Sunday, May 31, 2009

Graduation elation

Another graduation to celebrate. I gave it a little party theme to capture the sense of accomplishment and freedom that comes with having completed years of faithful study. You might notice that the lil cap and scroll are similar to the ones I made with the previous graduation cake. I made these at the same time and it has kept its shape all this time. That's what I love about fondant, it's such a reliable medium!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Rose to the occasion

This cake was an order for Mother's Day a few weeks back. I thought we definitely can't go wrong with roses! I chose a soft flowy look for the fondant with a marbly effect I don't normaly do (and which is a bit hard to see here) to contrast with the pure white hue of the roses.

Monday, May 25, 2009

How many people does it take to make a cake?

What better way to celebrate than to have your family and friends around you… even on your cake! This is a good way to incorporate your guests into your theme, as they have fun trying to spot themselves - then eat whoever they wish.

The print worked out heaps better than I thought – it was very clear even though the photos were tiny.

The sides of the cake were designed to add more to the flavour of the day - party party party!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Cakeing a stroll

One guess as to the gender of this baby-to-be! I am still learning how to make things stand, eg. the hood of the pram, by trial and error (but pleased to say there's been no error yet!). This one was constructed slightly differently from the one before... now I have two options. Best thing about fondant is that it goes rock hard when dry, so there was no chance of it collapsing once it was done.
The lil BABY BOY blocks were a specific request... which I think just made this baby shower theme complete.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Bag this, Louis Vuitton!


One of my proudest cake moments to date. I'd always admired LV themed bags but always thought I'd have to take some sort of class before I could attempt one. Of course, when the request came for these I was only too eager and upon thinking it through properly, I realised there was a way with the will. Nevermind that they'd be cute and mini-sized, I was dizzy with excitement already!
This is the closest I've come to 'mass production', hehe, but there are no shortcuts when it comes to the time and care needed for each cake, each logo and symbol meticulously hand-painted. I'd like to think I know just a little bit more about LV designs now, even though I've never had an LV bag of my own!
These were Mother's Day presents from a generous friend to the fellow mothers in her family. I couldn't resist whipping up some LV themed cupcakes for her and her boys to enjoy too. Happy Mother's Day!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Conversing in cake

You learn a new thing everyday. With this cake, I learnt that this Converse sneaker is called a 'Chuck'! I also learnt you can't call it a shoe until it's got laces.
This was my first ever shoe and it was fun to see it come together. Once I crossed the hurdle of carving the cake into shape, it was pretty smooth sailing. The most satisfying part, needless to say, was putting the laces on. I like the laces undone (as was requested), I think it gives it a lil street cred, hehe.
The party was for 80 so we had to figure out a way to feed all those people with this sneaker cake. The birthday girl decided on a giant shoebox to match the giant shoe (both about 11 inches in length). We ended up with an extremely heavy cake which we both struggled a bit to carry! I'm pretty sure it would have left no one hungry. I just hope none got Chuck-ed out! (get it)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Monkey see, monkey wave

If animals are going to be used as a cake theme, I think it's important to pick the one with the right look that fits the message of the cake... I like this one because it looks like it's greeting its recipient. Good choice (not mine)!
I utilised extensively what I learnt in class - embroidery - on the side of the cake, which was a bit of an accomplishment considering how much trouble we were all having. I decided on this vine-looking design to match the monkey theme. All it needs now is bananas!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mini cake or extra giant cupcake

A cake who thinks it's a cupcake. After I decorated this, I realised it wasn't much bigger than the giant sized cupcakes, which would have been much easier to bake, in the correct shape, rather than cutting this one down to size. LOL. Oh well, cake and learn.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Cake is like a box of chocolates

This gift box of chocolates comes with walls filled with choc fudge and a lid made of vanilla cake. First time I've combined a cake with real lollies... gives the party guests two types of sweets in one go!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Cakeing in a different dimension

When my friend requested a sci-fi Matrix cake, I had no idea what I was in for (I could only think black jackets and Keanu Reeves), but it turned out to be a great learning cake for me! Definitely not a typical request. He wanted scrolling green Japanese characters on a black screen (guess you Matrix fans know what I'm talking about), which I replicated using the scratching method with green icing underneath. I was a little nervous about how effective it would be and how I would keep my lines straight but it became easier as I got into it. Tip: start on the back so once you get to the top of the cake, you've already had good practice! There are also tiny Japanese characters on the big 3 and 0. Another cake idea completely out of left field, I love the crazy ideas you guys throw at me. There's nothing I won't cake (yet)!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Mother's Day cupcakes

Some early Mother's Day cupcakes using new tools and techniques I got from my cakeing class!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Grad I could cake it


A friend of mine graduated to doctorhood and this is the cake her husband and I designed for her. From the start we only discussed black and white designs, somehow it suited the formalness of the occasion. I was quite excited to see how it'd turn out, I've never thought of using only black and white on a cake before. I quite like its understatedness! Only thing is it looked like nothing until I put it all together... then it all really came together! Oh and complimentary cupcakes on the left which I couldn't resist.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Love and roses

Love and Cake is now complete - I can do roses! This is the one thing I've been wanting to learn from day one... and now it's finally here... in my hand (yes that's my hand)... made from scratch. Just in time for Mother's Day :0)

Next I should learn how to take a decent photo. Still struggling with that flash >0(

Bring on those rose orders!