A Good News Day is always a good time to say Thank You

Shadows of Auntie Green with blue ribbon

Shadows of Auntie Green has found her own little place in (South) Australian quilt history

Do you remember the story behind my April Island Batik Ambassador Quilt, Shadows of Auntie Green? It was inspired by a quilt from Australia’s early quilt history called Auntie Green’s Coverlet. And do you remember how I struggled with knowing quite how to finish this quilt off, and I got lots of lovely suggestions from readers that sparked just the right idea?

Well. that’s exactly what happened, and today I got a big but lovely shock in the form of a first ribbon at the South Australian Quilters’ Guild annual show, the Festival of Quilts. I pinned the ribbon on the quilt myself but I’m still not quite sure that I believe it. Somebody pinch me!!

And I had only just stopped shaking (yes, I had a bit of a physical reaction to that ribbon!) when I also received a third placing for another Island Ambassador challenge quilt, Modern Winding Ways. The guild challenge this year was to take a traditional quilt block and make it modern. So I kept this in mind when I made my June’s Island Batik Ambassador modern quilt. Two birds, one stone. 🙂

Modern Winding Ways with third ribbon

And then a Judge’s Commendation for my origami quilt, Bloomin’ Nine Patches. Crikey!

Bloomin' Nine Patches with Judges Commendation

An embarrassment of riches! 

And for extra smiles. Judy and Pat, whom I met last weekend received ribbons too. Tomorrow I will be at the show again, and will have proper browsing time. So I will be seeking out their beauties then. And I’m sure Judy (from News with Jude) will blog about them, so I will be able to point you in that direction soon.

And the day didn’t end there……!

My daughter was lucky enough to escort me to the show today, as her school was closed for a teacher training day. And it wasn’t long before she spied the Quilting Bee. This year this activity was aimed at the youth. Each child was invited to sew around a pre-prepared appliqué block for charity in return for a chance to win a ready-made quilt. There are 3 quilts on offer, one for each day.

Here she is diligently sewing her block. She was the first volunteer.

child sewing

child sewing

And here is her completed block

rocket appliqué block

She got a pin to wear, which you can see on the right. It says “I’m a Mini Quilt Maker”. She has worn it all day…. to Grandma’s to pick up her brother after we returned from the show, and then to the dentist . Actually it was on until pjs time!

And we’ve just had a phone call. My DD has won today’s raffle and has her pick of the three prize quilts! I will get the chosen one for her tomorrow when I go back to the show to help out on one of the charity tables. 

What a day!

blue Clever Chameleon logoSo thank you…..

And that brings me full circle to thanking you. I am always so grateful for my readers who visit my blog. Without you, there would be no blog, no Island Batik challenges and no feedback. But today it goes further than that. Without you, Shadows of Auntie Green specifically would never have happened. No new fabrics, no musing over antique quilts and William Morris, no discussion over the quilting and binding of this particular quilt. Maybe something else entirely but certainly not this. So that puts you all fair and square at the centre of my amazing day, and I hope you will accept some thanks. Thanks for sharing your opinions. Thanks for your encouraging comments. And thanks for reading.

Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll go back to blaming the Chameleon for everything. Take the thanks and run! 🙂


Would you like to keep in touch with Clever Chameleon and the fun quilty ideas I design as well as find all over the internet? You can follow directly for email updates, or through Bloglovin’, Pinterest or FB. All your follow options can be found here. And don’t forget to link up all your current quilting projects on Tuesdays at our Colour Inspiration Linky parties!

rainbow Clever Chameleon logoThe Chameleon turns rainbow with pleasure when he hears from you. I am more reserved, so I will respond in gratitude by email instead. Now that it’s your turn…. Scroll right to the end, leave me a comment and tell me, what do you think? Thanks for connecting!

22 Replies to “A Good News Day is always a good time to say Thank You”

  1. Congratulations! Sounds like you are having some well deserved fun. Congrats to your daughter as well.

  2. Well done Dione! Although I’m not at all surprised – we all know what a gem you are already. Well deserved.

  3. This is an awesome blog letter day! So happy for you and your daughter too. 🙂
    How exciting since I feel I have been along for the ride even though I’m a 1/2 a world away. Congratulations!!!

  4. Congratulations, Dione! What a day you had! How awesome to have won those ribbons, and for your sweet daughter to have participated in the event and won a quilt! That is just fabulous!! So proud of you!

  5. Congratulations doesn’t seem enough … Wow!! What an incredible day and so much deserved … Not just for you but your delightful daughter. She’s on her way!! Cheers and Congrats to both of you.

  6. Oh it sounds like a glorious day! You deserve that ribbon.. every ounce of sweat has paid off… Congratulations!! While I am here I will also thank you for all the good advise and patterns.. I enjoy your posts immensely! I am in Canada so a long ways away from you but enjoy everything you have to say! Keep up the good work!

  7. What a truly wonderful day for you both. DD, that applique is so neat, perfect block, and to win the raffle, well done. Dione, we are all winners with you, we get to share your success ( Congrats all over again) and then you share your goodies with us.The Bears, your quilt journey with Auntie Green, that is so deserving.

  8. I just love this quilt! Your Modern Winding Ways is also stunning. You’re an amazing quilter!

  9. Hi Dione! Aww, three – or really four wins in one day in beyond amazing. Of course, I think it’s warranted and well deserved. How sweet that your daughter was the first volunteer to sew the blocks for charity. That really doesn’t surprise me, as I’m sure you raised her well and to always help in any way she is able to. {{hugs}} to you both. That is so very exciting! Happy Happy Friday to you! ~smile~ Roseanne

  10. Congratulations Dionne, well deserved wins, and great to meet up with you again yesterday, we all had a great day, and congrats to your daughter as well.

  11. Congratulations. It is a beautiful quilt – the award was well deserved.

  12. Super-happy for you Dione, well-deserved. You put such thought, effort and work into that Auntie Green quilt, just so impressive. And I love your Modern Winding Ways, so unusual, so bright, such fab quilting. Thanks for sharing your process, asking for feedback, always such a learning and growing experience for readers as well as the blogger! Lovely to see your daughter, so sweet! Yay she won too!

  13. Congrats it is a great thrill to win a ribbon .Hope to see you at Jude’s again sometime. I love that you are really into colour. Marie

  14. It looks like you had a great day all round – a bit of an understatement I think! – Congratulations on your winnings – and especially for Auntie Green….it’s such a beautiful quilt that I”m not surprised reallly! Well done to your daughtere with her sewing efforts too 🙂

  15. I did miss a post, and what a great post! Congratulations on all your well-deserved wins! You barely finished that one, and already it’s a winner! Now your daughter did a beautiful job on that blanket stitch! That’s fabulous, and then she won! I wonder whether she appreciated the winning quilt more or the pin. A mini-quilter, indeed, and well on her way to not being so mini about it!

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