Ladybirds for Luck: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Ladybug colour board at Clever Chameleon

Ladybirds for Luck

So…… This week, things are going pretty well here…… Covid restrictions easing. My latest assignment written (and submitted!) on time. Three more blocks on the Lunarcy finished….. which gives me some breathing space to do some of the pattern writing for a change. And a four day weekend due to a public holiday yesterday combined with a student-free day today…. Puts me in the mood for a lighthearted look at Lady Luck, since that’s where the themes in my sewing room, the great outdoors and my linky inbox seem to intersect this week.

Why luck? The Chameleon doesn’t strike you as being overly superstitious, (unless it suits him), you say? Ladybugs, that’s why. They are the latest nice thing to arrive in my desert backyard in numbers large enough for me to notice. The ladybugs here in Arkaroola are smaller than at home in Adelaide, and are quite a fabulous orange, with large “three-lobed” markings. They are the Transverse Ladybird, or Coccinella transversalis, whereas the ones further south are the Large Spotted Ladybird, and are, well, larger and more spotted.

ladybird beetle

Lucky Charms

Ladybirds are lucky in many cultures, and widely popular as a good luck charm. Good for the garden, and cheery to look at. When I am finished the Lunarcy project, I am tempted to work some ladybird luck into my sewing room next. I am still thinking to design some extra blocks to accompany a paper-pieced garden block I have just developed for Seams to be Sew’s row-along in September. Ladybugs are right at the top of my ideas list. It seems to me that a Ladybug quilt is a must have in one’s gifting repertoire….. Going on a new adventure? – Cool, here’s a ladybug quilt for prosperity in your new place. Getting engaged or married?…. Everyone needs a bit of luck to kickstart the journey. A quilt for comfort in health challenges? Ladybugs are never in bad taste.

Actually, the Chameleon says ladybugs have a very bad taste indeed. Lucky for them, I reckon.

Do you know what else is supposed to be lucky? A rabbit’s foot.

appliqué rabbit's foot

Personally, I think I know something luckier than a rabbit’s foot… the rabbit that got to keep it.

Yup, you guessed it. I’m up to the Year of the Rabbit block on the Lunarcy quilt.

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