August 19, 1902: Parsley Is Gharsley – Wretched Richard’s Almanac

“Progress might have been alright once, but it has gone on too long.”

Ogden Nash, an American poet known for his droll and playful verse, wrote over 500 pieces of comic verse, the best of which was published in 14 volumes between 1931 and his death in 1971. He freque…

Source: August 19, 1902: Parsley Is Gharsley – Wretched Richard’s Almanac

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First Night Design | Jane Austen Gets Drunk #Reblog

A re-post to commemorate the death of the niece of my several times removed grandfather Theophilus Leigh. On this day in 1817, Jane Austen, daughter of Cassandra Leigh and George Austen, died in Winchester from what has at different times been thought to be cancer, tuberculosis and Addison’s Disease. The latest suggestion is arsenic poisoning. Enjoy this showing of her humour.

Forget the shy, retiring Jane Austen — we have her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh’s memoir of his aunt to blame for that idea — here is an extract from a letter she wrote from Steventon to …

Source: First Night Design | Jane Austen Gets Drunk | First Night Design

Take care and keep laughing!

Keep Calm and Sham Rock! Square Wall Clock | Zazzle

Style: Square

It’s time to show off your favorite 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.

• Size 10.75″ x 10.75″.
• Material: Grade-A acrylic.
• One AA battery required (not included).
• Add photos, artwork, and text.

Source: Keep Calm and Sham Rock! Square Wall Clock | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

Just Dropping In #Valentine Card | Zazzle

Size: Greeting Card

Birthdays or holidays, good days or bad days, Zazzle’s customized greeting cards are the perfect way to convey your well-wishes and salutations on any occasion. Add a photo or pick a design and brighten someone’s day with a simple “hi”!

• Dimensions: 5″l x 7″w (portrait) or 7″l x 5″w (landscape)
• Printed on 110 lb, 12.5 point thick, semi-gloss paper
• Matte finish inside for smudge-free writing
• Add photos and text to all sides of this folded card at no extra charge
• Printable area on the back of the card is 3″l x 4″w (portrait) or 4″l x 3″w (landscape)
• Standard white envelopes included

Source: Just Dropping In Valentine Card | Zazzle

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The Queen and The Hookah Cover For The iPad Mini | Zazzle

Sight Update: Monday’s appointment with the ophthalmologist was a disaster. Why? Because the department had no knowledge of it. I could not remember the name of the person who had rung me, which might have led to an explanation. Either way, I wasted £50 on taxis. Yes, the taxis on the Isle of Wight are very expensive.

Style: Case Savvy iPad Mini Glossy Finish Case

Shield your iPad Mini from daily damage with a customizable iPad Mini case. Made of lightweight hard shell plastic, this case clips onto the back of the iPad adding protection without the bulk. Made with a glossy finish, your designs, photos, and text will look great displayed on this one of a kind case.

• Designed for Apple’s iPad Mini.
• Hard shell plastic case with glossy finish.
• Smart Cover compatible.
• Access to all ports, controls & sensors.

Source: The Queen and The Hookah Cover For The iPad Mini | Zazzle

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Keep Calm & Then Scream Tea Cup | Zazzle #Sold!

Style: Bone China

Ready for your coffee, tea, soup, cider, or other tasty beverage, this fine porcelain mug complements both casual and formal table settings. It features a subtly fluted rim and an elegantly curved handle. Serves as a great housewarming gift!

• Dimensions:
  • Height: 4″
  • Diameter: 2.8″
  • Capacity: 10 ounces
• Microwave and dishwasher safe
• Strong, ceramic construction
• Meets or exceeds FDA requirements for food and beverage safety

Source: Keep Calm & Then Scream Tea Cup | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Jane Austen Gets Drunk

1810 sketch of Jane Austen by her sister, Cassandra.

Forget the shy, retiring Jane Austen — we have her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh’s memoir of his aunt to blame for that idea — here is an extract from a letter she wrote from Steventon to her sister Cassandra on 20th November 1800, after attending a ball. Austen liked to have fun. No one who can write so amusingly and with such charming detail about life and society in her books could have led a reclusive life devoid of society.

“I believe I drank too much wine last night at Hurstbourne; I know not how else to account for the shaking of my hand to-day. […] There were very few beauties, and such as there were were not very handsome. Miss Iremonger did not look well, and Mrs. Blount was the only one much admired. She appeared exactly as she did in September, with the same broad face, diamond bandeau, white shoes, pink husband, and fat neck. The two Miss Coxes were there: I traced in one the remains of the vulgar, broad-featured girl who danced at Enham eight years ago; the other is refined into a nice, composed-looking girl, like Catherine Bigg. I looked at Sir Thomas Champneys and thought of poor Rosalie; I looked at his daughter, and thought her a queer animal with a white neck. Mrs. Warren, I was constrained to think, a very fine young woman, which I much regret. She has got rid of some part of her child, and danced away with great activity looking by no means very large. Her husband is ugly enough, uglier even than his cousin John; but he does not look so very old. The Miss Maitlands are both prettyish, very like Anne, with brown skins, large dark eyes, and a good deal of nose. The General has got the gout, and Mrs. Maitland the jaundice. Miss Debary, Susan, and Sally, all in black, but without any stature, made their appearance, and I was as civil to them as their bad breath would allow me.”

As a descendant on her mother’s side (Leigh), it is that same sense of humour I like to think I’ve inherited! My favourite sentence is the last one. But then it’s so hard to choose. Who can resist “She appeared exactly as she did in September, with the same broad face, diamond bandeau, white shoes, pink husband, and fat neck.”?

To read more of her letters, though too many were destroyed by Cassandra before Jane died, visit Letters of Note.

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “I blame Edgar Allan Poe for all this Halloween…”

ONE FROM THE ARCHIVE 15 October 2014

First Night Design

The Cynical Halloween Raven Greeting Cards © Sarah Vernon

Some fun for all us cynics at Halloween. The bird is from The Graphics Fairy and the words are mine own!

And here are few others made in earlier years to choose from.

Halloween: The Final Frontier Greeting Cards

Charming Witch Greeting Cards

Skeleton Questions for Halloween Postcards

The Cynical Halloween Raven Postcards

Related

• The Edgar Allan Poe Museum

Take care and keep laughing!

View original post

So I Have a Number of Faults, said the Skeleton #Halloween

FROM THE ARCHIVE 2013.
There are two versions available, one that says ‘What was I – just a number’ and ‘So I have a number of faults!’ The original vintage skeletons are from…

Source: So I Have a Number of Faults, said the Skeleton | First Night Design

First Night Design | ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Address Labels

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Address Labels

My favourite mouse silhouette! The dinky little thing has done good and sold herself several times over as address labels.

And for my next post, I shall tell you that a global hotel conglomerate has ordered a million cushions, and a well-known stationery chain has requested countless boxes of notebooks. In which case, the world is my oyster!

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Pillows

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Spiral Notebook

Available at the following galleries:
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “I Can Resist Everything Except…” #Halloween

Vampire Quote Flasks

“I can resist everything except temptation.”

This was one of my very first designs, which I created by hand-colouring a vintage bat from my Picture Book of Animals.

Vampire Quote Greeting Card

Vampire Quote Long Apron

Vampire Quote Double-Sided Standard Business Cards (Pack Of 100)

Vampire Quote Journals

Vampire Quote Standard Cocktail Napkin

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Bring out the Bath Chairs!

Bring out the Bath Chairs! 13 Cm X 18 Cm Invitation Card

I created the invitation above very soon after I joined Zazzle. I was uploading my images onto greeting cards, which was taking an inordinate amount of time, and I thought I must offer other products as soon as possible. It remained on its lonesome until I came across it accidentally the other day. Time, I thought, to create some other products with this vintage bath chair.

Did you know that bath chairs are extremely comfortable? They beat a wheelchair hands down. Having said that, I only have one experience of a Victorian bath chair. I was appearing in a production of an early play by Alan Bennett, Forty Years On. My character did not use the bath chair but you can be damn sure I made use of it out of hours, so to speak!

Bring out the Bath Chairs! Throw Pillow

Bring out the Bath Chairs! Greeting Card

Bring out the Bath Chairs! Double-Sided Business Cards (Pack of 100)

Bring out the Bath Chairs! Shipping Label

Bring out the Bath Chairs! Stationery

Available at the following galleries:
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to…”

Maya Angelou

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Maya Angelou

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “I blame Edgar Allan Poe for all this Halloween…”

The Cynical Halloween Raven Greeting Cards © Sarah Vernon

Some fun for all us cynics at Halloween. The bird is from The Graphics Fairy and the words are mine own!

And here are few others made in earlier years to choose from.

Halloween: The Final Frontier Greeting Cards

Charming Witch Greeting Cards

Skeleton Questions for Halloween Postcards

The Cynical Halloween Raven Postcards

Related

• The Edgar Allan Poe Museum

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | The Adorable Dodo

The Adorable Dodo Greeting Cards

This is a gently humorous card that I had completely forgotten about! I must do some more with my mythological dodo, if you’ll pardon the expression. Boy, does he know he’s adorable!

Take care and keep laughing!