Maternity Leave Cupcakes

A few cupcakes I baked for a work colleague who was leaving to have a baby. I need to find more excuses to take cake into work- I was very popular that day!

Time to Draw

I think I forget about drawing sometimes, but I love it and would really like to devise a drawing plan for myself. I don't have many photos of my flat- so here it is: Living Room- couch view.

Glasgow International Artists Book Fair 2010

I visited the Glasgow International Artists' Book Fair last Friday, and what a busy, exciting and inspiring day it was! Every book on show at the fair was completely different, and there were many, many things which I would have loved to buy, but I ended up choosing this lovely little piece by Sarah Morpeth.

I fell in love with the detail of this little concertina book of crows, with it's stitched fabric-bound cover and the crisp black wings of the birds. I think the nicest aspect of this book however, is that it as much a sculptural object, as a book. This is one book which will always be open in my flat!

I learned toPerfect Bind & Japanese Stab bind, with a very nice man called John Heron. I was so impressed with the book that I made, that I can't wait to make more. Cook-books, Note-Pads, Sketch-books and Story-books- I'm raring to go!

Being a badge-fanatic, I also picked up this very cute button badge, by an artist whos name I didn't get. It is very inventively pinned onto a train ticket to Chesterfield. I love it. If you're the artist- get in touch- and i'll credit your good name!

DIY Pie in the Post

It's not often you get really good Mail but last week, I did! I got a wee stack of DIY Pie goodies from the lovely Mahala LeMay of Edible/Wearable. I got a fabulous zine, full of lovely pie-themed illustrations, things to make and recipes to try; along with some DIY Pie postcards.

Edible/Wearable are Mahala Lemay and Hilary Grant- who both graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 2007. The created DIY Pie for the Maker Faire festival in Newcastle in March this year. I've got a good feeling there may be some pie-shaped fun coming to Dundee in the very near future...fingers crossed!

In the mean time, i'll be giving the Puff-Pastry tips a go!

Big Top Jamboree Call for Submissions

After Jen, Lauren and I organised Jumpers & Jamboree, we knew that another event had to be on the cards.

So, without further ado- we are very excited to announce The Big Top Jamboree! We're currently looking for all kinds of visual art to show and sell at our Creative Fair this coming May 17th 2010. Deadline for submissions is Monday 26th of April.

For more information on the event, and on how you can be a part- head on over to the brand-new Dundee-Jamboree blog.

You can also follow us on Twitter for important news and updates

A Drawing for Sub-Studio

After reading about the Follow the Leader project over on Hilary Grant's blog, I decided to contribute a drawing.



The idea behind the project is to choose one of 6 "seed" images and get creative putting your own spin on it. I chose Seed No.3, the Jar- and naturally had to add some biscuits. See my work, and a whole host of other inventive illustrations at the Sub-Studio Follow the Leader blog.

Ebay Yard Sale

I'm having a bit of a purge of clothes and things I've had for a while and havn't worn yet. I always find it hard to part with these, but if I've not had use out of it by now, I never will. So it's time for them to go to a new home. I've got loads of bags, belts and clothes starting from only 10p, so have a rake through my eBay Yard Sale today!

Gentry & McWilliams@ The International Artists' Book Fair

I have a very exciting Zine-shaped announcement to make! After we enjoyed producing Choccy Biccy so much, Lauren and I have spent the last few weeks adding more biscuity-goodness into the mix, and have come up with this...

This is our brand new Choccy Biccy Zine goody-pack, for all of the biscuit (and tea!) fans out there. We've got new illustrations, original poetry, 3 mini art-cards and an original Tunnock's Teacake (or Caramel Wafer) pin-badge.

Our zine will be showcased by NowNow Projects at the Glasgow International Artists Book Fair on the Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th of April 2010, at the Royal Concert Hall.

Don't fret if you can't make it to Glasgow for the Fair, we'll be selling a little closer to home at Handmade Heaven 4 and are also available from both Lauren and I's Folksy and Etsy shops.

Nikkimade @ Handmade Heaven 4

It's that time again, It's Handmade Heaven! I'll be packing up my suitcase full of arty-crafty tricks and heading down to the Hannah Maclure Centre in Dundee between 11am and 6pm this Tuesday the 6th of April.

I've got a few newbies up my sleeve this time...including some new Prints and the amazing new Zine goody-pack: a collaboration I've recently completed with the very talented Lauren Gentry. She's even blogged about it over on Central Station. You can RSVP via the Handmade Heaven Facebook event.