I love our Stitch & Bitch days! Sometimes I get some actual sewing done, but more often than not I just jump from one thing to another – answer a question here, design a quilt there, give opinions of fabric choices, and, of course, TALK. I got a tiny bit accomplished last Saturday, once I figured out what I wanted to work on. I always get more done if I decide what to work on BEFORE people arrive. Because Mickey is leaving at the end of the month, I decided to finish the “baby” quilts for two of her grandchildren, since she’ll be driving out there. (Baby is in quotations because her granddaughter is five or so.) One top is already done, and just needs to be quilted. I hadn’t even started the other; in fact, I hadn’t even decided what to make. Mickey said her granddaughter liked purple, pink and bright colors. I pulled some fabrics, then decided to do a simple nine patch and snowball quilt. Although I didn’t accomplish a lot on Saturday, mostly just cutting fabric, and a few long strips sewn together, last night I finished the blocks, laid out the quilt, and started sewing the blocks together. I should finish it tonight or tomorrow, then I “just” need to get it on the frame and quilted.

Here’s a goal: I will quilt those two baby quilts before Mickey leaves at the end of the month. (If it means that Mom is hand stitching the binding while she drives out to Washington state with Mickey, so be it!)

And since Pat is going to visit her new grandson in California, I’d better add those two baby quilts to the goal list, too. Yes, I said two, because I have a finished top for their five year old daughter, too. Deadline: First week in August.

While I’m at it, I might as well quilt the top for Jean’s oldest granddaughter, and start making quilts for the two that are on the way – both of her daughters are expecting.

Hmm… I’d better get it in gear.

Okay, on to the original purpose of this post – photos from our Stitch & Bitch! Lisa and Jean couldn’t make it, but the rest of us had fun (and pizza) in spite of their absence. (Thanks to the neighbors for baking the second pizza for us – our stove is dying!)

Here are photos from our show and tell:

Becky’s Flower Garden Mini Quilt – isn’t it adorable? She’s pointing out that she tried Karrie’s straight line quilting technique – you can see it if you look veryclose.

Becky’s Table Runner and Placemats (Pat’s being a smart ass behind her, but that’s nothing new.)

Becky’s GORGEOUS Windmill Quilt. She started by sewing squares together, then used a template to cut them apart, then sewed them all back together.

Pat’s Basket Quilt – This woman just sews and sews and sews – every month she has multiple tops to share. She’s always making us laugh, but this month I got her back. She was bragging about how many things she had for show and tell: “Ask me how many things I have. Go ahead, ask me.” So I asked. “THREE,” she said, holding up three fingers. “Well I have THIS,” I replied, holding up just one finger. Guess which finger! She roared. We’re a very casual group.

This is Pat’s French Braid Quilt. Last month Lisa was working on a French Braid, and Pat asked about the project. Pat is a sponge – show her a new technique, and next month she shows up with a completed project.

Pat learned about String Quilts from Jeanne the month before, and this is what she brought on Saturday:

Gorgeous, isn’t it? She’s going to quilt it on our frame next month (assuming it will fit – the thing is HUGE!)

Mom’s Mother Goose Quilt – Mom’s been working on this embroidery project for a month or so, and she finally finished all of the blocks. You can’t see it well, but the thread is variegated, and it’s really pretty.

Mickey’s Patriotic Doll Quilt – Isn’t this the cutest thing?!

Pat’s Saggy Baggy Elephant Softie Block – She found a pattern for making blocks, and the Saggy Baggy Elephant panels were the perfect fit. (I love the Saggy Baggy Elephant!)

Karrie is our newest member – she’s the recipient of my Flying by the Seat of My Pants mini quilt from the Modify Tradition Swap. She is our quilting “rock star” – this is her first Moda Bake Shop project. It’s called Random Reflections, and is made from Kate Spain’s Fandango line. Check out her tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop blog. She also made the quilt using Eva fabrics from Basic Gray:

Karrie also showed off a beautiful little mini pinwheel quilt that she’s sending off to a very lucky swap partner.

Be sure to check out Karrie’s blog, Freckled Whimsy. She will have another Bake Shop announcement soon, I’m sure. We got to see it, but it’s super secret for now. (Here’s a hint – we all loved it!)

Finally, here’s our first finished Basket BOM top, from Jeanne:

Isn’t this wonderful?! I love the color selection – black and red and white is classic, but that little pop of acid green makes it extra special. Jeanne posted on her blog, Grey Cat Quilts, the morning of our Stitch & Bitch (or was it the night before? She was up sewing Very Late), but she didn’t post photos because she knew I’d be checking her blog. I think that was very mean of her, but I’m glad I got to see it in person. She has a couple of projects in the works that I’m anxious to see, including her Japanese Disco Ball Quilt.

Before you think that I didn’t have anything to show, Mom and I were able to retrieve the Framing Squares quilt from the neighbor in time for the show and tell portion of the day.

And that’s it! I’m already looking forward to our next group. I always walk away so inspired and motivated to quilt. That’s the best part of quilting with friends.