Monday inspiration: blankets and waving in those pesky Ends

After posting countless updates on my two cotton crochet blankets, I thought I should really show you the end result. They are still in progress as the Ends need to be waved in. This is truly the hardest part for me as I get inpatient when I see the "sea" of ends still left to be tidied up! I know it's better to tidy up every square one by one as I crochet the blanket. Even so, I get too excited about finishing the blanket so I left them. Anyways, they turned out beautifully with the new lacy boarder I crocheted for the first time. 

While doing some fabric shopping the other day I discovered the plastic needles that actually made my life so much easier! I used to wave in the ends with the hook and it took me so much longer then with the needle so I hope to get these lovely blankets in the shop this week.

To cheer myself up in between the ends waving, I started the woolen blanket. I am trying a new colour pattern with just one pink row in some of the squares. What do you think? 

Happy Monday!

Monday inspirations: my nautical inspirations board

This is my first inspiration board update this year and I gave it a fresh nautical makeover. I always liked this  white/red/blue colour combo but I don't get to use it often. Looking at the board, a crochet blanket comes to mind as well as a group of frogs made in these colours....or maybe a red owl with that blue fabric with the boats?

While I am not  sure where this combo will be used in Plushka's creations, I am loving the look of this bright board in my space. It provides a great boost of craftiness and definitely brightens up my Monday. There is something about red colour that makes me happy!

Wishing you a delightful Monday! 

Monday inspiration: purple and teal colour combo

Picture credits: lollypops, succulents, table setting, silk bow tie, coasters   

I love this combo at the moment! Purple is not really a summery colour, it's more of an autumn colour but I've always leaned towards autumn/winter colours. I like all shades of purple at the moment from light lavender to deep shades of plum. You will see more of them used in my new collection that is going to be released soon. 

Teal green and purple are both secondary colours so they work well together, don't they? I particular like the colours used in that tile coaster, not to mention the beautiful pattern on it. 

What do you think of my colour combo crash? Do you like purple and teal together? 

Monday Inspiration: illustrations by Brie Harrison

Berries, birds, flowers, explosions of vibrant colours - how can I not be inspired by this illustrations by Brie Harrison! I like her style that looks to me very Folklore/vintage inspired, textural and whimsical.  

Brie, in her interview with 10 answers describes her work as "Eclectic, Happy and Quirky" and I cannot agree more. These are 3 words that perfectly define her floral patterns that are so bright and colourful! I can look at these surface patterns for hours and still discover new motifs and different layers that are united in one print. 

These are the prints that I was drawn to but you can see more on of Brie's work on her website. 

Happy Monday! 

Monday inspiration: designer Carolyn Gavin

These drawings  caught my eye because of the colour and an interesting style of drawing that I really liked. The designer behind this brand, Carolyn, grew up in South Africa and you can see that her illustrations are influenced by exotic colours, rich imagery and intense contrast of that country. She is principal designer for Ecojot, company that produces all of its paper producrs in their Toronto space, all of which are 100% post-consumer recycled. 

My favourite design in Carolyn's Ecojot shop is these sweet little owls, how lovely are they? If they were printed on the fabric, I would probably buy a 100 meters! 

Check out her blog too for more of this beautiful illustrations and inspiring posts from Carolyn's everyday life. 

What inspires you in the beginning of summer? 

Happy Monday! 

Happy weekend and welcome summer!

Picture found here

What are you up to this weekend? As I usually have a day off during the week, for me it's a Saturday in the studio and Sunday at the day job helping my husband with his business and making sure he eats his lunch:) 

It's a first day of Summer, can you believe it? This year went by so quick for me! Summer welcomed us with a heat wave of 41 degree and muggy days  but I don't let it get to me, I am still very happy that summer is here with it's festivities and flowers in bloom!

If you have a half an hour or so this weekend for some blog reading, here are a few great links from around the web:

Very cool DIY Toilet paper roll advent calendar on Morning Creativity blog

Make bright paper wreaths to decorate a gift box via A Subtle Revelry

Check out this beautiful sushi tones colour palette on my Pinterest board

Easy DIY Christmas tree found on Marisa Howard Design website. 

Lovely illustrations by Anna Emilia that I shared this Monday.

*I will be back here this afternoon with pics from my creative space.*

Have a great weekend! 

xxx

Monday inspiration: Illustrations by Anna Emilia

Delightful, whimsical and magical, these art prints by Anna Emilia are hard not to fall in love with.  I like to surround myself with art that inspire me to grow, learn a new skill and perfect what I am already creating. This drawings have a calming effect on me too. The feeling of serenity, created by the lines and the colours, does make me want to sit and look at them for a while, enjoying the feeling of the world around me slowing down...

My favourite print in Anna's shop is "Winter is ending". You know me, I do have a soft spot for cute forest critters. This one is just divine! 

Visit Anna's blog for more insight in her illustrations and life.

What inspired you recently?

Sunny days, jacarandas or someone's art maybe? 

Monday inspiration: screen-printed folk art/retro inspired prints by Roddy and Ginger

Lately, I've been lucky to find beautiful illustrations with a folk art feel. Remember this post a few weeks ago? I was admiring illustrations by Jane Foster. This time, I am drooling over handmade creations by London based designer

- Roddy and Ginger. 

I love their eco retro style, the fact that the prints are hand-printed on a quality linen and Scandi inspired birds just make my heart sing!

Obviously, the woodland themed collection caught my eye first. You know I cannot go past cute forest critters, especially owls. 

Visit Virginia's blog to see more creations by this talented designer or stop by her shop.

Happy Monday! 

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? 

Inspiration Monday: screen-printed darlings by Jane Foster

I love Jane Foster's work and have been following her blog for some time now. I thought I should share my find with you as her work is so inspiring. These scandinavian style prints and patterns mesmerize me, make me want to draw all day and make me smile! 

You can find her blog here.

Happy Monday!!!

Sunday Stash...soon to be released fabric range crash

I absolutely love Riley Blake Designs fabric! The style of the print and colours are always to my liking and I yet to find a range which I didn't want to own a bundle of. 

These little Matryoshka cottons will be released in January in 3 colourways: green, cream and pink. I love all the prints in this range from dolls to flowers. Even if you are a bit over the Russian dolls, as they were everywhere and on everything recently, the stripes and polka dots from this range might be a nice addition to your stash as basics. 

See full range here.

What do you think? Would you stash it? 

Monday inspiration: flowery goodness, Plushka's Makery update

 

I love crochet flowers! I use them when styling my product pictures (like this one), making hair ties for the shop, taking pictures of them in different combinations, when I need a little break from creating, and plan on using more of them in my future collections. They are one of Pluska's Makery biggest sellers and I am proud to say that they are all handmade by my dear mum who loves crochet as much as I do. 

 They inspire me everyday, they bring me joy and make me smile when I come across the box where I keep them while looking for something in my creative space.

Do you like making or creating with crochet flowers?  
Where would you use them?

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? 

Monday inspiration: new Liberty fabric for my stash

On this trip to the Liberty of London shop, comparing to the last year's fabric bundle, I am proud to say that I only got exactly what I was after. Purple was the main colour I was looking for and got those 2 lovely fabrics in different print size to suit a variety of projects. 

However, I particularly like these two fabrics at the moment and already started on a couple of new pincushions. I have a feeling the one with little field flowers will be used a lot in the future creations as it can be matched with so many colours!

Which one of those 4 do you like the most?

More then just a headband decorated with a ribbon!

When I found this blog and saw this series of tutorials, I was speechless! How creative, unusual and simply awesome are these? The tutorials were posted one per day (13 in total) and are all inspired by Disney princess characters. Click HERE to find out more and enter a giveaway too. I love finding unusual projects like this, one more way to keep Plushka inspired and creating! 

My favourite headband must be the princess Rapunzel, I just love this movie.

Enjoy your Tuesday! 

Monday inspiration....new fabric range

I love starting my week with a new fabric range crash. Nothing inspires me more then fabric as it gives not only a  new, or maybe unusual colour palate, but also a great design and style inspirations. 

I find new releases through blogs of my favourite fabric designers like Riley Blake or Heather Ross and some of the online shops have Coming soon section that is very handy for keeping a look out for a new fabric collections.

Today I am loving a new range by Zoe Pearl designs for Riley Blake, called "The Sweetest thing". Zoe is local designer from Brisbane and I love her sweet prints that should be available soon. Birds and little berries among the flowers caught my eye and the shades of green, blue and yellow colours it comes in are so pretty too! 
See all prints from this range HERE.

Is there any new fabric range that you cannot wait to get for your stash?

Happy Monday!

Inspirations Monday: Creations in Green to Welcome Spring!

Spring is here, bringing us more warm days with grapefruit, avocado, oranges, broccoli, papaya and other lovely fruits and veggies back in season. 

Inspired by the Spring feeling of  freshness and new beginnings, I thought I should take myself out of my "colour zone" and play with all the shades of green my felt stash had to offer. I must say, although green suppose to be fairly easy to match colours with, I really felt that it needs more attention when matched with other colours. Shades are very important here so I was tying to make sure they do not clash and overpower each other.

I couldn't resist making a froggy too. This fabric has been in my stash for too long waiting for me to make it. Named Hopkins, this rattle toy will make anyone smile, don't you think? 

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Inspirations board, pastels and spring inspired

I think I am getting closer to choosing colour pallet for the Spring creations! Stepping away from mustard yellow was hard... 

However, the coral, mint green and more pastel shades are slowly taking over my creative space. 

I really want to have a little vintage edition sometime in Spring, hence two vintage tea cups and "Past to Present" writing to get me in the mood. I think it's time to put my doilies and vintage fabric collection to a good use...

Spring collection will have a few more green creations too. I have three favourite shades that I will try on pincushions first and see if I can make one of the toys in green, besides the frog and lime green owl... Maybe a olive green fox? Not sure yet but very excited about new possibilities that these colours can offer!

Do you like pastel colours or you are more bright colours kinda gal?

Inspiration boards round-up

A couple of days ago, I finally found a few minutes to update my inspiration board. However, after removing old bits and pieces, I looked at the blank board and there were no ideas in my head, non at all. I was not sure what my Spring season board should look like this year, what colours to go for... Thus, I decided to have a look back on my past posts to get some ideas and see which colour combos are yet to be discovered...

My board makeover usually starts with one item/colour/fabric/collection/season change that I match everything to and find colours that will go with the theme. 

April: New collection inspiration board was themed around "Plushka's apple garden" collection, colours - pink, aqua, red.

May: Autumn season update, colours - orange, teal, beige.

January: Autumn is coming  themed around natural colours an inspired by heavy linens and crochet.  Colours - orange, brown, warm and dark hues of pink, purple and yellow.

September: 2011 Christmas collection, colours - white and pink.

What my next inspiration board theme is going to be? 
I think something vintage and "from old to new"... 
Colours - pastels...

Do you have an inspiration board? 

I would love to see what inspires you! 
Please leave a link in the comment. 

I am in love with...mustard yellow!

This afternoon, while putting a new Facebook banner together, I noticed how many of my recent creations are mustard yellow.  

It' my new colour obsession! I usually change colour preferences every season but this one travelled through autumn, half of the winter and I am still not over it.

I wonder what my next colour crash is going to be...

Which colour are you in love with at the moment?