Blog moving to new home

Hello lovely blog readers. Just a little not that I am moving my blog over here as it is integrated into my new website.

I really hope you continue to follow Cushion & Cake adventures.

See you soon

Pamela

New Crafts in the Gallery

It was time to start exploring the wealth of talent out there and start restocking the Gallery for dare I say it... Christmas?

There are so, so many beautiful things from independent designer makers that it is really hard to choose. I decided to go for function and beauty as well as little decorative items that you won't feel guilty about buying.

The function & beauty items were things like screen printed tea towels, drinks coasters and tote bags.

I love dogs, anything to do with dogs (and animals in general) so it is unsurprising that you'll find these pastel painted pooches in the tearoom.

These gorgeous screen printed tea towels would be just at home hanging as an artwork as they would being put to use on the dishes.
Jewellery and accessories are always popular. Who doesn't have a jacket that really could do with a new pin or brooch? 

Or how about some gorgeous big hand painted wooden beads? I particularly love these colours.

I'm still negotiating with some new designers to the tearoom so look out for more goodies soon.

Pam xx

Barcelona Tea & Cake

Well I'm back from my hols in Barcelona. it was sunny, hot and most relaxing. A few days home now and I'm beginning to get used to NOT having a glass of Cava at lunchtime...

Anyway, back to work and jolly happy I am about it too. I did visit a couple of places in Barcelona for cakes as a bit of research, you know. Of course none were a wonderful as Cushion & Cake but I did love my visits to see how other people do the tearoom thing.

The cakes here at Art i sa near Placa Reial were super. Proper home baking with a great selection of teas too. I had cake for breakfast here one morning. A great way to start the day I say!

Next up was Barcelona's very on C&C, Cup & Cake. Two friends separately had recommended I visit this little place. It was small and cute, their specialty was cupcakes so I found myself once again breaking my fast with cakes although this time I stuffed a lovely big croissant into my gob before the yummy red velvet cup cake.

Both places had a really lovely vibe and it was nice to see the tea and cake culture in other countries and be inspired. No worries that I'd relocate t Barcelona though! In 34 degrees heat everyday it would play havoc with my butter cream :-)

Give Craft Make with The Glasgow Craft Mafia

This Sunday sees the return of the Glasgow Craft Mafia with a great event quite unlike any other craft fair. This event is exclusively for stocking up on craft supplies with Mafia member allowing you to raid their craft stash!

You can also get making at a number of different craft turorials.

It take place on Sunday 12th August at the Trom Theatre in Glasgow from noon till 5pm.

You can visit their website for more info...

Tutorials at Cushion & Cake

We've been making stuff at Cushion & Cake over the last two weeks. Regulars to Cushion & Cake saw the tearoom transformed into a sewing haven where I held two skirt making tutorials.

We were starting out with a really simple skirt. Made with an elasticated waist and no closures to sew, anyone can make one.

The sewers brought their own choice of fabric to make their skirt. Light cottons work best for beginners as they're easy to sew.

Sewing stations!

By bringing your own machine you can sew more confidently without having to get to know a different one.

So here's the final product!

Sam, Fiona & Natasha with their creations.

I've had a few requests to do more tutorials at the tearoom in the evening so look out for a programme of stuff happening in the near future...

Skirt Making Tutorial

OK, we’ve not had much of a sunny Summer as yet, but there’s still time!

I’ve been pottering away on some Summer skirts and I thought maybe you’d like to learn how to make an easy skirt that you can wear on its own, or with tights or leggings.

The skirt can be short or long and will have a comfy elasticated waist with a floaty skirt.

Places for this tutorial will be limited and will require you to bring a fabric you love to make your skirt and if you have one, your sewing machine*.

You will need a maximum of 2.5m of fabric. Make sure you choose something that you will wear. I choose fabrics all the time that I like but wouldn’t necessarily wear!

I’ll provide the other materials required and some tea & biscuits. This tutorial will take place in the evening in the tearoom from 7pm-9pm Wednesday 18th July and Thursday 26th July and is just £10.

Click here to book your place...

*not to worry if you don’t have a machine. I’ll source on for you to use.

I want my hat back - Jon Klassen

This isn't at all tearoom related but I felt I wanted to share. That wonderful bookshop I mentioned in my last post, the Main Street Trading Company is where I bought an absolutely lovely book.

Admittedly, it is a children's book but the illustrations are so beautiful and the story so simple and funny, it easily appeals to adults.

It is written and illustrated by a Canadian artist, Jon Klassen. I just love the main character, a bear who has lost his red hat. The story is his journey to finding who has his hat.

I'm looking forward to the next book to be released December 2012... This is not my hat...