About Me

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Hi, Welcome to my Blog. I'm an eclectic kind of crafter delving into many pots. I am just about managing to keep up my Scrapbooking Diary (usually about 6 months behind), plus any cards as required. I have a new found love of Watercolour and Bible Journaling plus recently Faith/Art Journaling too. I've challenged myself to make an art journal page a day for this my 60th year. Previously I've also dabbled in ATCs, Tags, Altered Books, Mixed Media, Décopatch, Knitting, Crochet, and Embroidery amongst other things. I live in Surrey, UK with my husband, our son has left home now. For exercise I usually play Badminton and go Ballroom and Latin Dancing. I also like walking/Geocaching and sometimes do a bit of Bouncing on my Rebounder (mini trampoline). I have been learning to play the harp for the past 10yrs. I am now officially retired. I am a born again Christian, currently worshiping at my local Vineyard Church.

Sunday 9 June 2013

Alpha Challenge #12 - Upping (Swan)

Yes I have had to use a little bit of artist's licence with the letter on The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge this time. I'm hoping Swan Upping will make the grade for the letter "U". It is the annual census of the swan population on stretches of the Thames.

I found a book on a Calendar of Festivals only yesterday in the Scout Book Sale and there was Swan Upping in all its glory and with some drawings of swans too.

I copied the page and stuck that to some 6x6 paper. I masked out the swans and used Neil Walker's "Winged Pattern" stencil. I chose the Red, Blue and Green as they are the colours of the livery of the 3 owners of the swans.



The Swan Upping is held on 5 days each July so I could just go along to watch one day this year.

(EDIT) and I made it too - look here.

24 comments:

Helen said...

Hi, you were even quicker off the mark than me! I love your Swan Upping page, how clever of you, and what good timing your find was!

nefertiti said...

Lovely colours! great and beautiful work with this mask!!!bizz

Julie Lee said...

What a marvellous choice! I love swans at any time and having just returned from Stratford the memory of them gliding along the River Avon is still fresh. This page is so graceful and I love the mask. xx Julie Ann

Wendy Nicola Jackson said...

Hi there, thanks for the visit to my blog, the challenges are at the foot of my post with the explanation of my entry beside, so yes, my entry is 'under' the covers.

Lovely vibrant card you've made, great interpretation with the swans upping xxx

Laura said...

Wonderful page - I learn lots by visiting you! :)

TwinkleToes2day said...

Visitibg from The Craft Barn - I've never heard of this before so I'm educated as well as inspied - thank you :0)

Dawn said...

Awe brilliant page BJ, I love your chosen celebration, one I remember reading about a long time ago. I love how you masked your swans off and have shown them in all their glory. Fab work sweetie.
Huge hugs x

Maria Ontiveros said...

The combination of masks and swans is very captivating!
Rinda

Karen said...

ooo Swan Upping? I knew they herded them up to count them but didn't know it had a special name or day! Wouldn't that make a lovely day out and think of the photographs :D

I love what you have done here my lovely and agree with Dawn that the stencilling really shows off those beautiful swans! xxx

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi BJ - number 1 spot again - you must have been up with the larks! I did wonder what you were going to come up with for U - and what a brilliant choice! That Calendar of Festivals book could be worth its weight in gold by the time we finish! LOVE your page, lovely illustrations and they swim so nicely on the background too! Fab! MMx

Pat said...

Clever choice, I like the medieval background so in keeping with a very old tradition.

Anonymous said...

Good morning BJ, your choice of word is very unique I'd say!! :) Love it, love the swan, and the background that you created ... :)

Scrapmate said...

A great 'day' to choose, how original. That stencil is so striking against the swans.

Elaine said...

Great idea to do Upping Swans!! Love your bright background!

Annie said...

Wonderful originality for the letter U. Your page looks awesome!

Meggymay said...

Clever word choice,a wonderful page and I love the swans.
Yvonne

The House of Bears said...

Very clever, we've been wondering what you would come up with. Your page is illustrated fabulously.

Anonymous said...

It's so nice and harmonious! XX

lena-dailyscrap said...

Lovely card - great idea and I do like the choice of colours!

Maggie said...

Swan Upping what a great name and a truly lovely page.... love swans.

MaggieH

carolfromkiwiland said...

Great page and its one of the festivals/events I do about.I love the way you have used Neil Walkers mask - it just makes the whole page come together beautifully.

Sandy said...

Well it has made the grade with me Sugar!! Beautiful colors and design!
This is so much fun!
sandy

Sylvia said...

Catching up on comments after my hols, fabulous page, love the colours and the wonderful swans.

Sylv xx

Anonymous said...

Upping it is... learning something new once again.
Great page
Thanks for playing with us at the Craft Barn
Izzy