Cross-stitching tips, round-up by Plushka back in 2009

I while ago, when I've changed the layout and the design of this blog, all the pictures in the posts from 2009 just disappeared.  It was sad as I love going back and see what I've been up to back then so it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I really should delete those posts. However, before I do that, I though I might be able to salvage a few that I think worth saving!  

Might writing style has changed so I modified and also updated this post by adding a picture of my recent cross-stitched creations.(originally posted on 30th of July 2009).

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I am trying to learn more about enhancing the speed and quality of my cross stitching. I’ve been doing it for quite a long time but I still wonder why I get knots on the embroidery thread or how to stitch faster so I will have more projects done?

In CrossStitcher (issue 2009) there was a great free diary that included some handy tips and here are some of them:

1. Keep a completed project crease free by rolling it around a cardboard tube with stitching facing outwards.

2. Keep your metallic threads under control and easy to use by knotting the tread to the eye of the needle.

3. Bind the edged of a ring frame with strips of cotton fabric. This will help to keep your fabric taut in the frame.

4. Your stitching tension will vary from day to day so always come to a convenient finishing point before packing up.

5. Work the top area of the design first, followed by the bottom section. This will reduce the temptation of leaning against previously stitched areas.

6. Be economical with your thread by stitching a row of half cross stitch and then working back along the row in the opposite direction to complete the cross. It will also make your stitches look neat at the back. 

Also, on the CrossStitcher website, I found some great tips on washing your work as well as other very handy tips for beginners!

You might also find helpful:

cross-stitching tips by Bountiful Heirlooms

How to cross-stitch - great tips if you just learning how to cross-stitch with pictures and a video.

Do you cross-stitch? What do you find the hardest about this type of embroidery? 

Saturday crafternoon in my studio...

Sometimes I get really frustrated with unfinished projects that are laying around. I truly believe that too many unfinished projects "block" my creative energy, stopping it from flowing freely bringing me new ideas! 

 I was tired of looking at the pile of already sewn together key rings so I got them ready for the shop. They only needed a few hours of hand-stitching and labels attached to them. 

I cross-stitched them while on holiday in London so I was slightly influenced by Autumn in my choice of colours. However,  I've picked a few that I always wanted to try like this mint one at the front. Beautiful pastel colour with perfectly matched screen-printed fabric by Umbrella prints at the back... 

Now, I need to list them in the shop for the new owners to enjoy!

Hope you are having a lovely day:)

Saturday in the studio...

I haven't been posting about my creations this week but not because there is nothing to show you. It's because there is too much to share and sometimes I don't even know where to start! 

It's been busy and a little overwhelming but I am stitching and stitching knowing that there will be Christmas soon which means a week off. Thus, only over 40 days to go and the new toy will be in the making...

In the meantime, here are a few creations I finished for the shop with many customer orders behind the scenes! 

What are you plans for this weekend? 

Happy Saturday to you, whatever you plans are!

My creative space....

Christmas craft, especially robins, does take over my creative space in two months leading to Christmas. I am sorry, I promise new things are coming soon that are not red, green and brown! 

If you are not yet tired of looking at my robin production line, read on.... Although I did make something other then Christmas items - owl key rings in new pastel colours. 

So, here are a few pictures of my creative space in the last few days:

 More creative spaces HERE.

Hope your Thursday is as creative and fun as mine! 

My creative space...

If I would have to choose a creative highlight of this week, I would definitely pick the iPad sleeve order! The linen and flowery fabric combo was inspired by my heat pack with fox embroidery. I had this fabric in two colours so my lovely customer suggested the apple embroidery for the second sleeve. I was going to have linen as a "main" fabric but I am so glad that Michelle requested the linen fabric to be only a "frame" for the embroidery. It looks so much better! What do you think?

I enjoyed so much making these ipad sleeves that I made one for myself in red.

Today, I am finishing doilies and toy orders. These doily-coasters are my evening craft so the progress is slow. 
It is always fun matching fabrics to the yarn and this light blue one is my favourite so far...

More creative spaces HERE.

Have a wonderful creative Thursday! 

Monday, the posting day

Despite being a great day to look for the new inspirations that will give me a boost of creativity for the week, Monday is my big posting day as I spend weekend getting through the orders... 
These are a few of my finished creations that will be in the post today: 

Monday is also my Sunday (I will be taking a semi day off tomorrow) and Mr. Plushkin's day off  so happy day all-around.


Happy Monday!

More mustard yellow? Yes, please!

What is the best way to get the mustard yellow colour crash out of my system? 

Well, make more creations for my shop in this colour of cause! 

 I did exactly that this weekend....

Maybe not everything though...

Hope you are having a delightful weekend! 

A cross-stitch from the past...

One of those days, when I constantly rearrange my shelves to fit more fabric/stock/felt in, I got my treasure out - cross-stitched picture of colourful pansies. This embroidery brings up so many memories!  

Started by my mum in 1992, it's been in my embroidery box for years. It's design and colours fascinated me. The black background had to be stitched in too as we didn't have black aida cloth back then. In fact, we didn't have any embroidery cloth available for some time. My first fabric for the embroidery class was purchased in the Sport shop. If I remember it right, this fabric was used to wrap around the wrists before putting the boxing gloves on. By accident, it was perfect for the cross-stitch embroidery.

It took me over 10 years to finish it. Yes. 10 years! I was in school and then in university and this was my on and off hobby. I loved cross-stitch, it has such a calming effect and helped me to cope with huge amount of stress with exams and assignments. Of cause, this is not the only design I stitched, there were many of them but this one is very special to me.  This picture is more then just a picture to hang on the wall, it's a creation that taught me patience, determination and skill. 

Do you have a craft project that you've done long time ago and still treasure? 

My creative space...mini&maxi heat packs

Just before I left for my holiday, my last custom order was a set of two mini heat & cold packs. I loved that the size is small so  kids can easily hold it to the scratched knee or a bump on a head....with colourful flannelette removable cover that makes is easy to wash too!

To make them fun and colourful, I used a few different prints, mixing and matching all the fabrics that I could find  in my stash. There were a few of them indeed.

During one of my shopping trips back home, my mum spotted this cute flannel with cats and dogs in jigsaw puzzles. I immediately saw it in a mini size heat packs. How cute is that grumpy cat!?

The other order that I really enjoyed making is this adult size heat pack with a cross-stitched fox. I designed this embroidery a while back in April, cross-stitched a few foxes on my holiday and couldn't think of a better way to use one of them! I've got a few other projects for those embroideries in mind...

That's why Plushka loves customer orders, they are a fun and very inspiring! 
More creative spaces HERE.

Have a creative Thursday! 


P.S. Don't forget to enter my first sponsored Giveaway. 

Back in Plushka's studio!

It took me a little longer then I expected to get back to creative self, this nasty bug I caught rather took it out of me for a few days. I am so glad to be feeling a bit better so I can start getting my projects out to see what I need to finish... Here are the embroideries that I've stitched while on holidays. This owl cross-stitch pattern have been waiting for a long time to be stitched and, after a few adjustments, tuned out to be a very cute one, don't you think? 

Besides being out and about everyday during my holiday, I've managed to do at least one embroidery a day! I sometimes spend all day at home and don't finish even one...  Internet is such a time stealer! I have love-hate relationship with my computer at the moment. I loved so much having such productive days! A slow Internet connection back home meant I didn't even bother checking anything as it would take me hours. Instead, we went for long walks, chat and cook with mum, made lists and discussed new collections... I also finished reading a book I wanted to read. Overall, very relaxing and productive Internet-free holiday. However, I did miss the blogs I read and my Facebook page. I just need to find the balance, right?! 
Anyhow, I am finishing owls today, like these ones...

Happy Sunday!

Saturday in the studio...

It was wet, miserable and very dark in my studio this morning! I spend my  morning waiting for some light to come out so I can take a few pictures of my new creations but weather was not on my side....

However, after waiting patiently and looking for some recipes on Pinterest, I managed to get a few shots of the new, redesigned apple brooches! I made them in more wintery colous that were inspired by my Inspiration board on Thursday. 

It was hard not to make matching hair clips too! I like the idea of matching sets. 

Besides apple brooches and clips, I started making a few cross-stitch embroideries to top up the shop "shelves" this week and that's one of my tasks for today - make more key rings and bookmarks. 

Have a beautiful weekend and I hope it's not raining where you are! 

xxx

New creations: heat packs and coffee cup cozy

It's my first week without customer orders. My current to-make list consist of new ideas and toys and I feel creativity is coming back. 
I will start taking customer orders again in July as Christmas won't be far away... That is a scary thought! 

Quickly moving on to the new things I've made!

After I posted the last order, the first creation that I've picked to make was the heat pack. They were supposed to be made last year (with different embroidery of cause as elephant is a new addition) and I have been collecting flannelette since then, hoping that one day I will get them made. 
So, here they are!

I will be making a few with apples and rabbits but elephant, I suspect, will stay my favourite.

Next on my long list of ideas was coffee cup cozy. I like making small practical creations that bring handmade to everyday life. 
As it's getting cooler in the studio, my coffee (or my Earl Grey tea in the afternoon) gets cold in record time,  the 100% woolen felt will make sure the coffee or tea stays hot a little longer. Not mentioning how pretty the cup looks with it on!
 For the first cozy, I went with my favourite colour felt at the moment - raspberry and owl fabric by Michael Miller.

I added little hearts in between the owls. They add a cute detail to the cozy, don't you think?

I am making more cozies tonight in navy, purple, pink and red. I find them very addictive!

Happy Friday! 

My creative space...

In my creative space today, I am making progress with a few projects at the same time. 

Here are a few of them:

*Cross-stitch designs - apple and penguins, are ready to be turned into keyrings. 

*New fabric arrived that I ordered specially for my fog rattles. Cannot wait to see them done! 

Busy day ahead! 

Visit more creative spaces here.

My creative space....

In my creative space this week, I found another bag of embroidery floss! I didn't realize I had it and very happy to have some new colours to play with. One thing I can say for sure, you will definitely see more embroidery happening in the next week or so as I love trying new colours, especially in rabbit design. Although, apples are my favourite at the moment so I picked a few greens and some autumn colours - orange and berry to embroider apples with. 

I am also making a few owls today. Some for the spot sale on Facebook, some for the stock. The new fabric arrived and I cannot wait to make a pink owl with it, she will look so lady-like with this lace on the belly!

More crochet doilies arrived in my favourite colours! There are new shades of blue there that will look so nice with designer linen that arrived last week. 

Two colours that I was drawn to first - orange and navy! I know I will have so much fun this weekend making more of these.  

Visit more creative spaces here

Hope your Thursday is as creative as mine!

My creative space... New collection!

For the last few months, I've been sneaking in some cross-stitch and sewing for the new collection. Developing new creations, when you have orders means long hours but so much fun! I started to enjoy having a little creative space "secret" but I still find it hard not to show what I am working on to you. 

This collection was inspired by the fabric and bright colours of the ribbons with apples I had is stash. 

I designed an apple cross-stitch first, then picked all the different colours of the embroidery floss and found lovely linen colour lace for my notebook covers.... It was such a pleasure creating these items and I really hope someone who will use them everyday will feel the love that went into creating them! 

There are 6 different creations in 6 bright colours that I included in "Plushka's Apple garden" but let me show you my favourite ones: aqua, red and purple!

See more pictures of all the creations in this collection on my Facebook page! 

Visit more creative spaces here

Have a creative Thursday!

Saturday in the studio

Today was mostly about cleaning and paperwork but I did try my new embroidery design - foxy fox. 

I love her chubby chicks and, although tail took some time to turn our right, I am glad that I didn't rush it! Usually, I correct the pattern as I stitch it. This time, I just added a few extra stitches and voila! 

Now , it's all about trying different colours and making it into a keyring, a bookmark, a notebook or maybe something different this time??!

Happy Saturday! 

Saturday crafternoon and winter salad

This morning, when I went to get a new issue of the Country Style and some fresh bread,  it felt like autumn is finally here! The air was fresh and cool but the sun still warm... 

It's truly my favourite season! 

Isn't the cover of this issue stunning?! I am looking forward to reading it this afternoon and doing some cross-stitch. The penguins are multiplying on my table in different colours! 

Cooler weather also means a change of the meals in our home with more soups, stews and yummy Russian winter salad back on our menu!  This salad is perfect as a side dish or by itself. We make it vegetarian but, traditionally, it's made with boiled chicken or sausage.

You will need the following ingredients (serves 4): 

2 medium sized potatoes (cooked in skin then peeled and diced) 

3 medium sized gherkins diced

4 eggs hard-boiled and diced

200g tined pees

4-5 tablespoons of mayonnaise

Optional: 

200g boiled sausage or chicken meat 

cut an onion and keep it in separate container to add before serving 

shopped dill

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy! 

Hope you are having a relaxing Saturday! 

My creative space...

I don't know whether it's the pictures from my last post or the cooling down weather (I feel so much more creative in Autumn/Winter) but I felt like designing a new cross-stitch pattern for my key rings. It had to be a little penguin that I stitched straight away so I can adjust the pattern. 

I love this little guy! There are a few colours, besides black, that I want to stitch him in but I would love your suggestions! 
What colour should I make him in next?

Visit more creative spaces here. 

Have a creative Thursday!

My creative space...

In my creative space, the rabbit bookmarks are in production. This is my favourite stage when I need to match linens to the colour of the rabbits. I picked my favourite colours - carrot orange, aqua, pale pink and yellow. Seeing them taking shape is great but I am always nervous about the next step - sewing them together as I never know what the will look like after being turned inside out....

They tuned out to be of a different length, just how I like it so they will suit different book sizes. It's exciting to see them almost finished, I just have to cross-stitch carrots for the end of the ribbon and add some hand-stitching....

That's what  they will look like finished....

Visit more creative spaces here. 

Have a creative Thursday!