Saturday, March 8, 2014

Shabby Treasure Nest - "a family story"

Every family has a story~




stories that link our past--
 to our future
~
stories that tell us not only who we are -
but WHY we are~


stories that live on forever
in our hearts~


we pass these stories on to our children,
and they, in turn,
pass them on to their children,
and on, and on
and on~


Precious mementos-- 
fragments of our lives,
often hidden away for years~
tucked inside
tattered boxes,
cluttered drawers,
places long forgotton.


Now,
 brought back to life-
a beautiful new place to be 
honored and cherished
forever~


This is Lisa's story~
   " the pocket watch belonged to my husband's Grandfather.  He lived on a 150 acre farm way up a holler in Greenbank, WV.  After he passed away, his family all gathered there to clean out the house.  This watch was found in an old drawer and the family was going to throw it away.  I just couldn't let that happen~"


"I found the ivory piece in and amongst a drawer of
 my Grandma's stuff. 
 I believe that it belonged to her sister,
 Laura."




 ~ "one of the rhinestone sets belonged to my Grandma Ella.  The other set belonged to my Mother.  The beautiful lace pieces came from a blouse that my Grandma Ella loved.  The other lace piece was from the tattered remains of her wedding dress. That crown pin was also a favorite piece of my Grandma Ella's jewelry."



~ "those dangle laces were made by my Grandma Meallie--
we found them among her sewing things.  She became a tailor in Italy at the age of 14 and later emigrated to the states when she was 19 years old.  She made wedding gowns for all her daughters, and for my Mother, when she married her son.  I still have that gown.  She made that doily and also the tatting."


~ "that vintage heart belonged to my Mother. 
 It was a gift from her sister Lois  (who was 11 years older than my Mom.)  
The heart was originally a gift to Lois from her boyfriend Byron, who was a merchant marine in the war.  During the war, when so many things were rationed, Byron saved so that he could buy gifts for Lois and for my Mom. That heart was gifted to Lois along with a box of chocolates and some silk stockings.  My Mom always treasured that little heart  ~"


These Shabby Treasure nests are a little variation
 of my Shabby Chic nests. 
 Like Lisa's nest--
each of them will be as unique and personal
 as the family stories
 that they tell.   



For more info regarding these little nests --
you can visit the "Nesting Updates" page
located on my sidebar --
 or
click here



I want to say Thank you to Lisa
for allowing me to share her personal family story
with all of you~ 
xoxo

Coming up next~~
I've saved your emails and notes for the last year and have compiled some of your questions into my yearly "20 Questions Answered" post.  Perhaps your question will be one of those that was chosen! (Although I have already answered each of these emails, I've been saving the questions to share with all of you in this special post.) 

Well, it snowed again. Big surprise there. First we got the ice -- then the snow -- thank goodness our power stayed on, I am so very thankful for that. I am telling myself that this is the LAST storm of the winter -- spring will be here shortly. Sometimes I can fake myself out like that~

Love,
Vicki

41 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Vicki-That is so very, very beautiful-the story and the piece of art work you created. That is an amazing memory keeper. It needs to be put under a cloche somewhere and protected.
Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
HA! On last storm of the season-good luck with that and all---xo Diana

Sue Kosec said...

What a beautiful story ... and I thank Lisa, too. This nest is absolutely priceless!!! Great job, Vicki.

SuZeQ

Laney said...

so beautiful the story and the nest :)

Noelle the dreamer said...

Vicki, your Shabby Treasure Nests are so endearing!
Blessings to you and yours,

Quinn said...

Just lovely! The details of the bits and pieces and the details of the nest :)

Outback Craftaholic said...

What a lovely idea for preserving family history.

Julia said...

Vicki, it's so nice reading this story. Juts ordinary little keepsakes to remember someone special. Very touching. The nest is beautiful.
Hugs,
JB

Sherri said...

Vicki, what a gorgeous nest and a lovely, lovely story! You are so blessed with your talent!

Sorry about the snow!

Cindy Gay said...

Neat writing and post. We live in WV, Vicki. The Green Bank area is very interesting!

Julie Marie said...

Sooo beautiful Vicki!... you know me and my "whispers from the past"... love all of these stories that will be told and re~told through their most special spot amongst your beautiful nests... I am so excited for my vintage nest I ordered from you... not sure if it is the same as you just posted or not?... I think it is this Spring?... much love, xoxo Julie Marie

marda said...

What a sweet and wonderful story with all those charming bits of history. What a beautiful creation you've made to gather them all together.

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh Sweet Vicki this nest of Lisa's created by your amazing hands and the keepsakes and the stories which go with them all took my breath away.
Absolutely stunning dear friend!
I'm thinking of you heaps lately and hope you are doing OK sweetie?
Sending big warm hugs and love,
Suzy

Dorthe said...

Dear Vicki, what a beautiful memory keeper you created for Lisa, so many wonderful treasures from her family, and your most stunning work, dear friend. This nest of family treasures is so very special, and something so very precious ,I hope it will be kept for generations to admire, and love.
Hugs and love, Dorthe

maggiegracecreates said...

beautiful. just like the love who made it.

LivoniaLavenderLady said...

This is such a wonderful way to showcase the special memories of those loved and lost. Too many times these little items are discarded or shoved into a drawer and forgotten. Bless you for helping to save history. I do agree that it should be under glass.

CYNTHIA CRANE said...

I can't remember when I've been so moved, Vicki. And I'm so glad you recently brought my attention to these stunning nests you make. Lisa's memory nest is indeed a treasure. I know well the hollers of WV as my own grandma lived in one of them and I spent a lot of time there while growing up. While I only have my memories of her and I putzing around in her iris and peony border - no material artifacts - I am in awe of all that Lisa has been able to keep close. How fortunate she is that with your lovely Shabby Treasure Nest she has something more to help keep her loved ones memories alive.

Mosaic Magpie said...

What better way to showcase family treasures could there be. The nest is symbolic of home, warmth, shelter the very essence of family. Those bits and bobs we all have that are treasures from the past can all find a spot to be displayed and not be hidden in a drawer. Seeing those treasures allows us to remember our roots and the stories our families have shared. Love the color scheme you chose focusing on the laces and tatting. Truly a nest from the heart!
xo

Lisa said...

Vicki,
This absolutely makes my heart stop! I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful & I mean that! What a perfect way to display the pieces of the past that make up our history. She will cherish it always.
Lisa

gigi knits said...

What a beautiful way to enjoy priceless keepsakes. We all have them tucked away . Love you idea.
xoxo

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

Qué lindos recuerdos familiares! Toda una historia en tus nidos.
Preciosos.
Cariños
Maru desde Chile

Suztats said...

Such a beautiful story told in your unique way (verbally and with your lovely handwork!)!!
Hope that spring is on its way......

Nonnie said...

what a stunning treasure trove you have assembled here! I put my mother's photos and news clippings about her friendship of the men who built the city's water tower in a large shadow box. The I assembled Mom's bracelet and VFW pins in a small shadow box for my daughter. I love that you saved these momentoes from being discarded.

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

What gorgeous photos! and what a way to gather them all together, in that beautiful nest. perfect.

liniecat said...

What a wonderful way to preserve and conserve family memories, you make such beautiful nests Vicki : )

Mereknits said...

Gorgeous memories that help create a beautiful treasure.
Hugs,
Meredith

yaya said...

All of your nests dazzle! This one is truly a beauty and being filled with meaningful treasures is a keepsake for the family. Love the stories behind the items. We all have stories that should be shared. It helps define who we are and where we came from. Just lovely!

kathyinozarks said...

This is so special Vicki

Unknown said...

This post brings me such joy in reading it as well as got me thinking of some of my childhood memories. I hope Spring will come to you fast! xoxo Jen

Mr Paul said...

Vicki, Vicki darling Vicki I absolutely love your nest, it makes me think of Alices friend the White Rabbit, much like me as I am always late, late late!
So nice to hear from you and thank you for such a lovely welcome back!
Happy springtime!
Paul

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

There are no words to describe how incredibly beautiful this nest is. The fact that it is created from love with love is so very special. Hugs, Tammy

Julie said...

A truly wonderful way to love and keep hold of memory filled treasures.

lynn cockrell said...

This nest of fragments and momentoes wonderful. Lisa's nest has quite a story to tell. You are so very talented, Vicki, and I am always amazed at the pieces you create!

Have a beautiful and blessed weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Lady of the Manor said...

Love, Love Love this! I have lots of special old things from family members, too. This is a great way to display them.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Vicki,

It's wonderful she saved her Granda's watch; I don't understand people who throw stuff away...meaningful stuff anyway. Just think of how many times his hands caressed that watch as he checked the time. His heart would be blessed at being remembered.
Love the direction your nests are headed.

Betsy said...

Vicki,
What a beautiful nest you created to keep Lis'a family things in for displY! What an amazing idea. They are so weet and inspiring! I love looking at all the laces and trims you use, scraps are good to keep! So many thing sI wish I had kept from my mother's collection.I I did a lot, but there was so much more.
Ah, well, I will just remember them fondly.
hugs,
Betsy

Betsy said...

PS, I am glad you didn't go crazy in your house becasue of the snow....just keep "nesting"!
Betsy

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

You are very creative. A nice piece.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Bohemian said...

What a Beautiful Family Story to accompany such a Magnificent Creation paying Homage to each Treasured Keepsake and Family Member it Honors!

Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Tanna said...

Oh, Vicki, I love your idea of doing these Shabby Treasure Nests!! I love the history... and the stories... and the memories... and what a beautiful way to treasure them. Excellent work. blessings ~ tanna

Tanya said...

SO absolutely wonderful - WHAT A TREASURE!!!!! From her heart, to your hands, back to her home - that beautiful nest will be a special piece for ages to come. You ROCK, dear one - PRICELESS!

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

You have weaved an heirloom full of treasures from several lives in Lisa's family, which will carry on being added to through the generations.

This nest has truly touched my heart and now I know it is the perfect nest for me!!!
An inspirational way of incorporating precious pieces gathered by our families through their lives.

You've amazed me again dear Vicki!!
love
Shane