A Different Shade of Valentine

 

The Homespun Society is having a Valentine' Day treasury challenge. I just love this entry by Kayskrafts. I think it is so unique and clever...and I love the bright sun shiny yellow considering many of us around the country are dealing with cloudy skies and cold snow.

 

You can click on any of the items for more info about that item and the Etsy shop.

'Yellow Love in February' by kayskrafts

Homespunsociety Valentine's Day Challenge

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Vintage Valentine Puzzle Handkerchiefs

The history of Valentine’s Day is all about secret love and so are these handkerchiefs. I have seen them referred to as both “Secret Message Handkerchiefs” and “Puzzle Handkerchiefs”.  This is my current collection. I think they probably all date back to the 1940’s; however, I have only found proof that two of them do. The one with the cupid is a Franshaw hanky and was featured in an advertisement in a 1949 issue of Mademoiselle Magazine. And, the first one in the bottom row which forms a white heart was produced by Kimball and is featured in a 1947 issue of Charm Magazine. 

Take a look at the open hankies in the second picture. One’s first impression when seeing one of these hankies might be that the design is a tad askew or just plain strange. Now look at the hankies again in the first picture. When folded, they reveal a hidden message or surprise picture. Unless you know what you are looking at you would likely pass one of these treasures by.

See if you can match the open hankies with their folded version. Here's a hint - I've mixed them up to make it bit more challenging for you.

Now I am going to show you how to do the fold. They are all about the same and all you need to do is look for the points you need to match up. I will use the Franshaw Cupid handkerchief in my example.

No 1 - Examine the design and determine the top. Lay handkerchief face up.

No 2 - Fold this one in half (bottom up to top) with right sides together.

No 3 - Fold top half back down on itself at the halfway point.

No 4 - Notice the shape of the hearts. These are the curves you will eventually match up.

No 5 - Fold the handkerchief in half again (left to right) toward the inside and then back out on itself  again one-quarter of the way while lining up the curves of the heart. All Done!

Go Broncos - NFL Super Bowl XLVIII

Wishing the Broncos all the best for Super Bowl XLVIII. 

The Hanky Dress Lady and her husband
(who makes all the hangers)
 will be watching and rooting for you !!!

Hanky Dress Class in February at the Willow

Join me for a class in how to make 

my new style of Hanky Dress

February 9, 1:30 – 3:30

at the Willow in Downtown Littleton 

(corner of Prince and Main Streets)

Hanky Dresses can be used in so many different ways and for so many occasions. Speaking of which, why not make some for Valentine’s Day! There are five patterns for you to choose from. They make wonderful door hangers, small gifts, garlands and decorations. Great for parties and craft night with your friends.

You’ll decorate your own bodice and then learn all the essentials of assembling the dress. Included in the $40 fee for the class will be one pattern of your choice, and supplies for making one dress. (Please bring a pair of small and sharp paper cutting scissors and a couple of paint brushes.) You are welcome to bring additional hankies of your own to work on, if time permits. The smaller size, 9-10 inches, is best for this project. If you are a handkerchief collector and are concerned about damage to your hankies – don’t be. This project will not damage the handkerchief.

SPACE IS LIMITED - REGISTER NOW!

CALL 303-730-8521  

OR EMAIL INFO@WILLOWARTISANSMARKET.COM

A Little Valentine Play Time

I was in the mood to play today. So I decided to put together some Valentine's Day decorations using a couple of my Hanky Dress patterns. I selected a few hankies from my stash, folded up the tablecloth and let the fun begin. Shown here are Pattern No. 105/106 and  Pattern No. 107/108. I printed one out on red card stock and one on white. A little red and white paint, a couple small paint brushes and a little red ribbon, and I was good to go.

A few simple hearts and some polka dots  in basic red and white were all I used to decorate these bodices. They were then cut out with a pair of small scissors. Here are the tops ready for attaching to their respective hanky skirts.

The hankies are attached with a little ribbon with no sewing involved.

The vintage hankies are not harmed in any way.

Wouldn't they be sweet tied to the back of chairs for decorations at a little girl's party and then given away as party favors?    

Hanky Dresses make great party decorations simply displayed on a string.

Here, I used a button magnet to attach the dress to a shabby chic white metal tray. A ball chain is attached to the tray so it can be hung as it is on this door with the aide of a removable stick-on plastic hook.

A Nod to the 2014 Color of the Year

The Pantone Color of the Year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid 18-3224.

Pantone describes their color this way:  Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones. Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.

Naturally, I had to search Etsy to see what I could find in the way of vintage hankies in this spectacular color. Below are a few of my finds; however, there are many more.

'Radiant Orchid - 2014 Color of the Year' by HankyDresses

My collection of Radiant Orchid Etsy Finds incorporating my passion for vintage handkerchiefs. There are some beauties to be found.

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 

There were two that I had to claim for myself

....this one and the one in the photo under the books above.

 

New Item - Hanky Hearts

I've been hatching this idea for about six months now. These Hanky Hearts will be available in my Etsy shop next week ... just in time for Valentine's Day. While some of these were made especially for the holiday they are meant to be used year round.

Hanky Hearts are  one-of-a-kind items made from as many as six different vintage handkerchiefs. Many vintage hankies, though not quite perfect, still have plenty of beauty to share. 

I especially enjoy the challenge of coordinating the pretty bits and pieces crazy quilt fashion into a unique and usable item. They are decorated on both sides, machine quilted and stuffed.

I have already done a custom order for a lady that wanted her mother's hankies turned into loving keepsakes. She gave them as gifts to her family this past Christmas. 

A Hanky Heart can be used as a door hanger, a pin cushion, a dressing table ornament, or a bowl filler. You can use several as a garland, or string three together to create a vertical garland.

Here's a collection of red and white hearts  I made especially for Valentine's Day. Surely they will become a reminder of the giver's affection for a long time to come.

Rue de Noel - Christmas Paris Street Market

This year the Paris Street Market indoor Christmas show was held at Southwest Plaza on December 6 and 7. Vendors and shoppers alike were very pleased with the new location and larger space. There was a great turnout and a fun time was had by all. Below are a few of my items that were displayed in Vandel Antiques' booth at the show. Following are photos of some of the other vendor displays at the show.

Vintage Hanky Dresses and Christmas Stockings at Rue de Noel

Winter display by Vandel Antiques at Rue de Noel

Bill and Terri always have such a gorgeous booth. I simply love her decorated dress form!

Another lovely and fun booth with burlap and lace.

Amazing one-of-a-furniture and decor items!

This vendor had so many pretty items with which to deck your halls!

Mother and daughter team had so many wonderful items to offer.

Snowmen of every shape and size could be found in Vandel Aniques' booth. Many a frosty found a new home that day!

There was even a Santa to watch over my Hanky Dresses.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Thank you Sandi and Tim for the Paris Street Market and for another successful show!

Creative Uses for Antique Doors

I couldn't help but notice all the creative ways the vendors at the recent Rue de Noel Paris Market used antique doors. Following are a few of my favorites.

Patrice and Anita of  The Checkered Corner created this spectacular piece of door furniture.
Notice it says, "Cheers" on the glass.

Every old door is unique in its own way.

 Look at this lovely wreath display arranged on hinged antique doors.

Love those light bulb wreaths!
































Metal brackets at the base of this wired screen door make this display free standing. Perfect for this vendors clever upcycled word signs.