Gabrielle Messina Just a Girl

Bavarian Christmas Ornaments

It's been so long since I've been here. I wonder if anyone is out there? Hello.... check, check, 1, 2, 3. Well, if you are, hello, so glad you've stopped by. Autumn is in full swing around here, and forgive me for not posting anything Halloween-ish, but I've got sugarplums dancing in my head at the moment. It's been raining and cold here all day and I've got no desire to step outside when it's this toasty inside!  For the past few months, I've been completely and utterly enamored with Germany, it's culture, traditions, foods; desserts and chocolates mostly. But, for years, it's been their Christmas items...  ahhhh! The Germans really know what they're doing when it comes to crafting the most exquisite Christmas ornaments! Often, the most expensive ones of all too! For years and years I've wanted to get to a true Christkindlmarkt in a Deutschland town. Not the one in Chicago, not the one in Pennsylvania, but an authentic one in Bavaria. I'd sip hot spiced wine, and walk in wonder from stand to stand.  In my craft room, I've been taking in a bit of Bavarian inspiration and making some Christmas ornaments that I hope to have listed in the next few weeks. Here are a few peeks for you!

treasures found....

 My mom and I had a chance to go to the flea market together last weekend! We woke early and hit the dusty trail, just the two of us.We were able to peruse each stand ohh-ing and ahh-ing over treasures to be had. I came home with a pretty full trunk of similar hued pastels. Thought I'd do a little show and tell of a few of the things that came home with me.
I saw these lovely ceramic chandelier flowers from afar and made a mad dash to them. I asked the lady if she knew what the were. "Haven't a clue... make me an offer.... don't be shy!!" She said rather excitedly. Let me tell you I hate being put on the spot like that. Naming your own price, you know? I don't want to insult the dealer, in the same sense I don't want to go broke. There were twelve of them in total. I said "fifteen" and she said "YEA!"  I love the soft shades of pink/lavander, yellow, blue and green along with the little nicks and chips of these flowers.  I already put these to use on a project, I'll be back another day soon to show you that. The pink-ish and gold backrounnd you see, is the lid of a hatbox that also found it's way home with me. I don't know what it is about a hatbox. Seems I can never just leave them behind.   This, though was the purchase of the day. It's a tiny, petite glass armoire. Made in France in the 1930's. It was take my breath away gorgeous! I knew I had to have it, but it was more... way more than I usually pay for my things. My lovely mom{thanks Mom} offered to get it for an early birthday gift! It was mine! It deserves a much better picture than this and I'm not sure why I didn't take a better one when I took these photos a few days ago.... I'll be sure to get a better shot one of these days soon too!   The inside's line with the yummiest dusty pink silk, all tattered and torn... just the way we like things! The detail is exquisite. It's sitting in my bedroom now I can't help but to look at it  and smile. I know it will be one of the things that will never leave me.....

Where Bloggers Create II

 Have you heard? There's a party happening over at My Desert Cottage. "Where Bloggers Create"... It's a huge one and I thought it would be a lot of fun to join in and be part of the other 450 crafty gals who would be featuring the spaces where they like to make things. So, if it's your first visit to my little space in Blogland, welcome! Welcome to old friends too!  I have a small little space in my house that I can call all my own. It's just off of the kitchen, and a few steps from my kids' playroom. It was once our laundry room. I've just recently moved into this new space from our basement. I can't tell you how much better this works out for me. When you walk into the room, you are greeted by this above your head... My husband's and my initials and angel wings. Of course, I needed a chandelier....  Most of these shots will be detail shots. Like I said, I've recently moved in and things are not as perfect as I'd like them to be.... in time, though. Lots and lots of details in a space like this..... piles of pretty fabrics.  This is the epicenter of the entire studio. A large closet with loads of shelving that houses all my things.The wallpaper is vintage and I was really lucky to find some great reproduction brackets in the perfect shade of cream. I try my best to be organized and stay tidy..... that does not always happen. I like to use a lot of baskets.. this one is brimming with trims.More baskets.. these house all my paints and glues.... with a tiny studio, everything is within arms reach.      Glass jars are a must, aren't they? 
  This is a fun little shadowbox with some things I love.... That's a picture of me as a baby.  The window above my workspace.... makes working even more pleasurable.  Bits and bobs on a sweet tiered dish and old papers inside a cabinet.  These are old shower place cards from the 1940's I found at the flea market a few years ago....  My girls upon a stack of old glove boxes. This picture cleverly covers up the water hook ups from the old washer that once was here. A tiny little corner of my inspiration board.... That's a picture of my mom when she was a baby.A favorite old holy card, rhinestone skeleton key....  I love that old pink resin-type rose, a pretty picture that inspires, a glass glitter loving cup that I got on a little road trip with my husband, my two favorite men at the beach, and there's a picture of my grandparents at their high school prom up there too....  Couldn't leave out the girls, a special sea urchin and my lucky number 13!    An old wicker basket with yummy velvets and a chocolate heart box that I embellished stows away other supplies.  An old first holy communion veil hangs on the shadowbox... I've got plans for my little girls to wear this when it's their turn.  Paper pom poms from my little girls' birthday party two years ago... Rolls of old and pretty wallpaper. I like to keep it out in the open. Much like the rest of my things as they are old and lovely, so why not.  And a little dish with trinkets form the flea market.  I'll leave you with these little guys! I tried to keep the words to a minimum as there were so many pictures. Happy day, girls! And thank you for taking time to stop by today! Be sure to stop over to Karen's to see the whole list of bloggers! 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Spring Candy Shoppe

 I've wanted one of the faux chocolate bunnies you sometime see around here and there for Easter for more than a few years now. My grandma and mother- in- law have a few of the old ones. I'm sure they would have even given one to me if I'd asked for one. I just don't want to constantly be hounding them for their old stuff, you know? I was thinking of getting one from Bethany Lowe, it's just this year, I was trying to be a little conservative. I love Easter decorations, as mush as Christmas ones. The only way I keep myself in check is by only allowing myself to decorate the kitchen and playroom. So, I was out of town for a few days and ventured into The Christmas Tree Shop. Are you lucky enough to have one of these near you? I have only ever been in one twice, both times finding great things at next to nothing! I came home with two of these "chocolate" bunnies. I think they were about $3.50 each! As soon as I brought them home, I took the green ribbons, green feathers and brightly colored eggs off and added just a few millinery flowers and some pretty ribbons! In just a few minutes I had some beautiful decorations!  This is a smaller one. I got two of these also. I left him as is. I may change the ribbon yet, I don't know. He was a steal as well... I think he set me back $1.99!  I couldn't pass up this foil wrapped bunny. I added some sweet ribbons and a flower to his neck and placed him on the kitchen buffet table with the other rabbits and some jars of candy that are usually above my kitchen mantle. It looks like an old fashioned candy shop in here.  These little baskets were to sweet to pass up! I think they were a dollar. I put a bunch in my cart... 10 or 12... I don't now. There was originally a little bunny or chick in them that I removed along with bright green ostrich feathers. I added scraps of tulle and flowers to some. These would look cute hanging on a an feather tree or a garland or just as a little basket on it's own. They remind me of these... little baskets I got maybe three years ago.  Yes, Spring has sprung... inside at least! 
 
 
  Oh, if you want to see how the craft room's coming along, just enlarge this picture! It's a disaster in there! And I'm still waiting for shelving to be finished! It's not my hubby's fault.... I'm waiting on the vintage brackets I ordered weeks ago! Think Spring!  Tweet Tweet! 
 
 
 
 
 

The Goose That Laid the Golden and Vintage Paper Eggs has Opened Shop

**Hi girls, I just wanted to say thanks for the wonderful response to the eggs! Only one left! Never in a million years did I think they'd sell that fast! I wasn't even sure they'd sell at all. I wanted to let you know that I started working on some more and should have them listed on Thursday, hopefully.  So girls, I've decided to open a little Etsy shop . It's not something I ever set out to do. It sort of just evolved. Rather quickly, actually. Lately, I've been getting a few emails from readers inquiring if I sold the things I make. My reply always was that "my crafts are just a little hobby for myself and for gifts here and there for my family and friends." Then I got a call from a local art studio about a few things, I mentioned in this post. Well, I decide not to sell the eggs in the art studio. I did leave a few other things I've made there, but the eggs were not one of them. Maybe, if I would have thought about it for too long, I wouldn't have taken this step.  I made some paper covered goose size eggs. Same concept as these eggs I made last year, just larger and much, much foofier. I've list a few of these along with the gold leafed eggs.  Silk ribbons, vintage millinery and lace adorn a vintage paper covered wooden egg.Gosh, I am just a little bundle of nerves, right now. Wondering if these eggs will be well received? Will anyone find my itty little "shop"? But, I guess this is totally natural. It's what makes us human. And, I guess I'll never know 'til I try. 
 
 There are seven eggs in total.  If you're interested in taking a look at the eggs, you can find them right here.   
 
  
 
 

Process of Moving, Alice In Wonderland Tags and Some More

 I've been slowly moving some of my things from my old craft room in our basement to my new craft room! Slowly organizing and purging. Waiting ever so patiently on some shelving to be built. But, I know good things take time. I can already see this is a good thing. I love that my new room has a window and the ceilings are two feet higher. What a difference. Don't get me wrong, the basement craft room was pretty and I was most grateful for it. It's just that this makes sense. I've been in my new room everyday, either crafting or just tinkering.

Shifting gears, now to some of the crafting going on in the new room. Karla mentioned to me she was having an Alice in Wonderland tag swap. As soon as she told me, I checked out the details on her blog and jumped on the bandwagon! I adore Alice in Wonderland and I adore Karla. How could I go wrong? So, here's what my little tags will look like. I decided to go with the White Rabbit, as he's my favorite character in the story. I had this a vintage inspired image of the rabbit at home already and then just cut some flowers out of vintage wallpaper.At the top of the tag, on the ribbon, I added the same type of curiosities you see on the movie when Alice is falling down the rabbit hole. An old sewing machine, lamps, teapots, parasols and chairs all cut from projector like paper that was printed with images. I made five tags so far and tonight, I'll make one more.  Then, they are off to Karla!  Since we're talking Alice here, I have to share this photo of my oldest when she was almost three. We were at Disney World. She was obsessed with Alice until she was about four and a half. She's wearing a vintage Alice dress I found on Ebay. I had one exactly like it when I was little and wore it till the blue was virtually blue no longer. I loved that dress. I was lucky to have found one. She loved that dress. They are made so nicely. She wore it and wore it. Her sister wears it now. Looking at this picture sort of makes me sad to think how quickly she's growing! Right in front of my eyes.     Totally unrelated to Alice, the White Rabbit, or Wonderland, are these beautiful cards my friend gave me! They are actually old cabinet cards of men women and children from the late 1800's and early 1900's. I usually never use pictures of people I don't know in my work, but the backs are gorgeous. These are my colors. The most beautiful muted shades of mint, cream and whisper pink. Hope your weekend is off to a great start! xoxo

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

Snow Days

 It's one of those comfy, cozy, stay in your pajamas all day sort of days around here. We're snowed in and I'm taking the opportunity to just enjoy my family and our home. It's nice being around the house having nowhere to go. (Well, my poor husband has been quite busy with snow removal around our home, our shop and his parent's and grandmother's. In all actuality, he's not a cozy as the rest of us. ) Last night, I made some pumpkin muffins. Glad I snapped the picture when I did, because these little puppies got gobbled up quickly! They are something I like to make a lot in the fall and winter to just have around the house for a quick bite! You can find the recipe here if you'd like. At around eight 'o clock this morning, the house was blanketed in fluffy white. It finally stopped snowing around three. I love how snow seems to soundproof the whole world..... It snowed here, just a few inches the other day. We I made a snow man.  Now, I may be getting a little ahead of myself here with eggs, since it's not even quite Valentine's Day, but at least I'll be ready for Easter when it comes! I've been wanting to try gold leafing for a long, long time. I decided to finally try it last night. I gold leafed some goose sized wooden eggs. It was quite the process, but one that I rather enjoyed. I loved how they turned out. Very reminiscent of foil wrapped chocolate eggs! These will be around a lot longer than chocolate eggs would ever be at our house. Took apart a few old hats today. And used some flowers right away!  Even though my craft room move is not done, I've been itching to get in there and do some crafting. Today, I embellished the golden goose eggs and will be sure to show you them very soon!  Here's the window covering in new studio. That's all I'm showing right now 'till the construction is done.... 

 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 

A Bella Wreath for Christmas

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We did. It was so nice to spend the day with our family and just "be". There's not nearly enough days like that! The food was delish. That meal, is one I anticipate the whole year through. I personally, indulged in more dessert thank any human should..... I'll just blame that on the "double holiday" of celebrating my birthday as well. And speaking of dessert, I know for a fact the holidays are certainly upon us, it's the only time of year when my breakfast consists of  a gingerbread cookie or, for instance, today, a slice of pumpkin roll....  Oh yes, the wreath above.... I can easily get of task when I begin speaking of food. Hopefully, you guys are'nt sick of seeing Silver Bella projects yet. I was going to show you my wreath I made in Pam Garrison's "Holly Days " advent wreath class. Pam was just awfully cute and the wreath was fun to make. I finished it up here at home. I guess I have a tendency to chat too much. I cut out a ton of these dupioni silk holly leaves and some cotton batting(for quilts), that I had hand dyed for leaves, as well. On top of those leaves, more leaves in creamy velvet. Delicate little forget me nots with glass beads and more vintage, velvet leaves.... A pretty, not your typical Christmas, Christmas wreath for our home. 
 
 
 
 

Silver Bella Sweets

 For a few extra sweet Bellas, I decided to make some beaded candy canes. I had to make thirty of these sweet, sugary, Christmas canes. 
 I paired them and tied each with a seam binding ribbon. I thought they all looked so sweet hanging on my bottle brush tree
A little inspiration to make some of my own, perhaps? Yes, perhaps! Here they are all packaged sweetly before I packed them up and put them into an already stuffed suitcase!

Christmas Church for a Bella

 So, as we speak, I am sitting outside on a cold metal chair watching my girls play in the "fairy cottage"...  really just underneath a tree. I usually try to to take them outside every day, even if for a few minutes... the fresh air, and a little sunshine is good for them... even if it is rather chilly! I would be playing fairy cottage with them, but, I have cookies in the oven and the oven has been temperamental lately. I think it may need re-calibrated, so I keep popping in to check them! Ok, Enough of my gibber. The church above was my roommate gift to the soon to be mama of three, Andrea. The church itself, was a just a plain jane silver that I figured I could embellish and make it pretty. So, I painted and glittered, and glued and used plenty... plenty of mica. The roof originally was gold. Sort of a lack luster gold.... no glitter what so ever. I was about to paint it but,  decided to use one of my all time favorite products from here.... the Pretty Tapes have so many uses! Of course, adding another healthy dose of mica and glitter around the roof line adds to the festivity!  I added a pretty little rosie cab to the pipe cleaner wreath. And,honest to goodness,I can not recall if I added the wreath or it was existing. I guess it really does not make a difference.  The tree was there, thankfully. I added some vintage pearls and a rhinestone and, silver glass glitter... because, one can never have enough glimmer. Especially, during the holidays. They just give you an excuse to go all out. This time of year, less is defiantly not more. For the lid of the box, I first painted it with a few coats of gesso then another few coats of the palest pink paint, followed by a coat of glue then a fancy doily that I aged in some coffee and then another coat of glue on top.
 The box itself, I covered in vintage sheet music and then generously poured on some clear glass glitter. I embellished the top with some pipe cleaner "thingys" with the pearl on the end of each and topped it all off with a vintage earring. And there you have yourself a little Christmas Church box for the holidays!