A goodbye.

It's been a sad week in Daisyland. Late last week Mr Daisy's father passed away peacefully. Brian was a lovely, kind, man who was ready to laugh and always made the most of life. He touched many peoples lives and will be remembered with much love by many people. I could go on and write a million other wonderful things about Brian but I thought I'd keep it simple and share a post from the past. The photos and words are about a quilt but for Mr Daisy and I it brings back wonderful memories of a fun day out with with his parents, Joan and Brian, and their willingness to join in an adventure. It was a day of smiles.

Waltzing Matilda

by RachaeldaisyApril 26, 2012

Here it is... the grand unveiling of my finished Waltzing Matilda quilt!!

The front is made entirely of two of my most favourite fabrics, Nuala and Matilda, both by Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom in different colour ways, from ranges released a few years apart. Everyone knows I love Jennifer's beautiful rich, bright colours. Creating gorgeous toile patterned fabrics in these fabulous colours is brilliant in my humble opinion!

I was limited with the design because I only had fat quarters of some of the fabrics and didn't want to waste even a corner by doing any curved piecing, so that left squares or triangles. I'd just received a big book of quilt block designs and I'd have to say I must have been influenced because it does look like one big giant block. The design wasn't thought out before hand. I like to play with ideas in my sewing room, I stick a bit of fabric on the design wall, see what happens and let the quilt grow from there.

At 96 by 96 inches the quilt was way too huge for me to comfortably quilt myself and I’m lucky enough to know the best longarm quilter, Tanya Croft. The pattern she chose for this quilt couldn’t be more perfect. It echoes the fabric patterns with free flowing, beautiful, botanical lines.

The backing is also made up of Sis Boom fabrics,  Ann Flower Mural in the green and brown colour ways. I just can’t get enough of a good thing!

 Have you ever noticed that some quilts are suited to being flat so you can enjoy the whole design whereas other quilts are fun to scrunch up and get cosy in. This is one of those quilts that no matter how the quilt is folded or flipped around it still looks good. I love this quilt any way it falls, messed up, upside down, back to front or nice and smooth on my bed, I guess it’s a result of using favourite fabrics and such pretty ones..

I had some help styling the photos. Mr Daisy’s parents were visiting recently so when we went to show them some local sites I took Waltzing Matilda along.They really got into the spirit of coming up with ideas for photos and climbing through bush and over rocks to get help get the best shots.

Huge Thanks to Joan and Brian!!! And Mr Daisy of course!!!

Father and son, the best quilt wranglers!

As for the title...For those of you that don’t know - The song Waltzing Matilda is so very Australian, an unofficial National Anthem. Seeing as the fabric is called Matilda, the quilt just had to be Waltzing Matilda. 

Farewell Brian Dodd, August 1939 - June 2020. 

I'll sign off with a heart and a reminder that every day is a precious gift.