oh dear, we are in trouble with this one.

Lainey had Spring Picture Day at Preschool last week. She asked if I would curl her hair...it's days like this that it's a little extra fun to have a girly-girl. We hadn't actually done this before. Usually if she sees me doing my hair (like once every 2 months;) She'll ask for a few curls in hers. But, this day she sat completely still for 25 minutes while I did her entire head.

Can you believe her hair??

Then she got dressed. Have I mentioned that she will ONLY wear dresses, skirts, leggings or tights and cardigans?? Well, it's true. She comes up with her own combinations which usually include various prints and colors. Sometimes she matches, sometimes. I have learned that the best way to get her to wear something for a "special day" is to get her a new outfit. Believe me, I don't always do this. This time I got lucky cause I had found a few things on clearance and stashed um away for her birthday next month. BUT, I thought it'd be cute for spring pics and save me the struggle of will. I shouldn't care, but I do.

These are the things that make a successful outfit in Lainey's Lingo:

A Pretty Skirt ($2 old navy), check! Fun Tights ($2.99 target), Check! Beautiful Ruffle Tee (old), check! and Sweater ($15 target) ok, I splurged on that one, but it's such a pretty color on her AND it's big so it should last through Fall and Bridget:) Like my justification??

I mean, really? This girl kills me.

Okay, funny story.

I was looking at Pinterest the other day, have you heard of it?? ha! Well, Lainey saw these Fruit Kabobs and was like, "We can make those!" She ran to the fridge and dug out all the fruit she could find. I cut stuff and she assembled (we only had toothpicks). She wanted me to help, so I did. What does she say???

"Mom, you are doing the pattern wrong! It goes grape, orange, apple, plum, then grape!"

Who notices that? THIS GIRL:

Not bad for a kid, right?

It was a nice lazy weekend of forts, headstands, dance parties and trips to the YMCA.

I just love my days at home with the girls (for the most part;)

kristina

Feb 27, 2012 12:14:44 PM

metro sampler quilt.

I've never been a huge "Block of the Month" Fan.

I just didn't get what all the hype was about??

This was my FIRST real sampler quilt and I am HOOKED/Totally IN LOVE!!!

Full Size Quilt 50" x 60"

12" Blocks

BONUS!! Project

Mini Quilt 18" x 24"

6" Blocks

Not completely sure what changed, but here's why I LOVED this project:

1. It was really enjoyable to look at the fabrics together and pick and choose what I wanted to use where.

2. It was Manageable and Kept my Interest. It was easy to set a small goal for a block and feel the satisfaction when completing it. I'd pull the fabrics in the morning, cut blocks during naptime and sew when everyone was in bed:) When you actually take 10 MINUTES here and there, things get done in a jiffy:)

3. There were a lot of spots where scraps or charm squares worked. SO, if I just had a little bit, it could still be included. I enjoyed fussy cutting.

4. The small blocks were challenging. It was fulfilling to know that I could make something that small and make it well. I "practiced" on the larger blocks so my piecing would be more accurate on the small blocks...lots of tips and tricks along the way!!

5. The book I chose blocks from has 501 designs, so I can make sampler blocks until the cows come home;)

WANNA JOIN ME???

I'll be hosting a MONTHLY Class at the shop starting in March. Don't live in Minnesota? That's okay!! It's also available online!!! Here's all the info...

IN STORE Participants will :

**Make TWO Blocks per month in class. I will help you with fabric selection and placement, piecing tips & tricks and MORE!! You will also receive detailed cutting instructions for 12" AND 6" blocks along with some special fabric treats each month:)

ONLINE Participants will:

**Receive HAPPY MAIL the last week of every month!! Included will be detailed cutting and assembly instructions for 12" AND 6" blocks (two per month) along with some fabric treats:)

REGISTRATION is $54.99

This includes THE BOOK (501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks) and a Fat Eighth (20!) Bundle of your choice...

There will also be a Flickr Group and E-Mail Support:)

Think about it...should be FUN!!!

For Dates, Pricing and Further Information visit our Block of the Month Page

OR if you know you wanna play along...Register HERE!!

Have a GREAT weekend:)

Kristina

Feb 17, 2012 2:08:39 PM

a dorm quilt.

Pretty pumped about the classes I'll be teaching at the shop this spring!!

The first is a DORM QUILT. It seems like a lot of people make graduation quilts for seniors that celebrate their previous 4-18 years. I say, why not give them something for their future!! Let them show you what colors + styles they like.

Make them something you know they will love and USE on a regular basis.

The design is SIMPLE, but allows for a bunch of prints (scrappy!) in any color combo. This is a smaller quilt I made a couple of years ago FOR FUN. We enhanced the design so it will fit a XL Twin Bed (dorm).

It would be a PERFECT class for someone who has never quilted. AND a really fast project for the advanced quilter:) The idea is that ANYONE can make it with little or no sewing/quilting experience.

The FIRST DAY is for fabric selection and cutting. I will help you pick a color palette (unless you already have one in mind), help you select your fabric and show you how to cut your fabric using a rotary cutter, ruler and self healing mat.

The SECOND DAY will be spent deciding on a quilt layout and assembling your quilt. You will learn piecing and ironing techniques. The beauty of this design is that there are no points to match up:) A BONUS for beginners!! You just have to sew a straight line;)

Then, you'll have 3 weeks to have your quilt quilted. We'll be offering an awesome deal for machine quilting services at the shop, so you don't have to worry about finding a quilter or doing it yourself....unless you want to of course!

The LAST DAY, I will show you how to add a binding to your quilt by machine and how to attach your binding to the back of your quilt by hand sewing. We will also have a QUILT LABEL workshop, so you can add something to the back that says something special or has a picture on it, fun!!

If you already know how to do all of this, THAT'S OK!!! Maybe you just need the push/motivation to finish a graduation quilt more than the day before the party;) Whatever the reason, it's gonna be fun and I'll look forward to seeing you there!!

Classes will be held WEDNESDAY evenings from 5pm-9pm

April 4th, 11th and May 9th

Cost is $59 plus fabric and supplies (pattern included in price)

Call Quilted Treasures to Register #763.428.1952

Feb 12, 2012 2:10:37 PM

dreaming of springtime.

I have Spring on the brain. Not that we have had a harsh winter, but it's almost worse to have no snow and brown, dirty stuff and branches everywhere. I am very much looking forward to green grass, opening the windows, running outside, baseball season, Alaina's 5th birthday (crazy!) and sunshine.

Started this quilt last night and am almost half way done:)

Can't wait to show you the whole thing!!

These are my Living Room colors for Springtime this year, more on that soon.

Tomorrow's Friday!! Should be a fun weekend:)

Kristina

Feb 9, 2012 1:47:40 PM

back to normal.

It's just so great to see this girl smiling again....

to see the girls playing like normal....yep, that's what the toy room usually looks like!

Miss Alaina is making SOUP in case you couldn't tell....found the recipe on Pinterest;)

Sometimes it's good just to be normal.

Jan 31, 2012 6:32:22 AM

a no good very bad day, from bad comes good.

Note: I am not a negative person, but yesterday STUNK.

That's Baby B in the ER sporting a purple gown and a cute diaper tush.

She was such a sad girl yesterday and I was a very sad mommy.

After two days of flu symptoms she just wasn't eating/drinking much.

She woke up yesterday with a dry diaper and I got scared.

Called the pediatrician and they said, "Take her In"

I felt stupid. Like I had let her down.

I am her mommy, I am supposed to protect her from bad things.

I knew something was funky, but I ignored my instincts thinking I was being overprotective or worrisome.

BUT, I should have listed to my gut.

Luckily...she is just fine.

We spent an hour and a half in the waiting room

Watching person after person go in before us (that obviously did not take care of themselves)

I knew we weren't "high priority" but couldn't they see my sweet baby laying still in my arms...She's never still.

For an hour and a half.

All I could do was hold her and kiss her and tell her how sorry I was.

We finally got in and she was evaluated. They put "numbing cream & stickers" on her arms and hands in case they had to start IV fluids.

That's when I lost it. Needles + Tubes in my baby? Oh dear...

Alaina didn't even get sick until she way 2 1/2...I had NO experience with sick babies.

I started thinking about all of the parents who go through A LOT worse than this. Those whose children come into the world and have tubes and such attached to them for survival. Those who sit by their kids bedside as they battle sickness and disease and I LOST IT.

I was scared. I knew that she'd be fine, but I was still scared by the what ifs.

Then, my father-in-law walked in.

He helped me feed her, hold her, entertain her, entertain me.

He stayed. I was grateful.

Baby B laughed...I cried...she was OK.

Then she fell asleep from all that went on.

There were FOUR major things I learned from today:

1. Trust your instincts, always.

2. Take care of your health. If your struggles are something that you DO realistically have control over...take control. Do it for you and those who love you. Ask for help. There is a lot of life to live, make it count.

3. Say Thank You and say it often.

4. I want to DO something. I have been thinking about this for a few days. I cleaned my sewing room the other day and I have LOTS of quilt blocks done + quilt tops almost done that would make AWESOME kids/tween quilts.

My goal for the year is to finish FIVE quilts and deliver them personally with my kids to the children's hospital downtown. It's the least I can do, really.

I have set my goal at FIVE so that it's attainable. If I surpass it, great.

Even thinking about having a group sewing day at the shop just to finish some stuff up and get others involved. Email me if you'd be willing to donate an afternoon to make a kid smile.

[email protected]

Off to spend the day with my ladies..hopefully no one pukes;)

All the Best, Kristina

Jan 24, 2012 5:52:27 AM

this girl.

Right now, THIS GIRL:

is 2 months shy of being FIVE years old

Will ONLY wear dresses and skirts and nightGOWNS

loves princesses

is WAY too smart for her own good

Makes me laugh hysterically EVERY. DAY.

I love me some Lainey.

Jan 19, 2012 6:36:30 PM

the creative groove.

BAH!!!

My creative space has been a little neglected lately....

YIKES!! This is what happens when I NEED to get some work done and I let the 4 year old "work" with me. Been moving stuff around for a bunch of reasons and now it's completely unusable, see...Too much old stuff clogging my brain.

But, Lainey did design a pretty cool quilt during work time:

She used all of the Scraps from the Metro Sampler Quilt

Registration available for In Shop Class or as an Online Student:)

Who's In??

Welp, I am gonna go and take EVERYTHING out of my craft room and put it all back together in a new way that'll encourage my creative flow. I have been on a roll lately and I wanna keep it going, I need my space to reflect that!!