It must be said that I haven’t been able to prioritize quilt guild meetings since becoming a mom. It actually wasn’t so bad when H was an infant; she kind of had to come with me everywhere so she could eat, but she was an easy baby.

It’s really been the past year or year-and-a-half that made it tough. When H was old enough to start having opinions or refusing to sit still. Plus, little people are exhausting. It takes a lot of effort to strategize life outside out of motherhood, and something had to give or I would never see my friends and family. Or get any work done.

But I love my guilds, and I missed them. I’ve kind of reset the dials this month and become determined to make time for these meetings again. It’s so crucial to recharge, see other crafty people, and get inspired. It’s also the best way to make connections with real humans in this crafty world. They are all doing amazing things, and I love being a part of it.

That quilt in the photo above? Natalie’s latest at the Jersey Shore Modern Quilt Guild (JSMQG) meeting, which I adore. I also adore Natalie there on the left–isn’t she adorable? Here are some more:

Diane’s commission quilt out of childhood clothes at the JSMQG meeting. I’m obsessed.

Kat’s quilt for the Michael Miller challenge at JSMQG. She whips out huge quilts in no time flat…this is itty bitty for her.

I made it to both my Jersey Shore Modern Quilt Guild meeting and my NYC Metro Mod Quilt Guild meeting this month. And I’m kind of bursting with ideas and excitement for what my fellow artisans are up to. The two groups are very different and much beloved by me for different reasons.

Chrissie D made this quilt for Melly, who just sold her first fabric line!

A 50th wedding anniversary quilt where the whole extended family pitched in to make a block. An embroidered block, even the kids and teenagers.

This is pieced. I can’t even get my head around that.

The NYC Metro meeting was awesome, too, because Michelle Bencsko from Cloud9 Fabrics came and did a trunk show. I’ve been following her work and her company since it began, so I may have made a complete example of myself in front of her. No matter, I loved the quilts she brought.

Michelle designs the quilts herself but sends them to Tia Curtis to actually make the quilts.

My head is spinning with Thoughts right now. I should be sewing something.