Collecting Vintage Valentines Day Handkerchiefs Hankies

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I love all kinds of vintage linens and handkerchiefs, but I am unable to collect all I like. Since I like hearts better than anything I was drawn to collect pretty Valentines Hankies. I have well over 100 now, so I can only show a portion of them!

History of Valentine’s Day Hankies

Before the advent of what we today know as Valentine cards, lace handkerchiefs were often given as a token of your love. It has been told that in Medievel times that the knights going off to battle would carry with them a hankie given to them by the woman they loved.

HIDDEN MESSAGES AND DESIGNS

Sailors on voyages to distant foreign lands would send home to their loved ones pretty silk squares or handkerchiefs emroidered with hearts, love knots & cupids. Their special lady would often use these as a small purse & they became known as bundle Valentines.


Lace has long been associated with Valentines Day as the hankies often had lace trim. In Victorian times a lady would draw her handkerchief across her cheek to say I love you. Twisting her hankie in her right hand signified that she loved another. Holding the hankie over her shoulder or dropping it in the path meant follow me.

LOVELY LACE

SWEET CUPIDS!


PRETTY EMBROIDERY



You will find print hankies, embroidered handkerchiefs, lace hankies, and sometimes designer hankies. Some of the designers that made hankies in the 50’s & 60’s were

• Tammis Keefe
  
  
• Pat Prichard
  
  
• Jeanne Miller
  
  
• Frederique
  
  
• Brigitta Ajnefors
  
  
• Carl Tait
  
  
• Lori King
  
  
• Monique
  
  
• Faith Austin
  
  
• Kit Ann
  
  
• Jean Sibo
  
  
• Ann McGann

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

There are several books in publication on collecting vintage handkerchiefs. Look for Collecting Handkerchiefs by Roseanna Mihalick or Childrens Handkerchiefs A Two Hundred Year History by JJ Murphy. Try Printed and Lace Handkerchiefs by Betty Wilson.

DECORATE WITH THEM!

I hope you have enjoyed reading & seeing part of my collection. Thanks for looking!

Click to view:
CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY & SEASONAL HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

LILY OF THE VALLEY HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES

MONOGRAMMED HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

WEDDING AND BRIDAL HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES

SPECIAL OCCASION HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

VINTAGE & PRINT HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES

EMBROIDERED APPLIQUED ORGANZA HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES


© 2006 Nanalulu

UPDATE on the GINGERBREAD HOUSE

My granddaughter received a call from the museum today. Our gingerbread creation won 2 awards. There was a special award for the Erie canal theme. We won first place for that category! We won 2nd place overall for groups or families. She was really excited to win. These are pictures taken at the museum. Our house had it's own case!

Read My Story!

My story was published over on Auctionbytes for their feature, "The First Item You Sold Online" It's kind of a fun story so.............

Take a peek here if you'd like to read it!
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y207/m11/abu0203/s05


Check out my website
NANALULUS LINENS AND HANDKERCHIEFS

http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/

Gingerbread House Creation

My granddaughter wanted to enter a creation for the Gingerbread Gallery at our local museum. We live in Syracuse so this is The Erie Canal Museum. We have gone for years to look at the exhibit, but this is our first actual entry. It is titled Christmas on the Erie Canal. It was a lot of fun, but WOW , you can spend a lot of money on all those supplies!
Every part of the creation has to be edible. We used fruit stripe gum to make the boats. I think my favorite part is the little wagon. It is graham crackers with little oreo cookie wheels. The "donkey" that is pulling it is a Lindt Chocolate reindeer. The rope is black licorice and the barrels are root beer barrel candies. The weighlock building has Necco wafers for the roof, while the Canastota supply store has an M&M roof. The canal is made from blue fondant icing, and the walkway to the side door is now and later candy squares. I needed something to make a sign with, so we melted 2 yellow now and later candies in the microwave & rolled them out. Wilton sells edible markers you can write with. The rocks along the canal bank are actually chocolate rock candy. Enjoy looking! Please Visit my Website: NANALULUS LINENS AND HANDKERCHIEFS http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/

MAKE A SNOWFLAKE

Here's a fun site for adults and kids alike. You can make beautiful snowflakes! Try it, it's fun!!


http://snowflake.bhg.com/?sssdmh=dm17.282775&esrc=nwhd48&email=1036749917

Have you started Christmas shopping. Be sure to check out my website, Nice stocking stuffers and gifts.
HOME NANALULUS LINENS AND HANDKERCHIEFS

Here are some CHRISTMAS Stocking Stuffer Ideas

4 PKS Christmas Cocoa Thomas Nast SANTA

LILY of the VALLEY Linen Sachet French Lavender

CHRISTMAS Ornaments Vintage Burmel Handkerchief

Christmas Tea ~ Thé de Noël 4 Adorable Boxes

DAD handkerchief Blue Checks ANCHOR Motif

Heavenly ROSES S/3 Tea Bag Rests Caddy Party Favor

Lace Sticky Notes Faux Croc Case ~ HEART ~

PRINCESS or Queen CROWN Cookie Cutter CUTE!

Special Hankie for NANA Embroidery Appenzell Work

A Monogram Handkerchief Hankie Beautiful PINK

Collecting Vintage Lily of the Valley Handkerchiefs

Collecting LILY OF THE VALLEY Handkerchiefs Hankies

For generations it has been a tradition for brides to carry a pretty handkerchief on their wedding day.
Lily of the Valley flowers have also long been associated with weddings and new beginnings.

WEDDING HANDKERCHIEFS

BLUE FOR BRIDES

EMBROIDERED

According to the book, The Language of Flowers,"It is not surprising that the Lily of The Valley symbolizes the Return To Happiness, for it is the sweetest flower imaginable. With it’s dainty white bells and unmistakable green scent it is said to lure the Nightingale from his nest and lead him to his mate. It is the symbol of May Day and was known as May Lily and Our Lady’s tears because it grew from the tears shed by the Virgin Mary at the Cross. The flowers were grown by monks for decorating the alter and were called Ladder to Heaven because the miniature flower bells grow like steps up from the stem." 

 

You Won’t See  RED Lily HandkerchiefS Too Often

PRETTY IN PINK

LAVENDERS

The young Shulamite bride in the Bible’s Book of Love,  Song of Solomon, says of herself," I am the Roses of Sharon and the Lily of the Valleys." The Lily of the Valley are especially popular in France and are found as a wild woodland plant throughout Europe. They were not considered a garden plant until the 16th century. They have been considered to bring good luck since the Renaissance.

IN NAVY BLUE

GREY SWIRLS ~  PRETTY!

FOR VALENTINES DAY

DAINTY YELLOW

Click to view:
LILY OF THE VALLEY HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES 

MONOGRAMMED HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

WEDDING AND BRIDAL HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES 

SPECIAL OCCASION HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS 

VINTAGE & PRINT HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES 

EMBROIDERED APPLIQUED ORGANZA HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES 

CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY & SEASONAL HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

What Can I Do With Vintage Handkerchiefs? Craft & Decorating Ideas

VINTAGE HANDKERCHIEFS
Vintage ladies handkerchiefs make a wonderful collectible, and they are still quite affordable. People often ask me though, What do you do with them? How can you display them?
Here are a few ideas for you.

You can display them framed in clear acrylic clip frames. They can also be stretched over a square painters canvas using double sided tape to hold them in place. You can arrange 8 of these above a bed to create a headboard.

Use them as doilies on tables & nightstands,

Show then off under glass on a coffee table

Sew into quilts, pillows, sachets, tablecloths, or potholders

Make a baby bonnet from a white hankie to be used years later as wedding handkerchief


Make a valance by clipping them onto top of curtain with clothespins

Display them in a vase or hang them from a towel bar

Wrap small gifts with them, make hankie angels or hankie dolls,

Sew a monogrammed hankie onto the front of a little girls bib overalls

Use them to line your Longerberger baskets (or others)

Trim the edges with beads & make a "cozy" for your teacups

Tie them onto your ponytail, belt loop, or purse,

Tie them to your suitcase handle so you can identify your suitcase at the airport!

Tuck them into birthday, get well or any holiday card

Use monogrammed handkerchiefs for the "something old or something blue" for a bride to be,

Give as gift to bridesmaids, flower girls, mother of bride or groom

Display them hung by little wooden clothespins on a vintage indoor clothesline, or satin ribbon

A customer gave me this idea to pass along. She is giving a monogrammed hankie to her son’s girlfriend as a small gift for her prom night. A nice tradition to start!

Another customer idea! They look lovely draped over a nitelight for soft romantic lighting.

Click Here TO PURCHASE PRETTY HANKIES!

Use any type of vintage rack for display

Click to view:
LILY OF THE VALLEY HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES

MONOGRAMMED HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

WEDDING AND BRIDAL HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES

SPECIAL OCCASION HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

VINTAGE & PRINT HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES 

EMBROIDERED APPLIQUED ORGANZA HANDKERCHIEFS HANKIES

CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY & SEASONAL HANKIES HANDKERCHIEFS

© 2006 Nanalulu

My Stylefeeder

Garden Summer 2007

I had a good time visiting in California, but I must say Fresno & Victorville were pretty HOT! I was actually glad to come home to NY weather, I know kind of hard to believe. I have been admiring my garden so thought I would share some pictures. HAPPY SUMMER! Be sure to visit my website:

http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/