Sassy Lilacs

Oh WOW!

2013-06-17T12:59:00.001-07:00

Oh me, oh my! I haven't posted anything in two years! My poor little blog. I have been quite busy, but things seem to be calming down and getting into a rythym. I was hired to teach fifth grade two years ago and last year I taught fourth grade, which I will be teaching again this year...if everything goes as planned. I have barely sewed anything in two years, a few stockings and a thing here and there, but nothing significant. I have been busily sewing the last few weeks and I am excited to be getting back into the groove of things.

By the Way

2011-01-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

On top of everything else, I was hoping that three weeks of winter break would have been just that, a break. IT WAS NOT! We had over 20 people at our house for Christmas and I ruined the $200 prime rib, my Grandma Roberta passed away just before Christmas and her service was the Monday after...I did NO sewing. Cry, Cry, Cry!!!!

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

2011-01-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, i don't know how people keep up with everything in their lives. I finally finished Donna's purse, all I need is the binding on my crazy tree skirt that will get used Christmas 2011, I haven't finished the diaper bag for my friend who had her sweet baby girl last month, and blah, blah, blah. That is how I feel. I feel like I can't be a great teacher, a great wife and mother, a great seamstress, a great housekeeper all at one time. I wish my house was clean all the time and when I got home from work, I could make dinner, clean up, play with my kids and sew a little, but unfortunately life doesn't work that way, does it? Some of these blogging ladies make it seem like it does and I feel inadequate.

I was ready to throw away my Brother sewing machine the other day. My mother bought herself a new Janome...a Lexus in the sewing world, and I wanted to have that machine that day. My Brother has been sewing so weird and there was no way I was going to continue sewing a beautiful diaper bag for a perfectionist with weird stitching, so I stopped. Luckily, my mom came over and took it all apart and cleaned it (apparently you are supposed to do that because a) lint collects in the feed bed and b) I live in the Central Valley with a ridiculous amount of dust. It is working just fine now! Thanks Mom!

After I quit the diaper bag for the time being, I started a quilt kit that I got in Long Beach at the Quilt Festival from the Pincushion Boutique. I'll post pictures when I am finished. I love it so far!

Phew! Holiday's already?

2010-11-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

As you can see, I have been a very busy lady. I started a long term sub position at a local high school in September. I am one of the Special Education teachers on campus. I am also going to school (again) to get my credential. Its been a lot of work on top of everything else. I haven't had much time to sew. I did get my machine out last weekend and sewed till I could not sew anymore! I was able to finish the quilt top for my dad's Christmas present. It is really weird looking and I hate it, but he will like it. Now I just need to make a walker bag, a diaper bag, finish Donna's purse, my new tree skirt, and make a bunch of stuff to sell at the craft fair at St. Annes. Now you know why this is titled Phew! Oh, and we are going out of town tomorrow for the weekend. Maybe I will take my machine and finish my tree skirt at least.

Good bye for now!

PS I Quilt Sponsor Give Away

2010-07-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.psiquilt.com/

Go see what Rachel has in store for one lucky person at P.S. I Quilt!

International Quilt Festival

2010-07-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

I have returned from the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, California. It was such a blast and I met so many inspiring quilters and crafters. The add next to this posting in a class that I took Sunday morning with the author, Karin. She is from the UK and I could have listened to her talk all day! She was a wonderful teacher and I learned many tricks to make things go easier. I can't wait to take another class with her.

My own Sew Simple Logs! When I am done, the green will look like a star. Thanks for helping Karin!

Lumpia

2010-07-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

At the end of last year, a dear friend Jo, showed me how to make lumpia. It is a Filipino spring roll and it is my favorite. I have had several different types of lumpia over the years, but hers was the best. She learned from her mother, Grandma Eala how to make them. Here is what you will need.

1. "Menlo" egg roll wrappers, thawed
2. 2 bags of shredded cabbage
3. 1 bag of shredded carrots
4. 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
5. Salt and pepper to taste
6. oil
7. one egg white, beaten

Optional (add one or all):
1. finely chopped snow peas
2. 1 pound of ground pork or chicken
3. cooked baby shrimp, chopped
4. 1/2 package of pancit noodles (clear)
5. 1 bunch of green onions, finely sliced

I like to use everything I have listed. With that said, here we go!

Cook the pork in a large pot. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Add the cabbage, carrots, onions, snow peas, noodles, and shrimp. When the carrots are soft, transfer mixture onto a large cookie sheet. Leave at an angle so that the liquid will drain away. When mixture has cooled enough that it is comfortable to handle with your fingers, you are ready to roll.
Have the egg white in a small bowl and set up your area the way you would like it. Usually, I have the mixture to my left, the wrappers and egg white in front of me as well as a plate to roll on, and to my right I have a container to place the wrapped lumpia in. You will need two damp paper towels to leave over the wrappers and the lumpia so they don't dry out.
Follow the directions on how to fold that are found on the back of the wrappers. Try to wrap as tightly as possible. I usually only put about 2 tablespoons of the mixture on each wrapper. Use a dab of egg white to keep each wrapper closed.
When done wrapping, you make freeze or start to fry. I like to add about 4 inches of oil into a pot. you can also use a deep fryer. Heat the oil to 350ºF. Drop the lumpia, one at a time into the oil. When lumpia is golden brown, remove and place on paper towels.
Serve with sweet chili sauce (found in the Asian section of the grocery store). Enjoy!

2010-07-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hi. Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I'm getting used to all of this! I have been busy sewing though. I created my fisrt bag without a pattern or directions a few weeks ago. The lady that ordered it showed me a picture of what she liked and told me what she wanted that was different and I did it! It came out just the way she wanted it.
I am waiting for a fabric order to come in and I will begin a diaper bag for an old friend, Tammie. She is having a baby boy in a few months and couldn't find anything she liked. I am hoping that I will have that done by July 31st. The day of her baby shower.

Here is my bag that I made to take to the International Quilt Show. This is also the design that I am making for Tammie's diaper bag.I made this purse in record time. A lady was visiting a friend and saw a purse I made for her. She wanted one of her own. She was going home to Tennessee in a few days though. She bought the fabric she wanted and I had it ready for her the day she was leaving! I have a handmade purse in Tennessee! This purse I made for my mom's neighbor, Donna. This is the purse that the lady from Tennessee saw and just had to have.This is the flower I made for my quilting bag.

My mom and I are going to the International Quilt Show in Long Beach this week as well. We'll be gone for four days. We're taking several classes to learn new skills. We are so excited!

Busy, busy, busy

2010-05-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

I have been busy sewing for the last week. Last night I made a fabric flower and this morning I decided to make it into a hair clippie!

I also made this tote bag. My mother and I are attending the International Quilt Show in Long Beach this summer and I needed a large bag to take all my supplies in. We are taking a few quilting classes while we are there as well.

School is almost out!

2010-05-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! There is less than 20 days left of school and I cannot wait! I've been in a first grade classroom for the last few days and will continue to be in that clasroom until Friday. I went to bed at seven last night I was so tired! These kids are crazy!

I finished a purse for my friend Donna. She picked out the fabric months ago at the Cotton Ball in Morro Bay. I finally had the extra time to complete it. I added a fabric flower that she can take on and off as she pleases.

My mom, the kids and I were in Seattle this weekend for my cousin Devon's wedding. To the dismay of my son, John, we found a fabric store in Pike Place Market and spent aobut an hour there. I got out of there spending less than thirty dollars, but I could have spend much, much more if I had it! The shob is called Undercover Quilters. It was fabulous and the owners were so nice. Someday, I hope to go back.

This summer I hope to sew a lot. I spent a small fortune on fabric this year and need to get stuff made. Quilts, purses and whatever else I can think of. My mom and I are going to the International Quilt Show in Long Beach. We are signed up to take several classes. We have a hotel with a view of the harbor and are looking forward to a mother/daughter trip.

New Goal in Life:

Open my own fabric store in this sad little town where the only place to get fabric is Wal-Mart!

Miss Madi Faye

2010-04-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

My beautiful niece, Madi Faye...

Amish White Bread

2010-04-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

I made the most fabulous, fresh bread on Wednesday. I thought I should share the recipe with everyone who just might read this. I will be making more this weekend and I will post some pictures. I found this recipe at allrecipes.com

Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast (a little more than two packets)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour (I used regular flour)

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.

Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Your house will smell so good. My family loves this bread toasted with butter and cinnamon and sugar. YUMMY!

2010-04-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

I can't wait to get this quilt book. I love old quilts, but would love to make them with modern fabrics.

Is it summer time yet? I need the extra time to quilt.

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

2010-04-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my mom's 60's birthday. She is battling breast cancer and winning the fight. She has one more chemo treatment and then six weeks of radiation. She is the most positive person when it comes to this disease. She is the one who taught me how to sew. We love going to fabric shops together and picking out fabric for our new project.

GO MOM! I LOVE YOU!

p.s. i quilt: crayon roll tutorial.

2010-04-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

p.s. i quilt: crayon roll tutorial.

Crayon Roll

2010-04-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

I found a wonderful tutorial at http://www.psiquilt.com/ yesterday. I went home, started dinner and a batch of fresh bread, and started this project. It took me about two hours, this included stopping to knead and bake the bread. The hardest part for me was the binding. I need to perfect it. I've only done it once before and I didn't have pretty mitered corners. This one is far from perfect, but I'll make more. This one is for Chloe.