Pre-Order my Limited Edition 'Sunset' Tropical Palm Wrapping Paper
A few weeks or so ago I thought I would play around with some different colour ways on my bestselling Tropical Palm wrapping paper and after posting them to Instagram I was bowled over by everyones response.
A few weeks or so ago I thought I would play around with some different colour ways on my bestselling Tropical Palm wrapping paper and after posting them to Instagram I was bowled over by everyones response.
You guys were IN LOVE with these new colour ways, and loved the idea even more of a limited edition print run of my wrapping paper in one of these new palettes.
It was a very close call between the Pink and Khaki and the Navy and Sunset Corals but the sunset colour way pipped it to the post and it’s not hard to see why. Sultry and balmy tones of lilac, rust and sandy beige set against a rich navy just shout heady warm August nights (or the July ones of recent!).
And although these photos may be mock-ups to visualise how the finished product will look, I cannot get over how much I love them!
Now, I’m going to be transparent. Us small businesses are definitely facing a hardship at the moment. I would so love to be in the position like I have before to be able to order this design up front but unfortunately that isn’t possible right now. So I’m making this limited edition design available for pre-order only until August 11th at a super special reduced rate to help raise the money I need to make this beautiful product a reality!
As a pre-order item you will have access to this price until August 11th after which it will be available at it’s regular price. All pre-orders will be posted a few weeks after this date dispatched via first class post.
I would so love to bring this design to life, so if you would like to see it too and own one of the limited 500 sheets I will be printing, please take a look at the product listing below:
I’d love to know what you think of this new colour way! Feel free to drop your thoughts below, I always love to hear feedback and suggestions.
Deborah x
Hello 2020! A little look back at 2019 (PART II)
Carrying on from Part I, I’m sharing all the things that brought me joy, and made me proud in 2019, from July through to December.
Carrying on from Part I, I’m sharing all the things that brought me joy, and made me proud in 2019, from July through to December.
JULY
Prints arrived of my new ‘Prove them Wrong’ design and I was over the moon with how gorgeous the foiling turned out.
Then I was off to London to sell at the House of Illustration Summer Fair!
Ophelia had her first trip to the Golden Mile in Leicester, and her first taste of the exquisite Bobby’s.
Renovations continued, this time taking the carpet up in our bedroom to reveal these stained floorboards.
More eco swaps - this time for a disposable razor and shaving soap bar which I bought from Shop Zero Nottingham
We then did a little up-cycling project to breathe some life into some old garden furniture my Dad had passed onto us…
… with just some garden furniture paint from Wilkos!
Our old, worn doors came off…
…and were replaced with these beautiful new composite doors.
I was asked to paint Puneet’s beautiful logo on a feature wall of her new Wedding Ring Workshop (and boy, was that a hot week!)
Nottingham’s Pride brought so much colour and positive energy to what was a VERY wet day
And Ophelia had her first proper visit to the Gurdwara for a family member’s birthday.
AUGUST
I started August working on a design for a totally new product
More eco swaps, this time this gorgeous shampoo bar when my bottled shampoo ran out.
The Nottingham Etsy Team leaders came over and we had the incredibly hard task of choosing who we were going to pick to sell for Etsy Made Local! It took us a few hours with many snacks/cups of tea.
Our beautiful friends Dan and Ruby tied the knot in the most amazing wedding venue - and I mean, look at Ruby!
I designed some custom privacy vinyl for the glass in our new front door and it casts the dreamiest shadows on our floor!
I had a wonderful client meeting with Matthew, author of The Alphabet Children, at this amazing cafe called Fika. We hatched some awesome illustrated plans for his book!
I made some edits to an existing pattern I had created for Lola’s Apothecary and these beautiful samples came in the post.
I started work on a new print design….
And in the summer sun we visited more stately homes and festivals celebrating Mother Nature.
SEPTEMBER
I designed the promotional materials for our Nottingham Etsy Made Local - and it was exciting to start shouting about our event at our new venue in the Council House.
That moon illustrated back in August? Got turned into this huge wall hanging!
I finished designing my Christmas cards! These were my best ever selling designs for Christmas, and I can’t tell you how thankful I was for every re-order (there were 5!)
My Grandad (who’s is bossing life at 92 by the way) treated myself and my mum to a day at Ragdale Hall Spa
The Nottingham Etsy Team had another amazing meet up, this time with a talk from the incredibly talented and switched on business coach Debbiedoodah , who talked to us about the importance of email marketing.
Injected with that new enthusiasm from Debbie’s talk I decided to put more effort into my email marketing and started creating illustrated freebies for my email subscribers.
I joined with the Global Climate Strike in the Nottingham Market Square, standing in solidarity with children and adults alike to try and make positive change for our climate crisis.
We had more adventures, this time at Newstead Abbey
OCTOBER
I created my first downloadable product for Etsy, these print at home Halloween Masks in a wolf, black cat and bat design.
The seasons started to change…
and we went pumpkin picking in the biggest mud field you’d ever seen!
NOVEMBER
We had a magical bonfire night
More autumnal walks which are honestly my favourite
Oh yes, more renovations! This time getting rid of the awful dark/grey brown vinyl in our kitchen, and getting this faux Victorian tile vinyl.
For the first time ever I sold at the Craft Fair Contemporary and it was amazing!
And then a family of 3 became a family of 4…
That monkey illustration from a few months ago? Got turned into these awesome patch t-shirts for kids!
Etsy Made Local Nottingham finally arrived and it was our biggest and best event to date! (photo courtesy of the Nottingham Etsy Team)
DECEMBER
We kicked off December, and a little post Etsy Made Local come down, with some festive eating
And fetive activities like this beautiful light show at Belton House gardens
I designed more freebies for my amazing newsletter subscribers
And finally visited the vegetarian restaurant of dreams, No. Twelve.
Keeping our Christmas more eco I stamped a HUGE roll of recycled brown paper to wrap all our gifts in.
We painted our bedroom!
I was then back in London for the House of Illustration Winter Fair!
After wrapping up some commissions and smaller projects it was then time to unwind for Christmas with plenty of family visits, biscuit baking and a huge vegetarian feast for Christmas!
We ended 2019 out in the garden; fire on, hot chocolates in hand, enjoying all of our neighbours fireworks!
Phew! What a year! If you made it to the end of this two part blog post spectacular I applaud you.
I hope this inspires you to go back through photos of your 2019 to see the highlights and celebrate all the wins you achieved. I was so cynical about the whole thing before I started writing this post, but I have to say it has been cathartic, and an incredibly powerful way of owning my own achievements. Just documenting it here has been a process, and I have to say it’s given me a very positive surge of work energy for the year ahead!
We have so much to look forward to this year - welcoming our baby boy into the world being the main thing we’re gearing up towards - but I would love to know what things you’re looking forward to in 2020 and what things you were proud of in 2019?
How to make your own repeat pattern workshop - July 20th
I never thought that I would ever be saying this, but I am hosting my first ever workshop in July!
That old friend of mine, imposter syndrome, has been present most my life. After all there is always someone better, more talented and more qualified than you. But that’s the thing, I wasn’t giving myself enough credit for everything I had achieved. All the clients I’ve worked for. The knowledge I’ve gained over a career that’s now in it’s 9th year (yikes!)
I never thought that I would ever be saying this, but I am hosting my first ever workshop in July!
That old friend of mine, imposter syndrome, has been present most my life. After all there is always someone better, more talented and more qualified than you. But that’s the thing, I wasn’t giving myself enough credit for everything I had achieved. All the clients I’ve worked for. The knowledge I’ve gained over a career that’s now in it’s 9th year (yikes!)
So after some amazing coaching sessions with Amy from Women Who Create (who is just a peach by the way, and such an inspiration) I dug down, found some courage, and created a workshop that I hope you guys will enjoy.
Although I got my degree in Illustration and Graphic Design, I taught myself how to make repeat patterns during my 3rd year of uni. As soon as I made one, I was hooked. I was making patterns out of everything, and I loved trying out so many different styles of repeats and seeing what I could do with the pencil illustrations I was creating.
Although I create all my surface designs digitally nowadays, I did originally start out creating patterns in an analog way. I found this really helped me understand how tiling worked, how you made patterns seamless and how moving the tiles in different ways created different styles of repeat.
And so this was how my ‘How to create your own repeat patterns’ workshop was born!
I wanted to make a workshop that would help inspire any creative, on any level of expertise, to take their practise into another dimension, without needing software like Photoshop to get started.
Trust me, I know how daunting some of these things can feel when you starting thinking you need all singing, all dancing software and computers to just dip your toe into a new practise or medium. But this is the great thing with pattern making; it works just as good by hand as it does digitally. And there is no limit to what medium you create them in, nor do you need to be an excellent draftsman!
Just some Grade A imagination and the intrigue to play.
Mexican Parrot surface design created from images taken on my honeymoon.
I’ll be running the workshop at Handmade Nottingham on July 20th, 10.30-1.30, and i’ll be covering:
Basics of repeat patterns
Different types of repeats and how to create them
Creating seamless designs
Creating designs that capture the imagination
Inspiration for how to apply your own surface designs to textiles, homeware and stationery.
I’ll be bringing along some mark making materials, however please feel free to bring along your own mediums of choice if you have a preference!
If this sounds like something right up your street, then I’m hoping to see you there! Spaces are limited to 10 spots, so be sure to book your place early. You can book your spot HERE, or check out my events page to see where else you can find me this summer.
I hope to see you there!
Hawaaian Shirts From a Small Danish Island
One of the main reasons I love being a freelance illustrator is that I literally never know what I’m going to find in my inbox. I get a lot of requests, some bizarre, and some curious, and some just plain amazing. This project was definitely the latter.
One of the main reasons I love being a freelance illustrator is that I literally never know what I’m going to find in my inbox. I get a lot of requests, some bizarre, and some curious, and some just plain amazing. This project was definitely the latter.
When I heard from Niels, founder of Godâ Skjorter, his vision was simple but also quirky; create Hawaiian style shirts using landmarks from the small Danish island of Bornholm. I wondered how well the muted and nordic coastline, buildings and smoked fish would translate into a Hawaiian shirt homage but it didn’t take me long to find out.
As soon as I started drawing the elements and piecing them together, the more I started to see his vision. And it was wonderful.
I was so enamoured with the landmarks I was drawing, I was wishing I too could visit there. It just looked so beautiful, and perhaps one day we will make it there and I can tell Ophelia, ‘Mummy drew that on a shirt’.
Now seeing the print translated onto fabric, it has taken a new life of it’s own. I’m excited for Niels’ venture, not just because it’s his brainchild and that’s a precious thing, but also because it’s always special to meet someone who has a true passion for where they live.
Take a look at Niels’ website to see more details on these lovely shirts, as well as to take a peek at another artists interpretation of the Bornholm magic.
Halloween Dreams
My favourite season is almost upon us, which has got me very excited to release something new into my shop; my Spiritual Alchemy Chiffon Scarf.
My favourite season is almost upon us, which has got me very excited to release something new into my shop; my Spiritual Alchemy Chiffon Scarf.
My mum was actually the inspiration behind creating these luxury scarves. She’s an amazing seamstress and she really wanted to help bring my illustrations to life in scarf format. When I told her that I was desperate to get this all seeing eye design onto something, she only went and found the most gorgeous black lace to edge it. I mean seriously, she gets me.
So I am very proud to show off these beautiful chiffon scarves, designed by myself and made by my beautiful mum in her countryside sewing room.
If you’re not big into costumes for Halloween (that’s me) but love living the darker side of life (yep, still me!) then these scarves will be the perfect accessory to throw on for a trip to the pub on All Hallows Eve.
And if you don’t fancy going so bold with pattern, I have smaller products that also feature this design plus other spooky illustrations.
All Seeing Eye Pocket Mirror
A little bit of mysticism for your handbag.
A6 mini sketchbooks
available in 5 designs including my Spiritual Alchemy print, Bones and Bats.
Wishing you all a happy Autumn guys and ghouls!
Deborah Panesar Textiles shop is now here!
I am SO excited to FINALLY reveal my brand new online store: Deborah Panesar Textiles!
I am SO excited to FINALLY reveal my brand new online store: Deborah Panesar Textiles!
For the past few months I've been working hard to create a new Etsy store just for all my textile pieces, which I have felt needed a separate home rather than being muddled amongst my stationery pieces.
It's been a true labour of love, working hard to improve on my previous lines with new fabrics, linings and a whole new look, as well as working on creating 'seasons' of designs. After having to delay it's launch due to delays, problems with printing and a spot of poor health, the store is now live and kicking and features some old favourites as well as spring/summer16 designs. New products, and my Autumn/Winter16 collection, will available from October so keep your eyes peeled for exciting new things!
Feel free to browse my new store via Etsy, and should you wish to see new products when they're revealed either click 'favourite shop' or sign up to mailing list (no spam, I promise!)
Freshly added to the shop...
It's been a busy time in the studio recently getting ready to launch my second Etsy shop, whilst updating my old lines in my current store.
Take a look at some of the new, and old, products that are now back in stock and available through Etsy.
It's been a busy time in the studio recently getting ready to launch my second Etsy shop, whilst updating my old lines in my current store.
Take a look at some of the new, and old, products that are now back in stock and available through Etsy.
New card designs available as well restock of old prints.
My Origami writing sets have also had a little face lift! There's a new design sneaked in there too...
As always I love to hear what you think! Please feel free to drop me a line, or even fill out this questionnaire with feedback on my service, products and work.
Deborah x
Adios Amigos!
As I write to you this week I'm taking absolute pleasure in writing every kind of list as we pack to head off on our honeymoon!
Avnish and I will not only be celebrating our 9 year anniversary together, but our 2nd wedding anniversary whilst in the balmy heat of Cancun, Mexico. This trip is actually going to be our honeymoon, a vacation that has been 2 years of planning and saving in the making. We haven't been on holiday in 3 years so needless to say we're extremely excited to be getting some sun and sand for 2 weeks.
Because I will be off adventuring this is just a little post to let you all know that my Etsy and Notonthehighstreet.com stores will be closed from Friday 29th April until 12th May. All orders must be placed on or before the 28th, especially if you want to make the most of my Spring Sale which has been going on over in my Etsy shop.
I also wanted to keep you all up to date with some really exciting projects that I've been working on this month:
Collaboration with Mr Panesar Design
Fittingly enough the first of my new projects has been a collabotayion with my husband Avnish - together we've created gig posters for legends Led Zeppelin and of course The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. These designs are available as prints in Avnish's shop.
New Pattern: A Llama Folk Tale
You may have seen my vibrant llama pattern at the top of this post, which I'm really excited to say is now available to purchase on products in my Society6 shop. I've loved creating this new summery pattern as it's pushed me out of my pencil drawing comfort zones to dabble with painting; a medium I'm not usually too confident in.
Submission for the Spoonflower x Sprout Pattern competition
Last but not least (and this is kind of my favourite) a Japanese Garden inspired print for Spoonflower's April design challenge! Voting closes tomorrow 6pm EDT (10pm GMT) and what's better you can vote for more than one design! I voted for 10 because there is just so many lovely designs!
I'm excited to share with you all my Mexican experience when I return next month, perhaps in a bumper visual blog post! If you can't possibly wait till mid May then be sure to follow me on Instagram (@deborahpanesar) and Snapchat (dbillustrations) as I'll be documenting some of our adventure.
Until next month!
Deborah x
Misses Wrap Dress
It may have taken me over a year to get around to making this vintage 1952 dress but it was so worth the wait. I'm in love, and now I've made one I want to make 100's of the things in every colour and pattern combination!
It may have taken me over a year to get around to making this vintage 1952 dress but it was so worth the wait. I'm in love, and now I've made one I want to make 100's in every colour and pattern combination!
I discovered the pattern like everyone else - through the Great British Sewing Bee - and instantly saw the potential for some awesome contrast combinations to happen! So when I finally got round to sorting it I decided to order my Crystal print in it's original grey pencil design from Spoonflower on combed cotton, plus some plain black polycotton. I used plain black bias taping to contrast against my pencil repeat pattern and added some of my grandma's vintage buttons to the front to add an even more personal touch.
I'd quite like to make this in my Crane, Swallow, Frog design (imagine it with light pink contrast!) for a more spring look, or even in my Bones print for something a bit more alternative. That's the joy of this pattern, you can really make it so unique in it's design that the combinations are endless!
Now that I feel totally invincible (sewing wise) I'm pretty excited to get started soon on my next dress pattern from Simple Sew with their Trudy Dress - Wednesday Adams vibe here I come!
Have any of you had a project that you've been putting off which you want to finally finish? Have you also attempted this dress pattern?
Hope you're having a great start to the week, and hopefully a productive one by the end!
Deborah x
Kimono Commission
I hope you are all suitable stuffed with Easter chocolate and enjoying your long Bank Holiday weekend!
The greatest thing about what I do for a living is that I know that my next project will always be different from the last. For the past few weeks I've been working on a lovely little commission for a dear family friend. She spotted my Crane, Swallow, Frog pattern printed on a satin sample and instantly fell in love, asking me to cut and sew it into a Kimono.
I hope you are all suitable stuffed with Easter chocolate and enjoying your long Bank Holiday weekend!
The greatest thing about what I do for a living is that I know that my next project will always be different from the last. For the past few weeks I've been working on a lovely little commission for a dear family friend. She spotted my Crane, Swallow, Frog pattern printed on a satin sample and instantly fell in love, asking me to cut and sew it into a Kimono.
I'm never one to shy away from a challenge, and this was certainly one; My dress making skills aren't quite 'up there' yet, and I had never made a kimono, nor sewn with stain before, so needless to say I was a little nervous. However, armed with a Simplicity pattern I soon became engrossed in make this beautiful little garment!
I'm a little jealous that I need to give this away, but thankfully I have some fabric left to make myself one too. Maybe with contrasting colour bands...
Deborah x
FOLLOW:
The Revenant
The Oscars goes live this weekend on the 28th, and all I keep thinking is that I sincerely hope Leo get's one because I truly feel it's long overdue.
Most of my favourite films are ones he's starred in; Shutter Island, The Great Gatsby, Inception...I mean come on, Titanic. But, last month myself and Avnish went to see The Revenant and that then booted all of these off the top spot. Everything in it captivated me. The cinematography, the story, the filming style, the colours. My mind was quite creatively blown when I left the cinema, so much so I felt like I had to create a pattern to release some of that creative overflow.
The Oscars goes live this weekend on the 28th, and all I keep thinking is that I sincerely hope Leo gets one because I truly feel it's long overdue.
Most of my favourite films are ones he's starred in; Shutter Island, The Great Gatsby, Inception...I mean come on, Titanic. But, last month myself and Avnish went to see The Revenant and that then booted all of these off the top spot. Everything in it captivated me. The cinematography, the story, the filming style, the colours. My mind was quite creatively blown when I left the cinema, so much so I felt like I had to create a pattern to release some of that creative overflow.
Only using the weapons and animals featured in the film, I wanted to create a simple and stark design to mirror the film. I know this is far from capturing the sheer beauty that The Revenant provides, but I love it none the less.
I'm hoping to have this up in my Society6 and Etsy shops soon, so be tuned for more updates!
If you're tuning in this weekend for the Oscars, I hope you'll be joining me in sending out all those positive vibes to Leo - I don't think the internet could cope with another year of Poor Leo memes.
Deborah x
New Kitty Pattern!
Back in December 2015 I decided that it was long overdue to draw up a cat pattern! I find cats have such individual personalities that it seemed so wrong to just draw from getty reference images - so I did an international call out on my Instagram to which I had an unprecedented influx of tags as people sent me photos of their gorgeous kitties!
Back in December 2015 I decided that it was long overdue to draw up a cat pattern! I find cats have such individual personalities that it seemed so wrong to just draw from getty reference images - so I did an international call out on my Instagram to which I had an unprecedented influx of tags as people sent me photos of their gorgeous kitties!
Roll forward to January 2016 and I am so pleased to say that the kitty pattern is now finished, named Le Chat Toile de Jouy for all it's Frenchy vibes. I wish I could have included all the wonderful and beautiful cats that were sent my way, you should have seen them!
I'm so extremely pleased with how this design turned out, and now it is available in my online shops!
Purchase tees, leggings, mugs, shower curtains and even duvet covers with my kitty pattern through Society6
Le Chat Toile de Jouy is also available as a downloadable art print in my Etsy shop! Simply purchase, download, print and frame!
This design is also coming soon to my Spoonflower page where you will able to purchase it on fabric and wallpaper.
As always, I love to hear feedback! What do you think of my latest pattern? Is there a particular animal you would like to see illustrated next?
Deborah x