The vibrant magenta ribbon once wrapped a present from a distant friend. Long ago our children were in Playgroup together.

My mother raised geese. She knew them each by name. Touching the sensual downy grey trim so like the curved neck of a gander drew me back to a time that is part of my history and lost homeland. Caroline must have had many such remembrances too.

I used the colours of the feminist movement – green, blue and white.

Caroline Chisholm always spoke of ‘Providence’ present in her life and in the situations she faced. Likewise, it was her Christian beliefs that led her to ‘provide’ homes for many.

After much thought, I designed and embroidered this letter using Brazilian embroidery. I enjoyed it so much that I offered to do more letters.

I was a little shy about showing Flossie my letter until it was finished as I hadn’t followed the rules