Gotta Love Life!

I do love life.  I never know what is going to be around the corner or not.  I've had another week of break from cake.  I did get caught up on my laundry!  (There's always something positive to find in every situation.)  So, this next week is going to be busy for me.  I'm teaching (as always), 6:00 a.m. workouts, taking care of my girls, filling the orders for the week, church and to top it all off, my husband had to fly to Houston today and I'll be doing it all myself.

Yes, you did read correctly, I actually have orders for next week.  Shocking! I know, I agree.  I even turned down orders.  What's up with that?  Well, I am only one person and I have no help.  So there you have it.  I feel so bad telling people I am booked, but I have no choice.  If I took them all, they would all be less than my best.  Therefore, I want to focus on the orders I was able to take.  (First come, first served.)  Until I get my ducks in a row and can hire some help, this is how it has to be.

I've decided to share a few more cakes I have made in the past.  Thank you for being faithful to see what I'm up to.  You are all great!

Girl Baby Shower - Pink Paisley

Boy Baby Shower - Blue Paisley & Stripes














Design from Elisa Strouss, Confetti Cakes







Original Design by Pink Cake Box
(She has such great designs.  Many customers bring photos or email them to me for my version.)
Kylie's 1st Birthday - Blue Bird

Still hanging out with my family-not much cake!

The PARTY MONSTERS are coming...

I know its been a couple of weeks, but I've not had much going on.  I know God sees everything and obviously a break was very much needed.  I welcome it.  I also welcome new orders, which have been coming.  I did however, make a few little things.  It helped to keep me from sitting on the couch 24/7.

My sister Kathy ask me to make some cupcakes for my nephew, Jake.  Of course, she didn't have any ideas and ask me to come up with something.  So, I did.  Here's how it all went down.  Jake was having a guys game night and stay over to play all night long.  I figured -Party Monsters should be on the menu.  I felt it was perfect for him and his buddies.  About 2 hours before the party, Kathy phoned to find out the final verdict.  I told her she had to wait since she made me figure out what she wanted

I thought the cupcakes were great and so did Jake and Kathy.

WATCH OUT!  This TEXAS BOOT is made for walkin'!
The next order was for my favorite Texas customer - Melanie.  She too didn't have much of an idea and couldn't decide.  Believe it or not she called and wanted to know what design I went with.  Guess what.  I told her the same thing as my sister.  Since you couldn't and wouldn't choose, you have to wait until you see it.  Honestly, I planned on texting her, but I was so busy at school with my class, I never had a chance.  Oh well, she loved it. (those are her words! to be exact they were,  "LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!")  I heard Coulter thought it was pretty great too.  Yippee! Here it is...

Yes, I decided on a cowboy boot.  I used butter cream fondant and air brushed.  The black fondant is Satin Ice.  My favorite part of the cake is the barbed wire name.

I would love to make a pair of old boots - standing up!  Any other cowboys out there?  Give me a reason to do that!  Give me a call!  BR549 - just kidding! hahaha!  Sorry, I think I just showed my age! (That number is from Hee Haw!)

TEXAS LONG HORN COLORS

The next order was for Brenna's teacher, another Texas cake.  It was a simple tiered cake.  White butter cream with what we civilians call "burnt" orange.  It traveled right along side of the boot. 

Quick funny about the cakes.  The morning they were headed for Texas, I had my teaching assistant, Yuriko (from Japan-love her!) take a peek at the cakes.  Her comment was, "I can tell those are Texas cakes."  That just cracked me up.  I really hadn't thought of it, but she was right.  To see them side by side would make a person think that.

O.K., here is a picture of the cake.  Remember it was very simple. 

FENCED

There is one final cake, it was an idea taken from Cake Central, the person who's cake I saw was by snowshoe1.  Her cake had more tiers, but my customer only needed a single tier.  Strawberry cake with vanilla butter cream filling and icing.  Chocolate fondant fence, flowers and bow.  The green flowers are the butter cream fondant.  The stenciling is apple green luster dust.  I hope you enjoy it. 

 

Once again, it's time to say good night and I'll get back soon!  Please have a great week!

Cake? or No Cake? That is the question.

It has been a very lazy weekend for me and I'm not going to complain.  I had ZERO orders this week.  I don't know what's going on, but I must have needed the rest.  If any one needs a cake, they will call-no doubt!  It seems for me October is always a slow month.  I think it's a birthday gift, not sure.  So, happy birthday to me!

I am gearing up to make some fun cake pops.  I can't wait to share them with you.  I enjoy cake pops so much-making and eating!

I've decided to add some cakes that were made in the past.  Hope you all enjoy!

Cake-Would you eat it here or there?

Another week has come and gone.  So have a cakes.  I did accept 2 orders for last week, but they were not difficult at all.  The other orders I turned away.  Sorry to those who did not get a "Toni Cake".  I had a great reason!  Really, I promise.  It was the National Cake Competition in Tulsa!  I paid my entry fee and even spoke to someone about the category my cake would be in.  Anyway, before we loaded the car and headed to Tulsa, I wanted to be sure I had the cake ready for stacking at the show.  So, we tried to stack it.  It messed up the top two tiers!  AAAAAAHHHHHHH!  I didn't have enough time to repair it and get it there on time.  I decided to leave the cake and go to the show.  It was fabulous!  I met Bronwen!  She is my one of my two cake heroes!  If you've been with me from the start you would know that Marina Sousa is my other cake hero!  These two are amazing!  I'd love to see them work together at one of the Food Network Challenges.  Sorry, I'm good at getting of the subject.  Please bare with me.  

Can you tell what kind of cake I made for the show?  Did you read the title of this post?  It is a simple little clue.  If you guessed Dr. Seuss, YOU'RE RIGHT!  Yippee!  (there are no prizes for getting it right).  It was Green Eggs and Ham.  I know, every one has done one, but I'd like to think there isn't a cake design like the one I came up with.  I wanted to pull a page or two out of the book and make it cake.  I hope you enjoy it, it was fun.  

Lets look at the bright side of competition.  At least I had the guts to pay for the entry!  hahaha.  Maybe next time I'll get the cake to the table-so to speak!  bwaaaa haaaa!

The first order I had was for 50 cup cakes.  Half chocolate and half vanilla, half pink and the other half green.  They were needed for a baby shower.  I figured, cup cakes are simple and I told my customer, if they were not simple cup cakes, I wouldn't be able to do them.  She kept them simple and she got cup cakes. (They were like these, but no "L".)

The second order was for a simple zebra cake for a 1 year old.  Of course there was a "copy cat" smash cake for the princess.  I wanted to put her name on the board, but the boa was so fluffy it couldn't be seen.  Maybe next time, who knows?  I thought (of course) they turned out pretty good.  

As far as I know, this week is extremely slow.  I think someone is telling me to breathe.  That's exactly what I plan on doing.  Every night I will come home and get comfy and drop!  A little R&R is in order.  No not rest and relax, rest and recovery!  That's what I need recovery! 

Thank you for stopping by and checking in.  Have a great week! 

Cake pictures any one? Sleep any one?

I can't believe I survived this week!  However, I am grateful.  I wasn't over whelmed with orders, but I had to get back in the groove of "6th grade" life.  I had 2 really great orders.  This is where the title comes in.
Friday began at 5:30 a.m. and ended Saturday at 4:00 p.m.  I was so happy to be finished and to lay down.  I still need rest.  I'm sure all cake decorators understand  sleepless nights.  So do new mothers, doctors, attorneys, college students and I know the list goes on and on.  It's not the decorating, but standing on my feet for that long is what takes a toll on me.  So, I was to tired to think camera, I didn't get pictures!  Don't worry!  My customers are great and will be sending some.

The first cake was a copy of one I have previously done and we changed the colors a little and added some rice paper butterflies.  They loved it.  I hope they enjoyed the flavors.  The bottom tier was Italian Cream Cake, middle tier was Carrot Cake and the top tier was Red Velvet.  All were filled with Cream Cheese Butter Cream and iced with it too.  Here are pictures (from the Chambers wedding I did this summer).  The ribbons and bows on the cake this week end were more of a burgundy color and the butterflies were burgundy and black, blue and black.  Maybe this will give you an idea of  what I worked on.

The second order was for a 3D Horse.  It was a challenge, but I finally got it.  The goofy horse head did not want to stay on.  Every time it was attached, I'd move to a different project, turn around and the head would have flipped off the body.  What was funny about it, was it looked like a baked chicken with out a head.  Other wise, I would have been really frustrated.  The solution was to cut a square Styrofoam piece and cover it with yellow for a bale of hay.  Victory!  Jill, my customer and all her guests loved it.  One of Jill's friends, told me she wanted me to make her next cake-she had to have one.  So, Jill told her it was O.K. to challenge me, I would find a way to pull it off.  Thanks for the vote of confidence Jill.  You're great! As soon as I can, I'll post a picture.

Please pray for me, I have foolishly entered the Tulsa Sugar Art Show next week end and I'm still not sure which direction to go.  How about I get your opinion on which design idea I have.  (I know, most people have already started their designs months ago, but I don't have that much time.)  I'll still put out my best.

Check the side bar for the poll and please let me know what you would like to see.  I would even apreciate suggestions if you have any.  I just might like them more than mine.  Thank you for your opinion!

Before I go I want to share the Cream Cheese Butter Cream recipe I use.  You should give it a try even if you don't like cream cheese!  I actually despise cream cheese, but I could eat this one for days!  YUM!  I found the recipe on Cake Central, so I know it is not a secret and I hope you enjoy it. 

Kathy Finholt from Iowa is the original creator.

Crusting Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened (Land-O-Lakes)
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening ( Sweetex high-ratio shortening)
1 pound cream cheese, softened (Philadelphia Cream Cheese)
1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract (
3 1/2 pounds sifted confectioner’s sugar (C&H Powder Sugar)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions
1. Cream butter, shortening, cream cheese and extracts. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar and salt. Beat on low speed until nice and creamy. If you want whiter icing, try to use butter without dyes available at most health food stores.
2. This recipe is for a stiff consistency. For a thinner consistency, use 3 pounds of powdered sugar instead.
3. If you want a very smooth cake, let the cake sit for 15 minutes after icing. Then smooth with the non-printed side of a Viva paper towel.

Week of Wedding Cake and 3D Transportation

It was just as the title states.  I was very busy and even took the week off from teaching my 6 grade class.  Now, I feel as if a trip to Disney could make it all better!  Just kidding, that will come in January!

So, the week began with planning, shopping and a whole lot of baking!  (I see cake pops in my future!)  Many scraps from carved cake.

The first order was a cake I started very early-preparing for an early pick-up.  It worked out.  It was Thomas the Tank for Caleb.  A 3D train for an adorable little guy turning 2.  I got to do his 1st birthday too.  I'll post those pictures as well.  Thomas was a white cake filled with vanilla butter cream and covered with Satin Ice fondant.  The pipe is a boba tea straw covered with fondant.  Thomas' face is made of fondant (tylose).  I made his face by looking at a picture and used a veiner tool.  This is what we ended up with. The wheels are foam core covered with fondant and a fondant (tylose added) "bar" across the wheels.  As you can tell, I know nothing "technical" about trains.  I'm a baker, not a train conductor or engineer.  It's O.K., I like cake.



Caleb's 1'st birthday was a 3D Cowboy story book, with a bandanna smash cake, topped off with a fondant/gum paste horsey.  One of my favorite smash cakes!  Thank you Stephanie for allowing me the opportunity to do both birthdays.  See you next year!

 

























ARE YOU READY TO RUMMMMMMMBLLLLLLE?
Sorry if my deep long drawn out voice just scared you, but that's what I hear when it comes to monster trucks and poor defenseless little cars. ha ha!
It was such a fun cake.  My favorite thing to do were the wheels.  I never thought I could do something like them.   I'll share with you how they are made, you know details!

I didn't get to see Brody come pick up his Grave Digger Monster Truck with the family.  Nor did I see baby Meg, Illena and Bryson.  However, I did hear they really liked it.  I hope they liked the taste as much as the look.  I was happy to find the Blue Thunder (last years cake) and the Grave Digger toy trucks for his birthday.  It was so perfect.  I had to keep taking them away from my girls.  Yes, they were that much fun!  They wanted to keep them.  Of course the answer was NO!

Happy Birthday Brody!  Enjoy your trucks!

So, Illena, will we be doing a different monster truck next year?  I may need to start looking for my next truck model. ha ha

Things you need to make a Monster Truck Wheel:
4-4"x3" vanilla cakes
butter cream
Black Satin Ice fondant (or you can color your own using black gel or paste)
Medium circle cutter
Paint Brush
Small Straight Spatula
Silver Ameri-Color Air Brush paint or Silver Luster Dust
Small and Large silver dragees

1.  To make the center, use the circle cutter and push down to the top edge and remove.  Then use a straight spatula to remove the cake. 
2.  Crumb coat with butter cream
3.  Roll out fondant and cover the top and sides of the wheel.  After it sets up (hardens), make 4-4" circle to cover the bottom of the wheel.  (Just use a little bit of water to make it stick.)
4.   Cut small thin strips of black fondant for the tread.  It should begin at the edge and stop about the center.  Again, be sure the entire wheel has set up.  If the wheel doesn't harden before you do this, it will be a ugly site!
5.  Use silver air brush to paint the center of the wheel.
6.  Add the small dragees for the bolts and one large dragee in the center. (This step should be done right after you paint and it is still wet.)

Taaaaaa Daaaaa!  Now you have 4 Monster Truck Wheels!






Last, but certainly not least.  The Wedding Cake for Kenzie Tucker.  It was an all white cake, filled with vanilla butter cream, covered with Ivory butter cream and an Olive green ribbon boarder.  The flowers were fresh and absolutely beautiful!  My complements to the florist!  The final product was wonderful!  I love fresh flowers on a cake.

Also, there were 5 dozen mini cup cakes.  3 dozen Red Velvet with fondant OU's on them and 2 dozen Banana Nut.  Vanilla butter cream topped them all.  Sorry, I didn't even think to get pictures of them.  They were very cute!

I can't believe it's time to go already.  School tomorrow and more cake supply shopping and so much more.  I think I need a wife!  There is to much to do for just one little ole me!  I'll be back next week.  Feel free to comment, ask questions, or just take a peek.

By the way, I want to say thank you to my mom.  I wouldn't have made it with out you!  Pssst.  I could use a little of your help this week if you are bored and lonely.  If not, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."  No worries.

Cake-N-Cookies

I'm finally stealing a few moments to blog.  My sister Trish informed me I'm a "blog liar", because I didn't blog last weekend.  Isn't she precious!  I know she was being silly-It's normal for us to pick at each other.  I once reported that all was well until some one dropped a house on my SISTER! lol!

Anyway, I went from last weeks orders right into this weeks orders.  I have been so busy, mom is working like crazy and even staying the night to help me out!

Labor Day weekend, our church had an old fashion celebration. So I made the cutest little cookies.  They were almond flavor sugar cookies.  I used royal icing under the fondant to make it stay in place.  Chocolate Fondarific fondant mixed with virgin white Fondx fondant to make the cone.  Then used them separately for the "vanilla & strawberry" ice cream scoops.  The cherry on top is red Satin Ice fondant.  They were pretty yummy.  Unfortunately, most children do not like the almond flavor, but the adults again loved them.  Hey, as long as someone likes them I'm happy.  They were not wasted. 







I also had a last minute order and was happy and excited to do it.  It was a tea pot for a sweet heart named Brooke.  She had the privilege to have her party at a tea room and I understand it was a lot of fun.   The tea pot was chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream.  Yummy!  One of my favorites!  The lid, spout and handle were made from Rice Krispy Treats, covered with fondant and dotted with royal icing.  I used Ameri-Color Air Brush colors for the the paint.  LOVE THEM!  I searched the internet and Cake Central for a whimsical tea pot, but had no luck.  I was actually inspired by Collette Peters with the paint design.  So, as you can see, the final result.

How in the world could I ever forget my favorite student of all time?  Alana!  She is one of my fans and obviously I am one of hers.  She is an amazing young lady who is an incredible pianist.  So, I made a small 7" round for her birthday.  Soon I'll be creating a 3 tier Piano cake for her party.  Each tier will be Baby Grand Piano.   I'm so excited and can't wait!  However, for now, here is the small music cake she enjoyed.  I sent a fork so she and her mom could begin eating it on the way home.  Alana was actually picking the butter cream off and eating it in front of me in my drive way.  What a nut!  Gotta love her!





I began working on Thomas the Tank and I'm almost finished.  I will post pictures as soon as I can.


For now, please have an amazing week.  I'll get back as soon as I can.  I have a wedding this week end so, please pray for me!