Positively Pink Truffle Trees!

This past weekend I had the honor and pleasure of creating my yummy truffle trees for Bubbles and Baubles; a benefit event put on by Positively Pink Packages to provide continued funding for much needed care packages to recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. Founder and survivor Jennifer Tom hosted a fabulous champagne and dessert event at the Holiday Inn at Carrier Circle with a silent auction and this year there was also a casino room! I do wish we could have stayed to enjoy the event but it was a super busy weekend for us and it just wasn't in the cards.

Next year I hope to donate a cake or other wonderfully pink creation! So many wonderful items were donated by other businesses in and around the CNY area, show them your support! For more information about Positively Pink Packages, contact Jennifer Tom at Jenniferatom@aol.com.

King Kong in Styrofoam... courtesy of Beth!

So here we have the fabulous Beth from The Pink Cupcake Bakery in Mt Vernon, OH. As I mentioned in my last post, Beth drove from OH to lend a much needed hand in the completion of Kara and Greg's huge NYC Movie themed cake order. The piece de resistance was the King Kong topper for the main display; the Empire State Building of course! Beth gave me a great head start on the topper by sculpting the basic body out of Styrofoam with my Dremel too. She noted with a huge grin and lots of laughter that she may have missed her calling. I think she could be right, she did a FAB job on this piece and without the start she gave me I doubt King Kong would have been nearly as cute!

Check out some shots I took while braving the styro storm as she worked!

She started with an 8" sq by 4" cake dummy (can you believe that?)

Can you see him yet? She says... yep, I get it...keep going! This is great!




















He's really starting to take shape, this is getting exciting, right about now is when she exclaimed she should have been a sculptor.

And now for the clean-up...what a mess!!! Making a mess is always more fun when you didn't make it by yourself!



Below, is the sculpted shape of Kong in all his glory, perched atop the building just to check scale and position. Perfect!




The topper was added to the order very close to the due date, I have to admit I was at a loss for how it would get done. Were there other things that would have to be omitted or cut back on to accomplish it? "Yes"is often the answer. When one is lucky enough to have clients that put their faith and trust in the artist they've hired, what matters is that the job get done in the best way possible. It's my job to see that it gets done. In this case, help was needed to accomplish this task. Sure, part of me was a little disappointed that I felt I couldn't manage it on my own the but majority of me was extremely satisfied that I was smart enough to call on my very talented friend to hire help when it was obviously needed. Where was I while Beth was covering herself in stryo? Working on the building for Kong to sit on! The downside to being a sole body in a custom shop I guess is, well, that I'm the only one. It's not always fun and games, and it's not always a walk in the park. Ever wonder why I only take one or two a weekend?? It's because I don't have a staff of 12 under me, that's why. Oh my...could you just imagine if I did?!

Thanks again Beth for coming all the way from The Pink Cupcake Bakery in Mt Vernon, wish I could have you here more often!

Kong is looking good, now to add "fur" and details, and of course his bride! Check back soon for those shots...got some good ones of the progress while I finished him off. Who knew he could be such a cutie?!

Cheers!

Or should I say, "have a frosty one on me"?

A fun little cake for today's pick up. This little bugger(er...mugger?) is on it's way to a surprise party for the client's 80 year old mother.

I typically find out what the client or recipient likes to do for a hobby, or maybe even their occupation, or I'll ask for favorite colors or flowers, etc. We didn't really know what direction we were headed with this order, those questions were met with little response. When I asked what does she like to do..."she loves beer" was the response.

With a little laugh I suggested a big ol' beer mug and boy was I surprised when that comical idea was met with an overwhelming YES! Of course I wondered if this was the most tasteful way to go and the response was a very clear "have you met my mother?!"

Indeed I have...we think she'll like her cake. I hear it's been fun keeping the party a surprise. The countdown has started, we'll see if she is blown away by the effort her family made to make today special.

Of course she'll love it, who wouldn't? I love it when I can be part of such a terrific event, comical or sober (bad pun sorry). Clients who work hard to make an awesome surprise party for their mom....hey, I'll drink to that!

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.

Spring Cleaning and Some Sweet Finds

As the weather gets nicer out there, I thought it was only fitting to make it a little nicer in here. Just changed things up a little bit and added some info that I hope will please the spectrum of my little audience.

Don't ya just love the www? My blog was originally just a little way to stay in touch with a few clients and *gasp, dare I say* fans, but more and more I see so many things that I just love that I thought it only natural to share them.

So you'll see a little bit of new info in the sidebar and some new posts too when I find something I just know you're gonna love. I'll try to keep it cake related...but don't count on it! In the meantime, check out some of my friends; old and new. See ya!