At first glance, the yard sale did not look too promising. There were tables and tables topped with the typical family cast-offs - which included old romance novels, plastic cups, out-dated electronics, and well-worn shoes.
But buried beneath the rubble, was a lone Ziploc baggie containing a multitude of old white hankies for a few dollars. Now you know me - I felt like I had to rescue these tiny pieces of cloth and so I did.
After arriving home, and upon further inspection of my newly acquired treasures, I happily discovered that there was one tiny handkerchief trimmed in perfect little red and pink flowers ...
Something so tiny and SO sweet can make us SO happy... isn't that nice?
Bless you tiny hanky!
so dainty and pretty. U have made my day. I am always so excited to see when you do a new post. thank you, for sharing this.
Lea
xo
Posted by: Lea Harper | February 23, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Gosh isn't it fun to make such a sweet discovery, and rescue?! I can't help but wonder who owned those darling little hankies originally. The little one is gorgeous with the tiny flowers but I especially love those white ones. Enjoy your treasures Kim! ♥
Posted by: Betty Jo | February 23, 2009 at 08:11 AM
So sweet, I love sweet little linens, hankies or anything that has the old fashioned embroidery on it. Hugs, ~cindy s~
Posted by: Cindy | February 23, 2009 at 08:36 AM
I usually have to slap my hands when I see something like that! They are a lost art, so delicate. How many people use "real" hankies anymore? Of course, what we use them for is for a decoration in our homes. I have several that I treasure that were my grandmothers. What a wonderful find and to be so lucky to be rescued by you! Perfect!
Posted by: Lisa ~A Cottage to Me | February 23, 2009 at 08:46 AM
How pretty! I love finding small treasures like that. I have some vintage hankies that were my mothers and I cherish them. Have a wonderful sunny day Kim!
xo
Penny
p.s. I am having a mosaic giveaway...come on over :-))
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home | February 23, 2009 at 08:54 AM
What a sweet hankie!
Posted by: Colleen | February 23, 2009 at 08:57 AM
you really are my kindred sister in spirit..i was folding some linens this a.m (in that time we call "alone" time ) and to reward my self i found a very tiny hankie that somehow was misplaced among the linens ...i share a bond with hankies as they truly are from days gone by (which i treasure so much)just as people who sew (like me)to really see the beauty in a hankie is the gift that bonds us.. carol
Posted by: carol | February 23, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Kim, your posts are amazing. Your photography, the simplicity of what you talk about (I mean that in a good way!). It truly, truly feels like you are a best-frient immediately. You have a real gift!
Thanks, girl!
XOXO
Ruth
Posted by: The Beautiful Life | February 23, 2009 at 09:11 AM
I have a linen addiction! (And I refuse to get help for it!)
I have many hankies. One thing I like to do with the especially pretty ones is frame them. I put them in frames that are backed with glass, so you can see the wall through.
Thanks for rescuing those lost linens. Glad you were there to give them a good home.
(And my am I jealous of your ability to go to sales this time of year. It's minus MINUS 3 here today!!)
Posted by: Bet | February 23, 2009 at 09:22 AM
A perfect little pretty! It's fun finding something special! I found something cute and quirky and posted this morning! Hope you can stop by for a visit!
http://lavenderdreamstoo.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | February 23, 2009 at 09:31 AM
KIM ... SING THIS SONG TO THE TUNE OF JOHNNY ANGEL O.K ?(by SHELLY FABARES IN THE 60"S) TINY HANKIE HOW I LOVE YOU! HOW GOOD IT FEELS TO KNOW YOUR NEAR ..JUST KNOWING THAT YOUR CLOSE TAKES AWAY ALL MY FEAR...TINY HANKIE YOU ARE SO PRETTY... SO DAINTY AND OH SO NEAR ..YOU LET ME KNOW THAT YOU CARE WHEN YOU WIPE AWAY MY TEARS... TEARS OF SADNESS ...TEARS OF GLADNESS..YOU SHARE MY JOY AND MY PAIN...I JUST CANT'WAIT TO HOLD YOU AGAIN ..hmmmmhummmhummm..bless you kim ahchooo..bless you !!!!!carol
Posted by: carol | February 23, 2009 at 09:31 AM
A tiny hanky, a pair or a single embroidered and tatted pillow case, delightful faded and worn tea towels and tablescloths. These have been some of my best garage sale/thrift store/resale shop finds. I have a couple of dresser drawers filled with these little treasures. Best of all, they all have great stories, some I'm very familiar with.
Posted by: Pat@Back Porch Musings | February 23, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Hi KIm. Pretty tiny hankie and touched on a memory of mine of always having a fresh new tiny hankie tucked in my litle patent leather purse by my mother, for going to church on Sundays when a little girl. How i loved those little purses that had to be the right color of the season, and pretty shoes and lacy socks, but I especially loved the tiny children hankies with embroidred edges.
Posted by: Carolyn | February 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Dear Kim, Oh, I can't wait for garage sales. It's 35 degrees here this a.m. Those are the reason we go in the first place, for that special little treasure we can make into our own. Thanks for the sweet story.
Posted by: Diane | February 23, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Oh, so pretty! They are so lovely with their pretty edgings. Glad you rescued them. :)
Posted by: tattingchic | February 23, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Isn't it fin to find something so small that makes you happy? It's worth digging sometimes through the Tupperware, romance novels and plastic placemats :)
Anita
Posted by: Anita | February 23, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Nice find Kim. This post reminded me of a distant relative, Aunt Hankey was what we called her. She was petite not even 4 ft,a sweet little white haired lady.
Posted by: Leah | February 23, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Oophs...I meant to say she was'nt even 5 ft.lol
Posted by: Leah | February 23, 2009 at 11:33 AM
How adorable, and what a great yard sale find! WTG!
Last week, when my dad was once again in the hospital and my mom was staying with me, she came into my office/studio and said she had something for me. At first look I thought it as a hankie, but then I opened it up, and it is actually a small rectangular doily. White with pink and white crocheted or tatted trim. It's small, and hole-y, but it's lovely. She always tries to find some little something to give me to show her appreciation for my help. Time before tht it was a chipped English bone china teacup and a tiny miniature teacup with 'made in occupied Japan' stamped on the bottom. My Mama knows what I like, and I love her for it! Have a blessings filled day! Becky G.
Posted by: Becky G. | February 23, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I love, love, love to rescue old linens from garage sales, too and I have filled my home with them!
Posted by: Old Centennial Farmhouse | February 23, 2009 at 11:40 AM
How precious!! What was it like in a time when this was carried around in someone's purse? I wonder.
Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | February 23, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Sometimes the littlest things make us happy. Pam
Posted by: Pam | February 23, 2009 at 11:43 AM
The small treasures like that always make me so, so happy. Hope your week is off to a great start. I am envious of your warm Florida sunshine right now.
Posted by: Kim | February 23, 2009 at 12:37 PM
How pretty! What a sweet find.
Posted by: Julie (Knitsational) | February 23, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I agree, a treasure like that can make ones day!!so beautiful and delicate too. I don't remember if I ever posted a comment to you before...but..I have been reading your Blog for some time now and enjoy every post! (you're on my Blog list now, so I can keep an eye on you..lol) Your cottage is so lovely and your Maggie so adorable!!! Thank you for sharing, Jannet
Posted by: Jannet | February 23, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Oh what a darling treasure, I know how fun it is to unveil something so lovely amongst a whole lot of JUNK!!
Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Diane | February 23, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Reminds me of my grandmother... she would tuck a pretty hanky into my birthday card. Have no idea where those hankies are today but they were always pretty.
Thanks for the memory
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
Posted by: Di | February 23, 2009 at 03:08 PM
They are as cute as can be, Kim! I'm glad they found a new home with you...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Posted by: Sheila | February 23, 2009 at 03:09 PM
What a sweet treasure. Love your blog!
Posted by: Gayle | February 23, 2009 at 03:38 PM
Hi Kim
Isn't it fun to find a hidden treasure at a yard sale. There is just something sweet and special about hankies, especially the ones with hand made stitches decorating them.
Hope you are enjoying your day.
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by: Rhondi | February 23, 2009 at 03:58 PM
Aah Kim that is such a sweet little find. It does bring such happiness when we find delightful little items tucked among others. It came to the right home and will be appreciated. RJ
Posted by: RJ | February 23, 2009 at 04:41 PM
I love a diamond in the rough! Great find!
Posted by: Alice W. | February 23, 2009 at 05:20 PM
I Love, Love the handkercheifs! What a great find they are! I love when I go to a sale and think that there isn't really anything there, then you dig a bit and find treasure! I have really liked looking at your blog.
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Kirby | February 23, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Oh, so pretty! Love it when I find treasures like this! I think I'll go get out my little box of Grandma's hankies and tell them how lovely they are... I really should find a place to display them!
What a happy little post!
Posted by: Kathi | February 23, 2009 at 06:58 PM
This is exactly what my grandmother referred to as "a crumb of happiness"!!
Posted by: Phyllis | February 23, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Ahh so adorable! tiny and pretty can't get any better than that!
LuLu
Posted by: LuLu | February 23, 2009 at 07:48 PM
I love this... soooooo sweet!
Posted by: Valarie | February 23, 2009 at 10:16 PM
I treasure old hankies. My grandmother always had one with her...even when it was 'out of fashion' although I never thought it was. I have that little box of hankies now.
Posted by: D'Ann | February 23, 2009 at 11:35 PM
That hankie is like you and your blog Kim. In the middle of all the other beautiful hankies, it's the one that stands out and makes you feel at home :)
Where do I want to go? Home is the only place I want to be ;)
love you too,
rue
Posted by: rue | February 23, 2009 at 11:57 PM
I just found your blog tonight, sweetpea, and am sooooo glad I did. I can't remember where I clicked over from but it's serendipitous because I love your pictures and you have on your sidebar that you have a Canon Powershot G9. I have a Canon PS 750 and a PS790 and love them both but your photos are outstanding. I'd love to know how you do them so well. If you can drop by and chat with me and my email is on my profile page (that's just to make it a bit harder on the spammers though!) and give me some pointers if you have time. I'd love to see how you do them.
xoxo,
Connie in Idaho
Posted by: Connie | February 23, 2009 at 11:59 PM
I am so glad you rescued that baggie of hankies. Your reward for taking and cherishing the careful work of some unknown person's hands is that tiny, perfectly embroidered hanky with the flowers. Lovely!
Cass
Posted by: Cass | February 24, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Kim what fabulous photos of the 'tiny hankie!! There are always treasures there if you look long and hard enough
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | February 24, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Yard sale season is about to begin here in North Carolina. I can't wait to explore all those treasures that have been cast off! Congratulations on your find!!!
Posted by: Kathy | February 24, 2009 at 01:29 AM
You know that you were lead to that baggie because it was truly meant to be. That precious knew it would have a good home with you, just as all the others did, too. My mom and other family friends did beautiful embroidery. I have a 30yr-old set of embroidered dish towels from my wedding that I'll never give away.
The hanky is absolutely precious. You make me want to go hunting for something similar. Could the colors be any more perfect for you, dear Kim?
Posted by: Rose | February 24, 2009 at 03:25 AM
The tiny hanky was just waiting for you to discover it. How sweet. Now it has found it's home. Enjoy! Heather
Posted by: Heather | February 24, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Oh, she is a very lovely little treasure. I'm glad she is safely home in Daisy Cottage.
Posted by: Lallee | February 24, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Oh what a nice little find.
Posted by: Bobbie Lynn | February 24, 2009 at 10:21 AM
This is exactly the sort of thing that would make me happy too! How lucky for us we can find pleasure in the simplest of things! xo suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne Duda | February 24, 2009 at 11:15 AM
It's such fun to discover something unexpected! Once I found a lovely mirror tucked inside an old dresser I purchased at auction.
:)
Posted by: cathy | February 24, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Perfectly sweet!
c
Posted by: Cindy | February 24, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Sometimes those tiny treasures are the BEST!!!
Posted by: Eileen @ Star's Fault | February 25, 2009 at 09:53 PM
i love it when i find pretty dainty hankie. what a sweet score!
Posted by: merryheart2 | March 06, 2009 at 01:15 AM