sew domestic

random side dish.

We are really LOVING Parmesan Orzo right now and I wanted to share the super EASY "recipe":

1 can chicken broth-(we do reduced sodium)

1 cup orzo

handful of fresh grated parmesan

Bring chicken broth to a boil, add orzo and reduce heat to simmer until water is absorbed. (15-20 min) Remove from heat and stir in parmesan. Add pepper to taste. 

EASY PEASY and OH SO good, fast and Kid friendly noodley-ricey goodness! 

Serves 3.

Plus! Orzo is way better for you than rice or noodles....low fat, no cholesterol and 6 grams of protein per 1/4 cup:)

found by spaghetti noodles in the grocery store.

enjoy!

HAPPY MONDAY! It's sunny again in MN, so we're off to the park before it snows...you never know!:)

kristina

all stars.

ALL STARS FLANNEL IS HERE! By My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Fabrics. Available in THREE colorways which are all interchangeable and yummy:)

 

 

 available in our etsy shop!
 

Hosted the first Young Mom's Sewing Group last night at the shop. What a blast:) It's so fun to spend time with people who share your passion for sewing and quilting and FABRIC! The next open sew will be Tuesday, December 1st from 5-10pm. It's FREE, bring whatever you'd like to work on! Call the shop to register or send me an e-mail: kristinawilberg@gmail.com  I was lucky enough to meet Kristen, Karin and Alyson, who has an awesome blog HERE!

Rouinerres by French General for Moda also came in this week. We put a bit of a Lodge-Christmas spin on it.

 

QT Lazy Day Throw Pattern coming soon!

 

 

Seasonal Topper from the book On The Run

by Heather Mulder-Peterson of Anka's Treasures

Stop by and see all of the goodies!

kristina
 
 
 

 

 

halloween highlights.

In case I forgot to tell you last year, Anoka, MN is THE Halloween Capital of the World. So, needless to say, the festivities throughout the weekend were a lot of fun! I missed the "Night Parade" last weekend, but we caught the "Kiddie Parade" on Friday afternoon and the "Grand Day" Parade on Saturday (yes, there are THREE halloween parades, good times!) side note: didn't get many great pics of lainey this year cause she is moving CONSTANTLY! It started off with Pumpkin Carving on Thursday with Mary and Alaina. This was Mary and I's 10th anniversary of carving pumpkins, weird huh? Matt doesn't get in on it 'cause he hates the insides. One of these days Mr. Cop/Tough Guy is gonna have to get over it, but for now, we'll let it slide:) 

 

 

 

Friday, alaina and I went to the parade and had a blast. She LOVED the marching bands and the popcorn. I loved the fact that it was only 45 minutes long, perfect for a two year old! 

 

 

Saturday's Parade is much longer....we went for a couple of hours and then managed to manuver our way home through detours and such, it's kind of a big deal around here.  

 

That night after a much needed nap we went around town to family and friends to trick-o-treat, lainey could actually say it this year, so that was fun. 

 

 

 

Got home at a decent hour...Matt went to work and we went to bed:) Sunday AM we went to the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and lots of yummy food. We enjoyed a nice Sunday at home as a Family...the perfect end to a very busy weekend!

 

What was the highlight of your weekend?

preview...

HALLOWEEN COSTUME PREVIEW:

 

she wanted to sleep in her tights...

 

but, we had a dance party instead:)

QUILT PREVIEW: (kinda dark, sorry!)

 

Started playing around with the new Sandi Henderson fabrics we WON at market. Soon this will have appliqued flowers and a piano key border:) Meadowsweet is SO fun to work with...EVERY SINGLE print is beautiful!!! Coming to QT in December!

tomorrow night: carving pumpkins:)

kristina

catch-up.

Spent most of the weekend sewing with my friend Liz. We went to my parents' cabin and got A LOT done. It feels so good and out of the ordinary to have so many hours of uninterrupted sewing. I completed a few things, but they are Christmas Gifts, so I can't show you yet:) Also, made a bunch of stuff for a craft show in a few weeks and started some shop samples. I'll have more to show you later this week, but for now, look at one of the quilts Liz made...

 

It's out of yummy wonderland fabric by MOMO for Moda. It was so fun to see this quilt in the making, JUST PLAIN FUN!!! 

 

Also, wanted to mention that we have just a little bit of AUTHENTIC left in our etsy shop. This stuff is going fast, so if you'd like some, get it now! 

 

Also available is this AWESOME cotton canvas, so cute! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to showing you some more fun stuff this week:)

kristina

book winner.

congrats to...

Mary on Lake Pulaski

you win! The Encyclopedia of Applique!!!

send me your address and I'll get it in the mail ASAP!

You're gonna LOVE this book:) yeah!

what a difference a year makes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

My baby is SO big! YIKES!!!

Spent some time at the Pumpkin Patch... Major highlights were the goats and the corn maze. Lainey also picked out a baby pumpkin for Duke...this poor kid needs a sibling;) Went out for Mexican afterwards and she ate AN ENTIRE PLATE of rice and beans PLUS a WHOLE TACO. Apparently she was hungry 'cause after all of that she said, "more please!" We all came home full and happy:) Needed some family time.

market finds + giveaway!

What makes a great book?

Let's face it, I am a book person. I am especially IN LOVE with these new spiral bound, hard cover books that lay flat---THE BEST! anyways...

There are a few things I like to consider before purchasing a NEW! book...

1. Is it well written with clear instructions and colored diagrams?

2. Are the photos inspiring?

3. Are there more than THREE projects I would like to make out of it?

4. Is there a "special" factor? What makes this book unique? Does it provide information and resources that I will go back to time and time again?

Mary and I spent a lot of time at market looking through books to find ones that fit this criteria. So, here are some of our favorites..

A is for Apron by Natalie Mornu

The Color Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer

Embroidered Effects by Jenny Hart

The Encyclopedia of Applique by Barbara Brackman

Strip On by Gudrun Erla of GE Designs

Stitched in Time by Alicia Paulson

 
 So, the giveaway...in the comments, please answer these TWO questions:

1. What do you think makes a great book?

2. Visit our website, read the descriptions and tell me which book you'd like to add to your collection?

The winner will receive ONE book of their choice!

p.s. would you like more chances to win? Post about the giveaway on your blog, link to this blog and leave a comment telling me you did so! You'll get TWO extra chances to win:)

(Comments will be taken through Tuesday PM (10/20) and a winner will be selected Wednesday AM)

Happy Hunting!

kristina
 
 
 

market: part three

I was totally ready to move into these booths...LOVE Anna Maria and Heather, LOVE!

Here is LITTLE FOLKS cotton voile and flannels in two colorways...just delightful:)

Baby Roman was in attendence, for real:)

Market is in Minneapolis next Spring, maybe Anna wants to recover one of my sofas in her gorgeous fabrics??? Makes sense, right?

p.s. Her second book is also set to release in I wanna say January...

This is Nicey Jane from Heather Bailey...

It's G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!!

more tomorrow!

kristina

blogger's quilt festival fall '09

The quilt I am posting about was a gift from my mother-in-law Mary for our Wedding four years ago. It's a KING SIZE, Colorsplash Trip Around the World and it's made with gorgeous Fall Colors, our favorite! 

It's pretty much the only quilt I haven't posted about before and the only quilt ever given to me as a gift. I think sometimes people think that it's weird to give "quilters" a quilt as a gift, but it's just as special, if not MORE:)

Check out the BEAUTIFUL Border Fabric...

 Yummy huh? My friend Meg made us a bedskirt in this fabric too!

I'll keep this short and sweet since Amy has OVER 600 participants already! Join in on the FUN, lots of great prizes:) Thanks Amy for all of your hard work!!!

kristina

market: part two

A Quick Sampling of some NEW Favorites...

RILEY BLAKE DESIGNS

All-Stars will be arriving anytime in FLANNEL & three colorways:) Also getting a girly flannel in springtime, along with some SUPER cute halloween and x-mas flannel! Get pumped, this stuff is AMAZING:)

STUDIO E FABRICS

Urban Angel is an adorable young girl/tween line from studio e fabrics. 

It's pink, white, black and silver--sparkly/glittery silver...so fun!

IZZY & IVY

Super Duper Cute quilts, kids clothes and handbags! We are getting in a variety of patterns, so keep an eye out! They have THE MOST DARLING little girls hat pattern too..

 

3 Sisters for Moda

The light gray/taupe color is stunning, plus the red is a rusty/orangy red...YUM!

THE QUILTED FISH and VINTAGE BUTTERFLY

Darling quilt patterns and COZY slippers! Pretty much the perfect x-mas gift! 

What a great way to use up minkie scraps and fun wool colors...OR Buy a few new fabrics and you've got lots of teacher gifts/stocking stuffers, cheap! Just sayin...

My NEW necklace and charms...it's kind of addicting, can hardly wait to get more!

that's it for now...YES, there's MORE!:)

kristina

(me and mary at market)

market: part one

SO, obviously my plan of posting while in Houston didn't work out, oops! You can look forward to a week of booth pics and awesome finds! Mary and I had a blast! Our days were FILLED with pretty sights and inspiration...so pumped for all of the wonderful fabrics, patterns, books, & notions we're expecting at the shop over the next few months:) There were a few newer fabric companies that I am excited to introduce you to also! Hands down, THE BEST booth and fabrics was Sandi Henderson...

 

Gorgeous display of prints!

are these not THE COOLEST chairs ever?

BEAUTIFUL pillows:)

pretty, pretty, pretty!

Michael Miller had some promotions going on at the show and Mary won a Fat Quarter Bundle of the ENTIRE collection, which she willingly handed over to me, woo-hoo!!! Super pumped, we'll be getting this in at the shop in December:) I'll be sewing on it VERY soon! yippee!!!

Major highlights include meeting Kim Knight of TrueUp and finding some beautiful jewelry from Missy&Shireen@Vintage Butterfly. Pics tomorrow and they'll be adding new designs soon!

Really happy to be home with hubby and the little munchkin, I missed 'um!

Stop back for more tomorrow, along with my quilt festival submission, finally! 

kristina

twins win.

6-5

12 innings, really?

oh man-that was sweet!!:)

 

Central Division Champs, hopefully NOT the last game at the Metrodome!

This was THE LONGEST GAME EVER! Here's what I did during the game...

some work, picked up duke at the Vet, last minute shopping with Mary, dropped duke at Ed and Mary's, Had a Pedicure, picked up take-out and duke, drove home, ate dinner and THEY WIN!!!

Now, back to work:)

Leaving for Houston CRAZY EARLY on Thursday, like, get up at 3:30am early...should I even bother going to bed??

Stuff to complete in the next 24 hours...

SLEEP! I am catching alaina's cold-Huge Bummer!

work, ship orders, groceries, laundry, yoga, take lainey to the park and make her snuggle with me ALL DAY, I think I might miss her a little...oh yeah, pack my bags, pack alaina (she'll be at my parents for the night on thursday)...It's the start of Matt's work week, so life is mildly crazy right now?) and Ironing.

ready, set, GO!

Saturday, seriously???

Oh man- where did this week go? I must have gotten lost in pre-preschool classes, gymnastics, yoga, work at the shop, work at home, preparing dinners, shipping orders...I kinda thought today was FRIDAY, oops!

Only FOUR MORE DAYS that I won't be in Houston...SO PUMPED for Quilt Market/a little nervous. I have never been away from alaina for this many days before (FIVE, but who's counting?), let alone fly w/o her...I am not the best flyer, I think it's a lack of control thing...need to work on it, big time!!! I guess I just need to fly more often...tropical vacations anyone?? It's been rainy and cold in Minnesota ALL WEEK...totally not ready for this...where are those SUNNY, crisp, cool Fall days that make me want to go to the apple orchard or the pumpkin patch?? Hopefully we'll get some of those before the snow flys:)

I wish I had some really cool stuff to show you, but I DON'T. Oh, I did get NEW glasses and my hair done today, see...

 

I really love the glasses, they have a small zebra stripe on the sides:) "more" than I usually go for, but I needed a little wink of sass in my life:) My hair is also straightened (which NEVER happens) I am lucky to blow dry it most days...apparently a "wet ponytail" isn't great for the hair, oops! again!

We did get some SUPER CUTE new fabrics at the shop! They are also available in our etsy shop. SIMPLE ABUNDANCE from Moda and BON VOYAGE from Timeless Treasures...check 'um out HERE! Looking forward to meeting Camille at Market!

 

 

Lainey has been SUPER into dress-up this week....see photo below:

 

She's a good mix of "girlie-girl" and "tomboy"...she LOVES sparkly things, toe nail polish and pink, but she can wrestle with the best of 'um and is pretty athletic, for a two year old:)

Sorry to say, THAT'S ALL I GOT:) Hoping to post more this week and DEFINITELY from Quilt Market.

Happy Weekend!

kristina

20 :: answers

Found these twenty questions HERE, check it out and play along!

1. Show us the inside of something cute

My NEW Fall "purse"...it was on clearance!

2. What's the last homecooking you had?

White Chicken Chili and Cornbread, YUM! 

It's officially Fall in Minnesota:) Thanks Meggers:)

3. What do you miss? 

Dance Team!!!

love this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua7TTRyMX04

sidenote: This is not my team, just one of my ALL TIME favorite performances:) 

I went to UST and graduated before this...there wasn't really youtube then, my stuff is all on VHS anyways, ha!

4. What makes you laugh often?

5. What's your favorite word?

CLEARANCE!

6. What are you trying to quit?

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA, SKIM, NO WHIP

I am not trying very hard.

7. What's your favorite commercial right now?

don't really have one...I always switch channels when commercials come on:)

8. Whose style do you dig?

good stuff found here.

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...

I HEART MONDAYS

10. What's the last craft you made?

Baby stuff for a FEW different friends, just need to get them in the mail:)

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got :]

Couldn't resist these ADORABLE wintery flannels:)

12. Something you've got lately?

13. What are you looking forward to?

QUILT MARKET...only 10 more days!!!

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.

15. Recent Favorite Movie?

I haven't TECHNICALLY seen this yet, but I know it'll be 

my new favorite when I do! FAME:)

16. Something you're working on right now?

a NEW Quilt Pattern!

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?

REESE WITHERSPOON, LOVE her!

18. What gives you goosebumps?

a GREAT dance routine and running to motivating music.

19. Share a new obsession.

I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT THESE:)

20. What's the meaning of your life?

Being happy, having fun, laughing a lot, enjoying who and what I love, striving to be the best wife and mother I can be, challenging myself to grow personally and in my career...bringing joy to others:)

be sure and put a link in the comments so I can see your answers too!

(So you can copy and paste it easy)

1. Show us the inside of something cute

2. What's the last homecooking you had?

3. What do you miss? (alive)

4. What makes you laugh often?

5. What's your favorite word?

6. What are you trying to quit?

7. What's your favorite commercial right now?

8. Whose style do you dig?

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...

10. What's the last craft you made?

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got :]

12. Something you've got lately?

13. What are you looking forward to?

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.

15. Recent Favorite Movie?

16. Something you're working on right now?

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?

18. What gives you goosebumps?

19. Share a new obsession.

20. What's the meaning of your life?