Sunday, December 6, 2015

A Hand Painted Treasure

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.

Have a Blessed Sunday!
Celestina Marie
joining
cooking and crafting from J&J

42 comments:

Anna said...

Lovely manger ! My nativity set was bought by my mom in 1972 by I've done the manger with my kids in 1998... Beautiful memories mixed together...
Have a wonderful Sunday !
Anna

Jan Hermann said...

I look forward to seeing your mother's handiwork in this manger seen every Christmas! It looks even more beautiful than I remember it from last year. Thanks for sharing it.

Have a blessed week!
Jan ♥

bj said...

It is indeed, very beautiful. Because your mom painted it makes it a true treasure to be handed down thru the years. I hope you will include a pic of it in your tour post.

Anonymous said...

HI Celeste! I remember this most beautiful Nativity from your mother! It is just gorgeous and to think she painted all of the pieces! I know your treasure it dearly. It looks wonderful and thank you for sharing. Talent flows from your family. Have a nice Sunday.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Valerie-Jael said...

What a truly wonderful artwork that you have as keepsake of your dear mother. Have a good Sunday, hugs, Valerie

TexWisGirl said...

that is a family treasure.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a treasure to set out every Christmas!

Happy Christmas holidays ~ FlowerLady

An Oasis in the Desert said...

This is such a sweet manger, but the memories are the best part!

Thank you for popping in and leaving such sweet comments, Celestina!

Warm hugs,
Carol

Debbie said...

What a beautiful keepsake, Celestina!
You must have inherited your mothers talent.
I like the way you've displayed the scene....it's lovely.
Debbie
xo

Unknown said...

Celestina Marie, Your Mom's wonderful talent and beautiful heart she gave to you!
Merry Christmas,
LJ

decorayadora said...

Hi dear Celestina ,, que lindo nacimiento , espero que tenga un lindo domingo
Cariños

Sandra said...

Such a wonderful family heirloom to have and to treasure and to hold the memory of your mom. She did an amazing job on painting each piece. She did capture the look of it being aged right from the start. Did you learn your talent for painting from your mother?

Anonymous said...

The Nativity is one of the most beautiful I've seen. I know you treasure it. Thank you for sharing with us.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning dearest celeste! I wish i still had the nativity scene my parents hsd and the manger my dad built...happy December! !!

Junkchiccottage said...

Good Sunday Celeste,
What a beautiful treasure to have with memories attached. So sweet.
Kris

Nancy Chan said...

It is beautiful! Your mom is so gifted and talented. She left you a great treasure to keep memory of her alive and also a reminder of what Christmas is all about. Have a beautiful new week!

Roosterhead Designs said...

Gorgeously done! She put so much love into her work as we all can see. Thank you for Sharing. I love the angel with the banner announcing Glory to God! Blessings to you Celeste~ Karen O

Art and Sand said...

As a little girl, the creche was my favorite thing to set up each year. My sister and I loved it and had no idea it was tacky and cheap. As adults, we looked back at the cardboard manger, chipped sheep and missing pieces, but we loved it more than any expensive creche we could purchase.

Crissi said...

Beautiful -a family treasure.
Happy blessed day
hug Crissi

Debbie Harris said...

So beautiful Celestina. The memories that grace our hearts with our precious keepsakes will remain with us always, and as we bring them out or use them we are reminded of the wonderful joys God has blessed us with over the years with loved ones.
God's blessings are abundant and new every day.

Merry Christmas blessings to you, dear friend.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Celeste I so understand your heartfelt emotions with your beautiful Nativity scene lovingly painted by your Mom. The manger is beautiful and I know it fills your thoughts with precious memories. I am going to ask my brother today if my Moms manger is in storage in Florida. Both my parents have passed and their nativity scene has to be close to 60 years old. i remember as a child gently picking up the baby Jesus that was placed every year in his cradle with fresh straw and listening to my Mom telling me the story of the blessed birth and the star that guided them. Mom and Dad even had a large Nativity scene on the front lawn. The manger hand built.
In Philadelphia we go to a live Nativity set up at Christ Church in Society Hill. My imagination is filled with wonderment looking at it.
Thank you sweet friend for sharing your heart and story of the Nativity, your Mom is smiling in heaven that you honor her by continuing her tradition and sharing of her.
Sending love,
Vera

Createology said...

It is easy to see dear where you got your painting talents from. This Nativity set created by your mother is beautiful and precious. This is a treasure for you to carry on her tradition of displaying the real reason for our Christmas celebrations. Peace and Joy...

Kim said...

Well, the apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree now did it? The set is lovely. What a lovely gift she left with you, I am so impressed. The detail work is amazing. I am sure it brings you so much joy each year when you bring it out. Hugs.

20 North Ora said...

Beautiful! Such a precious memory.

Judy

Thistle Cove Farm said...

How wonderfully lovely and so full of rich memories! Celeste, it's vintage, almost antique, and still looks as beautiful...probably more so due to the patina, than the day your dear Mother finished.

Michelle said...

That is a lovely Nativity set. Lucky you!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

It's a lovely set and so nice that you have it to enjoy. She did beautiful work on it. I see talent runs in the family!

Donna said...

What a wonderful family heirloom your dear mom created all those years! I see where you got your talent from, Celestina:) The nativity is just gorgeous, I love it! With each figure, I said to myself "that's my favorite", and then I just couldn't pick one! Love the angel, love it all!

Joy Junktion said...

What an absolutely beautiful treasure, Celeste! You definitely received your talent from your momma! She did a great job on the set! Nativities are so special anyway (I only have about 75 of them), but that set is amazing! May you always be reminded of HIS Great Love as you set it out each year! Blessings, Cindy

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Beautiful!
warmly,
deb

Rose L said...

It is so nice to have such a cherished item that was made by your mother. That is something special to be handed down through the generations along with her story.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Celeste, I have tears in my eyes from reading this post and seeing the lovely detail that your mom put into this treasured manger set. What a wonderful keepsake from your mom, and such loving memories. Having that beautiful set out every Christmas is like having a special visit from your mom. For each time you walk past it, you are constantly aware of her love and presence. xo

Conniecrafter said...

Oh What a special treasure to have from your Mother, she did a most wonderful work on it, sorry to hear there was a little damage in the move. It is so great to have things that were made with love from our parents and they mean so much more after they pass away. I treasure so much everything I have that my parents made.

Feral Turtle said...

What a beautiful treasure from your mom! Very touching Celeste!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful nativity! And how wonderful that you have this cherished piece of your Mom's.

Karen@Southern Gal Meets Midwest said...

It is easy to see the time and attention to detail your mother put into this nativity. So glad you still have it to treasure all these years later.

Linda Walker said...

Wow, these pieces are just lovely! A nativity to treasure always!
xo
LInda

Gypsy Heart said...

So beautiful and meaningful! I know this is a precious treasure from your mom and such a blessing to have it. It really brings to the forefront the real reason for the season!

xo
Pat

cynthia lee designs said...

What a wonderful treasure to have from your mom. I know you will cherish it forever.
hugs,
Cindy

Alessandra said...

This nativity is wonderful. It's a precious treasure from your sweet mother.
Hugs
Alessandra

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Wow Celestina,
Your mom did a beautiful job painting the nativity!! Now I know where you got your talent from. Thanks for sharing this with us at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Enjoy the weekend.
Julie xo

Unknown said...

This is so pretty. :)

Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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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..