Alison, a colleague in the fashion industry, contacted me a few weeks ago. Her mother Vivian had just passed away in April. Vivian loved to travel, and she collected tea towels from all the various places she had visited in Europe, North America, Africa and South Asia.

Inspired by this, we planned a design for a tea towel, to be sold with all proceeds going towards an endowment in her name for students attending Carleton University in Ontario, where Vivian worked for over 20 years and was a highly-respected and valued source of professional encouragement for students and graduates.

The design captures thoughts and memories from many members of Vivian’s family. A mother and baby elephant, from Alison’s sister who loves elephants. A book held aloft with Vivian’s initial on the cover, representing her work with libraries and her lifelong love of reading. The phrase “it will all work out” was one of the last things she said to her family before she passed. The clematis flowers were requested by Alison’s father. The XOXO at the end was how she always signed letters to one of her sons.

The tea towel is available for purchase on Vivian’s web site for $20 plus shipping. All proceeds go to her endowment fund with Carleton University. http://www.viviancummins.org/towel.htm