Every girl's first cupcake should be this grand...

I had so much fun creating this little cutie, it was a real joy to design this cake for one of my favorite families (between mom and daughter #1 they've become welcomed regulars). The cake for Audrey's first birthday was based on a handful of photos that were sent to me and a copy of the invite - with a cupcake on it of course. We needed to pump up the colors just a tiny bit, and make the cupcake the focal point. I love that Audrey's mom let me sort of do my own thing with the cake within the idea range she sent me. They loved it!

Birthday girl was napping at delivery time so I'll have to wait to see her reaction in photos; I especially hope to see her with her very own little coordinating "smash cake" sitting to the side of the cake. I make those for every first birthday cake I do as my little gift - hey...gotta get 'em hooked young! ;-)

The bottom cake is a 4 layer 10" round Caramel Apple cake (one of my signature flavors) and the cupcake was made using a couple 6" layers, a 7", and half of a ball pan. No giant cupcake pan here, just a little carving and voila! Add some delicious butter cream, made from scratch fondant and a chocolate #1 and there you have it - a first birthday cupcake fit for a princess!

After delivering the cake, I took my own little cupcakes out for a great day of some very last minute back to school shopping. It was a terrific day all around!

Meet and Greet Arts in the Valley 7/13/08

You know what they say...well some folks anyway; sometimes you find the best stuff in the most out of the way places. Then again maybe I just made that up, but it's true.

This weekend, in my tiny little home town of South Otselic about an hour south of Syracuse, our local artists will be taking part in a "meet and greet" day in the town park. From acrylic paintings to woven textiles, quite a bit should be represented here. The Otselic Valley is home to so many talented people that have been undiscovered or unseen before. We also have a few accomplished artists as well. Sunday should prove to be a day of discovery and good family fun. Lots of info, plenty of eye candy and even some activities for the kids.

She Takes The Cake will be just one small part of this look into our talented community. I'm baking up some fresh cookie blanks that will be used as mini canvas for your own edible masterpieces. Even some cupcakes too! With edible paints, icings, and decor on hand, I'll show you or your little Van Gogh some ideas for fun and tasty artwork. You might not want to eat it, but go ahead...my cookies are yummy! We'll also have some of our cakes on display and the portfolio too.

Lori Wood, an incredibly talented muralist, will be "Creating Young Artists", music will be in the air, food will be available, and some artists' items will be available for purchase.

More information about Arts in the Valley can be found here; this is a new organization that already has contributed greatly to community involvement and activity in South Otselic. We're happy to be a small part of it!

Not familiar with how to get here? If you want to check out the map I made up for directions on how to get to my shop, the park is just down the street! Of course, you can also contact Arts in the Valley for more precise info on how to get here and what to expect this Sunday from 1-6pm. Hope to see you there! The event is free, but bring some cash for an inspired purchase or two.