Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Wishing you a peaceful and jolly holiday season! 

See you back here in 2013! 

Much love, 

Plushka

xxx

"Wonky Gingerbread house" Christmas decoration DIY

This Wonky Gingerbread house is the last DIY in my series of Christmas DIY posts for this year. It was fun to design them and I am now thinking what other DIYs I will share with you next year....

This little house, besides being a cute Christmas tree decorations, will make a great housewarming gift for someone who just moved houses and celebrating new year in a new place! 

To make one gingerbread house you'll need:

Plushka's gingerbread house pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in red-ish brown 12cm x 12cm

(finished size of the decoration is 11cm x 9cm)

small piece of  red and white felt

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white and red embroidery threads

one small button

ribbon 12 cm long

red/white beads 
(you can substitute beads with French knots)

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration 

Instructions:

1. cut out all the pieces as per pattern 

2. stitch the beads on the "roof snow"

3. attach snow to the roof - start stitching in one corner and  only stitch the bottom of this part on, leave the thread hanging as you see on the picture. You will use this thread later on when attaching the house to the fabric. 

4. Take the white & red part of the door. We will be stitching on only the red part so pin them on the house and, using red thread, attached the door. 

5.  Add the white bead - door knob, following by the button above the door.  
 6. Take 2 snow parts for the chimney at stitch them on by "sandwiching" the top of the roof between them. 

7. Pin the house on the wrong side of the fabric as you see on the picture and stitch around, using the white thread you have left after the step 3, catching the ribbon and the chimney in place as you go. You might notice that on the pattern the chimney is on the other side. When I was making the house, placing the chimney on the left looked better to me so see how you feel when you pin it to the fabric. You might want to swap it around too:) 

8. cut around the excess fabric.

That's all, you have one slightly wonky gingerbread house! 

Make a few more with different buttons, change the door colour, ribbons and  display them proudly on your Christmas tree! 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

Jolly Gingerbread man DIY

This cute Jolly Gingerbread man is a third DIY in my series of Christmas DIY posts and I am having so much fun creating them. Hope you enjoying them as much as I do!

This fellow can be easily made from felt and fabric scraps, a few little buttons in about an hour. It's another quick project so you can have a few of these guys to decorate your Christmas tree with by the end of a weekend. You can also use one of them to add a handmade touch to a gift wrapping. 

To make one gingerbread man you'll need:

Plushka's gingerbread man pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in red-ish brown 12 cm x 12cm

(finished size of the decoration is 10.5 cm)

small piece of white & black felt 

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white, cream, black embroidery threads

(I used cream thread to stitch around the body as it makes it more biscuity looking)

3 small buttons 

ribbon 12 cm long

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration 

Instructions:

1. cut out the body and the eyes as per pattern 

2. place eyes on the head and stitch them in place. Then add a smile, making small stitches in white embroidery thread.

3. add "crosses" in white thread as per picture.

4. attach the buttons.

5. pin your gingerbread man to the piece of fabric as shown on the picture and stitch around using cream thread catching the ribbon in place as you go.

6. cut around the excess fabric.

That's all, you have a Jolly gingerbread man! 

Make a few more with different buttons and ribbons and  display them proudly on your Christmas tree! 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

"Folk flower" Christmas ornament DIY

I love folklore art and this ornament was inspired by my Pinterest board with all the different folk prints and patterns! This decorations, same as a snowman last week, can be easily made from felt and fabric scraps, beads and a ribbon in about an hour. Another very quick project to make this weekend for  your Christmas tree or you might want to use one of them for a gift wrapping. The choice is yours! 

To make one ornament you'll need:

Plushka's "Folk flower" pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

3 pieces of felt in 3 colours of your choice 10 cm x 10cm

(finished size of the decoration is 9.5 cm)

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

matching embroidery threads (I used white and red)

16 beads in silver or any matching colour to your felt

(white will look great!) 

ribbon 12- 14 cm long

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration (or double the amount of green felt - felt used for the Part 3 and use it instead)

Instructions:

1. cut all the pieces required as per pattern 

2. Take Part 3 and stitch the beads on as you see on the picture.

3. Take Part 2 and Part 1, place Part 1 slightly on a side of the circle and stitch on using contrast threads. Add a little heart.

4. Place them on Part 3 and stitch around. 

5. Take a piece of fabric (or felt), pin the ornament to the wrong side of the fabric, insert the ribbon and stitch around catching the ribbon in place as you go.

Voila! A Folk flower decoration is ready! 

Make a few more in a different colour combos and hang them on a tree for everyone to admire:) 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

My creative space....

In my creative space this week, I am finishing a few last orders on my list. 

For the last few weeks, I felt like I desperately need a break from making robins and not feeling like making Christmas items any more. After all, I have been making Christmas decorations since July.... However, for some strange reason, I am falling in love with this fellows all over again! Probably because I know that there are only a few orders left to go or, maybe, their cute faces won me over. Regardless of the reason, I started another production line but the very last one this year...

How is you Christmas crafting going? 

What is in the making? 

More Creative spaces here.

Christmas gift finds on Madeit #3

There are only 33 days left until Christmas! Are you excited as much as I am? This year we are getting a fresh tree and I cannot wait to decorate it.
 As I am still looking for a few perfect gifts, here what I found this weekend while browsing Madeit website: 

Set of 12 ornaments by VelvetBean 

Personalized Christmas decorations by Chicken Ink. Creative

Set of 3 cute Rudolph Christmas cards by Beek Designs 

Christmas Russian doll softie by My Girl Cassie 

Have you done your Chrismas shopping yet? 

Christmas gift ideas from Plushka's sponsors

Folklore screen printed tea towel by BlueBerry Ash

Christmas card by Red Parka designs 

Natural coloured yarn by Fairythread 

Kokeshi softie by Allie's handcrafted gifts 

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? 

P.S. Would you like to get more brand exposure for your business during the Christmas holiday season? Advertise with Plushka - more information here.

Christmas eye candy, Christmas wreath #3

picture from here

There are 45 days left until Christmas and it's a tradition on my blog to pick a wreath that inspires me every year. This year, I've chosen this beautiful felt one in gorgeous colours - red, aqua, lime green, white, teal.... 
Too many to list but they work together and it looks wonderful and festive, doesn't it? 

In 2010, I loved yo-yos so that red and green wreath really inspired me.

In 2011, it was a bright red, orange, aqua and pink wreath.

Do you make/buy a Christmas wreath for your home? 

Christmas gift finds on Madeit #2

Have you decided which colours to decorate your home and a Christmas tree this year? I am leaning towards having white and silver decorations so, with this in mind, I had a look around Madeit and that's what I found: 

Sweet white snowflake hair pins, set of 3 by Mozzie and Mac 

White embossed clay gift tags, set of 3 by Mud by nest

Christmas card printed on recycled paper by Treehug Papercraft 

Cusion cover "I'm dreaming of white Christmas" by Linnea Swedish Design

So, what colour are your decorations this Christmas? 

Christmas giveaway - Festive crafter's pack

November is here and Christmas preparations has officially began! I am sure every crafter out there has a few projects in mind or maybe already completed?! I certainly hope I we will get a fresh tree this year and I will get time to decorate it with handmade ornaments.

Inspired by this bright and festive time of the year, I put a little bundle of goodies for you to get creative with: ribbons, fabric and handmade white crochet ornaments. 

Here how you can win all these goodies:

There are 6 easy entry options and to enter you can do as little or as many as you wish, the more you do the more points/entries you get!

The winner will be announced on 22 of November so you will still have plenty of time to make something:)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas gift finds on Madeit #1

November is here and that means the search for unique handmade gifts officially began! 

I am starting the Christmas gift finds post series to share with  you the handmade creations that I loved while browsing Madeit website.

Here are this week's festive 4:

Lovely stocking with doilies by ink.paper.cloth 

Modern gift tags by Pixels plus paper: Paper bits and pieces 

Zip pouch with cute Christmas owl design by Mopoke designs 

Gorgeous and unique lime green wreath by Bibs 'n' bobs

Are you giving handmade gifts this Christmas? 

6 creative ways to use washi tape this Christmas

It's exciting and it's scary that there are only 65 days left until Christmas!  Thus, I thought it's about time to start looking for gift ideas as well as gift wrapping inspirations.
I am starting the Christmas themed posts with 6 ways to use the washi tape for gift wrapping and decorating. I especially like the recycling idea for the cookie container as I get to buy more cookies (or ice-cream) to get the box! 

1. Pick festive colours and decorate Christmas baubles.

2. Recycle a cookie container. 

3. Make pretty washi gift bow.

4. Cut out and decorate a Christmas tree.

5. Create an Advent  calendar  from white or red boxes.

6. Decorate your shelves with  tiny washi flags.

Do you collect washi tape?

Where do you use it? 

Christmas decorations made after midnight...

Sometimes, creativity comes from unexpected sources and in unexpected circumstances. The jet lag keeps me up at night until I just collapse. I really can do without discovering how productive I can be at 2 am but I did exactly that yesterday. Apparently, I am still quite creative even that early! I set down at my craft table and couldn't bring myself to pick up any projects that I already had in front of me so I made something new. I modified my Christmas pudding decoration into gingerbread hearts with white icing, holly berries and little bell for an extra festive detail.

I also filled them with some lavender and so far these cuties received a great response from my lovely customers.

Have you ever done your best work while tired or half asleep?  

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost here and I am in a very festive mood today getting the last things done. 

Last year I've summed up my first year of Plushka's Craft in a collage and remember wondering what next year will bring... It tuned out to be an awesome year and I am delighted and surprised that I managed to do so much!  Here is my attempt to sum up 2011...

Magazine features, custom orders, opening of the Plushka's Makery, memorable creations and new toys! It's been so much fun!  The most important thing is that I've met so many wonderful people on the way who became my good friends and I am very grateful for that:) 


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my lovely followers and friends! Thank you for being a part of Plushka's journey in the creative world of Handmade! 

Happy holidays everyone and I'll see you back here in 2012!

P.S. I am taking a short break until 10rd of January. Shop will be open as soon as I am back with new collection to follow;)

My creative space...

In my creative space today, I gathered a few of the personalized items I've been making recently. The customer orders are something that I really enjoy doing especially when they is a name to be embroidered or appliqued.  This bunting was so much fun to make! It's a first bunting I ever made with letters on it. I picked green felt to go in contrast with very Christmasy red fabric and love the way it turned out!

The is a set of mini and large buntings with parents names on large flags and kid's names on mini flags. I think they will look so festive hanging together or on the opposite walls:) 

This owl was made with one of my favourite fabrics by Saffron Craig. Beautiful pink with white and red dandelions, this pattern is very easy to embroider on so I didn't have to use linen for the belly. It's so pretty and girly! It's a second personalized owl created with this fabric and I think it will be very popular next year too. 

Visit more creative spaces here. 

Have a creative Thursday!

Christmas gift wrapping idea with felt

                                                                                 Source: bhg.com via Katia on Pinterest

Pinterest never disappoint when it comes to finding inspirations! I've been looking for another gift wrapping idea. Last week I found this pretty fabric gift pouch that really inspired me!
This week, a cute felt snowman decoration tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens website made me want to get my felt scraps out and start creating.
Have you found any interesting gift wrapping ideas? I would love to see them! Please, post the link in the comment:)

Have a wonderful day! 

Monday Inspiration: Christmas eye candy....

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Kim on Pinterest

My last year's yo-yo wreath find really got me in the mood for Christmas with it's bright green colours and festive look. I thought I'll make it my little blog tradition and pick the wreath that I like this year.  I love orange at the moment so when I saw it being included in the Christmas wreath, I thought this is the one! 
For the past year, I learned to be braver with colours in my creations and changed my view on pink that I used more comfortably now with other colours. Remember my pincushions? Yes, I went a bit out of my comfort zone when following the fabric's colour scheme but I love the result:)
Anyhow, this pom-pom wreath is this year's winner and it's hard not to pick it with those crochet doilies on the background, awesome texture and sparkly "flowers"! 


Today, Be brave with colours! 


P.S. Only 34 days left till Christmas;)

Christmas finds on Madeit

Once I started my Christmas shopping last week, it was hard to stop myself from browsing all the Madeit stores for more lovely handmade goodies! There are so many beautiful creations and talented designers, here are only a few of them:

1. Little Muse

2. The Papertie Affair
3. Little Molly May
4. Peruzi

Have you started your Christmas shopping? 

Are you buying handmade this Christmas? 

Christmas gift wrapping idea with fabric

                                                                      Source: aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com via Jill on Pinterest

With Christmas fast approaching, I am looking for gift wrapping ideas and found this one on Pinterest. 

It linked to my, already favourite, A Spoonful of Sugar blog and I was surprised how did I managed to miss this post!  This fabric gift pouch is so cute and can be made from the scraps of fabric which is always a great thing if you, like me,  have buckets of them in the creative space:)
I think any gift will be a bit extra special in this! 
I am thinking about making a few of those just for my necklaces too.... Click here for the tutorial.
Thank you Lisa for sharing! x

My creative space...

My creative space this week can be easily described in a short sentence: Three owls and a new Christmas decoration! 

I cannot wait to see these owls ready! These two are going to be a set for a yet to be born baby and I am loving the colours we've picked. Please, don't mind the mess around them, it's part of the fun;)

Dark navy owl requires a bit more attention today as it still needs eyes to be stitched on so I am concentrating on finishing it today.

Allera is a personalized owl that most likely to be finished today and will go in the post soon. I will miss her though, she is turning out to be a very pretty one.

There is also Christmas decoration that just "happened" this morning.... I didn't realized that I had perfect "ingredients" for this Christmas pudding laying around. Like this hand-dyed brown felt which, with it's slightly uneven colour and fluffiness of woolen texture, gives it great cake look.  

It will be available in my Madeit shop shortly. 

Visit more creative spaces here. 

Have a creative Thursday!

P.S. The winner of my Mollie Makes magazine will be announced on Saturday so there is still time to enter. Click here!