Last Summer I signed up for one of many many Silver Bella Swaps: The Miraculous Mary Montage Swap hosted by ever sweet Gina Grable. I've kept the 13 pieces wrapped since they were given to me back in mid November...waiting for the perfect time to appreciate them.
Recently, the time was right, and I took a few quiet moments to unwrap these beautiful pieces of art from Silver Bella. Seeing her face bring such a sense of calmness, hope and love.
If you are a blog hopper, you may have already seen these, but I thought that today would be a great day to show them to you (so just relive it)!
Looking at all the images of The Blessed Virgin Mary take my breath away. Of course, they all look so much better in person, but it's not stopping me from sharing them here! We were to use one of our favorite images of Mary and embellish it. I love seeing everyone's creations.
Marsi Bennett
Julie Baxley
(little vial label reads: El Santuario de Chimayo Tierra Bendita)
Marlene Haveron
St. Anne, also by Marlene Haveron
Leanne Shawler
Me
I'm going to make a banner with them and put them in my studio. Gaaa!!! Thanks Gina for hostessing this meaningful swap!
I hope these
Miraculous Mary creations
fill you with
joy and peace this new year!
________________________________________
(Contributors: if I have made an error or you would like a correction made with your credits, please email me and let me know!)
Those are just incredibly beautiful, Teresa. I love the BVM. Even though I am a Congregationalist, I have a little bit of Roman Catholic in my heart!!!
Love to you...I will never forget the wonderful time I had at Silver Bella...both fun and life-changing! I can't wait until next year. Thank you!
Posted by: Suz Reaney | December 31, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Thank you!
I look forward to seeing the banner!
Posted by: Miss Beets | January 01, 2010 at 05:14 AM
Teresa, what a nice surprise to see our Blessed Mother in art on one of her Feast Days! Thank-you and you are blessed to have such a collection!
Posted by: Jill | January 01, 2010 at 08:09 AM
What a wonderful collection. I hadn't seen them before and am so glad you shared. The banner will be glorious. Love them a lot. Happiest & Blessed New Year to you and yours!! :) LindaSonia
Posted by: LindaSonia | January 01, 2010 at 08:47 AM
these are just beautiful...happy new year to you!
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 01, 2010 at 10:27 AM
These are keepsakes for the ages! Each one contains such beauty and grace. And I am so impressed you had the will power to wait until now to open them. I HAD to see each item of the three Silver Bella swaps I participated in that first night. Happy New Year wishes to you!
Beth of Salvage Studio
Posted by: Beth Evans-Ramos | January 01, 2010 at 10:30 AM
How beautiful these are... I made my first journal of interest a Prayer Journal. I'm going to go back and do some embellishments from this inspirational post. Can't wait to see your banner. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lorelei | January 01, 2010 at 01:09 PM
From a Woman's Life
What Mary knew was just
enough for the usual day:
pull water, flint fire, bake
bread, smile, pray
the dark orations, sleep, wake,
wait. When pain honed a nerve,
when birth or dying clotted
an hour, she leaned to the curve
of living, resilient to fear,
laughter, suffering.
Partings are a little death.
Each one's journey is a thing
wholly without precedent.
She looked at the sky
for compass. None. She, too
created a road to travel by.
Sr. Maura Eichner
1915-2009
Posted by: Mary | January 01, 2010 at 04:10 PM
Wow!
Happy New Year, Teresa!
Posted by: Alice dR | January 01, 2010 at 05:42 PM
Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
I think each of us can relate to her in our own way.
Blessings to you in the new year,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | January 01, 2010 at 05:43 PM
WOW!!!!
These are simply beautiful!
Posted by: Karen Dodson | January 01, 2010 at 07:10 PM
I have collected Marys since I was a very little girl. I always had a May altar on my dresser and Mary vases filled with little bouquets of periwinkles. I loved seeing every one of your beautiful works of art. Thank you so much. I wish you a blessed new year.
Posted by: ConstanceAnn | January 01, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Each one is stunning its their own right. Inspires me for sure!
Posted by: Peggy | January 02, 2010 at 08:11 AM
they're all so beautiful!
Posted by: natalie hansen | January 03, 2010 at 02:50 PM
Thanks for posting this Teresa! AND an even bigger thank you for participating in the swap! I will treasure it always!!
~hugs
Posted by: gina g | January 03, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Teresa, these are all so lovely! I'm just a sucker for all religious in general but, especially Mary!
Posted by: gabrielle messina | January 03, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Teresa, you are truly blessed to have these beautiful portraits of Mary. I have a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother. If you or any of your readers have a strong devotion to her, you may want to visit the National Shrine of Washington, D.C. which is called Mary's House. They have probably over 50 altars to our Blessed Mother. Just an incredible place to visit.
Happy and Blessed New Year to you.
Regina
Posted by: Regina | January 03, 2010 at 06:05 PM
These are all so unique and beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us. I used an old art print to make some Christmas tags this year. Here's a post with one of my favorites:
http://zunkychic.com/2009/12/more-christmas-gift-tags.html
Posted by: Erica@ZunkyChic | January 04, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Wow, those are absolutely stunning. I love them all. SO lucky to be in that swap!
HUgs, Tricia
Posted by: tricia samsal | January 05, 2010 at 07:46 PM
I see a real trend here, don't you? All of the versions are so unique, showing the maker's personal style. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | January 06, 2010 at 05:46 AM