Beluga Whale : Birthday Cake

There is a girl named Eva. First fact I ever knew about her was that she loved beluga whales. I was actually told not to ask her about them because she would carry on forever about how much she loved them. Don't tell me not to do something. I asked her and her face lit up and she was so happy to talk about them. When I was asked to do this cake I was a little nervous. I already had the wedding booked but I thought, "I like a challenge." I was asked about fondant but felt that the buttercream could really give it some texture and allow me to blend the different blues to create more of an ocean look. I left Anthony in charge of the beluga whale because he kept saying "its going to be so easy." My response, "Great! Have at it!" When it actually came time to make it he kept asking, "How am I going to do this?" Well I'm not exactly sure where he started or how he did it but he did and here is our finished product. Enjoy.

Megan & Greg : Wedding Cake

This last weekend in November marked the "first" for a few things. Anthony and I successfully made our first wedding cake. Although we did a wedding cupcake tower back in August this weekend was our first 3-tiered wedding cake. My other first was despite having a 3-tiered wedding cake, 90 cupcakes, a groom's cake and a 2-tiered birthday cake all due on the same day I worked for 2 and a half days WITHOUT stress! I have to admit that sometimes when creating these beauties I tend to get stressed and in a bad mood. I just want everything to be perfect. I believe God has taught me a huge lesson along the way and that is to not stress. Everything turned out just as I had imagined in my mind. Although it was work, I really enjoyed my time spent with Anthony doing these cakes. We spent the days cracking jokes and being silly and "arguing" on where to order take out because at that point we were not making anything else.

So back to the post and the pictures....I want to say a huge thank you to the now Mr. and Mrs. Greg Gardner for entrusting me with their cake on their special day. I promised Megan I would create the exact cake she wanted for her big day and I feel like I did, I just hope she does too. And Greg I hope you enjoyed your surprise groom's cake. I wish you both nothing but the best in your journey together.

Topsy Turvey Birthday Cake

Sometimes I post ads on craigslist under services for cakes. Every time I get a great response and end up swamped and question myself for doing it. Then after I make all of the cakes and things slow down I do it to myself again. Post an ad, schedule a Pampered Chef show, do events with the youth group and then I question again, why do I do this to myself?

Well the last time I posted an ad I was asked to do a cake just like the ones on Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes. No pressure, right? So here is my first attempt at a Topsy Turvey cake. I can honestly say I learn something new every time I bake a cake. Most of the time its because something fails and I have to think of a way to fix it. Hopefully after over a year of making cakes the number of mistakes will dwindle away and I will be left with smooth, easy cakes every time. I can dream.

Just last night when I flipped a cake onto a cooling rack it split completely in half. No amount of icing would have bandaged that bad boy up. Note to self, buy larger cooling racks, holding two together plus the cake pan and flipping = mess!

Jackson "Superman" Sawyer Cake

There are times in life when things happen and you realize that your life is not as bad as it seems. So often we get caught up in the things in life that really do NOT matter. Ultimately life comes down to a few things, God, family and friends, real friends. Sometimes we take advantage of those things but when they are gone we realize how important they were to us.

I have followed Jackson's story via his mom's facebook page over the past couple of months. She has poured her heart and being out on there which made people feel her pain, smile through the good times and I'm sure I can speak for everyone who knows her, she taught so many people strength, faith and the true meaning of life.

I made this cake in memory of Jackson who passed away last month after a long, courageous fight. I enjoyed making this cake more than I have any others.

Here is sweet Jackson with his mommy.

Steelers Football Cake

I think its really cool that a 4 year old loves a football team so much that he wanted his birthday cake to reflect that. This week I think the birthday boy Owen gave me some good luck. I won the football pool at my work for the first time. I was tied for second place a few weeks back but who knew someone who barely knows football would have such success? I thoroughly enjoy Anthony and I's lazy Sundays which consist of church, eating, football and naps. Sadly but thankfully, I will be missing my football date with Anthony and the tv this Sunday but instead I will be selling Pampered Chef and hopefully making some extra money.

Ladybug Cupcakes

Meet my ladybug cupcakes. They turned out exactly like I had envisioned. One of my best friend's has an adorable little girl named Haiden. They celebrated her first birthday this past weekend. Sadly I missed it because I was sick and in bed all day but I hear she enjoyed the icing and edible ladybugs.

Mario & Luigi : Birthday Cake

Who didn't play Mario Brothers growing up??? Just thinking about it makes me want to buy the old Nintendo where you have to blow in the games if they froze. I love that with each cake we do, Anthony and I learn something new. We either learn a new trick, or try a new product (this cake was the first time using wire to stabilize the characters) or we learn something new about each other. I know I have said it before but I am so grateful that we can spend time together while making money that helps us achieve our goals. I couldn't do these cakes without him. Thank you Anthony (if you ever read this.)

Monster Truck : Birthday Cake

Meet Grave Digger. I did this cake last month but because I have been so busy I am just now catching up on blogs. This cake was really awesome for me, it was one of my first cakes where a previous customer recommended me to someone else. It lets me know that people are happy with my work and I am very grateful that they recommend me to their friends and family. I hope you enjoy :)

HELLO Football Season and Happy Birthday Garry

Here is one of my most favorite cakes we have done so far. The same day this cake was due I attended my first professional football game with the birthday boy and a lot of other great people. He was so surprised when I brought the cake out of the bus and everyone started singing. He actually didn't want to cut it and mess it up :) My good friend Christina took these photos for me and provided the cocoa krispie football on top.

Also, I just want to say for the first time in my life I am actually excited for football. I would dread going to Anthony's house and being trapped watching football all day. I didn't know what anything was other than a touchdown. I am proud to say I enjoy lazy, exciting football Sundays with Anthony, it makes it even more fun that I tend to cheer for the opposite team he wants to win :)

Recent Cakes: Birthdays & Occasions

I have not been able to upload photos lately because of the craziness of cakes, summer gatherings, getting a tooth pulled and just having fun and enjoying this warm weather while it lasts. Sorry not to post too much information or stories but I must send out wedding contracts, do some stuff for youth group and get some sleep before its back to the day job in the morning. I am so excited for the cakes I have done and all of those ahead. Check back for cupcakes, a Redskins' themed cake and many more! Happy Birthday to Reagan and Makayla and CONGRATS to my good friend Cassie for graduating and becoming a loving, caring nurse. She is truly awesome. She is that girl I can miss a year of her life and we pick up the exact moment we left off. I just love her and know she will do great.

As always, photos courtesy of Christina Dodson.

Wedding Cake

This past weekend I did a wedding cake for Southern Bride magazine. I have had the chance to work with the high school youth at my church and one special lady thought of me while interning at her aunt's magazine. If I were not for her I don't know if this amazing opportunity would have ever come my way. Anthony and I spent many hours on this cake and I am very happy with the way it turned out. Again, these photos are brought to you by Christina Dodson, who I am forcing to become a professional photographer.

Happy Birthday Albert!

Could you guess what this cake was by the pictures above? This past weekend I made an elmo cake for a little guy's second birthday. From what his mother tells me he is "such a boy". They had his party at the park where he was able to run around, get dirty, and eat elmo cake of course. I hope you had a great birthday Albert!

I really do make these cakes. I never had proof until now.

This post would not be possible if it weren't for a loving, supportive boyfriend, an awesome friend who took these pictures (Christina Dodson) and the people who trust me with their special moments, in this case Rebecca Lowe. So I just wanted to say thank you to all of you!

Tuxedo Brownie Cups

I first learned to make these at a Pampered Chef show a few years ago. They are very simple and a big hit. I made these this weekend for a friend's husband's birthday party, by request. If you would like to learn how to make these contact me to host a Pampered Chef show and these could be your featured recipe!

Brownies are baked in a mini muffin pan, Pampered Chef's mini muffin pan are the only ones that work. Just kidding ;) but its my job to market them. Once the brownies are done and slightly cooled mash a tart shaper down in the middle.

Horrible marketing: my Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator cracked. The good thing? Pampered Chef replaced it without any charge to me.

Just look how cute! And we are off to the party!!!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

This was my first experience ever with yeast. Typically if a recipe called for it I would say, "yeah, right" and move on to something else. I just want to say I loved baking with yeast, the dough was so fluffy and warm and just lovely. This recipe did take me about 3 hours from start to finish but it was well worth the time. I was able to share these wonders with my dad on Father's Day and also with Anthony's grandfather who loves cinnamon and is quite the dad and granddad. If you have never tried your hands at homemade cinnamon rolls, I suggest you do so.

The recipe said to place the dough in a warm area for an hour. It was 95 degrees outside so I placed my dough in the shade on my deck.

After an hour I rolled out the dough and spread melted butter on top then sprinkled cinnamon and sugar.

Don't laugh....ok....you can laugh. No matter how hard I tried I could not get the pretty perfect cinnamon/dough/cinnamon/dough look. The warm dough plus warm butter did not make for a solid log to cut in perfect circles.

But the end results was indescribable. To taste these babies right out of the oven, they just melt in your mouth and you need to leave the house to refrain from eating the whole pan. I won't be making them anytime soon, I just don't think my jeans can handle it.

Recipe found here. BTW...my icing is a different color because my family doesn't like coffee.