Books and Marks!

Hi there, everyone, happy Tuesday. Stuart here with a few Clarity matters for you here on Clarity Matters.

First things first, I want to talk about books. Why? Well, in the Clarity SHAC Shack you guys started doodling bookmarks with Barbara this week. We sell bookmark covers, you see, which are great ways to preserve bookmark shaped designs for usability. Also, this week’s YouTube Tuesday video is also a bookmark design which you can watch below.

Click below to check out our bookmarks!

There’s a good price on these at the moment…

And that got me thinking – what are your favourite books? Which novel or biography will you be slipping your doodle or Groovi bookmark in when it’s finished?

I’m not the world’s biggest reader. I’m just not into fiction that much. I like stories, but I like reality. I like to understand the world and I like to think and to be challenged and learn. So I mostly read the Puritans (yes, I mean the drastically misunderstood religious folk from circa 17th century). Boy oh boy were those guys smart. I also like poetry. Blake, Tennyson and the Romantics etc. My wife, however, she’s ravenous. She basically reads about a book a week. She’s finished hundreds of books in her time and she’s always in need of a bookmark… We do also like to read together. At the moment we read Pilgrim’s Progress before bed. That’s a great book, by the way. Probably the most important book next to the Bible. Everyone should read it. A magnificent allegory and remarkable considering the distinct lack of education that Bunyan had AND the fact that he wrote it in prison… Amazing!

Anyway, how about a little giveaway?

We sell books, too, you know. ii Books they are called. ii standing for Ideas and Inspiration. They are little project books filled with instructions and pictures to help you gain crafting skill, knowledge and inspiration.

So, if you comment below or email me gallery@claritystamp.com telling me what your favourite book is (novel, biography, cookbook, instruction manual, poetry whatever it is), I’ll enter you into a prize draw for one of our ii Books. Not only that, I’ll let you choose which one you want. Because we have a range for crafters of all types.

Sound good?

You can see the selection of ii books right here on our website, there are quite a lot now, so do have a look and figure out which one you might like if you win the draw 😉!

So there you go. Get thinking about that favourite book.

In the meantime, here’s a link to our YouTube Tuesday. It’s a really cool video and actually quite an old one now. 2015, in fact! The real value of this tutorial, I think, is that it helps you to get used to the slip proportions of the bookmark shape. It’s good discipline and creativity to be limited by the smaller dimension and is actually a really great way to hone your skills and practice your creativity. So I hope you enjoy it and I hope you get a pretty, usable bookmark from following along with Barb!

https://claritystamp.com/collections/youtube-offers

Simply click the banner above to watch the video.

Well, that’s enough for me I think. Enjoy and I’ll announce the winner next Tuesday!

Bye for now.

Stuart.

30 thoughts on “Books and Marks!

  • 3rd November 2020 at 3:52 pm
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    Hi Stuart
    I always have a book on the go and get through at least one a week! I like books by Clive Cussler, they are great, really good adventure stories with excellent characters. I also like Jane Austen and the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 4:10 pm
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    I have several favorites that I’ve read several times each: “I Heard the Owl Call My Name” by Margaret Craven; “A Fire in the Mind: The Life of Joseph Campbell” by Steven and Robin Larsen; “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson; and “The Red Balloon” by A. Lamorisse. Mostly I read mysteries with a few non-fiction books thrown in now and then.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 4:24 pm
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    Oh, Stuart! You’ll have people writhing in agony trying to decide that. My favourite book is the one I just read usually. I really enjoyed Asquith by Roy Jenkins recently, bit of a surprise hit as I usually like fiction, but I really relaxed into Venetia by Georgette heyer just after it. But don’t let me win unless Barbara is prepared to send the book to Ivybridge to be brailled, as my helpers hate having to read me craft things, arguing they come in a foreign language.

    Listening to the video, I realised how much Groovi has developed since then, which is amazing in such a short time.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 4:35 pm
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    Hello Stuart, I love historical fiction and for a complete change Detective/Murder Mystery type books. My all time favourite series are Diana Gabaldon, who doesn’t love Claire and Jamie and Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear. Here’s hoping if I win you ship to Canada.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 4:44 pm
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    I love Dilly Court books for reading on holiday and also Kate Morton books.
    I also have a soft spot for cookery books especially Gino D’Acampo

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 5:52 pm
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    I have several favorites, one of which is “Shapes for sounds” by Timothy Donaldson. I finally got my own personal copy; came in the mail yesterday. Looking forward to exploring all the ways the alphabet can be expressed!

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 5:58 pm
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    Hi there, Stuart, Canoeing The Mountains by Tod Bolsinger was one that struck chord with me in recent times. You might find that one quite interesting.

    Anyway, have a good week.

    Best wishes,
    Hilda

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 6:44 pm
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    I too became a devourer of books. It happened when I was studying for my O Levels in school, the book that started it off and is one that I read every few years is My Family & Other Animmals by Gerald Durrell, and I still love that book. I do like a bit of crime fiction and recently have been reading Ian Rankin books, especially the old DI Rebus series. I don’t have one favourite though, cos I love all books xx

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 6:49 pm
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    Definitely Winnie the poo books as it reminds me of Ashdown Forest and Barbara, Dave and Clarity x

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 7:08 pm
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    I always have at least one book on the go on my Kindle as I can no longer hold ‘normal’ books easily. Currently I’m reading crime thrillers and biographies!! One of my most favourite books is the autobiography of John Betjeman written in verse and called ‘Summonsed by bells’. I like all of his verse and have several of his books but his autobiography is my favourite (though it’s a while since I read it). Another I am reading at present is called ‘Flynn of the Inland’ and is the story of the beginnings of the Flying Doctor service in Australia -fascinating and a change from the thrillers I read a bedtime (currently a Tess Gerritsen book)! I also read at least one book a week and have done so all of my life since I learned to read at age 4.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 7:13 pm
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    I read constantly, every night before sleep. At the moment I am reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins. (Read a good chunk of it today sitting waiting for a procedure in hospital for nearly 4 hours today!) The Moonstone by him is one of my favourite books so I thought I’d try something of his I hadn’t heard of. I also love all of Kate Atkinson’s books. I started Pilgrim’s Progress when I retired over 3 years ago but have to admit I haven’t finished it. On the other hand, I always return to Grisham, Michael Connolly, Peter Robinson and David Baldacci… Never more than one at a time though, so only one bookmark required!
    Thank you for your thoughtful posts.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 8:14 pm
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    I just love books, the paper ones be they hard back or soft covers. I can’t get the satisfaction from e-books and go cross eyed trying to focus on a lit screen.
    When travelling between Essex and Wales during my working years I amassed a large quantity of tapes and still have them but that car has gone and my one remaining tape player is showing its age.
    I like many authors and read anything from classics like War and Peace, Daphne du Maurier, Dickens , Shakespeare, and then a sprinkling of sci fi and a lot of mystery novels. I always have a couple of different books on the go to read depending on my mood. I can get through a good James Patterson or Baldacci book in one sitting and have to be fed and watered by hubby as I forget to eat. It’s worse than crafting. hahaha!!!
    When we moved I had to get rid of half my library and it almost broke my heart as I don’t read a book just once, but several times albeit several years apart.
    I have all the ii books and have found them very useful as well as inspirational.
    I have had these book marks for ages but seldom used them except when doing a craft fair but found they didn’t sell well. However they are a nice small project to start someone on the Parchment journey.
    Stay safe everyone.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 8:32 pm
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    Hi Stuart, Until I retired in 2011, I read a book every day going to and from work on the train and my favourites were the Twilight Saga Series by Stephenie Meyer, and also the True Blood Series by Charlaine Harris, since then I have opted for Audiobooks and I love ‘being read to’, although whenever I buy an Audiobook I also buy the paper book aswell, I love books, I love the smell of books. I also collect Recipe Books and I have hundreds of them.
    I am looking forward to trying these bookmarks, they look stunning.
    Take care. Love, Patricia xx

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 8:34 pm
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    I have just bought the new Lee Child novel. And right now I am reading about meta cognitive strategies. Very helpfull when you are thinking too much.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 9:32 pm
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    My recent favourite has been a trilogy by A O’Connor.
    It is about the Armstrong family and their house.
    It covers from 1820 to present day and has betrayal, deceit, revenge and obsession.
    One house, one family, three generations.
    I am a genealogist so the family history appealed to me, especially the DNA outcome in the final book.
    It was also a woman in every generation that protected the Armstrong legacy, which made a nice change.
    The books are: The House, Secrets of Armstrong House and The Legacy of Armstrong House.

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 9:45 pm
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    My favourite book is by Anita Shreve, ‘Fortune’s Rocks’. Fab story but love how Anita used the same house in this, ‘The Pilot’s Wife’ and others. You can totally picture it and although the story has a different feel, the house feels the same. Amazing!

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  • 3rd November 2020 at 10:30 pm
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    How can I choose just one book. I must read 2 or 3 a week. I love a good crime novel and am just starting a John Grisham (The Chamber). I also like Ann Cleese’s, Ian Rankin, Michael Connolly, James Patterson – you get the idea. When I was little I used to go to the library with my mum and longed to join but in those days you had to be 5. When the day came I had as many as I was allowed and worried that when I had read them all I would have nothing left! Even now I constantly buy books so I don’t run out. I download books from the library on BorrowBox and when I finish the Grisham I have After You by Jojo Moyes waiting for me xx

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  • 4th November 2020 at 4:18 am
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    I always have a book on the go too.! The one I always remember is one my Dad gave me as a child The children from One End Street by Eve Garnett.

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    • 4th November 2020 at 9:31 am
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      I love that book!

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  • 4th November 2020 at 10:04 am
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    I have always had a book on the go since I was a child. I mostly read thrillers but also factual. I recently read A Window Breaks by C.M Ewan which is a terrific page turner. I would choose this as my favourite at the moment, until the next great thriller comes along.

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  • 4th November 2020 at 2:12 pm
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    It’s very difficult to choose just one book even if I could remember every one I’ve read, really enjoyed the trilogy millennium by Stieg Larson.Great thriller

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  • 4th November 2020 at 5:52 pm
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    Like everyone else, choosing just one is difficult, but a good book for me has to conjure mental images for me, so I’m going to say The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.

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  • 4th November 2020 at 6:57 pm
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    Hi, as a chef I’m a hoarder of cook books, the older the better, although Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith are some of my favourites.
    I love reading in general, anything from biographies to encyclopaedia’s, novels to craft books, specially Linda Williams’ multi needle books!

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  • 5th November 2020 at 11:22 am
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    Hi Stuart. I’m an avid reader but I have no problem picking a favourite. My “go to” book is Tess of the D’Urbevilles. Wow what a book, what a writer Thomas Hardy is, what characters. This book has love, passion ( and I don’t mean sexual), hatred, sorrow, joy, sexism, discrimination…..I could go on and on. And if you want to see the best portrayal of it then watch the BBC version staring Gemma Arterton and Eddie Redmayne. Get the tissues out.

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  • 6th November 2020 at 8:53 am
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    Love the bookmark sleeves, my all time favourite book is the one that really started my love of reading way back in the nineteen fifties and that was the children’s classic “Heidi “ xx

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  • 6th November 2020 at 11:13 am
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    We all love books in our family and would find it difficult to choose one for myself! But we are reading the Witches by Ronald Dahl to our grandson at the moment which is great!

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  • 7th November 2020 at 7:08 am
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    I love books and to escape into a fictional world created by the author. I have many favourites but the book that had the biggest impact on me was one I read at age 11. At the girls grammar school in Rochester we were given Animal Farm by George Orwell to read for our English literature homework. I couldn’t put it down. I love animals and was gripped by the story. Then in my young mind the penny dropped. The story wasn’t about animals at all – this was about people! The dawning of reality, what life can be like in the human world. Barbara is right when she declared yesterday that in her next life she is coming back as at cat!

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    • 9th November 2020 at 2:23 pm
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      Dairy book of cookery. My first cookery book. Saw me through university and later feeding husband and three children. Bit tattered now but worth the pennies then.

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  • 9th November 2020 at 4:30 pm
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    Since I have retired have discovered reading. I have a few favourite authors. I think my favourite book is Crossing Places by Ellie Griffiths that is the one that introduced me to the world of Ruth Galloway the archaeologist investigator. Take care. Hugs xxx

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  • 10th November 2020 at 8:54 am
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    I’ve been an avid reader since a child – who can forget the Enid Blyton books – Famous Five, Secret Seven, Mallory Towers – sure I read them all. Nowadays I’ll read anything from crime fiction to a good chick lit. More recently I’ve had a few audiobooks and especially like an autobiography read by the person in question. The comedians make me laugh out loud and the likes of Michelle Obama are thought provoking.

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