Words from the heart.
Hi there.
Thanks for stopping by.
Friday’s blog a private peek,
so here’s a poem I wrote last week.
If I had a penny for every time I have heard “I could never do that”.
So here’s a rhyming thought for the doubters,
FOR YOU. AND YOU. AND YOU.
The things I make with pens and ink
Aren’t anything like as hard as you think!
Just have a go, just do as I do,
And after a while it will grow inside you!
You’ll start to have ideas of your own
And your art will develop its very own tone.
You”ll play with the colours and invent your own blends,
Create new techniques and develop fresh trends!
And folks may well wonder if I’m threatened by you,
With your brilliance and passion and the work that you do.
But the truth is quite simple and I’ll say it out loud!
Your art is exquisite and you make me so proud!
Much love,
82 thoughts on “Words from the heart.”
You make me believe Barb. Thank you xx
Hi Barb,
You really inspire me to try new things, thank you xxx
Beautiful amazing inspiration! Thank you
Humble gratitude to generous folk like your good self Barbara. You encourage us to go to the next level and that is some talent. X
Beautiful Barb, should turn it into a stamp!
Thank you for all your inspiration.
Love & Hugs
Jacquie J xxx
http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
Wow! and there's us told! Thank you ….
Good one! Looking forward to Sunday! Hope you don't have any travelling problems x x
Aaaaah! We couldn't do it without you – and Claritystamp! xxx
love it Barbara , make a stamp out of it xx
What wonderful words Barbara. I agree with Pauline – would make a great stamp!! I always look at your work and think "I might have a go at that" and then I start and it looks nothing like yours and I think – "hey ho – I will never be a Barbara Gray" – but now I think "I could be LIKE Barbara Gray – not as good but I could give it a go!" I am gonna print this out and put it in my craft room for inspiration!! Thank you. xx
Great verse, great sentiment. I wouldn't be crafting the way I am now without your blog, TV demos, DVDs and inspiration! Someone once asked me if I can say I did it if I've 'copied' a design, made me sad at first but then my skills improved and I now use the techniques to do my own thing. Thank you for all your time you spend with us every day. XX
Precisely!
Ooooo. And I so like your advice to go with what you have rather than be too too picky if it isn't perfect!! So often it turns out quite different (and often better) than the plan. If you feel proud of our efforts that's well good enough for me!
Barbara Gray
You make my day
Simples
I echo all of the above! We need your inspiration and the building of skills and that gives you confidence to have a go at something a bit different, in time from the tentative steps big strides emerge!
Thanks for the daily inspiration x
Wow. Thank you Barbara. That is lovely. A lovely antidote to the rest of my day. Hugs ((()))
Great words Barbara. I was just talking to Jo yesterday about self doubt. Why do we give ourselves so much grief? You have been such an inspiration to me – I'm certain that I wouldn't have tried some of the things I have without your continual encouragement. Thank you! Hugs xxx
There's encouragement for us all, thank you so much for those wonderful words Barbara. You give us so much inspiration & it will rub off on us eventually. All the best for Sunday's show, drive safely.x
Wonderful words xxx
All I know is that if I hadn't seen you demo with the brayer on C & C back in 2006, I wouldn't be where I am in my craftiness. So thank you for the poem and for all the inspiration and encouragement. Love Emma. xx
Once again – inspired by you. I am on a journey and I think getting better with practice. You have given me so much encouragement to keep going.
I look forward to more on Sunday. A big thank you
Best wishes
Anne (Reading)
Hi Barbara. What a great poem and yes you should make it a stamp! You really inspire us all and yes, we must believe in ourselves more! Safe travels Barbara. Love Diane xxx
Inspiring indeed ,especially for me who is doubtful and wonders if I can succeed .
Hi Barb,
Great verse and very true too. I have been so inspired and influenced by you and now have far more confidence to have a go, even if it doesn't work out! I have done a couple of canvasses that I'm quite proud of and that would never happened without you. So all I can say is thank you so much. Looking forward to Sunday. Love Alison xx
That is just so beautiful. There is no way you could be threatened by me, but you, and the wonderful team you have gathered around you, have inspired me to have a go at all sorts of things would never have attempted even twelve months ago. It has also made me determined to encourage others to have a go and have more confidence in themselves. Things that would have gone straight in the bin now wait around while I think how to make them work in some way, even if they are not what I intended at first. Thank you for all you do for us and please keep on doing what you do so well. xxxx Maggie
In the words of William Arthur Ward, you are a 'great teacher' and I thank you for that!
Oh Barbara, that's making me cry (in a good way), just totally hits the spot today. Feeling so down and so rubbish and useless in all ways. It feels like your poem is written just for me, I know it is not, but it gives me that kind of feeling and just what I needed right now. I'm going to print it out big and keep it up in my craft room to remind me. Yes, I'm going to try really hard to do as you do and to stay on your arty train this time, even with the new altered art you're going to be bringing us. People think it's in me to be proper arty, maybe this poem of yours will be the thing to give me the courage and strength to go with it.
Thank you soooo much
love Brenda xx
Hi Brenda, glad you commented as I haven't seen you on here for a couple of days so was wondering if you were ok. Sorry to hear you've been feeling down, hope that turns around soon. I've missed your comments. XX
Aww, thank you Donna, that means a lot to me. I commented on Barbara's previous post earlier today too. I'm not that well just now (chronic fatigue syndrome), been like this a few weeks now, and struggling in all ways at the minute. And struggling a bit more than normal to communicate with people (that's Asperger's!), struggling to think of something to say and when I do struggling to write it on here, and thinking to myself no one wants to hear what I have to say anyway (that's total lack of self confidence and self worth!!!!) – you've just proved that one wrong then!!! 🙂 xx
Absolutely! If nothing else just say hi and I will say hi back, just so you know there is someone thinking of you. XX
Hi Ladies! Just so you know, I read every message, every day. Never miss a day. So Brenda, I always wait to see your response. I find you to be very eloquent. X
Hi Barbara, I agree Brenda's comments are worth reading. There you are when you can, we will be waiting. Xx
Hi Brenda. I always look forward to hearing what you have to say. I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling more than usual. We are all here for you x
That's me crying again, in a good way, and I'm feeling that warm feeling inside too from all of you taking the time to reply to me, wanting to and for all the things you are saying. You are all so lovely to me, this all means a huge amount to me, and it is making things feel a little less bleak at the moment. I will try hard to keep commenting, even when I can't think of something to say. Nicola is on holiday from now and I think she's been worrying a bit that I'll retreat even more inside without her talking to me each week, support worker visits are still a big mess, and other than Nicola not had any since before Christmas, supposed to have a new one this week if I'm a bit better.
I really really do want to take the plunge on the art front too, I keep feeling I'm being left behind because of me, my gremlins, maybe keeping talking on here will help me have a go and to keep having a go, it did last time for a short while. All 4 people seemed to really like the first piece of artwork I did before Christmas, and they've been telling me it's been hung up on their walls at home, so maybe I do have the ability, if I can get round all my gremlins! And I did so enjoy card making, and the little dabble I had at drawing a few years back, now I don't even make a simple card! I'm like Penny below, I have all the stuff, most of it not yet used, I say to myself I'm going to try this today /tomorrow and when the time comes it never happens. I think I too need a shove and a helping hand to start the snowball rolling!! I know it's silly to be scared of failure especially when it is just a piece of card, but for me it's also the fear of what if I can't do it, I'm rubbish at it, what do I do then. What I was doing craft wise is no longer enough for me, I've moved on, and yes I'll still do those but I need more than that now, it's a feeling inside I don't know the name of, that drives me to so want to be aboard Barbara's arty train and a part of that, doing actual arty stuff, and to be a proper part of this extended Clarity family too.
Thank you so much Donna, Barbara and Mrs B 🙂 xx
XX. Keep the faith, we will take the arty train one station at a time!
Barbara that's perfect !
I for one have you to thank for so much.if I hadn't stood and watched you create magic with that clever corner I would not be where I am today. And not only have you been such an inspiration to me but you have become a good and very lovely friend! I am so proud to say that and to be a part of your team! Xxx
I love that you have inspired me to try new techniques, to have more courage in my crafting, and to just have a go! Not just with a piece of paper and ink, but with other sorts of crafts too. Thank you, and thanks for the great poem too, Susan x
You started me on my crafting road and I haven't looked back or tried to find a more satisfying hobby. I just just don't see an end to it which is fantastic cos I love it so much!……I see many more sunsets ahead in the far, far distant future, so I'll dig out all those, yellow, orange and red inks and carry on crafting! There are endless possibilities which you prove to us all time, & time again. Thank you for being you! Carole x
i can definitely say that you have inspired me immensely. before you there were paper kits. you started me on the creative journey allowing me to express myself more freely and getting closer to one of my biggest dreams….. to be able to paint. your stamps especially the 'old' style allow me to do that to some extent. so thank you.
and for anybody ho is still titillating…… just give it a go and you will be surprised…. hugs xx
Your poem certainly fits the bill today and even a week ago I would not have believed I'd be using unfamiliar materials in such a fashion; it's so messy I can't experiment in my craft room so I have a bit of the kitchen which Mike calls my alchemy corner! Nothing to display yet but with a few tweeks, who knows! Thanks for all the inspiration and confidence – not to try but DO it!
Barbara, that is so lovely. You have played a very big part in me not giving up craft altogether. I love the new type of art you have been doing and you have helped me progress into something I really love which is canvas artwork.
Thank you. Xxxx
Oh Barbara Gray, a real "truth sayer"
A mistress of inks, some stamps and a brayer
A dab hand with gelli plate, fantastic with masks
Is there no limit? we novices ask.
She's brilliant, a genius, it's true as she says
You can always add it but not take it away
We love you, Barbara!
Brilliant! A kindred poet! X
Fab poem x
Great poem – wish I was as talented! x
Ha Ha love it xx
Thank you for such a beautiful verse I am going to make a copy and hang it in my craft room if that is ok by you Barbara you give me so much inspiration and I love crafting have been following you since you made your first v s h tape and you used the lady dipping her toe in the water at a show in Exeter Happy Crafting Pauline xx
That's lovely Barbara. You should do an illustrated book of inspirational and encouraging poems, when you have a spare moment that is! x
From the heart…thanks for sharing Barb!!!! You touched me…
Have a nice weekend, Alie 🙂
Love you x
Dear Barb, that is beautiful, so much thought and emotion. And it comes right back to you, with tons of love and thanks, for all your inspiration and teaching. Take care please, we all love you loads. I know I look forward to my daily dose of Barb and Clarity. Please make this into a verse stamp or at least give us the poetic license to use it in our work. Bx
Great poem Barbara and hits the spot exactly. We all have our doubts and good and bad crafting days but the more we try the more we are likely to succeed, so thanks for this!! x
Multitalented or what!
Another boost to the confidence. You are a wonder! Craft in general has come such a long way and we may be one step behind you but at least we are on the same road! Thanks for such a beautiful expression of your belief in us. xx Margaret Col.
awww Barb – thats so sweet – love it xx
Lovely words of encouragement thank you
Such an inspirational poem. Thank you. I'm glad we make you proud of our achievements. We could not do it without you and the Claritystamp team xx
Lovely poem. You are my inspiration!
…Raine Phoenix
Brilliant poem. I am looking forward to a weekend of crafting, creating cards that I need to send in February. I look forward every day to seeing what you have created for us, and then working out how I could do it with what I have in my stash. Your blog is my guilty pleasure every day, ensuring that I take a few moments out for me!
What lovely kind and encouraging words. My problem is I don't "play" enough, I'm so busy looking at what everyone else is doing, I get nothing done, convince myself I can't be as good but then every so often I do something I'm proud of and it makes me feel really good so I must try harder to focus on that, right talking to over, time for bed xx
Love it . Love it . Love it .
Great poem Barbara. Here's one from me. I had it all written out earlier this evening but when I clicked 'publish' it just disappeared! Had to go back in your blog, to last October's blog lesson, to find out how to do it again! I am now the last to post so I do hope my poem will be read as I need all the help I can get.
Words from MY heart.
Barbara, your drive, enthusiasm, talent and creativity
Make you an inspiring teacher with an amazing personality.
I enjoy all your artwork, it gives so much pleasure,
Your creations are truly something to treasure.
I've bought the paints, inks, stamps and brushes too,
Stencils, gelli plate, card and brayer all new
But now, and I think you'll find this quite strange,
I just can't take the first step and I so want to change!
I watch you on TV and follow your blog,
I love what you do but my mind's in a fog.
I know I should try it, I wake up each day
Saying "I'm going to do it, I'll do it today!"
Is it failure I'm scared of? Yes, I know it could be
That's what I'm afraid of, how silly of me!
What I need is a workshop or club to go to,
Friendly advice and support to help me get through
This insurmountable block, and be just like you.
I live in NE Derbyshire, a pretty place to be
But search as I might, I can't find a club anywhere near me.
Can anyone help me, I just need a shove?
Any help, tips, suggestions, I really would love!
Finished at last, now I can go to bed!
Penny, great poem! Well done for persevering with the publishing issue! North Derbyshire. Mmm.Nottingham/Wollaton. Our lovely Sazz runs a club and workshops there. Then there's my retreat in Crowborough in August, which is a distance, but a total immersion for 2 days, with like- minded people. Or maybe even both, if you really want to break through the wall. Email me if you like, and I will get the ball rolling. X
Great poem Penny. Go on – have a go! I had my gelli plate for MONTHS before I tried, then had lots of less than successful attempts, but only wasted a bit of paint and paper! Kept them all to remind me what not to do, and then just thought of it as experimentation and have had lots of fun since!!
As Susan has said just give it a go, it is only a bit of card. I have taken the plunge this year and booked a couple of workshops with Sazz and really hoping to get on the retreat. So be brave come and give it a go, I won't be the only apprentice then. Fab poem by the way Penny. xx
Thank you Barbara and Susan for your kind replies. I will get in contact with Sazz and find out about her workshops …. sounds like a good place to start!
Just seen your reply Lynne, thanks for your kind words too.
Great little ditty, can relate to much of what you have written. I go to my crafty bestie's house every other saturday afternoon for crafty aftys, there can be 6 of us sometimes, love it, only way I can get any crafting done sometimes 🙂
Wonderful poems! What a talented bunch you all are! I have watched you Barbara for about ten years ( the first time I saw you was in Glasgow demonstrating the little boy reflection) and I was hooked, but seven years ago I moved up to north west Scotland and like Penny above I have bought the gelli plate etc. but have never really moved on from stamping as I lack confidence in trying new things( I need classes! ) so maybe your inspirational poem is just what I need to keep in mind. Will you be doing any workshops in Glasgow this year?
Anne – I'd happily craft with you sometimes – I'm no expert, but it's less scary to try new things with someone else. I so miss my crafty friends from the south since I moved up to Inverness – let me know if you'd like to meet up, Susan x
I would be delighted to meet up although I live in Gairloch and don't go to Inverness very often( usually for shopping! ) Anne xo
Anne, I'm afraid there are none scheduled for me in Scotland. A friend of mine, Pauline, runs a club near Perth. Email me if you would like the details x
Hi Barbara. What a beautiful poem, thank you so much : ) Take care.
Brilliant poem Barbara I'm 76and was thinking of packing it in after many years of making pictures and cards fund raising.and of course for pleasure your blog is brilliant Barbara I never miss it part of my day. After your poem I'm not giving up well done barb thank you love June horrocks xxx
Hi Barbara, great poem. I enjoyed reading it. Have a good weekend. Kind regards Joanne K x
Barbara, thank you for giving me the confidence to try new craft ideas, you are an inspiration. Love the poem. Jx
What lovely words, had to make a comment today! Read your blog everyday, but am one of those lurkers who does't say much. lol
I often " have a go at the projects both from the blog and the stamp club and if they don't turn out just like yours, well that's not wrong!!! just different. Which usually inspires me to look at things from a different angle.
Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to us all. xxx
(Following on from what others have said, anyone know of a club etc in the southend on sea area would love to meet some like minded people).
Lovely poem. I follow some of your projects and have learned a lot from doing as you say. It is great sometimes to just play, it is only a piece of card after all. Your blog is amazing so many wonderful tips . Thankyou xx
Hi Barbara, thank you so much for the verse and for all your encouragement x x x
An Ode to Barbara Gray
There was a young Lady call Barbara Gray
who picked up a stamp and to herself did say
this should be clear so I can see what I do
and then I can learn and teach it to you
I will build an alphabet so you can see
the artiness I have, deep within me
then I will build an empire of crafters galore
and they will come gather and they will want more
and we will buy a brayer and roll it out
and paint a picture with nowt sticking owt!!!!
and more people will gather to Barbara Gray
and they will listen to her knowledge
and take it away, they will pass on the
artiness to me and you and we will all gather
and Brayer in Pink, Green & Blue
Clarity Stamp shall be the name of this, Ower Barbara's domain!
and retreats and classes will follow too
and a Blog and a You Tube and a weird picture or two
and we all will be happy when we sit in our seat
and watch Barbara control Dean, that's no easy feat?
and we will applaud her conviction, and her genuine wish to teach
as she takes us on a crafty journey that we all can reach.
Now this Lady called Barbara is kind through and through
and generous and loving and a bit silly too
she is admired by many and more each day
because from start to finish
she does it in her own special way. xxxx
Luv Sam – Love your Poem Barbara. xxxx
Wow Sam – fantastic poem!
You star Sammy Poem Pops! X
You have helped me through hard times, we've giggled and laughed through some wonderful times, and always you have encouraged me to believe in what I can do' what I can create… With love and thanks for the strength, friendship and belief Barbara. You so make us proud too xxx