The Leopard

Sometime ago I bought The Leopard by Lampedusa to read whilst away visiting family in Sicily and I am only now getting around to reading it. It has inspired me to look at a recent illustration trend for leopards. Occasionally a certain icon will capture the zeitgeist, the latest trends have seen cacti, pineapples and escapist mermaids and unicorns. From further back we had russian dolls and foxes. The leopard likely follows on from the botanicals/greenery and jungelow/tropical leaf looks. Wherever it came from there are plenty of paper goodies to choose from. Favourites below.

THE LEOPARD - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: love this leopard illustration from amber davenport, leopard greeting card from ohh deer, time for celebration card by naomi wilkinson from lagom, a cheeky cheetah snook in - cheetah birthday from redcap cards, thank you leopard card from tinsel toots, rawr! idlewild co from papier, john lewis leopard wild mug, leopard wrappings from art file, ohh deer mum leopard greeting card, fourth birthday leopard card from stormy knight, reimagined cover for the leopard by lampedusa, 

For even more choice in spotty cats wearing party hats finds head over to pinterest.

#leopard #illustationtrend #paperlove #wildbirthday #birthday

Creator Spot: Fibre Designs

I had a lovely morning catch up in the Fibre Designs studio recently with the creative Jessica Livsey. It's an exciting year as Jessica celebrates 15 years with Fibre Designs at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. The studio is full of original textile goodies from embroidered cushions to painted artworks to hand knitted tea cosies. Jessica's lovely fabric greetings cards, Carousel, are unique as no two are the same. For me, Jessica has made a beautiful specially designed artwork for the arrival of my new nephew, baby Jack. A very happy Auntie!
Original artworks can be commissioned direct from the fibre designs website here though I highly recommend popping down to the beautiful studio shop and calling in the craft centre cafe for a lovely cuppa too.

FIBRE DESIGNS - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: handmade baby booties, jessica livsey in the fibre designs studio, the specially commissioned artwork for my new nephew, embroidery artworks and knitted tea cosy, baby birth commission, fibre designs studio in the manchester craft and design centre, the carousel greetings card range - each design is individual, embroidered badges. 

#manchestercraftcentre #fibredesigns #embroidery #painting #paperlove #textiles #greetingscard

Wedding Season Edit

The weeks are flying by at moment and I seem to have zoomed into peak wedding season. It's lovely to be shopping for nuptials, especially timely with Harry + Meghan's big day this weekend. We are spoilt for choice with wedding greetings this year, I could have easily chosen two edit's worth and had a tricky time narrowing this down! From wedding cakes to beautiful fonts to hearts and confetti - here are some favourites.

WEDDING - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: wedding cake greeting card from blank inside, romantic wedding card by sweet pea sunday, woodmansterne perfect day wedding card, sara miller wedding day greeting card, mr & mrs card from sadler jones, winged hat champagne tower greeting card, halcyon wedding cake from laura darrington, smythson always and forever card, mr & mrs confetti jade fisher from papier, love life and laughter from card nest, getaway card from red cap cards,

#paperlove #weddingseason #wedding #weddingday #harrymeghan #royalwedding

One for the Boys

It's been a busy week here so I am a little late with this post. However someone who wasn't late this past week was my friend's new baby boy who surprised everyone by arriving nearly a month early. He's in good company too with royal baby Louis turning up a couple of days later. So I thought I'd share my fave baby boy shopping finds including the one I picked up for new baby Jack. Aw.

BABY BOY - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from top left: a classic pram baby boy greeting card from lagom, stork at dusk card from ohh deer, love this gold new kid on the block card from stormy knight, it's a boy card from mamas and papas, new baby boy from paperchase, woodmansterne stork new baby card, louise tyler baby boy balloon from lilly and thorn, meri meri hello little one garland card from papermash, personalised floral new baby papercut card by pogofandango, new baby koala card from katie housley, beautiful baby from red cap cards.

#paperlove #newbaby #newbabyboy #babyboy