Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Away in a Manger

Many years ago my mother studied painting and found her nitch with ceramics. Over the years she designed and custom painted many gorgeous treasures. 
My favorite is her nativity set hand painted to look antiqued and old right from the beginning. 
That was over 35 years ago and now
 that very same cherished set, is old and loved as much today as ever.

The manger was painted with the holy family, the wise men and camels, the Shepard's and animals. The manger itself had 3 parts, but after our move here to Texas, the two side stalls had broken. However the blessing was the center manger stall was still in tack and for that I was thankful.

Simply elegant, it looks aged just the way mom intended it to be. Over the years, mom was asked by her church to display it for all to enjoy, which she so graciously did.
 These days, since mother's passing, it shows proudly here in our home with the reminders why we celebrate Christmas at all.
 The birth of the Lord Jesus and why he came to this world.

Without anymore words, I will just share the pics of a treasured keepsake that means so much.














                                                                           






May the true meaning of the season
 be your reason for celebration.
Merry Christmas.

XO
Celestina Marie

28 comments:

miss b said...

What a beautiful nativity set, all the more special as it holds such memories for you being hand made by your Mum. She was so talented and it's lovely to display this in your home. This is the perfect post for Christmas Eve! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year too. Thank you for your thoughtful comments throughout the year.

Old Time Cindy said...

Such a treasure. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Holiday hugs,
Cindy

Sola Scriptura said...

What a meaningful treasure for you to display. It's meaningful to you on so many levels. Thank you for this beautiful reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season. Happy Christmas wishes to you!

Unknown said...

It's lovely! My mother also painted a ceramic nativity. she did hers in browns. I have it now. It sits out all year long. The cow is in the worst shape of any of the pieces but it is cherished never the less. Thank you for sharing your mother's nativity. Merry Christmas! may God bless you and your husband and your family.

Jan Hermann said...

That's a beautifully hand painted Nativity. Your mom was very talented and did such a good job. I always display a Nativity for Christmas. Merry Christmas Celeste!

Hugs,
Jan ♥

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

M Y W O R D. There are no words to describe her talents here.....

My father built the most fabulous manger, and I used to play with it and rearrange baby Jesus all the time so that all the other figurines could see him...somehow I knew back then the HE was to be the center.

Awesome work. Celeste, thank you for the companionship these last few months. Much love to you today and always! Anita

Anonymous said...

Oh, Celeste! This is such a beautiful Nativity and I love how your little mother aged it. I also see where you received some of your painting talent! Merry Christmas to you and your family and looking forward to blogging with you next year.
You're always a sweetie,
Shelia :)

TexWisGirl said...

what a wonderful set! family treasure...

Anonymous said...

Simply beautiful. I see artistic talent runs in the family. So special.
Thank you, Celeste, for your friendship, your kindness, and all the beauty and light you add to my life through this modern technology that has become so very special to me because of hearts like yours.
Merry Christmas, love.
HE is the reason I celebrate every day.
xoxo

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

What a beautiful set and what a treasure!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Jill said...

Absolutely beautiful! Truly captures what Christmas is all about! Thank you for sharing this with us. Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Blessings,
Jill

Deborah Montgomery said...

I was just talking with my mom today about the beautiful hand-painted nativity my grandmother did. What a treasure! Yours is beautiful, such a precious heirloom! Her set also has a shepherd with a lamb over the shoulders; I always loved that piece.
Blessings to you Celeste; thank you for being such an encouraging blog friend, and such an inspiration. xo Deborah

deb said...

Oh Celeste your Mother did a beautiful job, no wonder the Church asked for it each year. You have it displayed beautifully. I see talent runs in the family :)

So glad you have such a wonderful meaningful decoration from the past which brings back such warm memories. Warm memories, isn't that what it's all about. Feeling that comforting feeling from long ago.

Thank you for sharing the true meaning of Christmas.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Memory Making Merry Christmas!
*hugs*deb

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

What a magnificent job your Mom did on her nativity! The details are wonderful Celeste and I can see where you get your talent for painting, it runs in the family. Thank you for sharing such a lovely treasure with us.

Love and Christmas blessings, Edie & Marie

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

It's so beautiful. your Mom did a wonderful job and you must be so thrilled. Such talent and a lovely piece of history. Merry Christmas to you and your family. xo

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Lovely nativity that your Mom painted!
Merry Christmas.
warmly,
deb

Valerie-Jael said...

This is a really wonderful nativity set, an absolute treasure. Hugs, Valerie

Donna said...

The nativity set that your mom created is a true heirloom and masterpiece, Celestina! It is just gorgeous, I have never seen one like it before. Love that your mom gave it an aged appearance, all of the details and colors she used are just amazing! I can see why you love it so! You are so lucky to have it:) Merry Christmas to you, my sweet friend!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Sweet Celeste, thank you for coming by today, on this busy and last day before the unwrapping of the holiday begins!!!!!

Much love to you dear friend and sister. Blessings upon you! Anita

Pammy Sue said...

What a beautiful thing to have made by your own mother. Hopefully it will make an appearance at Christmas for many years to come somewhere. Merry Christmas.

Debbie Harris said...

Aww... How very precious, Celestina.
You have the beauty of your mother in you. :-)
May you have a most blessed Christmas.
Much love, Debbie

Connie said...

My what a lovely family treasure.
……...…..….. ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
…….…..….. ⋯ ✰ ⋯
………….….. ⋰ ⋮ ⋱
……… …….*•♥•*
…… ……. *♥♫♫♥*’.
… …….. *♥•♦♫••♥*
……… *♥☺♥☺♥☺♥*
………*♥•♥#♠*♥#♥•♥* ‘
……..*♥♫♥♥♫♥♥♫♥♫* ‘
…….*♥♥☺♥♫♥♫♥☺♥♥*’
……*♥♥♣♫♥♣♥♥♣♥♫ ♣♥♥*’
….’*♥♥♣♥♫♥♥♫♥♥♫ ♥♣♥♥*’
….*~~**~~**~***~~**~~*
….(▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓)
_____███████████
♥:♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥:
Wishing you a very
Merry Christmas.
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

cynthia lee designs said...

Beautiful nativity set!! Wishing you a Merry Christmas tomorrow!!
hugs,
Cindy

Rose L said...

May your celebration be filled with joy and your heart filled with love.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Celestina, that is so beautiful and I'm so glad you have it. When I took ceramic lessons, my best girlfriend made a nativity scene. I, for some reason, didn't and now I regret it. She has since passed and I hope that her children are enjoying it now as you are enjoying your mother's loving work..Merry Christmas to you and your family..Judy

Claudia said...

Dear Celeste,
what a wonderful family treasure! I guess, you are very happy to have this!
Hope you had a lovely and blessed Christmas day too! We went to my Mum, so I could not write earlier ...
Sending much Love and hugs and blessings, and I am so thankful, we met us herer this year, my dear friend!
˚✰˚♥ Claudia ♥˚✰˚

Alessandra said...

Your mother was very talented like you! Wonderful nativity rich of sweet memories.
Kisses
Alessandra

Linda Walker said...

Celeste,
What an absolutely beautiful set of nativity figurines! Such a precious gift to treasure! I treasure all the keepsakes my mother has made for me over the years too. Somehow I missed this post, so glad I scrolled down!
Linda
mysewwhatblog

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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..