A Christmas Rose by Linda Williams

Hi there, Grace here!

Good of you to join us! Since our Barbara is chirping away about the Lovely Linda Williams over on her blog today, we thought we’d ask Linda to give us a little one-on-one demo over here. You know, right up close…

So pull up a chair, and let’s have a closer look at how she achieves that formidable whitework… Over to Linda!


Hiya. Linda here. So glad you’re all enjoying the Pergamano Celebrations! What a fabulous family of Clarity crafters!

I’m going to use one of my 3-way sampler plates to show you some simple shading. Let’s go for the Christmas Rose. It’s perfect for this time of year, but it works all year round.

You can see here that there are actually 3 images for the rose, and also for the Holly and the Ivy. I will just work with the one large rose. So many variations on one plate!

I have embossed the circle with the 1mm ball tool to create a definite outline, but the outline of the rose itself wants to be much lighter. If you can press very lightly, then use the 1mm. If you prefer, use a larger ball tool; the larger the tool the softer the line in the groove. Try a 3mm or a 4.5mm.

Below you can see 6 layers of whitework. I have written out which tool I have used at which stage. Work from behind on a soft mat (the pink Excellent Pergamano mat is great. Or the soft side of the black mat in the Starter kit is perfect too).

Light, gentle strokes, always from the outer tip of each petal in towards the centre of the flower. Flick the tool lightly and build up whiteness very gradually. You can barely see the whitework until layers 5 and 6.

Let the parchment rest between layers. If you can leave it for hours between layers, you will get the best white result.

Now you have a beautiful white Christmas rose, let’s take 3 different approaches.

Christmas Rose – Three Ways

With this sampler I have embossed the circle and the largest Rose with the 1mm ball tool as I wanted to create a definite outline. 

1. The image on the left has been shadow embossed as explained previously. The stamens have been embossed with the 3mm ball tool. The space between the flower and the circle has been perforated with the Pergamano fine 2-needle perforating tool. Then it has been picot cut with Pergamano scissors.

2. On the middle image I have perforated within the petals only and then picot cut.

3. You will see that on the right hand image I have perforated within and around the Rose, and then cut out.

Here you have three very different looks from just one image. Don’t you just love all the different effects?

All these variations with just one out of the 9 images on the plate. The Groovi system is certainly a game changer. I for one am so glad that Barbara and her team had the courage and creative talent to develop such an ingenious system. It has breathed new life into the world of parchment Craft.

As the guys here at Clarity have been saying, there’s never been a better time to join this merry band of Groovi parchers. I love the Groovi Pergamano community! I have never known a kinder bunch of people.

Stay safe, and happy parching.

Love always,

Linda Williams xx


Aw, I LOVE Linda. Don’t you? Super talent.

Right, well… Grace here, back in the drivers seat again with yet another giveaway! We’re going to pick 3 winners to win the below Glitter Bundle (includes 6 pots of Perga-ultra fine glitter, a mapping pen & Pergamano sticky ink) AND a Clarity apron! Because glitter (and crafting) can be a beautiful mess for most of us!

To be in for a chance of winning these goodies, please leave a comment below telling us what your most exciting Pergamano sale purchase has been this week! I’ll pick 3 lucky winners 🙂

Lotsa love, Grace xo

Clarity – The Home of Art, Craft and Well-being.

50 thoughts on “A Christmas Rose by Linda Williams

  • 21st October 2020 at 10:19 am
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    Loving the sale. On order Christmas Bauble and Lace Duet cannot wait for them to come. Going back to see what I NEED today.x

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  • 21st October 2020 at 10:23 am
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    I get paid on Friday so will be placing my order then – nested baubles and Italian cities.
    Thank you for the demo above – really helpful.
    What a fun week!!!!
    Enjoying seeing all the wonderful artwork xxx

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  • 21st October 2020 at 10:41 am
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    Hi Grace, Loving the Pergamano party! Thank you to everyone at Clarity for such a generous sale and all the wonderful demo’s and tips so far.
    My exciting Pergamano sale purchase has to be my lightwave box. I have not long checked my emails and my purchase is already on its way! So excited for it to arrive.
    Once again, many heartfelt thanks to everyone at Clarity Towers for all you are doing for us crafters during these difficult times. X

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    • 21st October 2020 at 5:49 pm
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      I’m most excited about Linda’s Flowers & Lace sets. Her plates are always full of designs that can be mixed and matched for any season and occasion, and allows the creative juices to flow! I can’t wait to get my hands on my orders♥️😍🥰

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  • 21st October 2020 at 11:09 am
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    Hi Grace, I get very excited about all of my purchases but I think the one I want to play with most is the Christmas snowflake owl as he looks so cute in his hat and scarf! xx

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    • 21st October 2020 at 2:42 pm
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      Hi Grace I forgot to mention my most exciting purchase.I placed my order Monday and the box of permanent goodies waiting for me when I got in from work .I can’t wait to use the piercing tools and have a go at picot edging. Your mum makes it look easy. Sure it won’t be. I’m left handed too so will be easier to follow as not always easy following right handers.

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  • 21st October 2020 at 11:09 am
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    Haven’t made a purchase yet but it is going to be the glitter, ink and pen! Ha ha!
    Linda’s work is just stunning! X

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  • 21st October 2020 at 11:18 am
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    My favourite purchase would have been the Nested Picot Square Dies but unfortunately they have sold out but should be back soon. Never mind they will have to go on my Christmas list !!!!

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    • 21st October 2020 at 3:23 pm
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      Hi Grace, I’ve not completed my shopping list yet but I have a few things in my basket, including a Christmas present of the Antarctica paper pad. I love Linda’s garden plates

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  • 21st October 2020 at 11:19 am
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    This is one of my favourite plates as hellebores (Christmas Roses) are one of my favourite flowers and there are so many varieties. While beautiful embossed I have also coloured some throughout the year for regular cards. Linda has come up trumps with this comprehensive demo which I know will be especially useful for beginners.
    I finally got to grips with the Pergamano sale page, turned out it was a glitch in my laptop. Hubby solved the problem and thanks to your help Grace, I managed to place a big order. I may have another list by the end of the week but have to check my stash first.
    All purchases from Pergamano (and Clarity) excite me. No need to put me in the draw as I have these items and feel someone else should benefit.
    Stay safe everyone.

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  • 21st October 2020 at 11:21 am
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    Hi there, Grace and Linda. I am in awe of your whitework Linda. Absolutely fantastic and so grateful for the step by step. I will definitely give that a go. Watch this space. My exciting purchase this week is the Palaces Lace Corners Collection. I love doing those borders. I have some of them but decided to add to my collection. Great time to do it and the order was shipped yesterday! Thanks to all at Clarity for your hard work. My postman will be delivering bricks soon for an extension!! Have a good day. Hope there are no headaches this morning, Grace and Linda!! Lol. Hx

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    • 23rd October 2020 at 12:55 am
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      My favourite purchase is the wrap plates of set 1 I’ve wanted them for do long. After immediately buying set 2 on the launch day I was thrilled to get set 1 at a great price. I intend to use all the plates to make all my own wedding stationery…hopefully in 2021!!!! ❤

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  • 21st October 2020 at 11:37 am
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    Hi Grace
    I think my favourite buy is both the king and palace plates as they’ve been on my wish list for a while. Second is surprisingly lots of storage folders as I need to have a better organisation for finding the groovi plate I’m looking for ( even more so because I’ve been tempted by quite a few in the sale lol ).

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  • 21st October 2020 at 12:00 pm
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    Hi Grace
    I’m still building my wish list for the Pergamano sale, but I think finally investing in some Pergacolours is probably going to be most exciting!
    Best wishes
    Claire

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  • 21st October 2020 at 12:05 pm
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    Hi Grace,
    Loving the Pergamano Party, I have ordered the circle picot dies and Groovi plate, also parchment and a Light unit for my husband!!!
    He’s joining in with the Shac Shack now and needs this for transferring his mandalas from tracing paper to card! Other items too and still looking on the web site! Linda is truly an excellent teacher and miss her on Hochanda. Hope you are doing well in New York and keeping safe xx

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  • 21st October 2020 at 12:21 pm
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    My husband has bought me tools, plates, parchment, liners, pencils, etc, etc for Christmas! So excited. Got the Groovi starter kit but didn’t really have time to do anything with it but raring to go now. So much inspiration!

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  • 21st October 2020 at 12:29 pm
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    Hi Grace and Linda!
    Thank you Linda for this class how to do the white work–it’s so different from how Martha Ospina teached us in the 80s but I love this way more. It’s so lovely and delicate in this way.
    I ordered some Groovi plates and that will be the first time I have a go with these. There are so many beautiful plates I hardly can choose what is my favorite!!! Perhaps the celtic ones???
    Take care and lots of love!
    Trijntje Huppel

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  • 21st October 2020 at 12:55 pm
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    I’m in awe of Linda’s talent and ability to share her skills with us all. I have ordered the Perga Pens to add an extra colourful zing to my Groovi makes. The 50% off make them a worthwhile purchase, along with a few other crafting goodies! X

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  • 21st October 2020 at 12:58 pm
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    I’m in awe of Linda’s talent and her ability to share her skills with us all. I have bought the Perga Pens this week to add a colourful zing to my Groovi makes. Other items have also slipped into the basket. What a great way to celebrate all things Groovi. X

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  • 21st October 2020 at 1:44 pm
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    Hey Grace, it’s my first dip onto the Groovi train today. Got lots of gear but no idea. But today is the day, gunna av a go at a Groovi Friday. Anyway have been going a bit potty at the very generous sale and I would say the most exciting purchase I’ve made is another Pink Pergamano Holdall. I will be able to reorganise my tools, pens, etc etc and my existing holdall will last many more years as it’s not under so much pressure. Take care, GROOVI splashdown is at 2.32 pm. Take care.

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    • 22nd October 2020 at 12:49 am
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      Hi Grace
      So many lovely things in the sale. I’m still deciding what in going to buy! I directed my sister in the direction of the colouring pencils though for my Christmas present so I shall be very excited to open that at Christmas.
      Love Diane

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  • 21st October 2020 at 1:58 pm
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    I’m really looking forward to getting the light wave so I can experiment more on the designer parchment paper!

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  • 21st October 2020 at 2:00 pm
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    I’m very new to groovi. But completely hooked. I had never made a card until about 2 weeks ago.now planning all my Christmas cards on groovi. Hasn’t done my bank balance much good. But I work for the NHS and it’s been a hard few months,so think I deserve a treat and crafting is so relaxing

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  • 21st October 2020 at 2:04 pm
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    Hello!

    What a ‘Groovi’ trip I have been on in the past year or so since I found Clarity! My most exciting purchase at the Pergamano party this week has to be the starter set (along with the pink embossing mat) I will be presenting to my best friend for Christmas. I introduced her to Groovi earlier this year just before the pandemic and she has been so patient in waiting for us to be able to get together again so we can learn and enjoy the process of ‘parching’!

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  • 21st October 2020 at 2:26 pm
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    My most exciting buy is the Palaces, as I finally found out what they do. However, I have emailed various people about their Christmas presents and sharing something I like will be more exciting still.

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  • 21st October 2020 at 3:07 pm
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    The printed poppets to show off the beautiful wraps etc. Groovi certainly gives one peace and a purpose to be crafting

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  • 21st October 2020 at 3:56 pm
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    Ooohhh love the Christmas Rose cut out, my best purchase in the sale are the perga cutters such an investment but at half price, who can resist, so hopefully I can achieve some picot cutting like this 🤞🏼✂️ X

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  • 21st October 2020 at 5:06 pm
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    Hi Grace I have ordered the started kit you used the other day. I am very excited for it to arrive and I can get started and learn a new skill. It’s not like we will be going out anytime soon. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  • 21st October 2020 at 5:22 pm
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    Hi Grace, isn’t Linda the most amazing lady. So generous with her talent, helping us all.
    I have chosen to recommend my Groovi journey. I did my first order yesterday and can’t wait to get the Antartica paper and card. I forgot a few things, and am in the process of doing a second order. I’m so grateful for these amazing prices. Hugs, Gilly x

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  • 21st October 2020 at 6:23 pm
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    Hi Grace,
    how’s this for exciting…..blending nibs and brads!! Because we always need them, so I just had to make the most of the sale, of course I’ve added a storage folder and a set of SHAC doodle plates too.
    Thanks to Linda for the demo, very useful.

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  • 21st October 2020 at 6:23 pm
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    Hi Grace, I am new to Groovi and I am taking my time watching the inspirational art before ordering. However, top of the list is the Christmas rose plate and the agapanthus plate.
    Then I have to choose the tools needed for them. Linda is so talented and extremely generous with her knowledge. I am looking forward to experimenting, I hope I can do the products justice. Love Dawn x

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  • 21st October 2020 at 6:33 pm
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    All beautiful Grace, of course I have made some purchases and I think the one I am looking forward to the most is the palaces duet grids, wanted them since they first came out and now that they are half price, I have taken the plunge and popped them in my basket! Just loving the sale by the way xx

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  • 21st October 2020 at 6:50 pm
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    Hi Grace 😃 my wonderful husband gave me £75 to spend in the Pergamano sale so you can imagine I was like a kid in a sweetie shop!! My favourite are the Italian frame plates, I can’t wait to have a play with those! Been playing with the poppets this afternoon, great way to spend my time on a wet afternoon xx

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    • 21st October 2020 at 10:20 pm
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      Oh my, I had sooo much in my basket that I really had to have 😅, but I’ve been wanting the lightwave for ages, so that’s my most exciting purchase as I can now try some great techniques with my coloured parchment 😀

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  • 21st October 2020 at 10:25 pm
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    The best thing I have purchased in the amazing sale is all the lace plates I didn’t have. I just love them love all the picot cutting.

    Thank you Clarity.
    First order placed Monday morning and they are already on their way. What great service!!

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  • 22nd October 2020 at 7:44 am
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    Wake up thinking, go to bed thinking what to choose: this, that, have I already got that? I need that; oo that’s lovely. So excited but exhausted. Then Tina’s beautiful mandalas are on the tele – oh no!
    Linda, like your mum, Grace is so generous and talented especially when sharing the “how to step by step” guides. Many thanks.
    PS Grace I thought your unpacking video was very well done (your acting background has obviously made you an excellent presenter).

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  • 22nd October 2020 at 9:28 am
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    My Groovi journey only started in August this year during this rather strange and confusing times but my stash is building somewhat rapidly. Loads to learn and practice but certainly enjoying the journey and it is SOOOOO mindful with great results. Have ordered some Pergamano tools (cos whodoesn;t love a sale!) to try and broaden this journey and try new things but…ooopppps Tinas mandala plates just fell in the basket too.
    Thank you for keeping me from loosing the plot and giving your time, knowledge, experience and creativity so that people like me can dip into this wonderful artworld and attempt something so beautiful.
    I am SOOOOO looking forward to my goodies arriving.
    Thank you.

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  • 22nd October 2020 at 11:00 am
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    Can’t wait to get my Elvis the Elf plate so I can make a special card for my grandchildren telling them to look out for him around the house.

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  • 22nd October 2020 at 11:56 am
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    I got the first book by Linda for Christmas a few years ago and have hinted about the second but has fell on deaf ears so I have just treated myself the problem is going to be finding time to work through the projects!

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  • 22nd October 2020 at 12:40 pm
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    Hi Grace and Linda, Firstly, Linda thank you so much for this in-depth tutorial on shading. I will be trying this, in the past I have been heavy-handed and not much patience haha, I will have to learn to do small soft strokes and then ‘let it rest’ and then return to it. Even though I have the pink excellent mat I still find I have been heavy-handed, but with this tutorial I will try again and ‘be patient’.
    I have been over the moon with the Pergamano Sale, and thank you so much, I am so looking forward to receiving my Whimsy Parchment Poppets and also I ordered the Blending Pen kit as I’ve been wanting that for a while now. The Parchment Poppets are so beautiful and I am so excited to receive them.
    Thank you so much for the chance to win these lovely prizes, my fingers are crossed. Love, Patricia xx

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  • 23rd October 2020 at 11:25 am
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    I’m very recent to groovi but have just received the the Christmas tree and baubles plates, lovingly them both.

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  • 23rd October 2020 at 1:00 pm
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    So sad 2 rolls of groovi tabs to share with our ENGG group. A must have accessory. Just have to divide them out when they arrive.. ooh I got the 2 fine piercing plates for me. Always need the basics to complement all the beautiful plates. X

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  • 23rd October 2020 at 3:31 pm
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    I’ve just been back for a third time, can’t wait for the mini poppets stamps – I wasn’t going to get these but just too good to miss and now I can’t wait! Saying that I’ve ordered quite a few blending nibs – it’s quite exciting knowing that there will be spare ones!

    There’s been more too …… ssshhhh xx

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  • 23rd October 2020 at 8:21 pm
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    Hi Grace, I’ve just made my second visit to the Sale, it is just too good to pass up on, I took quite a while deciding, I kept putting this set into my basket, then taking them out again, then going back in later on and adding them again and then took them out again, in the end I put the set of Kings Lace plates in together with the Whimsy Poppets set of stamps (I’ve already ordered the whimsy parchment poppets on my first order). I have wanted the Kings complete set for absolutely ages but couldn’t justify the outlay, but with this 50% off Sale I have succumbed (after much deliberation haha), because it is such a fantastic deal, thank you, I can’t wait to receive them and give them a ‘go’.
    Love, Patricia xx

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  • 24th October 2020 at 10:57 am
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    Hi Grace
    It has to be the beautifully designed Mandala set with the borders.
    I can’t wait for it to arrive.
    Tina is one talented lady, I love all of her designs.
    Love & Hugs
    Penny
    Xxxxx

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  • 24th October 2020 at 1:06 pm
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    Hubby’s credit card maxed out!! Naughty me but I can use all the lovely groovi goodies and then give him the back to wrap for Christmas. Naughty again but nice and we do love each other. I can make him a great card as a thank you. Love Linda’s skills and teaching so much and amazing to have all the down loads.
    Best wishes

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  • 24th October 2020 at 1:38 pm
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    The most exciting thing I bought in the sale was the Twas the night before Christmas Groovi set 🥰 I’ve been ummimg and ahhhing about these for a while but at half price we’ll it would have been rude not too😂 Of course I was never going to be able to keep my order that small so I popped some other plates that I probably would have bought at the retreat, sadly that wasn’t to be so I thought why not😊 Thanks to all the Clarity team working so hard through this crappy time and keeping us sane xx

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  • 24th October 2020 at 1:53 pm
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    I couldn’t resist the alphabet & numbers bundle as I have wanted them since launch but they lost out to my gorgeous Polychromos. My first basket of goodies is on it’s way so thanks for that – so excited !!! Xxx

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  • 24th October 2020 at 2:10 pm
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    How do I choose one thing as the most exciting, it’s all exciting but I have to say it’s probably the box of 250 sheets of A4 clear parchment that will keep me parching for a long time to come that’s the most exciting

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  • 25th October 2020 at 9:52 am
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    My favourite purchase has been the Bird Shac Table and Hot Air Balloon.

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