimens. So creepy!

Do you watch those ghost hunting shows? I am a sucker for them. They are the most ridiculous thing out there but I just love them. When I can't get a fix on my TV, I check out The Shadowlands online. They have ghost recordings, stories and sightings of Bigfoot!

via retronaut.com

Oh my goodness! I'm shivering in my boots (mainly cause it's cold in my office). Time to get the fire going, warm up a little cider and finish getting the puppies' costumes ready. They just love trick or treating... Hope you have a fab weekend and enjoy that fall weather!

I'll bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.
~Author Unknown

You Could Be A Winner!

Oh my little babes! How I have missed you! I'm sure that you know I love all of you but mama sometimes has business to take care of and can't play. And for the record, I am not a fan of work at all. It gets in the way of me having fun. Oh, to have been born rich instead of beautiful. Le sigh....

To make it up to you, I am giving you a chance to win something that I just finished stitching up! This sampler is a vintage pattern (possibly 60's) and the lettering was stitched with hand dyed Japanese silk floss. I am in love with that floss.  As you can see, each season is represented and the entire piece is about 16-18 inches across and down.

Now, what do you have to do to win? Just leave a reply telling me your favorite season. That's it! I will pick a winner next Wednesday.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I'm going to level with you guys, the past couple of weeks has not been the best in Scrappy Dogland. Two of my favorite pups passed away and my heart has been a little heavy. Lately, it seems that all of my Scrappy Dog Sundays have been dedicated to sweet babes who needed to move on.


Butch was a scrappy before scrappy was cool! His sweet face and mastery at tug-o-war made him a legend around the dog park.

 He never met an enemy and loved to travel. He was on the go! (I'm suspecting there was some terrier in that little body, just a hunch)

He was spoiled, loved and over the top-isn't that the way all puppies should be?

Oh boy, my friend Olive, what can I say about her? She is quite the contrast to Butch. She is sophisticated, laid back and never met a nap she didn't like

Don't get me wrong, she loved to play too. She was a water dog, through and through.

But naps...that was her time to shine.

Whether romping around the states or just laying back on the couch, Olive did it with style and grace that only a silly black lab could.

I don't think we can ever explain the love for a pet. It is something you have to experience. It is overwhelming, frustrating, and maddening but also warm, unconditional and inspiring. It is feeling like no other and when you lose that, you really do have a hole in your heart. Both Butch and Olive will be missed but in their lifetime, they made us stronger, laugh louder and love more than we ever could before.