Hi there

Thanks for popping in. I was up with the lark this morning. The birds were tweeting up a symphony outside the bedroom window, the sun was peeping through the curtains – and I just couldn’t lie still any more! So I’ve done my yoga session, fired up the washing machine, cleaned the kitchen, hoovered and dusted the dining room – and it’s not even 8am yet! Dave and I even had a deep conversation about Oscar Wilde, Reading Gaol, where he was incarcerated, the Alan Turing Law, and the injustices against homosexuality not that very long ago.

So, copious cups of tea and coffee later, I thought I’d write a Sunday blog, before I venture outside to my little pottery studio in the garage. Fired up the kiln yesterday evening, but it’s a very slow firing, to ensure the large lampstands warm up gradually. I actually find that glazing works best on pottery that has been slow fired to bisque, rather than fast fired. Something about releasing gases gradually seems to prevent pitting in the glaze. I must have read it somewhere, because I certainly couldn’t have figured that out myself!

The other port of call will be my little SHAC studio, which is located upstairs (above said pottery space). I left it exactly as it was at 9.30 on Friday evening after our Craftalong, so I really should go tidy up that mess before tomorrow’s SHAC session! H for Hummingbird tomorrow. Fancy learning how to draw a humming bird? Me too !! 😂 😂 😂. Never fear -Gray is here! And she’s got all afternoon to work that out!

If you missed the Craftalong-a-Barbie, you can always go back and use it as a tutorial. I’ve loaded it below for you.

I served a 4-course meal. 4 cards. Clean and tidy for starters, then inky grungy for the main course. Pudding was a light and simple spritzy affair, then finally we did a little paper cutting and collage to cleanse the palate.

The stampset we used was a really neat and versatile heart set and an ABC, with masks. Can be bought HERE. All the things you will use are listed here too. Just go to the front page of the website, and click the Moment of Clarity button.

Downloadable ingredients list available HERE

Watch below

or visit our YouTube page HERE

We have scheduled another Craftalong too, using a brand new SHAC set of stamps. Remember the F for fashion Calligraphy Girls we drew a couple of weeks ago?

Well, we’ve made them into a fab little stampset already. And I’d like to use them in the next Craftalong!

When? Thursday, 30 May 7pm. Loads of time to get them! Loads of time for me to rustle up another 4-course meal too! CLICK HERE to buy.

There were over 200 people watching on Friday. That doesn’t mean we sold 200 sets of stamps mind! I wish!! No, no, no. But that’s ok. Sometimes folks just want the tips and tricks, or the fellowship, or the banter. Sometimes they want to see what they can do with the stamps before they buy them. But a fair few do actually craft along with me in real time – and that’s brilliant too. I’m just chuffed to be able to host a get together that brings in so many guests!

If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration, check out our other Blog, our Clarity Matters blog, that Grace hosts, all the way from America. Every Saturday, she posts a wonderful selection of YOUR artwork. And every Sunday, there is a super photo step-by-step tutorial, written by one of our talented designer team. Mostly Groovi and parchment art. Today, Maggie Byford has created a very special pair of cards for you. CLICK HERE

If you know me and our company even a little, you will also know that the whole ethos of Clarity is centred around our Clarity community. Whether you enjoy stamping, mixed media or parchment, we strive to bring out the artist in you. We design it, we make it, we demonstrate it. As long as you join in, we’ll keep going! We’ve got a considerable library of Youtube videos, all available to you any time, and FREE, of course. Claritystamp Youtube.

Can I be honest here? Sometimes, a worm of doubt creeps into my head. You know the one. He worms his way into your head, and starts telling you you’re too old, you’re a has been, you’re missing out on young Tic Toc, you’re losing your way, you ought to throw in the towel, give up. Bla bla bla . And THAT is when I have to step away from paper craft for a day, get a little distance. You just can’t see the spot you’re standing on, can you? I do something else, anything else, which has no performance attached to it, no business, no responsibility. Like pottery. The worm gets bored then; he usually leaves when he’s got nothing to nibble at.

Time to go get arty! What are you up to today? Making something?

Love always,

Barb x x x