Decorating for Christmas!

Does it happen to you too, or is it only me?
I was really bored to decorate this Christmas!
First I was on a decluttering mood and so was hubby so the one thing that left first was our huge Christmas tree! It took too much space into our little storage room over the bathroom so he insisted it had to go!
I on the other hand who loves Christmas trees and decorating them I was the last couple of years begging hubby or son to take it down and put it up and I was just decorating by myself, listening to Christmas songs on the CD player. And then again after the holidays I had to put everything away all by myself.
So I accepted hubby's proposition to give it away! But to whom?
And then I had this idea that maybe it would be useful at school.
Although each classroom has its own small Christmas tree, the one that was decorated every year by the Parents' Association in the school hall was nothing much.
So I donated it to my school! Some years ago I had donated my previous tree to another school. That was a 2m high tree. This one was 1.80 but really thick and beautiful.
The mothers of the Parents' Association who came to decorate for the bazaar were really vey happy with it and although they didn't have too many ornaments to decorate it with they managed to make it look really beautiful! All the children really liked it and all the parents who came for the bazaar and the teachers liked it too so I am glad I gave it to them after all! And I will be able to look at it every year!

 Isn't it gorgeous?

So what about my home?
Well my first idea was not to decorate at all. Then I decided it will be only decorating the big living room table and that's all!
So I put my old favourite snowman, the collection of green vases, the collection of little Christmas trees (most are gifts from my brother), my old time angel on the glass Italian vase, the vintage soup pot filled with pine cones, otchipotchi stones, my new little birdy box bought from a bazaar, my Nafplio candle holder from last year's trip, Marabeth's caroler,the star tealight holders I bought from the States, fabric birdy ornaments made by Cathy, clay ornaments from last year's school bazaar, Tua's reindeer, old vintage toys,

 Then I decided I wanted some greenery so bought a couple of fir tree branches and put them in the green vases. Then hang my collection of otchipotchi ornaments on them along with felt heart ornaments made by Cathy, ornaments I bought in the clearance sale in July in the Metropolitan Museum of Art  shop in New York, ornaments made by my niece or cross stitched ones by myself.

My Christmas tree collection, vintage toys, a Resurrection Fern friendship stone, some Ioannaspottery bowls brought from Skyros.

 The felt tree I made last year at In My Closet workshop,

 Frieda's crochet wreaths, Andria's little love parcel, Cathy's fabric birds!

I love the lights everywhere!

Then I decorated a bit around the room with my little elf bought at a Koperti bazaar years ago, the cross stitched picture Marabeth gave me (the red frame looks very Christmassy) and the Winter scenery cross stitched picture I made some years ago. Also the little embroidered angel from Laura of Bugs and Fishes sale.

My Finland red snowflake garland and Cathy's fabric birdies along with some special sea glass and sea glass ornaments made by my sea glass friends Lynne of oceansbounty (sea glass star), Andria of Andriasserendipity (peace symbol) and Juliana (sea glass turtle).

 My little candles from Finland which I always light as they remind me of that wonderful trip there in 2007.

And of course we always light some real candles.
Juliana's candle inside a lovely Christofle silverware bought at a tag sale in the States and lots of semi-precious stones all around it from the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC.

 I also put a little pink wreath in the bedroom along with a white porcelain ornament.

Finally I decided I needed some space for my Christmas cards (the ones I receive) so I made a washi tape Christmas tree on the back of our door. It needs a bit of work still! And I think I haven't received all of my Xmas cards yet!

How did you decorate?
Hope you have a great holiday!

What the mail brought

I received lots of Christmas cards, letters and parcels before and during the holidays. I find it a bit out of time to show the Christmas cards now. But I would like to thank all of my friends and pen pals for sending them.
Here are some things the mail brought a bit later in January and February.
At the beginning of January I received this lovely Christmas parcel with gifts and sea glass from dear Juliana in Scotland. Thank you so much sweetie!

 There were gifts for Barca too. The edelweiss soap from Austria smells divinely!

 Amazing sea glass from Scotland.

A lovely gift from dear Marabeth for all the celebrations of the new year!

 I loved the blue and white cross stitch kit.But the most special gift was the signed copy of the book Mermaid Tears by Madelyn Kavanaugh and gorgeously illustrated by Monica Loomis. Thank you so much Marabeth!

I had taken part in a giveaway on Sarah in Stitches blog some time ago and I was very lucky to win it.
Here is what sweet Sarah sent me.
Vintage cross stitch patterns, beads and buttons and a lovely Christmas fabric.

Two amazing pincushions made by Sarah.

 And this lovely pair of earrings. Thank you so much Sarah!

 I also received a letter from Christine in France which I really enjoyed reading with my coffee and sweets.

Another friend from Finland dear Tua sent me some very interesting booklets and cards from her country and this amazing sea glass pendant made by herself!

 Unique!Thank you Tua!

 Finally a little mermaid arrived all the way from snowy Denmark due to the generosity of avid Lego collector Julie of Moments of perfect clarity blog. I really enjoy reading your blog julochka. Your sweet mermaid really loved finding my sea glass and the Greek sun!

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!