Island Batik fabric Archives - Page 7 of 19

February 18, 2020January 19, 2024

Still Here and Finally There!

Lunarcy colour board at Clever Chameleon

Hoping to be past the dramas and back to sewing soon

Sorry that I missed you last Tuesday. We were on the road and it all got too hard in the end….. as you will find out shortly(!). It’s taken three attempts since School Induction week for us to make it back to Arkaroola, but third time’s the charm! We have been here for a week now, and almost settled into a routine. Not the routine that I think is sustainable for the year, but a routine nonetheless. Regular food, laundry, ablutions, schooling and sleep. Now to sneak in blogging and sewing somewhere! And perhaps some exercise……

But mostly the blogging and sewing. Because……. my fabrics for our new BOM have arrived from Island Batik. Yay! Yup, fabrics from the other side of the world only took a week longer to get here than I did! That’s how much trouble we’ve had!

Let me tell you about our latest adventures….. and my new glorious Island Batik fabrics! And then you can tell me what you’ve been up to at our (usually) weekly party. Fingers crossed that life is more predictable for a while and the Chameleon can get back to regular creating and partying.

January 25, 2020January 19, 2024

Moving Times and New Beginnings

Lunar New Year quilt at Clever Chameleon

Happy Lunar New Year 2020!

As I write this, it is Chinese New Year today and Australia Day tomorrow. So I’m wishing everyone who celebrates either or both occasions a very splendid day.

I am celebrating today, albeit in the absence of the Chinese branch of my extended family, with the next step towards launching our next free BOM here at Clever Chameleon. I got word this morning that the Lunar New Year quilt BOM will be supported by Island Batik, who will very kindly supply the fabrics shown in the picture above so I can make the demo quilt. Auspicious timing! So stay tuned for the beginnings of that adventure very soon in February.

I will also be celebrating tomorrow with my first Australia Day in the Australian wilderness. Nothing more Australian than admiring macropods in the desert! We have made it safely to Arkaroola and moved into our new home. At least, the things we brought in our first load are moved in. Most of my sewing gear is awaiting a second trip, along with our bikes and the other fun things not crucial enough to be included in our initial move. I’ll be glad to have them in about a week’s time.

So far we have experienced our first dust storm, received our first shipment of School of the Air supplies, and made friends with the local wildlife. When I get some time I will show you around the place more. But here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to…..

December 17, 2019January 19, 2024

Warm Wishes: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Christmas Star colour board at Clever Chameleon

The Christmas Season is Heating Up!

The tree is up, presents are bought, plans are mostly laid. The weather outside is variable; this week it is stinking hot, until it’s not. It’s going to be 44C by Friday. For those of you not familiar with Celcius to Farenheit, 44C is about 111F. Then Saturday will have a maximum of 25C….. that will be one heck of a cool change when it blows through. It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas!

Although 44C is not the hottest we’ve ever had (46.6C in Jan 2019), it will equal our hottest December day on record. In fact, heat records are set to fall in much of this sunburnt country of ours this week while I try to pack and quilt. Two not-so-great options for this weather, but we have health, water and shelter, and no bushfires nearby – a lot to be thankful for. Christmas Day will be more like our December average of 28C.

And in harmony with end-of-year thankfulness, it’s that time of year when the Chameleon expresses his gratitude to you my readers by breaking out in song. Continue reading for your annual dose of Clever Chameleon Quilty Christmas Carols!

December 12, 2019January 19, 2024

Penguin Play Date: 3D Island Batik Challenge

Meet Mario and Luigi, the Dauntless Dynamic Duo!

The Island Batik Ambassador challenge for December is to make something 3D. So, today we have….. two 3Ds. Two delightfully dapper dudes! 😀 I made these two penguin guys from a Funky Friends Factory pattern and dressed them in the dashing designer decor of my nephew’s favourite game characters. And so my main project for the 3D challenge is decidedly, definitely, done.

My new penguin pals are only staying with me until Christmas, as they have a plan to adopt said nephew and move in with him. I believe their idea is to wrap themselves in paper and stealth themselves into his life by pretending to be presents. A dazzlingly daring design. I think it just might work!

But first, these distinguished dinkum dreamboats must earn their keep by taking a turn to show off their Island Batik credentials. No dogged dull drudgery here though…. Mario and Luigi had plenty of fun on their photo shoot at their choice of delectable day destination….. I’m assured that a day at the local playground and wetlands is a penguin’s most dearly desired dream.

Here’s what happened when two 3D penguins were asked to strut their Island Batik stuff…..

December 10, 2019January 19, 2024

Texture & Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Scarlet Macaw colour board at Clever Chameleon Quilting

Have you ever played with texture on a quilt?

You know me, I often like to experiment with texture and embellishments in my quilt projects. Quilting is for me where “art meets sewing”. Two itches, one colossal scratching!

So when Island Batik announced that December was 3D month for the 2019 Ambassadors, I was in both ecstasy and agony. Right up my alley…. but, oh! Which alley to choose!?!? Thing is, I just about need a street directory for all my alleys. I didn’t even have to make up any new projects for this challenge, and I still had three to choose from.

So, I’ve done the responsible thing, and decided to progress them all……. 3x 3D! Did I mention, I quite like texture? 😀