First Night Design | My Comments on Your Blogs and That Virus

Comments

Mint Julep @ Sarah Vernon
Shower Curtain at Redbubble

The comments I made and make on your blogs do not register and haven’t during my blog sabbatical.  I have been unable thus far to resolve the situation  This is something I should have told you as soon as I returned from my sabbatical a month ago because it’s still happening. On top of this, there are new comments on old blog posts when comments allowed comments that I don’t seem able to reply to. Apologies. It’s very frustrating.

COVID-19

And now to the pandemic. Please keep safe and follow best practice. There’s a great deal of fake advice out there so check your sources.

In the UK, we have been very ill-served by the Prime Minister (no surprise when you look at the lies spouted about Brexit which pushed so many to believe it would be ‘a good thing’ when it clearly isn’t.  The UK is at least two weeks behind many European and other countries. I believe this is down to Boris Johnson and his pro-Brexit cohorts whose attitude to Europe has coloured their ability to get ahead of the curve, not to mention the appalling cuts the Conservatives had already made during their time in power which now means we have front-line responders like the NHS, who were already struggling from the cuts, struggling even more with the added horror of contracting the coronavirus. Politicians’ negligence is criminal.

This article from The Lancet explains much of what the Tories have done in the interests of no one: Offline: COVID-19 and the NHS—“a national scandal” https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30727-3/fulltext#.Xn-MDVJ7K4g.twitter

I have a continuing sore throat but no other symptoms. However, I have a host of underlying conditions, including my lungs, which make me high risk. If I get the virus, there’s a good chance of my not surviving.

A very dear friend of mine has just lost her husband who died in a London hospital on Friday. They have two sons. When it’s somebody you know, your mind and your dreams go into overdrive. I can’t stop thinking of the family and how profound their grief must be. They were not, of course, allowed in the ambulance, nor to visit him in hospital.

Take care, keep safe and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Vintage St Patrick’s Greeting Cards — Sold!

Vintage St Patrick’s Greeting Card

Ten greeting cards sold for St Patrick’s Day.

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Mint Julep — New!

In contrast to my last picture — Flying Colours — this image was created with just one piece of art from 1870: Jane, Duchess of Gordon,  by Daniel Gardner, a public domain picture from Wikimedia. I used a series of effects with Photoshop tools such as swirls, twirls and tiling as well as experimenting with colour filters. It was the greens of the Duchess’ riding habit that inspired me.

Mint Julep @ Sarah Vernon Shower Curtain at Redbubble

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

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Flying Colours — New!

Flying Colours at Saatchi Art

As a lover of all things maritime and a descendant of admirals and sailors, I am often drawn to centuries-old paintings of seacraft at work or play. I created Flying Colours with two images far apart in time. One layer is the Russian Squadron at Malta, 20 October 1827, painted by Alfred Gomersal Vickers which is in the public domain. The other is a photograph of Bembridge Lifeboat which I took the other day. I have melded them together using Photoshop’s various tools to make it look as if it were an original 19th-century image.

Flying Colours Fleece Blanket at Redbubble

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

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Postcard Kingfisher T-Shirt

by FirstNightDesign

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Take care and keep laughing!

View original post

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!

Take care and keep laughing!

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!

Take care and keep laughing!

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

Take care and keep laughing!