Vertical Layered Cake :)

I watched a YouTube video on this and just HAD to try it.  :)  Here is my Easter Cake.

Of course by making this cake you wind up with two separate cakes.  I have one in the freezer ready to go for another cake later. :)

 I didn't get a picture until half was gone.  But you can see the layers.  For those that dont like a lot of icing, this is a good cake because there isn't any on the inside at all, lol.

turtle birthday

My husband's cousin hired me to make cupcakes and a cake in turtle theme for her little girl's birthday.  I think they turned out adorable.

The turtle on top of this cake was a new technique that I learned how to do.  It is buttercream and done as a transfer of sorts.  I need a little more practice to keep the black from running into the other colors, but all in all I think it turned out really nice. The turtles on the sides are thin fondant cutouts.

These turtle toppers were too cute.  I found a picture online and sorta went from there with fondant.  The kids loved them.  Not sure many ate them vs taking them home, lol.

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.