Deciding to face menopause sweats with a handkerchief rather than tissues, which leaves an ugly lint trail, Teddii fell in love with the artistry of the vintage hankies she found and they soon became her trademark. Some time later, while browsing for a unique gift for her third grandchild, she found a baby bonnet made from a hanky. The sentimental impact of the bonnet is that when baby has outgrown it, the bonnet can be returned to its beautiful hanky form and used again on the baby's wedding day. Deciding this would make the ideal gift, she took the bonnet to their Mom who taught her how to fold the hanky into a bonnet shape, fabric origami! Following women's traditions, she then taught her sister, Louise, how to create the bonnet too.

They both began making Bonnets as shower gifts for the women in the circle of their grown children who had begun having children. Recipients were always very impressed and deeply touched with their Hanky Bonnet gift. Louise then decided to take the Bonnet to the next level and began taking the Bonnet into retail stores looking for buyers. Again, success was swift. Responses were mostly positive and sales were doing well.

Living in two separate cities, Louise came back to help when their Dad had a serious health condition and the family was thrown into a crisis. Witness to an amazing recovery, Louise stayed on for what became seven months while Dad returned home and adjusted to his new circumstances. While needing to give some assistance and being present as an advocate, Louise found she still had a lot of time on her hands. One of her home town retailers suggested she attempt breaking into new markets while she was away.

The Swanky Hanky Bonnet was well received by store managers, but often she heard the comment, "This is great, but it just doesn't fit into our market." Taking this to heart the sisters sat down to brainstorm ways to make it "fit". This led to the creation of the Hanky Whisper and Hanky Flirtation all occasion cards.

Hanky Cards can be designed in a generic or personalized format for every conceivable occasion. Using vintage graphics the greeting cards and the handkerchiefs are now being sold through a Studio Gallery, several Gift Stores, a Florist and a world famous Tea House. Umbrella Creations Inc was also deemed worthy enough to display the Oak Bay Centennial logo on their creation, the Oak Bay Centennial card. This opened the door to creating corporate cards for local businesses which help promote a Fundraising or Corporate story. Now, these originally styled cards can fit into every market!

Also selling on eBay and with a vibrant website, Umbrella Creations offers an original merging of something old and new for today's marketplace. A unique and stylish product offering quality and sentiment in an affordable package.

Now with both sisters living in Victoria the story continues.