Green Hearts: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Green patchwork colours at Clever Chameleon

Green for Solidarity and Caring

Several days ago I found out about the Healing Hearts for Christchurch initiative. It is a drive to make and distribute quilts to the people most affected by the recent terror attack in Christchurch.

I decided that I would like to support this group of caring quilters on their quest to show love, respect, acceptance, and support to those affected within the Muslim community. They are also reaching out to the first responders, emergency services personal and ongoing support workers of Christchurch. So today, my friend Susan and I started turning our green fabric scraps into a quilt top to send to New Zealand via Healing Hearts. It is going to have improv pieced green appliqué hearts alternated with green nine-patches. The green is used at the request of the drive organisers. I’m hoping to get this project in the post by the end of the week.

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Crazed Diamonds Quilt Top Finished

Crazed Diamonds finished quilt top at Clever Chameleon

Crazed: characterized by a network of fine cracks….

I’m naming my latest Island Batik challenge quilt “Crazed Diamonds”. I think that speaks well to both the crazy quilt heritage and the modern outcome of this quilt design. And possibly my wider quilting life too… 😛

Today’s post is really just a quick update to show you the eye-candy that is my latest quilt top finish. I hope it gives you a few happy moments to brighten your day.

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Crazy Coral – Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Crazy Coral colour scheme by Clever Chameleon

Just crazy enough….

Like a good friend with whom you can let your hair down anytime, my new little quilt is going to be just crazy enough to be great company. 🙂 I am beginning to really like having this scrap buster hanging around, brightening my day. Even though it is only half done. And running waaaay behind schedule.

vintage reimagined

I’m talking about my vintage reimagined, crazy-modern tribute quilt that has featured in my last few posts. I am struggling to find time to focus on it, with life throwing our family too many curve balls this last fortnight. But although the quilt’s not coming together as quickly as I would like, it is coming along a treat overall. I love the colour combination I’ve chosen (and that I’ve somehow miraculously managed to stick to). I also love my solution for highlighting the crazy seams without the complexity of masses of embroidery.

And I love how it looks with the flowers my hubby and daughter chose at the supermarket this week. Happy Tuesday!

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Sew Succulent: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Sew Succulent colour scheme by Clever Chameleon

Sometimes you just have to get started. Then the ideas will finally come….

This week I have been working on my crazy diamond quilt idea from my previous post. I started this quilt with very little idea where I was headed…. A bit scary!……. But to put it off much longer would have been inviting worse disaster. Like, no quilt at all….

No captivating ideas had been forthcoming to me for the March Island Batik Ambassador challenge until now, and it certainly wasn’t for lack of pondering. All I had to show for about a month of ruminating was an urge to make improv diamond blocks from my Island Batik fabric scraps. Ever noticed that the calendar is relentless?!

Anyway, although I started this quilt with a sense of trepidation I have not felt in a while, my usual excitement is now building and I think I have a plan. I certainly have some blocks, and the void of ideas has made way for my more usual sea of squirrels. Come on in and see where I (think I) am headed. And of course, find out who scored last week’s Colour & Inspiration features. Happy Tuesday!

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Vintage Reimagined with Island Batik

Matha Bingley's crazy diamond quilt

“Give the Past a Personal Touch”

That is the monthly challenge for Island Batik Ambassadors this March. An invitation to reimagine a vintage quilt (or a building or furniture or another artefact of some kind) into a new quilt.

Vintage reimagined challenge

As the muse for my challenge piece, I have chosen an early Australian quilt by Martha Bingley. Not much is known about Martha Bingley or her quilt (pictured above). Except for one picture of her and the information contained on the quilt itself. There’s a good reminder to label your quilts right there, people!

Martha’s crazy quilt is now owned by Annette Gero. It is also featured in Annette’s book about Australian quilting history called “The Fabric of Society – Australia’s Quilt Heritage from Convict Times to 1960”. The quilt is dated 1883 and is slightly unusual for its time and place. Perfect Chameleon fodder!

Can you see why this quilt is notable? Let’s take a moment to muse this quilt from yesteryear. And I’ll share with you where reimaging vintage Australian quilts has led me so far.

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