Yellow Butterfly Hijinks: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday

Yellow Butterfly Hijinks colour board at Clever Chameleon

The little blue flower that started a neighbourhood dispute…..

Or was it the yellow butterfly? Or someone else entirely…..?

Watching the local pollinators compete, you would be forgiven for thinking that flowers are scarce in Arkaroola right now. Which, I think you probably get the idea: they are not. The cooler weather, plus the months elapsed since our big rain, has resulted in a bloom of both flowers and insects. Wanted and otherwise.

But apparently some flower locales are more desirable than other blooming addresses. Even within the best Cattle Bush Restaurants there appears to be premium tables where the best-dressed socialites wish to be seen hanging. The freshest nectar. The showiest location….. or perhaps just a good old fear of missing out? Whatever the reason, the competition out there for specific dining experiences is fierce right now. And, for a butterfly of quiet disposition, eating out is not quite as simple a task as you might expect!

Come sit in a dry Arkaroola creek bed with me and watch the locals fight it out for a feed. Not everyone was as yellow as these guys either. Size and brawn both still count for something when you want your own way, apparently.

After the cheap amusement, we can quickly detour past my sewing room, although most of what I’ve done there this week has to stay secret for a bit longer. No Lunarcy this week, something entirely different- my very first paper-pieced pattern! Ha, you didn’t see that coming, did you? Actually, that makes two of us.

And then join me to find out where some of the best hangouts on the quilt-net were this week. Warning: humble brag forecast this week is for a high chance of self-promotion. 😀

Aurelia the Eurema

Right, first things first – your weekly dose of Arkaroola awesomeness. It all started with noticing a new-to-me butterfly last week. The Small Grass Yellow or Eurema smilax is apparently common in Australia, but not in the rural area where I grew up, nor in inner suburban Adelaide where I’ve mostly lived since. They are only about 3 cm total wingspan, but very bright yellow and hard to miss.

A fairly tatty individual initially caught my eye in the creek bed where I have been weeding, and being the first specimen I’d seen, I stopped to take a look. She (presumably a she, let’s call her Aurelia) settled on a Cattle Bush, so being the curious chameleon that I am, I plumped down to watch and try my luck for a photo or two. I not only got photos, but soon found out why Aurelia was a little ragged around the edges, and I was treated to quite the amusing little skit for my trouble.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax at Arkaroola May 2020
Small Grass Yellow, Eurema smilax, Arkaroola, Australia

Can’t a girl just get a quiet nectar around here?

Aurelia was wetting her whistle at the Blue Hanging Flower Café, happily minding her own business until some annoying guy got too friendly, and wouldn’t rack off. He got ten points for persistence, but Aurelia wasn’t having any of that. So she threatened to tie his antennae together and left for a classier establishment. He disappeared soon after, presumably in search of someone more impressionable, but Aurelia didn’t go far.

Having abandoned a perfectly good brunch, Aurelia was still thirsty. She found a new local hangout where unwanted suitors weren’t hovering – a nice quiet empty flower in the corner of a cute little Cattle Bush next door.

Cattle Bush in flower at Arkaroola May 2020

Only to find that she had been apparently been seated at the busy end of the buffet!

Don’t you hate it when your favourite place gets popular?!

Just as she was tucking in, a solitary bee looking for company zoomed in on her spot. “I heard the tucker is good around here” the Blue-banded bee hummed.

Small Grass Yellow, Eurema smilax and Blue banded bee

At first Aurelia thought some company might be nice. But it turns out that Blue-banded bees are single and live alone for a reason. Several reasons. They are really loud. Really draughty. And really messy! Aurelia backed off in disgust.

Small Grass Yellow, Eurema smilax and Blue banded bee

“Time for a visit to the ladies’ room,” thought Aurelia, leaving the bee to herself.

Blue banded bee

Luckily Blue-banded bees also have really short attention spans, and Aurelia had the (slightly dishevelled) buffet to herself again very quickly.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax at Arkaroola May 2020

Until Meadow Argus joined the party a moment later. At first Aurelia hoped that she and Mrs Argus could share the buffet, as the big butterfly was initially far more genteel than her previous dining mate.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax and Meadow Argus at Arkaroola May 2020

But no matter how much space you give some people, they always want more. Even swapping seats didn’t really help, and very soon Meadow had all six of her trotters in the buffet.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax and Meadow Argus at Arkaroola May 2020

And then! Mrs Argus spotted the bee and called her over. Turns out they were old friends, and meeting up like this caused them a real buzz of excitement. Aurelia was more than a little annoyed.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax and Meadow Argus at Arkaroola May 2020

Definitely time for another toilet break!

Meadow Argus at Arkaroola May 2020

Again, the flower lost its appeal once Aurelia was not sitting on it. The Meadow Argus moved on in search of a more happening party and Aurelia snuck back to her seat.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax at Arkaroola May 2020

You wouldn’t read about it, but the next arrival was almost immediate. A Lesser Wanderer. It was the final straw.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax and Lesser Wanderer at Arkaroola May 2020

Aurelia just couldn’t suck it up any longer.

Small Grass Yellow butterfly, Eurema smilax and Lesser Wanderer at Arkaroola May 2020

The Lesser Wanderer was surprised. “What’s up with her?! I didn’t even get to say “Hello”. Gee wizz, she left this buffet in a real mess! How can someone so small be so disgusting?! She’s worse than one of those Blue-banded bees…. Actually, this nectar’s pretty good, don’t know why she didn’t finish hers. Oh well.”

Poor Aurelia.

Sewing with the Chameleon this week

I haven’t worked on the Year of the Dog block, or any Lunarcy at all this week. Because, in September, Marian at Seams to be Sew is running her annual row-along, sponsored by Northcott Fabrics and other generous companies.

It's a Garden Party row along

And I was recently reminded that drafts for our patterns for the It’s A Garden Party Row Along are nearly due. I actually drafted my garden block in February, when we were rained out of Arkaroola. But then life happened…. you all know how 2020 has gone….. and the rough copy of my first paper-pieced pattern remained safely at concept stage. So this week I had to stop pretending that I was sort of nearly dealing with it soon at some stage and just get it done. So this week I have done my test sewing.

paper pieced tree with appliqué blossoms and leaves at Clever Chameleon Quilting

If you are paying attention you will see that it is actually a combo of paper-piecing and appliqué. I am actually very happy with it. I’m just sorry I can’t show it yet. Just a sneak peek that tells you almost exactly nothing.

It’s a garden block, with…. no.

Before I get too far down that track we’d better change the topic

No self-restraint when I get enthused. Time to look at some link ups from last week instead, so I don’t write anything I shouldn’t.

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Lynn link at Lynns blog has earned top spot this week because of this!

Beary Colourful bear at Lynn's blog

She has combined one of my Beary Colourful Bears designs from 2018 (Reach for the Stars bear) with a border full of stars for what I think is a brilliant result.

And Lynn has earned herself a Lobstermeleon because……?

Does there have to be a reason?

…… because, in Lynn’s post you will also find this piece of fibre art designed and hooked by Lynn’s daughter. I love this too, the colours and the form, so I’m double encouraging you to take a look at Lynn’s stellar post.

Lobster rug hooking at Lynns blog
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I also really liked this post from Vasudha at Storied Quilts. For her home decor project for Island Batik this month she made a Christmas Tree skirt. Every year I think I would like to make a Christmas Tree skirt, but have never found a design that gets me to commit. But I think I have found a potential answer…. I could definitely live with this or something very similar! All I need now is a spiral staircase…. whaaaat? Head over to Vasudha’s place to see where her Christmas Tree goes!

Christmas tree skirt by Vasudha of Storied Quilts.
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Turid at Den syende himmel has finished her pineapple blocks. We’ve been watching this collection grow for a while, and it’s such a pleasure to see all the blocks done. I’m cheering for Turid as she now tackles the job of getting all those papers off…..!

Pineapple blocks by Turid of den syende himmel
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And because the Chameleon can never really go past a rainbow, we have to admire the eye-candy that is Diamond Brights at Sew Yummy. Whipped up in a long weekend! Visit Sew Yummy for the links to the original pattern and to see her own process.

Diamonds bright quilt top at Sew Yummy

Why did the lobster need to make a quilt?

Because he lives on the seabed. So, if you’ve got a new quilt, or a new quilt project, the Lobstermeleon neeeeeeds to see it.

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Tell us – what are you working on, or have recently finished in your sewing room? We want to know so we can visit and be inspired. Link up a blog post, an IG post or simply a photo from your computer.  See if you can get the Chameleon to turn quilted with happiness. We’d love to see your quilting colours!

  • Link up your latest or recent quilt/sewing excitement. All quilt construction stages welcome – finished quilts, quilt blocks – even fabric pulls! Or inspiration sources!
  • You have 50 characters in the link description…. tell us who you are and what your fantastic project is.
  • URL links are not necessary to link up…. non-bloggers 100% welcome! If you don’t have a URL, you can link up with just a photo.
  • Take a moment to visit some friends who came to the party – leave a little love and make their day. And a link back to Clever Chameleon is always appreciated.
  • Do it now……. before you forget!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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The Chameleon turns rainbow with pleasure when he hears from you. Now that it’s your turn…. Scroll to the end and tell me what you think. Thanks for connecting!

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, IG or FB. All your follow options can be found here. Don’t forget to link up all your current quilting projects on Tuesdays at our Colour & Inspiration Linky parties!

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, IG or FB. All your follow options can be found here. Don’t forget to link up all your current quilting projects on Tuesdays at our Colour & Inspiration Linky parties!

8 Replies to “Yellow Butterfly Hijinks: Colour & Inspiration Tuesday”

  1. I love your story! Being in the Bush seems to have expanded your imagination. I also have been enjoying your tours or the area. Thanks so much for sharing.

  2. Love the photos, but they are especially fun with the story that you tell. I’ll bet story time at your house doesn’t even require a book!

  3. My understanding is that the odds of finding a blue lobster is 1 in 2 million. Just thought I’d add this little bite of info. Thanks for the mention Dione. The lobstermeleon glows neon blue with the attention.

  4. Great story Dione, I will observe with more interest the next butterfly I see on a flower!! I did do a recent video of the bees on my dahlias and zinnias for my granddaughter which she loved!! Better look for butterflies now!

  5. Wow! That was one active plant, or series of plants…such great photos and a great imagination! Life goes on all around us and it is nice to watch. Today I retrieved a dog toy from the hot stones I put it on to finish drying only to find a snake cooling underneath wet stuffed opossum! I was shocked but it was a harmless garden snake.

  6. Love your stories, Dione! And can’t wait to see your row! I have mine started but am having difficulty getting into the writing part. Nothing like a looming deadline to get one moving, though! I am glad she extended it a week! Have a good one!

  7. This was such a funny read. I really appreciate your mails. Keep us posted with your wildlife stories, they are beautiful. This one could be made into a storybook for kids.

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