Hot color trends for the spring and summer 2012

It is important to choose your wardrobe in trendy colors as wrong color selections can spoil your mood even in the finest weather.



Here are some hot color trends to stay fashionable for the spring-summer 2012. Yellow, orange, red, white, black, fuchsia and soft caramel colors are a must for all ladies who follow fashion trends.

Yellow and all its shades seem to rule the fashion scene this season. Yellow blouses and skirts are seen in all the fashion houses and designer stores.


You can never go wrong with orange this spring season.


A red dress is great for any occasion. Bright red has the potential to make even a grim situation appear bright


White is one color that gives you a complete feminine look. If you wear a white laced blouse or shirt with a bright colored skirt it will enhance the white color.



Black is a color that never goes out of style. A little black dress is perfect for the night out with friends.


Fuchsia is an ideal pick as it is neither too vibrant like orange or yellow, nor as soft like caramel colors.


Other good choices for your wardrobe would be soft caramel, cream, light pink and light coral colors.


By Marina Lee (LeeMarina)

Time to harvest the summer bounties

The summer is still here but you can still see the small hints that the seasons are changing. The mornings and evenings are little cooler and you can occasionally see a yellow leaf on a tree. The gardens are in full bloom and it is also time to harvest the summer's bounty.

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What kind of crops do you have to preserve through the winter? Some of the favorites are fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables, as they become less expensive during harvest time.

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So now is the time to stock up on your jars and cans and look for the farmers markets or grocery store specials.

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All of us in the Russian Artists team are enjoying the garden bounty also and we are trying to preserve the summer in our creations. What a great way to remember the warm summer days all winter long!

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Very berry inspiration

Recently I’ve been getting out to my back yard every morning to stretch in the sun and eat some blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries that grow in my garden. That gives me a good dose of energy to start the day and get busy creating.

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The summer abundance of fresh fruit and berries is exhilarating and we want to prolong it as much as we can. This berry inspiration goes far beyond making jams and jellies. We try to preserve summer by creating berry inspired art and crafts.

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The beauty and exciting freshness of berries is an inspiration for people working in many different techniques. Check out these works by Russian Artists inspired by strawberries. Each one of them is unique and reflects the berry inspiration in its own way.

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No matter what the techniques or materials are, berry inspired accessories liven up any wardrobe and bring a happy smile to our faces. So eat up on fresh berries and design something berry inspired this summer!

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Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)

A day in a lavender paradise

It is so nice to take a country road trip in the middle of summer, warm sun, rolling hills and a fragrant air. What else can you wish for? Just the great easy summer living feeling! There are endless farm fields that are full of juicy berries but in some parts of country there is also a time for a lavender paradise.

Straight purple rows and purple flower cloud right in front of you are worth a picture. The fragrance is just wonderful.

You will not be able to resist stopping by a lavender farm to take a closer look.

Go ahead, stop and enjoy yourself. Take some photos, cut some flowers and get a special little treat at the farm cafe. Fresh baked cookie with lavender buds or a cup of a warm steaming lavender tea will add some flavor to your day in lavender paradise.

Lavender has a special way to make you feel about it.

People are inspired by this simple purple flower to create, me included. While in Washington we stopped by many lavender farms, I took lots of pictures. Later I made some sketches and watercolors and during cold winter days created some simple charts of a lavender stems to cross stitch.

My special way to remember the fragrant summer.

Story by Tanya (AGardenCottage)

Here is some of our team members lavender inspired creations:

1. Herbolution 2. YanArt 3. Lasunka 4. StudioElenus 5. Svetkar 6. Yevgenia

7. CityCrochet 8. BelleCoccinelle 9. Visart

Happy 4th of July!

We wish you great family fun, good food and fireworks this 4th of July.
Hurray for the Red, White and Blue!

Russian Artists team

A lesson in Patriotism

It’s staggering to think that the USA is a country that is only 235 years old. That’s just a couple of centuries, only a few generations! And yet, ever since the Declaration of Independence was signed that day became the symbol of hope, freedom, and patriotism. Everyone who lives in the USA, no matter where they are from originally, celebrates the Fourth of July.


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Our Russian Artists on Etsy team is also getting ready for the Independence Day. Our members have prepared wonderful apparel and accessories in the patriotic colors for you.



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I know you’ll be outdoors on the Fourth of July watching the parade, barbequing, and waiting for the fireworks. I’ll be doing the same! And to make sure I’m comfortable I might choose to wear something out of these:


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All of these wonderful white, red, and blue items are made by our team members including the ones who don’t live in the USA. The hope for justice and freedom is a universal concept and affects people around the world!

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Have a wonderful Fourth of July, no matter where you are from and where live!

Sincerely,

Yana (WineCountryLife)

Greek cuisine - Tzaziki

Today, Katrinshine is sharing very easy to make yet great recipe of traditional Greek dip, Tzaziki.

You will need:
1 kg (2.2 lbs) cucumbers
300 to 400 gr (0.7-0.9 lbs) of Greek yogurt
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced finely
Fresh chopped dill(optional)
Pinch of salt

Shred cucumbers...

...and transfer them to colander

Add minced garlic, chopped dill, and salt. Mix them and leave in the colander for an hour.

Squeeze liquid from the mixture 2-3 times. Refrigerate the mixture for 2 - 4 hours. Squeeze the extra liquid again and mix with yogurt right before serving.

Enjoy!

Summer 2011 Fashion Trends

The air is getting warmer, people are taking off layers that kept them warm through the winter, the sun is getting hot, and the beach is tempting with cooling waves. It’s about time to update your wardrobe for the summer.

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The classic summer fabrics such as cotton and silk take on bright colors and “loud” prints in 2011. The rainbow colors of this sexy full skirt, the butterflies on this elegant free flowing blouse, the cute vintage skirt with the floral pattern – these are great examples of what’s going to be hot this summer. Another big trend this summer is the return of lace texture. You can even have it on your bikini!

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Summer 2011 is all about color. With right accessories you can create striking combinations. Even a single bold accessory can make you look stylish. Check out the fashionable handmade products offered this summer by Russian Artists on Etsy.

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All of these (and more!) are made by our team members to make you look and feel fabulous this summer!

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Have a wonderful summer!

Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)

Giveaway result, summer crochet accessory of your choice

We are happy to announce the winner of our giveaway. Comment #10 by svoi-mir was chosen as a winner, so the lovely crochet accessory of winner's choice is going to be packed in a next couple of days and sent to the winner's address!

Natasha (Muza) will contact the winner to verify the shipping address.

Congratulations and thank you for participation, everyone!

Seaside vacation

Summer is here, the kids are out of school and it's time to think about your family vacation. What can be better than spending your time together by the sea!

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You could build a sand castle, make a bracelet out of tiny shells you find on a beach with your kids, play a word game on the warm sand or spend every minute of your vacation for your own enjoyment.

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Every photo you will take during your trip will remind you of the great summer of 2011!

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Our team members are sun, summer and sea lovers too. That's why they made these wonderful one of a kind things and share them with us!

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Have a great summer!

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Story & collages by Tanya (Socksandmittens)

Crochet summer accessory to give away!

This crochet accessory is great idea for the summer!You can wear it on ankle, on wrist, even on your hips.
Our hostess, Natasha (Muza) will even let you choose one of these accessories if you will win our giveaway. To be a lucky winner please follow these rules:

1.Visit Muza shop, browse around, and leave a comment here on what your favorite item is (1 entry)
2. Follow/ subscribe our blog (1 entry)
3. Grab Etsy Russian Team’s button and place it on your blog (1 entry)
4. Share this giveaway on your blog/ facebook/ twitter (1 entry)
5. Purchase anything from Muza shop and come back letting know what you purchased!


The winner will be announced on June 4th, so have fun, guys and good luck!

Mothers Day Contest results

The wonderful Mother's day is approaching and Russian Artists team came up with a cool gift for all of you our dear readers, fans and followers. Why to spend hours looking for a perfect present for your mom? We already did the search for you. Russian Artists team just had a Mother's day gift contest with a large selection of astonishing and beautiful hand made gift ideas for your loved ones. You don't have to search any longer. Just go to Russian Artists Facebook Page where all great gift ideas are already pre-selected for you.

Each Russian Artists team shop could submit one item to the Mother's day contest. Our friendly challenge turned out to be a huge success with 78 team shops suggesting gift ideas for our moms. All of the entries are outstanding, crafted with great care and absolutely unique. The access to the voting page is public so everyone was welcome to cast his or her vote. With so many beautiful items to choose from it was tremendously difficult to make a choice!

Nevertheless three items that received the highest number of “likes” are as follows:

1. Hand crocheted freeform scarf by Allmadewithlove


2. Stained Glass Panel by FleetingStillness


3. OOAK Angel "Saveliy" by timBelinskas


To give you an idea of how many amazing and beautiful items were actually submitted to the contest we decided to feature three more art pieces created by Russian Artists team members. These items were among the most "liked" ones.

Venice, Bridge - Print of Original Artwork by Yury Tarler


OOAK Suede Tote in Coral by FineEmbroidery


White dreamy tulips blank note card by IrinaPhotography


Thank you so much to all of our wonderful and amazing Russian Artists team shops and to everyone who took time to vote and to tell the world about our special Mother's Day team contest!