Thomas the Train Takes a Trip

May 29,2009
My assistant Principal, Lisa, has a son who is turning 3. Jackson is having is party at the Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. I thought that was pretty cool! So I was asked to make a Thomas the train cake. I am so fortunate to have a mother who make our cakes growing up. Not only did we have awesome cakes, but she still has all of her cakes pans. So I borrowed her 3D train pan to make the train. I know that Thomas is a Tank engine and his body isn't exactly like the cake pan, but it was still pretty close. Next time I make this cake I think I'll put some supports underneath the train cake. Since it's a narrow cake it had pressure points where the cake had a tendency to lean. It's always a learning process.

Payton's Birthday

May 16, 2009

My parents' neighbors are close friends of ours, family really. Well, their granddaughter Payton turned eight and wanted a Littlest Pet Shop birthday cake. I had real optimistic hopes for the cake design. I had originally thought of carving the cake in the shape of a paw print. I also thought I would create the Littlest Pet Shop animals out of marshmallow fondant. But neither one happened. Once my aspirations were crushed I ran into a creative block. I didn't carve the cake, because I wanted to make sure there would be enough cake for everyone.

The cake had a large paw print on the top of the cake make out of marshmallow fondant. As a finishing touch, I used butter cream icing to make small paw prints around the sides. I made a quick trip to Wal-mart and bought toys to put on top of the cake. Luckily Payton had been wanting the animals I picked, so she was tickled just the same. Initially I wasn't too fond of this cake; but I am much happier about it now.

Butterfly Birthday

May 15, 2009

My coworker, Carol, has a daughter who loves butterflies. So for her birthday she asked me to make her a butterfly cake. Holly's favorite color is purple, so I decided to do pink and purple chocolate butterflies. I also used white marshmallow fondant daisies and pink wisteria-like flowers for the top.
When making the butterflies, I used Ziploc bags to hold the chocolate. They melted nicely in the bags, and I didn't have to use a pastry bag and tip. I just snipped the end of the Ziploc bag with scissors.

Every bride needs...flip flops?

May 13,2009
My cousin Susan's coworker Tracy is getting married. They are having a bridal shower for her at school. Since they were using bold, bright beach colors she asked me if I would make the cake. I loved the flip flops on top. They look just like the napkin Susan brought me. The flip flops were make of marshmallow fondant. Even with the simple design, the flip flop cake has inspired me to make a beach theme cake.

Time Keeps Tiki'n Away

May 13, 2009 Our school is getting reading for the End of Grade tests. As an act of compassion, our social committee provided us with a Luau of refreshments. They knew that we could use something to lift our spirits before testing started next week. I was asked to make a cake to help teachers with their "pre-testing blues". Although having an "EOG in flames" cake would make many teachers smile, I felt it wasn't an appropriate sentiment. Luckily, I found out the theme was tropical and decided to do a Tiki idol instead. I figured "Say Aloha to the EOG" was encouraging without being distructive.

The cake was constructed of 8 inch rounds cut in half and set on end. The cake was covered with chocolate butter cream. The eyes, nose, flowers, leaves, and mouth were made of marshmallow fondant.

The staff loved the cake. It was quickly "hacked" into shreds. Many people say they hate to cut cakes because they are so pretty.But personally I get my feelings hurt when it's not cut. I love to see a cake board that's licked clean. To me, it's a sign of success.

Going Buggy for Babies!

May 13, 2009

My sister's coworker, Danielle, is a having a baby girl. Her nursery theme is bugs, so they used it as the theme for the baby shower.

I made lady bugs, caterpillars, butterflies, and bumble bees out of marshmallow fondant.

I also sculpted a baby to sit on top of the cake wearing a pink diaper and a little pink blossom hat. Instead of using outside borders, I sporadically placed clumps of pink flowers along the edges to add another dimension.

The antennas of the bugs are actually flower stamens. What can I say, when it comes to cake decorating the Internet is a vast resource of information.

Margaret Turn's 90!

May 10, 2009

What better day to celebrate a 90th birthday than Mother's Day. My friend Alice's mother just turned 90. Her family threw her a beautiful party. I was fortunate enough to be asked to make the cake. Alice told me that when she and her siblings were growing up, her mother always had fresh flowers in the house. So I used that as my inspiration for her birthday cake.

I tried a new trick with this cake. I used my rubber stamps, that I use for scrap booking, to stamp the letters on the cake. I think it worked rather well. I left indentions then piped over top with icing. It gave me a chance to experiment with other "fonts".

I delivered the cake on Saturday afternoon, so I didn't get to place the flowers myself. I offered a couple of suggestions, and left the flowers. So I never got to see the finished cake. They promised to send pictures so I could see how it turned out.