Long may she reign..a diamond of a celebration

In true British style the Diamond Jubilee celebrations were just fabulous and the Queen shone all the way through. I have just watched the service at St.Paul's on TV and along with millions of others celebrated 60 years of her total service to our country. We have put the Great back into Great Britain as the eyes of the world watched us.

My Hb and I had tickets to the Diamond Jubilee Festival in Battersea Park on Sunday and we had such a wonderful despite the weather.
We were able to see the specially commissioned Royal Barge before the Royal Party arrived.

The decoration was wonderful with carved gilded fish and insignia.

This boat carried the amazing orchestra and the poor choir who were seen on TV later soaked to the skin singing Land of Hope and Glory!

We decided not to stand at the rails for 3 hours waiting for the pageant but to enjoy the festival and watch the actual boat pageant on the big screens in the park. We had such a great day out and the atmosphere all day long was of sheer joy. Everyone was smiling and happy to be there and seemed genuinely wanting to celebrate this once in a life time occasion.

The crowds everywhere were waving Union flags.Their enthusiasm was never damped by the weather which sadly deteriorated as the day wore on.

We were lucky that the rain did not arrive until much later in the afternoon so we were able to wander around the festival in the dry. I was amazed to find none other than Cath Kidston on tour in their amazing tour bus.

How cool is that! It is an old mobile library van which has had a CK makeover and is touring the UK during the summer. They even have a CK limited edition touring badge for each location and of course I just had to buy the diamond jubilee badge.

I LOVE this badge, it is so ME and I wore it with pride with my 1952 badges which I showed you on my last post. I wonder if any of my ancestors may one day wear it to a Diamond Jubilee celebration?

We stayed until the pageant had passed Battersea Park and then as the rain came down in torrents we were able to be home again in time to see the last hour on TV. It was such an extraordinary day.
On Saturday evening there was the Diamond Jubilee Concert held outside Buckingham Palace which again was tremendous. I so enjoyed watching it at home. So many famous performers sang their hearts out and the sun even shone. Today I have enjoyed the final celebrations, watching the ceremony at St.Paul's, the carriage procession and the final balcony appearance and the fly by. What an amazing long weekend we Brits have enjoyed.
I have decided to create another card to celebrate this great year.

This image is another new one for me, it's a Mo Manning digi stamp. He was a generous freebie given out by her a month or so ago.

I used my trusty Promarkers to colour the image and then added some British touches including backing papers and red, white and blue bunting. I used my prize from Ladybug crafts ink for stamping the numbers on the bunting (thanks Kerry x)
I also used my new LOTV tags stamps, these are great fun. I finished off with some red and blue gems and some Baker's twine.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;
Sundays with Crissy Tags and Tickets #30
Joanna Sheen Remember when
Crafter's Companion Time to embellish #25
Crafting for all season's many layers #28
Papertake Weekly anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays Royalty/Sparkle #71
Ladybugs crafts ink Big birthday my entry is really a bit tongue in cheek as I think 2012 could be the biggest birthday ever-LOL!!




It is now eyes down for the next 2 big events for me ...THE Wedding (53 days and counting) and in 52 days the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic games. Remember that I will be draw the winner of my giveaway at 4pm this Friday (8th June) if you would like to enter you will find the details  here.

I am off to eat my piece of Diamond Jubilee cake that Matt's girlfriend brought round, yum.

Enjoy the very end of the Jubilee bank holiday everyone here in the UK and to everyone else, hey it's nearly Wednesday ;0)

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x