The kindness of strangers and more.

I was going to continue with my mail post today but I decided to change the subject.
The title in today's blogpost is borrowed from the same title in Star of the East blog.
It is about the story of  Sandra in Azulado and how we can all help her overcome the problems coming of her recent loss of her husband.
You can read her story here and help by taking part in the raffle, donating or buying from her own shop.
I love her decorative pottery.

(I borrowed her photo from her etsy shop as this is my favourite item!)

Something else I would like to tell you today.
McKenna is having a giveaway on her blog ChicCrafting and maybe you would like to take part. You can find it here and on my side bar.I am also taking part in an exchange of a Valentine's cross stitch card with McKenna, hoping to be motivated to start cross stitching again!(I have started it McKenna!)

Finally I would like to show you the beautiful mobile that was in Anastasia's of Made-by-Kokorote parcel that I won in her giveaway. I put it between my Geninne Zlatkis' bird prints and my Jill Wignall Crafting for Courage (for the tsunami disaster) watercolour painting. I think that's the best place to put it!What do you think Anastasia?

Some cross stitch finishes and framing.

This year I have been very active cross stitch wise even in summer. I even managed to frame some pieces.
Washing pieces....The Greek island in front.

 Trying to untangle a bundle of lovely DMC threads given to me by my mum's friend. She also gave me some pieces of linen. She cannot stitch anymore.

 This one did not wash well. Some green colour has come off. I washed it again but it does not come off. Should I coffee or tea stain it?

 This is a printed aida piece of Nikos Xilouris. It was given to me by my mum's friend too. I am not sure that I will stitch it though but this is really vintage.

 The Greek island framed. Funny I had the right frame for it but it was housing a little clay bird from Australia which broke so here it now houses this adorable design.
I found it in Cross stitcher Issue 224 and the design is by Michael Powell.
The painting underneath is something I bought from Jill Wignall of Today I saw to help the Japan
Tsunami victims.
I couldn't leave at the beach house although it is sea themed and so summery so have it in my bedroom wall instead.

 This was a little kit sent to me when my son was  a baby. I stitched it and had it framed in the kit plastic oval frame. I never liked it that way so I changed the frame to an Ikea one.

What the mail brought during the holidays!-1

A parcel from Brazil from my dear friend Gilson.

 Those stamps are fantastic!
Gilson sent me some shells from his beach!Unfortunately there is no sea glass there but he included some sand too!

 Also a great fridge magnet in the shape of a flip flop.

 Some cards and bookmarks.

 I placed the flip flop and the shells on a card of a fantastic Brazilian view.

 Gilson included a great package of lovely cards with views from Ceara,his province.

 And some stamps.

I also received  Jill's Today I saw card! I am so lucky to be her recipient.