30/30 Wrap Up

Tropical Whimsy Block #4

Berry Barn Designs hosted a 30/30 challenge (sew 30 minutes a day for 30 days) this month and I really enjoyed it. My goal was "to spend 30 minutes each day working on a sewing/quilting project that appeals to me that day. I have some ongoing quilt projects that I might work on, a couple of spring skirt patterns I want to make, and I might start working on a new quilt design." and I kind of accomplished it, but officially I did not because I missed a couple days and didn't get any farther than pre-washing fabric for the skirts. 

However, I did enjoy more sewing time this month than I usually manage (and all time spent sewing is "me time" in my book) and got a ton of stuff done. 

•  I got several quilts to the point of hand sewing binding (pictures when they are all done) including a long-time UFO, Sam's quilt, and a baby quilt I hadn't even started 30 days ago
• I paper-pieced 3 circles for my Tropical Whimsy quilt
• I am almost finished quilting my AQG mystery quilt
• I got all my sleeves and labels sewn on my quilts for my Guild Show



Quilting in Progress on AQG Mystery 2014

• I visited other 30/30 participant blogs (and was inspired by all the beautiful work) and had lots of new visitors here at Urban Quilter

30/30 Challenge - Day 28

Tree in Winter with a 3rd place

I spent at least 30 minutes on sewing projects each day this week and last weekend (Saturday and Sunday) were super-quilty as I spent them at my Guild's quilt show. One of my quilts, Tree in Winter, won 3rd place in the miniatures category (viewer's choice) which was cool. For the record, it is hanging upside down. 

Despite sewing 30 minutes each day I didn't really accomplish much. I worked on hand sewing bindings which may be done some day; I decided on fabrics for a schnibble (Plan C from 2008) I will be starting soon; I started quilting my Guild mystery quilt and I finished another paper pieced circle (I will put a picture of it on my 30/30 wrap up post). 

30/30 Update - Day 22

Paper piecing for Tropical Whimsey Block #3

I missed one day of sewing for the 30/30 challenge this week, but I was able to sew for several hours a couple of days, so overall it was a good week. Once again I did bits of this and that each day.

• Put labels and sleeves on stuff for the AQG Quilt show (which starts today!)
• Put binding on the baby quilt
• Hand sewed binding on Sam's Quilt
• Worked on my paper piecing over several days and finished another circle
• Picked out fabrics from my stash for the Sassy Quilter's Triangle Quilt Along

30/30 Update - Day 15

Progress was made this past week on each of these projects

The first half of the 30/30 challenge has been great. This past week was full of different projects each moving ahead a little bit. I "sewed" for 30 minutes (or a bit more) every day this week. 

• I prewashed fabric for a bathrobe (flowered fabric on top of the pile) and a skirt
• I pin-basted 2 quilts (a baby quilt and my AQG mystery)
• I handsewed binding (2 sides done!) on my Syncopated Ribbons Quilt
• I made the backing for William's Quilt
• I finished quilting by Black and Colors Quilt (which needs a better name) and added the binding
• I started quilting the baby quilt one day and finished it the next.

30/30 Update - Day 8

The first 7 days of the 30/30 challenge have gone well.
I sewed for 30 minutes (or a bit more) each of 6 days. Tuesday totally got away from me (though I did go to yoga class, so I got "me" time, just no sewing).
Mostly I worked on paper piecing a block for my Tropical Whimsey Quilt. I bought this pattern at a quilt show several years ago and have been collecting fabric for it for ages. This is going to be a long-term project because it is very large and involves 12 paper-pieced circle units, and a bunch of applique (some by hand, despite what the cover of the pattern says). The quilt was made up at the show just like the one on the pattern cover and I loved the design (and the lizards) but the colors were not for me. I decided to make all the yellow parts sky blue and so far I like it a lot. I completed one block unit this week (yes, it took 2 hours).

Tropical Whimsey Block Center #2

On Friday I felt like quilting, so I went back to working on a long-time UFO and machine quilted a few blocks.

Blocks ready to quilt

My 30/30 Goal

Sarah at Berry Barn Designs is tackling her 2014 goal to "sew more for me" by carving out 30 minutes for 30 days. I decided that since March is my birthday month I would join her and as a gift to myself make time to sew every day for me. In February I participated in the DAGM20 challenge at Quilting Hottie Haven which focuses on finishing UFOs. I enjoyed that and got some stuff cleared out that had been hanging around too long. I love that the focus of the 30/30 Sewing Challenge is "me" time!
The first step in the challenge is to choose a goal for your 30/30. Mine is to spend 30 minutes each day working on a sewing/quilting project that appeals to me that day. I have some ongoing quilt projects that I might work on, a couple of spring skirt patterns I want to make, and I might start working on a new quilt design. 
There will be check-in posts each Saturday with linkups at Berry Barn Designs between now and Monday, March 31st  so you can see what all the other participants are doing in their 30/30 time.