About Us
Where Our Story Started
Our journey began with our diary, created to share our adventures and the everyday beauty of living and travelling aboard our narrowboat.
What started as storytelling soon evolved into a design studio, where canal‑inspired illustrations became meaningful and made‑to‑order lifestyle pieces.
Introducing Bobbin on the Water
Our story began long before the shop – back when we were simply documenting life aboard Narrowboat Round Tuit through our travel diary. What started as a way to capture the quiet beauty of canal life soon became a deeper creative journey. The slow rhythm of the waterways, the wildlife that greeted us each morning, and the ever‑changing views outside our window began to shape how we saw the world.
As we travelled, I found myself sketching the small, meaningful moments that made this lifestyle so special. Illustrations grew from pockets of stillness: a heron lifting off the bow, a misty sunrise over the cut, the gentle hum of a day spent cruising. Over time, those sketches evolved into a desire to share the charm and character of canal life in a more tangible way.
That’s when the idea for the Bobbin on the Water brand took shape – a way to turn our stories and illustrations into thoughtful, made‑to‑order pieces that celebrate slow living, mindful creativity and the beauty found in everyday moments on the water.
Bringing Canal Life to Life
My creative process is rooted in the world we see as we travel – the traditional canal art that decorates the waterways, the modern interpretations found along the towpath, and the flora and fauna that surround us on every journey. Each design begins digitally, inspired by the colours, patterns and stories that make canal life so distinctive.
From bold roses and castles to contemporary canal‑inspired motifs, I sketch and refine each illustration with care, blending heritage with a fresh, modern feel. The wildlife we encounter (from curious ducks to elegant herons) often finds its way into my work, adding a touch of the natural world to every piece.
Once the artwork is complete, the designs are brought to life on a range of made‑to‑order products, including clothing and household items such as t‑shirts, mugs and notebooks. Every item is created with intention, allowing you to bring a little piece of canal life into your everyday routine.
The Heart of Our Brand
At the heart of our brand is a simple mission: to celebrate the beauty of canal life and share the stories, colours and character of the waterways through thoughtful, meaningful design. Everything we create is inspired by the slow rhythm of travelling aboard Narrowboat Round Tuit – a reminder to pause, notice and appreciate the small moments that make life feel full.
Our values guide every illustration, every product and every decision we make:
- Mindful Creativity – taking inspiration from the world around us and creating with intention, not haste.
- Celebrating Everyday Beauty – finding charm in quiet mornings, wildlife encounters and the heritage of the canals.
- Honouring Canal Culture – blending traditional and modern canal art to keep its spirit alive in a fresh, contemporary way.
- Sustainably Made Production – reducing waste by creating items only when they’re needed
- Connection Through Storytelling – sharing our journey so others can experience a little of life on the water.
These values shape not just what we make, but why we make it – to bring a touch of canal‑side calm, creativity and character into everyday life.
A Life Lived Afloat
Hello, I’m Lorraine – the illustrator, writer and canal‑life enthusiast behind this little corner of the internet. When I’m not sketching new designs, you’ll usually find me cruising the waterways (with John and Boasley) aboard Narrowboat Round Tuit, camera in hand, soaking up the quiet moments that inspire so much of my work.
Living afloat has shaped not only how I see the world, but how I create. The gentle pace of narrowboat life encourages me to slow down, pay attention and find beauty in the everyday – whether it’s a curious duck tapping on the hull or a burst of wildflowers along the towpath. Those moments become stories for our travel blog, and often, the spark behind my illustrations.
I blend traditional canal heritage with modern design to create pieces that feel personal, meaningful and rooted in the places we travel. Every product begins with something real – a moment, a memory, a view from the water – and it’s a joy to share those pieces of our journey with you.
Why We’re Different
What sets our brand apart is the life we live and the stories we tell. Every design begins with something real – a moment from our travels, a piece of canal heritage, or the wildlife we meet along the way. This isn’t trend‑led artwork or mass‑produced imagery; it’s a collection shaped by lived experience on the waterways.
I blend traditional canal art with modern illustration, creating a style that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Our designs carry the character of the canals, the charm of life afloat and the gentle pace that inspires everything we do.
As a small, independent studio, every product is created with intention. Each item is made‑to‑order, reducing waste and ensuring that what you receive is crafted just for you. It’s personal, thoughtful and rooted in the places we travel – a little piece of canal life you can bring into your home.