Love with a Twist: Serene Seahorse

Serene Seahorse colours at Clever Chameleon

Our penultimate balloon appliqué for Colour & Inspiration Tuesday is here!

I’ve been shunning the internet as much as possible this week to work exclusively on my secret sewing Storm at Sea quilt for next Tuesday. But today I will briefly climb down from my hobby horse that has become a bit of a workhorse to bring you a seahorse instead.

Today our very last standard Block for the Throw size Love with a Twist quilt along – Block 9B. If you are making the Twin quilt, there is still one more bonus block to fill out the design. Read on to collect your seahorse balloon pattern and enjoy the art of making the balloon version on Youtube if you wish. All the Wow of balloon artistry, none of those squeaky noises. And then join our weekly linky party. Happy Tuesday everyone!

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Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving table top quilt with turkey at Clever Chameleon

Wishing all my Canadian friends a wonderful holiday for the coming weekend

Australians as a whole don’t do Thanksgiving, although many traditional churches do have a low-key harvest thanksgiving service in our late summer or early autumn. But I like thankfulness, and since it’s likely impossible to indulge in too much thankfulness, the Chameleon and I are getting on the Canadian bandwagon today. Happy Thanksgiving for the weekend and Monday, Canadian friends and everyone!

Canadian flag Clever Chameleon

It wasn’t until last year that I became aware that Canada has its own Thanksgiving Day, separate from the American occasion. And then I forgot again. Until I was reminded recently by Ann on Instagram, after I showed previews of my current Island Batik project. And of course, I was also reminded again right here by several friends on Tuesday. So while, I wasn’t initially planning on having this project done in time for Canada’s holiday, I have since become enthused. After all, my Canadian readers might make up only 10% of my views, but easily several times that percentage of my commenters. You Canadians are such a friendly and encouraging bunch, punching way above your comment weight, and for that I am genuinely thankful.

And so it happens, that I have pulled out all the stops to have a Friday, Canadian Thanksgiving, Island Batik Ambassador October challenge finish. If you are not Canadian, like me and 90% of my readers, then today you get to take an extra, small thankful pause for free. And, if you’ve been eagerly awaiting for the turkey’s reverse side since Tuesday, then be extra thankful. Today’s your lucky day! Your wait has been cut very short and you are about to cop an eyeful.

You’re welcome. 😀

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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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Chameleon Capers – Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Chameleon Capers colour board at Clever Chameleon

Finally, a Chameleon quilt in the works!

You’d think, with my love of all things critters and quilting, and an imaginary (shhh, he doesn’t know) Chameleon friend, that I should have/would have done a chameleon-flavoured quilt by now. You’d think. But it’s been over two years now since the Chameleon first took the internet by technicolour storm, and still no chameleon quilt. Not even a chameleon table runner. Awww poor unimpressed Chameleon!

Well, all that is about to change this month. I have until the beginning of July to complete a small quilt that has been a design idea since forever and has hit the top of the queue thanks to a Guild Challenge. It’s doable and it will be fun.

Welcome to another Colour & Inspiration Tuesday!

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Love with a Twist Kuddly Koala Balloon

Kuddly Koala appliqué for the Love with a Twist series by Dione Gardner-Stephen of Clever Chameleon

Welcome to March!

Let’s begin March with a ‘Bang”! At least, we probably would if this was a real balloon koala. It is so hot here today that balloons taken outside would not last very long at all. Luckily, March’s first balloon animal for the Love with a Twist quilt along is of the more permanent variety and totally chilled. “Kuddly Koala” is not going anywhere, having found the perfect spot to hang out on my Love with a Twist quilts.

Also impatient as he is cute, Kuddly Koala introduced himself early on Tuesday. But now we have the free download ready to go, so let’s have a proper look at this appliqué. Keep reading to collect your koala 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.

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