{Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls}

Today I'm proud to show you the wreath that I made for Christmas, using life moss.

From the upscale Giovanni Raspini ←(click it) Silver from Italy, I got some Christmas Ornaments for you, I used a large and a small ball, plus a silver angel, cherub.

All three items were for sale at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics  

The Angel, Cherub is lovely too and is in solid silver as well.

Christmas balls and ornaments come with red satin ribbons and through the pale of the balls I did pull another long red satin ribbon for hanging it inside the with life moss clad wreath.

This Eco friendly life moss clad wreath I received timely from our local Bella Flowers and Gifts.

For wrapping the wreath I used a grosgrain ribbon in antique white and an organdy ribbon with wired edge for the bow, also in antique white.

Just lovely for hanging from red ribbons...

Here it is hanging in our bay window under the handmade crocheted filet lace curtains.

Now an evening view with our Dutch linen shades pulled down.

This is from the hardcover book of Argenterie Giovanni Raspini where I got the idea...

Those type of wooden shutters we used to have in the home I grew up.

Sold out...

This are the small size solid silver Christmas balls with a 2" diameter. I only have the # 1984 left for sale. By the way, those are not the years but the item numbers!

Sold out...

Above are the large 2½" solid silver balls and I do have # 1857 and # 1859 available.

These fine pieces will undoubtedly become a family heirloom for generations to pass on.

Sold out...

Sold out...

Number 20 shows the Giovanni Raspini Christmas decorations in silver.

For me there is absolutely no comparison with other ornaments that are on the market in the US. Not even Tiffany and Co comes close, let alone the Wallace ornament. Look for yourself...

Strange that they omit completely the size of the ornament... not important for that amount of money?

Tiffany's Elsa Peretti Star ornament.

Tiffany Notes Merry Christmas ornament.

Tiffany Paloma's Dove ornament.

Tiffany Santa key ornament

{Silk and Wool Birds as Gift from Pond's India}

Before, I did show you our birds as artwork from India, that we purchased.

Today I want to show you some special birds, made by hand in wool and silk.

 Distinctive chain stitch embroidery, done in Kashmir, the northern part of India. We both received the bigger wool chain stitch embroidery for our work period from Pond's India. It has a canvas back and it shows lots of birds in it. Most of you know the Pashmina shawls from Kashmir, they have been quite a fashion statement. Luckily for those poor people, for having an outlet for their artistic work.

Above it is on top of our solid French oak blanket chest in the guest bedroom.
It used to be just an open planter box but my talented brother Harry made a solid oak lid for it. We carried it back on the plane with us... 
Those were the good days without stupid restrictions on maximum baggage weight!

My husband Pieter has seen the women in Kashmir actually make this kind of embroidery during his trip to Kashmir earlier.
He was sent in 1981 by the Dutch government as a committee member, of the special Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus, see link below post.
 Women did this work but their teacher was a man. Somewhere we must have slides from it, but for now I cannot add them... one day when I find them I will do that! Look below; link has been added!

For another work period as consultants, both of us did receive an identical chain stitch embroidery done in silk. That fit beautifully  above the two solid French oak twin beds in our guest bedroom. 

Detail of the silk chain stitch embroidery, worked on a cotton Aida cloth. 

The silk embroidery has a very nice hand; meticulously done.

We proudly came home on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with these treasures.

They make for a lasting memory, of working with pleasure over a decade for a great company!

Related link:

{The Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus - Husband Pieter's Trip to India} | previous post by me

{Part X Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Srinagar, J & K Silk & Wool Rugs - Pashminas} | previous post by me showing the embroidery being done

{JOIE DE VIVRE}

JOIE DE VIVRE - JOY OF LIVING...

Words written down in my poetry album; by a dear friend of mine.

Back home in The Netherlands, as well as in Germany it is called a Poesie Album.

 As a little girl I received one as soon as I could write and when that first one became full, another one followed. Even in my adult years I've added a very fancy one that I bought in Québec City, Canada, one that is made from hand-made paper... Very romantic. 

It would be interesting for you to see the utterly romantic version, almost ANGELIC looking Poesie Album; made by Elvira from Rosengärtchen.

Just visit her blog, she has a translator and you also can go to her shop, to the right on her blog. She is so talented and I'm privileged for having purchased so far, four of her handmade items. Where in the world can one find this kind of high quality romantic needle-work?! Quite a breath of fresh air, compared with the mass produced items that we're flooded with these days...

But I also want to share the poem written for me by dear friend Bette. We lived at the same apartments in Shillington, Pennsylvania at that time... Just before moving to Italy.

Again we have contact, thanks to INTERNET!

Thanks again Bette! You don't know what those words meant to me... 

Indeed, I'm very lucky for having a 'joie de vivre' that most search a lifetime for.

Maybe it's because I believe in Angels; like my dear sister whose name I bear and whose life I try to live. In my previous blog of November 23, I did mention that.

Elvira from Rosengärtchen also has this 'joie de vivre' as she's quite a spunky lady, living in Hamburg, Germany. 

You should see the gorgeous Christening gowns she makes! 

Also her own garments she makes in a skillful way.

Once in a while we come across such special people that touch our hearts big time!

♥