People have often asked the question "Where should I get designs to put on t-shirts and stuff?" The answer is simple...In your head! The more original you can be the better. It's no good trying to copy other people's ideas because they've already been done. You must use your own imagination, put out your original ideas and that is what will bring customers, but more importantly that is what will make them return.

At the end of the day the type of customers shopping in designers' print on demand stores or the cafepress marketplace aren't looking to buy some generic design that can be bought on any high street worldwide. They are looking to buy something totally different, so make it different. Even designs that I've sold in multiple numbers have been purchased by customers so far apart in the world that the chances of them ever meeting would be completely remote. They each have something that's unique to them.

In short look for inspiration, it's all around you. Find inspiration from the things in your life, the stuff that's all around you everyday, real or imaginary.

Here's an introduction to a weird and wonderful collection I've started working on. It's been a lot of fun so far as it's been a combination of designing and incorporating my strange sense of humour. I'm hoping to expand the collection over time until it's overflowing because I've really enjoyed creating these ones so far, I just hope a few people out there share my humour!

It all started when one of my halloween designs ended up as a pub sign, that ignited a spark and off I went, often laughing at inappropriate times because I'd thought of another one...oh dear, I'm sure the locals think I'm completely mad; come to think of it so does my husband and he's not affraid to tell me either. 

Take a browse through the new Pub Signs collection at Specialeetees. They're all designed in the style of a tradtional English pub sign, ranging from the traditionally named to the totally fictitious, but all are designed to be great fun. Be warned, as pubs and drinking are an adult passtime, some designs do contain a little adult humorous inuendo, nothing offensive graphically though!

Each design is available on the full range of products which include t-shirts, gifts, cards posters and prints etc, but the range has been expanded to include a large banner which is particularly suited to these designs. It's a great original and fun way to jazz up the drinks area at a BBQ, party or function! See all of the pub signs I have created so far here.

If you're interested in a little more about the background to these designs and British pub signs in general, I've compiled a squidoo lens on the subject too. There's a little bit of history about them and even some links to relevent websites related to the subject. I think it's worth a read, you can see it here.

The world famous Shire horses of Thwaites Brewery
are back in harness.

~~~

Thwaites, the oldest surviving brewery in Lancashire, England started brewing in 1807 and are celebrating over 200 glorious years.

The British brewery has decided to go back to using horses for deliveries within a few kilometres of its brewery.

The giant shire horses used for promotional work for the Daniel Thwaites brewery are back in harness in Blackburn and delivering ale to local pubs.

"We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint," said the brewery's transport operations manager Emma Green.

"It is great to see the Shires out again on the roads around town."

Horses have not been used in the delivery of beer by the brewery for five years. The Thwaites horses have spent the last few years winning awards on the show circuit and doing promotional work.

Their public appearances will continue, but the company hope the shires will also be able to do their day jobs in between.

"We are aiming to get them out delivering within a mile or two's radius of the stables when we can fit it in to their busy schedule," says Emma.

"Deliveries by horse-drawn dray finished about five years ago when we moved distribution off-site."

Thwaites ended horse deliveries in the 1920s when the company switched to motor transport. They were reintroduced in 1960's.

It was a decision that has become a major landmark for the Brewery as the fame of the Thwaites Shires has spread throughout the country, embodying the traditional values that are such an important part of the company’s heritage.

The brewery has even more reasons to be proud of its horses. They swept the board at the recent National Shire Horse Spring Show, taking four titles and six trophies.

THE world-famous Thwaites Shire Horses emerged triumphant at another prestigious national competition….to win plaudits from none other than HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip made the official presentation when the Thwaites’ team took the top honours at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The Thwaites horses, Classic, Royal, Daniel and Star, were voted outright winners in the heavy horse class at the event staged to honour the 100th anniversary of the British Food and Beverage Industry.

The success followed hot on the heels of Thwaites being named Champions of England at the National Shire Horse Spring Show in Peterborough - for the fourth time in six years.

After winning the four-horse Team Class, Thwaites’ stable stars went on to claim the overall Heavy Horse Turnout Championship.

The shire horses are kept very busy and are in great demand at shows, carnivals and promotional events all over the country. They can be seen regularly in the town centre delivering to pubs and exercising in addition to their busy schedule.

~~~

Link: About the Thwaites Shire Horses

News Link:

Video: Thwaites Shire Horses

Here's to you Ant.

A bunch of us regularly go to the Devonshire Cat, Sheffield, UK for a few pints. It's a good time to catch up but it is also a great way to try new and interesting beers. It was flippin' ages ago that we went and I've owed this blog this post for a darn tootin' long time (sorry Joel). Some of us weren't drinking alcohol and we even had a cider drinker amongst us (oo-ar)!

• Chris had an orange Looza [6/10] and a strawberry Looza [9/10] (non alcoholic)
• Jono had a pint of Madness [8/10] and a pint of Hornbeam Bitter [4/10] - he's a proper real ale drinking lad
• Dave had 2 and a half pints total of Paulaner [10/10] which he says is the beer that he likes far beyond all others in the pub and "why change when you've found the one?" is his excuse for not being more adventurous. He also had a coke [8/10]
• Paul (our visiting cider drinker) had a couple of local ciders; Gold Digger [8/10] and Strawberry Fields [7/10]
• Ant (moi) had St Bernardus Pater 6 [8/10], Sierra Nevarda Pale Ale [4/10] and Anchor Porter [6/10].

I would like to expand on my selection - here I tried a couple of American drinks for Joel's benefit. Today they really didn't do it for me which is a massive shame. I wonder whether it was a dodgy batch of Anchor Porters because there have been times that I have only drank them all night and I would have given them a hefty [10/10]. I still have to say it's one of my favourite drinks. The Pale Ale was seriously disappointing and lacked much in the flavour department. Goose Island do it way way better. The St Bernardus Belgium ale was actually one that I've bought from a local dealer since and enjoyed much more the second time. A lot of these Belgium monk-brewed beers really can't go wrong - they make some seriously great drinks so cheers to them!

I also recorded the quote of the evening: "Do you have a console?", "I've got a mega drive, I don't need anything else". Guess you'd have to be a hardcore seasoned gamer to get that...

Pubs have been closing at the rate of 27 a week and another 1,000 will close by the end of this year. Rob Hayward, Chief Executive of the BBPA says “Pub closures at this rate are threatening an important hub of our social fabric and community history.”

This is alarming indeed. Where will we go for real beer in Europe, if not the place where good, strong ales are held in high regard? Sure, there's Belgium--but a pub is a pub, and those cozy places with dark woods and romantically dim lighting aren't always replicated well in other places.

So you can either down a suitcase of Bud to get the flavor that's in a pint of English ale, or you can get yourself to England and drink real beer before all the little pubs that make their own non-industrial brews go kaput.

Get some friends together and splurge cheaply on a 2BR Self-catering Apartment with Luxury, right in the heart of fashionable London, or try some other English vacation rental near a pub. If you like real beer, you owe yourself this one.

Related:

9 Rudest Places on Earth

Humped crossing

Funny Signs Part 1
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spread it
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His owner, Sharon Sutherland said that the little pony started accompanying her to the pub three months ago after he started squealing when he was left alone in his pen.

Almost every day, he makes his way to the village pub in Woodmansterne, Surrey, England for a glass of Guinness and cheese crisps.

"He hates being alone so, if I go to the pub, he has to come, too," Sutherland said.

'There was a sign saying dogs weren't allowed in, but it didn't mention ponies,' she said.

And though patrons at the pub were a bit surprised to see a horse in the place, he is now a welcome customer.

Landlord Matthew Lowe said: 'I was a bit surprised but he's a lovely horse and doesn't cause any problems.'

Story Link:  Little Alfie

Earlier Post:  Shire Saddles Up To Bar