A 30 Minute Experiment

Image by HAPPY NEW YEAR *** S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

Do you ever fell like there is just not enough time in your day?  I decided this year to see what would happen if I dedicated 30 minutes a day to one project.  I have a closet full of fabric that has been waiting for just the right project and one of my goals this year is to do some stash-busting.  What if I combine the two ideas?

 The very first quilt I made after visiting my first quilt shop a long, long time ago was a king size Log Cabin quilt.   I wanted it finished in my lifetime so I tied it rather than quilting.  That quilt kept us warm on cold Michigan and then Colorado nights for several years.  That is the only quilt I have ever made for our bed and as I laid under the electric blanket the other night I had thoughts of a new quilt to keep us warm on cold winter nights here in Oregon.   So an idea was born.  But when do I have time to make a quilt that is actually just for me?  I remembered that Pat Sloan started 15 Minutes of Play a few years ago and I never really stuck with it but I liked the idea.  I wanted more time for this experiment so I am going with 30 Minutes of Freedom.  Freedom from whatever tasks vie for my time each day.  

Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

So I have begun.  And I would like to challenge you to join me.  Pick something you would like to accomplish this year, whether it be a quilt, writing a piece of music, reading a book, some handwork.  Whatever it is that will make your heart sing each day as you make progress.  Something that you will look forward to coming to each day.  As for me, I have chosen to  work on making a queen size quilt using a variation on the Log Cabin block.

My Log Cabin Dreams Block-the design stage

I will be sharing my progress on this quilt and as I do so telling you how you can make it as well.  I started by pulling out some fabrics of varying colors so that I get a kind of scrappy look. I knew I needed a color that popped for those little narrow row strips. Red does that nicely no matter what other colors I put in there (yellow will try to compete so I have left it out of my color choices.)  I had several fabrics from Collections for a Cause that played nicely together even though they were not all from the same collections.  These are the fabrics that I am using for the darker logs in the block.  I have several cream prints and tonals that will be used for the lighter logs.

Most of the logs will be 1 1/2" wide. So I began by just cutting the fabrics for logs #1 and #2 which are cut the same size.  I decided to go with the traditional color for my block center: red, which represents the warmth of the hearth-the center of the home.  Hmmm, I am pretty sure it is the kitchen around here, but I will stick to the historic view for my quilt.  

​The beginning logs are a different width than all others.
Log #1-(cut 36) 1 3/4" x  2" from light fabric
Log #2-(cut 36) 1 3/4" x  2" from dark fabric

​These get joined on the long edge (the 2" side) and pressed towards one side.

I did not get them all done on the first day, but on day 2, which is today,I finished them up and began adding the next log.

Notice the width on these has changed.
Log #3-(cut 36) 1 1/2" x 3" from light fabric
​
Join these #3 pieces to the two logs that make up the center with the dark center on the top as as you sew. 

Press towards the new log that was added.

There is a lot of repetition in making these blocks.  Keeping myself to just 30 minutes a day should help me avoid the burnout that can happen when I make these.  I actually am having to force myself to stop when my time is up.  Yes, I am setting a timer on my phone!

What do you say? 
Will you be joining me to see just what we can accomplish in 30 minutes a day?  

Whatever you choose may your heart sing!