Island Batik fabric Archives - Page 11 of 19

September 6, 2019January 19, 2024

Crazed Diamonds: Show and Tell Friday

Crazed Diamonds Victoriana tribute quilt by Dione Gardner-Stephen of Clever Chameleon

Another Successful and Fascinating Royal Adelaide Show

The Royal Adelaide Show is our State’s largest agricultural and horticultural show. It is also our biggest annual carnival with all the rides and show games. I’m a country girl by childhood, so I love the animal and farming parts of the show. I am also a crowd-hater, so the games and rides end of the showgrounds are not for me if I can help it. I really would prefer to pick my way through cow dung than buy fairy floss. Anyday.

But it is really the handicraft displays and other competitive arts that make me buy a ticket to The Show. Especially since I usually compete in the quilting and embroidery sections. I went to the Adelaide Show yesterday, and as always, I was taken with so many brilliant things. And I finally got some photos of my Crazed Diamonds quilt. Want to see?

August 31, 2019January 19, 2024

Shine Bright: an Island Batik quilt finish

Shine Bright quilt as a bed runner at Clever Chameleon

I was beginning to think this poor project was slightly cursed!

The advice on this beautiful little quilt reads “Shine Bright”. There were times, however I felt like it should have read more along the lines of “Burn, Sucker!”. haha In short; the quilt is finished and it is good. Actually, it’s really lovely. It is exactly what I wanted and needed. The journey, however, was blessed with a few unwanted twists and turns. The long version of the story goes as follows……

August 27, 2019January 19, 2024

Electric Blues: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Shine On Blues color board at Clever Chameleon

The best laid plans are nought without electricity…..

I’m not where I wanted to be on this project today. But even I know that neither mice nor men can make a HQ Sweet Sixteen run during a blackout, so our Inspiration Tuesday is to celebrate what I have got. Which is the electricity back on in time to make dinner, lights back on before dark, a charging laptop and most of my Island Batik challenge done for August. Overall, it’s all good.

I had been aiming to get my Star Light, Star Bright challenge quilt done by today, clearing the way for our second Love with a Twist block for the month later in the week and a clean slate for September. But it wasn’t to be. The upside is that today you get to see the appliqué that I’ve already added to my wonky star blocks. And I get to save telling you about my motives for making this quilt until another day soon. When I can show you it finished and in use. While it might look like a bed runner, and could be made as one, in this instance it is not. I have a very specific purpose in mind for this quilt.

August 24, 2019January 19, 2024

Love with a Twist: Omniscient Owl

Omniscient Owl balloon appliqué from the Love with a Twist series by Dione Gardner-Stephen of Clever Chameleon

Owl Love You Forever…..

Our all-knowing balloon owl for Love with a Twist is an observant old bird. And a bit of a snoop too. In fact, he knows too much about most people and loves us all anyway. Although this version of him looks a bit worried for some reason….. perhaps he knows something about me that he shouldn’t. I wonder what’s ruffled his feathers? haha.

This owl applique is already sewn onto my Twin size version of Love with a Twist. When I make a second owl for my Throw size quilt, perhaps I will take more care in positioning the eyes to get a more optimistic expression. I am sure you will take note of my owl and take more care with yours, unless you like his slightly startled-looking persona, of course. 😀 Then again, maybe it takes all types to make a quilt….. he certainly looks just fine in the context of my entire project so far. He might be worried about me, but the feeling is not really mutual. I like having a few characters around the place.

Omniscient Owl is our second option for Block 7 of the Love with a Twist quilt along. The wisest of followers will add him to their Love with a Twist collection asap. So, keep reading to download your pdf pattern and find out how to put him together.

August 24, 2019January 19, 2024

Love with a Twist: Magic Monkey

Magic Monkey balloon appliqué from the Love with a Twist series by Dione Gardner-Stephen of Clever Chameleon

Two Cheeky Monkeys, Jumping on the Bed….

One fell off, and popped his head…. Ooops. Hmmmm, that rhyme doesn’t work so well with balloons…. hahaha. Disturbing antics aside, I am making cheeky monkeys today. And having too much fun. One day they will even be on several someone’s beds, although hopefully minus the jumping. Our Love with a Twist quilt along is up to the balloon monkey! Yay!

Two monkeys today – one balloon monkey for my Twin size Love with a Twist quilt and the other for the Throw size. Don’t worry though, we are back to our usual “one pattern fits both quilts” scenario. This appliqué is one of my favourites from this series. The monkey just looks so happy, it’s hard not to smile back!