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!

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Burlap Simple Mustard Yellow Throw Pillow | Zazzle #Sold

Perhaps I should just do cushions and be done with it!

Size: Throw Pillow 16″ x 16″

Accent your home with custom pillows from Zazzle and make yourself the envy of the neighborhood. Made from high-quality Simplex knit fabric, these 100% polyester pillows are soft and wrinkle-free. The heavyweight stretch material provides beautiful color definition for your design while also being the perfect complement to your couch!

• Dimensions: 16″ x 16″ (square)
• Simplex knit fabric; 100% polyester; wrinkle-free
• Hidden zipper enclosure; synthetic-filled insert included
• Machine washable
• Made in the USA

Source: Burlap Simple Mustard Yellow Throw Pillow | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

Horloge Astronomique Throw Pillow for Sale by Sarah Vernon

Horloge Astronomique Throw Pillow by Sarah Vernon. Our throw pillows are made from 100% spun polyester poplin fabric and add a stylish statement to any room. Pillows are available in sizes from 14″ x 14″ up to 26″ x 26″. Each pillow is printed on both sides (same image) and includes a concealed zipper and removable insert (if selected) for easy cleaning.

Source: Horloge Astronomique Throw Pillow for Sale by Sarah Vernon

Take care and keep laughing!

The Albatross Did Follow Throw Pillow | Zazzle

Size: Throw Pillow 16″ x 16″

Accent your home with custom pillows from Zazzle and make yourself the envy of the neighbourhood. Made from high-quality Simplex knit fabric, these 100% polyester pillows are soft and wrinkle-free. The heavyweight stretch material provides beautiful color definition for your design while also being the perfect complement to your couch!

• Dimensions: 16″ x 16″ (square)
• Simplex knit fabric; 100% polyester; wrinkle-free
• Hidden zipper enclosure; synthetic-filled insert included
• Machine washable
• Made in the USA

Source: The Albatross Did Follow Throw Pillow | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

The Jungle Look Throw Pillow | Zazzle #Sold!

Sight update: None! All I know is that I’m missing so many lovely posts and it’s infuriating. Thank you for continuing to support me here even though I’m not able to respond in kind.

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Accent your home with custom pillows from Zazzle and make yourself the envy of the neighborhood. Made from high-quality Simplex knit fabric, these 100% polyester pillows are soft and wrinkle-free. The heavyweight stretch material provides beautiful color definition for your design while also being the perfect complement to your couch!

• Dimensions: 16″ x 16″ (square)
• Simplex knit fabric; 100% polyester; wrinkle-free
• Hidden zipper enclosure; synthetic-filled insert included
• Machine washable
• Made in the USA

Source: The Jungle Look Throw Pillow | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

“Georgian Stripe Eau de Nil” Throw Pillows & Mugs by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

Created in Photoshop for my home. • Also buy this artwork on home decor, apparel, stickers, and more.

Source: “Georgian Stripe Eau de Nil” Mugs by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

Mary, this is the new version in the hope it goes with my sofa and with your living room. (Yes, I remember your comment!) I’ve ordered one and will keep you (and everyone else, probably) posted!

Also buy this artwork on home decor, apparel, stickers, and more.

Source: “Georgian Stripe Eau de Nil” Throw Pillows by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

First Night Design | “Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and…” #Repost

FROM THE ARCHIVE 13th November 2014

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out-of-doors by somebody I do not know.” ― John Keats Let joy be unconfined! I have sold a cushion at Redbubble with the V…

Source: First Night Design | “Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and…” | First Night Design

First Night Design | The Art of Happiness #Cushions #Sales!

Somebody needs to close my mouth before my jaw locks into place. I’ve just sold three of these Thanksgiving Cushions on Redbubble!

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Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for old age. Booth Tarkington

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Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Cushion Obsession

FROM THE ARCHIVE March 2014

What a surprise! More cushions. I can own up to all except for Humpty Dumpty, which is a delightful illustration by Mr FND — do check out his  pantomime drawings.

Source: First Night Design | Cushion Obsession

First Night Design | ‘Bliss it was in that dawn to be alive…’

I have sold two more cushions — very heaven!

The White Rabbit Pillow

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‘Bliss it was in that dawn to be alive
But to be young was very heaven.’
William Wordsworth, The Prelude

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Romantic Meeting Throw Pillows

Click here for the original Romantic Meeting post.

Romantic Meeting is available on other products at the following galleries:
Redbubble
Crated
Fine Art America
Fine Art England
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK

White Rabbit is available on other products at the following galleries:
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “Destiny itself is like a wonderful wide tapestry in which…”

Eloquent Tapestry Canvas Print

Eloquent Tapestry Greeting Card

Eloquent Tapestry Pillows.

Textures and vintage ephemera such as perfume labels from 2 Lil’ Owls via Design Cuts. Ladies’ fan from The Graphics Fairy. Flower silhouette is my creation.

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“Destiny itself is like a wonderful wide tapestry in which every thread is guided by an unspeakable tender hand, placed beside another thread and held and carried by a hundred others.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

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Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | Copper Pear #Gifts

Copper Pear Food Trays

Copper Pear Throw Pillows

Copper Pear Travel Accessories Bag

Copper Pear Wrist Watch

Copper Pear Flask

Copper Pear Envelope

Copper Pear Jelly Belly Candy Tins

Copper Pear Switch Plate Cover

Copper Pear 3 Ring Binder

Copper Pear Courier Bag

Available at the following galleries:
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | 25% off Duvet Covers & Throw Pillows @Redbubble

It’s time to take advantage of Redbubble’s new promotion. From March 21st to March 24th, they’re giving 25% off Throw Pillows and Duvet Covers.

Click image to buy

Click image to buy

Promo:  25% off Duvet Covers and Throw Pillows

Coupon code: DECKOUT

Runs from: March 21 (12am PST) – March 24 (11:59pm PST)

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “Blow that word charm! There is more to my acting…”

Dame Ellen Terry as Beatrice Cards

Miss Ellen Terry as Beatrice Throw Pillows

It is such a treat to have sold a greeting card of Ellen Terry as Beatrice in Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing alongside a matching cushion. I have lived with this theatrical postcard all my life. It was given to my mother by an actress friend and my mother handed it on to me.

In her memoir, The Story of My Life: Recollections and Reflections, Dame Ellen writes:

‘When Henry Irving put on “Much Ado About Nothing”—a play which he may be said to have done for me, as he never really liked the part of Benedick—I was not the same Beatrice at all. A great actor can do nothing badly, and there was so very much to admire in Henry Irving’s Benedick. But he gave me little help. Beatrice must be swift, swift, swift! Owing to Henry’s rather finicking, deliberate method as Benedick, I could never put the right pace into my part. I was also feeling unhappy about it, because I had been compelled to give way about a traditional “gag” in the church scene, with which we ended the fourth act. In my own production we had scorned this gag, and let the curtain come down on Benedick’s line: “Go, comfort your cousin; I must say she is dead, and so farewell.” When I was told that we were to descend to the buffoonery of:

Beatrice: Benedick, kill him—kill him if you can.
Benedick: As sure as I’m alive, I will!

I protested, and implored Henry not to do it. He said that it was necessary: otherwise the “curtain” would be received in dead silence. I assured him that we had often had seven and eight calls without it. I used every argument, artistic and otherwise. Henry, according to his custom, was gentle, would not discuss it much, but remained obdurate. After holding out for a week, I gave in. “It’s my duty to obey your orders, and do it,” I said, “but I do it under protest.” Then I burst into tears. It was really for his sake just as much as for mine. I thought it must bring such disgrace on him! Looking back on the incident, I find that the most humorous thing in connection with it was that the critics, never reluctant to accuse Henry of “monkeying” with Shakespeare if they could find cause, never noticed the gag at all!

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Ellen Terry drawn from photographs by Albert Sterner and included in her memoir.

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“This mutable woman, all instinct, sympathy and sensation, is as painstaking a student and as careful of the dignity of her art as Flaubert himself.” Virginia Woolf

“[Her name] rings like a chime through the last quarter of the 19th century.” George Bernard Shaw

“Blow that word charm! There is more to my acting than charm!” Ellen Terry

These three quotes are taken from a Lynne Truss article in The Guardian.

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Take care and keep laughing!

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

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!