Every now and then, I feel lucky to come across a vintage find brimming with heart and soul. The item below is just that . . .
I purchased it thinking it was some sort of tea towel. I love the pretty floral "oven mitt" sewn onto the center of this large square of white cheesecloth-like fabric. But I began to think that perhaps this wasn't a tea towel after all, for when I tried to fold it into thirds, the oven mitt was awkwardly in the way. So exactly what is this item for?
I had my answer when I realized there was something inside the mitt.
The original gift card was still inside! How cool is that?
Many moons ago, a woman named Elizabeth Banks gave this little treasure as a Christmas gift to her friend Marie. And her dear hand written note gave me the answer I was looking for. This vintage item is actually a dusting cloth. Elizabeth's sweet poem reads, "Put your hand inside this mitt, and dust up your house a bit. For I know you love to do it!" Utterly charming.
And sure enough, when I gave it a try, this dusting cloth is quite handy indeed.
What fun to discover a little history about this treasure. Now I wonder . . . did Elizabeth make the cloth herself? Was the floral fabric recycled from an old feed sack? Did Marie ever use it, or tuck it away as a keepsake of their friendship? Were these dusting cloths a popular item? I've certainly never seen one before. Have you?I love things like this, filled with abundant heartfelt goodness. I'll share a few more vintage treasures I recently acquired, destined for my Etsy shop, in my next post.
Susan




















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