Chrismas Crafting

I know, I've been so neglectful this week, but I had a legitimate reason. My poor little Lola has been battling a bad tooth and we finally had to take her to the vet. Needless to say, OMP has been comforting Lola and me for the past week. Not a fun job. So, forgive me for being a little lost but Lola is doing better, I'm wonderful and OMP is exhausted. Now then....let's get to crafting!

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I completely go overboard with decorating, baking and spreading cheer. This year, I decided to add an extra special element. PINK AND GLITTER!

My first project was an ornament wreath that I had been dying to make for years. My good friend, Tara, gave me a bag of pink ornaments and I finally broke down and made that wreath.

I wasn't satisfied with just a sparkly pink wreath. I decided to make some bottle brush trees. I dyed them and killed them with glitter.



Putting them both together with my pink tree....HEAVEN!


I couldn't just stop there and decided to make garland out of recycled ornaments. Check out the video!


Finally, the tree with the garland I made last year.


Yep, the Christmas crafting bomb pretty much exploded at Casa de Pedersen and I couldn't be happier. 

Open Letter to Hallmark Channel

Dear Hallmark Channel,

Why, oh why do you create TV movies that you know will make me cry? Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.  You know what you are doing. Sure, your form is exactly the same, but I can't help crying each time you show it! . Boy and girl meet, there is some sort of problem  (the town Santa is retiring, their childhood memory is being torn down, a lost dog), they will fight and finally, they will end up together, in love and saving the town, Santa and the dog.

Even your animation makes me cry! Jingle All the Way...YOU LEFT A PUPPY OUT IN THE SNOW! Who does that? How is that a children's story? Sure, the puppy ends up just fine but for the first 25 minutes, you have me sobbing about a a stop motion animated puppy. You realize, you're killing me...right?

And then, last year, you bring out the big guns...Sam Elliott. It's like your little band of writers got together and said, "Let's see what will drive Pam right over that edge." Not only do you show Sam Elliott being absolutely wonderful but you throw in a little girl dying of cancer. Really Hallmark? Really? Sam Elliott and a little girl dying from cancer-you have just gone too far.

Now, I know I am doing a lot of complaining, and yes, I can turn the channel but the truth is, I love these movies. I want to live in that small Hallmark town that is free of all hate, helps eachother out and has Sam Elliott living in it. I love that you renew my faith in Christmas. I love that I get to have a good cry and in the end, the good guy wins and lessons are learned.

So, Hallmark Channel, with your well written formula, it may seem like I want you to change, but in reality, I'm asking for more. More people falling in love, more bad guys learning the true meaning of Christmas and more "B" movie actors renewing their careers. You keep churning them out, I'll keep watching.

Your biggest fan,

Pam

PS-just no more puppies in snow, okay? It took OMP days to calm me down from that one.

PPS-I really think Martha should invite me to be on her show. I am an excellent crafter. Can you make it on the day that everyone gets a free ipad. I really want one. Thanks!

Feel Good Friday

 Thank you Simply Cumorah!

I can't believe I made it to Friday! YAHOO! I'm getting my December groove on!

You've heard of Santa, right? Well what about Panta? LimeRiot over at Craftster.org created this adorable Panta with candy cane bamboo. If she wasn't so adorable herself, I would dislike her immensely but she is so nice and sweet, I just can't do it. Check out her blog too, lots of great stuff over there!

I think everyone knows how much I love baking, I just wish I could decorate cookies like they can over at Oh Sugar Events. I was drawn in by the Christmas Story Cookies but when I saw the Elf cookies, I about fell over. Don't even get me started on KISS. 

 These lockets from Khara Ledonne are so wonderful and whimsy. She also does custom orders. Swoon! I'm in love! 

Look everyone! It's Grumpus, the other reindeer! He's here to spread his Christmas joy!

Well, I am off to finish decorating Casa de Pedersen. I'm so excited! This time of year is definitely my favorite!

Christmas is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.

~Dale Evans

Tie One On Tuesday

Remember when it was totally acceptable to give your neighbor, coworker or boss a bottle of alcohol for Christmas? I remember my parents going to the liquor store and buying a nice bottle of whiskey for our neighbor every year. I wonder why people don't do that anymore. How did we get away from the prestige of home bars to drinking our wine out of jelly glasses? (it's not hip or ironic-it's kind of embarrassing) I say we bring back the pageantry of the home bar with these little goodies.

Remember that neighbor I was just talking about? The one that loved whiskey? Well, for the whiskey lover in your life, why not surprise them with these whiskey stones. The stones are non porous soapstone that you put in the freezer then pop in your glass. The wonderful thing about these stones is that it won't diffuse the whiskey. The last sip across your lips will taste just as sweet as the first.


I swear by the Rabbit corkscrew. It is the best invention in the world of wine. A good one can be a bit expensive but trust me, it is worth it.

When I found these handpainted pilsner and martini glasses, I squealed with delight. They are SOOO cool. I would never drink out of them but how great are they for a conversation piece in your homebar.

These are just a few ideas for your bar loving, whiskey swigging friends and family. Turn up that Dean Martin Christmas album, shake that cocktail and serve up your best holiday cheer. It's time to bring back the holiday happy hour.

Helping Hank

 Normally, Mondays are my movie days with you but this Monday is all about Hank and how you can help him for the next few hours (until midnight tonight).

I am stealing this from my friend Krissi's blog page so you will have the 411 on Hank.

To all my friends who love animals (as well as music and lifting heavy things)...Allyson Seconds was my first trainer at BodyTribe and she rescues animals. In fact, she was late to our first session because she was rescuing a squirrel. Her most recent rescue (that I know of) is Hank, a very sweet black lab whom she has had for about a year. He has come down with Leptospirosis, and has had some vet bills this past week that are tough for Al to handle. Her other dog, Lulu (also a rescue) had two vet incidents this month too, and Al makes her living making music and making people strong, so her financies are limited. There are a couple of ways to help. You can buy something (and support a local artist) from Krissi Sandvik through Monday, or donate directly to Al via PayPal. See both options here: http://krissisandvik.blogspot.com/2011/11/hank-dog-and-sale-update.html

Just think of it, you can get some great art and help a great cause! How cool would you be? People dig kind hearts. It's true. As an added bonus, if you help, I'll give you a hug next time I see you. That should be incentive right there. A hug and helping out. They might make you a saint.

Remember, you have until midnight tonight, so get on it!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Happy Thanksgiving to all of my wonderful family and friends. Without you, I would be nothing.  I am so thankful for all aspects of my life, even the rough spots-for without those, would I truly know the meaning of life,the meaning of friendship and the meaning of a smile? I don't think so. Just in this year, I have been through so much, both happiness and sadness, triumph and tragedy and the one thing that has remained constant is love. When it comes to the end of the day, and I count my blessing, I count each of you, for all of you are a blessing in my life, a giggle across my lips and a warmth that surrounds me.

Much love, peace and lots and lots of pie on this holiday. I hope your belly is full of yummy goodness and your heart heavy with the abundance of happiness.

31 More Days!

Oh my GAWWWDDDDD! 31 more days! I can't believe it! Now,  I'm not gonna get into the whole Black Friday thing because really, do you need to get up early to get that glow in the dark chia pet? No you do not! You need to get online and support your indie artist!

One of my favorite saucy stitchy artist is Schnidermania. She is sweet and yet very naughty! What a combo! Her pillows are just stunning.  Guess what? She also just launched a new line of hankies. Did I hear you squeal with delight? I thought so! (there are a few NSFW images, so it might not be a great idea to have your six year old on your lap while cruising around)

I would love to give this one up but you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hand. Can you figure out what it says? Hee hee!

My friend over at Bubble Off Plumb Production Inc. rocks my socks! She makes creepy zombie teeth, voodoo varmints and cute dog collar cozies. I really think I need to get the pups some collar cozies. They are reversible and washable, which is good if you have a drooler. Don't you want your pup to be stylin' and profilin', if you said no,  then what kind of parent are you. Shame on you! I demand that you go and buy a cozie now-your dog demands it.

Don't have a dog, then get a voodoo varmint to ward off what ails ya. Right now, I think I need this.

So, skip those big box stores and support your local and indie artist and shops. It will add lots of goodness to your karma bank. Can you really buy this kind of love at Walmart-I didn't think so.