Shop Local!

You might have seen various calls this Christmas urging you to shop local and support local and independent businesses (Shop Local Saturday this year is taking place on December 7th.) If you’re around the West End of Glasgow, there are loads of opportunities to do this. The area has just won the Great Neighbourhood award from the Academy of Urbanism, praised in part for its community spirit and the wealth of creativity in the area.

It’s no surprise then that independent retailers, bars, restaurants and designer-makers and artists across the West End are banding together to put on Christmas events to give residents the opportunity to shop local, support independent businesses and have a great time! Here’s a quick round-up of the events we know about; they’re all on different dates so you can go to all of them if you so choose!

First up, quite shamelessly, is an event we’re involved with: Yuletide at Cushion & Cake. It takes places on November 28th from 6-9pm and will be in the Cushion & Cake tearoom and across the road at the new Cushion & Cake Too function room (where the C&C Crafternoons are hosted). Sellers who’ll be joining us include Glasgow Craft Mafia alumni Pumpkin Sputnik, Ding Dong Designs and Make Stuff With Us, as well as A Canny Squirrel, Jill Kirkham and loads more! Keep an eye on the Cushion & Cake website and Facebook pages for details of more sellers as they are confirmed.

You’ll also be able to buy from Cushion & Cake’s lovely selection of regular suppliers, including Lovely Pidgeon, Cherith Harrison and Herb Lester. Local traders on Old Dumbarton Road have chipped in to sponsor the event, Duke’s Bar are hosting carol singers and serving mulled wine, and the Old Dumbarton Road Cake Club will be selling cakes in aid of Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

A week later, and a bit further down the road Festive Finnieston is happening (5th December). Artists and makers based in the Hidden Lane including Finch & Fouracre, Shona Jewellery and Pink Grapefruit will be taking part in a pop-up shop in the Hidden Lane tearoom, and other laners will be welcoming the public to an open studios event.There’ll be lots more happening; follow @festive_finnies on twitter to keep up to date.

The Shop of Interest is also participating in Festive Finnieston- but if you’re about this Sunday, 17th November, they’re hosting their annual birthday sale.

Up at Queen Margaret Drive, the Queen Margaret Drive Winter Festival will take place on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December between 12 noon and 6pm. Queen Margaret Drive is home to lots of independent businesses, including Ae Fond Kiss, the Black Orchid florists and the North Star Cafe. There’ll be a brass band, DJs, stalls, and a whole lot of fun to be had.

Finally, we have to mention ethical fashion retailer Think Boutique and Rapa Nui Gallery, who are once again teaming up to open a festive Pop Up Shop on Byres Road from 21st November to 21st December.

We’ve only mentioned a few of the businesses involved here;  if you’re taking part in any of the above events, please leave a link to your business in the comments. Likewise we’ve listed West End events because that’s where we’re based. If there are any similar events happening elsewhere (Glasgow or other cities and towns), please stick a link in the comments.

Find us at Inver Cottage – this Sunday, 10 November

Inver Cottage really is one of the West Coast of Scotland’s best places to visit.  A restaurant, a visitor attraction, a cosy (and well-stocked) bar, a view you could bottle, space for events both public and private, and home this weekend to the annual Christmas shopping event, which we’re proud to be a part of.

An independent, family-run business, Inver Cottage is one of the UK’s top restaurants for ethically-sourced fish, including local hand-caught scallops and langoustines.  You can have a delicious lunch then take a walk to the ruins of Old Castle Lachlan, to build your appetite back up for scones and tea.  Although you should definitely bring your wellies, we’ve seen hardier locals swimming in the bay just outside the picture window at the front of the restaurant at this time of year!

All the information can be found on the Inver Cottage website, and facebook page.  We’ll see you there with a small selection of our t-shirts, which are being couriered direct from the printer as I type.  We can’t wait!

Space Week!

Every October, World Space Week celebrates mankind’s greatest achievements in space. This year, the focus is on the exploration of Mars.

In recognition of World Space Week, here are some space-themed reads, activities and goodies:

Comic Strip History of Space

The Comic Strip History of Space– read a review here

Aspiring Asronauts Dress by Sewing Circus

Aspiring Astronauts Space Dress by Sewing Circus. Sewing Circus make clothes that encourage an interest in STEM subjects regardless of gender. As well as the space dress, check out the dinosaur skirts and space trousers.

Make a Consellation Viewer

Make your own constellation viewer– a DIY by Glasgow Science Centre. The Science Centre‘s a great day out if you’re in Glasgow. If not, try this DIY at home.

Space Octopus Card by Ketchup on Everything

Inspired by vintage 50s and 60s flashcards, here’s the first octopus in space: Space Octopus Card by Ketchup on Everything.

Doodle on the Moon by Mr Printables

Doodle on the Moon . Printable activity by Mr Printables. Draw on a giant moon for your wall, or a smaller one for doodles.

Space Shuttle Cushion

Space Shuttle Cushion by MyWifeYourWife. For space shuttle fans of all ages.

Lotta Magazine the Space Issue

Australia’s Lotta Magazine produced a space issue with lots of activity ideas, from baking alien cupcakes to making your own space station. Buy the magazine or check out the activity templates.

And some reading material for the older/ big kids amongst you…

The Amateur Astronomers Journal by Neil Slorance

The Amateur Astronomer’s Journal by Neil Slorance. Neil’s story about a girl who escapes the stresses of everyday life by stargazing was nominated for several SICBA awards. Read a review here.

On Comely Issue 17

Read an interview with NASA’s spacesuit designer and find out how to cook your own rocket fuel in Oh Comely, issue 17

T Shirt Printing at Cushion and Cake

On Sunday I attended a t-shirt printing crafternoon at Cushion and Cake.

Pam at Cushion and Cake holds crafternoons regularly throughout the year. It’s a chance to try out a new craft, have some tea and eat some cake. All in all not a bad afternoon!

On Sunday, we were printing on old t-shirts using freezer paper.  If you’ve not heard of this technique, you cut stencils using freezer paper, iron them onto your garment, and then fill in the stencils using fabric paint. Here’s a tutorial with more explanation if you want to give it a go, or have a look at this video.

The crafternoon took place in the newly-opened (and as yet unnamed) unit across the road from the Cushion and Cake Tearoom.  Pam recently opened this space to host parties, workshops and events. It was looking lovely- the last time I took a peek in it was looking a bit sorry for itself, having lain empty for some years. Pam’s filled it with her signature upcycled furniture, handmade decorations and vintage china, and it looks great.

Cushion and Cake

work in progess

My cake!

Cushion and Cake

finished design

Finished T-Shirt

I upcycled an old grey marl t-shirt with purple antlers and neon triangles. I’m quite pleased with how it turned out and it’s given a favourite old shirt a new lease of life.

Crafternoons at Cushion and Cake are held monthly, with more held in November and December for Christmas crafts. Check out the Cushion and Cake site for more details.

The Bake Outdoors – our first event

We’re looking forward to our first ever event at The Children’s Wood this weekend.  One of our very favourite places in Glasgow, and something of a hidden gem, this square plot of land in the North Kelvin area of Glasgow is like nowhere else in the city.  The best way we can describe it is as something like a wild park – although it’s carefully looked after by a team of dedicated volunteers.  There’s woodland, a meadow, allotments, lots of cool shady trees, all kinds of urban wildlife and plenty of room to simply run, sit or be at peace in nature.

Invited by our friends in the Glasgow Etsy Team, we will be taking a stall in the handmade and vintage section of the event – although just try and keep us away from the cakes – where you can see samples from our first collection of t-shirts in person. For the little ones, we have a competition to design a t-shirt, you can make your own badges, and we’ll have a few of our own badges, cakes and colouring sheets available to buy.  We’ll be taking pre-orders for delivery of t-shirts and colouring books at the start of December, and you can sign up to our newsletter (if you haven’t already!) so you can be on top of all the latest Mimi & Will news.

But it’s not all about us – there’ll be storytelling with a foodie theme, a mud kitchen, biscuit decorating, local artisan and independent food producers and did we mention the cake?  Find out more at the Children’s Wood event page on Facebook – or turn up and be very pleasantly surprised.

A grand day out

Yesterday one half of Mimi and Will went to the grand opening day of The Helix, a new purpose built park in central Scotland.  With art and music installations, live performance, canoeing and acres of lovely walks, there’s something for everyone, and fortunately we were treated to lovely weather, too.

Plan your visit, learn about forthcoming events and find out more at the official website, or on their facebook page.