Win a Perfect Tea-Time!

It's competition time! I've joined forces with the good people at Cafédirect to bring you a truly excellent prize. Cafédirect have very kindly provided me with a hamper full of drinkable Fairtrade goodies for my blog readers to win, including: São Tomé Hot Chocolate, Hand-picked Tea, Classic Medium Roast instant coffee, Rich Roast ground coffee, a crisp Fairtrade tea towel and a shiny new mug to drink it all from! I'll be honest- when the box arrived, I was very tempted to drink it all myself!

And if all that wasn't enough to make for some top teatimes- I'm adding a few of my designs to the prize pack too. I'm giving away a large-size A Cup of Tea Solves Everything print, a limited edition Bourbon keyring (not available to buy- anywhere!) and one of my new Jam Heart biscuit cushions for you to cuddle up with!

Visit Cafédirect online for more about their fine Fairtrade hot drinks and for an extra chance to win some biscuit cushions & drinkable goodies!

HOW TO ENTER:

Just make sure you follow my blog and leave a comment on the post below saying why you'd like to win. I'll pick a winner at random on Friday the 9th of March at 9pm GMT**

Good luck everyone!

**Please note- due to the size & weight of the prize, this competition is only open to UK residents.

Cats & Cushions do Facebook

I had a great response to the pictures I posted of my mum's cat, Alfie and my Nice biscuit cushions last week. I've had folks send me pictures of their cats with Biscuit Cushions they've bought from my shop (Thanks to Alex and Charlie at Snowdon Design and Craft for their picture above!) so I decided it would be a nice idea to have somewhere to share all of the Cats and Cushions pictures I had...and so the Cats and Cushions facebook album was born!

If you have any pictures of your kitty and one of my cushions- I'd love to see them! You can email them to me or even post them on my facebook wall- and I'll pop them into the Cats and Cushions album for all to see.

Hope everyone's having a great week so far- I've got a totally fab competition (I would LOVE to keep these prizes!) to announce tomorrow- so pop back to find out what it's all about!

It's Party Time- New Biscuit Cushions!

Last week saw the arrival of my new Jammy Heart biscuit cushions- and that was exciting enough. However- I have to say that as a long-time appreciator of kid's party food I am so, SO excited to be posting pictures of my newest Iced Ring cushions!

I love the bright pink and soft pastel colours of the icing- and when they're all together they take me back to all of the fun wee parties our parents threw for us when we were little. We always had a home-baked cake (my Dad is quite a talent in the Birthday-cake department) and plates of sausage rolls, chocolate Krispie cakes (for which I'm now developing a mega craving) marshmallow top hats and of course a selection of celebration-worthy biscuits.

My new Iced Ring cushions are available to buy now either individually or as a set (save £4.00 on all three) in my online shop right now!

Cushions & Cats

Other than biscuits and cushions- my other love in this world has got to be cats. This is my mum's cat, Alfie, who decided to "help" during my photoshoot for my Nice Biscuit cushion. Usually when cats try to help you with your work, they plonk themselves down and sit right on top of it.

This time was no different- but I reckon Alfie makes a pretty good model! If Tyra Banks ever decides to do a kitty-version of ANTM then I think he definitely has a good shot!

I've started a Cushions & Cats album over on my facebook page (which is probably a subconscious attempt at spending more time looking at pictures of cute kitties on the internet!)

Happy Jammy Valentines!

Happy Valentines everyone!

I tweeted about my new Jammy Heart Biscuit cushions this weekend- and I thought today was an appropriately lovely (!) day to post them on the blog. A few have already found new homes as Valentines gifts- and if you'd like to bring some Jam-Love into your home you can do so by picking one up in my online shop from hereon!

I've been busy working on lots of new designs recently- which I'm hoping to share with you really soon.

I hope everyone has lovely evenings planned... I will be relaxing with my all time favourite night-in: an M&S Dine-In-For-Two Dinner!

Nikki McWilliams Design at Selfridges

I am very, VERY excited to say that my Biscuit Cushions will soon be available to buy in Selfridges!

As part of the celebrations surrounding the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, my cushions are to be featured within Selfridges' Big British Bang, launching summer 2012. You'll be able to take one of my cuddly biscuits home in an iconic yellow bag from the Oxford Street Store from March onwards!

The lovely Zoe of Ladybird Likes went along to the Press Preview this week and took these beautiful photographs. She's one talented gal!

I love the way Selfridges have styled my cushions- I do like a good afternoon tea- and this one looks brilliant!

My wee Teacake Cushion with some iced buns and a Corgi- he looks like he's having a grand ol' time in London town!

Thank you again to Zoe for the fabulous photographs (see more of her work here and more of her pics from the Big British Bang here), and to the good people at Selfridges for this amazing opportunity- I am royally chuffed! In the mean time, my full range is available to buy online.

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend!

Nice to See You...

I've been working on some brand new cushions recently- and I am pleased to say that they are now here! My screen-printed Nice Biscuit cushion and Pink Wafer cushions are available to pre-order in my Big Cartel Shop.

I'll be launching them alongside my new Bourbon Biscuit Brooch at Top Drawer London this January 15th - 17th at Earl's Court, London. I'm catching the train all the way from Dundee to London tomorrow morning, so I'll keep you all up to date with my progress via twitter over the next few days, and while I'm at the show.

Half Price Oreo Cushions & Instagram Photo A Day: week 1

If you're one of my twitter pals, you will already have seen that I am currently offering my Oreo Cushions (in a never before seen chocolate colour- they previoulsy looked like this) at Half Price. After retailing at £30.00, I'll be selling the last batch I made for only £15.00 each. And after this lot's gone- I've decided to discontinue this one for good- to concentrate on a solely British biscuit selection.

Lots have been given new homes already- and if you'd like a cuddle oreo in your life visit my shop now- there's very limited stocks- and as I said, once they're gone, they are GONE!

Last week I decided to take part in the Instagram Photo a Day in January challenge- and I'm really enjoying it so far! You can see my daily photos so far in my Flickr set, or by following me on instagram (username: nikkimcwilliams). Photography is one of my all-time loves: and I know I should really make time to take more photographs.

I try to travel light on a daily basis (hence the overwhelming ratio of instagram photos to actual camera photos (I have a Canon G11, if anyone was curious) but I'd really like to do a project that will encourage me to take more pictures. I've been inspired by The Dainty Squid to give a Photo A Week in 2011 project a go. It sounds like a big commitment, but I'll have a think about a worthy subject and let you all know. Watch this space!

Stay Cosy STORM Discount

The severe weather warnings were dished out early this morning with winds reaching up to 100MPH up here in Bonny Scotland!

Take advantage of being housebound today by putting the kettle on, doubling-up on the wooly socks and getting some Christmas shopping done from the comfort of your living room!

To help you in your quest for cosy home-shopping, I'm giving 10% off everything in my Big Cartel Online Shop for today only! Just enter the code STORM at the checkout.

You can use the code on absolutely anything in my shop from badges to cushions- until 23:59 GMT tonight. Remember, the discount only applies in my Big Cartel shop- the code won't work in my Folksy or Etsy.

Have a great day- and stay toasty!

Vitra Christmas Market 2011

My fabulous central Glasgow stockist, TOJO Design at The Lighthouse are setting up a little slice of TOJO magic as part of the Vitra Christmas Market at the Vitra Showroom, Clerkenwell London. (Above is a photo via Someday London off last year's market. Doesn't it look lovely!)

They'll be showing my Teacake and Caramel wafer cushions as part of their stand at the market which opens today (Monday 5th December) and will run until the 22nd of December 2011.

You can stop by Vitra for all of your Festive shopping (which in my opinion is always more fun when the shop looks like a little Swiss Chalet!) as well as picking up some classic design for your home (Santa- if you're listening- you could pick me up a nice Eames Chair for my studio desk!)

Check out the Vitra Blog for the official press realease. Hopefully I can squeeze in a trip to London before the end of the year to have a look myself and see how my cushions are getting on!

UPDATE: The nice people over at @VitraUk have tweeted some photos of the market as it is- now all set-up and open to your good selves! Here's their snap of my cushions alongside the beautiful work of Donna Wilson!

Getting Festive at Say No To Plastic

After a whole week zooming around London it's great to be back on home turf in bonny (rainy) Scotland!

It's been a busy few days catching back with everything that I've missed whilst being away- and I've been very lucky to be offered a stall at this Sunday's (the 27th of November) Say No To Plastic Craft and Vintage Sale at Oran Mor on Byres Road in Glasgow.

I'll be in good company alongside fellow Scottish maker and twitter pal Miso Funky, as well as We Are the Robots and Peony and Thistle

To celebrate being north of the border again, I'm giving a 10% discount to anyone who shops with me at the fair on Sunday. Just snap a screen-shot of the voucher below on your phone (iPhone peeps: use home button + lock button- not sure how you'd do this on other handsets) or just print it out and bring it along with you. The discount is valid on my range of cushions purchased only at Say Not To Plastic on the 27th of November- so get yourself down to Byre's road to shop hand-made this Christmas!

And if you weren't already in the Christmas mood- here's a wee tune (by the master of movie soundtracks John Williams) from one of my favourite Christmas movies of all time: Home Alone! See you Sunday peeps!

Nikki McWilliams at the Ideal Home show at Christmas

If you've been following my blog over the last few weeks you'll probably have guessed that by now I have set up shop for the week at Earl's Court exhibition centre in London for the Ideal Home Christmas show!

It's taken a lot of planning but with a little help from friends and family it's all come together nicely! I'm really pleased with my stand and it's actually a bit scary how close it is to my original plan sketch- but what can I say- I do like being organised! My very talented friend Lauren Gentry did my pretty chalkboard price list- I love it!

Today was the first day- there were absolutely loads of people in and I had a really fab response from those who stopped by my stand- favourites of the day were definitely the Caramel Wafer and my Custard Cream.

We'll be open tomorrow for late night shopping from 10am until 9pm (and then 10am - 6pm thereafter) so if you're in the area and you'd like to swing by, say hello and hug your favourite biscuit, please do! I'll be at Stand 2C81- upstairs in the shopping section!

Last Christmas Posting Dates 2011

With the nights drawing in and the Scottish air getting cooler every day I can't believe how quickly the Festive Season is approaching us!

So without more ado, here are the last Christmas posting dates for 2011 for all orders from my Online Shop (Etsy and Folksy included): please ensure that you order before these dates to make sure your biscuity goodies arrive in time for gift-giving!

Last International orders: Friday 2nd December

Last UK orders: Wednesday 14th of December

With last year's winter weather and subsequent postal delays in mind I would of course recommend that orders are placed ASAP to avoid disappointment.

Ideal Home Show at Christmas: Giveaway time!

I'm still working hard to get everything ready for setting up shop at the Ideal Home Show at Christmas this November but in the mean time I wanted to celebrate via the blog with a little pre-show giveaway!

I'm giving away three pairs of tickets to enjoy the show (worth up to £26 per pair) courtesy of Nikki McWilliams design and the Ideal Home Show! Tickets are valid on any one day (Wednesday the 16th right through to Sunday the 20th- including late-night (9pm) shopping on the Thursday night!)

All you have to do to be in with the chance to win is leave a comment below with:

1) Your favourite item from my Online Shop.
2) Who you'd to take to the show with you, and why.

I'll announce the three winners on Monday the 31st of October. If you're more of a facebook-er than a blog reader, you can also enter via the Nikki McWilliams Design Facebook page!

Good luck everyone!

Going Back to My Roots

My friend Sarah and I on our last day of School, Alloa Academy c. June 2003
(At the dawn of digital camera technology- check my 1MP photo!)

This week I'm stopping off in my home town of Alloa to attend my former secondary school, Alloa Academy's Open Evening. I was contacted by one of the current Art teachers (who is also a DJCAD grad) a week ago to invite me along, as some of the kids have been making biscuit-inspired artwork!

I was one of those geeky kids who actually really liked school (especially in 6th year when Art & Design/Portfolio work made up about 80% of my timetable) and was sad to leave.

Although the original building is now long-gone, the new and improved school is now home to a few of those who taught me between 1997 and 2003, including my ever-supportive and inspiring Art and Design teacher! The new school's running some new subjects too, including "Creative Cake Production" which I wouldn't mind studying now!

To go along with the pupil's biscuit inspired artwork, there's also a Biscuit inspired prize-raffle for attendees of the Open Evening- which includes one of my Bourbon Biscuit cushions, along with loads of other biscuity goodies!

A Top Drawer Adventure

 

Here's a few photos from my adventures in London at Top Drawer last week- after everything was set up I settled in nicely with my cushions (and some new pals from the surrounding stands) as company!

It was great to meet some of my existing stockists and a few new ones too- so thank you to everyone who made the effort to come and visit me at my stand!

Above (left to right) Helena Carrington, Me, Viviane of Goodwin and Goodwin and Laura Spring.

Top Drawer Prep & The Old Cinema

So, after a long train journey (details of which I won't go into) we arrived in London Euston this morning at 06:45.  After quickly nipping back to our hotel in Chiswick we met up with my good friend Lauren who was helping with my set-up. 

After a little while, boxes were assembled, cushions stuffed and decals stuck!  After laying everything out however- I decided that the thing that was missing was an old school chair, for my Caramel Wafer cushion to sit on.  You know the kind I mean: painted steel legs with a curved light-wood back and seat.  As the events hall only had shiny new chairs (much to my dismay) we set about scouring London for perfect prop...and I was lucky enough to be able to rent a beautiful vintage Belgian school chair on a daily basis from the treasure trove that is The Old Cinema antique and retro furniture store on Chiswick High Street.

So- after a few tweaks early tomorrow morning, I am ready to go!  I'll take lots of photos and try my best to blog tomorrow!

I'll be uploading the rest of the photos from my trip so far to my Facebook page very soon!

New Web Home

Ok- super quick post as I am packing for London as I type...to announce that I have a fresh new website just in time for Top Drawer 2011!

It's live now at www.nikkimcwilliams.com along with my brand new web shop!

I'd best go finish packing, so I can score every last thing from my gazillionth to-do list of the last week- and then I'm hitting the road!  I'll try my best to make time to blog- but if not you can always keep up to date with me on twitter- I'll be tweeting and sharing photos of my experience of the show over the next four days.

See you soon!

London Calling: Spotted @ Top Drawer 2011

A little while ago- I was invited to exhibit my designs at this year's Spotted Showcase, at Top Drawer Autumn/Winter 2011. It's curated by fabulous style and interior design writer, Charlotte Abrahams who has written for The Guardian, Living Etc and Elle Decoration- and I am so excited to be part of it all!

My Biscuit Cushions will also be gracing the sofas in this year's VIP Lounge, The Indigo Club- so if you're lucky enough to be a Top Drawer VIP you can snuggle up with my cushions in the lap of luxury!

I'm in the final stages of preparation for the show this week before we catch the sleeper from Glasgow to London next Friday night. We've got a whole day for setting up camp at The Olympia on Saturday, before the show opens on Sunday:

Register your visit here: and come squidge some biscuit cushions at stand #SP10 on:

Sunday the 11th of September: 09:30 - 18:00

Monday the 12th of September: 09:30 - 18:00

Tuesday the 13th of September: 09:30 - 17:00

Here's some handy travel and accomodation info that could help plan your trip to the London Olympia via the Top Drawer website, along with a handy map I've annotated for you to make sure you pay me a visit while you're there!