Mail art #3

My third mail art arrived! Here it is before the post office. Based on the Valentine theme , it included red threads, chocolate and a card. On the front I used a chart from La fee Rie with threads from The Gentle Art , (Be mine, Cupid's Arrow, Candle Light, Red Roses and Purple Passion) On the back I used an old freebie from Vermillion. This mail art went to Mari in Finland. Mail art is F-U-N!

Beautiful gift from Perth!

(borrowed picture from pokua's site)

The postman brought me this delight today! I won this from Pokua's giveaway. I am absolutely thrilled and love it! Thank you Pokua its beautifully stitched !!!
She has another giveawy going now , if you feel lucky go and have a look....

Michelle

Holy Mud! Biscornu

Just finished another biscornu designed by Barbara Ana Designs. I really loved the colours here : chocolate with blues and pinks. This biscornu reminded me of a nursery rhyme I learned when I was in Cyprus in 1974 .

"ime ena gourounaki

vromiko poli

oli mera mes tin laspi

piso stin avli

ta ala zoakia den me pezoune

prepi na kano banio

Banio? Ego? Pote

kalitera na mino vromiko

oli mera mes tn laspi

piso stin avli."

Which roughly translates to: I am a very muddy/dirty pig, I spend all day in the mud in the back yard. The other animals dont want to play with me , I have to have a bath. Me? a Bath? I'd rather stay dirty all day in the back yard.

As a child I thought this to be a very cute rhyme but I guess it could reflect the saying :"As happy as a pig in the mud" which is used to signify someone who is very happy. Or even a deeper meaning , that everyone should find happiness in their true self.

Michelle

New project

I have been working on a few cross stitch projects, pictures coming soon.... But here is my newest start. Its a freebie chart by Brooke's Books. I dyed my own aida fabric , and just love this blue colour with these threads.

Finished here!

Michelle

Sneak preview of Mail art #3

That's all I can show!

"Jingle~hop~sizzle~boo~2008"

Just finished this today, its my first tin ever, it was really fun making. I was scared of messing it up, but followed the instructions and the result was very pleasing!

Its Just Nan's Over the Top "Jingle~hop~sizzle~boo~2008" tin, I bought the kit from Sew and So.

Hop fob!

Its my first fob to make, Just Nan is always a pleasure to stitch. This was for an exchange through Tiny Treasures Exchange . My swap partner was Lisa, when I chose this fob design I didn't know she liked purple and Just Nan until I visited her site, so I guess it was a perfect match when she was partnered with me.

Giveaway at Crossed Yarns

Just a note to let you know that Pokua is having wonderful giveaways on her blog.

Her blog is full of wonderful stitcheries so go ahead and have a look, you will enjoy it.

Michelle

Mail art #2

My second mail art arrived today, I am so relieved, as I am so new to this and not too sure of the Greek post. My partner was Sari we were paired up at the Mail Art Friends Group.
I really enjoyed this chart, its from CCN "Peppermint Lane".

Here is the envelope after it was delivered, the arrow points to the postal ink stamp.

I am working on my third swap which is the Valentine, Pictures will be posted when My partner receives it.

Michelle

Beautiful Scarf

My Best friend Carol sent me this beautiful scarf , Which was perfectly timed as its very cold in Athens these days, maybe snow on the way.....

Thank you Carol!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!
Michelle

Mail art #2 on its way

I have sent my 2nd mail art, just a little sneak preview of the mail art is pictured above. More pictures when it arrives......

Daughters stitching :)

My 2nd daughter, who is 8 years old, surprised me with this beautiful stitchery.... Bored and waiting to go back to school, she found some scrap aida and threads and designed her own cross stitch project to pass her time. It certainly kept her quiet for a long time, which for her is very unusual. You can imagine my delight when she presented it to me. I just had to share! I then tidied up as usual, I always pick up afterwards :). And found her graph paper where she figured out her 2009 stitches, isn't this great!

Michelle

Greek Vasilopita

Today we cut the Vasilopita, and my son was the one to find the coin. Below is a description of the Vasilopita and what it means.

One of the most beautiful and inspiring traditions and customs of the Greek Orthodox Church is the observance of Vasilopita. It is this annual family observance. The word Vasilopita is a compound Greek word which means the sweet 'bread of Basil'.

This age old tradition commenced in the fourth century, when Saint Basil the Great, who was a bishop, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his Diocese. He commissioned some women to bake sweetened bread, in which he arranged to place gold coins. Thus the families in cutting the bread to nourish themselves, were pleasantly surprised to find the coins.

This original event which happened in Cappadocia of Caesarea in the last half of the fourth century, is very much alive in our Orthodox homes each year on January 1st.

According to tradition, this special sweet bread symbolizes the sweetness and joy of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and happiness for all who participate in the Vasilopita Observance. When the Vasilopita is prepared, a coin is usually added to the ingredients. When the bread is cut and the observance begins, the individual who receives that portion of the Pita which contains the coin is considered blessed.

This tradition adds joy to the celebration at the beginning of the New Year, which everyone hopes will bring joy to all. Many Orthodox Christians enjoy the Vasilopita at home with their loved ones during the New Year celebration. A coin is wrapped and hidden in the bread by slipping it into the dough before baking. The head of the family cuts the pieces of pita for all members of the family and any visitors present at the time, in order of age. Since Saint Basil loved the poor people, a special piece is cut for the unfortunate of the world, which symbolizes our concern for the poverty-striken people of all nations.