All My Bags Are Packed...

... or so I think! After a few packing and re-packing, I finally settled as to what to put in my luggages. I can't remember how many times I had to dig and compress the stuffs as I wanna maximize the space. Below are the luggages I'll take with me, 2 check-in and a carry-on plus of course a purse for my gadgets and stitching books. Unfortunately, my notebook quit on me recently so I decided to just have it repaired when I get back.

DH was craving for steak yesterday... while he was grilling, I was busy in the garden picking as much veggies as I can to preserve one last time. I'm sure they'll be all gone when I get back. My asparagus beans or string beans (sitaw in tagalog) just started to bloom a couple weeks back and yesterday was my first harvest. My eggplants and okra are still blooming really good as well, not to mention our peppers are overflowing again. I picked more than 20 eggplants, mostly japanese kinds, but the lavender touch and satin beauty are all huge. I took a photo while holding a satin beauty to show how big they are. We didn't get tomatoes this years as much as the previous years but we have more than enough to eat. DH friend drop by today so we gave some to him earlier.

I wish I have "ampalaya" so I can cook "pinakbet", but I can't find one here unless I'll go in Des Moines. The daredevil peppers or "siling labuyo" went right away on my datu puti "suka" or vinegar that's why they're not in the picture below. I have way too much habanero this year so I told DH we may not need to plant them next year, same goes for jalapeno. These were preserved yesterday and are now frozen.Look at these eggplants! I got them from one plant only... I think the said plant alone gave me more than 50 eggplants already... seriously, they stemmed and bloomed a lot. As I mentioned before, DH polinated them as we don't have much bees. Oh and notice the leaves on the background, can't deny it's fall already!

Here's what we had for lunch yesterday... this is DH's plate. We still have some left-over potatoes from MIL so I fried the biggest piece with olive oil, white onion and herbs.

After DH got done grilling, I grilled my eggplants and preserved most of them. Saved a couple and made eggplant omelet for supper... just for me as DH doesn't eat eggplants. Just in case some of you are curious, I peeled each eggplant after grilling. These are also yummy in "ensalada" (with "bagoong isda" as sauce or dressing), and was supposed to make some but I was too full yesterday that I neglected the idea... not to mention I want my "ensalada" to have yums young leaves ("talbos ng kamote"). MIL used to plant yums in her garden but was unlucky in the last couple of years so she decided not to plant this year.

I hope it's not yet too cold when I get back and can still have some fresh veggies from our garden, though I have to cross my fingers on that.

Have a great first Fall Sunday everybody!

Halloween/Autumn Exchange For Laura

This is the first time I participated on a Halloween Exchange and I love it. Jen organized it for FIT Group and my partner is Laura. I mailed her package the other day and was recieved today. That was fast ha! I hope you enjoy your smalls Laura.

I have to admit I don't have much patterns for Halloween but I was sure glad I found some Prairie Schooler (which is one of Laura's fave designer) patterns in my stash... the Owl Ornament and Cat Pinkeep. When my 2009 JCS magazine Halloween issue arrived in the mail, I immediately stitched Knotted Tree Needlearts' "Happy Jack" as Laura like pumpkins too.

2009 Halloween/Autumn Exchange for Laura

I can barely recall the stash I put in the package so I grabbed one of the photo Laura shared in the group earlier.

The Extra Goodies: Scissors, Beaded Fob, Ribbon,

Needles, Fabric, Charms, and Googly Eyes

There's another exchange from another group on its way to the recipient but has to travel overseas. I may not be able to participate on an exchange till next year as I have some deadlines to finish till December.

I hope everybody's having agreat stitching weekend!

The Liz Logelin Foundation

This is not a craft related thing but I thought it's worth to share as it's for a good cause. I may not be able to update my blog for a while while attending personal matters so I wanna share with you one of the outstanding blogs I have ever encountered.

I became one of the many silent readers of Matt & Madeline's blog since I saw them on Rachel Ray show. Liz (wife of Matt & mom of Maddy) died 27 hours after giving birth to Maddy... The foundation was formed with a main goal:

"where other widows and widowers can offer – and be offered – support and friendship."

If you want to cry, laugh, and be inspired at the same time, check out their blog and Liz Foundation.

Happy reading!

Open Theme MA From MW Of Malaysia

Aw organized an Open Theme MA for NNC Group and MW happens to be my (sender) partner. I recieved it on Monday, and was mailed as is. As expected with MW's lovelt and neat works, this MA is no exception. Some of the stitching in the main motifs were stitched "one over one", such a tedious work. Per MW's advise, the quaker motif is a freebie from this link.

Open Theme MA from NNC Group

Stitched by MW of Malaysia

Thanks so much for this wonderful MA MA... and many many thanks for all the lovely stash you included. I can't wait to use them in my upcoming projects. If only I can stitch as fast as I can think of a new idea. So many projects, so little time!

Have a wonderful stitching day everybody!

Majesty Set And Some Beadworks

I can believe it's been weeks since the last time I updated my blog. Been busy on other things as some of you already know. Most of these jewelries were finished last week, some of them weeks ago, but unable to post them right away as I was busy packing for my trip. I used the beads Joanne (of Malaysia) sent me, the garnet chips I got from the State Fair, and potato freshwater pearls from my stash. Thanks again Joanne! I really love this kind of seed beads as they have multiple lovely shades that can be incorporated in a lot of colors.

The technique used for all these jewelries is spiral weaving only, another "no-brainer stitch". I was about to give peyote a rest but then I had to make a big tube to attach the encrusted pendant later on. Yes, I will use one of my signature encrusted pendant on the Majesty Set though it's still in progress. This set is my favorite among my recent beadworks. I might change the silver grapes and leaves clasp into a beaded loop & ball but will leave it as is for now. I have to buy more beads similar to what Joanne's sent me.

Majesty Set - Beadworks by Lody

Note: Encrusted pendant to be attached later

Majesty Set, Bracelets and Earrings

(Sorry for the blurry photo, will have to replace it sometime)

Three members of the family (my in-laws) had their birthdays this month, and the gathering were all done at Aunt R's house in Marshalltown. They were of course another great gatherings.

I'm sorting some stitching stuffs to take with me on my upcoming trip though I have to admit, my luggages are full. I might have to remove some of the packed stuffs, one way or the other, I won't travel without my crafts. I'm planning to take some encrusting materials too.

Will share some stitching works some other time as they were not recieved yet by the recipients. Hope everybody's having a great stitching week!