A Favorite Past-time/ Embroidery

When I first started crafting and creating back when I was in elementary school, I was really into making friendship bracelets from floss. I would sell them to friends for 25 cents a color. Watching my aunt in Greece embroider tablecloths with floss got me wanting to make my OWN tablecloths. So my mom bought me a kit with a design that had X's on them that I just had to embroider over. I don't even remember what the design was, but i was so proud of that tablecloth, I'm sure I still have it in my closet in Seattle. I had this box with a hundred or so colors of floss. I still have it, but I've filled it now with more beads than anything else. Which brings me to finding these images on Pinterest the other day that inspired me to start embroidering again. I would love to incorporate embroidery on my little girl dresses. I love embroidery on clothes. That attention to detail is what really makes a garment pop! Here is a little eye candy for you.

Yes, this is what my box looked like. I took it everywhere. Vacations, relative's houses, you name it.

         Wow. So many different variations of embroidery. Click here for more details.

Sorry, but no link on this one, don't you hate it when that happens to you on Pinterest?!

                                                                        This skirt  <<via>>

                                                                      <no link>

                                              An idea for a hoop art design <<via>> Etsy

                  Who knew they sold such cute clothes at Toys "R" Us? (this dress is sold out)

                                           From a cute online shop that sells children clothes.

                                     Couldn't find a link for this one. I love the bright colors.

Clicking this image brought me to THIS site, but I'm not sure where on the blog it
 mentions this calendar, I will have to go back and search.

So there you have it! A little take on embroidery. Are YOU inspired?

Village Walkthrough- Konteika

A couple weeks ago I visited the village of Konteika which is about 7 kilometers southwest of Karlovasi. It took it's name earlier in the 18th century from the first settler Konstantinos Kondos, who came from the neighboring village of Platanos. From here you can see the village of Ydroussa and the sea. There are about 300 occupants who live here year round.

You can't make this stuff up.

Konteika from afar.

love the colors!

The impressive church of the Virgin Mary.

the plateia

This "open house" is used during the summers as an outdoor cinema with free movies for children and adults, and also some plays go on here as well!

I think my first reaction to seeing this church was "WOW!"

A panoramic side view of Konteika.

The school

An old torn down house. I always wonder the history of the people living in these houses.

Probably what the view looked like a while ago. I had a little fun with photoshop!

 Kondeika as seen from the opposite mountain of Karvouni. This photo was taken by the fabulous photographer
 Nikos Chatziiakovou.

On a back road leaving Konteika. There is literally a cliff right next to me.

So there you have it, a little tour of Konteika. Check out these other villages I've posted about.... Manolates, Vourliotes , Paleokastro, Stavrinides.

........................................NEXT STOP on this gravy train....Lekka!

A Little Bit of Everything

Here are a few things going on right now...

 I went into Samos Town yesterday for a visit. I am obsessed with this building. It is right on the main boulevard, and you probably wouldn't give it a second glance since it's so run down. I love it.

Just around the corner is this new remodeled building that I can't help but admire.

Wow!

 Makis was feeding the pigeons in the main square. He is growing up to be such a funny little guy.

Helping me make the apple pie.

 And he is an amazing brother. He loves his little Maria so much, and he always keeps her entertained.

Which brings me to Maria turning one years old already next week!

 My attempt at making an "ombre" cake. Obviously the next cake will have thinner layers, but I have the technique down so that's what matters!

 I've been trying out fonts for the banner I want to hang on  Maria's cake. Still trying to figure that one out!

 I am working on a custom order for initial pillows this week. I spent the last week gathering materials, and mixing and matching. I wish I had a craft room where all my stuff was in one place. Right now I have everything scattered under beds in containers, in luggages, in our storage room, in closets. It is a mess.

 and finally, my next village walkthrough will be of Konteika! Stay tuned!

Village Walkthrough- Manolates

So we've already toured Vourliotes,  Paleokastro, and Stavrinides... now I want to show you my tour of Manolates! I mentioned in an earlier post that this is probably the most popular village in all of Samos. Everyone knows Manolates. Guests at the hotel ask me, "where do you live?" and when I say Ambelos, they look at me like "huh?" and then I say..."well, you know where Manolates is?" (and they get excited because YES, or course they know where Manolates is) So anyway, Manolates took it's name from the first settlers of the village, the Manolas family. The one thing I like about this village is it's full of old houses. One thing I don't like is that there are a ton of pottery shops, souvenir shops, and way too many tavernas to really be classified as a "traditional village" Please don't send me hate mail, that is my personal opinion!

From the town of Agios Konstantinos, it's about a 4 kilometer drive through the "Valley of the Nightingales"

The drive is really picturesque!

A map of the various shops, restaurants, and cafes right off the parking lot.

The first pottery shop. You can either go right or left..

So we went left on this dead end street

with a cute souvenir shop. I remember from a previous visit to Manolates this shop has a rug loom. The owner was out when we came this time, so I couldn't get any more info on it, what a bummer!

Love!

a very pretty pottery shop

My dad waiting for me like always!

A garden with old pottery pots!

Another shop with knick knacks!

and another one!

We ran into some people we know.

A co-worker of mine's mother!

The post office/town hall.

My troopers!

I love this narrow alley!

A restaurant's terrace with a fountain.

Nice stone work. I like when remodeled houses  keep the charm of the old Greek style.

I love the combination of stone and stucco.

My dad Leon!

As we were leaving this caught my eye.

Manolates from afar

Thank you for touring Manolates Village with me!