There’s never been a better time to learn to sew! Sewing machines are becoming increasingly affordable, while clothes, accessories and homewares are getting more and more expensive.

Brush up your skills, or learn new ones with Carousel Sewing School, based in and around Glasgow. Their programme of lessons for October and November looks like this:

DRESSMAKING (Beginner) (Skirt)
4-week block – Cost £ 95
Saturday mornings 10am – 1pm on
29th Oct, 5th Nov, 19th Nov and 26th Nov

Contact carouselcreatives@gmail.com for more information on location, availability and future sessions, including a half day crash course to get you up and running!

There’s something for everyone at Albert Drive Studios this autumn.

Mixed Media Drawing Class Tuesday 25th October – 13th December 2011

Mixed Media Drawing Course for all abilities

During the course we will be exploring various drawing techniques, using a variety of media and in the main we will be drawing from organic forms.

The classes are held in the relaxed setting Attic Billard Room of the studios.
The course runs from Tuesday, 25th October until 13th December, 2 – 4pm
Fee £90 and includes most materials and tea/coffee.

To book your place contact Hilary on 07805 346 314.

Come Dine with Us at Albert Drive Studios

Here at Albert Drive Studios we are excited to be launching Come Dine with Us, a private dining experience hosted by Hilary and Eta, enthusiastic well seasoned cooks.
The first dinner on Saturday 12 November 2011 will reflect the season and consists of a welcome aperitif, followed by three home-cooked courses and includes wine with your meal.

The menu will be:

Uncle Bobby’s spiced apple and parsnip soup served with soda muffins
Marmalade glazed cooked ham with pumpkin, chestnut and cranberry risotto served with a side of autumn coleslaw
Gingerbread and custard and
Brandy snaps and orange cream

Cost £20 per person
Places are limited to 12 diners

Be the first to join the Come Dine with Us experience –
Note your interest to Hilary on 07805 346 314 or albertdrivestudios@googlemail.com

Life Drawing Day At Albert Drive Studios -Saturday 22nd October-10am – 4:00 pm

Life Drawing Day
At Albert Drive Studios

Saturday 22nd October

10am – 4:00 pm
(Soup Lunch included)

Only £35

Book your place on a fun full-day of figure drawing at the studios.

Whether you’re a beginner with no experience of life drawing, a dab hand just wanting a refresher or a student preparing a portfolio, there’s nothing better than the experience of working from life for improving your drawing skills.

To book a place (subject to availability) please email lifedrawingglasgow@gmail.com

Our very own mafia member, The Life Craft, has moved to new premises in DeCourcy’s arcade. For a full schedule of activities, check the website or become a friend on Facebook.

GCM Members Much Too Fun have launched a Christmas pop up shop in The Hidden Lanes!

Along with other members of Glasgow’s Hidden Lane community there will be a wonderful array of gifts and goodies for you to buy such as Finch and Fouracre tenement kits, Isle of Skye hand poured candles, Obscure Couture jewellery, hand bound leather journals, Wonky Woolie knitwear, a selection of prints from local creatives and lots more.

The shop will be based in Unit 24a of  The Hidden Lane and open every weekday 12noon – 6pm and on Saturdays 12noon – 4pm.

Find out more over on Facebook.

Yes, the Mafia are packing their trunks and hitting the road again! And my goodness, it looks like a wonderful trip…

Where and when?
This Sunday, the 14th of November, from 11.30 til 4.30, we’ll be rocking it Christmas-style at the wonderful Inver Cottage.  Pretty much all of your festive shopping can be taken care of in one fell swoop with a range of sellers offering jewellery, clothing, stationery, accessories and more.

Inver Cottage is well-known for its amazing food and beautiful surroundings, so dress warmly and make a day of it! You can find out more about Inver Cottage on their website: http://www.invercottage.com/

Who’ll be there?
Frayed at the Edges, The Rainbow Effect, Carrot Coriander, Asking for Trouble, Rosie’s Retro Styling and Glitterysah with be joined by two of Inver’s local suppliers, selling scarves and festive wreaths.

So come on down and choose handmade not high street this Christmas!

We’re getting quite excited by the range of classes on offer at The Life Craft especially as the ones for children. Here are two different classes that have caught our eye…

Mafia member Lucy from LucyJacksonDesigns will be on hand on the 7th, 14th and 28th of  November to show you how to design and make you own badges or bracelets. Pop along at 2pm on any of those dates and for £3 (materials supplied) you can either make something for yourself or as a Christmas present.

Or what about

If your children are interested in learning new crafty skills or improving them then Iona from Iheart… has an exciting 6 week course for them at The Life Craft. Starting this Friday at 4pm and running for 6 weeks she will guide them through the disciplines of sewing, knitting and cross stitch with a lot of fun thrown in.

Sadly this series of classes is strictly for children but I’m sure you’ll benefit from their makes too when they bring them home.

For more information please look at http://www.thelifecraft.co.uk/blog/ or why not pop in and have a chat with Vonnie and the team.

Mafia member Julie Robertson of Frayedattheedges is going to be at Christmas Shopping Night in Shawlands Primary School on Friday 29th October.

Join her and other local sellers from7.30pm for an evening of shopping and fun. See Christmas Shopping Night Poster for more details.