Austin Bride and Groom

I can now show the the Bride and Groom workshop subjects for Austin, Texas on August 22nd and 23rd. This is a two day workshop and will be the final one before I leave for home again. The classes will be advertised on the 1st May and I will post the link to that as soon as I have it. I still have to finish the Farmyard project for one of the classes but that should be done by tomorrow. A new picture will be posted along with the date of that particular class too. The Farmyard project is a smaller version of my Farmyard Fun cake which was posted just a few weeks ago. Of course, the "Highland Coo" will feature! You can see more views of this project on my Flickr page...the dress on this bride has a long train and is worth having a look at!

Cheeky boys!

A few weddings are coming up soon and time to start thinking about the little people who will feature on most of them. This is almost the only type of wedding cake I do these days....and usually the only ones I agree to now as most of my time is taken up teaching and demonstrating. This photo is from a cake I did a couple of years ago and after just coming across it this morning, it puts me in the mood to create another demonstration piece just like this one. It still is one of my personal favourites of all time.

Spot the birthday girl!

A fabulous evening was had by all. Jane has an amazing number of friends who all turned up on the night to wish her a Happy Birthday. She's pictured here with those who had a hand in putting her party together and making it a huge success. Jane looked radient (as always!). The cake was wheeled onto the middle of the dance floor as you can see. I was so glad to see that the colour matched pretty well with Jane's stunning dress. The top of the cake is still intact...but not for long I expect. So what does this week bring?? Well...I have a demonstration tomorrow evening (Tuesday 28th April) in Berwick on Tweed. I'm looking forward to that as always. For the rest of the week I will be working on the projects to be taught in Austin in August. Not too long now so it is essential that these projects are advertised as soon as possible so that those already on the waiting list can see what they will actually be doing...that would be good, wouldn't it! hahaha! Organised is not my middle name at the minute but I'll get there...just you see if I don't. Don't forget too that Debbie Brown and I will be together for the weekend of 23rd and 24th May in London. If you still want to book a place on this fabulous weekend don't hesitate. There are only a few left. See Extra Icing website for details.

My beautiful Jane's birthday cake!

I finished it! What a whirlwind weekend...but I have finally managed to put together my lovely sister-in-law's (40th!) birthday cake. I did my sketch for this design and as I was putting it together, all I kept of my original idea was the top tier (kind of!) and the colour. Isn't that always the way? The design on the bottom was meant to be two straight lines together with a gap and then a simple bow in between each set of lines. Well, I cut the hearts out and the ribbon tails and started playing around with them on my work board. I decided on a little more elaboration.....so took much longer than anticipated! Lol! I thought of putting ribbon around the middle for a bow but this morning, I drove 30 miles away to the nearest craft store to find black Flower Paste (gumpaste) so that I could make an edible one instead. Don't feel sorry for me making the journey...I stopped along the way for morning coffee and a cherry and coconut scone! We all need our sustenance to create these wonders you know! hahaha! I'm glad I decided on the edible version. As for the top of the cake....I always had a vision of Jane jumping out of it! hahaha! Jane is a bundle of joy and it was an absolute pleasure to create her special cake. I'll post a picture of the birthday girl next week after the party. Now I'm off to prepare for a class tomorrow! Ooooooh! See a close up of Jane's topper on my Flickr.

Callas in blue sparkle!

I'm back from my US travels and already into busy mode! I spent the day finishing off these lilies although the sparkly centre does not show up so well in this photo, the lilies are actually very pretty in real life. Tomorrow I shall add some bear grass and present them nicely onto a plain covered square cake with a navy blue ribbon...simple but sweet! I have classes this weekend and on Monday too with a few overseas visitors attending. I hope this rainy weather won't disappoint them too much! Next week will be pretty exciting for me as I have a VERY important cake to make....my lovely sister-in-law, Jane, will be 40! Sssh! Don't tell her I told you!! hahaha! I have a fabulous design planned and just hope that it looks the same in reality as it does in my head at the moment. I don't want to be wearing it on the night of her party! Oops! More classes next week and a big cake to make....I can see lots of coffee being consumed to keep me going. ;o)

A Jolly visit indeed!

As you can see I haven't forgotten to bring home the important stuff! hahaha! I am still in Austin at the moment and will be leaving tomorrow morning to make my way back to Bonnie Scotland. My classes in Houston were fantastic....even though I say it myself! I had a wonderful time and was treated like Royalty by the ladies of Houston Cake Club I am happy to say that I will be returning next year for more classes. I followed the classes with a few days break (for a change!) in Austin. I have had the chance to recharge my batteries and am ready for the work ahead when I return home. Don't forget that I am in London next month to share classes with Debbie Brown! There are still some places left if you want to join us. I'm back in Austin in August for lots of classes and little time to shop...but don't you be worrying about that, I'll manage to get ALL that I need on a whirlwind trip around these stores! You betcha!

Up, up and away!!!

I've arrived! After catching up with sleep I am now up and ready for the day ahead...which of course entails visiting Michaels! Yeehaw! Classes start on Sunday and end on Tuesday. I will be spending the following 4 days taking a break so please do bear with me as I will only be responding to sales mail. I will concentrate my time on all other enquiries when I return. As I always say, normal service will resume as soon as possible...but in the meantime, I'm having some fun! Cheers everyone!