Halloween Cards


By Julie Shoemaker
I can't believe it's October already. Here in Michigan, the evenings are getting cooler and the leaves are changing color.
These stamps were purchased for $1 at  Joann's to make these fun Halloween cards. If you look closely, you'll see I used a little black flocking powder on a couple of the images.
I know most card makers love Halloween, but to be honest, it's just not one of my favorite holidays....but the stamps were cute.
 I do love the seasons in Michigan and in particular I love the smell of fall. What is fall like where you live?
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Agi Anna, Greece


By Julie Shoemaker
There are beaches all along the coast line of this island. We stayed in Agi Anna and never regretted it for a moment. Beautiful sandy beaches just steps from the sea. We woke every morning to the sound of the sea hitting the shore.
 Paradise.




It was difficult the first few days to unwind, slow down and relax. But it didn't take long. This is a pic of me snorkeling.


A brief walk to a pier and a walk onto the rocks was amazing.

 





 Local food was in abundance, very rich and delicious. A traditional Greek Salad or Moussaka?



You never know who is going to serenade you at your table


Or there is always a market in walking distance.


If you're thinking of visiting Naxos, I would definitely recommend accomodations at Castello Studios.


Many a scrabble game were played on these tables in the evenings.


And I'll never forget the evening sunset and aromas.

 


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Naxos, Greece


By Julie Shoemaker
I've returned from 2 weeks in Greece. We spent 10 days on the island of Naxos and 4 days in Athens. We did change our itinerary once we arrived to include more days on Naxos, what does that tell you? The trip was an amazing, beautiful, breath-taking, soul searching and humbling experience.

I'm sure I won't have time for art any time soon, so I thought I would spend the next week or so giving you a little photo tour of the trip. I think you'll enjoy them.
We arrived from the mainland to the island of Naxos by ferry.

Our host was Ionis from Castello Studios in Agi Anna. After we got off the ferry in Naxos we took a bus to Agi Anna to arrive at our accommodations on the Aegean Sea. The coast line on this island has many small towns with the main port town of Naxos, also known as Chora. This island is the largest of the Cyclades islands, but not as developed as some of the better known islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos.

This is the street view from where we were lodged.

We stayed right on the Aegean Sea. This photo was taken from the doorway. Beautiful aqua blue water.

The second day after we arrived we did a walking tour of Chora, into the old market district. A few photos along the way.


We were steadily climbing upward toward a square at the top of this hillside.
When we reached the top
A beautiful old church.
The views were oh so awesome.



 On Naxos all of the markets and restaurants are open air. As a fur baby lover, I was thrilled to see that the cats on Naxos all ran free. You would find them in the most unexpected places, as you will see in posts to follow.

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By the sea...


By Julie Shoemaker
By now, I'm sure I'm relaxing and enjoying myself by the sea. Wish you all were here.
 I had purchased these stamps from Inkadinkadoo just before I left town, inspired by my upcoming vacation. I thought I would give them a whirl and leave you a post while I'm gone. I used a Technique Junkie technique called Level Up. Basically, you raise one or two of the images.
I used one of Mel's techniques, Gesso paper, for the background and then water colored them with Twinkling H20's.
This will be my last post till I return from my trip on the 21st. I look forward to 'seeing' you then. I'm sure I'll have some wonderful stories to share.
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Travel in Hydra


By Julie Shoemaker
I'm leaving tomorrow for my trip to Greece. Thought I would show a few photos of the island Hydra. This is a non-motorized island,  The mules have been reserved to carry our luggage to our accommodations.

Hydra is one of  the Saronic islands, closest to Athens. The first week we'll be in the Cyclades.

The view from our rooms.


...and a view of town



When I return, I'm sure I'll have wonderful photos to share with you.
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