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
