Christmas Gifts

This year I tried not to spend too much on gift giving. So I made my own gifts.
I also tried not to spend too much on gifts to myself.
I had to buy my cologne as it had finished and found a day that there was 30% off. Pure White Linen, I have been wearing it for years.I love the little sample gifts they give with the purchase of the cologne.
I also bought 2014 charms and some felt wool for my stones in colours I didn't have.

 That was something I hadn't done for a long time! Buy craft magazines. I bought my dear
Marie Claire Idees which is so good and so cheap. Inspite the fact that I don't speak French, at least I can see the great pics.
I also bought Crafts Beautiful for the felt ornaments it had in the kit and hope to make them.
Finally I bought Mollie Makes for the first time. I had heard so much about this magazine but it is soooo expensive in Greece. But again I really wanted to buy it for the felt kit on the cover and to have the experience of it at last. It is very good. I really loved reading it. I want to try so many things in it.

 Now things I received. A little money that I gave good use to (more on another blogpost).
Two bags.

One from hubby(red) and one from my cousin (felt grey).Unfortunately there was a pin on the grey bag and I lost it!
And a watch from hubby!No it isn't gold.

This lovely coffee maker from my sister-in-law. And lots of coffee and chocolate!

I love making filter coffee without having to use the big coffee maker.

This little porcelain bird from one of my students. I haven't received a gift from a student for ages and it was a nice surprise.

Hubby and I received this beautiful dish with homemade cookies from one of his old students and there were beautiful metal gifts in it.

 The children are designs from an old school book and the other two are Shadow Puppet figures.

I also received my photo portrait from school.

And a gift from my best friend this felt bag with chocolate.

And the things I gave.

This felted stone to my best friend.

 I also made her the fairy bread (I found the recipe in DesireEmpire blog. Thanks Carolyn!). It was super easy, really beautiful to look at and absolutely delicious and the kids loved it and also my effort to make something from their mum's background was appreciated).

 And one of my felt ornaments.

 I made my niece this pendant. I bought the metal charm, painted it and added beads and laces and a chain. She loves photography! That's why I chose this charm.

 I made this stone for my cousin in Athens.

 And this huge one for my other cousin. I had found the coin at the beach and thought that since he is an archaeologist it suits him although it isn't a very old one.

 And this one for my other cousin.

I also made this felt ornament charm for my sister-in-law.

I love making, giving and receiving gifts! Don't you?

What the mail brought...

...in December!
Of course December mail was Christmas mail and maybe it is too late to show it but I want all my friends to know that I really appreciated all the things I received, wishes, letters, Christmas cards and presents. I have answered by e-mail to say that I received the parcels but I still owe letters, I know!And there are some people I never sent a Christmas card even but this year I really tried to send as less as possible as postage has gone so high that at times it isn't affordable.
So here are...

Gaby's card and gift from Scotland.Doesn't the Scottish flag look like the Greek one?My school keys are on this now.

 Johanna's Christmas card from Finland,

 Juliana's parcel from Scotland(I have worn this scarf so much this winter J&J)

And there are some great but very difficult patterns in this!

 J&J you sent so much thank you!

  I loved those dishes that you can see in the dark under UV light and filled with beach finds from Kos island.

 Juliana's Xmas card.

Juliana made lovely sea glass ornaments and I use this keyring for my home keys every day.

 Tua's card and driftwood reindeer from Finland,

 Christine's card from France,

 Ruth's card and vintage cross stitch book from Israel. (the book has lovely simple designs. I will use some when I start stitching again when Barca allows it!)

and a parcel from dear Marabeth.

which included this amazing vintage thrift store find. A cross stitch piece that shows the landmark of my city the White Tower and the Greek and American flag. This was probably stitched as a commemorative piece from a Greek lady and given as a gift or kept till not wanted any more. I am so glad Marabeth has an eye for great cross stitch pieces and she got me this!Thanks Marabeth!

 And this lovely cross stitched bag for my sea glass walks.

 Also another find of Marabeth's, a crochet bell for my tree. This year my tree was all cross stitch and crochet ornaments.

 And this lovely heart brooch.

 Cathy's card and letter.

 I loved those stamps.

 Kim's card and calendar.

 Andria's card, calendar and sea glass ornament.You can find similar ornaments and lovely jewelry at Andriasserendipity etsy shop.

 Brigitte's gifts and card. Go to objectifseychelles  if you want to organise yout holidays to the beautiful Seychelles.

 Again thank you all for thinking so warmly of me!

Christmas gifts.

We are trying to keep this Christmas at low budget and we are not exchanging gifts, not expensive ones anyway.
Still I got some gifts so here they are.
This sewing machine from hubbie. This one was not a surprise as we went for it together at the supermarket and bought it at a very good price along with its accessories back in October. Guess what? I haven't used it yet!

This little Christmas glass tree from my brother for my collection. He was rather disappointed to see that we didn't decorate the collection this Christmas but we really didn't have any free space for it!LOL!

And this porcelain transferware bowl that again hubby bought for me this time when I saw it at the antique flea market. I made the discussion on the price though and got it for very cheap. If anyone can help with identifying it I would be obliged.

Of course we received sweets and wine from my best friend and lots of gifts in the mail which I will show later!
Thank you everyone for sending wishes through the mail and by e-mails and comments here on the blog and on facebook. I am sorry if I have missed some comments or have not answered to every one. I am still working on my Christmas mail which has not been completed yet!
Enjoy the holidays!