70 Days to Christmas – Let’s Build a Wreath
Hi there
This year is absolutely flying by — and now we’re counting down the days to Christmas! Whose bright idea was that, I wonder?!
I must say though, since we stopped pedalling non-stop for the Man at Create & Craft, our designs have really gone up a notch. The ideas seem to flow so much more freely now.
Take this fabulous KISS (Keep It Simple Stamps) collection of Build-a-Wreath stamps that Jazz rustled up for us — our very first range of 2025. Paired with Dave’s marvellous Stamp Pens, they got the year off to a truly stampendous start!
We also made the move to work with Hobbymaker this year, and this was the first collection I took with me. It went down a storm there too, which was very gratifying — especially since we’d already launched them earlier in the year on Clarity TV. Hobbymaker is a good fit for us.
Four seasons’ worth of tiny silhouette stamps — such a delight to use! Hours of creative play. And boy oh boy, did they fly! I bet most of you reading this blog already have them tucked away in your crafty stash. And if not… well, you’re missing out! They really are formidable — especially when teamed up with those brilliant Stamp Pens. Anyone agree with me?
Here are a few arty samples from our ever clever Clarity Team. Just a few….
This evening, I am hosting a Craftalong on YouTube/Facebook LIVE. I look forward to spending a couple of hours with you, trying out a new trick. I enjoy our sessions together; it’s been a while since we had a proper Craftalong. So I thought filling one of our Blank Calendars would present an ideal opportunity to get together and craft together at least 12 times !! Cool beans. CLICK HERE
What do you need to craft along with me? Well, there is a download, which list loads of options HERE.
But in a nutshell:
- A4 Clarity Journal/Calendar 2026 with 14 x Card
- Gel Press Petites Set 1 (Square, Triangle & Circle)
- A patterned stencil or the KISS Ring of Stencils
- Aquafine Art Masking Fluid
- Sponge Brush applicators
- Brayer
- Low Tack Masking Tape
- Archival Ink Pad Selection of colours
- Black Archival
- Kitchen Towel
- Heat Gun/Hairdryer
- A stamp of your choice – image or words
I am being suitably vague about which stamps or images, because I would like us to just let the abstract background artwork that we are going to create together speak to us. Instead of working towards a preconceived sample, let’s just let our work evolve. Let’s have an arty adventure together.
Love & Clarity,
Barb x x x
20 thoughts on “70 Days to Christmas – Let’s Build a Wreath”
See you tonight Barbara, beater at the ready😁
looking forward to it. Don’t have access to all my stash but certainly came away with maybe 80% on your list. Will have a go with what I’ve got and see what happens.xx
I’m really looking forward to the craft along, thank you for hosting it. xx 🌸🌼🌺
You are on my list!
Maggie (York UK)
looking forward to the craft along. and learning new techniques xx see you later
Yes hope I can be there. Will definitely be there for 7pm but might have to drop out at sometime and catch up later.Have been waiting for this craftalong since purchasing the calender.xx
Will be great to even watch as I haven’t got much on the list! I like the samples the design team have done! Have just coloured in a poppet and couldn’t think what to do to complete the card, butthecwreath idea is fantastic and it’s also to hand! Haha. Idolatry have Togo rummaging!
Hello Barb, love the shared artwork. Unfortunately will not be able to join with the Craftalong this evening. Love the idea of the Calendars, but am still dithering about ordering (I am way over my craft budget!!) Will definitely catch up, and hope that maybe if the Calendars are popular enough, it may be produced again. Enjoy the session everyone. Bx
An “Arty Party” can’t wait. I’ll be watching! x
Have the build a wreaths – must use them ! I’ll be watching tonight but not got calendar – I never have anywhere to put one and always use a diary, also I know I’d never manage 12 designs in time 😹 Also I can’t buy it all 😹 I’ve still got the advent calendars to do ! I’ll enjoying watching and listening and then probably think oh I I might get one now!
Out to lunch with schoolfriends today, we all have birthdays around this time, and we will raise a glass to one of us who sadly died in her 40s and it would be her birthday today. We are then going to a matinee performance of the Talented Mr. Ripley. xx
Really looking forward to tonight, as you say, it’s been ages since we’ve all joined in a craft along. I haven’t got the calendar but I’m sure a piece of card will enable me to still join in xxx
Looking forward to this evening, I have everything ready except the stamp. I think I will keep an open mind & wait until I see the result of the inky bit to see what would suit it best.
I had put my journal in a safe place when it arrived but have now found it again – just wish I could find my 6 x 6 Gel plate for Saturday 😂😂 so it will have to be the 8 x 11. I might draw 6 x 6 & 7 x 7 squares on my acrylic plate so I can see it through the gel plate to give me an idea where to ink & put the stencil card which I also need to find. Comes with trying to declutter & pack whilst still needing to craft !!
See you at 7 xx
Looking forward to it! ☺️
See you later 😘
Beautiful samples!
What a talented bunch you are at Clarity Towers!
Looking forward to the craftalong!
I purchased the Journal and, I think, have a lot of the ingredients in my stash but, as I am very slow crafter, I will just watch this evening.
I like the “vagueness” approach too.
See you later.
Looking forward to this evening. Really enjoy getting together with Barbara and the team
will have to catch up later as we are away at the moment. Enjoy yourselves. Have got the stamps. Take care.
I have build a wreath stamps, they are a great addition to my stash, and so useful. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join you tonight on the craft along, but will enjoy catching up at a later date. Have fun. xxx
This will be my very first live craft along! I always end up watching them after the event but I’ve promised myself that this time I’ll be at me desk ready to rock n roll at 7pm this evening!
I’m looking forward to it so lets hope I make it!
will catch up tomorrow or over the weekend, going to assembly hall Tunbridge Wells tonight to see Buddy Holly story with my sister
have a good evening Everyone x