Oh WOW!

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

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

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?

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

http://www.psiquilt.com/

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

International Quilt Festival

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

 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!