Friday’s Blog – a private peek.
Hi there.
Busy TV day today. I knew you’d love those backdrop style silhouette stamps! Did you have a favourite? I think the Japonica stamp from the floral set, the one I used in the first demo, that was the one I fell in love with.
Thank you for shopping with us – it’s what make the wheels turn. Without you, no Clarity.
Friday’s blog a private peek? Well, I know many of you wonder about Ragnar and Erik, our cats. Happy to report they’re beautiful, healthy and just beautiful. What a pair of characters these identical twin brothers are! Proper little orphan Vikings. Ever grateful to our friends Gina B and Mark, for entrusting us with these two little fellas.
Which one’s this below? I can only tell by where he’s sitting that it’s Erik! Ragnar doesn’t use that seat. It’s called a Strandkorb. Literally translated, that’s a Beach-basket. You find them all along the North Sea beaches in Germany. They are like our great British deckchairs – except a lot more robust and comfortable! They also protect you from the elements. It gets very windy up on the Nordsee!
We actually bought this as a gift for Mum and Dad on their diamond wedding anniversary. But they gave it back to us after a couple of years, because it was too much hassle to set up. Not really, but there ya go!! I didn’t argue. It cost a small fortune to import from the Fatherland when we bought it!
Back to the brothers, the cats. There’s something very calming about sitting with a cat for a while. I’ll come in from work really uptight, but within five minutes of hanging out with one of these guys, I’m fine and feeling serene again. Tthese two are so, so affectionate. But when they – like the little Bengal tigers that they are – have a ruck, and the fur do fly, it’s hilarious. We love these boys.
Have a good Bank Holiday break!
Love always,
Barb x x x
23 thoughts on “Friday’s Blog – a private peek.”
What a lovely blog……thank you & safe journey home xxx
I know what you mean about 5 mins with a cat. I had a ginger Tom called Stanley. He was a purring machine and I miss him lots. Lovely to see your photos.
Loved the shows today.
loved your shows today, it cost me a small fortune but I know I will have fun with my goods lol
Beautiful cats. I do miss our two. One was a black and white longhaired fiesty beast. She was affectionate but only on her terms. The other was a tabby which we got as a young kitten from the SSPCA. She used to sleep on my chest with hear chin on my chin. I do miss the cuddles.
Shows today were fantastic. Beautiful products and samples. safe journey home.
Beautiful cats, I lost my Cat Max two weeks ago and miss him so much, its lovely to see yours comforting as they are best wishes
So sorry for your loss. x
I don’t know what my nervous state would be if it wasn’t for my cats and of course crafting.
I have picked up my paint brushes again, hopefully when I get over the fear, that will calm me too.
Lots of love to you, Dave, Eric and Ragnar. Xx
Our German friends have a similar beach chair at their house in Albaum, and I must say it was very comfortable! Got visitors so not seen any of the shows yet but hopefully will catch up on Sunday x
Lovely blog and great first show (got to catch up with 2nd) just watched the first one while making a cottage pie but will have to go back for the demos as it was difficult keeping my eye on the job! Had to battle with the wind (back door open) and a wasp as well! Good to see Leonie today too.
Beautiful puss cats, miss our Sally, she went suddenly last Sept on the hottest day, will never forget, our Mikey (now 18) has given us a scare this year (he does have kidney disease but keeping it under control) but now seems to be back to his usual self, just slower and older. Special diet and vitamin B12 but he’s worth it! He’s the reason we’re not risking abroad for our hols, although we might have to manage a cruise later in the year as hubby is getting older too ! We will be having a break a week Saturday with the boys and one dog ! Mikey is well looked after by next door and we know we’re only a couple of hours away if needed.
Your garden seat would be great protection from the wind today ! Sun is out and I’m just going to sit out with a G&T before dinner.
Have a good weekend. Xxxx
Great pics.
I’ve still to catch up with TV and this week’s Groovy Tuesday as not at the top of my game this week but have been chilling out by making some cards using Groovi plates – no animals to stroke.
Love the Beach basket, looks a great place to relax and I remember when you told us about buying it for your mum and dad.
Enjoy the bank holiday, whatever the weather and whatever you do.
If you ever want to listen to a great series with a cat narrating…listen to the series from the Dalai Lama’s Cat. 🧡🐾🧡. Your twins have grown to be so gorgeous!
2 great shows today, love the stamps but having to reign in at the moment so will take my time to assess them. Like you Barb I loved the Japonica stamp. Whilst watching the shows I made a couple of cards. Hubby not well and in bed all day so I took the opportunity to craft 🤣🤣
Need to catch up on your second show, really enjoyed the first show, the stamps have gone onto my wish list for the moment, I’m trying to be good, well, for this week, although tempted. Lovely pictures of Erik & Ragnar. Have a great Bank Holiday weekend. xx
I will pass on the cats, sorry. Celebrating our 55 wedding anniversary and went to Henley country show. Met a very nice man who has a plot next to you in Edenbridge – Candle Spa. Then a posh meal. Looking forward to catch up to see your wonderful demos. Still reeling from two great retreat days xx
Cats are lovely, remember how excited you were in lockdown to get them. My two are older now, but have never been affectionate cats, unless I’m in the garden on my hands and knees and then you can’t get to the weeds for cat. My neighbours think they never leave me alone, little do they know when in doors they don’t want to know. 🤣 Will need to catch up on the shows over the weekend. xxx
What little beauties! We have a brother and sister Burmese. They really look out for each other. We live in a bungalow so you can imagine what it’s like playing chase me Charlie! X
I managed to watch your first show live this morning, I’ve got a date with your second show tomorrow… cannot wait!! Those aperture dies are just brilliant …. so many possibilities!
Bless your pussy cats are adorable and very handsome! We’ve recently got ourselves a rescue shi-poo (shi-tzu poodle cross) we got him at 5 months old. Sadly he was mistreated
by his first owners and when we got him he was so under weight the vet could pick him up by the ridge of his back and he’d been crated for 95% of his life. We’ve had him 7 months now and he had his 1st birthday on Wednesday. He’s put on a kilo and is now the life and soul of our household and full of fun, he’s an absolute joy to behold and has a real calming influence. He is just so loving and grateful for every minute we spend together and doesn’t want anything accept lots of love.
We can learn a lot from animals, they’ve got it so right xXx
Thank you for sharing your blog – it’s always a pleasure!
Wahoo! A nice long weekend! Hopefully the weather will calm down enough for you to sit in your lovely strandkorb! I am planning lots of parchment with also some nice walks in the countryside too and cake of course!
Great to see the vikings – so cute! Sadly I am allergic to cats – my eyes itch and I can’t stop sneezing…… and of course, any cats make a beeline straight for me, every time!
Take care and breathe xxx
Hi Barb, such a lovely blog post about the Vikings, love how they are cuddled together. The shows yesterday were brilliant, love the stamps. Have lots to get through this weekend, and hubby is working today and tomorrow, so I am off on my jack jones to do the shopping. Take care everyone, a bit wet out there today. Bx
I love your beautiful cats, unfortunately I’m quite allergic to them as Shari can attest to!
Have a good rest this weekend, although I know Clarity will be up to their eyes in orders, as they usually are after a TV show.
Hi Barbara – I love the Strandkorb 😀 a friend lives in Usedom & they make these chairs there, on all the beaches. I did enquire about buying one but the cost was a bit prohibitive!!!
I am sure you love it – beautiful cats 😀
Thank you for the photos – they are beautiful. Enjoyed your first show with Leonie and will watch the second today. Lovely demonstrations. Birthday coming up so I have asked for some of your gift vouchers – fingers crossed.
Take care.
So enjoyed your blog today, haven’t caught the shows yet, I love your beautiful cats. I would love one but after years of asthma I found out I was allergic to cats and dogs, Always had them but didn’t find out until about my twenties. . Hope you have a good weekend. Xxx