Wrapping up the school year with concerts and programs and gymnastics shows and dance recitals and that's just for ONE kid--yikes!! Planning to enjoy every minute of it along with the promise of a wonderful summer on the horizon. Wrap things up and plan for new beginnings.

Only FOUR months until we have a Kindergartener and a two year old...what? Looking to slow things down for the summer and enjoy our time together. We have this saying in our house, "It's time to make a move!" And I am taking May to Make a MOVE for myself.

Here's the PLAN...

1. MOVE my body. Our family joined our local YMCA in December and have made a great effort in going 4-5 days a week, but I am ready to step it up a notch. I feel SO much better when I work out. It clears my brain, makes me more patient and it just feels good to be active. My plan for May is to MOVE MY BODY 5-6 days per week. No Exceptions. I am very close to my goal and need to take an extra step to make it happen.

2. No Pop. I have this little habit of "needing" a diet cola at 3pm everyday and it really is just BAD and unneccesary. Switching to water with lemon and hoping for good results.

3. Get a consultation for LASIK. I have been meaning to do it since Alaina was born (she's 5!), haven't been able to wear contacts since then. I am just plain sick of my glasses. They mostly bother me when I am working out, fall off, get sweaty, etc, etc....time to make a move and see what's possible.

4. Take things ONE DAY at a time. Make a plan for the next day the night before. I have a much better chance of completing what I'd like to if I have a plan in place when I wake up.

5. SLEEP. Lord knows it's easier to be your best self when you are well rested. Our kids are pretty good about sleeping through the night, so I should be taking advantage of that and getting the rest I need too. No more late night TV, time on Pinterest, Dilly Dallying around...GET. TO. SLEEP. and wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

I can do FIVE things. That seems manageable to me.

What moves are you ready to make this month?

These were the munchkins: A + B

Right NOW we are:

Teaching Bridget how to do headstands

Climbing EVERYTHING and terrifying Mommy by falling off of stuff

Attempting new hair styles

Getting ready for #1's first dance recital

Designing a new pattern for these lovely fabrics coming soon to QT:)

and these great BOY fabrics, awesome color palette---yea!!

Trying to get rid of bottles in our house

Having dance parties many, many, MANY times per day

Being sneaky and sassy and stubborn

Getting even stronger and trying cool stuff on the beam

Pretending we are five and copying EVERYTHING Big Sister does

awesome.

I am the first one to say, "There is NEVER enough hours in the day!"

BUT, upon further thought, I believe I can make my hours more effective.

I have a very difficult time NOT multi-tasking..it's hard for me to only do one thing at a time.

SO, I am gonna give it a shot and start attempting to better compartmentalize my day...

ME time, FAMILY time, WORK time, MOVE MY BODY time...ONE on ONE time with the girls, computer time, etc...

I CANNOT do it all, but I am sure going to give it a shot!!

I think there is something to be said for taking that extra step...for thinking ahead, for doing things in a certain way so that days go smoother.

I have been overwhelmed lately, like A LOT overwhelmed and I need to get back to the basics...

Eat, Sleep, Work Out, Take care of the wee ones, the husband, myself.

Refresh my home, be creative for me.

THE BASICS.

What are your favorite time management tools?

Kristina

Both of my recent swap projects are made with those colors:)

This one is for DQS12: Doll Quilt Swap

It finished 21" square

a little Basic Grey Yellow Grunge for the Sashing

a scrappy Backing made with the extra blocks

a little obsessed with the binding...aqua and yellow polka dot!!

Quilted in Sunshiney YELLOW:)

Next, is a little Mug Rug for the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap

(took these photos b4 it was totally finished:)

Hand drew a Tea Cup and appliqued it on.

My first attempt at a "messy" stitch outlining the cup!

Included some of my favorite word fabric with the word MINNESOTA

fussy cut since that is where this is coming from!

My partner likes tea, so I used this print for the back:)

Stamped the word "tea" on the cup just for fun and included some goodies!!

So, now I wait! Wait for them to recieve their packages and wait for mine to arrive!!

Any fun swaps you have participated in?

I am gonna be an AUNTIE!!! Matt's Brother + Wife are expecting:)

We should be meeting this little guy sometime around Memorial Day. The family shower was a couple of weeks ago and this is what I made for his mama Courtney...

It's a first year album, just needs pictures and journaling!

Just a little something I threw together;)

Lots more to share with you soon....

Kristina

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

 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

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

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

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.

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.

kristinawilberg@gmail.com

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

All the Best, Kristina

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.

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!!

More on that soon, have a great day:)

Kristina

Became THESE: 

Metro Sampler Quilt (12" blocks)

Metro Sampler BONUS!! (6" blocks)

SUPER excited to launch this NEW Block of the Month at The Shop

You'll actually SEW two blocks per month:)

There will be FOUR colorway options!!!

I'll be teaching it...fun huh?? More info soon!!

Would anyone be interested in an online program too??

Happy Monday:)

Kristina