Saturday, October 23, 2010

Agrusa Treasures...

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE old family photographs and religious items so I was quite pleased when my Mother-in-Law emailed us a few weeks ago to let us know they were going through Grandpa's things and were giving us this picture of Alexandro Agrusa, Tom's Great Grandfather. Sebastiano had it hanging by his fireplace but I haven't quite figured out the right spot for it yet in our house...
The frame is absolutely beautiful...and very fragile.

In between the viewings and the funeral, Tom and I went to Grandpa's house. I'm not sure why we went, I think Tom just wanted to look around and remember all the good times he had in that house as a child. As Tom headed for the living room and I headed towards the bedrooms...when I walked into Sebastiano's bedroom and noticed that there wasn't much there aside from his beautiful bedroom furniture, that he (of course) made with his own two hands. But on the nightstand, right next to his bed, I spotted this little beauty...
(Tom says it's bad luck to take a picture of a rosary...is that true?)
Tom and I spotted this treasure still hanging on the living room wall. It's a heavy printed canvas that came from Sicily, we don't know how old it is but it's quite large and very beautiful and is already hanging in our front room...along with Sebastiano's rosary...

In the basement were multiple sets of his 'handmade' dining room furniture and bedroom furniture sets that are so beautiful I wish I had taken pictures. We have two sets of oak bedroom furniture that he made especially for Tom and Sebastian...even though Sebastiano was 83 years old when Sebastian was born it didn't stop him from making a set for his beloved great-grandson. Now that he's gone it makes me appreciate those keepsakes so much more!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

In Loving Memory...

Sebastiano in Palermo, Sicily, Circa 1920
Grandpa and Tommy, 1980

Great Grandpa and "baby" Buster, 2004


Great Grandpa and Buster, 2008
Sebastiano "Buster" Agrusa
July 9, 1916 - October 13, 2010

We love you Grandpa (Great Grandpa) and will miss you terribly!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Altered Journals and Albums

I've finally begun putting the things that didn't sell at Junk Bonanza in my Etsy shop...I know I said I'd do it the week following the sale but my "real job" and Matt's college applications have been taking up all of my free time. Here are a few of the handmade albums and vintage altered book journals that are up for sale...

And I got my Somerset Memories magazine featuring my Vintage Family Album. This publication is so full of great ideas, you really should run out and get it (and I'm not just saying that because I'm in it!). Two of my favorite bloggers/artists, Vee Jennings of Creative Blessings and Donna Downey of Simply Me, are also featured in the magazine. Lots of fabulous things to look at!

I know I say this everytime I'm published but I can't wait to get my album back...seems like years since I've seen it even though it's only been months.