Valentine Hankies

I came across some old hankies that Madeline had saved. I picked out some pretty Valentine and Christmas ones for my project. I'm just showing the Valentine ones in this post. These hankies are really beautiful and a work of art. I cannot imagine blowing my nose in them! Of course hankies were used for more than that purpose. They came in handy when you were watching a sad movie or when you wanted to get the attention of a handsome gentleman.

There is said to be an old Irish proverb that says, "Always carry two handkerchiefs, one for show and one for blow".

 For more information on vintage hankies and to see some colorful and pretty ones, check out this website!



Madeline was raised to be a proper young lady so I think these hankies were used at one time in her life.  However, at some point she abandoned their use on a daily basis.  There is a very cute story about Madeline with some of her grandchildren and how a hankie would have come in use for her.  We were vacationing on Cape Cod one summer and Madeline and four of her grandchildren went for a walk.  At some point on the walk she needed to blow her nose, and having nothing on her person to do this, grabbed a big leaf off a tree and used that.  She made the children swear never to tell anyone she did that, but kids being kids, someone told on her.  I think it's a cute story and chuckle even now remembering it.  Those grandchildren are all in their 20's now.  Plus it only serves to remind me just how self-sufficient she was.