The Swan Hotel in Arundel has been a place of much happiness over the years; we have been to this pub for lunch a number of times with both family and friends! This page marks our most recent visit which was last month.
I stamped the swan, heart and star images onto the page using embossing ink and covered them with white embossing powder making sure they were completely covered. Then I shook the excess powder onto a piece of scrap paper and tapped the page against the table to make sure I’ve removed any stray powder. Once the excess powder was safely returned to its container, I used a heat gun to melt the embossing powder. I swept the gun over the images, taking care not to direct the heat in one area for too long until the embossing powder changed to a glossy finish becoming smooth and dimensional. I applied Tea Dye and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks over the page using a blending tool, which revealed the embossed images beautifully. On the outside of the hotel building were pretty window boxes full of pansies, so I added pansy rub-on transfers to the page. I fussy cut some vintage tableware from a selection of Victorian images from a gift bag I had kept to recycle and also beer glasses from an old magazine. The Swan Hotel logo is from a takeaway menu which I collected during our visit, I edged it with a black Sharpie marker and stuck it to the page using a UHU Stic. I included a chalkboard tag as the pub has lots of chalkboard style signs; I stamped the name of the beer that we enjoyed on tissue paper using Archival Ink, then I stuck it to the tag using a UHU Stic and outlined it with a Uniball white gel pen, drawing a couple of flames to match the beer pump design. I stuck on the paper stars and the family, laughter and happiness words which are stickers, as they remind me of our time there. To finish I added white snowflake stickers as we visited during winter months while they were serving winter ale.
As this page tells the story of our visit and lunch, I’m very pleased to be able to join Erica from BioArtGal who is hosting Art Journal Journey’s January theme “Tell me a Story”.
Here we are walking along the River Arun, there are wonderful views of Arundel castle and the South Downs. I am sure Sophie the dog would agree we certainly walked up an appetite so we headed to the pub for lunch.
The Swan Hotel dates back to 1759, when it was built facing the bustling Arundel Town Quay and served the thirsty seafarers, shipwrights and dock employees. This Georgian building looks much the same as it did at the end of the 18th century.
The outside of the building is always beautifully adorned with window boxes and baskets. They looked so pretty with the winter seasonal bedding, especially the pansies which were bright and cheerful!
The bar itself is very welcoming and being a Fuller’s (brewery) pub it always has a selection of great cask conditioned ales on offer, as well as wines, spirits, hot drinks and even winter specialities of spiced cider and mulled wine.
We enjoyed a pint of Firecracker, which is a delicious seasonal ale brewed with warming winter spices. I’m saying a big hello to the T-Gang over at T Stands for Tuesday – Happy T Day! There are also lots of signs in the pub which link to drinks that some of you may like. Take a look at the above photo again, behind the beer pump, at the large selection of teas available.
And not forgetting the coffee lovers too, I didn’t know there were so many different types to choose from!
We also enjoyed a glass of water with fresh lemon, which you can just help yourself to. They even had oranges for you to takeaway and dog biscuits for our four legged friends!
I just remembered to take a photo of our lunch before it was all gone – the Southern Fried Chicken Burger served on a toasted brioche bun with mayo, tomato, gherkin, onion, gem lettuce, coleslaw and hand cut chips (fries) and an extra side order of sweet potato fries was so yummy!
I loved the signs on the toilet (restroom) doors so much that I used the lovely green colour on my journal page. Being a Lady or a Knight for the day was such fun and ties into nearby Arundel Castle wonderfully.
As some of you may know after our lunch we had a lovely time exploring the town too, so if you want to know more about Arundel and see more of the town, then take a look at my post Welcome to Arundel!
Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye, Cracked Pistachio)
- Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
- Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
- Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
- Dovecraft Premium Embossing Stamp Pad (Clear)
- Stampendous Embossing Powder (Detail White Opaque DP100)
- Papermania Urban Stamps 5×5 easy cling stamp set (12 Days of Christmas – Icons PMA 907909)
- Dovecraft upper and lower case alphabet stamps (WDW Alpha Stamp DCVW0030)
- Studio Light Creative with Chalk (EASYCH465)
- Home Bargains (Wall Stickers 16221)
- Takeaway Menu – The Swan Hotel
- Recycled Victorian design paper bag
- Beer magazine
- Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (Pretty Pansies SM Box Design #LAN2001 RUB-ON)
- UHU Stic
what a lovely story and art to preserve the memories too. I love how you used the restroom sign color in your piece. Gorgeous flower box! And the whole place looks so inviting. Happy New Year and happy T day too Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Linda! Happy New Year, wishing you all the very best this T Day and all year long! J 🙂
LikeLike
That’s a great story and page. Plus what a pretty place. It looks so festive and what a selection of things to drink. Your sandwich looks good and I bet Sophie would love a dog biscuit for sure. And on your beautiful page I really like those snowflakes. They make it more holiday festive. Thanks for joining us over at AJJ jo. Happy T day. Hugs-Erika
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Erica! Sophie was actually treated to two dog biscuits … lol :-). Wishing you a Happy T day too! J 🙂
LikeLike
Once again, I am in awe of those trees on the buildings, but most of all the pansies in the window boxes and on your journal page. I knew they could grow in winter, but never expected such a warm display.
Had to laugh that you had no idea how many types of coffee there are. I am a coffee aficionado, and I still don’t know a few. But for the most part, I can identify them. I really enjoyed seeing the inside of the Swan Hotel and Pub. It was fun to go with you as you took us to this magical place. Thanks for sharing it with us for T this Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! The window boxes were so bright and cheerful :-). Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Jo!
You had me at SWAN.
Your embossing makes me want to reach into the screen it looks so beautiful on your special journal page and it certainly does tell a wonderful story.
I have Mr Magpie here enjoying your post too.
When we visited Switzerland a few years ago we stayed in The Swan Hotel in Horgen just outside of Zurich. We were meeting up with a blog friend and her family. They had a wonderful medieval metal sign outside the hotel.
I do have a thing for swans.
The Arundel Swan Hotel is in such fine condition for it’s age.
Quite amazing!
The flower box is stunning too.
Happy first T Day of 2017!
Cheers oxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Patty! I’m sure you would enjoy the Swan Hotel at Arundel too, it is such a wonderful place! I just found out that they have the old sign that use to be outside the hotel on display in the restaurant area (we don’t tend to sit in there because of the dog) so I will definitely have to check it out next time we visit and share with you :-). Thanks again and wishing you and Mr. Magpie a very Happy T Day dear Patty! J 🙂
LikeLike
I’d love to have some spiced cider at The Swan. Maybe I’d find an open table near a window. Lovely! Happy T Tuesday 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spiced cider does sound good, doesn’t it :-). Happy T Tuesday! J 🙂
LikeLike
Your art is wonderful as always. Glad you enjoyed your time in Arundel. The food looked unbelievably good, and I always love places that have so many coffee variations….Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I thought of you when I took the picture of the coffee sign, I know how much you enjoy your coffee :-). Happy T Day dear Valerie! J 🙂
LikeLike
a wonderful time to remember – i love all your photos and the page you created. and this is the Kind of Pub i want to go immediately!
happy t-day and a wonderful 2017!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and I’d be happy to join you too! Happy T Day and wishing you a wonderful 2017 filled with happiness! J 🙂
LikeLike
The embossing on your wonderful memory page looks so touchable and delicate in the background. Your meal looks delicious and I would love to see Arundel in real life. The photos are fantastic.
Happy T Day
Yvonne xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Yvonne! The embossing powder is new and I’d never used it before, I must admit it was great fun but I did get a bit messy with the powder :-). Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
What a lovely story page! All the elements of your visit to the Swan Hotel are there. I can almost feel the embossing. Beautiful.
Thanks for taking us virtually to the Swan Hotel. What a great place! That Crackerjack stuff looks like something I’d enjoy. I love spiced things (be it fluid or solid).
Little Sophie is a cutie and I am sure she had a great walk. I will now go and look at your Arundel page.
Happy New Year and happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Lisca! I loved the embossing, it was a new technique for me and it looks so delicate :-). I think you’d have lots to choose from loving all things spiced – the winter ale as well as the spiced cider and mulled wine all looked yummy! Hope you enjoy the Arundel page too, wishing you a Happy New Year and Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
A wonderful page to remember your visit!
Great photos!
Happy new year!
Alison xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Alison and wishing you a very Happy New Year too! J 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your soft-colored embossed background. Thanks for sharing your techiques. I just bought some of those blending tools that fit on your fingertips and think I’ll take them for a test drive on an embossed background like this.
I enjoy reading about the history and seeing the photos of your area. It’s lovely. The Swan Hotel is fascinating – so much eye candy – and your sandwich looked delicious!
Happy T Day, Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The blending tools are fabulous, you’ll enjoy using them – have fun! Many thanks for your kind comments and wishing you a very Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
Your wonderful memory page looks adorable Jo – the embossing is so beautiful.Your meal looks absolutely delicious and I would really love to visit Arundel in real life. Thank you for sharing all the photos – they are fantastic.Thank you very much for the fantastic page linked to ART JOURNAL JOURNEY !
Happy T Day!
♥♥♥
Susi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Susi! I think you’d enjoy visiting Arundel, it is very inspiring and such a beautiful place :-). Wishing you a Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful post Jo… I always like all the pictures you show and then tie it all in with your Art Journal page… I hope you have a wonderful 2017… Happy New Year and Happy T day!! Hugs! deb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Deb! Wishing you a wonderful 2017 too, may it bring you peace and happiness :-). Happy New Year and Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
What a lovely and creative way to preserve an outing. the pub looks so cozy and inviting. And pansies! I love pansies, but we won’t see pansies for another 3 or 4 months where I live in central Massachusetts, USA.Thank you for sharing your day and creativity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! It’s a small world, I have friends who live in New England and I’ve traveled to Massachusetts a number of times. Hope you are keeping warm and cosy :-). Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
A wonderful post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and it’s so nice to meet you :-). Wishing you a great week! J 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Jo, that is such a lovely picture with all the things you enjoyed with your family, well combined. This old Swan Pub is a dream inside and outside. Thanks for sharing those nice photos with us. The Pub is a really nice location to stay there with family and friends.
Happy New Year to you, stay healthy and creative.
Sabine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sabine and wishing you a Happy New Year, may 2017 bring you every happiness! J 🙂
LikeLike
I love the story your page tells! Arundel looks like a great place to visit – I took a look at your previous post too! The flowers outside the hotel provide a lovely splash of colour! Happy T Day, Chrisx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Chris, wishing you a Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
Very nice page and it looks it was a grand place to visit also. Thanks for sharing with us!!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, you are very welcome! Have a great week! J 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful collage…love the white embossing and flowers…they give a delicate look. The pub looks quite warm and welcoming. Love your photo too! Happy T Day, and Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and Happy T Day! May 2017 bring you peace and happiness, Happy New Year! J 🙂
LikeLike
I like how you’ve given your page such an old-fashioned look. The embossing is marvellous and gives a look of the old white linen table-cloths. I love the names of your distress inks too.
This was a lovely day you had, and as ever you have captured it beautifully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Sheila! The Distress Inks do have some wonderful names, don’t they :-). Wishing you a wonderful week! J 🙂
LikeLike
As always you transform your memories into a brilliant and beautiful page Jo.
Love the look of this place, great interior and no doubt full of interesting bits’n’bobs and stories.
Happy New Year … Gill xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Gill :-). Wishing you a Happy New Year too! J 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful page and such wonderful photos, the pub, it looks so inviting… propels me right back to the time I visited the UK – love it. Thank you for the journey down memory lane 🙂 Happy New Year, Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot and wishing you a Happy New Year! J 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Jo and thanks for visiting me last T day. Sorry I’m so late. I love your hotel history tours, really fascinating
Hugs
Cazzy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Cazzy! Wishing you a great week! J 🙂
LikeLike