Catch up

Hi everyone,

It's been quite a while since my last post. I've been putting regular updates on my facebook page, but haven't been putting enough time aside for my blog. So to bring everyone up to speed, here's what's been coming out of my kitchen recently: 

I'm teaching a shabby chic cake decorating class at cakeology now. This is a 4-layer cake covered in sugarpaste and handmade edible shabby chic decorations.

Here's a cookie stack decorated in ruffles and flowers - all edible - a lovely gift for someone special or for a wedding favour.

Rose buttercream cupcake - I love piping these roses - they are so easy to do and so pretty. If you want to learn to pipe these roses there are quite a few tutorials on youtube. Try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2nWuuya6z0 as an example.

Here are some cakelets (mini cakes) decorated in black and white couture theme. You can learn how to make these at my Vintage couture course at Cakeology.

And lots of cupcake examples - I've been making heaps recently and trying out new techniques like brush embroidery and stencilling - I'll put up a tutorial soon on some new techniques to share the baking love.

Happy baking xx

Baking highlights - 2011

Wishing everyone a very happy 2012 - looking forward to lots of exciting baking adventures with you xx

Guest Post

I'm so thrilled to have been invited to do a guest post on Best Friends for Frosting. I absolutely love this blog - it's packed with gorgeous baking projects for all occasions.

In my guest post you'll find the recipe and some tips on how to make a Shabby Chic christmas cookie tree...

I had so much fun making this project. Click here for intructions on how to make one too.

Stay tuned for more Christmas treats soon!

Happy baking xx

Cake International

Over the weekend I had the most amazing time at Cake International at the NEC in Birmingham. It was a full weekend of justing talking cake with my cakey friends. The entries in the competition categories this year were mind blowing, here are just a few of the amazing creations on display:

 The photo of this tiger doesn't do it justice. Each strand of fur was individually created by hand.....amazing

Each strand of fur on the cat was hand piped - the attention to detail on the cakes was incredible. Some of them must have taken months to complete.

This is just a section of a gorgeous fairy-themed cake.

This mermaid cake was one of my favourites - the beautiful coral and shells under the cake was so detailed, you could spend hours looking at it. Here's a bit of a close up....

 

Here's a section of another sea-inspired cake - love the little sea creatures

In the doll section -this entry blew me away. Everything you see has been made in sugar - even the crocheted table cloth was piped in royal icing. The miniature cakes on the doll's table were so detailed - I just loved this.

My mate Laura from Cakeology made this amazing sushi cake - it made it all the way in the car with us from London. She was awarded silver - I'm so happy for her.


As well as cakes, there were amazing floral entries. Some of these flowers look so real ....

I was a finalist in the live cupcake challenge - I had to decorate 13 cupcakes in 2 hours along with 8 other competitors. It was a lot of fun and I managed to finish in time. I decorated in my signature shabby chic style.....

 

and came 2nd place! I was so thrilled. Here's the winner's entry - her monkey cupcakes were so adorable.

Can't wait until the next show.....

Hope you all have a lovely week xx

Playing around with flowers

Last week, I spent quite a bit of  time practicing different cupcake designs in preparation for the Live PME cupcake finals which will be held at the Cake International exhibition on 4th November. I'll be there along with 8 other contestants decorating 13 cupcakes in 2 hours in front of everyone. If you're at the exhibition that day be sure to pop over and say hi.

Here are some of the cupcakes to come out of the kitchen recently....

Hope you all have a lovely week.

Happy baking xx

Cakelets

This week I've been making cakelets (mini cakes). Here's what has come out of the kitchen.....

 Candy-striped bow cakelet

 Gardenia cakelet

 Calla lily cakelet

and last but not least - ribbon roses cakelet.

Although mini cakes take a lot longer to make than cupcakes, they are definitely worth the effort, and make beautiful gifts. I'll be making a series of christmas cakelets soon to share with you all. Stay tuned.

Happy baking xx

This week in the kitchen.....

I've been busy baking this week for National Cupcake Week. Here are a few more creations from the kitchen.....

Gardenia cupcake. You can learn how to make these at my Garden Party Cupcake class at Cakeology.

Shabby chic kitchen tea cupcakes. So girly and pretty.....

 

White ribbon rose cupcake with glitter.....

Hope you have all enjoyed National Cupcake Week xx