Hi there.

Thanks for popping back on this bright and beautiful Sunday at the #ClarityOpenDayfestival! So much going on! So much to see. Even if we can’t be together in the lovely hall at Ditton, it’s been great that we can get together online! Next year I am certain we will be able to hang out together again – just not yet.

Now here’s a little Jackanory – story. I remember doing this simple card live on the telly, and the story just popped into my head while I was stamping! The mind is a mindfield, innit! Anyway, I just rolled with it, and kept on stamping. Don’t rmember the exact words, but certainly remember the gist. So here goes…

Once upon a time

This is a story about friendship, and how it is that we are much better together…

Once upon a time, in the hot Serengeti plains of Tanzania, the sun was beating down…

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The only shady place was underneath the old Acacia tree by the water hole. But there was a problem: the hot sun had dried up the water hole, and the animals were getting thirsty. They knew there was a much larger water hole a day away, but were not sure where exactly.

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“Leave it to me” said Eddie the Elephant. I will climb up the acacia tree and look.

But the elephant was old, and his eyesight was failing him. “Harry,” he called to the hippo, “climb up on my back and see if you can see better”. So Harry climbed up, but he wasn’t tall enough to look out over the tree canopy.

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“Let me help,” said Gerti the Giraffe, as she climbed up. But even with her long neck, she wasn’t able to see any water.

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Lenny the lion was next. He lept up the tree quickly, climbed up his friends and gazed out across the plains. But nothing shimmered, nothing glistened. And he shook his head.

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“You okay, Eddy?” asked Olga the ostrich, as she climbed up past him, on her way to the top. “Just a little parched,” replied the placid old elephant, who had forgotten why all his friends were standing on his back.

Olga looked all around, but no water. She thought she say something shining in the distance, beyond the trees, but even standing on tiptoes, she just couldn’t quite see.

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The Meerkat was the last friend left on the ground. He scampered up the pyramid of hot and flustered friends to the very top.

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Then he steadied his gaze and scanned the land slowly.

“I see it!” he exclaimed. “I spy water, right overthere! About a mile beyond Will’s mum’s house!”

And so together, they all slowly wandered west, to the new, glistening water hole. The little Meerkat tucked in between Eddies ears, which flapped and offered a pleasant breeze., because as we all know, African elephants have huge ears.

And the moral of the story is that friends are better together.

The Stamps I have used to create this little tale are our 2 Wee Africa sets. You will find them in the #ClarityOpenDaysFestival Sale, at 25% off, plus your club discount…CLICK HERE

Plenty more stories in them thar stamps!

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How about a last little Giveaway, to celebrate friendship and survival? How about some fabulous Designer parchment?

All you have to do is tell us what the Meerkat’s name was in the story. YOU decide! Just tell us below what you would call him, to go into the prize draw for one of the packs of designer parchment. I shall give away 6 – one of each. That just increased your chances of winning considerably – so join in!

Did you see Jane’s fabulous Parchment Elephant Tutorial Project over on the Clarity Matters Blog on Friday? Wow. Clever art, very achievable too. Check it out, for ideas and inspiration.

So.

What’s his name. 
Or is he a she? 
You tell me! 
Happy Sundy !!

And now on that happy note, all that is left for me to do is have a coffee with my bestie, Linda Williams on Facebook Live at 10am. If you fancy some company, then join us xxx

Love always

Barb xxx