Just add water: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Australian Native Orange colour board at Clever Chameleon

The desert was only sleeping

I have been into the Australian Outback many times in the last 20 years, but this unique environment never fails to amaze me. It is resilient and diverse, and just because everything is bone dry, it doesn’t mean that everything is dead. On the contrary – when the conditions are right…… BAM! Life emerges from places and in forms you wouldn’t believe! Two nights ago I saw what looked like an ant that was only about 1/4 inch long, but with an antennae over an inch in length. It was investigating around about itself in an action very much like a blind person using a white cane. Curious company in the ladies’ room here, that’s for sure!

Anyway, you’ll hopefully remember that drought-stricken Arkaroola, where I currently live, received a large amount of rain about 3 weeks ago. Not enough to break the drought, but enough for a reprieve. And while I was disappointed not to be here when it fell, the runner-up’s prize is being able to stay here long enough to see the landscape respond to the water that fell, before the dryness resumes. Let me show you some of the interesting things that are appearing.

And then, I can show you, I’ve also added water to my new Island Batik fabrics. They are all washed and ironed, and poised to start on our Lunarcy New Year Quilt prototype. Here’s hoping that BAM! – that quilt top will appear quite quickly now that those conditions are right too!

Continue reading “Just add water: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday”

Love with a Twist Graceful Glider Swan Balloon

Swan Balloon appliqué from the Love with a Twist series by Dione Gardner-Stephen of Clever Chameleon

Autumn is here in Adelaide

The weather here has finally, finally turned. Autumn in Adelaide always gives us some of our very best, most beautiful and serene days, and it’s my favourite time of year weather-wise. It’s calm, gentle and soothing. The gliding swan of the weather world, perfect outdoors weather.

Of course, Autumn weather in Adelaide can hiss and spit too, like an enraged swan. Paul and I deliberately chose Autumn for our wedding many years ago, only to cop weather so bad it nearly cancelled our reception. In our wedding photos I am visibly white from cold. At the church, my bridesmaids hid in the bathroom to extract heat out of the hand drier….. But today we are thinking nice Autumn weather and happy swans. 🙂

And speaking of happy swans, the second option for Block 2 of the Love with a Twist quilt along is finally here. It’s my version of a really classic animal balloon shape. The balloon swan. Keep reading to collect your swan balloon pdf pattern and find out all the details for making the most of the next block of the Love with a Twist quilt along.

Continue reading “Love with a Twist Graceful Glider Swan Balloon”