hmmmm...

 

these are fun :)

Soccer Ball and a lot of learning

A few weeks back, I did a cake with a butter based buttercream and was reminded how super soft it gets in humid weather. So, this time around I tried something different...something I've read a lot about but was afraid to try...covering and crumb-coating the cake in ganache.  Ganache is just melted chocolate along with heavy cream...but it has to have the right consistency to form a hard shell around the cake...giving you a smooth surface to cover in fondant. 

 

 I have been following Jessica Harris, a cake master, for a while and her cakes are ahh-mazing.  She is so kind to answer questions, give advice and show pictures on her blog of how she creates such beautiful cakes. Although mine look nothing like hers, I have to give her credit and all she has put out there to help so many of us who enjoy cakes.  If you haven't seen her work, check it out here.

 

So, here's the result of a few firsts.  The first ganache covered cake, first ball cake, and first time decorating with modeling chocolate.  I learned a lot...for sure.  Enjoy! :)

 

in the light of the moon....

 

 

 

Eric Carle classics :)

Stella's 4!

 

I can't believe my baby is 4!  Here are a few sweet treats I made for her special Snow White party.  She was very involved with the  baking, too.  She wanted chocolate, of course....helped me sift the flour, roll cake pops and eating it all was the best part! 

Happy birthday to my sweet Stella!!

 

...with a cherry on top....

 

A Cherry Berry cake for Miss Sterling, who turned one this past week!

 

Come Inside...

It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse..come inside, let's go inside...I think that's the right words...

If you have a little one, you probably just sung those words to the tune of the popular show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse :) Thanks for singing along ;)

My very first Clubhouse cake for Mr. Tristan!  Last year, Tristan loved Elmo, this year, Mickey..I can't wait to see what's to come next!

The LORAX

Before miss Lilly's party, I'd didn't even know who "the lorax" was....much less know what he looked like. I'd seen the previews of the movie, but never looked further than the television screen.  Lucy explained who he was, gave me a picture of a cake she liked, and told me to have fun.  I changed some things up from the picture to make it just for Lilly.  Here's the end result. Thanks to Smitten and Hooked for the sweet pics!

a little surprise for the b-day girl :)

happy birthday LILLY! 

Stepping out of the box

I can't say that this cake was a breeze...although, I can say, it got me out of my comfort zone...big time!  I've never hand painted anything before in my life!  I went to my little baking store and told "Shirley" what I was attempting to paint, showed her the picture, and her reply was, "sometimes doing what's hard is how we learn."  She was right.  I learned a lot form this cake. 

                                                                              the picture to go by...

Happy 1st Birthday Reece!!

ruffles

My baking days are coming back slowly...here's one for a friend that was made back in March. 

My first ruffle cake :)

Little Ladybug

Ladybug cake for Miss Avery, who turned one last week. The cake was strawberry with the ladybug "smash" cake on top for the birthday girl! The cupcakes were vanilla bean.

After taking the pictures, cleaning up the kitchen, and getting ready for bed, I kept thinking about the little ladybugs crawling around the cake...so I went back and added some :)

Happy Birthday Avery!

M-I-C-K-E-Y...

It's always exciting to do something for a little guy or gal, especially, when you know it's going to make them smile...and who doesn't love Mickey Mouse!? Happy Birthday Jackson!!

Tangled

Ok, so this past weekend the camera's should have been rolling because I literally felt like I was on TLC's Cake Challenge. It was, by far, the most challenging cake I've ever done. After watching and reading up on several different techniques, this was the final outcome! I made rice crispy treats, used royal icing, piping gel, tylose powder, and wooden dowels and then some...

Happy "Tangled" Birthday!

Mod Monkey

The one and only Mod Monkey! :)

A little something special for the birthday boy :)

IT'S ME, ELMO!

It's always fun to see Elmo!

Construction

A construction theme for Mr. Lucas who just turned 1! I met Lucas' Mom through a mutual friend, and as always, we had a few other friends in common as well. I love meeting new customers and getting to be a part of their celebrations! Happy birthday Lucas! I hope it was great! The dump truck was inspired by the party's theme...found here.

my man, Dev

Devin is turning 10 and going into 5th grade next fall...I can't believe it. I taught Devin in first grade and still get lucky enough to see his mom and a few of his friends when his birthday rolls around. His theme was "carnival" with bright colors and popcorn. My favorite part of the order were the cupcake wrappers. :) So good to see you Devin! I hope your birthday was as special as you!

my little klara

Klara turned 5 and all she wanted was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing...with pink bows and pink flowers, of course! Klara's mom sent me a picture of what she wanted and it fit her just perfect. For the little girl who always insists on wearing a dress, this "my little pony" cake was just her style. Happy 5th Birthday Klara!

Olivia!

I have to admit, I was really excited when I heard, "The party theme is
Olivia!" Nichole, the birthday girl's mom, sent the invite along with a few pictures, and this is was the final product! Happy 3rd birthday Audrey!

The cake was vanilla with raspberry and cream cheese filling with swiss meringue butter cream. The cake bites were strawberry...red, of course, to match Olivia! :)

Candy, Anyone?

I had such a fun time making this cake. The colors and theme were inspired by the invite for Lawson's third birthday. I hope he enjoyed his cake as much as I enjoyed making it for him! Happy Birthday Lawson! :)

Fireman Jake

I can't believe Jake is already 4! His mom is the wonderful Wendy from McSwain Design...who creates all of my invite and announcement needs. I remember the day Jake was born. Who knew it would be so soon that I would be making a dog for his fourth birthday cake! You are such a sweet boy Jake! I hope you enjoyed your firemen party!