Pretty patchwork clutch

 I have a great selection of clutch bags in my Etsy shop and this one is so much fun. It's made from a combination of Japanese cotton fabrics that I have patchworked together, using shades of pink, purple, green and yellow.

I use this as a clutch bag but it could be used for so many other things. It's great as a makeup bag. It's made from 100% cotton so machine washable.

Look up close and you can see all the different patterns I've used in the patchwork.

The zipper bag is light padded and lined in a cream cotton fabric. This could also be used as an iPad case.

It's the perfect size for a pencil case and big enough to fit a sketch book or notebook in for when those creative justice are flowing.

This makes a great gift idea for someone special. All items are gift wrapped in pink tissue paper and can be sent straight to their recipient with an optional gift message included.

Clutch bag

 I'm loving this clutch bag that was recently added to my Etsy shop! It's made from two vintage Japanese obi fabrics that have been pieced together. One of the fabrics is a bold, red and white stylised floral print which incorporates chrysanthemums and leaves with a scroll design. The other fabric is a geometric striped woven obi which works really well as the base of the bag.

This clutch bag is big enough to fit the essentials for a night out and adds a great accent to any outfit. It would be perfect as a wedding clutch or as an evening purse. It could also be used as a handbag organiser or as an iPad pouch.

This clutch bag is fully lined, lightly padded and has a red zipper closure to keep everything safe. This would make a great gift for a Japanophile.

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Green goddesses

Check out these green goddesses that have recently been added to my store. Each one is an envelope clutch bag made from a selection of vintage Japanese obi fabrics from my collection. The obi is the 'belt' that goes around the kimono and they are often thick and heavily woven. These ones use a combination of greens, along with a good dose of metallic gold to give it some bling.

This gorgeous envelope clutch is made from two Japanese obi fabrics. The main body of the bag is a vibrant green satin, and the flap is made from a green and gold Japanese design. The lining is a turquoise blue cotton and the bag is held closed with a silver metallic snap.

This clutch bag is made from a decorative vintage obi fabric on one side and a vibrant green satin fabric on the other side. I gave it a bright yellow lining for a shot of colour.

The bag is held closed with a vintage button and elastic loop closure and then folded in half.

Unfold the bag and it also doubles up as an iPad case!

These bags use the same fabrics as the large clutch bags in my store. They are the smaller, cheaper option but have no less of a dramatic effect and are the perfect accompaniment to a night out.

You can find them in my store here.

Pick up a penguin

We love a penguin print here at Cheeky Leopard and I have a much-loved fabric that has been made into many cometic bags and coin purses. Sadly, I only had a small piece of the fabric left and so I decided to make a coin purse and tissue holder out of it.

These little cuties would make a great gift set for a penguin-lover.

I've used a loose navy blue and white spot for the lining which compliments the outer print perfectly. 

You can also find an iPad sleeve in my store, made from the same fabric.

Pick up a penguin in my store here.

Reincarnation

I have this iPad case in my store and it's made from a stunning scallop design vintage Japanese obi fabric in vibrant shades of orange, silver and gold against a black ground.

The lining is made from a terracotta cotton and the case is held closed with a vintage black and gold button and orange suede tie.

I only recently realised that if the case is folded in half, it can be reincarnated into a pretty little clutch bag! It's just big enough for the essentials for a night out and tucks snugly under the arm.

I'm now looking forward to making more of these beauties and already have a stunning emerald green and gold obi in mind. Watch this space....

Nice pear!

It's been getting a bit fruity at Cheeky Leopard recently with the addition of these funky pear items. I bought the fabric when I was in Tokyo in November and the first item I made with it was a fabulous tote bag. I decided to pick out the hot pink from the pear design and used that as the lining colour, as well as for the sturdy canvas straps.

Recently I have been busy making up more items in the pear fabric and you can now find an iPad case, cosmetic bag and glasses case to match!

Check out my store here.

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?!

Quite a spectacle!

Over the weekend I was quite busy creating a selection of be-spectacled items. I love this quirky print and am using up the very last of my supply on three little lovelies. I decided to create a gift set, using the specs fabric as a softly padded tote bag and glasses case set which you can find in the gift set section of my store.

To match this, you also have the softly padded iPad case with a bright pink button closure. 

All three items have a stunning hot pink cotton lining. Irresistible!

A juicy line up

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Mine was good, although Friday evening was spent trying to make fire! I'm embarrassed to say that this was my very first attempt at making a BBQ and it's surprisingly hard to do!

On top of drenching coals in lighter gel, I also managed to sew up a few new juicy items for my store, which I'm really happy with. They will gradually be added over the next few days.

 I call theses small clutches my 'Little Gems'.

I couldn't resist creating some iPad sleeves in these vibrant obi fabrics. Each has a shell button closure.

Going a bit loopy!

I have a selection of iPad sleeves on my Etsy store and recently decided to add loops and a button to them to make them a bit more secure. Here is the outcome. In some cases it is an elastic or cotton loop, in other cases it is a suede strap that winds around the button. So far, all the buttons I have used have been made from carved shells and they work really nicely with the rich obi fabrics.

You can find them on my Etsy store here. 

Look out for more iPad sleeves appearing in my store soon!

Bold butterflies

I'm slowly adding some more iPad sleeves to my store and this is the latest addition, a rather bold and beautiful green and gold number. It is made from a Japanese vintage obi (the 'belt' that goes round the kimono) and has a rather stunning butterfly motif on it.

You can find it in my store here.

Cyber Monday finds

My red and white snowflake coin purse was recently featured in this fab 'Cyber Monday finds' treasury by mareikej

I love the red and grey tones for christmas.

saracarr $48.00	maggiejonesena... $6.50	LoralynDesigns $29.99	BMTvintage $395.00
Vardagen $24.00	BabanCat $10.00	MiaPiccina $20.00	DevikaFelt $20.00
CalloohCallay $25.00	genrestoration $68.00	cheekyleopard $16.00	BoutiqueID $76.00
AngelLeighDesi... $12.00	SweetCrocheter... $7.00	aquablossom $3.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house