I only had one note to work from. A single photo of my client's mum's handwriting, and from it I needed to write something new. Words her mum never actually got to write herself. I was pulling individual letters out of other words and reworking them into new ones, the whole time worrying whether it would look cohesive and natural, like a real sentence, rather than something stitched together and too rigid.

Emma had reached out asking if I could make a Custom Handwritten Word Art piece for her dad as a Christmas gift, recreating her own mum's handwriting. She'd lost most of the notes her mum used to write her, but she still had a photo of one, written inside a cookbook her mum had given her one Christmas. From that single note, she wanted me to write something new: "It's okay to miss me and be sad, but don't let it be an excuse not to get on with life, be happy. Lots of love always, Mum"

I understood what she was asking for more than most requests I get. I'd wanted to make pieces like this for a long time, and the push, when it finally came, was after my own mum passed. I'd already always been somewhat of a sentimental person, but there have been so many moments in my grief journey where I've been utterly perplexed by the thought of how we can exist somewhere, create something with our own hands, and then never get to do something so simple again. One of my fondest childhood memories is opening my lunchbox to a wee note she'd left me, and they often didn't say much — simple things like "have a great day" or "I love you," from what I remember. I didn't think to keep any of them at the time. As much as I loved them, I just thought they'd be an infinite experience.

So this piece was never just about the technical challenge, even though it felt very nerve wracking. It took a few passes to get the letters sitting cohesively next to each other. I sent through the preview to Emma, which is normally always a high-pressure moment with any custom piece. I just want my clients to love what they receive but it feels that much more important when it's a piece made to honour someone who's passed. Some of Emma's Words: "It was such a sentimental gift and I can’t thank you enough. My Dad and my grandparents recognised her writing straight away! And they loved it. There were a few tears from the whole family after giving Dad the gift. I think it’s so special and will treasure it forever! I would love to one day get another one done for myself! So it can be something I have in my own home."