15 months?!?!? You must be ‘avin a giraffe!!

15 months?!?!? You must be ‘avin a giraffe!!

Hiya!
Thanks for stopping by.

“Much more better today,” said the little girl. 
“My friend Paul came round and played.
It’s always more fun when he’s around.”

Thursday’s blog is something blue, 
and I have just finished a neat card for Sunday’s show,
so thought I would share it with you – or at least the front piece!
You’ll have to tune in on Sunday to see how I made faux giraffe skin….

Anyway, let’s take a look.
Our lovely Mel drew a fantastic Mother and Babes animal series,
which we have converted into super stamps.
On Sunday we shall bring out the giraffes, zebras and lions;
there are some fantastic tigers as I recall, and monkeys, and elephants – but we’ll save those for another day…

Let’s make a little topper..
Stamp the giraffe and her calves into the corner….

I just looked up what baby giraffes are called and got caught up in some amazing giraffe facts!
Did you know that they reckon a giraffe came about when a camel mated with a leopard?
Blimey.
That must have been something to behold!

Anyway, moving on swiftly….
Pop a mini moon mask into place and make a moody sky
using blending tools and ink pads.

Flip the masking tape and copy paper and add the lower colour.
We have got some fabulous little ink pads on the show.
Delightful storage box and a great price.

The quickest way to colour in the giraffes is by using 
the outside mask 

and a make up sponge.

The little tree and giraffe are also NEW stamps.
Wait till you see the Wee Africa stampsets! They are superb.
Well done Jim.

Add a little interest  underneath the tree and daddy 
with torn copy paper and a make up sponge.

Bit of matting and layering, 
which always takes me longer than making the artwork!

And on Sunday I’ll show you the faux giraffe skin trick.

Giraffe facts:
Giraffa camelopardalis (told ya!!)

At an average height of around 5 m (16-18 ft.), 

the giraffe is the tallest land animal in the world.

Spending most of the day eating, a full-grown giraffe consumes over 45 kg (100 lb.) of leaves and twigs a day.

Giraffes sleep less than two hours a day. 
Female giraffes can become pregnant at 5 years old. 
They carry a baby for 15 months and give birth while standing up.
(That’s a 2 metre drop for the baby. Ouch! )
They live up to 25 years in the wild.

Must dash.
Safari-sagood!

love and hugs,
Barbar 
xxx

Mum Mum Mum!! Are you sure I’m not a giraffe???

111 thoughts on “15 months?!?!? You must be ‘avin a giraffe!!

  1. OMG need these…..i have sneek peeked and all of the safari stuff is now on my must have list for the retreats
    Here is another Giraffe Fact. A group of giraffes is called a Journey……

    1. Hi Donna., aren't these stamps gorgeous, I love giraffes, used to like reading Jolly Tall to Emma when she was little! Look at you being posh with your bread and jam!! Not bread and dripping then 😀Xxx

    2. Evening Donna wow just dried bread you will need everyone's cushions they are wonderful arnt they the stencils look brilliant too hugs and cuddles for pheobe xxx

    3. Hi Donna,
      Hope you and Phoebe have had a good day. I think we are all going to be wanting the cushions this weekend! I've got my eyes on the Groovi plates I think. Love and hugs to you both, Alison xxx

  2. Hi Barbara
    These new stamps are beautiful, Mel had captured the gentle grace of the giraffes too. I'm looking forward to seeing the shows and might just have a wee sneeky peek. If you bring the caravan down south, try a visit to Marwell Zoo, they have some beautiful giraffes and a viewing platform so you can stand at head height with them. We've been there as a baby was born and yes they do drop quite a distance!! My fun fact was a giraffes tongue is 15 inches long! The things you learn that stays with you!! Love the cute little elephant too. Have a lovely evening.
    Love Diane xxx

    1. Hello my lovely blog friends, I hope everyone is ok. I've been out for morning coffee with some friends, we put the world to rights, caught up on family news and had a lovely time – 3 hours flew by!!! Came home, opened my bag and there were the thank you cards I'd made for them still inside! Good thing they are flat groovi ones not 2d flower creations! Sending hugs all round xxx

    2. Evening Diane so pleased you had a good day with friends your thank you cards you will have to save till you meet up again or pop them in the post hugs xxx

    3. Hi Diane,
      Pleased you've had a lovely day with your friends. I did have a chuckle when I read that you'd left the thank you cards in your bag – that's the sort of thing I would do! Love and hugs Alison xxx

    4. Hi Diane – what a lovely way to spend 3 hours, time spent with good friends is priceless and to be treasured! So glad to hear that I'm not the only one to forget things! Love and hugs, Gilly xxx

  3. I love the stamps and stencils this month!!! The giraffes have lovely eyes!!!
    Giraffe facts…
    Giraffes only spend between 10 minutes and two hours asleep per day. They have one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal……I'm obviously not a giraffe!
    Looking forward to seeing your demos on Sunday! Love and hugs! Xxx

  4. LOL after that comment about a cross between a leopard and a camel. I read on and thought it said mating and laying. Oops! Thanks for sharing can't wait for the shows. love giraffes I have a 6ft 6 inch one in my front room, not only the size of a baby one but also how far they have to fall at birth! Amazingly graceful creatures! LoveJx

  5. I love the stamps and stencils this month!!! The giraffes have lovely eyes!!!
    Giraffe facts…
    Giraffes only spend between 10 minutes and two hours asleep per day. They have one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal……I'm obviously not a giraffe!
    Looking forward to seeing your demos on Sunday! Love and hugs! Xxx

    1. Evening to my dear family of blog friends sending you all heartfelt thoughts hugs to all on the blog .
      Looks like the cushions will be out this weekend and lots of meeting at the camp fire I'm going to have to be good though as I cannot craft at present so if anyone needs my cushions they fluffed up ready xxx

    2. Evening Sheila – sorry that you are still in pain, I hope that your visit to the doctor's didn't take too much out of you – but I am sure that you will rest up and enjoy watching tv on Sunday and Monday – sending you healing hugs, love Gilly xxx

    3. Hi Sheila, it sounds like you are going through a tough time at the moment. You didn't spoil the surprise of seeing my name in the news letter, in fact I'm glad you told me as I don't know when I would have read the newsletter otherwise. I eventually received the book you recommended, Half Hidden, might get it started soon.

    4. Enjoy the book julia let me know what you think I still have my copy bought many years ago I'm glad I didn't spoil your surprise enjoy spending hugs xxx

  6. Hi Barb,
    I love giraffes and was really upset last week when I heard they are almost on the red list heading towards extinction. We humans are such a destructive species. Giraffes always look so gentle to me, but my favourite wild animal has to be the elephant. The picture at the bottom of the blog is gorgeous by the way. Love these new stamps – had a sneaky peek on Hochanda but I think my pennies will be going towards the Groovi plates. Your artwork is lovely today by the way ( as always). Looking forward to the shows. Love and hugs Alison xx

    1. Hi to my lovely blog friends,
      Hope everyone has had a good day today. The weather has certainly been kinder to us today. Unfortunately, had to go to another funeral today, but at least it was dry. Went up to do some work at my Mam's house under instruction from my sister who is in Switzerland at the moment. We have finally got round to putting Mam's house up for sale so have to keep it looking nice. My job was to do all of the windows and cut the grass! Thank goodness for my Karcher window vac!!! Love and hugs to all, Alison xxx

    2. Hi Alison – glad that your weather has been kinder today! Is your sister older than you, by any chance? Mine has always told me what to do! It's a very difficult job having to sell your Mum's home, we had to do that a few years ago, and it stirs up many memories and is quite emotional. Tomorrow have a day of doing nice things – sounds as though you really deserve it. Love and hugs, Gilly xxx

    3. Alison I've been there too, it's an emotional journey that hopefully your sister will share. Funny that, I'm the younger one too and do as I'm told by my sister!!! Xx

  7. Hi Barbara, well you are getting us all excited ready for all your shows.see yesterday was pants now look at today with help it all turns out better than you thought. I my self am waiting for the Groovi things.getting on now better than I expected but more work needed. My club parcel arrived safe and sound it is like Christmas every month so glad I joined up. Hi ladies, hope you are all well. The weather yesterday here was pants but a lot better today. We all will need restraint this weekend !!!!!!! Not on your life. Have a good night lots of hugs to all
    Lynn xxx

  8. Hi Barbara, I love giraffes, brilliant step by step, can't wait to see how you did their markings. Looking forward to seeing the shows this weekend, recording them in case we are out. Can't buy anymore craft stuff for now. Waiting for the sale to see what I haven't got then Birthday and Christmas to come, so on the list things will go. Love the design club items, glad you are feeling better today. Love Pam xx

  9. I think the stamps may be a 'must have' as my sister is a big fan and collects giraffey-themed things. 'Camelopard' is one of my favourite words – shaped like a camel, colouring like a leopard-used to love imparting this to my students and then we went on to have great fun making up similar names! For anyone who is interested Helen Cowcher writes beautifully illustrated children's books – 'Whistling Thorn' being the one related to the giraffe. (A series of my teaching resources I can't bear to give away as I love the illustrations too much! ) ;~}

    1. Barbara – Helen Cowcher's books each have a message – Antartica, Rainforest, Jaguar are the other three that spring to mind and I used all three in school projects across the primary age range. ;~}

  10. I'm loving these. The sneaky peeks on FB are amazing too. I was born in Kenya (lived there till I was 15yrs) and our annual holiday was never abroad but always a safari trip in our rusty car but always as a family. One memory that has stayed with me is boiling eggs to make sandwiches in one of the hot springs on Lake Nakuru with the view of thousands of Flamingoes while we cooked and ate out picnic. This collection brings back lots of happy memories. A must have for me so each time I look at them and use them I can revisit the happy places. Thank you Barbara and team. 🙂 x

    1. Hi Tina,
      My Mam and Dad lived in Kenya during the war and they loved it. They even named their house Kitale after the bungalow they lived in in Kenya. Love Alison xx

    2. My dad grew up in Kenya, and my mum in South Africa, so I grew up hearing about Africa. I finally went myself when I was 24, and spent 5 month travelling about up and down the west and south, doing lots of safaris. I absolutely loved it, so many memories. So think these will be hard to resist for me too.

  11. Hi to all my lovely blog friends. Sorry you are still suffering Sheila. Hope everyone has had a good day, at least the weather has been a little better. Started a card after all last night and it was going well so I carried on. Finally finishing it at 2.30 this morning as I'd put the wrong age on it. Managed to salvage it though by stripping it down again then put it all on another card, then stamped the correct age etc on the front. That's what happens when you aren't in the mood. One down 3 to go. Early night tonight me thinks. Love and hugs to you all and all on the blog. Thinking of you Dot and Brenda, Pam xx

    1. Hi Pam,
      I'm impressed that you managed to salvage the card and really pleased for you, it would have been terrible if you couldn't! Have a good night's rest, love and hugs Alison xxx

  12. Thank you for an insight into this weekend's programmes and the information on giraffes – not sure that a camel and a leopard can mate!
    Also a big, big thank you to all the lovely bloggers who are holding me together – I think I called myself "sad-sack" but cannot remember if it was the raggy dolls programme – years and years ago.
    Anyway, they are keeping me on the straight and narrow with my poor little girl. Unlike my MOJ employers who do not seem to know the meaning of "Duty of Care" to staff. I cannot thank you enough.
    I am booked on a retreat and praying that she is better and I will be able to come. It will take heaven and high water to make me cop out. it is the high-light of my craft year.
    Lots of love Anne (Reading)

    1. Hi Anne – thinking of you and your daughter, and here's hoping that she will be recovered enough for you to be able to go to the retreat! It sounds as though that is just what you need – keep strong and let it all out of your system here – love and hugs Gilly xx

    2. Hi Anne,
      My thoughts are with you and your daughter and I really do hope that even if she's not fully better, she will be well enough for you to go on the retreat. Love and hugs Alison xx

  13. Hi Barbara – so pleased to hear that things have gone better for you today! Glad to hear that you found all of the comments here a comfort to you – we all want what is best for you, and we will always defend you to the hilt, no matter what. It really is such a wonderful and supportive community here and we seem to continually help each other. Love and hugs, Gilly x

    1. Hi to all my lovely blog friends – well at least today's weather has seen a big improvement. Neill and I went to Truro today for an appointment with the 'knee surgeon', for his final appointment. He was very pleased with the effort that Neill has put in, and his replacement knee has proved to be wonderful. He needs the other knee done too, as he is in quite a lot of pain with that now – but that will have to wait until he has completed his course of radiotherapy – which should be at the end of September. He will need time to recover from that, so he will be seeing the surgeon about the other knee towards the end of the year. Well, as it was an early start today, I am now off to bed – so I will bid you all good night and sweet dreams, love and hugs Gilly xxx

    2. Hi Gilly,
      I'm pleased Neil's appointment went well and that his knee replacement has gone well. It was the best thing I did when I had mine done, but now , like Neil, my other knee is deteriorating rapidly and very painful. I hope everything goes well with his radiotherapy and then that he can get his other knee sorted. Have a good night's rest. Love and hugs to you both, Alison xxx

    3. So pleased all went well today how the months are passing September will be with us soon and then he can recover and make plans for the other knee sweet dreams xxx

  14. So pleased you have had a better day Barbara. You are on to a winner with the new range. I shall have to save up some more pennies but will enjoy the programmes. xx

  15. What great stamps Barbara and although I won't be around on Sunday I will definitely watch on catch up. I love the silhouette giraffe and tree in the background too. Glad you have had a better day today. x

  16. Blimey at their rate I reckon I would have been pregnant forever with four kids. Had to laugh when you put giraffe facts on your blog as the nurse at Lymphedema clinic yesterday told me giraffe skin does not stretch so do not get my problem. Good job with their long legs. Looking forward to the shows. Will be able to watch this weekend. xx

  17. So what is a baby giraffe called? The stamps look lovely and may just be on my wish list. Looking forward to watching the shows. BTW, a baby giraffe is a calf.

  18. I seem to be following you tonight Barbara but I can't keep up with you – no surprise there! Glad you're feeling more in control. Love the stamps but a camel/leopard cross!!!! Perhaps they're distant relations of the Pushmepullyou xx

  19. Wee Africa?!? Oh dear, so tempting, I love all things Africa, spent 5+ months travelling around there in my youth – such a magical place. Plus, my brother, at 6 foot 6, has a giraffe obsession, so these will be great for cards for him too!! I wish I could remember all the things I knew abut giraffes when I was doing all those safaris, but I can't. One thing was that they used to think that giraffes were solitary, then realised that they are in groups, but they're really spread out because they can see so far, which is kind of cool.
    Looking forward to all the shows – have recorded the first one, the machine was stuck on the others earlier so I'll have to go in tomorrow and sort it out!
    Hope they all go well.

  20. Oh my goodness! I love these stamps! I
    Ove giraffes and my favourite place to see them is Taronga Zoo in Sydney. A group of giraffes is called a tower ( my piece of useless information) xx

    1. Hi, they sure are…….A 'Tower' is when they are stood still and a 'Journey' is when they are on the move…….I just love the fact that they have a journey…it speaks to my wanderlust spirit……

  21. Giraffes are probably my second favourite after koala bears ! That also reminds me I do have some jungle animal stamps – I'm sure I have – that I haven't used yet. The ones that spell themselves? Still you can never had too many and they're all so different ! Keep forgetting to go and have a look at the Hochanda website – will do that next she says and will probably do something completely different!

    Hope everyone is well xxx

  22. Hi Barbara, what gorgeous stamps. My good friend at work is retiring in July and she is crazy about Giraffes. All the other new stamps will also be jumping into my Retreat basket if they are as beautifully drawn as these giraffes. Mother & baby animals are a sure winner for me. Did you know that it was National Giraffe day last week. Radio 2 were sharing lots of Giraffe facts too. They are such interesting creatures. They are the only animals to be born already with their horns. Ouch! Very excited about these new stamps. Love and hugs, Jeanette xxxx

  23. Hi Barb, oh how beautiful, both your artwork and the stamps, cannot wait to see the others. Very interesting Giraffe facts too. Looking forward to the shows, but will have to watch recorded shows, as am away for work. Take care. Bx

  24. Hi Barbara

    So pleased to hear your mojo is back, I knew it wouldn't take too long!

    Loved the giraffe story and the art work but have to admit elephants are my very favourite animal

    Looking forward to your show and the big reveal for giraffe skin!

    Have a great weekend now that you're all sorted

    June x

  25. Hi Barb,
    See you at the weekend and looking forward to it. I have the large and small giraffe stamps from years ago and have used them loads. I can't wait to see the new ones.
    Maureen xx

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