Voting is now open! And kindness rules.

Voting is now open! And kindness rules.

Hi there.

Thanks for popping in! Forgive me for not doing a step by step today; I really am up against it today. Things are reaching fever pitch here at Clarity Towers! So good news and bad news. What do you want first?

The good news? Ok. The GOOD NEWS is that Dad is back on track, he is on the mend and things are healing nicely.

The bad news? Well. Steve has done his back. And Dave has done his back. 2 bad backs and a truck to pack. Yippee. It couldn’t happen at a better time, could it? Ally Pally set up tomorrow, and the two main players out of action. We’re recruited a couple of the young lads to help, but they can’t drive the Luton. Scheissenhausen.

Never mind. This too shall pass.

On an optimistic note, and to brighten the mood, the voting polls have opened today for the International Craft Awards.

Did I tell you that we got nominated for 18 awards spanning 14 categories? That is pretty exciting. So if you think we deserve a pat on the back, then please click below and tick a few boxes for us!

One more thing . Kindness and generosity. When we were up in Leyburn, these two things were offered up in spadefuls. You can’t believe the number of people  who came through the door with  presents. So many beautiful gifts! Your clock looks superb on the wall, Alison !!!  And this beautiful glass angel was a gift from Gillian. It is a symbol of protection.

One dear lady (sorry, the name escapes me) came in with a bottle of bubbly as a belated wedding gift. Her car had broken down on the way to the gig, just cut out. So she had left it somewhere, and managed to get to Leyburn anyhoo. But most importantly, she had brought that bottle of bubbly. THAT was her mission, bless her. So, with all the lovely Scottish treats from Fiona and friends, plus the cards, cakes, flowers and perfume – well! Overwhelming kindness and generosity.  What can I say, but

thank you thank you thank you.

Love & Hugs,

Barb

xxx

40 thoughts on “Voting is now open! And kindness rules.

  1. Hi Barbara,
    As one of “Fiona’s friends” I just want to say thank you for taking the time to chat to us. I wondered if we could have a copy of the photo that was taken with you. I hope I did not break another camera.
    Good luck for the weekend and I am sending positive energy for Steve and Dave to recover quickly.
    Love,
    Linda xx

  2. Hi to you all. I hope things improve for you all. Life never runs smooth, as they say.
    The beautiful protection glass angel is adorable and we all need one. Does Gillian have a way to be contacted please. ?
    Good luck for your weekend.
    Xx Sonia.

  3. Oh goodness, I’ve just rubbed some Voltarol into hubby’s back it sounds as if you need some there too! His is just an ache when he walks so nothing drastic. What a pain for you and them. Glad to hear good news re your Dad, that’s the main thing! Does that mean you’re driving then ?! Good luck and have a great weekend. Love from sunny Crete, despite a lot of rumbling thunder and a bit of rain this morning. Gone now thankfully. X

  4. I wish I could offer to help! I do hope that it all gets done and everything goes smoothly. Hopefully Steve and Dave will soon be well and that your dad’s recovery continues.
    It is wonderful how kind people can be and I am now concentrating on those people and ignoring all the negativity, or trying to!
    Hugs. Annette X

  5. Hello Barbara

    So glad to hear your father is on the mend but, oh dear, poor Dave and Steve, I hope they improve soon. If I lived closer I would offer to help.

    Love
    Roz.xxx

  6. As always it was lovely to bring you some Scottish hospitality. It was brilliant to talk with you and share hits and woes of life. I had such an amazing weekend, it was my focus on my recovery from my call in the spring, and thankfully I made it and was able to catch up with the bloggy girls too.
    Barbara, you have created an amazing supportive community with Clarity and when times seem dark, please remember all the joy that you and your team bring to us.
    I am glad that your Dad is on the mend. My 80 year old parents are challenging me just now with not wanting carers to come in to help! I know things will work out with them soon.

  7. Evening Barbara! I’ve already voted and you got my vote 100%!
    So glad to hear your dear dad is on the mend but sad about Dave and Steve’s backs! These things are sent to try us I am sure! But really you don’t need it!
    I hope all goes well at Ally Pally… would love to be there with you but no chance this year! Maybe one time I will make it!
    It’s scary that this time last week I was getting ready to head off to Leyburn, but it feels such a while ago already! It was a fantastic day.
    Have a relaxing evening if you can…even an hour!
    Love and Hugs xxx

  8. I have placed my votes. Fabby that our Linda has been nominated!! Congratulations and Go Team Clarity!!

    Hope Dave and Steve get better soon xxxx Sending healing vibes. x

  9. Glad your Dad is recovering and so sorry to hear about the other pair – not a good way to get out of Ally Pally. I will miss not seeing Dave. He/Steve have my sympathy as my back is on the blink.
    Have done the voting – Clarity all the way. piece of cake after sitting trying to do Civil Service E Learning! What a load of old – dare not say it. Have to say how positive you are, given the trials and tribulations that are happening at present. Best wishes

  10. Oh I do hope Dave and Steve recover quite soon . Nice to hear that your dads on the mend. I hope it all goes well with the packing and driving . X

  11. So very pleased to hear that your dad is on the mend. Sorry to hear about the bad back brigade though – you must be working them too hard. Lol. Have placed all my votes – Clarity all the way for me!! Have a fantastic show at Ally Pally and let’s hope the light fingered brigade stay away!! I have to agree with Fiona’s comments above – the Clarity family will always be there to support you even if it is only in spirit. 😘😘

  12. Hi Barb,
    Brilliant to hear that your Dad is on the mend but such a shame about Steve and Dave – I hope they feel better soon, backs are such a pain at times ( in all senses of the word!) . Pleased to hear that the clock looks good and Gillian’s angel is beautiful. I might have to make a trip to Richmond and get myself one! Brilliant that Clarity has made the short list in so many categories and I’ve voted for you in every category that I can. Hope the setting up goes well tomorrow without anymore injuries. Love and hugs,Alison xxx

  13. Oh Barb, I feel for you. I wish we lived closer as we would happily have helped out. (Jim wouldn’t have had an option!). I was so pleased to hear your Dad is on the mend and I do hope Dave and Steve get better soon. Backs can be a real problem. Hope Ally Pally goes well – silly statement as I know it will. Wish I could be there. Just got the picot dies and Gemini. Absolutely brilliant and the dies really help my arthritic hands. I can now concentrate on picot cutting the designs.
    Next task is to cast my votes – Clarity and all who sale in her 100%. Love and hugs. Rachel

  14. So pleased that your Dad is on the mend Barbara, but what a blow that Dave and Steve are incapacitated. I hope they both recover their mobility quickly. In the meantime I hope all works out with your journey to Ally Pally. x

  15. Pleased to hear your dad is on the mend, must be a great relief for both you and your mum.
    Poor Dave and Steve. I have the greatest sympathy for anyone with back trouble. Good job you have some strong lads to assist you with the loading and unloading.
    Sounds like a lot of love came your way as well as gifts and good wishes.
    Off now to vote CLARITY ALL THE WAY!!!!

  16. Glad to hear your dad is on the mend let’s hope Dave and Steve get better quickly too such a worry isn’t it when people are in pain. I’m sure the show will go well at the weekend. That angel is beautiful, I bet the light looks amazing shining through it. Just off to vote for all things Clarity. Xx

  17. Hi Barbara
    Oh I’m so pleased your dad is on the mend, what a relief for you all. Give him a big hug from us all. Poor Dave and Steve though, it’s not good having a bad back. Thank heavens you gave lads on had to help with loading, now is it you and Paul doing the driving? Now we will be there on Sunday, if you need a hand just say, always happy to help. Right I’m just off to vote, Clarity all the way.
    Lots of love Diane xxx

  18. Hi Barb, so glad to hear your Dad is on the mend, one less worry for you. Not so good re Steve and Dave’s back problems. Hope you manage to get the help you need for setting up and running your stand at the show. And I hope Dave and Steve are quickly on the mend. They must be feeling bad too, like they are letting you down.

    I love Gillian’s protection angel. And what a meaningful gift. Hope she shields you from all the rubbish that gets thrown your way in life.

    “Every act of kindness creates a ripple with no end” Glad the ripple has turned back your way Barb, as you sure have sent an inordinate amount of ripples out into the world xx

    I hope your set up goes smoothly for you tomorrow. Please, even if you don’t think you have the time, put your feet up for an hour or two this evening. Love you xxx

  19. Good news about your dad, I’ve been wondering how he was. Hope Steve and Dave feel better soon. You all work so hard, I hope you’ll have some time for relaxation after the Ally Pally shows. You’ve certainly got my vote in the Craft Awards. Your whole team is amazing and it was a joy to meet some of them at Leyburn.

  20. Glad to hear your Dad is on the mend. So sorry to hear about Steve and Dave, the things some people will do to get out of work! 🙂 Only joking, I can sympathise as I know how it feels as I once slipped a disc. My husband (also Steve!) is hobbling about with sciatica at the moment. This getting older is no fun!!! Hope all goes well at Ally Pally. Take care. xx

  21. Great news about your dad but the boys have my sympathy – a bad back is miserable. Hope you have plenty of frozen peas ( for therapy not for tea!). Don’t you overdo things too, it’s not worth it. I wish I could help but flying off for some sunshine in the morning.
    I think your angel is just beautiful, clever lady Gillian. Look after yourself Barbara xx

  22. Great news that your Dad is responding to treatment & beginning to feel better but oh dear I sympathise with Steve & Dave with their bad backs. Its often something quite simple that causes it to go but if only it was as easy to get better. Hope you find a chauffeur for the van to get everything to Ally Pally. Isn’t always the way when you sort one problem more come on behind. Onwards & Upwards as they say !!

  23. Hi Barb – so very pleased to hear that your Dad is making good progress. How sad that Dave and Steve have damaged their backs – life never does run smoothly. Fantastic that you have others to call upon for the loading etc. I hope that you get a driver sorted and that the journey and the setting up goes smoothly. Sending healing vibes to Dave and Steve and love and hugs to you all, Gilly xxx
    P.S. Just off to cast my votes for Clarity x

  24. Glad your dad is on the mend, always worrying when parents are not well. Oh dear Dave and Steve both out of action, really bad news for you. hope they are both soon out of pain. Back pain is so tiring just seems to gnaw at you. Will go and place my vote for craft awards. you deserve every vote you get. xx

  25. Good news that your dad is on the mend
    Poor Dave and Steve hope the back pain passes soon .
    I’m looking for the post man as my order is on its way got another waiting to been dispatched so looking forward to my clarity goodies .
    Hope ally pally goes well .
    Sending lots of caring hugs xxx

  26. Dear Barbara. Pleased to hear your Dad is improving. One good thing and then another problem, sending wishes to Dave and Steve, that they recover quickly. Just about to vote. Love. Xx

  27. Crikey, things don’t let up for you do they…
    Delighted to hear that your Dad is on the mend, and sending thoughts and prayers to you all for continued strength, resilience and healing.
    Ally Pally will be fab, and those of us who can’t be there in person will be there in spirit cheering you on.
    All we bloggy angel-wannabes are watching over you too – beautiful gift Gillian.
    Love and hugs, Claire

  28. So pleased your Dad is on the mend Barbara but what a blow Dave and Steve succumbing to back problems. I hope they are not too uncomfortable and will be on the mend very soon.
    I can’t make Ally Pally but I hope all goes well. I am sure it will be a great success.
    Voting done – 100% Clarity
    Look after yourself xx

  29. Dear Barbara,
    Sending good vibes from Pluckley! Both for Dad’s continued recovery and for the other two important men in your life. I hope that their back problems are soon resolved. Gutted I cannot see you at Ally Pally as we are off on our family holiday – so just the right reason. Have a fab time there tho. Xx PS have voted – well done on so many nominations x

  30. Hello Barb, sorry to hear about Dave and Steve, hope they manage to get their backs sorted. And the generosity and kindness you are talking about, shows that there are still good people in this world. Off to vote. Take care all. Bx

  31. Everything happens for a reason….you have had a manic few weeks Barbara – please please slow down a wee bit …we love you and the Clarity family.
    Good news about Dad and poor Steve and Dave so painful.
    Love A xx

  32. could Gillian please tell me where she bought the Glass Angel for protection? It is just what I have been looking for for a young friend who is fighting Cancer.
    Thank you
    Audrey J

  33. Hi Barbara
    What wonderful news that your dad is well on the mend. But such sad news that the other two men in your life have hurt their backs. If I were near you I would pop round with some pain relief patches to help them.
    That Angel is amazing. What a talent Gillian has!!
    Good luck at the Ally Pally, if ever you need a hand I am only an hour away.
    Love & Hugs
    xxxxx

  34. So sorry to hear about Dave and Steve, but that’s great news about your dad. I hope that you’ll find someone to drive your lorry, and I’m sure your lads will do you proud with the set up at Ally Pally. Have a great time and I hope your beautiful little angel will watch over you x

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