The SHAC SHACK

Hello hello! Grace here.

How’s everyone doing?

What a week it’s been! Our heating has not been working, so that’s been a little uncomfortable at times. But it could be worse! It could be a lot colder than it is now… but is IS going to get a lot colder, so this handyman fella better hurry up and figure out what’s wrong with it soon…

I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather have it be too cold than be too hot though. After NYC experiences of both… you can always add blankets, socks, coats, hats etc. But you can’t get more naked!

Moving on swiftly!

Groovi SHAC

Have a look at the new Groovi SHAC download challenge! Number #34 🙂

Click me!

And what about 33? Well well well… I found these beauties hanging around on Groovi Worldwide! Check them out.

Elizabeth Sykes
Jackie Couling
Linda Stringer
Barbara Clare Brown
Lyn Buckell
Sue Carpenter
Sue Dezelsky
Katharine Peace

Another wonderful week in the Groovi SHAC! Stunning work, right?
AND vaccines officially became a thing this week! So that’s one step closer to putting heels on

SHAC SHAC

What a lovely week it has been in the SHAC! I’m sure many of you have also enjoyed The Güd Family!

I chuckled watching my Mum initially share them with you, repeatedly saying ‘Do Güd, Be Güd, Feel Güd’ in her silly voices.

They really do bring so much joy, I just had to share some… or a lot! It’s hard to look at these and not smile 🙂

When you look at them all together, collectively… the sense of community that the SHAC represents is rather overwhelmingly obvious. A godsend. Who else is excited about a Christmas Day SHAC session?

Whilst staying Safe, Happy And Creative… and working on the Güd Family these are some of the key ingredients used this week:

That’s not much really is it? I know my Mum really tries to make the SHAC about what it’s actually about. Not selly telly. But of course, she also could sell just about anything.

The amount of messages I receive asking where she buys her tops from 😉 So we don’t put this stuff in blog form to make sure you buy it! Not at all. It’s simply to answer the many questions we receive about what she’s upto and what is being used weekly.

And these are obviously a guide! Just in the same way that the Groovi SHAC is a hub of inspiration and a weekly jumping off point… the SHAC is no different! As we always hear, “There are no experts in this building”. If you look closely at the gallery above, you’ll see paint used on shirts and stones… You’ll see pencil drawings, some sketched, some coloured in. Some used pencils, some used pens. Some on white paper, some on brown, one on blue. We’re all just doing it together!

I’ve also seen some of you turning The Güd Family into your Christmas cards! LOVE THAT. They are probably my new favourite in the SHAC. But I do say that every time.
What’s been your favourite? And why?

Tell me your all time favourite SHAC project in the comments below and I’ll enter you into a raffle. The winner will win this lovely 12 pack of Faber Castell pencils and a pack of Barb’s fave papers! I’m sure many of you are running out of lead! And space to draw! 😉

Have a lovely weekend! I’ll be back on Sunday with your gorgeous artwork.

Lotsa love, Grace xo

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

38 thoughts on “The SHAC SHACK

  • 11th December 2020 at 6:52 pm
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    These are just so fab! Haven’t been able to play in the SHAC, but love seeing what everyone creates. So much talent out there!

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    • 12th December 2020 at 6:15 pm
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      I’ve really enjoyed the shac shack and the doodling is my favourite. I’ve learnt so much on how to colour to which is fantastic.

      Everything I doodle I think its my favourite then we do another one and that becomes my favourite so I can’t decide which piece.

      Happy Christmas everyone.

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    • 14th December 2020 at 9:12 am
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      I came to the Shac Shac late but I have worked my way through from the beginning and enjoyed everyone single one. I think though, I would have to say ‘The Gud Family’, they are simply joyous and Barbara made me laugh every single time I joined her, just a wonderful distraction in these troubled times. Forever grateful for her enthusiasm and dedication to the Shac Shac.

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:02 pm
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    The woodland is just beautiful Can’t wait for my stamps to arrive so I can play❤️

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:10 pm
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    I love it all in the Shac but I’d really like to go back to the baubles – will try that again for next Christmas. I think they got the better of me…. Love all the Groovi Shac projects, this weeks is another beauty. Only a couple of cards left to do but I’ve got to fit in 3 birthday cards …. I’m going to try the jumper stamp for that I think. Been having a spring clean in craft room and have given a lot to charity but nothing Clarity that’s for sure. It’s been a bit nippy here this week, hope your heating gets fixed. We had to order a new cooker which is coming next Friday, there’s always something. Have a good weekend XX

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:20 pm
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    I loved the woodland scene and also the mandalas. I’ve never been able to draw before but Barbara makes its such fun to learn. Hope you manage to get your heating mended quickly

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:25 pm
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    Oh those gnome pictures are just brilliant! I love them all! We might not be experts, but some people have sure shown us their tallent at following instructions. I am a “can’t draw” follower of the Shac, but am amazed how I have produced pictures I can even share with my family! For a favourite? I don’t know – maybe the first – whoa I can draw a bird on a wire!! Your mum is a great inspiration that it is worth having a go and then being satisfied in the end that I did!

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:27 pm
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    My Favourite is the Xmas wreath- just to see everyone go off on their own tangent was amazing I made a few Christmas cards with mine and I can’t tell you how happy I felt whilst I was creating.

    It’s just so wonderful how your Mum sows a seed and we all go off and firstly copy but then go it alone. isn’t it amazing how the same thing can look so different. Your mum is an inspiration, I’m quite arty I suppose but without her ideas I’d probably not even pick up a pencil. Love the Shac Shack so much for the creativity and friendships made. ♥️

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    • 11th December 2020 at 8:00 pm
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      Thank you for choosing my SHAC card.
      The Gud family pictures are brilliant, such fun.
      I think I enjoyed the baubles the most!
      Looking forward to what comes next!!

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    • 14th December 2020 at 12:38 am
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      It’s so hard to choose after 150 hours of drawing but the snow scene bookmarks probably win because they were so doable and yet so professional looking. Another Shacker (Gill W) draw the scene for my birthday card and even though I knew I could draw it myself I was super thrilled to receive a hand drawn card. Brilliant!
      Stay safe Grace xx

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:36 pm
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    I loved Holland the most. I’m better at technical drawings than flowers and trees.

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    • 11th December 2020 at 9:35 pm
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      I just love ALL of the Groovi SHAC projects…I met Barbs many years ago at the Harrogate show and she gave me one of her demo samples 💗💗💗 She’s simply awesome xxx💖💖💖💖

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:37 pm
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    I have loved them all but my favourite was the very first birds on a wire that started this whole SHAC SHAC off. It drew us all together when we needed it and has kept us all together since in our safe and happy place. Yes there’s been way more spectacular drawings since that we have joined in with and learnt so much, but that’s where the bus journey began x

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  • 11th December 2020 at 7:38 pm
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    Thank you for showing my card Grace, I’ve not joined in for a while but really enjoyed this one.
    I’m loving all the Gud posts, they are all brilliant.
    Hope you get your heating sorted soon & have a good weekend xx

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    • 12th December 2020 at 12:02 pm
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      I am finding it hard to choose a favourite project from the Shac lessons….loved participating in them all… but think I have enjoyed doing these Gud family gnomes the best as they’ve sparked such fun in the way your dear Mum has delivered them…her humour is so infectious! They to me symbolise the essence of the Shac in that however tough things are in this pandemic, you can lose yourself for an hour, to recharge yourself and create something to carry you forward. The bonus with our gnomes is that you can’t fail to chuckle at them in all their guises and in true Shac style, spread a bit of fun! They, along with the wreaths, bookmarks and coasters have become my Christmas themes for this year. So thanks Barbara for all your time and inspiration…much appreciated!

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  • 11th December 2020 at 8:05 pm
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    I love them all but possibly under the sea because it was the first time I felt brave enough to adapt it and add my own idea – had to have a sea otter! And I never imagined I would learn so much about colouring so I have loved all the postcards too.
    I completely agree that too cold is better than too hot! Snuggle up and enjoy your weekend. Xx

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  • 11th December 2020 at 8:54 pm
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    I have loved all the SHAC Shack projects but the one I have used for some of my Christmas cards is the Christmas village. I plan to use some of the others to make calendars for the family to share the SHAC Shack with them.
    Hope you get your heating sorted before it gets too cold but as you say at least you can add layers when its cold !!
    Thanks for choosing my card this week for the blog, there are some lovely designs using different plates. I have downloaded this weeks GROOVI SHAC – no 34 no wonder my folder is getting fat – so will have a look at it tomorrow.

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  • 11th December 2020 at 8:55 pm
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    What has been my favourite? Well there isn’t just one thing I’m afraid Grace, it’s been the whole journey, having been encouraged to produce art work of my very own when I never thought it possible! Haven’t been in the SHaC this week as have been busy but have saved all the episodes I have missed just so that I know which to catch up with (and I will!) when I see what everyone is producing now having just started with birds on a wire, I can’t quite believe it. And to think that was way back in March and we are now at the end of the Year! Having something to focus on and have my mind taken off all the craziness that’s been going on in the world this year has truly been a Godsend and that’s all down to your brilliant mum! With any luck things will get a little better now that we have a vaccine to try to protect us all. Until we are all immunised we just have to sat safe and take care, in the words of the bus driver, “This too shall pass “

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  • 11th December 2020 at 9:46 pm
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    Thank you for choosing my Gud family. My fav was the dreamcatcher …until we did the Guds… now every time I think of them I hear Barbara giggling at some silly remark she made or a story she told us and I have to laugh too. She really cheered me up and made me LOL
    Thank you Barbara I wonder if you realise how you have made our lives in lockdown so much more bearable? xx

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  • 12th December 2020 at 8:02 am
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    I was one of those who was told as a child that they couldn’t draw so to get from where we started with the birds on a wire to where we are now has been mind blowing! I’ve loved every session but my favourite has got to be the Village which I was so pleased with I’ve actually been brave enough to make some Christmas cards from. I’m loving the Gud family at the moment! With all the doom and gloom about spending time with your Mum in the shac shack is very precious.

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  • 12th December 2020 at 8:24 am
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    Ive enjoyed every project, so a favourite is hard to choose but I’ve especially liked being able to turn the last few xmas themed ones in to cards for my family

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  • 12th December 2020 at 10:11 am
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    I loved the Under the Sea project as it was so vibrant and colourful. I also made another version and turned it into a birthday card for my grandson. He was amazed and thrilled and did not believe I had actually drawn it myself. Praise Indeed. Really I have just been pleased to learn so much as I was told I was rubbish at art at school!

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  • 12th December 2020 at 10:45 am
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    Lovely art work you’ve chosen Grace; and the gnomes are wonderful to do. I’ve loved all the projects but my fave still has to be number 21. It became my “go to de-stress place” and I still go there to calm down. Hope you get the heating fixed. Stay safe and God bless x

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  • 12th December 2020 at 12:22 pm
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    Hi Grace I love the artwork you have chosen. I have really enjoyed the Shac Shack. The wreaths and gnomes have been so good. I just can’t believe what I can draw now. I am so grateful for the time that your mum has given us. It has helped so much during this strange time that we are living through. I am sure that my mental health is a lot more robust because of the Shac Shack. I hope your heating gets fixed soon. Take care. Hugs xxx

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  • 12th December 2020 at 5:51 pm
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    My favourite was the toadstools and woodland. It really took me into a lovely world away from reality.

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  • 12th December 2020 at 10:21 pm
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    I don’t think I have a favourite. I am absolutely astounded at all the marvellous doodling and colouring your Mum has encouraged and enabled me to achieve. I love every one of them.
    Thank you all at Clarity for your support and encouragement to keep crafting

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  • 13th December 2020 at 8:03 am
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    It is impossible to choose a favourite although I think the gnomes are amazing! For me it’s been about the companionship, the learning and seeing everyone improving every week. In the early days I introduced my friend Julie to the Shack and it has been great to share messages and photos of work with her. Her husband is less impressed by all her purchases 😂😂. For me I have just loved learning how to colour and shade. I enjoy the process so much and was truly astounded when my nuthatches were finished. Did I really achieve that?! Long may SHAC Shack continue! I hope your heating is repaired quickly and wish you a very happy Christmas xxx

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  • 13th December 2020 at 11:36 am
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    Hi Grace – thank you for bringing together so many excellent examples of art – I’m sure I’ve missed some of these on the Facebook page.
    I do love the Güd Family in all its many guises – haven’t had a go myself yet as, unfortunately, I fell off the bus back in May when my Dad died and I’ve just not managed to catch up since – I’ve got so many places still to go – Africa, Amsterdam, Hawaii, the English countryside … … I’ve dipped in and out a little, so I’ve got part of a windmill and a carrot man, a rough palm tree, a toadstool … … but I’m hoping I can get some serious doodling sessions in over Christmas, as I enjoyed them so much while I was doing them daily and, like countless others, they really helped me through the early days of Lockdown.
    They also gave me a huge confidence boost – I would never have attempted to draw anything before, but your Mum showed me how to break things down and now it doesn’t seem so daunting. I even re-drew what is perhaps my favourite of the sessions i’ve completed, the Geisha, to make a birthday card – first ever hand-drawn card from me! And now I’ve gone totally off-piste and drawn something I’ve not seen in the Shac-Shac, a silhouette hare! I’ll never stop using stamps, but it’s great to feel able to have a go at adding my own twist to a scene.
    So huge thanks to Clarity and the Shac-Shac – and to the best bus driver around!

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    • 13th December 2020 at 10:13 pm
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      So hard to pick just one favourite I love them all. I have especially enjoyed colouring our own doodles.

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  • 13th December 2020 at 3:35 pm
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    I love the shac Shack, as I’m sure you know Grace. I had not produced much art work for a while for health reasons, eye probs etc. But I am re-inspired, thanks to your mum ,and have seen every shac Shack live, and have a file 2ins thick full of work, much of which has become Xmas gifts and cards. Clarity are always very helpful on the phone and I have bought lots of goodies. Hope you get the heating sorted quickly,
    Thank you , and have a very happy Christmas.x

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  • 13th December 2020 at 4:10 pm
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    I loved the partial art mandalas we did it was so different and gave so many projects from this with the four seasons it was fabulous xx I have loved every project we have done and the common interest we all share and the bus driver is fabulous so encouraging and entertaining love her xx

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  • 13th December 2020 at 4:21 pm
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    H Grace I have joined in every day with the SHAC SHAC! I have learnt so much from Barbara and enjoyed every minute. I would never of had the confidence to attempt to draw before, only flowers when doodling! It’s hard to choose a favourite but probably the Japanese lady or the trip to Africa. I keep them all in a file and have also transferred some into my watercolour pad. I have just experimented doing the Gud family in watercolour. Thank you for showing my picture of the Gud family above.
    Have a great Christmas x

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  • 13th December 2020 at 4:22 pm
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    Hi Grace. It’s much easier to say I wasn’t keen on the black sky, but that was before I bought the good pencils. Must try again.
    I loved and learnt from every week, not at the time but usually about a week or to behind. Just about to start the gnomes which look incredible.
    If I had to pick it would be the wreaths. They inspired me to create my own designed Christmas cards and no be worried if someone says they need more shading or the leaf is to yellow. Thank you Barbara and everyone at Clarity. Hope your heating is sorted.

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  • 13th December 2020 at 6:27 pm
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    I know it isn’t a big thing, but I really loved learning how to do faux gems and raindrops. They are all so realistic and can be used in so many ways. I used the little houses that were made into bookmarks in the big Word stamps and loved playing with those ideas. And of course the very first thing -the birds -appear in a lot of things I now try to draw!

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  • 13th December 2020 at 8:40 pm
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    I have loved all of them and done them all , it has made me sit and draw which I lave not done for over 30 years and Barbara gives you the confidence that you loose over the year , I have draw some Christmas cards which would not have done with out the Shac Shac . I have tuned into all except 3 while in hospital as reception was useless and I have done most of the Groovi Shac thanks everyone xxx

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  • 13th December 2020 at 10:11 pm
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    I like the geisha project best. I’m soooo far behind! Thank goodness Clarity does them in different formats so I can still make cards while learning to draw at my speed!!

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  • 14th December 2020 at 9:54 am
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    I love the Shac shac and the woodland and wreaths are probably my favourites. I love the inspiration that comes from the group

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  • 18th December 2020 at 11:19 am
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    I’ve only just discovered the live shows. I have been missing so much, will have to settle down in my free time and watch them all. I could be gone a while!
    Loving these Gnomes, they look so magical.
    Just wish I was as talented as I can see some very lovely sketches.

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