Friday WIP (Work In Progress)

Aside from staring at my workspace the whole afternoon, I decided to motivate myself by making today my official Work in Progress Photo Day. The philosophy being I can take the photo and clean (I also thought of clean-up Day but it didn't sound as exciting). I am busy most of the week with school and Fridays, Sundays and Mondays are my days off so I have to manage it somehow.

I began the Irish knitting kit last night and plan on making the cardigan version (just so I can use the authentic wooden buttons! haha):

Overall I am still on track, and I am loving doing cables. Luckily mommy had taught me how to do them when she was here so I wasn't totally lost on the pattern. In a few more rows it starts working on a popcorn pattern that doesn't seem that attractive to me so I am debating about that. Maybe for the sleeves.

And the other project that I have been working on is a miniature knitted bunny for a keychain:

It has yet to be finished and I have started on making a white version of it too. This is my little train project as well. It's perfect because the needles are thin and short so I can stick it in my bag without taking much space. Which brings me to my next project of making a "train kit" pouch so it will be even more convenient to carry. Ahhhhh so many projects hahaha. It's what keeps me going after the whole week of writting papers and taking tests.

This craft blog really brings a smile to my face because it reminds me of all the things my mother makes and gets into. If we could have blogged it all (15 years worth) we would probably really see how nuts we are! But I now so excited to go back home because mom called and said that they finally have internet connection in the ranch! That is modern technology for you! Times certainly have changed.

Thrifting to cure the Flu

Ryan has been sick the past few days (he says it only happens once every 5 years) and so the house has been pretty quiet. I have been taking medicine as well cause I cannot afford to miss any classes since it is midterms. So far so good. On my walk home home from the train yesterday I saw him on the road and so I hitched a ride to go with him on his errands. And ofcourse he asked if we could pass by the Salvation Army on the way home. Thrifting always makes him feel better (and I always find something worth adding to my clutter). But yesterday was a beautiful day for I found these:

A grab bag filled with buttons, iron-on interfacings, bias tape and zippers:

An "Authentic" Irish Design knitting kit "right down to the wooden buttons":

Another grab bag filled with yarn (which luckily matched some of the yarns mommy got):

And I know I said I hated the look of platic for the teeny backyard, but I couldn't resist him:

And all that for less than $10.00 (even if I convert that to Philippine Pesos, that is still a bargain!). I am going to miss thrifting here...But who knows what the ukay-ukay will uncover! I thank God for all the wonderful people who donate to the Salvation Army.

A Thai Halloween

Joe's Halloween dinner was a success! We had Thai skewered chicken with fragrant (and hot!) ginger-turmeric rice and a side of samosas.

I had school that day and didn't get home till around 6:30 at which I already saw the neighborhood kiddies trick or treating. Ryan and I had forgotten to go buy candy so I was in a bit of a frazzled state! Apparently when you don't want to give candy you just turn your outside light off, so that we did. Very terrible neighbors we are! And next year I will not be here to ammend such an act, still I hope this house will be more active in such matters next time.

The Gwen Dress

Holloween is always an exciting time for costumes and can be quite costly for something you'll only wear once. So this year, I sewed my own costume. I started out with $6.00 worth of materials from Wal-Mart. And worked for 6 hours straight to turn this:

Into this (modeled by Blair):

It's "inspired" by Gwen Stefani's Louis Vuitton dress from the 2004 Video Music Awards :-) I had fun making it!!!! I started out trying to create a pattern for the top, then I realized I had so little time (I made it on the day of the party I attended) that I started just "winging it". The top fit perfectly so I was feeling good. For the skirt, I did make a pattern, and man! when i tried to fit it it wouldn't fit my hips!!! So I added more cloth to it, and 20 minutes before we had to leave for the party it got finished. I put it on and it was soooo looosse!!! On with the safety pins and off we go! Well, it could have been done way better, but I am just happy that the top fit well because that would have been a BIG problem if that was the one that was loose! Hehhe. I wonder "Who Wore It Best?" Blair or Gwen. Hahhahaha.

JoeCooks

Joe and Blair were over for the weekend and Joe cooked up a marvelous dinner which he didn't know what to call! It was stuffed mushrooms with angel hair pasta and it was yummy.

We love having these two over as they are so chill and enjoy food as much as we do :-). And the house is always open for anyone who wants to practice their culinary skills. No problem!

Tomorrow Joe and Blair are coming over for Halloween Dinner and I am excited to see what the results are again! We will also talk about our planned road trip for Thanksgiving break, and decided where we want to go (we have gone together to San Luis Obispo before and that was fun!). Joe is the king of trips (a few months ago they were in Thailand) and aside from showing us cool sites to book cheap airfare and cheap accomodations, we get to hear about remote destinations like Bhutan (his next trip). So I trust him to plan this trip, which from the last conversation is verging towards Sedona and the Grand Canyons. Wherever it will be, I know it will be a wonderful time. And one day, their next trip will be to the Philippines :-) The Land of the morning and child of the sun returning (I never figured out what that meant!! Hahhaahha).

Mushrooms stuffed with cream cheese, spinach and a secret ingredient then rolled in crumbs:

The meal comes together with angel hair pasta and parmesan:

And the next day, Joe made this for breakfast:

Can't wait for tomorrow!

The Lil Backyard Project

Our little "backyard" is constantly under renovation (like everything else around here) and presently it is coming together just fine.

They had to change our backdoor a few months ago and I thought the old door was too beautiful to throw out! As for the green chair, well, Ryan and I were on our way home from Goodwill last month and saw it by the side of the road. Ohhhh I couldn't resist! Along with the benches and table I had my neighbor Steve make awhile back, a few sacks of the cheapest red Lava rocks, cheap red stone flooring, my neighbor Kelly's bougonvillas and "rustic" tools, this little hideaway is slowly taking shape.

Next step is put some plants, organize our recycling bins, make a tablecloth and long seat cushions. I really do not like the look of plastic, and as of the moment our recycling bins are made of such so I am looking out for some wooden crates or barrels next time we go thrifting (or road-sighting!). Ahhh I love small spaces! So much fun.

New Home.

And I have made the move! Well, to a new blog at least. I am quite excited with this blog because it shall just be all about creations, creating and daily inspirations. May this blog inspire and grow to something utterly beautiful. Peace. Love. Dream. Welcome!