Empower the UK Government or Parliament to regulate ferry prices. – Petitions

Click to buy Bembridge Lifeboat Station framed print (Fine Art America) © Sarah Vernon

This not my usual type of post to be sure but it’s something I find exceedingly worrying. If we don’t do something about the Isle of Wight ferry companies and the truly extortionate prices they charge  — Wightlink and Red Funnel — the Island where I now live will go down the drain. No political party in government over the last few decades has ever seemingly given the Island the money it needs just to maintain the status quo, let alone improve and repair the infrastructure and services.

One of the reasons ferry prices are sounding the death knell is that tourists can’t afford to come over and we can’t afford to get off, whether it’s to visit friends, see our families on the mainland or go to a better equipped and staffed hospital. During the heat wave, Cornwall’s beaches were packed; on the whole, those on the IOW were not.

I could say more about the way the Island has been poorly served over the decades but I won’t. To find out more about the knock-on effect of the ferry prices at The IOW Fixed Link Tunnel Campaign on Facebook and The PRO-LINK Campaign for an Isle of Wight Fixed Link.

As I’ve said before, I have known the Island since I was a child in the ’60s and it is very dear to me. I will not let it go down the plug ‘ole. With that in mind, I beg you if you are a British resident to sign the petition and then re-blog, post on Facebook, tweet, or any other kind of sharing so that the word gets out. A fixed link is the only answer that makes real sense but that’s a long way off. Cheaper ferry prices have to be sought for the interim. It may not happen but the campaign getting headlines could make the right person or persons think again about what can be done.

Petition
Empower the UK Government or Parliament to regulate ferry prices.
With current ferry prices being unregulated, companies are permitted to charge whatever they wish for crossings. UK residents living in such places as the Isle of Wight are charged excessive amounts for commuting or travel to see family and friends. Likewise for tourists going the other way.

via Empower the UK Government or Parliament to regulate ferry prices. – Petitions

Links

The IOW Fixed Link Tunnel Campaign on Facebook

The PRO-LINK Campaign for an Isle of Wight Fixed Link

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First Night Design | Hot Air Balloon Voyage Cushion #Sold!

It’s been a while since I aired Hot Air Balloon Voyage in any form so I’m delighted to tell you I’ve sold a cushion.

Hot Air Balloon Voyage Cushion © First Night Design

Available on various products at the following galleries:
Redbubble
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK
Fine Art America [14 fulfillment centers in 5 countries]
Saatchi Art

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First Night Design | Antony and Cleopatra Greeting Card #Sold!

Antony and Cleopatra Greeting Card

Taken from the front cover of a vintage edition of The Play Pictorial — Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as Mark Antony in Antony and Cleopatra [1906].

• Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ (portrait); 7″ x 5″ (landscape)
• Full colour CMYK print process
• Double-sided printing for no additional cost

A classic paper with a natural feel and an uncoated matte finish; our Standard Matte stands the test of time. Elegant and understated, colours print softer and more subtle.

• 17.5 pt thickness / 120 lb weight / 324 GSM
• Light white, uncoated matte finish with an eggshell texture
• Paper is easy to write on and won’t smudge

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First Night Design | WORLD ELEPHANT DAY [12 August]

Oops – I meant to publish this yesterday!

Save the Elephant Notebook

Photo Notebook (80 Pages B&W)

Organise your day with a custom notebook! Made with your images and text on the front cover, this notebook is a great way to show off your personal style and keep track of all important notes and appointments all at once.

• Dimensions: 16.5 cm x 22.2 cm (6.5″ x 8.75″)
• Cover printed in vibrant, sharp colour
• 80 black & white lined pages
• College ruled
• Lay flat spiral binding

This product is recommended for ages 8+.

Join Our Fight to End Illegal Wildlife Trade

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First Night Design | Postcard Kingfisher Women’s Fitted T-Shirt #Sold!

Postcard Kingfisher T-Shirt

by FirstNightDesign

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First Night Design | Mandarin ducks will “mate for life and…”

Re-blogging because I’ve just sold another of these cushions!

First Night Design

Mandarin Duck Throw Pillow

I was chuffed to sell this Mandarin Duck Throw Pillow over Christmas. It is a piece of ancient Asian art that I am particularly fond of. According to a quote from children’s writer Katherine Paterson on GoodReads (the only quote about mandarin ducks on the site!), these birds “mate for life and will die of loneliness if separated from their chosen mate”. Yes, I’m a sucker for evidence of loyalty.

The image is available on many other products at the following galleries:

Zazzle USA
Zazzle UK

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First Night Design | The Smart Gardener’s Handbook #Sold!

Don’t worry – you can change the title of this or any other Avery binder in my store!

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First Night Design | Biking Back to School #Sold!

Biking Back to School Postcard

Tell me and I’ll forget.
Show me, and I may not remember.
Involve me, and I’ll understand.

I adore this Native American quote because it shows how important it is for education to be involving and fun. To follow this in action, visit Jennie of A Teacher’s Reflections. She is a superb teacher who should be cloned throughout the world and I’ve told her so!

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First Night Design | Midnight Shipwreck #New #Art

Midnight Shipwreck © Sarah Vernon Tank Top at Redbubble

When I was young, my father – a passionate sailor – bought a small yacht called Bruno of Bath. Eighteen months ago, I received an email from a couple who had bought her, seen a list of her previous owners from the 1960s, found me on the internet and told me they were restoring her. They have promised to sail her to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight where I now live and where Bruno was often moored so that I can see her again. This rusting pilot boat looks nothing like my father’s Westerly but I have named her in honour of my childhood adventures.

Original photograph from Absfreepic. Texture from Jewell of Distressed at Flickr.

Midnight Shipwreck © Sarah Vernon Framed Print at Redbubble

So far she’s only available on products at Redbubble but I will be uploading the picture to my other galleries shortly.

Available at the following galleries:
Redbubble
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK
Fine Art America [14 fulfilment centres in 5 countries]
Saatchi Art

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Joseph Grimaldi, Clown 1778–1837 | First Night Design

Reblogged to commemorate Grimaldi’s death on this day, 31st May, 1837. Click through to buy the greeting card or postcard and to get the joke!

Joseph Grimaldi, Clown 1778-1837 © First Night Design

A story is told that in 1806 a man goes to visit a doctor who is acclaimed for his ability to treat melancholia. “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep,” says the man. “I feel constantly miserable.  Please help me, doctor.”

“Laughter is the best medicine, my friend,” says the doctor. “Take yourself off to Covent Garden Theatre* where you will find The Great Grimaldi performing in Harlequin and Mother Goose; or the Golden Egg. It is exquisitely funny and will cure you of all your ills without…

via First Night Design | Joseph Grimaldi, Clown 1778–1837 | First Night Design

Earthly Delights Square Wall Clock | Zazzle.com #Sold!

A sale from last year the notification for which became lost in my inbox and that I’ve only just discovered!

Earthly Delights Square Wall Clock

Zazzle says: ‘It’s time to show off your favourite art, photos, and text with a custom square wall clock from Zazzle. Made for any wall, this clock is vibrantly printed with AcryliPrint®HD process to ensure the highest quality display of any content. Order this custom square wall clock for your home or give to friends and family as a gift for a timeless treasure.’

via Earthly Delights Square Wall Clock | Zazzle.com

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First Night Design | Church at Twilight #Art #Repost

Originally published 19/11/2015

Church at Twilight @ Redbubble © Sarah Vernon

To say I was influenced by the atmosphere of Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White — must read it again — would be bending the truth, although I’ve included that sentence in the description boxes at galleries. However, only when I had finished creating it did the book come immediately to mind.

I have used a detail from a photograph by…

via First Night Design | Church at Twilight #Art | First Night Design

First Night Design | Valentine Blush All Over the Place

Valentine Blush Low-Top Sneakers

Valentine Blush Guest Book

Valentine Blush All-Over Print Tank Top

Valentine Blush Stationery

Valentine Blush Tote Bag

Valentine Blush Cushion

Valentine Blush Notebook

Valentine Blush Gift Tags

Available at the following galleries:
Redbubble
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK
Fine Art America [14 fulfilment centres in 5 countries]
Saatchi Art

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First Night Design | The Swan Also Rises Wrapping Paper #Sold!

The Swan Also Rises Wrapping Paper

The Swan Also Rises Wrapping Paper

Well, that’s a turn-up for the books. I’ve sold some The Swan Also Rises Wrapping Paper. Thank you, whoever you are!

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First Night Design | Child in White by Pierre Auguste Renoir Poster #Sold!

Child in White by Pierre Auguste Renoir Poster

A delight it is to sell a poster of Renoir’s charming child!

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