Hi there

Thanks for popping in. Just before I settle down to watch our Deb Wheeler on Create & Craft at 1pm and 4pm, I thought I’d just pop in here myself, and say hi. That’s about as much as I can muster today! The week of Clarity Retreats was a success again. Our guests seemed to enjoy the projects, the banter and the company a lot this year. And whilst we shelved a Groovi afternoon in favour of the Brand New Paper Collage Landscape ‘Cottages’, I would say that the overall consensus was favourable. In fact, a few actual Groovi fans even admitted that they thoroughly enjoyed the new challenge. -and a couple even signed up for the next big parchment classroom retreat at the Spa Hotel in October. As I pointed out at the workshops this week, the October Retreat is dedicated entirely to Parchment craft. And now, going forward, the Summer Retreat can be PIP – Paper Ink & Paint – right up my street! (I just made that up by the way!)

On the subject of workshops, our Online Collage Landscape ‘Lighthouse’ has 1 place left before we reach the 100 joiners limit on the current platform! That’s amazing!! And also very encouraging. 99 people have enrolled already! So thank you if you signed up! As the workshop is still 2 months away, I have decided to pay the premium and make more places available. After all, it’s an online experience! Not like we’ve all got to squeeze into a room!

Here‘s what we‘re going to make together,

and here’s where to find out more, and enrol: CLICK HERE

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. If I’m going to keep going, I need to make some changes. An online tutorial-based community ticks a lot of boxes for lots of people, not just me. Last week I listened very carefully to the guests at the retreat. And they all attend for different reasons.

• Some come to meet up with their friends, who they met last year, or the year before.
• Some come to improve their crafting skills and learn some new techniques
• Some come to rekindle their mojo
• Some come to “get away from it all”
• Some come to do what they love doing for 2 whole days, with like-minded people
• Some come to hang out with me!
• Some come because it’s an annual tradition!

So trust me when I say, I shall be running those retreats until I physically can’t! And even then, there‘s always a way to travel more gently! We used to do 6 days, now we do 4. I love teaching, and I love seeing people get a real kick out of their achievements. That’s the reward for me.

But I also heard a lot of people say that online classes and courses throughout the year were a great idea. That they loved the idea of being ably to hook up remotely, but in a real learning capacity. And yes, of course, there’s the SHAC, and the Moments of Clarity, and The Craftalongs – all FREE. They aren’t going anywhere. I just have to find a way to move CLARITY forward safely.

Ha! And in the time it took to write this blog, the 100th Lighthouse place was reserved ! Like Dave always says to me, “How many signs do you need?”

So I’ve gone ahead and flicked the switch for the upgrade, because I know at least 4 people who want to sign up but haven’t yet! Happy days.

Deb’s doing well on telly with Dean. He’s such a goon! But he makes me laugh out loud. I don’t know if you caught it, but Deb said something along the lines of…

“I’m going to copy this card that Julie Dunn has made”. And in the next breath, Dean -and me at home- both said, “What Julie Dunn done then!” Hahahaha.

If you’re looking for a gallery of lovely artwork from the Design Team of the stamps that Deb and Dean are showcasing on TV today, then head over to our other blog Claritymatters. Click it to travel…There‘s also the weekly Saturday Share, of your own artwork, that Grace has put together for you.

Time to chill. Time to sit in the garden, and take the time to reflect on last week.

Next week will roll around fast enough, right? TV next week again. Thursday, 1pm and 5pm. Then Friday too – 9am and 1pm. So lots of prep and prep. Then more prep!! Very cool products being showcased. I can cope with that happily. It’s the hours stood standing in deep traffic that’s gets to me. Especially the M25 on a Friday. 🙃. Ah well. One Day at a time is all we can do. But if I’d wanted to spend my life on the road, I’d be a long distance truck driver, wouldn’t I. Or an ice-cream van driver. That might be better…

Love always,

Barb x x x