Remembering Sparky

10 years ago my little brother Marcus (nicknamed Sparky) passed away at the age of 28 after a short 6 week illness.

I miss him, he was cheeky and drove me nuts. I often think of the pain my parents ,also now sadly no longer with us, must have suffered having lost a child. It doesn't bear thinking about.

There are so many things I think about that Marcus would have loved that he never managed to enjoy, Alan and I got married 2 weeks after he died (on Sept 11th - the irony!!). He never got to meet our son Alex, and I know he would have LOVED Peter Kay!

So Marcus, wherever you are, I miss you mate and today I have been remembering you bro xxx

No more Festival

oooohhh I am sad, might need counselling, the Festival ends today. How am I going cope? It's been a bit of a mad week I have seen...................

The Return of the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Company- was I really laughing at a sock?
Russell Howard
Jason Byrne - HYSTERICAL
Rhod Gilbert - Welsh and hilarious
Russell Kane
David O'Doherty - winner of the IF.com comedy awards
Mark Watson - welsh and very sweet
Sarah Millican

I am knackered and skint, but I am sure going to miss that upturned purple cow in town.

Back to normality eh?

Great Weekend

Gosh this 'ere festival is just one big whirl, I was confined to barracks yesterday , Alan was allowed out "to play" so I sat at home and sulked.

Apologies to all for no posts on crafting for a while, since it's the Summer Hols I really haven't had the chance to do anything so I hope to get back to it once Alex is back to school.

On Saturday we met some friends and went to see Craig Hill in the Gilded Balloon. We also hooked up with Craig's cousin and her hubby. It was such a fab gig, he is hilarious. We got to have a beer and a burger with him afterwards and he is such a lovely guy.

After that we had tickets to go and see "Andrew Maxwell's Full Mooners" this was a HOOT, we climbed up 100 steps to the top of Calton Hill to a big top to see lots of acts including, Andrew Maxwell, Ed Byrne, Jason Byrne, Glenn Wool and Carl Donnelly. OHHHH it was good, apart from the blinking climb.

Yesterday Carolines Ma and Pa came for a cuppa, her Pa was the piper at our wedding, almost 10 years ago. He brought his pipes and played in the garden for us, what a treat!

Right I am off to do some more "back to school" shopping, Ocean Terminal here we come.

How Much for Cupcakes?

I have been bitten by the Cupcake Bug, I have seen some of the scrummiest creations ever online, so I thought "I gotta make me some of them!"

Small problem is that my baking sucks! No matter, I have searched the internet for recipes and ideas and I finally made some tonight, and they were nice, I mean they are actually edible and taste good. I cannot embark on a new "project" without having the correct equipment so today I went out and bought......

New scales for weighing baking ingredients £16
Electric Whisk £17
Piping Bag and nozzles £6.50

Plus a dozen eggs, 2 blocks of lurpak, 2 packs of Stork, food colouring, and various decorations for the top

My kitchen was covered in icing sugar too.

I could have had 2 dozen designer cupcakes sent up from London for the money I spent today, I made 24, cost per cupcake so far about £1.85!!!!

Culture Vulture

OK I am 41 years old, was once (still am actually) DESPERATE to be a famous actress\singer or both since the age of 5.

Have been "aware" of the Edinburgh Festival for years and OK

.....TRUTH IS

....only had my first experience LAST SATURDAY!!!

NOW, (sorry about RanDom CAPS), my teeny, provincial pea brain can't quite get it's head round how blinking ENORMOUS this whole deal is, it's HUGE, it's MEGA, and the OFFISH FEST GUIDE is like the bleedin' yellow pages. I am bewildered, befuddled and amazed at the sheer size of all the frolics taking place less than 2 miles from my house.

AND I feel like running away and joining this wonderful, crazy, mad circus. Thing is, I can't decide whether to write a best selling hilarious novel (semi auto biographical) and play myself in the TV show, or do "stand up". The latter is my preference, GOD knows I have lurked about lots of craft shops and no-one has ever recognised me , let's face it, why would they? I want to be famous and adored and laughed at (or is that "with")

As you may guess I have been out "Festing" it today. Saw the lovely Andrew Clover doing his kiddie show today with Alex, he sent me an email the other day, not out of the blue, I sent him one first. I sent him a reply and he didn't reply back , probably thinks I am some mad stalking weirdo ( it's OK Andy I'm not - fancy Dinner??)

Andrew was great but I am totally intolerant of people if I go to the cinema or theatre, there has to be reverential silence as far as I am concerned, one sniff and I shoot daggers. Since this was a kiddie show one can expect a fair degree of "unsolicited audience participation" , Andrew was a Saint. All I can say is there were a few toddlers who needed the naughty stair!!! I'd have screamed " I am an artiste, I need TOTAL silence" but it was not to be.

We rounded off the day with another tattoo visit, not going to make you all jealous ...BUT, all I can say, corporate "do", lots of nice wine and food and great seats.

Nuff said, off to bed...

Anyway

I am MOOved

Postie just arrived and brought me the dinkiest funkiest little delivery EVER!

Last week, I ordered some mini cards from MOO.com and they just arrived in a dinky box and I am in love. They are mini business cards, you put your details on one side and pick some of their very gorgeous artwork for the other side, or you can upload your own artwork or photos of your own.

I am in BIG love with this company, they are quirky so make sure you check 'em out!

Stampin' Up Workshop

I am holding a Stampin' Up! Workshop at my house in Edinburgh on the 4th September . You'll get a free catalogue, chance to stroke some of the SU! Goodies, 2 cards to make and take, and biccies - I might even make some cupcakes!!

Interested? Send me an email - link on the right and I will give you all the info you need!

A Petition

I am not usually a political animal, but I urge you to go and check out Kirsty Wisemans' Blog today and sign the petition about the closure of the only dedicated hospital for injured servicemen and woman
It's here.

Fest is Best

We have been hitting the Festival, so I thought I would have a bash at reviewing the shows I have seen. Firstly I can't believe that I have NEVER been to the Festival - bearing in mind that I had at one time had the ambition of becoming an actress - but I was pants at acting so that wasn't really a go-er for me.

Alan and I have spent the last 2 days at the Fest so here goes....

Who Writes This Crap?
Excellent comedy show, 2 guys talk about the ads and the "lies" we are bombarded with on an average day. Small "Underbelly" venue in an arched cave type room. I love the Cowgate Venue, lots of rooms with great names such as Iron Belly, Beer Belly, Fat Belly, and Jelly Belly - go see this one

Andrew Clover - Dad Rules
Small venue, VERY hot, must have been about 120 degrees in here (think Brazil)

Andrew writes a weekly column in the Sunday Times mag, which is great. He was also the "clown" in Ashes to Ashes.

Very funny show and I sat right at the front, the crowd were quite muted but I was laughing my socks off, I had a chat to him afterwards. At this point I should mention I am a bit of a pain in the bum when it comes to "celebs" Alan thinks I am a nut, but I can't resist talking to "celebs" given half the chance. Andrew thanked me for laughing so much! When we came out he was sitting next to Christine and Neil Hamilton - they have a show too.

GO see it!!!

The Rat Pack
Thought I was at a 6th Form school production - big pants............don't go unless one of your teenage kids is in it . That said the musicians were good, but Dean Martin shouldn't look so scruffy, shine your shoes matey.

Pierrepoint - The Last Hangman
Sweet Grassmarket venue- compact and bijoux (i.e bloody tiny) EXCELLENT performance, was very glad we saw this. Last performance tomorrow. Both of the actors are fantastic, edge of the seat stuff.

Terminus
3 hander, Dublin based theatre group. Mesmerising acting and writing. Big venue............however, I didn't enjoy it. Very dark . When I come out of the theatre I prefer to feel uplifted, was impressed by the talent but I want to come out feeling "Mary Poppins" I felt more like "Schindlers List"

Empty Hoose

Alex has gone back up North for a few days to the Highlands with Alans cousin whilst we stay at home. He went 2 hours ago and the house feels so empty, I have just looked at his little bed and he won't be in it...............quite sad.

Meanwhile I have spent an hour fixing Alan's Outlook Account and his broadband connection on his desktop, he is now happily squished into a small space in the "junk" room sorting out his PC. Might just sneak out and hit the Fringe whilst he isn't looking ha ha !

Talking of the Fringe , I have an UBER talented friend , the one, the only Caroline Hickey (Cazza to me!!) doing a one woman show this year, called Fully Committed.........................and here is a pic of her in action!

"One reservations clerk, one telephone, 40 screaming VIPs and no tables. Sam Peliczowski juggles the needs of scheming socialites, name-dropping wannabees, fickle celebrities and egomaniacal bosses in a 70 minute, breakneck, tour de force by Becky Mode."

If you are a Fringe attender , go see this show. For the record Cazza and I go waaaaaay back and she is the SWEETEST most talented lady I know and if she doesn't go and get herself spotted and whisked away to fame and bloody fortune damn soon I am gonna eat my hat (well I would if I had one). She is in the "Burgh" for the next 3 weeks and staying at our gaff for a couple of nights, so I am WELL excited, plus we muck about like a couple of kids when we are together and have a right old scream. I predict Mad festival attending nights with this chick over the coming nights ......................can't WAIT!!!!

Funny Old Day

One year ago tonight I had the most awful phone call to tell me my Mum had died suddenly at home. Sadly my Dad, who had cancer, had died only 9 weeks previously, my poor Mum was devastated, they met when they were about 19 years old and my Dad was in the army, he met her on New Years Eve and proposed after 2 weeks. They were made for each other and treated each other so kindly, they really were soul mates.

Tragically, they both endured the loss of my brother almost 10 years ago, and I think after the loss of Marcus and my Dad, Mum died of a broken heart................. I miss herand my Dad very very much.

So tonight we went to the Edinburgh Tattoo as a family Alan, Alex and I, and it was so moving, it was amazing and Alan and I shed some tears at the sheer size and emotion of the whole event.

It's time to move on and live my life as they would have wanted with Alan and Alex, happy in Edinburgh. No more sadness, only happiness and thankful that I had such a loving, wonderful parents and a very nutty brother.

Mum, Dad and Marcus I miss you and love you all, it almost felt that you were there tonight.

Boat Trip

We went out on a big boat trip yesterday, first we stopped off at the Kyle of Lochalsh for some supplies, so we sailed under the Skye Bridge.


Then we found a great secluded beach, it was used for filming Local Hero.
Arty picture of boots..............
My hubby.....
Then off for tea at The Old Forge at Inverie, the remotest pub on mainland Britain, and I have the t-shirt to prove it.
All in all a beautiful day and the most awesome scenary!!

On Hols

We are up in the Highlands for our annual holiday, just a few days up here for us. It really is idyllic up here.

Alan, his Dad, his cousin and his cousin's son are all currently playing scrabble. 10 mins in and the arguments have started and the dictionary is out. It reminds me of rainy days in our caravan as a child so I am staying well out of it.

It's 2 years this week since I started my blog, we were here in Kishorn when I started! It's also a year this week since my Mum died suddenly , we were all here when we got the dreaded phone call. I miss her so much and it's been pretty tough this last week, I was in Warrington last week for a couple of nights staying with a friend as I was down for a team meeting at work. I didn't feel good about being back in the place where I was born and raised and having no family left there. Pain like that just hits me in the chest and it's horrid.

Changing the subject I have had a couple of projects published this week (well 3) in Crafts Beautiful, Quick and Crafty and Simply Cards and Papercraft. So that'll be it for a few months for me, whilst I re-charge the creative batteries and hopefully find time and space in my muddled head to get my act back together.

We are hoping to get out on the boat tomorrow, then off to a Ceilidh dance on Wednesday, then back down for the tattoo on Thursday. Alex is coming back up to Kishorn for a few days without us and Alan and I are hoping to get into town to enjoy some festival frolics. My UBER talented friend from Cheshire is doing a one woman show in town, so can't wait to see her.

No More Dentist

Thank GOD!!! This morning I went to have the 3rd and final installment of my root canal work. I put Peter Kay on my iPod - took several deep breaths and just about managed to get through it. At one point they had to give me a break cos I was shaking so much, but now I am done and very happy.

Got ironing and housework this afternoon (boo!) BUT I am off for a meal at......................The Witchery (v.posh restaurant) with Alan tonight and some business colleagues, can't wait!