Cake Marathon

Last week, I was asked to make 2 cakes and I had to make one for my daughter (sounds like a chore, but the one for Emily, I was planning on making anyway.)

It just so happens that one cake recipient shares Emily's birthday, but not to worry, I had already decided that her family celebration would be on Saturday.....

The first cake was for a girl turning 13.  Her mom told me that she would like a cake with a beach theme.  Immediately, I had thoughts of crushed graham crackers, blue icing and teddy grahams.  Then her mom reminded me that it couldn't look like it was for a child.  Shoot!  What to do.....I immediately turned to my favorite cake idea resources.  Cake Central and Sugar Teachers.  Both offered great ideas.  I knew that because of the little 'accessories' I would need to get started early so that I wouldn't be up until the wee hours of the morning or have to miss work because of my lack of planning.  (I'm getting better at this....when you watch those cake shows and they whip stuff out in what seems like no time at all, well, I guess that's the magic of television.  Things take time to sculpt/shape and dry.  Not to mention, the baking and cooling of the cake, making/coloring icing or fondant.  You have to plan and keep planning as you go!)

This is what I came up with....

The itty bitty flip flops are my favorite!

The cake was red velvet with cream cheese icing and the cake was covered in homemade fondant.  I was told the cake was a success (my favorite part of the process).  I was so happy that it turned out so well.

The second cake I made, was for my daughter, Emily.  She turned 10 last week.  I can't believe it!  In the true spirit of my kids picking their cakes, she changed her mind a few times and was set on something red and black she'd seem out of a Toba Garrett book.  I either forgot to copy the picture or misplaced it, so I went back to Cake Central for inspiration.  I found something pretty and fitting for a 10 year old's birthday.  Wouldn't you know it, she changed her mind AGAIN!

She decided that she wanted a cake with a beach theme too, but she wanted under the water as well.  Then she told me that she doesn't like the taste of fondant.  So I decided to duplicate all of the sea side goodies I was currently making and then just figure out how to put creatures on the sides of the cake with buttercream.

She wanted to help me and I had intended on letting her do that, but, we got pressed for time and she needed to pick up her room.  So I stacked the cake (forgot that I had a cake lifter and broke the top layer putting it on...idiot!), iced it and piped the creatures on the sides.  She helped me with the stuff on top and I let her put the coral on the sides. (generous of me I know -but hey, we were pressed for time 'member?)

Here is the final product....

(I'm sure it's just me, but the placement of the umbrella makes the 10 look like 10%)

She picked out carrot cake and I made buttercream.  I LOVE real buttercream and not the class stuff I make for demos and the like. 

Lastly, my grandma asked me to make a small cake for a baby shower we had for my cousin.  I knew that because it was going to be small and I was already loaded down with 2 others I wanted simple.  I'd seen cakes with a cute little pair of white baby shoes on top.  I also knew that I could have some cutters shipped to me, but I didn't have the time to wait, or the money.  At first I had printed off pictures of the cutters, thinking I could outsmart the makers of that product...FAIL!  So then I scoured the internet and through the generosity of others, I was able to find a template.  (you guessed it, at Cake Central)  It's not one that I was happy with, but I don't want to blame the template - gonna say it was user error.  One day, I'll save up for those cutters.  But until then, I'm going to use my little paper template and keep trying!

See very simple.  Spice cake with cream cheese icing.  (I love cream cheese icing more than real buttercream. I always say that I could sit in a dark closet all by myself with a bowl of it - It's that GOOD!)





My connection with awesome....

So August 19, my little brother came home from basic training...Fort Leonardwood Missouri to be exact.  The girls and I made posters with flags, yellow balloons and ribbons - they might sound cute, but in my opinion they were kinda lame (maybe that's why there aren't any pictures of them - that I know of anyway!!!).  In case you don't know, I'm NOT an artist!  -  but I copy really well....and since I didn't have the foresight to print off anything to copy...well, I ended up with lame posters.

Okay, so we were at the airport for what seemed like forever waiting for him, and then he appeared on the escalator.  His wife and girls were close by and went running.  I swear by the time he got over to the baggage carousel, he had a daughter on each leg, one in his arms and one to the left and a wife to the right.  It was quite a sight. (one that I could have only imagined in my head - I can't remember)  They were REALLY glad he was home!  There were lots of hugs and pictures.  Then good byes.  We all got into our cars and went to our homes.  I'm sure we all slept a little better than night knowing that Brian after 4 months of hell (his word not mine), he was finally home.

Sunday, we had a welcome home party for him at our place.  It was truly a perfect day.  Perfect weather, perfect food, family, friends and OF COURSE cake!

WELCOME HOME PFC PETTERBORG! 

I'm so thankful for his sacrifice and that of his little family!  I pray that because of this experience, you will be given great opportunities to continue to better yourself.

How To Cut a Bell Pepper

I must confess that cutting bell peppers so that they are in nice even strips has been something that has eluded me...until now.

About a month ago I was watching the Katie Brown Workshop and they demonstrated how to cut a pepper.  (If you don't know about Katie, she's like a much cuter, less pretentious Martha Stewart.  Don't get me wrong I love Martha, but Katie is fits my budget better!)

On to the pepper...

Cut the ends off as shown here.





Then you want to cut it open lengthwise.  After you've cut it open, you can take your knife and run it the length of the pepper to get all the ribs and seeds out.

See how pretty and (mostly) even my strips are?

I was very excited to try this out (geek I know).  Hopefully, those of you reading were just as inept at cutting a pepper as I was and find this little tutorial helpful.

Cupcakes and Cookie Pops

Last Saturday I did a demo at my store, (I call it my store because that's where I teach).  Anyway, I usually get to have my demo's out on the selling floor, but not this time.  I was stuck back in a classroom.  While I was grateful to be able to sit down for a change and for the ability to set up a display and have LOTS of room, I was disappointed in the fact that since I wasn't out in front of the public, I did NO advertising of my classes.  While normally I talk to a couple dozen folks about what I'm demonstrating or classes, I only talked with 1 customer.  So so sad.


My demo was to promote the 2012 Wilton Yearbook: 

(It's pretty awesome - you should get one!)

These are the cupcake cookies - there was a total of 10, but an employee got to them before I took the picture. 

These are the cookie pops.  I liked the way they turned out (baking them that is).  The top pops are decorated with buttercream icing and the bottom ones are done with royal icing.


Besides, the yearbook theme, I was to decorate my cookies to look like candy treats based on the cover of the book. 


I think that I'm actually starting to be more at ease preparing for my demos.  As long as I give myself enough time to prepare, things usually go very smoothly.

Random Life

I hope that you all had a great 4th of July holiday.  I know that I did.  We found out that our neighbors love to light fireworks so we got a free show around the neighborhood.  Hubby bought the kids some poppers - so our entertainment total was only $4!  You can't beat that for sure!

I thought I would post some random pictures today.....

The first one is of a popsicle, but not just an ordinary popsicle.  This particular popsicle is that of a Brat - no not one of my children - although you can see them in the photo....

Her gumball eyes really made her look spooky!

The next photo is that of a company logo.  I snapped this one while outside a 7-11 this morning on my way to work.  The company is a landscaping company (I don't remember the name).  What do you think this logo looks like?  (I'll share my guess below)

I know the orange parts are supposed to be mountains and the little circle thing is supposed to be the sun, buuuut, it looks like a belly to me - a pregnant belly with an outy button!  Well, it made me smile anyway.



Class Photos - June 2011

DECORATING BASICS

FLOWERS AND CAKE DESIGN

Each class is so different from the previous one before it and I'm so lucky to be able to share with others a love of cake decorating!

A Little Bit...

My hope with this blog experience is to become better in alot of ways....a better mom, wife, teacher, and all around (or round as the case may be!) better person.

I keep seeing the scene from 'A River Runs Through It' when Norman is doing a writing lesson.  Over and over again he takes his paper to his father who reads it, crosses it out and says 'Again, only half as 'long.' until his father finally approves and Norman is free to pursue his love of fly fishing with his younger brother, Paul. 
I mention it only because, I would like my posts to be short, sweet and to the point without alot of unnecessary dialogue.

Tall Cakes Display

Well, after a month of knowing it needed to get done, my display is FINALLY finished!  My display consists of styrofoam 'cakes', silk flowers, fondant, royal icing, and pearl dust.

(I know this one is square, but I didn't take a picture of the ones I used before I used them!)

Part of my procrastination was I didn't have the forms in the sizes that I needed and I kept waiting until I could scrape up some extra cash to get them....that didn't happen.  I did have 2 forms that were larger so I cut them to the size I needed.  (Oh how I wish that I a power tool of some sort instead of my kitchen knifes because they didn't end up as straight and smooth as when they started)

Here is a progress picture of the beads. I had to roll out 120 balls and allow them to dry overnight before stringing them on dental floss.  After that I painted them with a mixture of pearl dust and clear vanilla...my kitchen has been smelling so good - like I've been busy baking and I never even turned on my oven!

So I slathered my dummies with royal icing and draped them with a thick covering of fondant.  I addedd a royal bead border and then adorned the cake.

(here is the original 'Poised in Pearls Cake' from Wilton yearbook 2010)

...And here is my interpretation (or exact copy - you choose) of the same cake.

I just hope that my 'DO NOT TOUCH THE DISPLAY' sign works and I don't end up fixing it in a few weeks.  Oh and I totally intend on using an actual cake stand, not my turntable!





Sunday School Birthday Cake

Hubby and I were recently called to be sunday school teachers to the 15 year olds.  One of the students had a birthday last week so I made a cake for the class.

The hubs said to keep it simple.  I think I accomplished that!

Thomspon Twins and a joke

     My youngest brother came to me on Mother's Day and asked if I couldn't make a birthday cake for a friend (in June) using this picture....

So the day of delivery came and using piping gel pattern transfer method I whipped out his cake. 

     Now I wouldn't be a proper big sister if I didn't make a joke at his expense so I sent him this pic:

With the following message, "It's ready for you to pick up.  I had the kids help me, I hope you like it!'  His response was "Sweet!"  I thought seriously? He really thinks that I would do that for real?  For a minute I was hurt, but then got over myself and sent him the real thing.

His response was, 'Much better, you had me worried.'

     Needless to say, the cake was well received and I'm estatic that I could make someone happy with something as simple as CAKE!