Hi there Thanks for popping in. Late blog I know. I got caught up in the moment, doing pottery, smoothing out some pinch pots I have been making in readiness for the Clarity Open Days next week. Well, and before you could say “That’ll do Donkey” – it was 10 o’clock! They need time to dry out slowly, before they get bisque fired in the kiln. Then I have to wait 2 days before the kiln can be opened, then…
Hi there. Thanks for popping in. Topic today? Poetry. I used to write a lot of poetry when I was a young girl. It was a way to express my thoughts and emotions back then, before I discovered other ways out of my head, like art and pottery. I also used to read and still do read a lot of poetry. I have my favourites: John Keats, John Clare, Maya Angelou – to name but a few. These three are…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. Just a few pics to shine a light on last week’s Design of the Week, which is really REALLY special: our Trees and their Mantles… Offer ends midnight, when this week’s Design of the Week kicks in. CLICK HERE Quote of the day? Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing. Joanne Raptis Love always, Barb…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. How can it be Tuesday again so quickly? Is it just me, or does time seem to fly by faster and faster as you get older?! Well, it’s all about flowers today! Spent a busy morning putting the finishing touches to tomorrow’s ODS Launch Show at 6pm. Paul and I are sharing the 4 hours. To me (6pm) to him 9pm) to me (10am) to him(2pm). Then HOME JAMES! And don’t spare the horses!…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. Had a great morning drawing and designing a new collection of stamps. This also involved pinging texts back and forth to Sam and Leonie, whilst we lay the foundations to our plans. But it’s Tuesday, which means we are shining a light on yet another one of my favourite ranges – and bringing the price down for a week by 30% – to celebrate our 30th year in business. Time for some deer and…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. Busy morning. Already been to a hospital appointment early doors. Dave took me. I may actually be able to drive there myself, and sort myself out, but to be honest, my confidence has been rattled. I guess that’s normal, and I look forward to getting back behind the wheel, but easy does it. I have to say it again, in my experience, Pembury Tunbridge Wells hospital is pretty excellent. From parking the car to…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. What a morning. I was looking for a particular document that I need for something important, and was suddenly taken by a bright idea. Say this out loud, in a spiffing accent: “By Jingo! I’ve got it!! Let’s take this opportunity of sitting around, convalescing, to sort through some of the mountains, folders and boxes of paperwork that abound here”. 4 hours later, still haven’t found the paperwork I was looking for, but have…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. You know you’re getting better when you get your pencils and tracing paper out, and get lost in a world of sketches and doodles. Today was quite lovely. Sitting at the kitchen table, sun pouring in, and trying to transfer the pictures in my head to paper. It didn’t quite translate as I had hoped, but I went with it. There are loads more, and I’ll try unlocking them during the week, but all…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. Firstly thank you so very very much for all your positive and kind messages! What a tonic! I had the loveliest of mornings, just sitting by the Aga (the cats are never far away), opening the many Thinking of You cards, condolence cards on Dad’s passing, and then the Speedy recovery cards! So much beautiful artwork! I promise you, the very first thing we’re going to do, before we even fire up the SHAC…
Hi there Thanks for popping in. Happy Love Day. Very VERY happy to report that my positive pants worked! Yep. Yesterday afternoon, all the angels came swooping in, removed the drain from my back, gave me one last good check over, decided I was good to go, organised a month’s worth of antibiotics – and by 6pm yesterday evening, I was indeed sitting by the Aga with Dave, cat in lap, drinking tea. Photographic evidence! I came home to a…