Hello! I am back in the studio!

It is such a nice feeling to be back in the studio after a holiday. I love traveling and discovering new wonderful places but I don't really travel well so being back home is such a great feeling! I have a notebook full of ideas and scribbles, new Liberty fabric, pile of embroideries and some vintage goodness that I picked up in the antique shops along the way. 
Three weeks ago, before going away, I cut out oodles of toys, pincushions and robins so they are ready to stitch and that's what I will be doing in the next few days.... 

My home is where my craft is indeed!

Happy Sunday!

Signing off....and the new post series

The suitcase is packed, the book for the trip is chosen -"Le Testament Francais" by Andrei Makine that I bought ages ago!, crochet is in a craft bag and my ipad is updated. 
I am ready for a new adventure! 

For the next few weeks, while I am away, I thought it's a great chance for me to tell you a bit more about Plushka that I don't get to do while busy running my handmade business. 

Last week, I asked on my Facebook wall what would YOU like to know about Plushka and hopefully this post series will answer those questions as well.

So, here is a little summary of what I wrote for the new "Plushka's story" series of posts that are going to be published on Tuesdays in the next few weeks:

Introduction: Why Plushka and why tiny stitches?

Getting started, where it all began...

Lessons learned the hard way, or 3 years in business and resources that helped me along the way.

My long road to a newsletter.

What's next for Plushka?

Hope you will enjoy reading those posts and I am looking forward to reading your comments.

I'll see you back here in October! 

Friday DIY, links roundup

While packing to go on our surprise getaway this Monday, I realized how many handmade things I would like to take with me:  travel wallet, luggage tag, camera strap....

I found a few great DIYs and hope to start working on those projects as soon as possible as we have another trip planned!
I can manage to finish one, can't I?!!

I've been trying to find the right camera case for some time and was pleasantly surprised how easy it is to make a camera carrier that can be inserted into a bag and protect my best travel buddy. 

A pretty camera strap would be nice to have too and I love this one from last issue of the Mollie Makes magazine.

Pretty and functional, this Patchwork travel neck pillow would be perfect for a long flight! 

I love the idea of the travel wallet and matching luggage tag HERE or this DIY is great too.

Do you have any of those items with you when you travel, are they handmade? 

Hobart in a few snapshots

I love surprises, especially the ones that involve travel!  Monday was going to be a normal semi day off (you know one of those when you still check work mail) but I walk up to an announcement from Mr. Plushkin that we are going to pack and fly to Hobart in an hour. After a 30 minutes of hectic running around, packing and even sneaking to the post box to get the orders on their way, I was ready for my little adventure. 

 It's amazing how much we managed to fit into those 48 hours! Unfortunately, the new Mona museum of old and new art, which is a talk of the town, was closed on Tuesday but it gives us a great excuse to come back. 

Besides long walks, we've done some handmade and vintage shopping and I thrifted some vintage lace and a bag of delightful buttons that I cannot wait to sort through. 

We also visited Store & Co, the shop that I fell in love with 3 years ago when we were in Hobart on our honeymoon. That was the shop that inspired me to start Plushka's Craft so it was a sentimental visit as well.

There were a few yummy treats, one too many creme brulees and just one but big rose water meringue. Those alone are worth to come back for!

I must say, it was a much needed little getaway. Did I managed to stay away from the computer? Well, no. I wrote an article that I planned to do a while ago, wrote a plan for the next few months for Plushka and made a few important decisions so you will see some changes soon to my Indie business and I hope they will be positive ones. 

Do you like surprise getaways? 

Signing off....

I am packed and ready for my journey! I've got a great book, "Bespoke" magazine, notebook for drawing and ipad with me to make time fly a little faster.

Although I scheduled a few posts, it will be a little quiet here for the next 3 week but I have so many exciting things planned for when I am back! So stay tuned...

See you in July! 

xxx

Flea market finds... Camden market, London

Hope you had a great week! 
I am still trying to settle back in and it feels that being in London just a week ago was not real... I look at the pictures often and I think I already miss that place. 
It was so much fun! 
During our first week there, we stayed a few days in the city and one day jumped on a tube to visit local market. I was told to expect something unusual and quirky and so it was! I've never seen such an unusual space to hold a market before - old horse stables:)



 We arrived there very early, way before the opening to get a chance to have a good look around and take pictures as it gets so busy, it's hard to even stop and stare at something gorgeous like this shandelier!



Shopping at that market was an experience on itself, just walking around made me so excited about what I will actually might find there when it opens!



We found so much vintage and quirky things that day but, unfortunately, not many of them I could take on a plane so I just picked a few little keepsake size goodies.

First, I had fun browsing through 4 draws of vintage buttons and here are my finds. I especially like that large blue sparkly button.

Then, I saw vintage clothing store where I found this great vintage leather clutch (in my favourite brown colour) and a few scarves. That brownish one matches the clutch perfectly and I love the folklore style flowers!

I really wish I could bring a few more things that I saw their but maybe next time...


Join Flea Markets finds here.
Enjoy your Sunday!

Part 4: Random shop windows pictures, England

This is a last post about my trip, promise! I just cannot resist sharing these random pictures of the shops with you. The colours, fun way of displaying things that make shops look so inviting... fascinate and inspire my creative soul:)

Part 3: Where I shopped and what I bought...

I should admit, I was nervous when Mr. Plushkin said: Today we are going to Liberty of London shop! It's been my dream to see this fascinating building and walk through all 4 levels of prettiness..... 
The building is as stunning in life as on the picture! I was so overwhelmed when I came in and saw all the rolls of fabric and craft supplies that after a half an hour of walking around oohing and aahing, I decided to go home and think which fabric I need the most as it's just SO much of it there! 

We came back a week later and here is my little bundle that I just love! 

In Bath, we found a few craft shops tucked away in little streets like this one "Country Threads" that is a lovely shop with some great fabrics to choose from. 

I had fun browsing through their sale basket and Christmas fabric collection. There were also so many ribbons that it was very hard to choose so I stopped on this one with hearts. 

Cath Kidston store in Bath is a great one to walk around with so many great items in her signature flowery pattern. I picked some oil cloth with polka dots and those buttons are too cute to use so I'll keep them for now:)

On the last day of our journey, we found great shop called Tikki Patchwork in Kew Gardens, West London. I didn't take the picture of it but here is a link to their website if you ever in this area it's worth visiting it! I bought some fabrics with my new elephants in mind:) 

These are the highlights of my England fabric shopping adventure! 

See Part 1 and Part 2 with some of my favourite scenery shots.

The last stop, colourful buildings and shops in London and other charming areas around it......

England adventure...part 2, Bath

Lovely city of Bath, that is just picture perfect!  We walked around enjoying a little cloudy and cool weather, great views, pretty flower hanging baskets and quirky buildings with doors that you need to duck when walking in:) 
These are just a few of my favourite pictures of this beautiful place.
See Part one of my little holiday here... 


Next stop, fabric shopping!

London adventure...part 1

From stunning architecture to little flower baskets on the windows, London captured my heart. It feels good to be home but I already miss the busy city, beautiful Bath area, little villages that we've visited while driving around and exploring that beautiful country. We were lucky to have warm and sunny weather most of the time that we could walk around and enjoy the stunning English scenery.

These are only a few pictures but they are my favourite as they capture my journey well. There are so many people that cycle everywhere and I couldn't resist taking that picture with lovely autumn coloured wall. Vintage markets were such a delightful thrifting adventure and I found a few great craft shops;)

Next stop, the city of Bath....

Signing off....

                                                                        Source: linziehunter.co.uk via Tanya on Pinterest

For the rest of the week, until I will get back online to my beloved blog and Facebook page:) 
London, here I come! 

See you soon!

Planning and packing for....

                                                                        Source: ingelaparrhenius.com via Sofia on Pinterest

Yes, London! I finally can start getting all excited planning my trip as all bureaucratic formalities are sorted out:) I am beyond happy that I get to visit Mr. Plushkin's family,  walk around gorgeous city where he grew up and, of cause, visit house of Liberty! 

It's our first long-ish holiday together and I cannot wait:) We are leaving in a few weeks so I'd better start planning and packing for, as I was told, rainy weather. 

Have you been in London or lived there? 

I would love to hear your craft supplies/vintage shopping tips! 

Which shops should I visit?

While at work...

                                                                                    Source: flickr.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Today, due to the miserable weather, we got a "lay in" and had a 8 am start and it's all happening here! I am determined today, besides paying bills and entering flights,  to organize my receipts. At the moment, I have a "shoe box" filing system that is not very convenient when I need to find a tracking number  from a few weeks ago. It's time to get a folder out and make a system that will make Plushka's life a bit easier. 
However, while I am having my morning coffee, I can walk outside for a minute, look at the stormy sky and dream about... travel!  
I wish I could go somewhere where it is sunny and warm, walk around with Mr Plushkin and explore local shops, try new food and take many many pictures....


Enjoy your day and make it an adventures one! 

Few weeks in Europe..

Happiness... My husband just came back from his business trip to Europe. After 4 long weeks, I am so happy to have him back!

I thought I would share some beautiful pictures with you....

Little wooden house full of history (build in 16th century).

Handmade bugs and French linen.

Amazing! Window full of vintage Singer sewing machines...

No comments! Just enjoy the view!