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Over the past year I have been working off and on to create something for our dear friend Angela who lost her daughter Clare in May 2011. I recently sent her my gift and with it, asked her permission to post about it on my Blog as well as submit it to Crazy Quilt Magazine. The article and pictures have been published and now I would like to invite you to visit my Blog to share with you a pillow I made for Angela "In Memory of Clare"

http://cqnickilee.blogspot.com/

Angela, I know your heart still aches. Somehow I hope this pillow will always give you something of Clare's to hug. If you would like to post pictures here so everyone can see I'd apprecaite it as I am still having problems uploading.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nickilee,

Oh Nicki - I'm sitting here with tears running down my face. What a truly beautiful and wonderful thing for you to do. I lost a sister when she was 27 - it was far worse for my mother. There is nothing worse than losing a child. Your gift to her will help to focus on all the love and positive memories and help to heal the very deep ache that goes with the loss of a child. Bless you.

Linda, thank you. One of the reasons it took me so long to complete the pillow and get it to Angela was there was something tugging at me that it just wasn't the right time to send. I shed quite a few tears while working on it because I could not fathom her loss and heartache. For some reason about 3 weeks ago I jsut had the feeling "now is the right time" I was so happy to hear back from Angela that it was. I'm so sorry for the loss of your sister.

Boy that is beautiful. To see it in real life would be awesome. I'm glad you posted 8 closeups so I could look more closely. Angela can look at it all the time and think of her beautiful Clare. Just sleeping for a little while...

I just saw this on your blog and have to say here too, that this is a heartfelt remembrance from one of our own to one of our own.
Nice work Nicki.

NickNick, a very lovely gift from the heart. Angela will treasure it.

I can't say it any better than the others already have...

TFS

Beautiful! You are a good friend to do this for her.

Oh my Nicki-your work is amazing! Everything looks perfect!! I know Angela is absolutely thrilled.

I always knew you were an angel in disguise!!

I love you sweet LS!!

Pam

P.S. You know I had to order the mag to add to my collection!

Nickie, that pillow is beautiful. What a wonderful thing to do for her.

Oh, Nicki--what a beautiful way to convey your feelings to Angela !! Thank you for sharing it with us.

That pillow is absolutely wonderful. I am sure Angela will treasure it.

You created a beautiful tribute. I know it is loved and appreciated. Your talent is amazing! Thank you so much for letting us know about this.

I too have tears, what a beautiful tribute to a life snuffed out way too soon.

piney

Nicki, I tried to leave a message on your blog but it did not go thru. I love your story about Angela and her daughter. Being in her shoes not so long ago, I can relate to her feelings.Angela is so lucky to have a friend like you.I am so proud to know you.
Pat

Beautiful - both the pillow and you!

Nicki the pillow is beautiful just like you. Angela has something to cherish forever. Like u i can't imagine losing one of my kids. what a wonderful thing you did.

Patsy

Nickilee,

The pillow is just beautiful. I ordered the magazine and have been showing it to everyone. Your work is just awesome. Thank you so much. You are a truly good person.

Mary

It's beautiful. I got the digital copy of the magazine but your pictures are clear and better. Glad you posted.
What a great tribute.

Oh Angela, Mary, Nicki; I have tears in my eyes thinking about beautiful Clare. Not a day goes by without my thinking about her. Such a beautiful and wonderful tribute of Clare. Angela, I hope you are comforted by this wonderful treasure Nicki has made for you.

Susan

Hello, everyone!

As I told Nickilee in a PM, the pillow was a wonderful surprise gift that came at a good time for the family. I have been feeling apprehensive about the holidays. Frankly, I know last Christmas was horrible but I don't remember very much. I think this year will be just as difficult since the numbness has worn off... It's especially hard because we want to be cheerful for our son, Treye, but we all know too much the big piece of our family that is missing.

When Nickilee told me the magazine and article were released I couldn't wait to see, but wasn't expecting such a beautiful article and pictures. Both my husband and I were speechless (and I was crying...) The title - In Memory of Clare - just grabbed my heart.

Here is the pillow. Nickilee does amazing work and I am very thankful of her for creating a beautiful keepsake and remembrance for me. I will treasure it and my memories of Clare forever.

Here is closeup of the heart in the lower corner. The charms were Clare's earrings. They
mean "best friend". Clare gave a pair to her best friend in 4th grade. I think they are a very fitting tribute to Clare, because, at her memorial services we heard many say that she was their "best friend", that she had changed their life.

Here are brother and sister (Treye & Clare)

Nicki your love of people is so evident and is expressed to the fullest in this article. The pillow is beautiful but the sentiment that it represents is beyond words. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

WOW...what an incredible gift and memory of this beautiful young angel!
Thank you for helping out and doing something so precious to one of our quilting friends.
Hugs

Hi ladies,

Thank you all for your sweet comments. It was my pleasure to create this pillow for Angela and I know there will be days in the future where it it bring her lots of comfort. Angela, be strong and know that Clare will always be with you and all those that she touched with her heart.

One of my very favorite authors - Brian Andreas writes short stories called Story People - this is one of my favorites:

"The first time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same"


Hugs my friend

Nickilee

Your work is just so wonderful ! What a special gift filled with beautiful memories of Claire.
Very precious and dear for Angela.
Hugs,
Joanne

What a beautiful gift to always be treasured...really at a loss for words, just a lump in my throat.

Nicki thank you for sharing such a wonderful gift. I've always wanted to do something like this for my mom. One day ill share my story.

Fantastic as usual! I got the magazine the other day and really enjoyed the article and pictures.