The reason why I wrote the book

Flutterby Baby Book – Forever in Our Hearts

Locally hand-made and printed, right here in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

The making of Flutterby Baby Book – Forever in Our Hearts, truly has been a labour of love.

The suppliers of the book have gone above and beyond to ensure that the book is made to the highest of quality.

“When I decided that I wanted to publish the book, it was an easy decision to keep the book local.

I wanted to support local family run businesses. That’s exactly what we did. The book is printed and bound, right here in Brisbane. The editor, author, proof reader, calligrapher and illustrator, as well as our graphic designer, are all from Brisbane and South East Queensland,” Rachael said.

“The book features beautiful, heartfelt illustrations, which have been hand painted by the extremely talented, Joanna Osborne. The symbolism of the two butterflies is carried all throughout the book.”

Kevin, the owner of Miniature Print Finishing Australia, a family and business man who is an expert in his craft of book binding, was so helpful to Rachael throughout the whole production process.

“I am so very grateful to Kevin, and his dedicated team for their support of Flutterby Baby Book. I cannot thank them enough. The book is a perfect gift size and one which can last a lifetime with a stitched binding style and hard cover finishing, complete with a matching page marker ribbon. The rose gold foiling for the book’s title is also something, which makes the gift book that extra special. It’s all hand foiled with their foiling block that was also custom made to match the calligraphy title – Flutterby Baby Forever in Our Hearts.”

“Phil of Kingswood Print and Signage were also amazing. Both Kevin and Phil helped me on numerous proof samples and they were so understanding, as to why I wanted the book to be just right in every way. It is everything I could have ever hoped for and more.”

The book being in existence for women in a very emotional time in their lives is something, which I will now forever cherish. I have experienced two losses and know many friends who have also had a loss in their journey of parenthood. It’s not something you ever expect to happen to you. Partnering with The Pink Elephants Support Network as our chosen charity partner, was a natural fit for the book. I wish that the charity had existed when we had our losses and I’m so proud of all that Samantha and Gabbi, the founders have achieved in the past few years.

“Their work with raising awareness and helping get resources in to the hands of women and their families, is something truly incredible. $5 from every book sold goes directly to the charity and I hope that over time, that donation will make a big difference. Every little bit counts,” Rachael said.

Michelle Worthington, an award-winning author and mentor, has played an integral part in supporting the book through its development.

“I am so grateful that I chose to undertake her mentorship program, through Share My Story. What started out as my memoir, will now hopefully help many women who have experienced an early miscarriage and be a book which they can treasure forever. The gratitude journal component, allows the mum to write down her thoughts and feelings and can be used to write a poem to her Flutterby Baby, or can be used to note down resource support contacts, such as psychologists, affirmations, or little quotes which they hold dear to their heart. The pages could also be used to cherish their Flutterby Baby scan photographs. The book can be carried in a lady’s handbag as well and the mum can refer to a page which resonates with her during her journey of processing her grief. For those who have been through a miscarriage know, you never ever forget, it’s something that stays with you, always. I wish that after our losses, I had sought professional help sooner. I wish that I had something like this book to provide comfort.”

Tanya Heath, our beautiful graphic designer, kindly donated her time to producing the book’s design.

“Using the gorgeous illustrations, and hand-written calligraphy, she brought the book to life. Her patience, support and professionalism is something which I will always value. Tanya has become a dear friend to myself over the past 7 years and I truly don’t know what I would do without her in my life. I am honoured to have been able to work alongside her. The support of the whole team, as well as the support of my friends and family, as well as other mums who have been in my shoes, it’s the exact reason why this project had to come to fruition. It’s been a long time in the making, from over a year in the memoir phase of my first manuscript, to half a year of the gift book being worked on with the team – it’s something that has organically grown to what it is now – a book to provide both comfort and hope, when a bereaved Flutterby Baby mum needs it most.”

Charlotte Chan, our very wonderful calligrapher has also been so very supportive throughout. From our very first phone call, I felt that Charlotte was the perfect person to take on the very special role of being our calligrapher. The mini-chapter titles, allow the reader to focus on the meaning of each page. Every single word, every single illustration, has been carefully thought about.

Sarah Jane of Illustrious Jane Illustrations, from my blog, The Pink Jubilee branding logo, through to our beautiful Tickner family portrait, which includes our Flutterby Babies, Chickpea and Chestnut in the artwork, has been a part of the project since the start. I’m so glad that her illustration of our family features on the Author Bio page. I could not have published this book without it. Everything in the book has a special meaning. The Remembering Your Flutterby Baby page in the book is one of my favourites and the butterflies represent the days, which I was pregnant with our Flutterby Babies. The colours are just beautiful. We didn’t know the gender of our second Flutterby Baby and Your Choices are the Right Ones shows a multi-coloured butterfly. The page numbers even, the book starts from page 6. The date that our first son sadly left this earth too soon. I know that everyone’s journey is so different, but we all have so much in common also. We are all living our lives after loss. The angel at the start of the book represents the guardian angel watching over the Flutterby Babies and the mum. Guiding the mum through the time of grief and making her feel safe and secure, that she is not alone. That she has support and that it’s not a subject that should be taboo. Miscarriage happens to one in four pregnancies. So many women worldwide are affected, their partners and families. Their friends, the aunts, the uncles, the grandparents, the siblings. Miscarriage does not discriminate. It’s not something we can’t control, but we can together, support each other.

“We also had the book reviewed by a dear family friend who is a psychologist and for that I am also truly grateful. I think of our Flutterby Babies every single day and I know that they are here with me, as the book launches – guiding me with their love and light. Butterflies always remind me of them, as do roses, and pretty rainbows. I feel very blessed to have our rainbow babies, Ollie and Oscar with us and to have made our family what it is today. I hope that one day, when they are old enough, I can also give them a copy of this book. To show them how much their brother and little sibling meant, and always will mean.”

Flutterby Baby – Forever in Our Hearts. – Rachael Elizabeth Tickner. xox