Gabrielle Messina Just a Girl: Saints and Snow

I had decided on a theme for my family room this year... It had a little something to do with the alter being in there, this year. Vintage religious... Surprised? I just can't help it. The faces, images, the colors, old typeface on prayer cards... for me, they are more than the beautiful images on paper or pretty statues . They evoke thoughts and prayers and are daily reminders in our home to be better, to live better. They also remind me of the preschool I attended as a little girl and the nuns who taught me, there.. I treasure the times I had with those angelic women. This, above, is just a very small print behind glass in a simple metal frame, found at a flea market seconds before an unexpected downpour a few summers past.... Heavenly! I set about the house, gathering as I went, religious items I had scattered throughout. A beautiful print of Mary, found at a local shop... I painted the frame pearly cream. My grandmother swears she remembers having this exact print in her family's home as a child. I was planning on doing a separate post on this, but, I think it fits in well here and feel like there's so much to blog about lately and so little time. So, I will share it with you now. This mirror was the surprise my husband had waiting for me, upon returning from Silver Bella! I was floored! As if seeing my precious family wasn't enough! LOL! A while back, I saw this stunning mirror in a favorite antique shop. You see, the antique shop is filled to the brim and it was hiding behind another piece of furniture, some hats and hat boxes, lamps and mink stoles. So, I'd been walking past this beauty for years. Turns out, it came from a barber shop(I bet the shop was beautiful!!!) in a neighboring town that had closed down twenty or more years ago. Ok, so the mirror was in my head and I was bellyaching... to my husband how it was "THE" mirror we were looking for, for above our mantle. He basically told me to forget it, that we had more important things to spend our money on right now.... so, I left it alone for a while. I had planned to scrimp and save every penny I came across to get this one! Well, while I was away, he went to the little antique store, saw the mirror and made plans to pick it up the following day! The ride from the airport seemed like forever. I was so excited to get home, see my kids and my husband. And this, this was just icing on the cake! Never in my dreams did I expect to walk into our family room and see this hanging above the mantle! He told me, he went to the shop, without an expectation to buy it. When he saw it, he said it was PERFECT for the room. It totally makes the room feel complete! I don't know, but, I think I have some catching up to him on surprises. He's seriously outnumbered me!

Icy branches and faded millinery adorn Mary's feet at the alter for the season... I know I mentioned about wanting to blog a few birthday gifts I received as well.... This beautiful Milagros ornament was a gift from Andrea! It has taken it's rank with my few other all time favorite ornaments! This gorgeous, glass Madonna... A book.... Filled with the most breathtaking shrines and grottos all over Italy! How did she know I've been fascinated with the images painted on corners of their homes, down narrow streets, the niches built into the outside walls of houses holding statues of patron saints with fresh flowers in vases at their feet. I must say she know's me like the back of her hand.... what a beautiful gift to find waiting at the door step. No? She also gave me a beautiful, ruffly bag at Silver Bella from this lovely lady's shop! Ok, changing courses. Call it tacky, call it kitchy, or cheap, but, I love it. Faux snow, if you're fancy. I just call it fake snow. I love the blankets of felty snow under train sets and Christmas villages, love the flaky plasticy stuff sold in bags.... I salvage mine year after year. The very best thing about it may be the fact that you don't have to dust the surfaces you have it sprinkled on!!! Then, you have snow in a can! I've made fresh scented flakes from Ivory soap, grated from a cheese grater. There are even ways to make fake snow from the fiber in diapers! I have not tried that... but, it's out there... You tube... This is a tiny, little nativity I have... those are pin and sequin trees in the background, just so you can see how tiny! Speaking of snow,this year, after much deliberation, I decided to flock my tree. Andrea had emailed me a link a few weeks ago after we spoke about wanting to flock our trees. I ordered this kit. I ended up, not using the sprayer that came in it. You were supposed to attach to your vacuum. I used a flour sifter and spray bottle instead... the old fashioned way. (I know... a flour sifter... funny) Speaking of old fashioned, while doing some flocking "research", before I'd seen the kit, I found that Ivory Snow Flakes were used way back when to flock a tree! I had contemplated this until I learned they were discontinued in the early 1990's... so that was that! I was very happy with the result. I wasn't going for an all white look, I still wanted the green to be there. Just softened... I dusted the entire tree and then went back and added a much heavier flocking to the tips... Snow kissed, I guess you could say...LOL I'll need to get a picture of the whole tree...

8 Comments

Gabrielle... your home is looking just stunning for Christmas!! Don't you wish we could have each other over for real to see it all in person?? I love your nativity and that mirror is just unbelievable! That hubby of yours is a keeper for sure... oh and beautiful gifts from Andrea. She is such a sweetie.

xoxo Heather

Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | December 09, 2009 at 09:37 PM

Wow, the mirror is beautiful! I love
the work on it. Your hubby is sweet.
He is a keeper, for sure. LOL
I admire religious items too.
I enjoyed looking at your religious
decorations!

God Bless you and your family!

Posted by: Andrea | December 10, 2009 at 12:18 AM

Looks like you will be having a blessed Christmas indeed! Such pretty things all around! The mirror is perfect....and I love that tiny little Nativity!

Posted by: Andrea S. | December 10, 2009 at 08:33 PM