Talking Turkey: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Talking Turkey colour board at Clever Chameleon

October’s Island Batik Challenge is “Top It Off”

Top it off button for October's Island Batik challenge

My challenge as an Island Batik Ambassador in October is to: create a holiday runner or table topper, any size; must include appliqué. But don’t you think that’s a bit too easy for the Chameleon? He’s a challenge veteran by now!

So, let’s make it a proper challenge then. Purely self-imposed. Hmmm…… How about also: use the Accuquilt Cleopatra’s Fan die supplied in the July ambassador supplies box; make it juvenile; and choose a culturally irrelevant holiday. That should Top it right Off!

Pieced Cleopatra's Fans blocks at Clever Chameleon for turkey feathers

Hahaha. Sure! Luckily, I have just the thing in mind…. 😀 Remember when I said that I had lots of ideas for September’s Accuquilt challenge, but most of them didn’t meet at least one of the challenge requirements? Well, I wasn’t joking! Several of my designs fit all the requirements, except that they were too small. Luckily for me, a little tweaking and *taa dah*, one of them is now perfect for a small Thanksgiving quilt. Now also known as a table topper! So, I’m making a September’s-reject, decidedly juvenile, Cleopatra’s Fan turkey for October’s Island Batik challenge. One un-adult Thanksgiving table topper, involving appliqué, coming right your way. Brought to you by a confused Chameleon (who doesn’t do Thanksgiving because he’s Australian, but would like to), by a brave Island Batik (who asked for a holiday quilt, but may yet regret it) and poor Accuquilt (who is the innocent victim this time around).

Just remember…. Cleopatra’s Fan is a nice, staid, formal block and you don’t have to abuse it like the Chameleon does! Buuuuuuut, it is fun…… 😀

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Victorian Lace: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Victorian lace quilting design with crazy patchwork colour board at Clever Chameleon

Tackling a UFO from the Victorian Era!

Not really. 😀 It’s just an unfinished flimsy from March, but March does seem like ever such a long time ago. Time flies, does it not?

Do you remember my Crazed Diamonds crazy patchwork piece? No?!! 😮 I’d be quite surprised if you did actually, there’s been a lot of water under all manner of quilting bridges since then! But full marks if you have any idea what I am talking about. And bonus points for reading on…..

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Flowers, Frogs and Finishes

Pond Life quilt at Clever Chameleon with pink tulips colour scheme

Tulips while I quilt

My hubby and daughter bought pink tulips with the groceries last week. I hope you’ll agree, they were a very fine decoration to enjoy while I was working on the final stages of my Pond Life quilt. I was particularly struck by the perfect match of the green of the tulip leaves with the greens of my chosen fabrics. So in honour of well-matched flowers and a finished quilt we have the pastel version of the Pond Life colours this week.

Yes, you read that right. Pond Life is finished, and on the correct side of May 1 to boot! Actually, there are no boots in my pristine pond – just water lilies and frogs and other water critters. Today’s post also sees my finished Island Batik/Accuquilt baby quilt hanging out at my local wetlands, and our weekly colour & inspiration party features. Enjoy the eye candy!

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New Lunar Year, New Ambassador Year, New Fabrics, New Colours!

Fabric colours for 2019 at Clever Chameleon Quilting blog

Happy Chinese New Year 2019

Today, Tuesday February 5th, is Chinese New Year and also my 1st Island Batik Ambassiverary. 2019 is Year of the Pig and in the next few weeks we will have several cute piggy appliqués on the blog to celebrate. But first, we get to herald in the New Lunar Year with Colour & Inspiration Tuesday. The Chameleon thinks this is a very good sign for 2019!

pig sculpture
The bronze pig sculptures in our Adelaide CBD. This little piggy is my favourite.

And today is not just any Colour & Inspiration Tuesday either. It is none other than the first opportunity in my blogging calendar for me to share with you about the 2019 Island Batik Ambassador year. If you read on, you will see that we going to have a lot of batik fun here this year! And there is also one major change in the program from last year, that I hope you will like.

As on previous occasions, there is also one set of pre-release fabrics in my new samples from Island Batik that is concealed for now. But I promise you, you are going to love my surprise fabrics come August. And I can let slip a little something about them today……. Shhhhh, don’t tell though, it’s our secret.

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