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We’ve been writing a lot of letters to Matilda. Cards, mainly – ‘I know! Let’s make a card for Tilly and send it with the postman’, as we come through the door after another long day.
So, we sit at the kitchen table and pull out the glitter and glue. Stickers are stuck, envelopes stuffed. She traces my lettering to write the envelope, then dictates a message for me to put inside.
I don’t know where she’s got her notion of cards from, but her notes are usually about parties and toys, telling Tilly how much we miss her, asking her to come back soon. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking all at once, because there’s still a gap in our home where that strange feathered beauty used to be.
![image](https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-214x320.jpg 214w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-857x1280.jpg 857w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-1029x1536.jpg 1029w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-1372x2048.jpg 1372w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-100x150.jpg 100w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-315x470.jpg 315w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-514x768.jpg 514w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34-1072x1600.jpg 1072w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image34.jpg 1736w)
![image](https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-320x213.jpg 320w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-1280x853.jpg 1280w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-1536x1024.jpg 1536w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-2048x1365.jpg 2048w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-150x100.jpg 150w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-470x313.jpg 470w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-768x512.jpg 768w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32-1600x1067.jpg 1600w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image32.jpg 2592w)
A chicken isn’t a conventional pet; I understand this, yet to us, she really was one of the family. She pecked at the windows, slept on the sofa, perched by my laptop when I worked. After five years together, it’s still second nature for me to save scraps and leftover pasta for her, ’til I catch myself. I tip it into the bin with a heavy heart every time, a waste in every sense.
It isn’t fair that she was killed so horribly. It isn’t fair that my little Spud misses her so much & hatches harebrained schemes to bring her home = ‘we’ll send her my pink scooter, and she can ride all the way home on the road!’. It isn’t fair, but life never is, & so we’re carrying on. But we miss you, Matilda x
![image](https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-214x320.jpg 214w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-857x1280.jpg 857w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-1029x1536.jpg 1029w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-1372x2048.jpg 1372w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-100x150.jpg 100w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-315x470.jpg 315w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-514x768.jpg 514w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33-1072x1600.jpg 1072w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image33.jpg 1736w)
On a happier note, it’s giveaway time again! The card-making kit that Orla’s used for much of her chicken-correspondence, above, is from Alfie’s Studio, the local graphic design studio that created my branding here on the site, as well as a whole host of covetable paper, print and poster goodness. They’re giving away £50 in store credit to a winner worldwide, to spend on notebooks, Christmas wrap and any other glorious essentials you fancy from their online store.
Rose gold Christmas cards, anyone? ?
![Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset](https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-214x320.jpg 214w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-857x1280.jpg 857w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-1029x1536.jpg 1029w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521.jpg 1302w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-100x150.jpg 100w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-315x470.jpg 315w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-514x768.jpg 514w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3521-1072x1600.jpg 1072w)
Enter here for £50 voucher. Open worldwide. Entry closes in one week.
![Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset](https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-320x213.jpg 320w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-1280x853.jpg 1280w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-1536x1024.jpg 1536w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-2048x1365.jpg 2048w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-150x100.jpg 150w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-470x313.jpg 470w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-768x512.jpg 768w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522-1600x1067.jpg 1600w,https://meandorla.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_3522.jpg 2592w)
Best of luck. Have a wonderful week!
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50 Comments
Leave a Comment
supastar1501
October 26, 2015
I like the childrens make your own card sets, especially the ‘Under the Sea’ one x
Natalie Crossan
October 26, 2015
The set of botanical cards 🙂
Claire
October 26, 2015
Tropical card sticker set
Erica Price
October 26, 2015
The tropical card set
Grace Wise
October 26, 2015
Traditional wrapping set
janine atkin
October 26, 2015
i love this http://shop.alfies-studio.com/product/paper-echoes-so-very-happy-and-glad?ref=category-collections-paper-echoes
Victoria Prince
October 25, 2015
I love the Coastal Collection set of greeting cards 🙂
Nancy Bradford
October 25, 2015
My daughter is sitting with me telling me to put the make your own cards tropical set.
Viv Jones
October 25, 2015
The set of botanical cards 🙂
Donna Caldwell
October 25, 2015
Make your own cards pirate set
Äiti
October 25, 2015
My eldest daughter has started sending pictures to our friend abroad. The thrill of getting and sending post is something I miss and love to share with her.
Lizzy Cooper
October 23, 2015
i like the ‘OLD TIME INSPIRED PAPER ECHOES COLLECTION’
Gina M
October 22, 2015
I love the make your own card sets especially the pirate one and the tropical one. …. and the under the sea one, and the garden party too actually. They’re all gorgeous!
Rebecca Phillips
October 21, 2015
i love the make your own pirate set
maria hackett
October 21, 2015
English Botanical cards are my fav, so pretty and unique xx
Kasia
October 21, 2015
Edible Botany Field Notes – Month View Calendar
Lou | Littlegreenshed
October 21, 2015
those cards PLEASE!
Claire Woods
October 21, 2015
neon wrapping set
Kathi
October 21, 2015
So sweet of you two to make those cards for your Matilda. It is amazing how pets have such a presence and personality in a family, I fear the day my cat Oskar won’t be here any more.
I also find it interesting how different children are in remembering people and pets. My little au-pair boy didn’t seem to think about any of his friends after moving house.
Kelandab
October 20, 2015
Love the neon wrapping set
Kelly Ellen Hirst
What should I eat for breakfas
October 20, 2015
It’s such a sweet idea <3
Amy Fidler
October 20, 2015
I love the happy holidays cards with the VW on and the neon wrapping set x
Jodie Harvey
October 20, 2015
TRADITIONAL WRAPPING SET
jmr224
October 20, 2015
you’re right – those rose gold Christmas cards are deliciously cozy yet sophisticated! I also love the simplicity of their wrapping paper!
Paula Readings
October 20, 2015
EDIBLE BOTANY FIELD NOTES – MONTH VIEW CALENDA
Ruth Harwood
October 20, 2015
I love the Christmas Cards xx
Jon Sellers
October 20, 2015
The Christmas Cards get my vote , very classy
kim neville
October 20, 2015
I like the COASTAL COLLECTION – SET
Kat Lucas
October 20, 2015
“LET IT SNOW” FOILED CARD
Sarah mackay
October 19, 2015
Loving make your own Christmas card sets
cathrynbowen
October 19, 2015
traditional wrapping set x
alisa moore
October 19, 2015
Coastal Collection Set
Ane S
October 19, 2015
Love the Traditional Wrapping Set!
GCforever
October 19, 2015
The NZ BOTANICAL FIELD NOTES are fab but I also like the Traditional Wrapping Set.
Andrew Hindley
October 19, 2015
Traditional Wrapping Set
Patricia Avery
October 19, 2015
The make your own card sets would be lovely for my grandchildren 🙂
MrRichTea
October 19, 2015
Def.Christmas Cards 😉
Sarah Buckley
October 19, 2015
I love the Travel Collection – Departures card!
Sara
October 19, 2015
This post is just so sweet. Bless little Orla and her huge heart. It was very tragic news hearing about poor Matilda and the way the whole situation was handled. Sending hugs.
ashleigh allan
October 19, 2015
I like the make your own card sets – the under the sea one is nice!
steven
October 19, 2015
I love the Make Your Own Cards Pirate set, my nephew would LOVE this 🙂
Amanda Johnson
October 19, 2015
We would love the MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS – SKATE DECK SET, we always find it hard to find nice boys cards, we have loads for little girls but struggle to find or even make cards suitable for the boys school friends. These would be brilliant.
Jacqueline Roberts
October 19, 2015
Loving the Christmas cards, and also liked the wrapping sets
CaliMel
October 19, 2015
Sorry for the two comments, didn’t feel appropriate to put the contest entry one with the other. But my favorite product is the card with the little VW van on it and the tree on top that says Happy Holidays. I love the little van!
CaliMel
October 19, 2015
I know technically I shouldn’t be looking at Christmas stuff in the stores yet, but it’s all sooo pretty this year. Those cards are gorgeous. I’m sorry about Tilly, your post makes me want to give you both a hug because losing pets no matter what form they are in, is hard. Especially in such a tragic awful way. I’m sorry for your loss. The cards are a beautiful tribute.
SARAH
October 19, 2015
I love the botany collaboration xxxx
Ellen Stafford
October 19, 2015
I love the Christmas cards
Sarah-Jane Laycock
October 19, 2015
I simply adore the Coastal Collection Set – such vibrant and beautiful prints! Oceanic Awesomeness x
Adam Berger
October 19, 2015
I love the
MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS – GARDEN PARTY SET
Tracy K Nixon
October 19, 2015
I love the
BOTANICAL FIELD NOTES – MONTH VIEW CALENDAR