Amazing News!

Amazing News!

Hi there.
Thanks for dropping by.
You may already have heard our good news about Paul Church?
He has finally, after much arm-twisting and cajoling,
quit his city job to come and work at Clarity.
Phew.
Double phew!
Just when I was wondering how I was actually going to cope 
with the new workload, too…
Nobody – and I mean NOBODY – is happier or more relieved
than me to be welcoming Paul on board full time.
He has been helping and supporting us for years, as you know,
but there’s a huge difference between occasional and full time. 
We live 5 minutes from each other too.
In fact, he came over this evening for chicken n chips and a natter!
Not only is he a good and loyal friend to Dave and me; 
he is also an extremely competent, switched on, creative guy.
So I made him a card, using my favourite stamp of course!
I’m sure he won’t mind if I blog it!
Nothing like killing two birds with one stone, so to speak!
Shaving Foam piece using Distress Reinkers.
I stared at it until I could see a mountain side, a waterfall and a path.
Can you see it? Squint! That always helps.
Stamp the Boy and birds in black Archival.
Cut back.

Use Spectrum Noir pencils to bring out what you can see in your mind’s eye.
Dear darling Dee Paramour, 
if you are reading this, please note 
all my pencils are now in a big tin!
I was visiting Dee a couple of weeks back, and in her artroom I noticed she had all her pencils in a pot like this.
What an obviously easy way to see them all at a glance!
Time to bring out the path….

Can you see it yet?

When you put it next to the unchanged half, 
you can see what I’m up to.

Pick some fitting words.
Darn.
Fitting words which don’t fit!
Time to make a little panel.
Amazing and News are from the 

Go round the edges with a Black Sharpie pen.

Hope you like it.
Hope Paul likes it !!
He has made a very big decision.
To leave a great job in the city after 14 years is a biggy.
I hope he enjoys the next 14 with us!

love and hugs,

LIMERICK WINNER!!!
After a jolly good chuckle at all the limericks
we picked a winner.
It was hard to choose, but 
Cards by Claire – 
the £20 Gift Voucher is coming your way!
There once was a crafter called Sue

Who ran out of things to do

So she accepted her fate

And bought a groovi plate mate

And joined up with the Clarity crew..

89 thoughts on “Amazing News!

  1. Wow, who knew that Barbara was a head hunter! Well done Paul, I'm sure that life will be filled with fun and laughter working at Clarity. Plus you get to craft as your job! How lucky.

    Congratulations Claire on you win, I loved this one too. Xx

    1. Hi Donna first to comment good one ,I got my elephant grunge pasted no colourings yet that is for another day Drs tomorrow so early to bed
      How was your day did you manage to craft ?xxx

    2. Two words sum up today…………….WET PLAY!!!!!!!!
      Definitely need a little colouring tonight! When I read your post I thought it said 'I got my elegant grunge pasted'. I thought you had some new crafty thing going on! Hope the Drs goes well tomorrow and doesn't wear you out too much, your elegant grunge needs some colour! Xx

    3. Dorothy Thornton! I'm shocked you know about 0800 numbers! Mind you maybe I need my mass mingle tub when I open my adult colouring book 😉 by the way I was eating my cornflakes when I read your comment so now I need to wipe my tablet with a damp cloth! Xx

  2. That is amazing news – so glad you will have the extra help and support! I have to admit I thought he was on board already – shows how much he's been helping out already. So being full time – there'll be no stopping you!

    Great card – love how you use random backgrounds to greta effect – must work on my stash!

    1. My morning routine at the moment involves opening the curtains in the morning and going "urgh" . Don't listen to the weather forecast as they baffle you with Science and 10 seconds after its finished I can't remember what they said anyway! I need a weather forecast of three words – 'sunny, then rain' or 'wet, and windy' that's all you need! Xx

    2. Hi Donna feeling a bit stiff today but the bruises are coming out which is good, I've been a good girl and have rested as instructed! My husband thought I had finally lost the plot last week – I was stood at the back door with a basket of wet washing showing the weather ap on my phone that was showing sun the rain that was pouring down! I sympathise with you over wet playtime – hope you have enjoyed your colouring tonight xxx

  3. A very fitting card for Paul – and "Congratulations" as already voiced on FB 🙂
    Well done to Claire too for her winning limerick.
    Have a great evening all xxx

    1. Well done and well deserved and lovely as a cheer up from a miserable cold, I'm sure you'll find lots of goodies to spend voucher on. I succumbed yesterday could not resist Christmas wee folk, so enjoy. Karen.

    2. Well done and well deserved and lovely as a cheer up from a miserable cold, I'm sure you'll find lots of goodies to spend voucher on. I succumbed yesterday could not resist Christmas wee folk, so enjoy. Karen.

  4. I am astounded to read that the amazing Paul church isn't already a full time clarity man as I just always assumed he was. A fabulous and brave decision that I am sure will work out perfectly for all. Well done Paul x

  5. Well done paul beautiful card says it all Barbara amazing news and come fly with clarity no traveling to work no more a short walk .less stress for Barbara and Dave
    Well done Claire best Limerick enjoy spending crafting hugs to all xxx

    1. Hi Sheila bruises are turning some lovely shades today, bit of fired brick and mountain spruce in there today! I'm quite achey today but I've had another Groovi play today instead of housework – after all the chiropractor told me to rest! Good to hear you have managed to grunge your elephant – what is Donna like elegant grunge, I ask you!!! Hope you are ok xxx

  6. Hi Barbara, great news for you, Paul and Clarity, must be a huge relief for you. Hopefully now you'll be bale to share the load better so you and Dave can have a better work /play balance. love this card too. And now I know I can use my very busy, very vibrant first attempts at shaving foam that I made a couple of months ago, silhouette stamps and words.

    I got my first wee sort of positive today, a support service that gets really good scores, the manager wants to come meet me and Nicola next week, I think Nicola is saying they are fine to take me if I want. Too soon to be feeling any relief or anything yet as there's a long way to go and lots of questions to be answered and stuff first. It's one of the 2 best scoring ones around here for autism, scores much higher than the one I'm with. The Edinburgh branch of it has been recommended, so hopefully the Midlothian branch is as good or better. And at least it's an improvement on nothing.

    well done Claire

    love Brenda xx

    1. Brenda that's lovely, you sound brighter tonight. I've go my fingers. Tossed for you that the meeting goes well and you have found a perfect match. Hugs to you and Daisy xxx

    2. Sounds like good news Brenda write down all those wee questions you need answers to… always thinking about you Amy swimming like a wee fish now was a good move for her to change Schools we see a big change in her and still bopping away to her disco ball…love ..Dot

    3. Wow, thank you everyone 🙂 xx
      I'm glad Amy is on the right track now, I often think about her. She's got a very good chance of a happy future ahead of her now, she's not going to end up like me 🙂 xx

    4. So glad things are looking up for you Brenda, I have missed reading your comments lately. Sending love, and hoping things come right for you. We Scots girls must stick together!!!! Xx

  7. After seeing Paul at the Retreats his passion, not to mention patience, and his talent I am thrilled for you all at Clarity Towers that he is joining you. Hopefully that will also mean less stress for youI love his card, and love the way you have enhanced the background. Hope Dave is feeling better this week! Xx

  8. Also glad you said about a pot for your pencils as the only thing I don't like about spectrum noir is them coming in their separate tins. I am a bit odd about things like number order etc and the multi tin layout causes me problems. But now I know that the spectrum noir queen has decanted I don't feel so bad about doing the same!!

    1. Oooh Claire I thought it was just me! I like to keep mine in the tins but have a real temptation to put the all in number order just to see what they look like – not sure I'm ready for a mass mingle tub yet though 😃 xxx

    2. A mass mingle tub! I'm not ready for that either (she said giving a shudder) I wonder what that means? I don't think I'm overly precious about keeping things in their packets, my Spectrum pens are all in the one box and that didn't cause palpitations! Hmmmmm ????? Xx

  9. Congratulations Paul! I'm so very pleased for you! I am so glad Barbara and Dave twisted your arm….but I bet it didn't take too much twisting! Enjoy your last few weeks in your old job and look forward to a new life with Claritystamp! It'll be like coming home!

    Barbara that card is fabulous! I can actually see a viaduct like the one in Stockport…. Lovely archways!
    Hope Dave is feeling better! Love and hugs xxxx

  10. Congratulations Paul! I'm so very pleased for you! I am so glad Barbara and Dave twisted your arm….but I bet it didn't take too much twisting! Enjoy your last few weeks in your old job and look forward to a new life with Claritystamp! It'll be like coming home!

    Barbara that card is fabulous! I can actually see a viaduct like the one in Stockport…. Lovely archways!
    Hope Dave is feeling better! Love and hugs xxxx

  11. Fab card as ever Barbara and such magnificent news that Paul will be joining full time. It must be a great relief to you and Dave hopefully let loose some of the ties . Paul is such a brilliant man and a very talented crafter. A very big decision for him but I for one think he has made the correct one.
    Take care xx

  12. Fab card as ever Barbara and such magnificent news that Paul will be joining full time. It must be a great relief to you and Dave hopefully let loose some of the ties . Paul is such a brilliant man and a very talented crafter. A very big decision for him but I for one think he has made the correct one.
    Take care xx

  13. Love the card and love the idea of Paul being with you full time. I am sure he will help keep you sane and let you work less hours.
    I spent time with my seven year old niece at the weekend and she loved making lots of prints. She tells her friends that I am artist and she was to be one too!

  14. Hi Barbara
    Brilliant news about Paul. Lovely for a talented artist to be able to make his hobby his job. He will be a wonderful addition to the Clarity team. Well done Claire on winning the Limerick prize. The card is just perfect.
    X hugs from Chris X

  15. Hi Barb,
    Great news about Paul. I am so pleased for you and of course him. He will be a great asset to Clarity and hopefully take some of the pressure from you and Dave. Love the card you made for him too. Great idea to put the Spectrum Noirs into a big container. I must admit the tins get on my nerves a bit as I'm always having to check each tin for the colours I want. Think I might just have to copy that idea – thanks Barb(& Dee). Congratulations to Claire – great Limerick , well done. Actually had a good day up here in Durham ( until about 3.30) – went blackberrying – nice to be out in the fresh air. Now just got some blackberry and apple pies to make! Love Alison xxx

    1. Hi Alison, how we're the blackberries where you live? We went looking on Sunday afternoon here, they were so small and not many of them didn't even manage to fill an ice cream tub.

  16. Hi Barbara,
    Wonderful news about you being able to finally persuade the wonderful Paul to join you. I'm so glad for him as well as he is obviously so passionate about craft but very good at his London job to have stayed there so long. As good as friends as you are it must have taken some hard thinking about for him as it is a big, life changing decision, after so long. Good move for all concerned me thinks. Xxxxx

  17. Hi Barbara
    This is exciting news for you, Clarity, Paul and all your followers. Paul is such a lovely chap and will be a real help to you and Dave. What a change for him too – 10 minutes to work and the chance to craft all day and some serios stuff too. Good luck to you all on the next stage of your adventure. Love the card you have made fo him, the spectrum noir pencils really enhance the background. Thank you so much for sharing.
    Love Diane xxxx
    Ps – what's the news on your leak? Has it been sorted yet? Xxx

  18. Magnificent great news! Very happy for all at Clarity having Paul on board. Met him at the Retreat this year, what a lovely guy. Love the card you made him Barb – all this wonderful talent that we have access to every day – long may it last. X

  19. Great news Paul is joining you, big step for him, scary I know but to work with someone he has known for a long time and to be part of the family well that's got to be good. Little lecture though, Barbara, you have to let go of some of your precious babies to let them have the space to grow too. Paul adds a new dimension and needs space to flourish. I find it so hard to let my precious team go, especially when they have had such a rough time of late. It took a very brave lieutenant to sit me down and tell me I was stifling them before I started to ease up and I still get it wrong although less so. So sit back and enjoy the ride, as long as they know where you want them to get to what does it matter if they take a different route! Enjoy having someone to share the creative load and we look forward to some guest blogs from Paul when you need to take a break, look how well he did earlier when he prepped your blog a few months back. Welcome Paul. Amazing news indeed. Much love always Karen xxx.

  20. Fantastic news having Paul full time aboard the Clarity team. I'm sure it will ease your stress and make your lives a lot easier. Nice for Paul not having to travel as well. Lovely card and great background too, you have some beautiful shaving foam backgrounds. Super idea of Dee' s to put all the Spectrum Noir pencils in a pot, makes it so much easier to pick out the colours you need, opening & closing the tins is a bit of a pain. Have to use that idea, thanks Dee & Barbara. Well done Claire, really liked your limerick.

  21. Congratulations to Paul on joining the team! That's great news – more Clarity talent. And well done, Claire – nice one! 🙂

    I too decanted my coloured pencils ages ago. Got fed not being able to find the colours I wanted. I got a cheap (but pretty) wooden cutlery drainer that was just the right size. Then cut up some hard polystyrene packaging (KNEW that would come in handy one day!) and made it into dividers, and separated the pencils into their colour groups. Bit OTT but it makes it easy to find what I want. Now I'm saving up for some really good ones. 🙂

  22. Wow. That is amazing news. Never easy to change direction. Even harder to do so when things are good where you are. Good luck Paul (as if you need luck working with clarity!) i hope none of you ever have cause to look back with regret.
    As for the pencils all in one pot … Dee you are a star! Here i am worrying about if the right pencils get back in the right tin …. can't wait to find a pot to put them in. Thanks for that!
    Right. It is half past my bedtime so i had better be off. night all.

  23. i saw that tin at ally pally and wondered why you had done that. i have rearranged mine in numerical order so all the colours from a range are bunched together.
    cool card and yes, very amazing news. you have got a good one there Barb, hugs xx

  24. A lovely card for Paul who will be great to have over at Clarity Towers full time, so congratulations to Paul who I'm sure will never regret it as he fits in so perfectly already and is obviously a lovely chap. Congratulations to Claire for that fantastic limerick. This is a real red letter day for you all! x

  25. It is fantastic news for all of you – Paul will not regret the move one bit and yourselves have the knowledge you have someone you love and trust in your fold – shaving foam is one of my most favourite techniques as you never know what you are going to get – the stamp is one of my all time favourites too – brill
    Much Love
    Kim xx

  26. Hi Barb, such great news about Paul, he is an amazing person, very inspirational and arty. I am sure he has made the right decision, and will become an even bigger part of the Clarity Crew. Love your card, and I am sure Paul will as well. Well done Claire, great limerick. Have a good day all. Bx

  27. So pleased to hear that great news, congratulations to both yourself and of course Paul.
    You to have always worded together so well when I've see you both, so not only are you getting a very clever and talented man on board your team but a long and loyal friend…. What more could one ask for.
    Hope you have many happy crafting years together. Xx

  28. Morning Barbara, only just catching up with your blog. I am so , so thrilled with Pauls news….and I know what a big help and support he is and will be in the future for you and Dave. …he is such a gentleman, a comedian, a loving and very talented crafter….all rolled into one….
    Your is fab and I am sure he will love it …I must admit I have been using my stash of backgrounds recently for those ' needed now' cards…
    Have a great day….love to all….Jo. xxxx

  29. Congratulations Paul, good move! Love this effect Barbara, off to dig through my shaving foam pieces. I don't have any posh pencils (spectrum noirs) but I love Promarkers, I bought a couple of the plastic drawer units for on my desk, and have them sorted by colour, so if I'm doing flowers, I just take the drawer of green pens and the one with pink pens, saves a lot of raking through lots of packets. If I ever get the lovely pencils, I would do the same. Ruth x

  30. Great news about Paul joining your team – he is such a lovely chap, and his work is really fabulous too, so I'm delighted for you both! Look forward to seeing what the two of you will get up to together! Susan x

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