Thursday, May 5, 2011

Living with Vintage Inspiration~this MOTHER'S DAY


Over the years, you have read my posts about my mother and grandmother and the vintage treasures I hold dear from their lives here on this earth.
Not a day goes by I do not think of them at some point. I am always inspired by these two special ladies. They were talented beyond words and the greatest women I will ever know.

Recently I have been on a mission to redesign my sewing/laundry room as it becomes an extension of my toile studio. I am gladly finished and will share more of this room later, but for now I will share a wreath I made using vintage and memorable inspiration.

Growing up my grandparents had a gorgeous grape arbor in their yard. Grandpa was a wine maker from Italy and to this country he brought his talents for growing the finest grapes. I remember how wonderful it was to sit under the arbor on a hot summer day with the scent of fresh purple grapes overhead. You could reach up and grab a few to munch. Oh how delicious they were. As a child this was so special.
The vines always impressed me with their strong stature, yet peeling sheets of grapevine as it trailed up the frame grandpa made for the arbor's shape to grow.
It really was a beautiful sight to see with the lush green leaves, purple grapes and nutmeg color brown vines. Grandpa loved his arbor and it showed. He passed away in 1973 but grandma kept it growing as it made the perfectly shaded sitting area to spend many a season for years to follow. After my grandpa's passing, no more wine was ever made from his beloved grapes.

In the last year of my grandmother's life, she, for the final time, made her last grapevine wreath from the vines of that life long grape arbor, and she gave it to me.
I have cherished it since her passing in 1991. Twenty years of beautiful memories and enjoyment in so many ways through the years. The wreath's been decorated for Spring, Fall, Christmas and more. Now it will grace my sewing room accented with her vintage tape measure, old thread spools, vintage needle holder, sock darner, vintage hem ribbons, dress pattern flowers and my rolled sheet music "Sorrento", a piece I always played on the piano for my grandma and mother.
Knowing that she grew this vine, cared for it's fruit and in the end shaped the wreath with her own hands, makes this very special to me.

It still brings inspiration each and every day. Here is the finished wreath with all tied on elements in a new way for display. No hot glue for this treasure. It will remain always in tack as grandma made it so many years ago.





And, guess what I came across recently? Two Fall leaves. They were pressed in a book of my mothers. I don't know how I missed these gorgeous Autumn leaves in the past, but somehow they must have been meant to be found now. They are very fragile and I am sure,very old. I placed them for now in a little Singer sewing tin while I figure out my way to use them in a preserving keepsake.


I am so excited to find these leaves, especially now that we are about to celebrate Mother's Day. A gift of love, joy and remembrance. As I honor my own Mother and Grandmother, I give thanks for the life they both lived, the teachings they passed on to me and the lives they touched along the way.


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all.

Hugs from Texas, Celestina Marie

21 comments:

Susan said...

Celeste, Oh what a beautiful touching story. Your grandparent sound like such dear and wonderful people!! So does your mother. What a beautiful way to honor them,by displaying the treasures they gave you!! I can tell in reading your post how dear they were to you!!
I now understand through this beautiful post why you have a such a sweet and wonderful personality.
You have a wonderful week my sweet friend!

Anonymous said...

As my days pass I think of my Mom & Grandmother. I open the jewlery boxes that were theirs & I remember the times when I was little when they wore these. I then put them on & I feel closer to them.
I wonder if my daughter will do the same after I am gone....
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
Marilyn

Jillayne said...

What a beautiful and thoughtful way of remembering and honouring your Grandmother. I love how you used her sewing tools - wreaths are a symbol of plenty and of welcoming and I can't think of anything more appropriate to use to showcase them.
So lovely Celestina!

Rebecca Nelson said...

Love the wreath...love your vision...love you! You are amazing!

xoRebecca

BrushedByAnAngel said...

Such a beautiful and warm story, Celeste. I never knew my grandparents as they died before I was born. But I do love the many items my mother left - especially her sewing basket filled with wooden spools, thimbles, and her favorite pinking shears. She made our clothes when we were little - a full time job with nine girls and two boys. Your wreath is beautiful!
Brenda

Mari said...

WHAT A TRULY BEAUTIFUL WAY TO HONOR THE WONDERFUL LADIES IN YOUR LIFE :) THE WREATH IS JUST OVER THE MOON GORGEOUS MY FRIEND :) YOUR SOOOO AMAZINGLY TALENTED SWEETIE!!

XOX~MARI

Anonymous said...

Oh, Celeste, how wonderful this wreath is! And I'm sure you will be adding to it from time-to-time as you find more little trinkets from your Gramma.
I have nothing from my grandmothers, either one of them...only sweet memories of my mother's mother but my father's mother died when he was only 14 and I don't even have a photo.
You are blessed!
Hugs and Happy Mother's Day!
Diane

Ginny said...

What a beautiful post, Celeste! The wreath is so special and I am sure as you said, it holds so many treasured memories. We were so fortunate, were we not, to have such amazing women in our lives? And finding those autumn leaves, well, I am sure they were meant to be found at precisely the right time, for whatever reason! How wonderful!
Happy Mother's Day to you and please spend the day relaxing and being pampered. You certainly deserve it!
Love you, sisterfriend!

Unknown said...

Sweet Celeste ~ This is a very deep loving share. What a treasure to tenderly keep & use with each season. And, Mother's leaves .... I wonder why she pressed them. Don't you just love to find these kinds of little 'things' from our loved ones.

When I went thru the china cupboard to pack away before the construction in the dining room, I was so moved to find Mother's crocheted pieces & linens. I just love to touch them ... they are such a part of her.

Hope you are doing much better ... have missed you. Have a beautiful Mother's Day. I'll talk to you soon.

Hugs of love & blessings,
Marydon

Julie Marie said...

Hello dear Celeste... what a beautiful, touching post to honor your mama and your grandmother... (also your wonderful grandfather)... your wreath is so precious, I can just imagine how much you cherish it, and how lovely it looks ready to go in your sewing room... my thoughts drift off to the grape arbor you talk about... it sounds so pretty and relaxing... do you have any photos of it, I would love to see it!... your Autumn leaves are gorgeous new~found treasures as well... perhaps a little reminder sent just now by your mama, with her love... wishing you a beautiful Mother's Day... xoxo Julie Marie

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Celestina Marie,

What a beautiful story and loved hearing about your Mother and Grandmother and how they have inspired you everyday.
The wreath is so special and love how you have added all the old sewing notions. Hanging on your sewing room wall you will be able to see and feel their love with you.
Wishing you a beautiful Mothers day and weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

Ginny said...

OH YES, CELESTE, OUR MOM'S ARE REJOICING IN HEAVEN THAT WE MET AND INSTANTLY BONDED! I AM SURE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE OLD NEIGHBORHOODS AND LIFE AT THAT TIME, AND OH, OF COURSE, RECIPES! AND CANNOT FORGET.. WHAT WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS THEY HAVE! LOL!

Bearly Sane said...

I love reading the stories you write about your family ... you are so lucky to have those memories, I am happy you treasure them the way you do.

The wreath is beautiful Celestina and I am so pleased you shared the photos.

I only popped by to wish you HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I am so glad I did.
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Bearly Sane / Ess D'Ess Bears

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Celeste,
This is so heartwarming, I am crying! My dad was born in Italy and I love "Sorrento." He was always singing in Italian...I LOVE what you made--it is so spectacular.

And oh gosh, what a handsome son!! (and a beautiful mother you are.) Wishing you a special Mother's Day filled with joy, my friend.
Love,
Cindy

A Southern Rose said...

This is such a beautiful touching post of your grandmother and mother. I know that you will cherish your wreath for always. I wish you a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow.

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Celestina Marie, first I love your name! It's beautiful! And thank you for sharing the grapevine wreath, its beautiful. I found your blog from Denise at All Over Roses and wanted to say hi.

Happy Mother's Day!
Barb

A Hint of Home said...

I had to stop in to see how you were doing! Have missed getting around but things are getting back to normal..whatever that is....lol
I hope your health has been improving! Think about you often.
Happy Mother's Day to you and I wish you a wonderful day celebrating it.

Hugs sweet friend!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Precious Celestina,

Your music here touches my soul and the story of these beloved women confirms in me that so many of us hold such dear memories of women who took every day things and made them extraordinary. They made small things bigger than life and their gifts encourage us to live to the fullest. Thank you dear for coming to visit me. I am so sorry for your loss of your mother; the pain never really goes away, but the tears are there to water the garden of our possibilities.

Have a blessed day, Anita

Unknown said...

So lovely memories.
Wishing you a very Happy Mother's Day

Big Hugs
Charo

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

You have brought tears to my eyes with this lovely tribute to your Mother and Grandmother and Grandfather. I loved your descriptive post ~ I could just picture you as a little girl, reaching up to get a grape from the vine growing over the arbor. What wonderful memories. Your "memory" grapevine wreath is such a wonderful idea and such a special way to have these rememberances of your grandmother always in sight. What a gift to find those pressed leaves that your Mother had placed in a book long ago. Beautifully written post Celestina.
I also want to thank you for the lovely comment you left me. You've brought tears to my eyes twice today! Hugs, laurie

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

What a lovely post and such a sweet tribute to your mother and grandmother! Oh, how I wish I could have met them as I know I would have loved them as much as I do you! Their sweet spirit lives on thru you. I just had to enlarge the wreath to get a better look. I love how everything has a special meaning. Such a beautiful momento!

Love the new look to your blog and especially that pic of you and R at the top!! He is so handsome!

Love you,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..