The SHAC Blog

Hello hello! Grace here 🙂

I hope this finds you safe, happy & calm.

It’s been SNOWING in New York City. Quite a lot.
Earlier in the week there were warnings of a snowstorm, so there was a sudden rush to the supermarkets to prepare. About 3pm on Wednesday afternoon it started… lightly. And then within an hour we’d had a few inches! And it kept going. We went to sleep with it snowing and woke up to even more!

… As you may be able to tell from the above excited ramble, I LOVE snow. Always have. Perhaps it’s a British thing. But I remember always getting juuuuust enough snow in England to know that I liked it, but never quite enough to really do much with it. Half a snowman, if you’re lucky. And quick!

In New York, it’s an entirely different story. I recall waking up a few years ago to entirely covered cars outside. Snow above the entire front entrance of my apartment building. Snowed in literally. And I was very happy about it. I know I know… it’s certainly not ideal for many. Those that still have to go to work etc. I am sorry for them.

BUT if I’m not getting on a plane today to England (our flights for Christmas were for today) then let’s make it a snow day! YAY.

I ventured out into the thick of it on Wednesday night… because I needed chocolate. Seriously. I put on my lovely Ugg snow boots (thanks Mum!), mask, gloves and a huge coat (also thanks Mum!) and walked 3 blocks to the supermarket. To get chocolate. And some photos!

Snowy night in Brooklyn

And then woke up on Thursday morning and it was still snowing!

Loved it loved it loved it. As I write this blog, it’s definitely become more ‘slush’ than snow. But I’ll take what I can get at this point!

Groovi SHAC

Thank you for joining us for yet another Groovi SHAC week. We’re moving onto Download #35, which means we’ve been doing this together (steered by the lovely Hazel Edwards) for over 35 weeks! WOW! It is pretty wild how quickly this year has flown by. Christmas is in a week y’all. Christmas officially snuck up and smacked me in the back of the head this year.
Anyone else excited for a new year?

I really like this next download challenge… I have a feeling Hazel also has a love of heels! But I think we could use just about anything in the middle and make this card pop. I’m keen to see what you’ve got up your crafty sleeves 🙂

Click me!

And now to share your glorious versions of Download #34! I’m quite in love with this weeks’ cards. You’ll see why…

Ann Raymond
Elizabeth Sykes
Katharine Peace
Liz Connor
Sue Carpenter
Linda Stringer

I love the dainty border you’ve all been inspired by! It gives each card such a delicate vibe, even though they’re all still so unique in many other ways!

Stunning work, whether you’ve gone for holly, snowflakes or sunflowers! STUNNING.

SHAC SHAC

Another brilliant week in the SHAC with bus driver Barb!

I’m quite relieved that you’ve been taking your time in the land of Nordic Gnomes! In this run up to to Christmas, things can often feel like you’re going 100 miles an hour. That’s how I’ve felt in recent weeks anyway… And what is the whole point of the SHAC? Safe, Happy And Creative. I also reckon the C stands for CALM. So I say, slooooowwww down. Take your time. If you slow down just enough and become truly present, you can really reap the therapeutic benefits that crafting has to offer! And the Güd Family do lift the spirits don’t they?

A few important products used this week:

And lastly, I must announce a winner from last week’s giveaway! I asked you which of ALL the SHAC SHAC destinations and designs were your favourite… So many lovely lovely answers and comments. But the winner is….

Pauline Eden!

Congratulations Pauline! Please send me an email to confirm your mailing address 🙂 Grace@claritystamp.com

It just so happens that whilst I was scrolling yesterday, searching for Groovi SHAC cards I came across this brilliant drawing and saved it to my desktop… I loved the legs you see! And GUESS whose it is?
Yep, Pauline Eden.

The GüdenTall Family

You’re a talented bunch aren’t you?

Chat to you Sunday! 🙂

Lotsa love, Grace xo

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

12 thoughts on “The SHAC Blog

  • 18th December 2020 at 3:34 pm
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    Hi Grace, thank you for sharing the snowy pictures. It’s bucketing it down here (again), I think we might sink with the amount of rain we seem to have had of late and the forecast is for more. Yet another beautiful selection of work from the talented Clarity family. Take care and have a lovely weekend.

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  • 18th December 2020 at 3:44 pm
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    Wow snow – they used to reckon we got the weather the East coast of US had a little while later but not sure I want snow just yet. It nice to look at when its fresh & white but not so pretty when it starts turning brown & slushy.
    Another lovely selection of Groovi Shac 34 cards – now going into week 35 – Christmas this time next week which will be so different from last year but hopefully things are starting to look brighter but I think it will be a while before we are able to meet up for our craft groups.
    Hope you enjoyed your chocolate treat – making me wish I had some in the house – not quite true but they are presents or at least they are meant to be !!

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  • 18th December 2020 at 4:13 pm
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    The snow here started Wednesday night. Then it turned to rain Thursday morning. Had lots of fun (NOT!) shoveling slush in the rain. Then it turned to snow again which didn’t stop until this morning. At least the streets are clear and we didn’t lose electricity. It is very pretty. I’m finally in a Christmas mood.

    That holly border is really lovely.

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  • 18th December 2020 at 4:28 pm
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    Hi Grace. Your blog helps to explain why your Mum is feeling anxious today, if you were due to arrive tomorrow. Even though we accept that it can’t be helped, it doesn’t stop us having our moments. As in my case too, thank goodness for FaceTime. I wish we had it when I lived in South Africa and could only use snail mail to keep in touch with my mum, as she didn’t even have a phone!
    Thanks for the snowy pics and enjoy it while it lasts. I would love some here, especially as we don’t have to drive anywhere in it this year.
    Pauline Eden’s gnomes are brilliant! Thank you for sharing. Have a good weekend. Hugs. Annette X

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  • 18th December 2020 at 4:47 pm
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    Thank you for the great snow pictures I too love snow . Used to live in Scotland so got some great snowy days there as a kid not so much now in Yorkshire lol take care

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  • 18th December 2020 at 4:51 pm
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    Thank you for choosing my card – always an honour!
    Finished all our Christmas cards for this year ……………..phew…. pressure or what???????
    Now I can catch up on some other projects and also just chill…………… (but inside, dry and warm!!!!)
    Take care and stay safe

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  • 18th December 2020 at 6:11 pm
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    I remember one Christmas Day my daughter-in-law from Texas ran outside like a madwoman because it was snowing 🤣

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  • 19th December 2020 at 3:48 am
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    Oh, snow! You lucky woman! I love to feel snow even if it is nature’s lockdown. I think the chocolate was just an excuse for an adventure. Great thinking, though. Hot chocolate is a snow necessity, so hope you have that in too now.

    Well done, Pauline too! What a great time of year to win a competition and have your drawing featured.

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  • 19th December 2020 at 11:02 am
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    I remember snow like that as a child in London! Now we are lucky to get a flurry. Global warming 😢. Enjoy the snow.
    Superb art work from everyone this week.
    Happy Christmas and God bless xx

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  • 19th December 2020 at 4:07 pm
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    Congratulations Pauline, love the gnomes too.
    I love snow but not the slush and ice that follows. In 1968 I walked 3 miles to have tea with the boyfriend in snow that came over the top of my boots only to find he had walked to my home by the alternative route. In 1984 I lived in a village at the top of a hill. Getting out wasn’t too bad but when I got to the main road on the far side of the farm the snow was piled 12ft high on one side of the road making it one way only and coming home I had to go the long way round on a different road also one way only. The fun part was getting back up the hill to the house. A few years later 1986 we moved nearer town and it snowed all day. Such fun. The next year my boss didn’t believe me when I told him we were snowed in, the snow was up to the door handles front and back so I sent him a photo. What a laugh!!! Since living here in East Anglia it rarely snows and we have not had snow deeper than 2 inches. I miss it.
    Once again a lovely selection of cards. I am really enjoying the Groovi shack projects.
    Stay warm and safe Grace.

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  • 20th December 2020 at 9:56 am
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    Congratulations, Pauline. Love your card, and all the other cards. Hxx

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  • 20th December 2020 at 6:16 pm
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    Pauline congratulations and I love your legged Güd family!
    I love snow too and there is much more snow now with you Grace!
    I don’t hope there will be such a heap of snow now with us here,because my shop is 10 minutes drive away.
    Stay save and healthy and I am very sorry for you and your mum that you cann’t be together especially now with the new virus.
    Take care and lots of love, Trijntje

    Reply

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