6th December – 19 Days to go – Christmas Tree Swirl A5 Square Groovi Plate
Hi there
Happy Saturday. Happy Feast of St Nicholas Day! Did you put your shoe out yesterday evening? Was it full of sweets and nuts this morning? When we were kids, our Mum always upheld this German tradition. Well, St Nicholas is celebrated in many countries, not just Germany. Dates back to the 4th century, apparently. Anyhow, it was always very exciting in our home as children. I remember putting my little shoe outside – fair and square – and my brother dragging my Dad’s wellington boot to the back door! He figured the bigger the shoe, the bigger the haul! He always was a clever kid.
Anyway, must crack on. Big Day tomorrow on Clarity TV. Last First Sunday of the month in 2025, and we’re finally launching the new concept/product that I introduced to our friends at the November Workshop after the Open Days. It’s the start of something new from Clarity, and we love it. Very mixed media. Very arty. Join Paul and myself at 3pm tomorrow.
Since tomorrow is a BIG LAUNCH DAY for us, how about a lovely Christmas Tree design, from our dear, beautiful friend Sylvia Marshall? She was a cherished member of our Design team for years. Traditional parcher, very lovely, classy lady. She was part of the team years before we started Groovi – in fact, she helped us when we first got started. This tree was a design of hers. Perfect for parchment, as she would say.
We have lost touch, but I have very fond memories of being in France together when she joined us on our annual Design Team retreat. Here she is, next to me. We were dressed up for a Who Dunnit. Such fun! Never to be forgotten.
Dave and I were chuckling over our morning cuppa about the state of things — how FIFA and even the Eurovision Song Contest seem to have drifted so far into politics that they’ve almost forgotten what they are meant to be about! Sport and song should bring people together, shouldn’t they? Ah well… maybe one day they’ll find their way back to the joy of the game — and the music — without all the extra noise. Much to Dave’s amusement, I broke into a howling rendition of “Those were the days, my friend, I thought they’s never end, etc etc etc ….” Knew every single word. How’s that possible?? She won in 1970…. God bless Mary Hopkin.
And on that controversial note, I shall go up to my happy place, humming said song, and get ready for the afternoon show tomorrow.
Love and Clarity
Barb x x x
25 thoughts on “6th December – 19 Days to go – Christmas Tree Swirl A5 Square Groovi Plate”
how true “those were the days”. maybe better days to come. Looking forwards to tomorrow, in between baking. nice to catch up. Have a wonderful Saturday.
Now I will have that going round and round all day in my head but yes Barbara those were the days. I’m off to try and finish my trees keep getting interupted and I want them do e so that I can sit and watch you tomorrow afternoon can’t wait.❤
Happy St Nicolas day. It’s a Tradition in Holland as well. We’ve kept it going for a while after we moved to Australia, but eventually Santa took over. We still have the pepernoten (pfefernusse) and biscuits though. Bake them ourselves. Enjoy the memories Barbara.
Thanks Barb, for the morning laugh! The Design Team photo did make me smile. 😄 Maybe you should try and get an annual “fancy dress” photo of the Design Team (maybe at the Open Days?) and publish it in the new “Clarity News” as a “Who-is-it”? 🤣
Love Sylvia’s quirky Christmas tree, one of the earliest plates I acquired when starting Groovi.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s launch of an amazing new Clarity product direction. I had great fun with them at the Workshop, don’t worry my lips are sealed, no spoilers or teasers. I think they will be very popular. Such a clever idea.
Take care, Barb, and keep on singing, no matter what Dave says! 🤣🤣
Fabulous idea Ken.
I generally sing along to music when I’m on my own in the car and not near pedestrians! They would think I’m in pain! Hahaha. Love this tree, so pretty! It’s a brighter day outside, though I keep seeing rain on the windows! Looking forward to seeing the show tomorrow, though may have to watch on catch up as it’s our grandsons birthday! I’m hoping to get to it, though I’m not great at mo. Have a good Saturday!
Looking forwar to seeing what the next Clarity Design Concept is….
Keeeeppp siinggiiinnggg
As soon as I read ‘those were the days my friend’ the tune came into my head ! Politics is a pain in the bum, really don’t know where it’s going to end. Anyway let them get on with it! My tree is up – just wondering if I could set a trend and have it naked as it isn’t dressed yet. Never had any problem with any of our cats and trees over the years, might have knocked the odd bauble at the bottom but nothing more. Sally cat used to lie under it in the tinsel. Our Mikey came home yesterday so he’s now lying on the hearth and I’ve put Sally the other side. Our half a cat (who lives next door but one) is currently asleep in the conservatory so all is well, even as a kitten she didn’t upset the tree. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for us tomorrow – I haven’t fired up my laminator yet 😹. Then there was Boom-bang-a-bang, Puppet on a String and Congratulations – those certainly were the days. xx
Thank you Barbara. Love reading your blog. I laugh, smile, am inspired, learn lots and more. I appreciate all the time you put into writing each day.
Projects by the art team- stunning.
I am having fun on Bip The Bear hunt. Thank you for this annual fabulous event.
Looking forward to tomorrow.
Looking forward to tomorrows show, although may have to watch most of it on catch up – depending on what time I go walkies with my dog. xxx
Fab photo and yes those really were the days my friend. If you are launching what I think you might be I can’t wait but I’ll have to catch up as playing with my steam trains tomorrow.
I remember that song it was one of the first songs I ever bought.
Dear Barbara,
What a lovely ear worm.
My head will be singing “Those were the days.” All night now.
🙂
Love
Linda
I listened to the early seventies Eurovision with my late grandma. I say listened because even then she’d lived in a house with no electricity. Gas mantles and candles for light, a gas fridge and a radio. No tv. I used to stay with her while my grandad was on nights on the local pit to keep
her company. I thought then she was really old. She must have been in her 50s because she died in the eighties when she was 67, and I will be that old next week and don’t consider myself old yet. So yes those were the days but my goodness how things have changed too. Looking forward to the shows tomorrow, seen the email and very interested xx
Have been out all day at Hazel’s last workshop for 2025 – its that time of year when everything is winding up for the Christmas/New Year festivities.
Looking forward to seeing what the new concept is tomorrow – Clarity at its best always coming up with something new to keep us on our toes xx
Great photo! Looks like you all had a fun day!
I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us tomorrow. xx
Lovely photo and great memories for you. Definitely – ‘were those days, my friend’- x
Hi Barbara,
Happy St Nicholas Day to you and yours.
Isn’t it enough that politics are ruining the world, without them interfering in music and sport! Ho hum….
Those were the days ahhhhh wonderful memories of bygone days…. I must be getting old and turning into my Mum, we definitely had the best years.
Looking forward to the last Sunday show of 2025, see you there xXx
Hello Barbara I’ve been reading your countdown to Christmas over the past week – it’s felt like sitting down and having a much needed catchup with you my freind. I think many of us have had a tough year and every year we hope the next will be easier – yet we find we have some more challenges to face – but we still get through them somehow. Being with you and the wonderful Clarity community of friends has helped me with this in so many ways. I really enjoyed the Christmas Open Days and your wonderful workshop and loved your beautiful new product. I am sure it will be another success with so much potential for many new adventures to come it’s way. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into everything you do – including your blog. I need to try to get back into letting you know I read and appreciate the time you put into this as well as everything else you do 🥰 I promise to try my best to comment every day from now on. Much love xXx🦋💕
Looking forward to catching up tomorrow 3-5.00 as I will be out at a streamed Christmas with Andre Rieu concert! I bought the Glastonbury Tor online course so getting organised for crafting with you in 2026. Looking forward to seeing the new addition to Clarity x
Happy St. Nicholas Day to all. Although not celebrated much in the UK, I am aware of the tradition of putting shoes out for St. Nicholas, which is probably why we in the UK tend to put stockings up on Christmas Eve for Father Christmas to fill.
Those were the days my friend indeed . . .
I have been in a reflective mood today, as it’s the 14th anniversary of my dear Mum’s funeral and Christmas hasn’t really been the same since, though this year I am just starting to look forward to Christmas since the arrival in May this year of my new Great-Nephew. To help celebrate my Mum’s Life and my Dad’s; who I lost 6 years ago, I volunteered to help with the Light Up a Life event today at my Local Hospice; where both my Parents passed years apart on the same ward. We had a very moving service and made memory jars with battery operated candles in them which one could take home or leave at the Hospice and I lit a couple of candles in the Chapel.
This event takes place in all Hospices throughout the UK. If you have lost a loved one or know someone who has, please remember and support your local Hospice as they all do such fantastic work to help the community in their hour of need. If you are reading this and have recently lost someone, just take one day at a time and please be assured that brighter days will return eventually.
This Clarity Community has certainly helped me in my down moments and is helping to restore my crafty mojo. I am looking forward to Clarity Social TV tomorrow, I am sure it will be a cracker! 😉
Looking forward to the show this afternoon (and I will try to finish my grey board lady from the workshop!!)
Love the idea of you singing away – and now I’ve got that tune running as an earworm!!
Hi Barb, great photo, and great memories. I’ll be singing that song through all my conference calls today, much more entertaining. Love the Christmas tree art work. Bx
What a fabulous photo – such wonderful memories!
I too used to celebrate St. Nicholas when I was working in Holland looking after 3 children. It’s a nice celebration. Take care.