Beside the sea

This time last year we were in heavy lockdown, stuck indoors and dreaming of one day being able to live a normal life once more. We are now almost there! During the first lockdown I designed this collection for Makower UK where I channeled an English beach vibe for my inspiration with buckets and spades, beach huts and coastal towns in mind. I used a loose, painterly style and am loving the outcome. This collection is now available on fabric and I can't wait to start making up some summery items with it.

Nautical nautiness

It's been a while since I've written on my blog! But I'm back and embracing the beginning of summer. I recently went on a trip to the lovely seaside town of Whitstable and it inspired me to start creating some nautical-inspired items.

Whitstable is situated on the north coast of Kent and is famous for its oysters. It also has a lovely selection of shops and cafes to meander around. The harbour was full of brightly coloured boats and we came across this friendly fisherman too!

Wherever I go, I like to do research into design ideas for new projects and I often come across some fabulous inspiration on the high street. The two items below caught my eye as I love the loose, abstract style of them both. The image on the left is a canvas bag from Seasalt and the image on the right shows bathroom items from John Lewis.

I was also interested in the designs below which I saw on candle boxes by Linea at House of Fraser. The design on the left is a loose geometric that is designed in nautical colours of red, white and blue that co-ordinate nicely with a nautical collection. The design on the right uses an abstract wave design and reminds me of many designs used in Japanese art and design.

Below you can see a few of the nautical items I now have in my store. I love a lobster print and the card case uses a fab graphic lobster design with a red and white polka dot lining. The tissue holder is made from a canvas navy blue and white anchor fabric and comes filled with tissues, ready for any summertime sniffles. The fish cometic bag and beach hut cosmetic bag are large and roomy and great for using on vacation, either for toiletries or as a case for storing chargers and gadgets.

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Nautical naughtiness

A few weeks ago I went on a trip down to the Isle of Wight, a place I hadn't been to since I was ten years old when I went on a school trip there for a week.

I drove down Lymington with my friend Nicky and we got the ferry over to Yarmouth and then drove a short distance to the house that she owns there. It was heaven! Who knew such a haven of loveliness could be so easy to get to?! Her house is on a complex that has a swimming pool and spa, so we made the most of those, as well as visiting some of the attractions on the island.

Yarmouth has a sweet little pier and on Saturday afternoon I went for a stroll along it and watched the sailing bots coming backwards and forwards.

The first place we visited was a lovely photography gallery at Dimbola House, the home of Julia Margaret Cameron who was born 200 years ago and only took her first photo at the age of 49. She was known for her portraits of celebrities of the time and created quite a romantic feel to her photos.

There was a photo of Leonard Bernstein at the gallery (taken by photographer Lotte Meitner-Srop) and I loved the quote accompanying his photo:

I also went to Osborne House, the home of Queen Victoria. It has beautiful grounds and a lovely walk down to the sea where I sat and in a deckchair and enjoyed the view. 

From there, I drove down to the South Coast and Steephill Cove for an afternoon cup of tea. I highly recommend a trip there as it's hidden away and hard to find, which means it's not so busy. It's only a little way along the coast from Ventor, but a whole world away in feel.

As a textile designer, I'm always on the look out for new design reference and my trip to the Isle of Wight was very fruitful. I often design nautical-inspired collections and the island was a treasure trove for ideas. Here are just a few I came across.

The picture below was actually taken in John Lewis! I love the big red graphic lobster.

Atishoo!

We've been getting crafty here at Cheeky Leopard and now have a new addition to the Cheeky Leopard family - tissue cases! I've been playing with some fun fabric combinations and have rustled up a few cute cases to store tissues. Note the contrasting lining on each one that gives it a pop of extra colour. You can find them in my store here.

Anyone who knows Cheeky Leopard knows that we like a good cat print.

The two below are both quite quirky but sweet and are two fabrics I picked up when I was in Tokyo.

I also love a simplified animal prints in bold colours and the two below fit the description perfectly.

Nautical prints are fab and I love this navy anchor on a red and white striped ground.

Fabric Friday

I've been a busy bee today, preparing for my Open House event on Tuesday evening as well as making more items to put on my Etsy store. I often mention how much fun I have putting fabrics together, and today I have been focusing on the most popular fabrics. Customers love the cats and the elephants, as well as the sausage dogs. The anchors are a lovely classic design on a vibrant red. I have shown each fabric with the lining that I think suits it best and tomorrow I will be making them up into iPad cases and coin purses, as well as some gift sets.

Watch this space!

The sausage dogs are really jolly on the orange ground and I love the floral detail in their bodies.

The cats are the most popular and I thought the yellow polka dot lining made a fun combination.

The anchors work so well with the blue and white polka dot lining.

These elephants are very sweet. I've chosen a red and white star lining to go with them.

Who wouldn't want a penguin fabric iPad case?!

Fave fabric Friday

This Friday's fabric selection is a lovely summery combo of nautical naughtiness. Navy blue anchors on a cream ground are so fresh and summery and I'm thinking of making it up into a summer tote - perfect for a day by the sea. I'll add a contrasting navy blue and white polka dot cotton for the lining.

Nautical naughtiness in Sweden

We are currently enjoying a lovely summer holiday in Sweden, a country we knew nothing about before coming here. It's been fab so far with hot weather, good food and lovely people.

I am always on the lookout for inspiration for new design ideas and the latest is the nautical look. I've come to the perfect place! We've seen a lot of nautical-inspired items, from this lovely sunny porthole window, to the flush of a toilet! See bottom image....

I'm looking forward to producing some fab designs when I get home. In the meantime, bring on the smorgasbord and beer!

Anchors away!

I have a few card cases in my store but can't believe I haven't made one of these before now! I love the anchor fabric and it lends itself so nicely to the compact size of the Cheeky Leopard card holders. I love the contrasting navy blue and white polka dot lining as well.

You can find it on my Etsy store here.

Ahoy there!

Cheeky Leopard likes a bit of nautical naughtiness and it comes in all shapes and sizes! From jaunty anchor tote bags to maritime-inspired card cases and sailboat gift sets.

You can find them in store here.

Sailing takes me away

My nautical cosmetic bag was recently featured in this fab 'Sailing... takes me away' Etsy treasury by tracedesigns. Click on any image to find out more.

You Anchor Me Navy Blue Art ... hairbrainedsch... $15	Nautical Red Leather Keychai... peaseblossomst... $12	Sailor Dress- Navy Dot Nau... AvaAdorableBab... $90	Nonpierced hoop earrings ste... AdroitJewelers $48
25 Die Cut Nautical Red and ... BahanaSplitsBo... $5	Sea Fan Nautical Blue Coasta... SandisShellsca... $25	Nautical red and white sailb... cheekyleopard $20	Navy Blue Wrap Bracelet Off ... AbacusBeadCrea... $32
Nautical Blue Leather Journa... peaseblossomst... $36	HEY SAILOR Nautical 1960s 60... Archivia $98	Blue Nautical Maine Whale Sa... LeslieEvansDes... $22	True Love Ruby Red Gemstone ... YourDailyJewel... $209
Nautical Invitation - Weddin... LeesaDykstraDe... $15	Cowl in Nautical Blue Merino... tortillagirl $48	Ships Wheel Sign Nautical Si... SlippinSouther... $87	Striped Dog Collar - Nautica... BigpawCollars $21

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