Happy New Year!!!

...... to you all my lovely followers and friends!

Hope you will have a great year of 2011:)

Merry Christmas...

to all my lovely followers!

Looking back at 2010!

I can remember as it was yesterday, writing my 2010 resolutions post.

The year is almost over and I cannot believe 12 month can run by that fast! It's been a big year for me and especially for Plushka. I tried to fit a few things that were the most memorable into collage but it feels like I need another two!

Plushka was registered and now has her own logo, created by a talented graphic designer.....

She loved being a part of Shop Handmade, Mathilda's markets, Sew It Together, Plushie Palooza giveaway.....

She had an honor to be featured in the Notebook magazine, being interviewed by some lovely blogs and mentioned in the Handmade Living book....

These are just the highlights of a happy and overwhelming year 2010! I cannot wait to see what 2011 will bring....

* * *

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my lovely followers! Your comments and encouragements that what makes Plushka's journey so enjoyable and exciting!

Happy holidays everyone and I'll see you in 2011!

P.S. I will take a short brake till 3rd of January. I will still post updates on my Facebook page:) so see you there!

New creations sneak pick....

In the evenings, in my studio, little Plushka's gnomes are making....

Any guesses?

Getting ready for the new year.....

New ideas are flooding my sketch book but it's only 14 days left till New Year so some ideas are on hold until my creative space and the rest of the house are clean, tidy and organized! Traditionally in my family a week before the new year we run around looking for the presents (tick), re-organising wardrobes and giving away cloths (tick) and cleaning till the house sparkles (still on my *to do* list).

I bought everything on my shopping list this morning (including a few things for myself that were not on the list) so I am very pleased that I still have time to get guest room ready for Mr. Plushkin's niece who is coming to visit and dedicate a few hours to working on the new collections.

I found this plastic draw organizers while running around. They turned out to be a perfect storage for my little scraps and fat quarters.

I can keep them on my table which is very handy!

However, when I need them to be out of the way, I can pop them on the shelf. Light and see through, they are so far one of the best ways I found to store the fabric that I know will be used in the nearest future.

How are your Christmas/New Year preparations going?

Our Christmas tree 2010

This year we bought a little wooden tree. Leaving in a small space where every inch is already thoughtfully used, the real tree was not an option. I was hoping to decorate it with my handmade decorations but they were a bit too big for this tree so I've used bits of fabric, crochet snowflakes, cross-stitched "Noel" and some Russian wooden decorations.

How does your tree look like? Share your link here, at Her Library Adventures.

Sunday Stash....

In my Sunday stash this week, unexpected find at Spotlight. I like this simple and bright rockets and moon pattern. Stripy fabric was also purchased to match...

This fabric is not going to be used in the nearest future. Mainly because I don't feel like sewing lately at all.... I miss cross-stitch and I think I will devote my time this Sunday to creating a few new patterns and get my hoop out first time this month. Maybe even a new collection will emerge;)

What are you up to this sunny Sunday?

Christmas eye candy

picture taken from here.

Only 14 days left till Christmas!

Present wrapping and new baskets

Inspired by the Nic's gift wrapping idea, I've used her tea towel to decorate a Christmas gift for our friends.

I didn't want to leave the lovely packaging behind so I cut a little tags out, this way the packaging gets recycled and washing instructions are easy to keep in the draw for the reference!

I also made a few new baskets with handprinted linen from Yardage design.

My creative space....

In my Creative space this week, I've been making little thing like...

*yo-yos - just in case if I need them one day.

*hair clips for my Madeit shop.

*trying to take a nice picture of me wearing my headbands....

Check all the creating and festive spaces here.

Have a spectacular Thursday!

Giveaway winners and brown owl making faux pas

My experiments with colourful owls leaded me to making one in brown. I've started making owls 6-7 month ago and my first four were pink since then I wanted to make one in brown...

I searched for the matching fabric, stitched it, photographed it and then realized, it's missing its feet!!! It happened to me before when I forgot a few tails because they are at the back but feet???!!! Anyway, I have to unstitch it and add feet. I asked her to announce the winners of my Pre-Christmas giveaway, she was a bit embarrassed and I promised that no one will see her belly with no feet;)

Congratulations!

Thank you for leaving your comments! I was so happy to see that so many handmade gifts will be created this Christmas and bring joy to someone!

Have a lovely Wednesday!

I heart Typo!

I can never resist stopping by Typo when I am at Westfields.

Do you have a favourite stationary shop?

The winner of my Pre-Christmas giveaway will be announced tomorrow so you still have time to put your name down. Click here.

P.S. Use HAPPYCHRISTMAS coupon on the checkout for 20% off your order till 10th of December in my Etsy shop:)

Hope you are having a lovely Tuesday!

Handmade living...

Absolutely charming, beautifully presented with lovely projects and pictures, Handmade Living book is now in my library! I've been waiting for this day so long and the blog tour made me even more anxious and excited in anticipation.

Plushka's mention on a page 83 in the jewelry showcase.

I am planning on trying a project or two during my Christmas break!

Do you have a copy? You can order one here and get it by Christmas as a lovely present for yourself;) or click here and you might win one!

Little pre-Christmas present...

Plushka is offering 20% off in her new Etsy shop.

Use HAPPYCHRISTMAS coupon on the checkout for 20% off your order till 10th of December.

Enjoy!

Sunday Stash....

In my Sunday Stash this week, little pile in mustard green, blue with a hint of red.

Campers on ivory by Robert Kaufman

"My Happy Nursery" by Cloud 9 (organic cotton) - 2 in the middle

"Farmdale orchard" by Alexander Henry

I fell in love with this print by Robert Kaufman when I opened the parcel. It didn't look the same online... The print gives impression of being painted in the watercolors straight on the fabric!

Happy Sunday!

"One summer dream"

Inspired by Liberty fabric, bright crochet flowers and colourful summer fashion, I created "One summer dream" headbands collection.

Large ones for adults and little ones for newborns and toddles....

You can see more pictures here. They will be available in my Etsy shop later today.

Have a sunny Saturday!

Two buddies...

That's who came out from the scraps bundle that I showed you yesterday at My creative space.... Two little buddies that love hanging out together:) Thank you Naturally Carol for your advice, this icy blue fabric with hedgehogs does look great on the penguin!

Also, thank you to my sponsor today: Red ridding hood candies from the Russian shop! Having a similar taste to Kit Kat, they were my source of energy today:) Oh, and a Chai tea of course.

Hope your are having a great Friday!

My creative space....

In my creative space this week, a few new owls were created. Here is one in a making...

First, there was one on the top of a tower.... I've been using a lovely green fabric with hedgehogs for my lime owls before but I finally found some cute lime green fabric to make them a bit different. It still has little animals so they are in the same *forest* theme.

A few hours later, there were three and it's now called the owl tower:)

I am still experimenting with the colours and this peach/orange one called Rose was created with Far Far Away II linen form my stash.

This is a scrap bundle that I am going to play with later today. I can see blue owl, penguins and, maybe, something new?

More creative spaces here.

Have a creative Thursday!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for your chance to win a bundle of fabric and some buttons. Just leave a comment here.

Pre-Christmas GIVEAWAY!

My Wednesday turned out to be not as *wordless* as I thought! Inspired by Amy, who is clearing all her stock at the Mathilda's market this Saturday, I went through my stash and whipped up two bundles. I feel very festive with Christmas only 23 days away!!! I thought why not have a giveaway? So, there are two bundles for two lucky winners:

Full of my scraps (10 in each), big and small, there are lovely little fabric stack to make something nice with. I will also include a few handmade buttons:)

For your chance to win, just leave a comment saying what kind of handmade decoration (or anything handmade) you are using this Christmas!

If you wish, follow my blog, Twitter or Facebook page, to receive an extra entry. Also, please, let me know if you spread the word about my giveaway as it will get you an extra entry too.

I will draw a winner on Wednesday the 8th and, with a little bit of luck, you will have it by Christmas!

Good luck everyone!