End of 2011

OK, so November and December have been really busy, which I think is the norm for most people.  I had a lot of personal stuff going on as well, such as trying to heal from the death of my daddy.  One thing I like, is that I can forget about things while I am decorating a cake. I get so engrossed that nothing else can penetrate when I am in the midst of a cake project. I am actually working on one last project for the end of the year, and pictures of that will be forthcoming.  Here are some pics of what I did the past few weeks.

This cake was a combo cake for one of my best friends.  She graduated in December from the Art Institute, but not only that, she graduated on her birthday.  I incorporated both ideas into this cake for her.  The flavor was key lime, and it was a big hit with everyone except a 5 year old little boy.

I made these mini sweet tarts for Thanksgiving.  I made a batch for Josh's side of the family, and again for my side of the family.  Both sides loved them, and thought they were the perfect size for after a huge meal.

This cake was leftover batter from the following cake pictures.  The flavor is peppermint, and the topping is the Andies peppermint crunch that is sold only during the holiday season.

These cake and cupcakes was made for my mother in law to take to work for her Christmas party.  The flavor is peppermint and I made fondant trees and candy canes for decoration.  On the cupcakes I used sprinkles to give it that extra little ooomph.

There will be a couple more pics of my last project that I am working on, but those will not be uploaded until after the new year.  I hope each and every one of you have a great New Year filled with loads of good desserts :)

A cake special to my heart

Here is a cake that I made this past week.  My father is very ill and not expected to make it for very long.  He and my (step)mom decided to renew their wedding vows and asked me if I would make the cake for them.  I told them I would be honored.  The only thing they asked for was to have something simple decorated, color pink, and writing on top saying: Forever Together Amen. I know that I have done some great cakes, but this one was special to me.

experimentations gone right

The two recipes that I worked with for these were complete experimentation.  However, with that being said, they turned out AMAZING!!!! Definitely keeper recipes. :)

Chocolate Almond Biscotti:

 (I still cant figure out why some of these are going sideways when they are saved in the upright position.)

Chocolate Oat Chip Cookies:

Gumpaste Flowers

I went to a Wilton Seminar to teach us instructors how to make the gumpaste flowers for the Advanced Course that we get to teach starting in February.  I found out that I LOVE these flowers and I can sit and make them all day - granted that my wrist doesn't give out on me, lol.  Here is a sampling of what we learned this weekend.  I cant wait to make more :)

The Stargazer Lily - my ULTIMATE favorite :)

 Bouquet (aka: Spray of flowers) Has the stephanotis flower and the bud, the blossom flower, the sweet pea flowers, and the ivy leaves.

 The Briar Rose.  Beautiful flower. :)

Smash Cake #2 and a couple other cakes :)

I am loving the progress that I have made lately.  I love decorating cakes but normally dont have a lot of "creativity" for ideas.  However, these cakes were definitely my ideas, lol. 

This is one that I made for the crew at Michael's Arts and Crafts where I teach the Wilton Class.

 The baby cousin's first birthday cake

 Smash cake #2 - baby cousins birthday

 I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this owl. :) Was a challenge, but I think that I got through it well.

 Completed cake - not sure why they are turned sideways here, they are saved right side up in my folder.

Halloween pumpkin cakes

I absolutely LOVE the turnout of these little cakes. I see some things that need improvement but I am still impressed with how easy they were. :) The second picture shows the size in relation to my hand.

Smash Cakes and Cake Pops

New Cakes and Such... I am not baking as much as I would like. I need surgery on my wrist, and it takes a lot out of me to ice and decorate.  Also, since finishing school it isn't like I get the opportunity to bake every day like I did before.  Hopefully after the surgery and recovery time I will get to bake a lot more.  For now, here are my newest creations:

Cake Pops: Yellow Cake dipped in Dark Chocolate, decorated with praline candy crunch

 Cake Pops: yellow cake dipped in white chocolate and decorated with dark chocolate (as for taste, these were my favorites)

 NO clue at all why these are sideways because my pics are upright in my folder.

 Cake pops: yellow cake coated in white chocolate and used dark chocolate for eyes on the ghosts - these were a HUGE hit with the kids around here :)

 I have been placed on a photographers call log for smash cakes because of this cake.  EV Photography hired me to make this smash cake for one of her clients who was doing a "1 year old" photo shoot.  The cake turned out amazing. And because of it I am now her "go-to" baker. I am actually working on another smash cake for Nov 6th, so I will have two of them for my portfolio :)

My Graduation Cake

This cake turned out amazing. I am very proud of the work that I put into it. I designed this cake a year ago but the professor didn't let me make it for our project cake. So it was decided that it would be made for my graduation party. Here area  few different views of the cake and one with me in it too, lol. :)

The First Wedding Cake - and a Thank You/Birthday Cake

Here is my first ever "for sale" wedding cake.  I have a wonderful friend who referred me to a local caterer who needed a last minute wedding cake done.  She said that she needed something very simple.  White fondant on a white tier and a chocolate tiered cake.  Simple blossom flowers and balls either in fondant or buttercream around the bases.  I think I gave her exactly what she was wanting.  :)  I am so very proud of this cake.  Now, the caterer said that she was going to come to me for more cakes. Win-Win situation for us both.  Below the wedding cake pic, you will see a thank you/birthday cake for my friend Jason, who referred me.  His birthday was the same day as the wedding. :)

Cupcakes and Cake Bites :)

Wow, have I been busy lately.  Not really busy doing too much baking, but still very busy none-the-less.  However, I did find some time to bake some goodies.  :) Look out for my next post: my first wedding cake :)

Funfetti Cupcakes for AWANA boys :)

 Brownie bowl dessert

 Praline Brownie Bites - MAJOR HIT!!! :)

 Funfetti Cake Bites - as much as I LOVE chocolate/brownies, these were actually my favorite of the two.