Mishutka Design Studio

What are your favorite craft books?

This morning I was looking through a stack of my favorite craft books, and thought: "There must be so many other beautiful books out there that I don't even know about—embroidery, lace, knitting, scrapbooking, you name it..."

Yes! You name it—what are your favorites?

These are some of mine:

• "Embroidered Bags & Purses" by Sally Millner, full of fabulous small embroidery projects;
• "Sewing Edges & Corners: Decorative Techniques for Your Home and Wardrobe" by Linda Lee, a must-have for anyone who sews;
• "The Embroiderer's Handbook: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Stitches and Versatile Techniques" by Margie Bauer, the only embroidery stitch reference guide you'll ever need; I use it often.

Little Blue Bird Pattern

I saw this little blue bird on one of the old embroidery pieces. It was so lovely that I had to design this pattern and stitch it!

It was stitched on Zweigart Sand 28 ct linen with Presencia Floss. I've never used Presencia floss before, and I really enjoyed working with it—it's soft and silky, and the colors are so vibrant! Give it a try ;-) This pattern can be found on my website; click here.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Old Town

Rothenburg is a medieval walled town. It survived the wars unscathed, and today it's just as lovely and quaint as it was in the Middle Ages.

Old Market Square is bustling with life

And when the clock on the tower strikes the hour, the windows open and beer-drinking and other festivities begin!

Around the Market Square: Hotel "Golden Lamb"

Around the Market Square: City Hall

Around the Market Square: Old Tavern and Marien Apothecary

Rothenburg is famous for its Schneeballen (Snow balls)—strips of egg noodle pastry, formed into a ball, deep-fried for a couple of minutes in hot butter, and then dusted with powdered sugar or covered with chocolate. The town claims that Schneeballen were first served in 1719. They come in dozens of flavors; I just had to try the amaretto and cinnamon one! Well, it looked prettier than it tasted; it was a little too dry for my taste.

Two interesting looking houses. Do you see an "eye" window on the roof of the second one?

In Bavaria, meat is a vegetable. Just look at this amazing display! I bet the sausage in the shape of pine cones is really good...

It's not easy to get the view of the wall which surrounds the town, but this was a good spot

In the evening, when the day tourists are gone, the town is magical—one can have its medieval streets all to oneself...

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: The Beauty In Details

Rothenburg is full of interesting details, some small, some quite striking and unexpected. I love the signs and beautiful ironwork!

Lovely sign for the bakery-cafe founded in 1736

This one is my favorite; do you see the owl?

Not surprisingly, this rooster was found at the entrance to the "Red Rooster" Hotel ;-)

This is an interesting fountain next to a church

Summer in Bavaria: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

If you have never been to Germany, Bavaria, in the south of the country, is the place to start. This year our summer vacation took us to Germany, Belgium, Holland and Ireland... it was a three-week long trip! Traveling along the Romantic Road from Munich, we came to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a charming small town which takes you back in time.

Enter through the main gate, and you'll find yourself surrounded by the horse carts, tourists, flowers, and wonderful cafés and shops.

Lots of lavender everywhee; I'm so jealous...

And, of course, pretty lavender-filled sachets on display in stores.

And some interesting crafts!

Hello

I don't write very often. But I have come across so many beautiful, creative and inspiring blogs that it made me think—well...why not? So here I am, designing my blog and sharing it with you.

What will it be about? It will be about a journey through our world, discoveries of hidden treasures, big and small, a search for inspiration, and designing, creating, crafting, making, collecting...and more!

I started Mishutka Design Studio as a website to share my interest in Victorian times and my creations inspired by Victorian crafts—romantic, charming, perhaps a little nostalgic, but with a place of their own in today's life. I love the delicate beauty of vintage crafts, the amazing craftsmanship of antique furnishings, textiles and prints, the rich textures of the world around us. I am fascinated by antique embroidery and lace, and my own embroidery patterns are based on the surviving originals. I collect antique ephemera, Victorian scrap reliefs, antique fabrics, embroidery and lace, and use them in my work and as inspiration. I am an artist and a designer; I design embroidery patterns, textiles patterns, stationery and gifts; I design for print and for the web.

I hope you enjoy this blog, the stories and photos you find here—and will add your comments and stories to mine.

Irina