Belle's Block Part 2

Some time ago I had written a post about the memorial block I had made for one of my nieces. After I had sent a picture of it to my mom and two nieces, they each wanted one for themselves. I decided rather than doing blocks (because they are a bit big and would be hung from a rearview mirror) I would try to find another way to make them. Today I finally got around to working on them!

These were made for my mom, oldest niece, and her youngest sister. The first one is for my mom--it's my niece Amy holding Belle when she was born, and my mom who was present at her birth. The second is my oldest niece Mandy (Amy's older sister) holding Belle the day she was born. The third is my niece Angie (Amy's younger sister) taking a little nap with Belle on Christmas Eve of 2000 (Belle passed away the following March). I thought these would mean a bit more than just a picture of Belle herself. I put her name and dates on the backs.

These were made using printable fabric (that I made myself), background fabrics, ribbon, and stiff, heavy Pellon interfacing. Making the printing fabric and printing the pictures took the longest. I think they were well worth the effort tho. I decided not to tell my mom or nieces I finally got them made--I'm just going to send them and surprise them!

Belle's Block

 For those of you who may not know, nine years ago my family lost a precious gift. Her name was Isabella but we called her Belle. Belle was taken from us at only 3 1/2 months of age due to SIDS.  It was the most difficult thing my family has ever been through. It is difficult enough to lose a loved one, but when that loved one is so young it's so much more difficult.  But we came together, provided each other (and especially my two nieces) strength and support, and we made it through because that's what families do. We may have times when we don't all get along, but when we need each other, we know we're there for one another.

 After Belle passed away, my niece, Amy (her mom) had given family members a pink ribbon to hang from their rearview mirrors in their cars to remember her by. It happened that  Amy's sister Rose was a bit too young at the time to receive one.  Now Rose is 17 and has her own car so Amy had asked me if I could make a block, similar to fuzzy dice,  because she could no longer find the ribbons, for Rose.  So that is what I did today. It was my first try at making a block and it didn't turn out perfect, but I hope Rose likes it just the same.

Litter Bag

After buying a new vehicle, I decided I should have a small litter bag for it to catch those scraps of paper, gum wrappers, and receipts. This litter bag was so handy!!

I decided that it was handy enough that everyone would want one, so I made some for gifts and some to sell in my etsy shop! Go check them out--there are litter bags for men and women!