sometimes a girl just needs a cheeseburger.

I am not a marriage expert, obviously. BUT being in a relationship with someone for 13 years and married for almost 8, does give me some street cred, right?

I mean, he has dealt with me through two preganancies...that's a feat in itself.

I was reminded of a very important marriage secret this week and I thought I would share.

Matt and I don't really "hide" stuff from eachother. That would be dishonest and not a great foundation for marriage, so we try and avoid that.

However, every now and again I get this INSANE need for a cheeseburger. Not just ANY cheeseburger, but a Culver's single with cheese, ketchup, mustard and extra pickle:) It's SO good and makes me totally happy. I rarely feel guilty about it 'cause we eat well 96% of the time. Well, I do anyways;)

Matt doesn't really get cravings, but every now and again I will find sprinkles in the car....like multi colored sprinkles from a donut,  And I'm like, "where did these come from?" I didn't have a donut, I wish I did though!!! Turns out every now and again Matt stops on his way home from work and treats himself to some donuts, but he just didn't have the heart to tell me. And I'm like WHAT???

So the other night I said to him...."I am just so proud of you for not buying any take and bake pizzas this week!" AND he had this guilty look on his face. He went out to the garage freezer and brought in a mini one. GUILTY! Then he says to me, how was your culver's today? And I'm like, "How did you know?" and he's like, "I saw the bag you hid in the trash outside."

I'm like, "I wasn't HIDING it from you, I just didn't want you to know." hahaha

Moral of the story, sometimes, YOU DON'T NEED TO SAY A WORD. You know. They know. And it just doesn't matter. Let your spouse have their "secrets." It's best for everyone involved:)

six.

 

I am a couple of weeks behind (shocker!)

BUT, this little lady turned SIX!!!

Five was pretty awesome, but six is a little scary.

AND honestly, I am not a huge fan so far.

Hoping her growing pains subside soon and she gets back to "normal," whatever that means.

(WARNING...gonna get a little off topic)

That being said, I feel like I have come across SO many sad "kid" stories on the world wide web lately.

The kind of stories that leave you crying at your desk and speeding off to wherever your little ones are to pick them up and squeeze them and be grateful for them and NOT let them out of your sight.

And then I just feel guilty and my heart hurts.

I feel guilty for not listening to EVERY word they say. Guilty for cleaning or exercising or doing anything that takes me away from them. It probably sounds stupid, but some days it is just SO challenging to find a balance between encouraging them to occupy their own time and "being there" for them at every moment. I am not stupid, I know that it is unrealistic. AND it is SO important for them to trust other adults, BE with other adults and use their brains to play and explore on their own.

BUT, then I come across another story and the circle starts again. I should really stop reading these "stories" but it's like a car accident, you just have to look.

SO, back to alaina, the SIX year old.

She drives me bananas.

In a we are so much alike, butt heads all the time, who can be more stubborn kind of way.

and I LOVE HER SO MUCH.

She's my #1.

My first born, strong willed, independent, free thinking little stinker.

Thank GOD she was first. She has taught me so much over the last 6 years.

She is an amazing sister. Bridget ADORES her.

They fight, yell, scream and then hug, laugh, play.

I don't get it at all. I am an only child.

Apparently that's the way it works, or so I am told.

She blows my mind every day with her stories and songs and kindness.

She has a HUGE heart and genuine love for everyone.

She prefers to be the center of attention, but is learning that life doesn't always work that way....which is a very hard lesson to teach a kid of her kind. She challenges everyone in her life, but at the same time, the reward is ours to enjoy.

I am very much looking forward to SUMMER with this kiddo and her sister.

It's just gonna be GOOD.

(after too much birthday cake)

HUG YOUR BABIES, xoxo 

I made a little wall quilt.

 

For our main floor bathroom.

I am hoping not to say these words SO many times per day.

Do you think it will help?

One of the two kiddos can read...well, kind of:)

well, it happened.

my girls have become picky eaters, UGH!!

we have fallen victim to mac n' cheese and chicken nuggets. Something I said I would NEVER feed my kids.

 

Don't get me wrong, I am not a stickler on organic, free-range, perfect, idealistic food, BUT I do have expectations for what we are teaching our kids is healthy and I want them to make good choices as they get older.

 

I am also realistic....they are 2 and 5, they are NOT going to down a plate of broccolli and smile about it, but for goodness sake could they just choke down a veggie every now and again??

 

THE MAJOR PROBLEMS....

 

Bridget (age 2): She only likes cheese...aka...mac 'n cheese, cheese and crackers, grilled cheese, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, she also loves yogurt, almond milk and any kind of fruit. OH and crackers or chips or rice. Sometimes rotisserie chicken.

 

Alaina (age 5): same deal as above.

 

Me: I am not willing to spend 80 hours per week hiding healthy things in their food just so they get proper nutrients.

 

One of these days meat and veggies will taste good without 1/2C. of ranch dressing.

 

THE GOAL: Compile a list of fast, easy, kid friendly, healthy, sometimes meatless meals and snacks that we can ALL eat and enjoy. I have pinned 80 billion things on pinterest, but I am wondering....

 

WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO??? Please Share!!!

I did make these pancakes for breakfast with bananas and blueberries and EVERYONE ate it, WOW!!!

Off to wipe some noses and snuggle with my "sick-ish" kiddos:)

Best, Kristina

Right Now.

 

*I am very happy with the way the year is going so far.

*My focus on the word TOGETHER has been a complete success, granted we are only on day 15 of 2013:) BUT it's good to be positive! I need more family time, kid time, husband time and our efforts to make that happen are going well.

*Miss Bridget is OBSESSED with the color purple. 

* I am two days away from Lasik Eye Surgery= NO MORE GLASSES!

*We flip flopped the toy room and my "office" AGAIN, see HERE and HERE...I am currently pleading my case for a Loveseat, we'll see how long it takes for Matt to give in;) I VERY RARELY find furniture I REALLY like, so I am gonna stick this one out! I'll post pics once my vision comes to life:)

 

chat soon! kristina

holiday prep.

The girls and I started some Christmas decorating last weekend. Boy, have my expectations changed:) My main goal: Get as much done before the screaming, fighting and breaking begins, HA! They started out really well...Their (plastic) Nativity Set was a big hit from last year.

Bridget got dibs on that one while alaina started HER Christmas cards:)

The mantle is good enough...nothing fancy, just fast.

Stockings are hung! Bridget pulled one down on Sunday and ended up with a huge bump on her forehead from the heavy metal hanger.

Hopefully she won't do that again.

SOME of our Christmas Quilts:)

and a fun little blanket I stole from Mary's Goodwill donation bag.

I don't think I ever posted an "After Picture" of the secretary I painted.

Welp, here it is!!

Still missing some shelves and a drop down door, but I'll paint those in the Spring;)

Found this lovely barn wood sign at the Craft Boutique a couple of weeks ago, LOVE!

and we're pretty much ready for December!!

Next, we'll attempt the Christmas Tree:)

xo, Kristina

craft boutique.

 

 

 

 

What a FUN day! Saw lots of dear friends and met so many sweet people. If you are here from the Craft Boutique WELCOME!

Be sure and visit my FACEBOOK Page to stay connected!

For Custom Tooth Fairy Pillows or Pouches GO HERE!

OR feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks SO much for your support!

I look forward to working with you:)

all the best, kristina

 

p.s. THANKS to everyone who liked

Sew Domestic on FB-you rock, seriously!!

SD now on Facebook!

 "like" Sew Domestic on Facebook, Pretty Please:)

xo, kristina

holy moly it's NOVEMBER!!!

                                                                                          (before trick or treating) 

Hope you all had THE HAPPIEST HALLOWEEN!!

 

October was a little crazy in our neck of the woods. It went a little something like this: Started Patchwork Party at the shop, quick trip to vegas to spend some quality time with my mama, got sick, conferences, MEA break, lots of sewing:preparations for a craft boutique next month at our church, the pumpkin patch, back to Vegas with Matt for a much anticipated FIRST "kid free vacation!", two halloween parades, carved pumpkins and Halloween. Needless to say I am kinda happy it's November! However, I am blown away that this YEAR has gone so fast. I keep thinking each month we will slow down a bit but it just never happens. Either we need to make some changes or just accept that this IS LIFE, yikes!:) I need a nap;)

Anyways, here are a few pics from our adventures and stuff I've been up to...hope to see you before December, ha!! What have you guys been up to?? If anyone even still reads this blog;)

 

pumpkin patch

the hoover dam

halloween parade #1

custom tooth fairy pillow

custom small pouch

AFTER trick or treating...tired kiddos!!

 

xo, Kristina

and then she turned TWO.

I honestly cannot believe two years have passed since this sweet soul was born.

It seems like she just turned ONE.

Yet, she has done so much in her second year...

like, walking on Christmas Day

getting tubes in her ears,

trying to be like big sister

in more ways than one.

I was so concerned before she was born that I wouldn't know how to love a second child as much as the first. WOW! What a surprise that was. I have the deepest kind of love for these two munchkins. Any parent can attest to that. I am worrisome for their safety and proud of their accomplishments. BUT, Miss Bridget YOU are really something!! Kind hearted, sweet, vocal, polite, always concerned about alaina, smart, funny, observant, easy going.

Words cannot express the way you changed my world.

I LOVE you baby girl, you are an absolute gift.

Happy 2nd Birthday Bridget Kate!!

xoxo, mama

p.s. today we will cut your hair;)

working out the kinks.

whew! what a mess!!!

My Blog has been down for a couple of weeks and yesterday I FINALLY spoke with someone who could help me, woohoo!

Not that I have been blogging much this summer, but school started last week, so I was ready to go:)

Moving on...

We are settling into a NEW routine!! Alaina started Kindergarten, Bridget started a new daycare, Matt started a new assignment at work and I am at the shop more regularly. Its taken LOTS of planning and organizing, but we are working the kinks out!!

Here's what has helped our family so far:

1. Combine Schedules in ONE SPOT and attack each day as it comes. I have been doing a weekly schedule for meals and a DAILY FAMILY schedule for everyone (Erasable board from Target $9). It's kind of like a clean slate, literally...wipe it clean and start fresh daily! Every day is different for us, so it's nice to just focus on one day at a time!

 

I put all of Alaina's school stuff on one bulletin board (Target $15). That way we can look the night before and see what she needs for the next day....Lunch, gym class, return library books, bring snack, etc....I can see where this would get challenging for multiple school aged kids, but for us, at this time, it's working out great. I am on the hunt for a better entryway unit. Something with more storage so we don't just plop junk on top.

2. Plan ahead. Set out clothes, pack your gym bag, fill water bottles, pack leftovers for lunches. It's easier to make healthier choices for meals when you plan ahead....saves time AND money!

3. Have the kids stuff accessible to them.

Found the cute red bench at IKEA ($45) and the covered baskets at HOMEGOODS ($6.99 each). Each kid has a basket for their shoes and can get them on their own. Hooks are from PIER ONE and are hung low, so they can reach coats and backpacks. Our entryway closet isn't very big, so we have improvised on storage space.

I am really loving our new schedule, but with any transition comes challenges and these things have helped our family minimize those challenges. Hope it helps you too! What has been working for your family?? I'd love to hear!!

Best, Kristina

summa sewing.

 I am happy to report that my sewing machine and I are friends again! I haven't found much time this summer to spend with it, so it's pretty exciting to be back at it....creating, imagining, bringing ideas to life!

FINALLY got around to making Alaina her TOOTH FAIRY PILLOW.

This "mother of the year" only let her lose TWO teeth before making that happen;) Oh well, there's always next year! AND I am ready for tooth number THREE!

 

I haven't personalized it yet for two reasons...

#1. I didn't want to put her name on it in case I never

got around to making her sister one

AND

#2. I have an excellent solution, just hadn't implemented it yet and I wanted to show you the "kind of" finished project, HA!

Well, I made a BOY one too for a friend cause it was kinda FUN...

I am selling them on etsy if you want one!

 

Had a really great time developing a NEW Pattern for the SHOP!

iPad Cases!!!

I'll be teaching a CLASS at the shop on

November 3rd from 1pm-4pm

(that seems REALLY far away)

But it'll be here before we know it with the way this year is going!

Call to Register! #763.428.1952

You can make YOURS as simple or as elaborate as you'd like

SEE...

CUTE!!

Would make AWESOME Holiday Gifts

for teachers, coaches, friends & family!!

Can't wait to get started?

Get your pattern HERE!

 

How's your Summa Sewing coming along??

a nice quiet summer.

That was the plan anyways!!

No major commitments, just enjoy the family and get some stuff done around the house. Well, somehow the last month flew by and looking back at pictures it's easy to see why...

Alaina had her first dance recital:

We chopped off her hair and she lost her first tooth:

My mom turned 60 and we had a big party at the cabin!! Dad let me handle the food and decorations so it was lotsa fun!!

We had a MAJOR heat wave, so lots of time was spent outside trying to stay cool. I also chopped my hair off cause I got sick of wearing it in a ponytail everyday...

The forth of July is also my dads birthday, so there was more celebrating to be had!!!

A few days later Matt and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary...Here's a little then and now for ya!

Bad iphone pic!! This was our date night in Red Lodge, we were havin' a good ole time;)

Mary went out of town for a couple of days to visit sweet baby edward, so the staff & I moved a bunch of stuff around at The Shop. Okay, maybe the entire shop is different, woops!! They did a TON of work, I was only there for a bit! A little peek....

Lainey lost (pulled out) her 2nd tooth! But I cannot find the picture:)

The next four days were SO fun/really awful. We had a two day garage sale and a family fun fest in our town, but I got supa-dupa sick. Like brochitis, sinus infection, lost my voice, fever, two rounds of antibiotic, my husband had to take over kind of sick. It was nasty. I pushed through the weekend with lots of cheery berry chillers from McDonalds and we made the most of it with a ton of FUN cousin time!!

PARADE!!

My little dare devil...

We had a day between all of that and vacation, so Lainey was able to go to Kids Camp at The Shop:

They made pencil cases, YAY!!

Then we packed up our things and headed for Montana...

BUT, that deserves its own post, so more on that later!!

Just got back last night, so the next few days will be spent unpacking, putting away garage sale stuff that didn't get done before we left and taking care of one sick kid & one tuckered out toddler. Taking the last week of July to tie up loose ends and start August with a BANG!! And by that I mean slow down a bit, enjoy my 5 year old before she starts Kindergarten and relax a little....well, that's my intention anyways:)

Hope you have been well,

Kristina

 

YES, i do still sew.

Would you believe that I actually have some QUILTS to show you?? Weird, I know!!

I have been sewing QUITE a bit lately, which is AWESOME!! It seems like it goes in phases for me...make SIX quilts and then nothing for awhile. It's MAY/JUNE and that's a very busy time at The Shop. There is new fabric arriving DAILY and we must plan FQ bundles and Kits and Patterns for all of it. My FAVORITE part of the job actually. It's SO enjoyable to pull fabrics for projects in the hopes of inspiring others. Here are just a few of the things I have made lately...can't show you everything today!!

TINSEL LAP QUILT

This was a SUPER speedy one and it's a great size. Big enough for two people on the couch or a cozy quilt for the end of the bed. The large feather quilting makes it poofy and extra soft! Can't wait to use this one when there is snow on the ground;) Kits available HERE!

 We also have a couple of NEW QT SHOP PATTERNS to Highlight! This is the Beach Bum Picnic Quilt. It's made with what we've deemed the "GUY" colorway of Lucy's Crab Shack by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics. The cutting and piecing is VERY quick...I think I had the top done in under four hours. It's an easy pattern, but that's what's great about it. You can spend an evening sewing, send it to the quilter and use it the next week...INSTANT GRATIFICATION...my kind of summertime project!!

Pattern Available HERE!

Kit Available HERE!

Our other NEW pattern is called Take a Picture Sweetie! Anybody know what somg that came from?? It  features a darling BOY print in the middle and a variety of prints on the outside. It's such a unique color palette....boyish, beachy, summery, ALL GREAT! Again, VERY fast to make. Are you seeing a theme here?

Pattern Available HERE!

Kit Available HERE!

I should also mention that we are now offering CUSTOM FAT QUARTER BUNDLES right on our website! View everything that's available NOW!!

Have your own project in mind for the fabrics you see above, here are the bundles!

I just finished a quilt with this bundle...

I am working on quilts with these bundles...

I am designing a NEW quilt with this bundle...

Life is GOOD:)

 

my running playlist.

 

I ONLY workout to music. I need it, I love it, it makes me work harder.

When making a playlist I always start with a warm-up song for walking, then a song with a great beat that gets me running. Song placement is a big deal...you want your favorite songs at the points where you are generally the most tired, then end with some good cool-down tunes for walking and lots of stretching.

Here's the playlist I am currently listening to. I only RUN 1-2 days a week, so it doesn't get old too quickly:) ENJOY!!

 

Taking Chances                        Glee Cast

Shake It Out                            Florence + The Machine

Give Me Everything                   Pitbull

Drive By                                  Train

Reality                                    Kenny Chesney

What Them Girls Like                Ludacris

We Owned The Night                 Lady Antebellum

Circus                                     Brittany Spears

Born This Way                          Lady Gaga

Only Girl In The World                Rihanna

Lose Yourself                            Eminem ***This song is on EVERY playlist I have ever made, just good!***

Amen                                      Eden's Edge

A Little Bit Stronger                   Sara Evans

Easy                                        Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield

 

What songs motivate you??