I finished a few more of my Silver Bella projects. Yay! It's not too late to share another one, is it? This was Teresa's Christmas Pageant class (which I loved), and I decided to change it up a bit and do a non-Christmas theme so I could enjoy it all year long. It's an old book whose pages were carved out to create an area perfect for showcasing a special photo.
This is a picture of my mother-in-law, Angelina Carmella Guglielmino Singarella (just a little Italian), taken when she was a baby in Sicily. Doesn't she look like a little porcelain doll in this photograph? When I was trying to decide which picture to use in this class, this was the very first one that popped into my mind.
Angelina passed away 9 years ago, when George and I had just recently started dating, and sadly I never got to know her very well. In the few days I spent with her, she taught me how she made her homemade meatballs and sauce, and she told me she knew I was "the one" for George - a man no one ever thought would settle down and start a family. She was a teeny tiny thing at just 4' 11", and I had to literally bend down and fold my 5' 10" self in half to give her a hug. She was quiet and selfless and as just sweet as can be. She never had anything mean to say about anyone and never judged a soul. She was an incredible seamstress and cook. She told me she wanted to make my wedding dress, and I'm sad she wasn't around to do it. She would have been a wonderful grandmother to our boys. This is my little tribute to her.
I thought this little Bakelite statuette of Mother Mary was appropriate.
Old velvety flowers and crepe ruffles.
Words that reminded me of her.
I used the rosette from one of my vintage prize ribbons and added some sparkle and lace and new velvet streamers.
I have this sitting on a table in our hallway upstairs, and we walk past it everyday. A pretty little reminder of her.
Oh Andrea, how lovely.... It is just so delicate. I adore the picture of her!
Posted by: Becky Caldwell | January 13, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Just Beautiful!! Wonderful tribute for a wonderful person. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: SONIA | January 13, 2009 at 11:51 AM
What a lovely tribute to such a special family member!
Posted by: Amy | January 13, 2009 at 12:03 PM
What a special and beautiful tribute to a wonderful person! Great job andrea, it looks like you put a lot of heart into it, and it is lovely!
xoxo, Tiffany
Posted by: tiffany ~ shabby scraps | January 13, 2009 at 12:03 PM
so gorgeous ma'am!!!
{btw...I have tagged your lovable blog!}
Posted by: ashley crim | January 13, 2009 at 12:10 PM
What a special photo of a beautiful little girl. Your mother-in-law sounds like she was as sweet as you. And your hubby was just in search of perfection and he found it.
Posted by: Jeni Carlson | January 13, 2009 at 12:27 PM
What a beautiful tribute. I'm sure Angelina is smiling down.
Karla
Posted by: Karla | January 13, 2009 at 12:29 PM
That is so beautiful! You moved me to tears!
Posted by: MaryAnn | January 13, 2009 at 12:36 PM
What a lovely way to be remembered. This is beautiful
Posted by: Berlin | January 13, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Very beautiful and very meaningful. Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | January 13, 2009 at 01:18 PM
What a lovely gesture and tribute to your mother in law! So sweet!
Posted by: Sharon Krosch | January 13, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Andrea that is so beautiful, you are amazing and good hearted...Her little clasped hands are so sweet! And her name is absolutely gorgeous. George is a lucky man to have had such a wonderful mother and wife! Ann
Posted by: ann~vintage whisper | January 13, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Love how you tweaked the Christmas Pageant project....Just beautiful!
Posted by: Stephanie O. | January 13, 2009 at 03:29 PM
That came out beautiful. My hubby's Grandmother's name was Carmella.
Posted by: Drama queen's mum | January 13, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Andrea, so so pretty. She looks very sweet! She sounded like a great person. Aren't little Italian women just the cutest? I'm sure she's smiling from Heaven. My sister-in -law's name is Angelina! One of The prettiest names out there!
Posted by: gabrielle | January 13, 2009 at 04:08 PM
How sweet! You did a great job. I'm sure your husband is so proud of you and how you remembered his loving mother in such a special way.
Posted by: Teri | January 13, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Simply Gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: Rita @ TesoroFino.com | January 13, 2009 at 07:05 PM
I have you on my list of Favorite blogs and today's post makes it all worth it!
Posted by: Rita @ TesoroFino.com | January 13, 2009 at 07:06 PM
So pretty!! What a beautiful tribute to your mother-in-law.
Posted by: debi @ life in my studio | January 13, 2009 at 07:19 PM
My mother in law passed away when my husband was 11. I wish I'd been able to meet her and talk to her about his childhood. It kind of leaves a hole where a grandma should have been. Your tribute is just beautiful. Mimi
Posted by: mimisue | January 13, 2009 at 10:35 PM
So very pretty, so very sweet:) Such a heartwarming tribute to your mother-in-law!
Posted by: Leah C | January 13, 2009 at 10:54 PM
It's absolutely beautiful and what a wonderful family heirloom!
Cathy :)
Posted by: Cathy | January 14, 2009 at 01:35 AM
Absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | January 14, 2009 at 06:25 AM
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
(Loved the pom-poms from the previous post as well!)
Posted by: wendy | January 14, 2009 at 07:27 AM
this is just the sweetest thing ever Andrea! Love it!
and what a smart idea to make it into a year-round book instead. I wish I would have done that!
hope your new year has started off well!
xo natalea
Posted by: NATALEA | January 14, 2009 at 05:14 PM