Last Post and Chorus of 2011

Last post of 2011 and first for a while I admit I have lapsed in my literary aspirations. To be fair, we've been very busy in this neck of the woods. The past 6 months has seen a lot of changes in the direction that Resolution Art is taking. We're still doing all that we did before, photos, life books, graphics etc but we have also branched out in other areas, following our own individual interests. J has been working at the PlayHouse Theatre since July and has enjoyed stage managing the sell out successful show The Wood of The Crows the story of half hung McNaughton. It has now been picked up by The Millennium Forum and he has been asked to stage manage another couple of shows off the back of this one. He has also appeared as an extra in a couple of TV productions, such a Lovey :) mwah mwah xx

And since October I have been Artist in Resident as an Arts Care Artist for The Western Trust.
I've spent a couple of months getting lay of the land, working on small art projects with different service users and bringing a photographic essay series into one of the wards and now I'm ready to develop a bigger project across the board. I'm really looking forward to that. I've a number of projects on the go, A Tree of Life Collage, A Music project in development, a digital project, a literary idea, and another Ward to bring a participatory art project to life in, as well as making plans to bridge the arts at the Western Trust in partnership with other arts bodies in and and around the city to the wider community. I'm only working 15 hours a week!

Aria, Me and J at with some of the production team
at Evita soot.

In 2011, I also teamed up with Indonesian Photographer Aria Fikriyah and her husband and working with J and Elayne McNicholl with the rest of the Bedlam Vintage and Retro Market team, we pulled together a photographic exhibition of Recreating Hollywood for Culture Night in September. It was exhibited again in November at The Void Art Gallery in association with Foyle Film Festival. Great Fun to do, I'm looking forward to working with Aria again before she returns to Indonesia at the end of January.

We're all seemingly very arty but promise not farty....well much.

Musicians of the future..? hmmm

Speaking of smelly things,  the boys have had a great Christmas! :) ach they're not so bad, infact they've definitely been on the good list this year.  As the intention is to drum some musical ability into them in 2012, Santa conveniently, brought a guitar and a keyboard, so stay tuned for musical updates, hopefully they'll can get a Handel on it! Santa also brought earphones, it was written in the Claus! ho ho ho!


Tomorrow, I start my annual detox, again I ask God again, that this year he makes me thinner and my bank account fatter, and please not to mix it up like he does other year!
This year, once again I resolve.....it will be me losing the pounds. Like c'mon I can't use baby fat as an excuse any more, my babies are 8 and 9.
9 months to put it on and 9 years to take it off, I say...

In seriousness though, I just want to offer up thanks, I have my family and we're all in good health, I pray that this continues for a long long time to come. When I take stock of the events of the last year and give thought to all who have departed from us leaving holes in heavy hearts, I have to take count of our blessings and raise a toast to all the Hs,  health, healing, hope and happiness for 2012.  Sláinte.

Line Up For Culture Night at Bedlam, Derry

Culture Night Extravaganza – Friday 23 September & All Weekend Bedlam Celebrates its First Birthday this weekend in style! Fri – Sun: A Touch of Hollywood photographic exhibition paying tribute to Hollywood films throughout the ages such asThe Quiet Man, Pulp Fiction, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Wizard of Oz featuring local models and some Bedlam personalities. Photographers Brónagh Corr-McNicholl and Aria Fikriyah assisted by Indrazno S,Justyn McNicholl and Elayne McNicholl have recreated a stunning visual display on view over the weekend before rolling out on a touring exhibition later this year. Fri 5pm – 11pm Little Acorns Bookstore will be presenting a delightful array of literary talent to whet all appetites. Guildhall Press authors Felicity McCall, Charlie Herron, Phil Cunningham, Jenni Doherty and Marilyn McLaughlin, among others, will be dropping in to spin a yarn or two and read from their latest work. Further treats include writers from the Creggan Writing Project (Sadie Harrigan, Mena Brennan, Jacqueline Doherty and more) who will be reading their work (due to be published by Guildhall Press in a book anthology by Christmas 2011). And exclusive to Bedlam only, are some of the wonderful cast from the award-winning playWe Were Brothers (which is currently in the finals of the National Lottery Heritage Awards) who will act out a short drama excerpt from 5.30pm. For the little folk, paper and pens will be available where pictures drawn will then be displayed in Little Acorns. All are welcome, from book lovers, browsers, readers and writers, to what promises to be a marvellous menu of words and fun at Little Acorns in Bedlam. Fri 7pm – Sunday Beyond Redemption presents Derry’s, and indeed Ireland’s smallest art gallery, Caligari Gallery, with the exhibition Shelf Life in an antique medicine cabinet by exhibiting paintings, drawings and sculptures by four artists from the North West. On show will be deeply personal surrealistic sculptures from Anne Patterson, diary-like sketchbooks from David Hegarty, witty Mask/Head sculptures from Patrick Bradley and delicate watercolour explorations of the ancient Broighter landscape from Peter Hughes. All four have shown extensively locally, nationally and internationally Amongst them are prizewinners of the Glebe Gallery Derek Hill Open Art competition, regular exhibitors at the RUA & RHA Annual exhibitions and their works are in private and public collections. Throughout the weekend: Gladrags & Handbags Stunning fashion representing Decades Gone By will be on display and for sale throughout the weekend. Also part of the Fashion Show on the Walls again this year organised by Joe Carlin Events. Nomadic Soul View the impressive and beautiful photographic portraits and behind-the-scenes shots showcasing the talent of Pump Street’s own acupuncturist John O’Mahony. Also available; fashion, jewellery, books, ceramics and more. Family Jewels A gorgeous exhibition of antique, rare and precious jewellery, befitting any occasion, suitable for all. A small selection of rare & authentic autographed photos from over 150 Film, TV and Music Stars that include Gene Kelly, Brigette Bardot, Shirley Bassey, Michael Crawford & much more.   Plus there’s more quality vintage, antiques, ceramics, jewellery, glassware, collectables, fashion, furniture, books and more from all the other stalls at Bedlam: The Recovery Room, Peter’s Paradise, Hidden Treasures andJP’s Cavern. Music throughout Friday evening will be supplied by DJ Mark Kenny, his Kildare brogue and gentle witticisms will add flavour to the slight Bedlam madness. Specially created cupcakes and light refreshments will also be available throughout the weekend while you ponder over treasures and pleasures found. The Great Sunday Finale There will be a special Vintage and Designer Fashion Show organised by Erin Kelly with local models. Makeup and hair by Orla McGee. This event gives you a last chance to see and perhaps make that irresistible purchase and round off a wonderful cultural weekend! Open Fri 10am – 11pm, Sat 10am – 6pm and Sun 1pm – 5pm We’d love to have you join us out for that extra special Culture Night and Weekend at Bedlam Vintage & Retro Emporium 35 Great James Street Derry  Located between the Sorting Office and an Chultúrlann For more information, photos and updates, join us on   Facebook www.facebook.com/bedlam.weekendmarket www.facebook.com/pages/Bedlam/112744142113272

A Touch of Hollywood

A Touch of Hollywood Bedlam Vintage Market Great James St. Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th September Adding to the rich programme of Cultural  events in Derry, Friday (23rd September) will be an opportunity to preview 'A Touch of Hollywood', a unique collaborative photographic exhibition which  tributes films and filmic styles throughout the ages. The photographers Brónagh Corr-McNicholl and Aria Fikriyah worked closely with Indrazno S. (Director of Lighting), Justyn McNicholl, (Editing and Print Management) and Elayne McNicholl (Clothes and Model Co-ordination) to recreate and deliver a truly wonderful and fun visual display, which offers more than a glance and a nod to the iconic days of Hollywood. The Quiet Man, Pulp Fiction, Breakfast  at Tiffanys and The Wizard of Oz are just a few of the titles that have been given a photographic remake. The fact that it is local people (and half of Bedlam!) that features in the iconic movie roles in the photographs is proof that you don't need the 'X Factor' to reach for the stars! From the thriller drama of Hitchcocks 'Blackmail' (1929) to the glamorous sassy wiggle of Monroe in 'Some Like it Hot' (1959) It doesn't get much hotter than this. The images will be on public display at Bedlam this weekend before rolling out on a touring exhibition later on in the year. So if you're about the City for Culture night this weekend do ' Come up and see us sometime'.

I gotta Leave this City.... and get to Stendhal Festival

It's not all just happening in the City, get yourself some fresh country air and a dose of culture and music this weekend at the newest addition to the NW festival circuit. check it out here Stendhal Arts and Music Festival 20th August near Limavady. In fact get your glamping wellies on (just in case the Sun dance doesn't work) and take the festival in under canvas. Lots of quality music acts, child friendly events, poetry readings, comedy, art, crafts, stalls  and alternative theatre.... of course no show with out punch,  Hot Dang will be there to provide some Glam Rocks from Liberty Blue  See, sometimes it true, the grass is greener in the other side.  

This not-for-profit event is one for all the family and if you become involved now there benefits in them there fields.

Just look at what they're saying themselves:

"The Stendhal Co-op shall benefit all founders to include;  5 charities (MS Society, Parkinson’s, Foyle Hospice and two others), fund innovative regional arts programmes in the North West along with other artistic outlets annually". 

So you have a good time whilst doing some good.

"Starting small we hope Stendhal will blossom into an event that Limavady can truly embrace and be proud of. We can't promise the likes of Radiohead/ Muse or Daft Punk yet, but with everybody's support that's what we aim to deliver down the line".

See you there.
Bx

Date for the Diary

Hot Dang! will be presenting Liberty Blue Designed Jewelry in Omagh tomorrow. Looking forward to making sure there's always a 'pretty little girl from Omagh in the County of Tyrone'

Since Easter: Abridged

Opening of Peace Bridge and Mute Meadow

Goodness where do I start, have been out 'doing' so haven't had time to write it up. Here goes.

Exactly a year and 10 days after the publication of the Saville Report we celebrated another historic June day in Derry with opening of the Peace Bridge. And what a day that was, You know what, we're getting good at 'feel good June'.

Busking on the bridge

Carnivale of Colours

To my boys it seemed that the day would never arrive, every time we drove past we had the same chorus of 'Mummy, when is that bridge going to open?' but like all good things it was worth the wait. The day itself was 'dry' and warm, what you should expect for June but rarely get when an outdoor event is planned. The atmosphere was palpable with expectation and excitement. We started queuing early at the Ebrington site, beside St. Columbs Park and the masses of people were duly entertained by strange and wonderous characters that had momentarily escaped from the Carnivale of Colours. The only dampener was the fact we could not see nor hear anything going on on the bridge. Result, we missed the speeches and more importantly we did not hear the 600 odd school kids sing their hearts out. This was a shame, and something that would need to be addressed before any other planned events, particularly in the run up to 2013 City of Culture.  I believe the queue at the City side had a similar experience. C'mon if Derry's pertaining to be the Digital capital of the world! or so you'd think, so get it sorted!

Yahoo, Just the Ticket

Asides from that, the moment the gates opened and we finally got to walk across there was a visible surge of excitment and indeed emotion. This is the people bridge, for one day, at least 95% (if thats not too optimistic a guess) well ok, a large percent of the people joined together in positivity, whether they were actually at the event or not, to celebrate the bridge and what it represents. To quote the man "When, there's no-one complaining there'll be days like this." Besmudge the begrudgers. We were lucky to get across fairly early which meant we had more time to take in the events across the city and in St Columbs Park. We met and chatted every 5 minutes with friends and neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances, both old and new. The fireworks and Mute Meadow exhibition ended what was an amazing day. You know I think Derry City felt positively European.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

The bridge though isn't the only way to get across the Foyle, as I proved to myself at the end of May. For some reason I thought 'Hey, they're doing a zip-line across the Foyle for Foyle Search and Rescue,  I want to be hoisted 400 foot in the air in a crane and zipped 130ft across the Foyle at 35 miles an hour, as you do. And I did.  I really enjoyed it, in fact they had to hold me back from jumping too soon, (would have been ironic if they had to rescue me!) it didn't seem high enough, long enough or fast enough. This is altogether all the more surprising as ever since we climbed into a cave in Cavehill a few years ago, after a night out,  and me still in 'my night out' shoes (not recommended, heels and hillwalking don't go) I've suffered Vertigo, had a fear of heights but funny enough not of high heel shoes. Anyway, I think that's cured now and I'm up for another adventure...watch this space. Thanks to all the lovely folks that sponsored me helped me raise £215 for Foyle Search and Rescue.

Boys on The Foyle 

Indeed, we've been very nautical this year, the kids have been out for Foyle Days, (another fantastic event) paddling on the Foyle, then down at Prehen at the Foyle Paddlers, they loved it. But of course the husband had to top the lot as he got the opportunity to join the Clipper crew for a weeks training in Gosport and sail a Clipper training boat across to France for a pint, then back. (must have been a nice pint). Apparently the boat was at 45 degree angle with 25 foot waves...not for me, if you want to sail from England to France, get the Dover to Calais Ferry.  Makes you think though, If that was the English Channel overnight, spare a thought for the ones going on the long 6-8 legs around the world! Easy Jet never seemed more appealing.

Hubby's leg looking down on the Clipper boat

Its great to see the waterways opening up for everyone, look at what it did for Belfast. Now we have a couple of fish restaurants in the town, Pier 1 on the Quays and another opening where Spice used to be in the Waterside. We may be starting to paddle in the right direction, but word of warning, we're not there yet,  'There is miles to go before we sleep'. (Hopefully not with the fishes).

Of Course there is lots of other events in the City, we can't forget Bedlam Weekend Market  a place of wonder to ponder, peruse and lets not forget purchase. Hot Dang! will be there 30th and 31st of July. Then there's the Nerve Centre summer cinema club for kids, and we're dutifully booked into a few of their animation classes.

If you want to get out of the city, apart from the beaches and 'Hills of Donegal', you can take to the hills of Draperstown. Once agin, there's a brilliant line up at Glasgowbury Music Festival including amongst others, Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas and head-line act Cashier Number 9. Hot Dang! should be there in force, with stall on the 23rd of July too.I'm busy making little Burlesque style hats for a bit of sassy fun, but I won't be singing....ach, well maybe later. . Then on the 20th of August we have The Stendhal Festival in Limavady, Music, Comedy, Dance, Theatre. Gawd, we really are a cultured lot.

If this is just a taste of how the North West can open itself up to the world then harness and welcome to all the buildings, radiography units, roads and infrastructure we can muster, harness and welcome to all the jobs we can secure, harness and welcome to all the events we can hold, harness and welcome to all the visitors we can attract...well maybe not harness them... Can we do it? in the words of  Bob the Builder and Obama 'Yes we can!'  How we're going to do it? mobilise all our communities and our politicians and then.... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

Communion Season

Hazy days and sunshine, Easter and chocolate overdose in Derry, beaches in Portrush and Donegal, bluebells in Prehen Woods, touring in Tyrone, snippets of Royal weddings and Dr. Who, picnics in Peatlands Park, Classic Car Shows at the Argory and kids cavorting at Ardress house. Phew! its been an action packed fortnight, kids have had a ball, Chilli the Collie nearly had one of my brothers hens (again), and I need a holiday.

Reality will resume all too soon, as it's back to school tomorrow and back to humdrum routine and homework, there won't be too many happy easter bunnies here tomorrow morning. But we do have a happy family occasion to look forward to on Saturday, as Cole makes his first communion. Which is why my 'better half' has had little part in the fun and frolics, he was locked in the house with a paint brush and paint pots. I let him out for air today and he's off out with the boys in an attempt to catch the dying end notes of the Jazz festival. Chilli the Collie however is now out of the dog house and being a little spoilt because he's sick, I think it was something he nearly ate. But I won't go on about it as I don't want to ruffle my brothers feathers!

I can't believe its communion season again. We spent a couple of days last week looking for Coles' suit.
Boys usually wear a suit but it's becoming more common to steer away from the mini- mans suit in favour of something they can wear again. I've opted for a light weight suit which can be broken up after the event. He looks gorgeous and I'm not bias! I'll have to get my girly fix next year when its my nieces' turn. Already though, I'm panicking in case her communion day falls on the same day as my second son Daithi, yip, we have to do it all again next year.


    





I have a couple of bookings (outside of our own celebrations), so I've been looking at some of the past First Holy Communion (link) photo commissions that I took to mark their special day. They all look gorgeous in their white dresses. The tradition of the white clothing is very much similar to the tradition of the bride and represents 'purity' and they all do indeed look so angelic. I reckon in the next few First Communion days all the little girls will be imagining themselves to be little princesses. The Royal Wedding has a lot to answer for. Speaking of which, It was beautiful, classy and apart from the millions of pounds spent on the day! simple and understated.

Some of my Lovely First Communicants. This years diary filling up, contact me for dates & pricing.

It was nice to see some feel good news for a change but social media is serving its purpose well and twitter has pointed out some of the 'bad news' stories that were hastily buried amongst the Royal Wedding coverage, including the UK government slipping in 37% cuts in the NHS. Not on.

Ok, I'm off now to scour the recipe books to see what feast we can bestow upon our visiting relatives for First Holy communion.
If any of them are reading this don't get too excited, hopefully you'll not be needing the NHS after eating it, because you won't get a bed.

...oh I might just put chicken on the menu, just have to send Chilli the Collie a hunting ;)

Busy... doing 'stuff'

Click here for more recent Resolution Art posts or go to http://resart.blogspot.com

Older post
On the flip side, so much for my New Years Resolution to blog at least once a week :( on the up side I've been pretty busy, but now I've sat down to talk about how busy I've been it doesn't seem that much.

I've been busy trawling through old images, cleaning out MAC, creating space, burning images to disc, images that should have been backed up eons ago, tackling from the back end, the website, (which has not been updated in a year or ahem.. 2. The site currently is no reflection of what we're doing so I want to relaunch it afresh and you'll be agog, agog, I tell you :)  It will be updated with some of my own new stock photography and art prints but will also continue to offer works from other photographers and artists. All of the featured resolution art will be available in many formats, prints, canvas, digital files etc. As always, if you interested in featuring your work on site just contact moi.

Now what else, oh, I've been doing some art facilitation and really loving it. If you spot a lot of ladies in the greater Derry City area sporting trés chic fabric brooches you'll know where they came from.


Hot Dang! has also continued to dip its tooties in and out of Bedlam and I for one am delighted to see my Valentine Hot Date Jenni with her newly opened permanent spot now at Bedlam. Books Galore for the bibliophiles among us. Check her shop Little Acorns Bookstore on Facebook ici tout suite.

Don't know what's happening to me, I'm coming over all French, Oh La La, must be all the photos I've been taking lately of lovely maidens in European style cafe society. Here are three of my lovely models, Megan, Orlaith and Charlene, proof that Derry really is the Maiden City.

Plans for the weekend anyone?
I plan to attend the Digital Arts Festival happening in the City as we speak. Imagine Create  has brought together an international line up of talent from the world of digital technologies, new media, software, art and design and I'm hot to trot for the Seed information day at Magee this Saturday.

Then, its off down the road to 'Tyrone among the bushes' to visit de -nieice and de -nephews and to let de -sister out for a night to celebrate her birthday on April 1st. Never mind her birth-date, this lady is no fool, ask any cool girls you know and they'll get in a fluster over her gem of a shop  Liberty Blue. In fact that's an idea, if you fancy something gorgeous for Mothers Day this is the place to shunt the hubby and kids into! You'll not be disappointed.

Hmmm, just realised I won't be on the receiving end of gifts, meals and flowers galore this mothers day  (what's new there!) as I will leaving my hubby in the city to finish painting the kitchen whilst my lovely sister of Liberty Blue fame is taking my kids to the zoo ... is that back to the zoo :), and I'll be calling in to spend time with my lovely mum. Come to think of it what more could I ask for on Mothers Day?!

Hot Dangs! big Hot Date

I'm really looking forward to this weekend, I will be sharing the foyer of Bedlam Retro and Vintage Market with Jenni Doherty from Little Acorn Bookstore. It's cold in the Foyer so we're turning up the love dial and it's shaping up to be a really hot date! 

This is actually a bit of a blind date as we've only met recently but with our shared love of Art, Jewelry and Literature, it has to be a match made in heaven.  We're also both coffee lovers so no doubt myself and Jenni will be coffee-ed out to the hilt, so if we whizz past you really quickly just stick out your foot and that will bring us to a stand-still! We would Love  to see you there, it's a chance to gift someone you <3 heart >3 with an alternative Valentine pressie, wicked words of love, quirky jewelry and artful prints. If indeed there's any images you've a hankering to have as a print just email me at hotdangshop@gmail.com

...and someday you're prints will come..... (groan).

....and don't forget I can offer location portraits, so if your prince has come and the spark between you is now dazzling on your engagement finger you can give me a ring too ;)

Whatever you do... and with whoever you do it with... have a Happy Valentine ...

Year of the Rabbit click here to go to Hot Dang!

February 3^rd welcomes the start of the Chinese New Year.

This coming year is the year of the Rabbit. Don’t be fooled by the diminutive nature of the Rabbit, a sign that sits in between the more ferocious Tiger and Dragon in Chinese Astrology.

 It is the sensitivity and sophistication of the rabbit that belies the strength of its inner nature. This coming year stands for a quite sophisticated period with gracious manners and sensitivity, it will be an intuitive year, a reflective one, maybe even self indulgent, one to tread slowly and cautiously and that’s no bad thing. Happy New Year!

Pictured: Some of the Rabbits available from Hot Dang @ Bedlam Sat 29th and Sun 30th Jan 2011. 

People born in the year of the Rabbit have grace, culture and beautiful manners and are creative, sentimental, compassionate and romantic. The Rabbit can also be snobbish, secretive, pedantic, complicated and haughtily indifferent.

Some famous Rabbits include: Ingrid Bergman, Lewis Carroll, Cary Grant, Oliver Hardy, Whitney Houston, John Hurt, John Keats, Julian Lennon, Arthur Miller, Roger Moore, Tatum O'Neal, George Orwell, Jane Seymour, Dusty Springfield, Sting and Orson Welles.

visit Hot Dang! by clicking title or copy and paste

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hot-Dang/115785531786319


Better stop rabbiting on and hop off and do some wok.
Thats all folks

Keeping Faith in Times of Adversity

My heart is sore. Ever since the news broke about the untimely death of Michaela Harte, my heart has been sore. I did not know Michaela, but her parents are both loving friends and colleagues of my devastated younger brother. Through my brother, In recent years the Hartes have become intwined into the background of my family, they have touched my family in gentle ways, at Christmas, Marian’s annual gift cake does not get time to rest before its gone,  and despite their own losses Marian and Micky have both offered their support and prayers dutifully in times of trouble, death and in times of sickness. The first time I had the ironic pleasure of meeting Micky was in one of these such times of loss.

It’s the only Wake I’ve been to where the grieving family lined up to shake the hand of the visitor. At my grandmothers Wake in 2001 Micky arrived with Marian’s cake underarm. Tyrone royalty had entered the building and the mourners in turn paid their respect to a man that brought Tyrone to the All Ireland. This is the effect of the man and his achievements. It was at this time I realised there was more to Micky than his sporting legacy. It is how he wears his humanity that sets him apart, he is the living embodiment of the bible verse, ‘Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud” Corinthians 13:4. He reminds me that there are other ways to live life. Perhaps, I too should open the Bible once in a while.

There is no doubt over the last few tragic days, the wider public have also felt the mark of the man: his humble demeanour,  his quiet strength and the gentle force of the faith of his beliefs emulating from his every word and gesture.  Clearly his love and service for God, his family and the wider community is something he aspires to and does not claim to own. Marian too is a lady, beautiful, gentle and compassionate, gifts she obviousily passed on to her only daughter.

It is no secret that Micky and Marian Harte are deeply religious, and it is evident this is a mantle they passed onto their children. There has been much in the press about Michaela’s own beliefs, her converstations with her priest on the meaning of life and death. “We often talked about the struggle between good and evil in the world and the importance of faith and coping with tragedy and grief and giving some kind of shape to our lives”. “To think this is the fate that awaited Michaela is beyond us.” Fr Gerard McAleer

Through the annals of history, it has shown that in times of great sorrow and loss that faith is questioned and tested. The heartache and pain are all too real for both the Harte family and for John McAreavey and given the circumstances it is hard to see how faith can endure. I only hope that the family can hold on to their spirit, wear their faith like a mantle, wrap it around them in protection and take comfort from the belief that Michaela’s spirit did not die, she is at peace and is a guiding light onwards in the dark days they have before them.

My heart is sore for a girl I did not know, my heart is sore for her new husband that was looking forward to the rest of his life with his beautiful bride, my heart is sore for her brothers to have lost a shining light in their lives, and  my heart is sore for Micky and Marian’s loss of their only daughter, their treasured gem. If my heart is sore, and the hearts of the country are sore then we can only empathise and imagine the pain Michaela’s family are all going through. For a parent to lose a child, in any circumstances is beyond the realms of my imagination, a place I never want to visit, but for parents to lose a child in such tragic, futile circumstance is unfathomable.

Since the news, I myself have been waking in the dead of night jumping out of bed to check the breath of my own two children in their sleep.  I then fall into bed and pray for Micky and Marian’s family and for John  McAreavey, I know I am not alone, and I have spoken to people who  whether they  know the Harte or McAreavey families or not, they too are touched by the tragedy, and their prayers along with mine are with them.

We can only pray, whatever our creed or whatever our spiritual beliefs and hope that the collective prayers and thoughts of many will help them carry this heavy cross.

A Sweet little makeover, storage/keepsake boxes.

A simple project, can be done in a day; fun for kids to do too, up-cycling the left over sweet tins into decorative boxes, as my 8 year old would say "Sweeet! "In this instance the boxes were for the two boys, somewhere to store the smaller toys Santa brought them, Lego, toy soldiers etc. With them in mind I decoupaged two empty sweet tins with old Beano and Dandy comics. You can easily cutomise your tin to suit its purpose, IE. print off pictures of buttons and zips for your sewing box, or decorative flower images from nursery brochures for keep-sakes, or with pictures of batteries and nails because thats what usually ends up in our old sweet tins!

What to do? All you need is spray paint for tin, scrap paper of choice, PVA glue and paintbrush and a hour or so! (spray tin earlier so its dry before decoupage). Layer you torn paper coating liberally with PVA as you go. Stop when Finished! and leave to dry.The hardest part is eating all the sweets....  needless to say boys helped me ;) Might have to make a couple more...

What's Another Year

The diet books are out, the running clothes are valiantly struggling to make their way to the top of the drawer, the trainers are slowly but surely edging their way out from their long winters hibernation under the bed, to take their rightful place on the bedroom floor, just by the door where they like it, ready to trip me up with guilt every bloody time I step over them. The resolutions are resolute as the echoes of last empty wine bottle clinks and clanks (against the other 20 empty wine bottles) on the way to the bin (ahem, recycling unit).

Yip, its the start of another year, another battle of the bulge begins as the 'to do' this year list gets fatter and fatter.

So here we are 1.1.11, we've emerged from frozen artic conditions, burst water pipes (which thankfully I escaped) a country that's teetering on bankruptcy, a shattered economy and a Tory government. 2010 was some year!

Yes, 2010 was some year, both on a personal level and for my adopted city, a year that saw Justice for the families and victims of Bloody Sunday, a year that crowned Derry/Londonderry the 2013 City of Culture (and to all those that dispute the UK City of Culture title, check out where your DHSS cheques have been issued from), the short list for the European Youth Capital (not to be unfortunately), the Turner prize announcement, the building of the peace bridge and not to mention the hoards of people representing their city and excelling in their fields, here and afar.

Derry, is an enigma, a city that survives against all odds, a city that's proud, a city that pulls together and fights, shouting and complaining and kicking all the way. As one man on Stephen Nolan says, 'Derry people don't have a chip on one shoulder they have a chip on both shoulders!' but you only have to look at the economic and social history of the place to see why. Derry works, even when there's no actual employment. Derry works because it is a grass roots city, a city made up of people that don't take 'no' for an answer, a city that demands answers, a city of grass roots organisations which sprouts forth organic green shoots which entwine to explode in a riot of culture, art, music, education, community initiatives, projects and festivals. So more of the same please Derry for 2011, It will be interesting to see how City of Culture directors shape up. As long as City of Culture make sure you don't go too mainstream and bureaucratic, it's the people of Derry that worked for the award, so remember to take them with you. But, I know the people won't let that happen!


So what can I expect personally from 1.1.11,  despite the doom and gloom forecasts of Cameron and his buddies and despite their best efforts to beat us all into a impoverised submission (or maybe because of it) I myself see 1.1.11 as the year I finally grow up and decide what it is I want to be! lets see,  I know its going to be in the social media, events management, crafts, painting, photography and arts field, probably all of the above!

What ever it is, I'm going to do it for myself, enjoy it and be good at it. Thats my resolution. (that and running!)

Happy New Year, may it bring, health, happiness, love and prosperity to us all.