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

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | #Valentine Blush #Screenwriting

Valentine Blush © First Night Design/Sarah Vernon

I can’t bear it when I have nothing of my own to post because while I love finding other work on art, books, writing or photography to introduce you to, there’s always those niggling thoughts that run: “But you need to be promoting your own work to earn money!” or “Why aren’t you going back to writing your memoirs?” But it’s got to stop, as I’m sure you’ll tell me. Living is more important when push comes to ultimate shove and you’re not the twenty-eight-year-old you feel.

Quentin Crisp NYC 1992 Ross Bennett Lewis

Valentine Blush is new and I had every intention of uploading it to the galleries in time to catch the Valentine market. It didn’t happen and so it’s still not available to buy. I don’t care because I’ve become more embedded in the local community by making some new friends including writer Barbara Jane Mackie whose screenwriter father, Philip Mackie, adapted short stories by Saki in 1962 with a cast that just happened to include my father, Richard Vernon. Some of you might remember Mackie’s later work as he was responsible for the incomparable adaptation of The Naked Civil Servant [1975] with a never-to-be-forgotten performance by the late John Hurt as Quentin Crisp.

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “…you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do…”

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.”  Mark Twain

 

My fellow blogger, writer Tina Frisco, recently published a moving article — Chronic Illness and Self-Acceptance — about coping with social media when you are beset by bad health, in our case, autoimmune conditions. She put into words many of my feelings and experiences, ones I have wanted to express for months so that you would understand how challenging it is and why my ability to sustain the blogs is peripatetic. Finding the right words was proving impossible so I am grateful to Tina.

Spring Passion Favor Box

“When I visit blogs, my ability to comment depends on my cognitive state at that moment,” Tina tells us. It is exactly the same for me and I’ve been horribly conscious of comments I’ve not made on other people’s blogs or the answers to comments on my blogs that have been impossible for me to dredge up from the brain fog.

“My biggest challenge is keeping up with social media,” writes Tina. “Writing can be accomplished when I’m feeling well enough, but maintaining an online presence can be demanding. I often find myself merely treading water. And when in a flare-up, I feel as if I’m trudging through neck-high water, pushing myself to complete the simplest of tasks.”

My experiences exactly!

Just Dropping In Valentine Card

I may not have the twenty years that Twain talks about if the latest results from the hospital are to be taken seriously. I question whether they can be regarded as sacrosanct because the news included the withdrawal of a recent diagnosis, namely the Ulcerative Colitis. Whatever is wrong with me (it’s a year and counting since they started to investigate), it ain’t UC. But who knows? That may change back again and it wouldn’t surprise me what with the state of our NHS and the medical staff at whatever level doing the job of four in most cases.

What I can tell you is that they saw, from the various, scans, X-rays and biopsies, something else and that something else has gone from ‘mild’ to ‘severe’. I’ll have to wait about eight weeks to be given a prognosis from the relevant department. I’m not going to go into it because I don’t want to talk about it and would ask you not to question me about it below or in an email. I know you care and I know that your first instinct will be to open your arms and embrace me with love and strength. I thank you for that.  This is not because I’m having trouble and feeling miserable but because I have better things to do with my time! You know me. I keep smiling and I’m rarely bored except by certain people, plays and films. Oh, and golf.

Pen and Ink Love Two-Tone Coffee Mug

And so forgive me but I really don’t want to be on my deathbed saying, “Why on earth did I spend an unconscionable amount of time visiting, reading, and ‘liking’ those blog posts when I could have written all my books?”

I shall still post any art that I create as well as theatre and history on the other blogs but I will quite understand if you choose not to visit after this.

Have a lovely weekend!

You’re the Cream in My Coffee Valentine Postcard

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “How far that little candle throws its beams!”

Such fun! Zazzle have started producing candles. What could be better than to show you a candle that matches Spring Passion because you will, of course, be needing candles to go with that exquisite meal you will be conjuring up on Valentine’s Day for the person you adore.

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“How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”
[Portia in The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare]

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Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “I Must Have Flowers, Always and Always” #Valentine

Spring Passion Greeting Card © Sarah Vernon

Photograph © Sarah Vernon. Flowers, 30-08-17. Processed in Topaz Impression with the Impasto filter and painterly touches added in Photoshop.

Spring Passion Drawstring Bag © Sarah Vernon

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“I must have flowers, always and always.” Claude Monet

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Spring Passion would be suitable for any occasion, not least Valentine’s Day. Sometimes the simplest image is the best.

Spring Passion Mug © Sarah Vernon

Lots of other products 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!

Vintage Pretty Girl is Like a Melody Mouse Pad | Zazzle #Sold!

Song sheet for Irving Berlin’s famous number, ‘A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody’, sung in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1919.

Source: Vintage Pretty Girl is Like a Melody Mouse Pad | Zazzle

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First Night Design | “Your lips know what to do, just like sea anemones.”

FROM THE ARCHIVE 10th February 2015

A Valentine image taken from a vintage postcard in my collection that early readers may know but is here shown on heart stickers, greeting cards and make-up bags.  Heart Stickers Greeting Cards iP…

Source: First Night Design | “Your lips know what to do, just like sea anemones.”

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#Valentine Seahorses Coffee Mug Set | Zazzle

Style: Coffee Mug Set

It’s a match made in heaven for this lovers’ mug set! Made to perfectly fit together, this ceramic mug set is a great gift for a wedding, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, or any other special occasion. The heart-shaped handles on each mug add an extra touch of love to this already very romantic gift! Customize with your pictures, photos, and text to make a one-of-a-kind mug set that will be cherished for years.

• 8-ounce capacity
• Dimension: 3.8”h x 3.2”diameter
• 100% ceramic construction
• Meets or exceeds FDA requirements for food and beverage safety
• Printed on demand by the Photo USA team in Fremont, California

Source: Valentine Seahorses Coffee Mug Set | Zazzle

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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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Decorated #Valentine Fan Hip Flask | Zazzle

Size: Vinyl Wrapped Flask, 6 oz.

Be prepared and discreet with a custom Liquid Courage™ flask. A unique gift that’s perfect for weddings, birthdays, and special events!

• Dimensions: 3.75″l x 4.5″w x 1″d; 6 oz.
• Material: Stainless steel flask with attached screw top lid
• Printed on high-quality vinyl that is securely wrapped
• Durable, water and fade resistant
• Hand wash with warm water
• Handmade in USA

Source: Decorated Valentine Fan Hip Flask | Zazzle

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Make Me a Willow Cabin… Greeting Card | Zazzle #Valentine

Size: Greeting Card

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

• Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 17.8 cm (5″ x 7″) portrait or 17.8 cm x 12. 7 cm (7″ x 5″) 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 7.6 cm x 10.2 cm (portrait) or 10.2 x 7.6 cm (landscape)
• Standard white envelopes included

Source: Make Me a Willow Cabin… Greeting Card | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

Love Letters #Valentine Binder | Zazzle

I think I’m repeating myself with this post but I’m too tired to check and Valentine’s Day is not far away!
What could be more romantic than receiving a hand-written love letter? Use this beautiful folder to store them.

Size: Avery Signature 1.5″ Binder

You’ve spent time crafting interesting reports, so why not create an eye-catching Avery custom binder to match? Showcase your business with custom client binders, proposals and reports, or design unique wedding albums, recipe books and photo albums.

• Dimensions: 10″l x 11.75″w; Spine: 2.2″
• Full bleed photo-quality printing
• Designed for letter (8.5″ x 11″) sized paper
• Fits 400 pages with 1 Touch™ EZD™ Rings
• Binder inserts not included
• Made in U.S.A.

Ring Type: One Touch EZD Ring

1″ Capacity: 275 pages
1.5″ Capacity: 400 pages
2″ Capacity: 540 pages
Locking rings open with ease and keep pages secure.

Source: Love Letters Valentine Binder | Zazzle

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Bird in the Hand Neck Tie | Zazzle #Sold!

Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]

Source: Bird in the Hand Neck Tie | Zazzle

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“Bird in the Hand” Studio Pouches by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

Features / Creation 2 February 2015 / Everyday Women 16 October 2014 / Artists with Disabilities 16 October 2014 / Visual Texture Group 15 October 2014

Photoshop / Own ephemera & textures

• Also buy this artwork on bags, apparel, stickers, and more.

Source: “Bird in the Hand” Studio Pouches by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | #Valentine Favourites

I’m hot-footing it to the hospital tomorrow for my cataract operation. I leave you with some of my favourites for Valentine’s Day. I should be back before then. Mind you, while one would normally expect to be in and out in a day with such a surgery, I’m told I have to stay in the night before and the night after. I’m spitting with rage at the ghastliness!

All of these pieces are my own except for Kissing on the Chaise-Longue which is a vintage postcard I restored.

Love Letters Valentine Postcard by FirstNightDesign
Just Dropping In Valentine Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

Love Letters Valentine 3 Ring Binders by FirstNightDesign

Decorated Valentine Fan Square Wall Clock by FirstNightDesign

A Night to Remember Valentine Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

Kissing on the Chaise-Longue Valentine Envelope by FirstNightDesign

You’re the Cream in My Coffee Valentine Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

Search for Love.
Search for Valentine.

Take care and keep laughing!