Lewes, baubles and a singsong…

Lewes, baubles and a singsong…

Hi there!
Thanks for popping in. 
Morning at work.
Happy to report that ALL the Gray Sale orders – every single one – has left the building. That is amazing. What a supreme effort.
Over 3,500 orders – and many were H U G E.
Lewes in the afternoon, with Grace and her beau, Nick.
Here we see Harveys of Lewes in the background, 
the oldest independent brewery in Sussex.
8th generation family business. Dates back to 1790.
Here’s another beautiful old shop up the hill. 
The window dressing just blew me away…

So we trundled up to the Memorial, 
and then down to Bill’s for a late lunch.

Bill’s is very cool too.
Right opposite the brewery.
Another legend in the town. 
A self-proclaimed barrow boy 
who built his stall into a culinary empire.
Fab place for food and conviviality. 
I love hearing about successful family businesses.
They are the backbone of this country,
and we are proud to be one too. 
Here’s a fantastic Christmas card sent to us by Barbara Lancaster,
one of our inspirational Design Team family. 
She’s another very clever and switched on card maker.
Just look at this bauble!

Isn’t that absolutely super ??
Barbara used the small Moonfairy stamp which I drew ages ago
inside the new Bauble stamp.
And doesn’t he sit in there as if he never wanted to be anywhere else?
Thank you Barbara, for your time and your talent.
You always make our Clarity products dance and sing beautifully.
Time to get wrapping. Or do I mean rapping?
I left the two love doves belting out duets on the karaoke machine in the living room!
Brilliant. 
There is such a lot of good energy in the house.
Wonderful. 
Mark? He popped over to Lithuania to see a couple of friends 
until Thursday. 
Yep, you read it right. Lithuania. 
The youth of today, eh?
Mind you, I was the same as a youngster. 
What am I saying ?!?!? I’m still the same!
Time to get the old Shania Twain CD out.
Go find Dave. He can hold a tune too…
And what a guitarist!
I do love a good singsong, don’t you??
Love & Hugs,
Barb
xxx

76 thoughts on “Lewes, baubles and a singsong…

  1. Hi Barbara! What fab photos – Grace and Nick make a wonderful couple, happiness and love radiates from them. I see what you mean about that shop window – just my sort of thing. Yet another wonderful card too – keep enjoying every moment! Hugs to you all, Gilly x

    1. Hi wonderful blog friends – hope that you have all had a good day. I have just been 'chatting' to someone on the Clarity FB group, who now lives in Spain and we have promised to keep in touch. It's amazing how all of this just works. It still doesn't beat coming here to the blog, as not all of you very special people are able to be on FB. Sending you all lots of love and Christmas hugs – Gilly xxx

    2. Hi Gilly,
      Great you have got a new Clarity friend over in Spain. This blog is wonderful though – I wouldn't be without it ( hopefully, Barbara willing!) love and hugs Alison xx

  2. I don't do karaoke but I do love singing along to the radio. Or a CD. I've been wrapping all day, and I'm still not done and my back is giving me gyp cos I've been sat at the dining table too long, (that's where I wrap). But my darling, beautiful daughter has said it's her day off tomorrow, and she will finish it for me. Hooray!! I love her to bits x

  3. Lovely photos, I agree a sing song is great, we did try a karaoke last night in a Japanese restaurant, but everyone was more interested in the food. I had a lovely husband who was a fantastic pianist, so lots of songs when the children were little. Have fun xxx

  4. What an uplifting blog Barb and your Grace looks so very happy. I went to see a 93yr old friend this afternoon and she was rather low – said she would be on her own for Christmas Day so Ive invited her to join us (my son and daughter and my son-in-law – all also singles) for Christmas dinner. She seemed pleased ….. so it will be good to have a house full of happy people.. xx

  5. Oh Barbara….you sound as though you're having a grand time. You made me laugh saying Mark had nipped to Lithuania.. Like he's just popped out to the local pub! But then that's what makes for an exciting life I suppose!
    Barbara's card to you is beautiful… Very talented lady isn't she!?
    Anyway enjoy your evening singing! Reminds me of karaoke crafting at Harrogate!
    Love and hugs xxxx

  6. Hi Barbara so nice to see you are all fine and looking forward to a wonderful Christmas.
    Many thanks for my Grey sale items they arrived yesterday have just started the cake box just a start will have to get more parchment after Christmas as won't get much time for me until then.
    Just a thank you for all you and your team have done through the year and looking forward to the next year things to come.
    Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Love this beautiful card, so many talented people.
    Lynn xx 🎄

  7. Fab photos and card. Glad you're having a brill time. And mega thanks to you and the clarity team for getting all those parcels out! Hope all elves can now stop dreaming of clarity boxes after such a fantastic effort! THANKS TO ALL XXX

  8. Lovely photos Barbara and beautiful artwork by Barbara No 2. Hubby is renewing my Diamond Club for me so I am so happy. I was very impressed by Dave's guitar playing on your Christmas message. It looks as if you will have a very musical Christmas.
    X Chris

  9. Love a song song to Grace looksvery happy with her handsome young man, hope Mark has fun with his mates. Loving the bauble card and wow 3,500 orders know wonder it's taken you so long to work throughdid time clarity do wellgetting through them so quick my second order hasn't arrived yet but had email to say left the building on way think was Sunday so hopefully they will fix my eye tomorrow and I can get grooving with the lovely coloured parchment that. Is due to arrive any day enjoy your sing song night night tomorrow is de day op on eye scary this time tomorrow all will be done hopefully on mend xxx

  10. Stunning card beautiful photos of your daughter and her beau .wonderful that you have some special times making more lovely memories you have given your children wonderful wings to fly and they fly back to home too you xxx

  11. Hi Barbara, sounds like you've got the balance between work and family time just right. Good to see Grace looking so happy with her guy, and you sounding happy. Hopefully you'll get plenty quality time with Mark once he's seen all his mates.

    Me, I've been counting my blessings today, despite the life I've had and have, I still have a lot of things I can be grateful and thankful for.

    Beautiful card Barbara L. Thanks for sharing Barbara.

    Hope you enjoy your singsong
    Love Brenda xx

    Dave, if you're not going to entertain us at Christmas with your interpretation of Bambi on ice, then what party piece are you going to do for us? By the way, wasnae us who invented ice skating, that game wi brooms and stones you all laugh at us fir, until we win yi olympic medals, aye, but no ice skating!!! 😉

  12. What a lovely card by Barbara. Will use it to inspire me. Our family love Bill's. We held my daughter-in-laws hen night there (very calm and civilised) and her baby shower more recently. I absolutely love Shania Twain. She was on the Arts Channel a few weeks ago. Good Mark is able to catch up with friends for a few days. Grace looks so happy and content. Wow 3,500 orders, just shows what good products your company produce as the sale was purely Clarity. Thank you and your team so much for getting everything out before Christmas. Everyone has worked so hard.xx

  13. Oooooo moonfairy moonfairy, I love this stamp, one of my faves, that and the birds on a line. Beautiful card, as ever. Happy holidays to you all. I sing and sometimes the three dogs join in, we sing our lungs out, poor neighbours, and if singing with my dogs implies madness, so be it xx

  14. What a beautiful card Barbara. I too received a very special card today, which has pride of place. Thank you (You know who you are!!!XX) I would also like to thank Jeannine from your Sales Team for being so incredibly helpful. You and your team are just amazing. Enjoy the time spent with your family. Love and hugs to you all…..and all on the blog xxx

  15. Enjoyed Dave's guitar playing on the Christmas message! Looks like your having an enjoyable week already – that's good for you! Lovely card again ! I was in Bill's last week for Christmas get together with some school friends.

    Off to London tomorrow for Loose Women (hopefully we will be there early enough to get seats) and then a whirl on the London Eye. Must admit I'm a bit bothered about going to London after Berlin but Im also a what will be will be person. However, to doesn't stop you thinking, I'd been thinking about it before this happened. Xx

  16. Hi Barb,
    Lovely photos – Grace looks so happy. Really like Lewes although a bit hilly for me at moment! Barbara's card is lovely even though I'm not a fairy lover, I can appreciate the work that went into this and admire it. She is very talented. Well done to all at Clarity for getting all of those orders out so quickly. Hope you enjoyed your singsong. Love and hugs Alison xxx

    1. Hi bloggy friends,
      Hope you're all ok and have had as good a day as possible. Off to bed now – got an early start tomorrow, off to Newcastle with my sister which will be good. Love and hugs Alison xxx

  17. Wow you have all been busy! Stunning photos they look very happy. Mark sounds a typical lad!
    I wish I'd known when I sat next to her at Leyburn that it was Barbara – such a talented lady x

    1. Hello blog pals. I was whacked yesterday after the hospital visit. They were pleased with my progress so I feel I can push myself a bit harder with more confidence now. Thank you all for your good wishes they were much appreciated xx

  18. Brought back memories for me Barb, lived in Lewes for 35 years, worked at Barclays Bank opposite the war memorial. Would also march in the processions on bonfire night as a child, happy memories.

  19. Sounds like a lovely warm and happy household. Granddaughter is having a guitar for her birthday on Thursday so suspect there might be a bit of music Christmas day as both sons play. Enjoy your sing song. Oh and well done on the order despatch. Wonderful team x x

  20. Hi Barbara
    What a beautiful card, you do have a very talented design team. Lewis looks beautiful, must have a visit. Grace and nick look very happy together, what a lovely couple. Yeah we get to see Emma tomorrow, wonder how long it will be before she suggests a music quiz, we were just saying the other day we miss that. Have a lovely evening .
    Love Diane xxxx

  21. Your festive plans sound brilliant and I am sure a good time will be had by all
    My dad loved to sing at Christmas being a Scot he belted out all the old ballads
    Miss him loads funny though not thought of him singing till I read your blog
    Have a wonderful time all of you Txx

  22. Hi Barbara. Good to see you've had such a lovely afternoon with Grace and Nick. Family time is so precious. Very happy your card arrived safely; I even remembered to take a couple of step by photos, so I might try to blog it! Love to you all. Xxx

  23. Glad you have all had another wonderful day and love the photos, and Grace and Nick look wonderful together, aaah, young love it's great isn't it. Barbara's card is beautiful. I love that fairy on the crescent moon within the bauble, and what a great idea to incorporate the sentiment on the bauble chain. x

  24. Hi Barb thanks for sharing the photos, great times with family. Barbara's card is gorgeous, love the design and stamping. Hope the karaoke did not get too raucous. Take care. Bx

  25. Hi Barbara, love reading your blog (often, as right now, while enjoying my morning cup of tea in bed). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos.So pleased you're having a great time with Grace and Nick.They look so happy together! Lewes looks like a lovely place. Must go there one day. That shop with the beautiful window dressing looks like my kinda shop! Currently over here from Germany to spend Christmas with my lovely boyfriend and enjoying every minute ofmy stay. Went to the Winter Wonderland in London last night but wasn't impressed – liked the Christmas market part (reminded me of the ones in Cologne) but it's mainly a fun fair and VERY EXPENSIVE! Still, a good night out. Love Barbara Lancaster's card and in fact, have been enjoying all other cards by your design team you've been sharing. You really got a great design team – so talented! Oh, and I loved your Christmas message on FB and Dave's guitar playing! Enjoy your time with your family! Ooh, was just offered another cuppa 😊 Sorry for rambling on this morning. Have a good time everyone xx

  26. Hi Barbara, love reading your blog (often, as right now, while enjoying my morning cup of tea in bed). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos.So pleased you're having a great time with Grace and Nick.They look so happy together! Lewes looks like a lovely place. Must go there one day. That shop with the beautiful window dressing looks like my kinda shop! Currently over here from Germany to spend Christmas with my lovely boyfriend and enjoying every minute ofmy stay. Went to the Winter Wonderland in London last night but wasn't impressed – liked the Christmas market part (reminded me of the ones in Cologne) but it's mainly a fun fair and VERY EXPENSIVE! Still, a good night out. Love Barbara Lancaster's card and in fact, have been enjoying all other cards by your design team you've been sharing. You really got a great design team – so talented! Oh, and I loved your Christmas message on FB and Dave's guitar playing! Enjoy your time with your family! Ooh, was just offered another cuppa 😊 Sorry for rambling on this morning. Have a good time everyone xx

  27. Morning Barbara, Barbara's card is gorgeous, I love how she has used the Season's Greetings to hold the bauble, brilliant !!
    Your piccies of Grace and Nick are fabulous !!
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

  28. Good morning Barb

    Lovely reading your blog this morning and seeing the happy couple enjoying themselves as I'm sure Mark will too in Lithuania!

    Barbara's card is stunning, she's a very talented lady

    June x

  29. Well done to all the Clarity team. I was concerned I might be away when my order arrived as it was only posted out on Monday but it was delivered by our lovely Postman early this morning so well done the Post Office too. Like you Barbara I'm going to spend Christmas with my beautiful daughter, her lovely husband who is a marvel in the kitchen and my two brilliant grandsons who keep us laughing. My husband will take his guitar and have a bit of a jamming session with my son-in-law. Does Dave prescribe to the same mathematical equation as my husband regarding how many guitars you should own i.e. the number you have plus 1?
    Thanks to everyone at Clarity for their dedication and hard work plus the inspiration from all the beautiful artwork throughout the year. You truly are a very talented bunch. May I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

  30. Beautiful girl, handsome guy…Love in the air? Looks and sounds like a fab day had by all! Another lovely card too. Love this fairy stamp… just need the bauble. Enjoy a lovely sing song – best entertainment there is!

  31. Sounds like Christmas and love is in the air throughout the house! Barbara's sample is just stunning too. We've got a bit of snow today, so just waiting for the shower to go through and then we'll be taking mum to the hairdresser and then off to get the turkey and trimmings. Enjoy your karaoke x

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