Over 1600 Australian families go through a very similar thing each year, having to organise funerals for their babies, rather than sweet homecomings.
Ever since I became involved with the SANDS organisation, I have racked my brain for ways to help raise funds for their terrific services.
We've tried a lot of things - art shows, raffles, garage sales, even sock drives - and this is my latest - The Great Hanky Drive.
Through SANDS, I met the lovely Jen Perignon. Jen's fourth child, Scarlett, was stillborn in March 2007.
In memory of Scarlett, Jen started packing up little photo frames, delivering them to the maternity ward, to be given to mothers in a similar situation to hers.
You see, the hospital will take some photos for the parents, and many parents would want to frame at least one photo... honouring the memory of their baby. But shopping for a photo frame in the midst of your grief is so hard.
And then I thought of hankies!
Losing a baby is a sad time and a hanky is obviously useful - but there are so many other great reasons to have a hanky handy.
save trees,
wipe chins,
dab mouths,
dry tears,
play games,
clean glasses,
buff apples,
wipe computer screens,
start conversations in coffee shops and even
blow noses if required.
This hanky is also a lovely gift to pop in the mail to a friend, give to a little friend or send to someone who's feeling sad.
This hanky is soft and 100% cotton, featuring my handcut, screenprinted artwork in the middle. The printed bit is heat sealed and is fine to use straight away, but will soften more with each wash.
The hanky measures 30cm square and the print is about 17cm square.
With each hanky you buy, 50c goes straight in the pot to buy more frames for the SCARLETT KISSES project.
Thanks so much for your support. You have no idea how much it means to us.
